[TheRealMick]

Originally Posted by sedziobs

If people want to talk about analytics, let's put the discussion here.

Teams that use analytics perform better than comparable teams that do not. It's that simple. It's true in any sport.

In Moneyball, the Athletics lost in the end. Billy Beane is still there, and the Athletics still haven't won a World Series. Tampa Bay is the other early pioneer of analytics in baseball, and they have never won a World Series. Does that mean analytics failed? Of course not. They are lightyears ahead of similar small market teams. And analytics evolves. It used to be focused around OBP, but has now grown to include fielder position, spin rate, launch angle, and all kinds of other data. The idea is predictability. What measurable data can predict future performance and wins. It's not batting average, RBIs, ERA, or pitcher wins. Those values have become almost meaningless in modern baseball management.

The same thing is happening in basketball. Efficiency is much more important than raw stat totals. Knowing which players are most efficient shooting what type of shot in what locations is crucial to planning winning offense and defense given comparable talent.

Of course a coach needs to be able to attract players, develop their physical and mental skills, and implement strategies that the team can execute. It takes a lot of natural coaching talent and instincts to do that. Analytics is one tool to be used in building a good team. In the NBA it's much more important because it dictates who money is spent on, but at all levels it influences strategy and development. It is constantly evolving, and teams that are not on top of the latest innovations will be at a disadvantage relative to other teams with similar talent.

It’s great in baseball. Overrated in football and basketball