In Real Life: Atul Gawande speculates that one of the key drivers behind rising health care cost is overtreatment: excessive and gratuitous procedures which give the impression of thorough treatment without actually improving results. Patients may suffer complications from needless operations or doctors may neglect a low cost preventative measure in favour a more expensive and risky procedure. Certain “anchor tenants” influence the culture of particular hospitals and communities. The key to better health care lies in prescribing the appropriate care for each patient and treating the cause instead of all of the symptoms. Western countries agree that health care costs …
When Duke Doesn’t Rebound
Duke lost to North Carolina State 84-76 on Saturday, their first loss of the season. Although there were some injuries, the Blue Devils were too focused on the outside and not aggressive enough, as has been the case in many high profile losses. Many times, the Blue Devils were out of position and Richard Howell and C.J. Leslie pounded Duke inside and on the glass.
What’s Wrong with the Raptors?
The Toronto Raptors have started the season off 3-13, alienating many fans. Compared to last year, offense is a little better and defense is a few points worse but the record is a disappointment. The difference comes down to a few minor points: conceding open baskets, allowing a little more penetration and needing too much help while rotating too slowly.
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Before and After Mike Brown
6 Changes the Los Angeles Lakers have made since the start of the season: After Mike Brown was fired after five games and a 1-4 start, the Lakers have gone 4-1. Early reviews of Mike D’Antoni in practice have been positive but his offensive philosophy has not really changed how Los Angeles has performed. Offensive Efficiency and Effective Field Goal Percentage are about the same (still better than the league average) but defensive effort is much improved. The team is allowing less penetration into the paint and has committed fewer fouls. Turnover rate, perhaps because of new players, lack of …
Four Factors at the Final Four
If the four primary basketball statistics prevail (Effective Field Goal %, Turnover %, Offensive Rebounding % and Free Throw Rate), the N.C.A.A. Final will feature Kentucky defeating Kansas. By the way, the 4 Factors suggested Kansas would beat North Carolina, even before Kendall Marshall was injured.
38 Days Later: Is Linsanity Over?
Contrasting the performance of Jeremy Lin between a 90-87 win over the Toronto Raptors on February 14th and a 96-79 loss on March 23rd. How has the return of Carmelo Anthony and the hiring of Mike Woodson changed Lin’s numbers?
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Scoring and the Shot Clock
A recent study by University of Minnesota physics professor Brian Skinner suggesting the it is better for N.B.A. players to shoot early in the shot clock. Skinner mentions that shots taken within first eight seconds of the shot clock generate 1.05 points each shot whereas those taken in the final two seconds of the clock produce 0.85 points. The expected point value of each shot declines very slightly from the beginning of the possession until the final eight seconds when shots become progressively worse. 911 shots as the clock winds down provide the lowest expected value.
The Wages of Wins
Reading The Wages of Wins by David J. Berri, Martin B. Schmidt, and Stacey L. Brook raised interesting questions regarding assessment and evaluation. Factions contributing to victories and the rational behind coaching decisions were studied among other issues. Statistics are more prolific than ever before but whether the numbers are correctly applied remains to be determined. Scoring and winsFortunately, the authors scrutinized the Association extensively, finding that scoring is highly correlated to winning. Therefore coaches should play the five players who contribute to the highest scoring rate (who also limit the opponent’s scoring rate). A player can affect points per …