Tryouts are a case of adverse selection because coaches rarely have the opportunity to see a player’s complete skill set. It’s certainly a matter of imperfection information and coaches must develop signals that reliably reflect the ability of perspective team members. Sometimes teams make a draft pick because of “unlimited potential” or a “high ceiling”. This logic becomes absurd if it causes players who have been seen in greater detail (therefore exposing all of their skills and flaws) to be overlooked. In 2005 and 2006, Chris Paul and Brandon Roy were seen as the collegiate players most ready for the …
Cities
Recently, I read Jane Jacobs’ The Death and Life of Great American Cities and Jonathan Mahler’s Ladies and Gentlemen, the Bronx is Burning. Due to her residence in New York City for many years, Jacobs’ theory is illustrated by the real-life examples of politics, economics, and city planning recorded by Mahler in his study of 1977 Gotham. Both authors display a strong understanding of history and the events that have led to the current state of New York City. Unfortunately, both possess a rambling writing style that creates many excruciating chapters. Editors have jobs because they do good work. Written …
Babar is an Example of Bad Keynesian Economics
Though he remains a hero to children worldwide, Babar the Elephant is a terrible economist. Watching an episode of the Nelvana-animated television show documented his monarchy in the Kingdom of the Elephants, it became clear how his fiscal policy is a disaster waiting to happen. Major capital expenditures are required to bring the jungle up to modern standards of civilization and the ongoing war with King Retaxes and the rhinoceroses must be an enormous money pit. After fleeing to France after watching poachers kill his mother, Babar meets a kindly old lady, who unbeknownst to him is a fervent colonialist. …
New Coke
I finished a coaching journal in four months. Usually, the journals take a little longer to fill out. It seems like I really have a lot of ideas at the moment. All dressed up and nowhere to go, so to speak. You can fall into a bit of a trap when you’re constrained to a wholly theoretical framework. I have confidence in these ideas, but I would like to see them on the court. Reality checks can be swift and harsh. For all I know, what I’ve been creating the last three months is the basketball equivalent of New Coke. …