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Battier: "No Stat All Star" Article

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Battier: "No Stat All Star" Article 

Post#1 » by shrink » Sat Feb 14, 2009 8:33 pm

I thought you guys would enjoy this really nice piece on Battier from Michael Lewis, the author of Moneyball:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/15/magaz ... wanted=all
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Re: Battier: "No Stat All Star" Article 

Post#2 » by grond » Sat Feb 14, 2009 10:45 pm

Thanks for that Shrink.

I have to admit to being somewhat of a fan of the author, but I urge everyone on this board to read this article. Very revealing analysis of our own guy, and also a revealing look at statistical analysis of the modern game (particularly a game we all saw - the Lakers game), how it abhors the typical 'boxscore' style read, the oft lesser importance of individual stats as compared to how individuals affect the team's performance, and other factors it accounts for.
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Re: Battier: "No Stat All Star" Article 

Post#3 » by moofs » Sun Feb 15, 2009 3:47 am

Great article, thanks for the find.
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A:Ask a stock market analyst or your financial advisor
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Re: Battier: "No Stat All Star" Article 

Post#4 » by TMU » Sun Feb 15, 2009 5:08 am

Good read.

Although he's been sub-par on both ends of the floor, he's 2nd to Yao in terms of on/off court impact. Some of us just don't appreciate him enough.
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Re: Battier: "No Stat All Star" Article 

Post#5 » by Guy986 » Sun Feb 15, 2009 6:15 am

<3 Battier, No homo
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Re: Battier: "No Stat All Star" Article 

Post#6 » by tisbee » Sun Feb 15, 2009 8:29 am

Check out the names listed as plus 6.
Hmmmmm.
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Re: Battier: "No Stat All Star" Article 

Post#7 » by TracyMac » Sun Feb 15, 2009 9:53 am

nice read
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Re: Battier: "No Stat All Star" Article 

Post#8 » by Meatcookie » Tue Feb 17, 2009 9:20 pm

Surprised there isn't more replies to this. Great article... long read might have most people scared, but it is most enlightening.

Gives you some history on Battier, also some details on how the Rockets collect stats. How Battier applies those stats. When you are defending Kobe you want to make him go left and shoot an 18 foot jumper. Manu is a freak, off the dribble, off the pass, left or right his efficiency is the same.
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Re: Battier: "No Stat All Star" Article 

Post#9 » by grond » Tue Feb 17, 2009 9:41 pm

One the stuck out that I was unaware of was the 'if you're down by more points than minutes left in the game you have less 20%(?) chance of winning the game' rule.
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Re: Battier: "No Stat All Star" Article 

Post#10 » by moofs » Tue Feb 17, 2009 11:07 pm

Man, forgot to finish reading this article apparently. Thought I had. His technique for applying to college was mind-blowing.
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Re: Battier: "No Stat All Star" Article 

Post#11 » by sixerguy » Wed Feb 18, 2009 1:33 am

the worst part of his game day: the 11 minutes between the end of warm-ups and the introductions. Eleven minutes of horsing around and making small talk with players on the other team. All those players making exaggerated gestures of affection toward one another before the game, who don’t actually know one another, or even want to. “I hate being out on the floor wasting that time,” he said. “I used to try to talk to people, but then I figured out no one actually liked me very much.” Instead of engaging in the pretense that these other professional basketball players actually know and like him, he slips away into the locker room.


Tonight Bryant complained that Battier was grabbing his jersey, Battier was pushing when no one was looking, Battier was committing crimes against humanity. Just before the half ended, Battier took a referee aside and said: “You and I both know Kobe does this all the time. I’m playing him honest. Don’t fall for his stuff.” Moments later, after failing to get a call, Bryant hurled the ball, screamed at the ref and was whistled for a technical foul.


known as Skip 2 My Lou, a nickname he received after a single spectacular move at Rucker Park, in Harlem. “Shane wouldn’t last in street ball because in street ball no one wants to see” his game, Alston told me earlier. “You better give us something to ooh and ahh about. No one cares about someone who took a charge.”

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