All-Star picks

[George O'Brien]

Originally posted by capologist
Well, it is just a computer thing. It’s not like the machine actually watches the games.

On balance, Steph’s stats (20.1ppg, .434 FG%, .318 (3P%), 8.8apg, 3.4rpg, 1.8spg, 3.1tpg) are slightly better than LeBron’s (20.4ppg, .417 FG%, .273 (3P%), 6.2apg, 5.9rpg, 1.6spg, 3.9tpg). Also working again LeBron is an abysmal record (not that Steph’s is all that much better).

Still, LeBron has been moving quickly up the ratings since the Davis trade, and will probably pass Steph before the season is through.

BTW, after today’s games, Gadzuric edged ahead of Foster. Exciting race, that.

This is precisely the sort of thing that happens because of the limits of the way stats are kept in the NBA. The key truth is that there is no statistic related to playing solid defense, yet good defense is why some players get more minutes than other players. (That and the ability to defend without getting into foul trouble). What a player does in 15 minutes does not translate into what would be done in 30 because the coach cannot afford to keep a poor defender in for long.

Fans (and computers) tend to overvalue scoring, assists and possibly rebounding while giving little credit for solid defense.

So how does this effect the All Star game? People pay to see great offense, not great basketball. These are not really the two best teams playing, just the two most marketable..

 

[capologist]

BTW, my computer also picks Anti-Star teams. The current picks:

<pre> Western Conference Eastern Conference <br><br>F Bruce Bowen F Michael Curry <br>F Calbert Cheaney F Caron Butler <br>C Chris Kaman C Jason Collins <br>G Trenton Hassell G Jarvis Hayes <br>G Joe Johnson G Jalen Rose <br><br>F Clifford Robinson F Jared Jeffries <br>F Aleksandar Pavlovic F Ira Newble <br>C Tony Massenburg F George Lynch <br>C Jarron Collins C Sean Rooks <br>G Wesley Person G Boris Diaw-Riffiod <br>G Casey Jacobsen G Jacque Vaughn <br>G Bonzi Wells G Kirk Hinrich </pre>

Sigh. Poor JJ. If he continues to play as well as he has been since the trade, he’ll be off the Anti-Star team in no time. It should only take about three good games to get him out of the starting lineup. Prior to the Marbury traded, the computer identified JJ as the LVP of the league, so he’s already made significant progress.