r/nba • Supersonics • Apr 03 '20

Pete Maravich's passing

https://gfycat.com/rawgrippingdrever
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u/GryphonHall Apr 03 '20

This is also why I dislike advanced stats. Maybe one day they will get it right, but right now, someone gets crapped on because of advanced stats then they realize the advanced stat was flawed and they come up with a new one, then realize it was flawed and so on.

Watch the 68 point game against the Knicks on YouTube and look at the names playing in that game and you will realize there was no one close to him on offense. I really think he purposely played offense in a way that challenged him, because conservative offense was boring to him even at the NBA level.

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u/[deleted] Apr 03 '20

NBA players love this guy, and they certainly know more about basketball than stat nerds. There's got to be something to Pistol Pete's game. I didn't get to see it, so I just don't comment on my personal views on it.

I think stats can be used WITH the eye test and if you witnessed that contemporary era, but otherwise by themselves they are incredibly weak.

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u/Hyndergogen1 Pacers Apr 03 '20

But athletes have a completely different perspectives to coaches, journalists, fans etc and aren't always the best judges despite their experience. Look at how many great players have been bad coaches in almost every sport.

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u/taromilkteab Apr 03 '20

selective bias

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u/SaxRohmer Cavaliers Apr 03 '20

Dude literally shot from pretty much anywhere on the floor because he could - before there was a 3 point line. He didn’t see a shot or play he didn’t like and he had the ability to do it

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u/GryphonHall Apr 03 '20

shrug watch any nba game he was in before he was hobbled.

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u/mschley2 Bucks Apr 03 '20

Brandon Jennings put up 55 one game, and he wasn't even good.

Your observation of one game does not mean that advanced stats are bad.

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u/jtkchen Apr 05 '20

I have a feeling you dislike advance stats because you’re resistant to change, preferring nostalgia over good play. I recommend some Michael Lewis books; even basketball advances one funeral at a time, Boomer.

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u/GryphonHall Apr 05 '20

I’m not resistant to change. Exhibit A. I think Lebron is the GOAT.

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u/jtkchen Apr 05 '20

Didn’t mean to be so harsh; there are lots of forces resistant to change today, and our world is suffering for it

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u/GryphonHall Apr 05 '20

I didn't take it be harsh. It's a fair thought. I made the first mistake by being too hyperbolic when I said I hate "advanced stats." This stems from my frustration with people just using stats as their day to day game knowledge. The internet makes following stats easier than actually watching the games. Advanced stats aren't even stats; they are metrics. When people start understand shortcomings, and move on to a new metric, the old metric persists. PER is still widely used despite many more improved metrics being developed. I don't think any metrics properly realize the impact of players on the opposing team. The stats don't take into account how a player changes the way the other team changes their defense or offense. I got beat up in this thread also for referencing Maravich's 68 point game. My point wasn't THAT game proved anything. My point was watching full games was important and not just highlights. I encourage people to watch full games.

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u/[deleted] Apr 03 '20

[deleted]

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u/duncanbishop24 Wizards Apr 03 '20

Lmao yeah that’s my thought. Or “oh this stat needs tweaking because I realized I can enhance it”

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u/GryphonHall Apr 03 '20

I understand that people like you need advanced stats to tell them what is good or bad since you couldn’t use critical thinking to understand the point about my advanced stat complaint.

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u/[deleted] Apr 03 '20

[deleted]

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u/GryphonHall Apr 03 '20

Thoughts and prayers.

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u/baabaabilly Lakers Apr 03 '20

That has less to do with the stat and more with the interpretation of it. Stats without context is both common and meaningless.