Wizards "impressive" in their use of SportsVU analytics data

[Illmatic12]

The article below is an interesting read on SportsVU and analytics integration in the NBA

http://www.complex.com/tech/2014/06/sportvu


Believe it or not, the SportsVU spokesperson mentions the Wiz as one of their top clients

C: You'd mentioned some of the teams who were early adaptors, are there any specific coaches or players who have been more accepting of this technology or ones who have been more hesitant?

BK: Yeah, absolutely, but I'm much more happy to name the teams who were open versus the teams who are hesitant. It's mostly the teams you'd expect that are highly analytical, but the thing is a lot of the guys from those teams have gone on and now the tree is growing. Sam Hinkie is the GM of the Sixers now and was one of our first clients in Houston. Dennis Lindsey is over in Utah and he worked with us in San Antonio.

One of the most impressive teams in using the data is the Washington Wizards. They have one of the smartest guys working on it, a group that really received it and integrated it throughout the organization, its been really impressive to work with them. Really using the data in unique and interesting ways.

C: Maybe that's why they surprised some people in the playoffs this year, too.

BK: Obviously they got some nice young guys but they use the match ups from the data very well. One of the most effective pick-and-roll match ups is Wall and Gortat or Wall and Nenê. Those two paired up are some of the most effective and we can measure that stuff and they're taking actions based on it. It's interesting to see.

This flies in the face of a lot of the stuff many Wiz fans have been saying all year... "Wittman hates analytics" "Ted/Ernie are stuck in the Stone age" etc. And kinda makes me think that Wittman is probably a better coach than we gave him credit for.

Maybe extending Randy for a bargain deal was actually not a bad move? We know he's a very good motivator who has the support of the locker room, but apparently he's also willing to apply analytics to his coaching and evolve with the game.

[dobrojim]

That's encouraging news.

One does have to wonder though about how their use of these metrics
informs their view on what constitutes good offense.

[closg00]

Fantastic that we have access to these analytics. However, there are obvious limitations. Analytical tools did not give Randy better game-management skills: Rotations, clock management, game-ending play-calling etc.
Also, what good are analytics when the team "thinks highly" of Kawhi Leonard, but picks Jan Vesely.
I'd like hear more about how we are utilizing the data.

[TGW]

If they're using it, it's not readily apparent. I mean, if Grunfail actually used analytics instead of a pair of dice and the GM feature in NBA2K, we would not have had to endure Eric Maynor for half the season.

I'm not buying it.

[Dat2U]

It's not just about having the data and using it. Are they interpreting the data correctly and applying it in a way that's beneficial? I have no idea... I have my doubts though. I guess we'll see if there's progress made next season.

[Nivek]

In my experience with the front office (which is well finished except for sporadic emails/calls), Dat's point was right on target. Perhaps they've learned and are doing a better job, but I found their approach to data to be superficial and misguided. They were pleased with how much data they had available, but in my view they were looking for info to confirm what they already believed, they narrow-sliced data to the point of absurdity, they tended to ignore data that contradicted what they thought, and they tended to oversimplify their use of data in the decision-making process.

Maybe they're making better use of data now. (Though I'm dubious.)

[dobrojim]

I wonder if there is a distinction between what the front office is doing
as opposed to what the coaching staff is doing.

[miller31time]

1st in the league in taking long 2s. Last in the league in long-2-percentage.

Some great use of analytics there!

[closg00]

I wonder if there is a distinction between what the front office is doing
as opposed to what the coaching staff is doing.

Well, we all know who is "managing" all of this

[montestewart]

Consider the source (vendor) and message: "So simple, even the Wizards use it."

[Ruzious]

1st in the league in taking long 2s. Last in the league in long-2-percentage.

Some great use of analytics there!

In their defense, that's in chapter 2, and they just finished chapter 1.

[Illmatic12]

1st in the league in taking long 2s. Last in the league in long-2-percentage.

Some great use of analytics there!

Hmm.. how much of that is solely on Beal and Wall taking a ton of horrible contested shots, though? I'm pretty sure they're the primary offenders in those stats.

[Illmatic12]

Consider the source (vendor) and message: "So simple, even the Wizards use it."

Why would they choose the Wizards? The Wizards 'brand' doesn't hold any weight.

I'm not so sure that was the intended tone of the statement.

[montestewart]

Consider the source (vendor) and message: "So simple, even the Wizards use it."

Why would they choose the Wizards? The Wizards 'brand' doesn't hold any weight.

I'm not so sure that was the intended tone of the statement.

Sure it does. Everybody knows which teams already have the muscles. They're trying to sell Thunder Muscle to 98 lb. weaklings tired of sand kicked in their faces. Wizards are the perfect brand.

PS: I'm kidding. A little.

[Wes_Tiny_Abe_]

Hey TGW.

When are you and me going to fly down to Nuevo Laredo Mexico and hang out with some of the Zetas?
My girlfriend is from Mexico so she can definitely arrange it.

[montestewart]

Hey TGW.

When are you and me going to fly down to Nuevo Laredo Mexico and hang out with some of the Zetas?
My girlfriend is from Mexico so she can definitely arrange it.

Hey, this post has nothing to do with yups, Starbucks, gentrification, CVS, overpriced condos, no pants kickball, or old DC area, etc.

Try to stay on topic WTA.

Go Wiz!

[tontoz]

Sounds to me that this data has to be purchased by the teams. If that is the case then SportsVU being "impressed" really means that they like the cash.

Having data and using it effectively are two different things.

[Nivek]

Sounds to me that this data has to be purchased by the teams. If that is the case then SportsVU being "impressed" really means that they like the cash.

Having data and using it effectively are two different things.

SportsVu is the company that provides the "missile" tracking data to the entire league. The first couple seasons, they had a handful of teams, then about half the league subscribed (including the Wizards), and then the league as a whole decided to have the cameras installed in every arena. The Wizards paid for it on their own for at least one season, perhaps two.

I think it's pretty clear from the quote that they're impressed with how the Wizards are using the data. Without knowing the details on that, it's a tough statement to evaluate. As I mentioned before, it's a little hard to believe they're doing a great job with the data given what I know of their approach to data in the very recent past. But, they do have some smart consultants, so...it is possible.

It's also possible that those smart consultants are doing really cool things with the data, but that those cool things aren't really being applied fully by the front office and/or the coaching staff. A report getting sent to X people on a distribution list doesn't mean that the report is being read and implemented.

And, it's possible that they're doing cool things with the data, that it's getting to the right people, and that those people are using it, but that they're working with some talent limitations on the roster. It's one thing to know how something should be done, it's something else entirely to get someone to do it -- especially when that someone may not be fully capable of doing it.

The forgoing seems like a long way of saying "Who the **** knows what this guy means?"

[miller31time]

It's also possible that those smart consultants are doing really cool things with the data, but that those cool things aren't really being applied fully by the front office and/or the coaching staff.

With all of Randy Wittman's positive attributes, acceptance and willingness to embrace advanced analytics isn't one of them.

[DCZards]

Even when the news about the Zards appears to be good...It doesn't take long for a bunch of Negative Nancys to show up and put their worn out spin on it.