Basketball Synergy and Jason Collins

[gift]

I was reading "NBA Chemistry: Positive and Negative Synergies in Basketball" (http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1935972) and came across an interesting bit of info.

Basically the research in this paper evaluates players based on the type of skills they offer and how effective those skills are in impacting the game.  It seeks to find sets of skills, and therefore specific players whose skills work well together.

One way the data can be used is to apply a value over replacement player similar to way players are compared to replacement players in other sports metrics, and which in this case is measured specifically in Points Over Replacement Player (PORP).  Again though, this research takes everything from standpoint of specific skills (ballhandling, rebounding, or offense/scoring). They used data from I believe 2005 or so to 2010.  In that time period the player with the highest or "Best" PORP for Defensive rebounding was Jason Collins.

It is interesting that this research reaffirmed and provided data to support notions that might already be widely accepted in basketball, that certain skills work better with certain other skills.  The game is not about finding the best five shooters, or the five strongest or tallest players and putting them on the court in the same lineup.  The researchers were interested in synergy among lineups and provided evidence backing the thought that, for instance, teams with one really good ball handler don't need another one in the same lineup.  Common sense, maybe, but also perhaps too commonly overlooked.

The Celtics since 2007 have had one of the very best FG% in the league, and even last year were 5th overall at .460.  Teams that shoot the ball well happen to benefit the most from good defensive rebounders (whereas good offensive rebounders are often wasted in systems producing good FG%).  The Celtics wanted another big man and desperately needed defensive rebounding.  Did the Celtics take a look at synergy in evaluating Jason Collins' fit with the team and try to maximize a needed skill at a low salary? It would seem so.  Maybe a smarter move than most of us have realized.

[gift]

Also, forgot to invite others to provide examples if they find any where the Celtics might have used any advanced metrics in evaluating players.

[rayallen1934]

Collins might be the worst player in the NBA

[sofutomygaha]

To clarify, are you saying that 5-man teams tend to be dramatically better on defensive boards when one of the 5 is Jason Collins?

This is interesting, especially in light of Collins' rebound rate, which is nothing special. Is the argument here that Collins excels at boxing out and making defensive rebounds for his teammates?

[Prof. Clutch]

Collins might be the worst player in the NBA

That's the extent of your analysis after reading the OP? 

To the OP, very interesting topic.  My guess is that Danny really wanted some size and defense more than anything when considering the back-up Center position, and Collins certainly gives us that.  I was always under the impression that Collins was historically a bad rebounder but the free agent Center crop wasn't really all that good this year.  Considering the list I think Collins will do just fine, but I'm not expecting much out of him other than some solid defense on some of the bigger C's in the league (Howard/Bynum/Bogut/M. Gasol/HIbbert.)

[rayallen1934]

Collins might be the worst player in the NBA

That's the extent of your analysis after reading the OP? 

To the OP, very interesting topic.  My guess is that Danny really wanted some size and defense more than anything when considering the back-up Center position, and Collins certainly gives us that.  I was always under the impression that Collins was historically a bad rebounder but the free agent Center crop wasn't really all that good this year.  Considering the list I think Collins will do just fine, but I'm not expecting much out of him other than some solid defense on some of the bigger C's in the league (Howard/Bynum/Bogut/M. Gasol/HIbbert.)

Hes a horrific player, hes basically just a body with top of the line NBA Stupidity IQ.......its tough for any team to play him for more than 3 minutes at a time. He is horrible.

[merkins]

Collins might be the worst player in the NBA

Just as Ray Ray is the biggest traitor in the NBA.  So says Jarrett Jack anyway.

[rayallen1934]

Collins might be the worst player in the NBA

Just as Ray Ray is the biggest traitor in the NBA.  So says Jarrett Jack anyway.

Maybe if Doc and Ainge werent stupid and air out all the dirty laundry Ray would still be here

Its on thing to be put in trades

but another for Ainge to talk about it in just about every media outlet

let alone CALLING RAY and telling him to pack his bags to Memphis.

It goes both ways homer

[Fafnir]

Collins might be the worst player in the NBA

Just as Ray Ray is the biggest traitor in the NBA.  So says Jarrett Jack anyway.

Maybe if Doc and Ainge werent stupid and air out all the dirty laundry Ray would still be here

Its on thing to be put in trades

but another for Ainge to talk about it in just about every media outlet

let alone CALLING RAY and telling him to pack his bags to Memphis.

It goes both ways homer

Dial it down. This thread is about Jason Collins.

[rayallen1934]

Collins might be the worst player in the NBA

Just as Ray Ray is the biggest traitor in the NBA.  So says Jarrett Jack anyway.

Maybe if Doc and Ainge werent stupid and air out all the dirty laundry Ray would still be here

Its on thing to be put in trades

but another for Ainge to talk about it in just about every media outlet

let alone CALLING RAY and telling him to pack his bags to Memphis.

It goes both ways homer

Dial it down. This thread is about Jason Collins.

Your telling the wrong person though. I responded to him.

[God]

Collins might be the worst player in the NBA

Just as Ray Ray is the biggest traitor in the NBA.  So says Jarrett Jack anyway.

Maybe if Doc and Ainge werent stupid and air out all the dirty laundry Ray would still be here

Its on thing to be put in trades

but another for Ainge to talk about it in just about every media outlet

let alone CALLING RAY and telling him to pack his bags to Memphis.

It goes both ways homer

Dial it down. This thread is about Jason Collins.

I thought it was about Barnabas Collins. He definitely does suck.

[Fafnir]

Your telling the wrong person though. I responded to him.

When you respond to someone going OT by taking the thread further OT and breaking the rules it doesn't matter that the other guy "started" it.

Additionally, the msg wasn't just for you, it was for everyone in the thread going OT.

[gift]

I tend to agree.  I've never seen much I liked from Jason Collins, so I was a little surprised not only that the Celtics signed him, but that they signed him so soon.  This is why when I came across the synergy research it leaped out at me and made me think.  I didn't expect Collins to be at the top of any list for something positive when accounting for the whole league.

For those seeking a more detailed explanation, you'd probably be best served by reading the article (pdf was free at the link I posted).  I don't think I could do it justice except to say that it seems Jason Collins may have more value to a team like the Celtics than to most teams around the league.  I believe the Celtics were trying to maximize an area of need with minimal dollars which is why they picked Collins as their guy instead of waiting a few weeks to see what else might be available.

The biggest drawback for me is that the data in the study only went to 2010, so I'm not sure how '11 and '12 looked for Collins in the same skill areas.

[God]

I tend to agree.  I've never seen much I liked from Jason Collins, so I was a little surprised not only that the Celtics signed him, but that they signed him so soon.  This is why when I came across the synergy research it leaped out at me and made me think.  I didn't expect Collins to be at the top of any list for something positive when accounting for the whole league.

For those seeking a more detailed explanation, you'd probably be best served by reading the article (pdf was free at the link I posted).  I don't think I could do it justice except to say that it seems Jason Collins may have more value to a team like the Celtics than to most teams around the league.  I believe the Celtics were trying to maximize an area of need with minimal dollars which is why they picked Collins as their guy instead of waiting a few weeks to see what else might be available.

The biggest drawback for me is that the data in the study only went to 2010, so I'm not sure how '11 and '12 looked for Collins in the same skill areas.

Is there a APBRstats guru on the Celtics staff (Or on any teams staff in the NBA) That would have latched on to this?

It took me a long while to actually buy into the Baseball type analysis that is so prevalent today (Even though Branch Rickey was touting it 60 years ago).

I'm never sure how this stuff equates to a team game that requires a lot of synergy but it's interesting....who's the Billy Beane of the NBA (or will be)?

[Interceptor]

I'm never sure how this stuff equates to a team game that requires a lot of synergy but it's interesting....who's the Billy Beane of the NBA (or will be)?

Daryl Morey, no contest.