Did the #NBA change a lot during the last 20 years? Why is a game today very different compared to what you used to see as a kid? This is what this thread shall answer. Thread.
Thanks a lot to @pachamaltese for translation and improving the code!
Thanks a lot to @pachamaltese for translation and improving the code!
4 million observations were analyzed since 2000 season up to 2019 season by using NBA's API. A first insight is that during 2019 season, there were 25,000 additional shot attempts compared to 2000 season. The game is much faster today.
@GustavinhoCARP tells us that today's slowest #NBA team (Charlotte Hornets) plays way faster than the fastest team from 2005 season (Phoenix Suns) that were known for their innovation of playing in 7 or less seconds
The question is how the shots distribution has changed across years and the key is that 3-point shots increased as a share of total shots. Today 36% of points are after 3-point shots and in 2000 those were just 16%. Yes, it's a lot.
Why did this happen? As clear and simple and the expected value for each shot attempt. In the middle of a Data Analytics revolution at the #NBA, something like the expected value of a 3-point shot is higher than the expected value of another type of shot attempt.
The trick is not just attempting more 3-point shots but also which 2-point shots to stop using. Let's explore the distribution by type. What was cut down is the mid-range shot attempt, which was targeted by experts as the most inefficient (see the 1st plots from this thread)
Today's #NBA looks nothing like 20 years ago. Was it good or bad? I have no clarity on this, but a clear change emerged and looks as a different sport, one that is played much faster and more 3-point shot attempts are made
The following animation summarize 4 million shots over the last 20 seasons #NBA
Maybe @HPbasketball or @JonesOnTheNBA would like this!
Unroll @threadreaderapp
This thread @Zaknoble I couldn´t send DM! Sorry! Let me know!
