Friday, May 31, 2019

Basketball: Twitter Video and a Nerdfest Breakdown That Wins

Twitter users provide education. Don't worry about ranking. Visit and learn. Some monetize parts of their content; I can't fault anyone for feeding their family. 

I am grateful for their knowledge and willingness to share. Surely many other sites add value. The doctoring thing keeps me pretty busy. 

This is a 'twofer' - Twitter feeds to bookmark and recent shares...some in-depth presentations to study (lots for me to learn). 

Chris Oliver @BBallImmersion
This is more than a nerd-fest. It doesn't necessarily apply for youth ball with lower percentage shooting. Five topics:

1) Mid-range inefficiency (0.72 points/possession NCAA)
Bucks went from 11th to 29th in mid-range shots taken.
Fewest mid-range shots taken? Houston Rockets. 
Each 5% absolute decline in mid-range equaled one win. 



2) Corner 3. NBA corner 3 made at a 4% higher rate than 3s above the break. At NCAA level, 2.5% higher rate than other 3s although no break. More often less contested, more often catch-and-shoot shots. For every 3% more corner 3s taken vs allowed, another win. 


NBA defenses are reducing corner 3s

3) Postups. Postups are declining but shots out of passes FROM the post are another 0.25 points/possession gain. 



The "inside-outside" game works! Draymond, Horford, even Capella do this. But it also allows for "inverting" with passing guards in the post...Jalen Brunson who can pass or win at the rim. 

4) Ball screen options. What works and what's done?



Take away what works and concede the lower percentage actions. 


The NBA playoffs dramatically change the actions rendered. 


But Mr. Isolation Ball Screen Switch is James Harden...and the defensive target was often Steph Curry. 

5) Nonconference scheduling. Iron or cupcakes? Scheduling tougher nonconference opponents resulted in more conference wins. "Iron sharpens iron." 

SeanBillermanHoops @HoopsSean 
Coach Liam Flynn @CoachLiamFlynn
Radius Athletics @RadiusAthletics 
Gibson Pyper @HalfCourtHoops 
Wes Kosel @HoopsChalkTalk
Coach Nick @BBallBreakdown 
Coach Daniel @IamCoachDaniel 
ZakBoisvert @ZakBoisvert

A previous omission, Coach Boisvert absolute belongs in any list of Twitter hoop video. 

Lagniappe: I'm not a poker player, but the Phil Ivey MasterClass informs deeper thinking, bets, and reading opponents.