Podcast Episode 116: “Lies, Damned Lies, and Statistics”
2016-12-20
https://soundcloud.com/ctb-5/episode-116-lies-damned-lies-and-statistics
Tom Pestak, EvilGenius, and Nate Smith tried to ignore all the tinsel in the broadcast booth as we fired up a pre-Christmas pod. The Warriors matchups, both in the Finals and at Christmas, were heavily in our discussion as we looked back and looked ahead to the December 25th showdown. Much of our bull session revolved around whether the Cavs need another big man, or even if all the big men they have are all that important. We also talked about Nerlens Noel, David Blatt, rings for Timo, Delly, and Much Danger Ninja. We tackled the important questions: why have Cavs fans turned on Andy? Bigger flopper: Andy or K-Love? What Cavs’ swag is on your wish list? Then Tom expounded on his Friday piece about NBA players going broke and about how certain completely unbelievable and debunked pieces of information can get recycled in the medium for the better part of a decade. Finally, if you’re still listening, we’ve got some bonus coverage on holiday movies, Star Wars, and the best war movies. Happy Holidays, Cavs fans.
Listen above, on SoundCloud, or on iTunes.
Big piece on all the trade talk just posted to CtB.
AGREE WITH COLS DAY !!!
Windy has a nice breakdown of the new CBA. http://scores.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/18317693/nba-answering-your-questions-new-nba-collective-bargaining-agreement
Quick quiz, what starting PG is getting paid $10M to not be in the top 50 by PER?
Hint: He’s and NBA Champion
PER is a stupid measurement for many players’ effectiveness.
THE MORE I READ ABOUT NOEL ( AND I HAVE ALWAYS LIKED HIM ) THE LESS I REALLY WANT TO PURSUE HIM——COUSINS BEING DISCIPLINED AGAIN BY THE KINGS—JUST A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THEY TRADE HIM / BOSTON WILL PURSUE VERY AGGRESSIVELY WITH THEIR DRAFT PICKS
We’d still sweep or win in 5 against Boston even if they got Cousins. Noel is being fantastically overrated these days. He’d be a useful backup, but he’s not worth giving up an actual asset beyond a draft pick for.
Rarely do I agree with Cols but in this case, Cousins on Boston doesn’t scare me in the least. As well as my unwillingness to give up anything more than a low pick for Noel.
What do you guys think it would take to get Noel here. What do we even have left to trade?
More than we’d want to give up. Birdman wasn’t playing big minutes. Just find a scrub to play Birdman’s minutes and problem solved.
Ask and you shall receive. Huge article on that topic just posted.
YES YOU ARE CORRECT NOMAD IS AN ” OL BASKETBALL JUNKIE ” AND ALWAYS ( WHOMEVER WILL LISTEN– TALK BASKETBALL WITH YOU FOR HRS ( IF THE MRS NOMAD WILL ALLOW ME )—I AM THE ” PROVERBIAL KID WITH AN OUSTANDING BASEBALL CARD COLLECTION –WORTH A FORTUNE —WHO 1 DAY CAME HOME TO DISCOVER MOTHER HAD BURNED THEM )—THINK AT PRESENT ( UNTIL GRIFF CAN DO HIS HOMEWROK ) BRING UP A BIG / PREFERABLY MORELAND ( ” COUNTRY “) FOR THE SHORT TIME — HAVE A BUDDY WHO HAS SEASON TICKETS TO CAVS WHO IS NOT THAT IMPRESSED WITH… Read more »
This is a good read too: http://scores.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/18272691/memphis-grizzlies-most-clutch-team-nba
Interesting, and with a plausible explanation for why their clutchitude will persist.
Speaking of Cavs-Warriors, this is an interesting argument and notable conclusion.
It also captures how The Shot was lost in the moment because the Warriors didn’t call timeout and (one thing that isn’t mentioned) JVG had his coaching hat on and was immediately in next-play mode.
Thanks!!!!
Nice statistical analysis !!! I really liked the blown up pics of despondent/shocked Dubs fans after Irving’s dagger. Although I do remember that when LeBron walked up the steps to the stage for the trophy presentation, several Warriors fans in the high priced seats applauded him to acknowledge his epic performance. That was classy.
Those fan shots are actually from BEFORE the ball went in! Which shows just how badly off-script things were for the home crowd that the Cavs had even gotten to that point.
this is incredible!
This is just great.
Excellent stuff!
We don’t need any big man beyond what Chris Anderson would bring. So go get a D-league big guy and let him have Anderson’s minutes. Andy is a bigger flopper by far than Love. It’s not a debate.
Are you commenting without listening again?
I like to get my thoughts down before I listen. Also the Blatt stuff makes me nervous. I might have to skip that part if the conclusions is anything but Blatt was not a good coach for this team.
Contestant: “I’ll take ‘Uninformed Conclusions’ for $1,000 Alex.” Alex: “What is making deductions without any basis in facts or research called.” Contestant: “What is Colsian.” Alex: “Correct, pick again.”
Nice podcast. I agree that KLove’s great ability to draw fouls is not a “flop.” I primarily views flops as a defensive action. KLove’s ability to draw fouls with minor contact is not very egregious, however, compared to The Mouthpiece who looks like he has been shot with a 45 magnum bullet on many of his jump shots.