What is the optimal NBA team—the one that would win the most regular-season games? At first glance, you might think it’s just a lineup of today’s top stars like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokic, and Giannis Antetokounmpo. However, the reality of salary caps and luxury tax aprons prevent stacking a roster with max contract superstars. And … Continue reading Optimal NBA Team with Genetic Algorithms
The bracket for the 2024 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament has been released, and I have run 100,000 simulations of my college basketball ranking model to estimate the probabilities of each team advancing to each round. From this, some possible sleeper teams, upset picks, and title favorites can be examined. Modified Elo Rating System: ELASTIC Ratings … Continue reading 2024 March Madness Predictions: Which Teams are Over and Under-seeded
The NBA Playoffs are the biggest part of the NBA calendar. The playoffs are where legacies are made for players, coaches, and even entire franchises. Most NBA fans have an idea of what teams are best suited for the playoffs: teams with lots of star players and experience making deep runs in the playoffs. Interestingly, … Continue reading Predicting NBA Playoff Series: Does Experience Matter?
The Eastern Conference Finals between the Celtics and Heat has been a tightly contested series, with each game being unpredictable. In Game 7, the game that would decide which team faces the Warriors in the Finals, the Heat found themselves down just 2 points with less than 30 seconds left in the game. Marcus Smart … Continue reading Did Jimmy Butler Take the Right Shot?
It's a common scenario in football. A team has the ball, trailing by one possession with limited time. They have to drive down the field in order to score and tie the game or take the lead. Without a score, the team will squander a game in which they had a chance to win. Countless … Continue reading Need a Comeback? These are the Quarterbacks you Want
Each year, as NBA teams make their way towards their goal of winning the championship, new players emerge as superstars. This year has been no different, with a new crop of breakout stars this year. On the other hand, some players fail to perform at their expected level and contribute to their team's earlier than … Continue reading The Biggest Surprises and Disappointments of the Playoffs
Teams in the NBA are always looking to get an edge over their opponent. They will seize opportunity of any chance to gain a competitive advantage over their rivals in order to bring their city a championship. Free agency is one event on the basketball calendar that these teams use to bolster their squads and … Continue reading Finding the Gems of Free Agency
Ben Simmons has been one of the most controversial players ever since he entered the NBA in 2016. Even though he won Rookie of the Year in 2018 and became an all star in 2019 and 2020, expert analysts and NBA fans have questioned his true ability and potential. Simmons has shot a total of … Continue reading The Ben Simmons Problem: Does He Need a Jumpshot?
Statistics are a powerful tool in constructing a team in the NBA. Simple stats such as three point percentage or per 36 stats can help to avoid counting stats and find hidden gems to add to a team or get a good player on a favorable deal. Then, there are advanced stats, like turnover percentage … Continue reading The Stats that Predict NBA Futures
Giannis Antetokounmpo's impending free agency has been a hot topic of discussion in the NBA recently. His decision on whether to stay or leave the team that drafted him, the Milwaukee Bucks, will shape the NBA for the next decade. If Giannis leaves the small market Bucks for a larger market such as Los Angeles … Continue reading The Bucks Shouldn’t Worry About Losing Giannis Antetokounmpo in Free Agency
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