Nylon Calculus

Sep 7, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner (42) reacts alongside Chicago Sky guard Elena Delle Donne (11) during game one of the WNBA Finals at US Airways Center. The Mercury defeated the Sky 83-62. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The Three-Headed WNBA MVP Race

Howard Megdal
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Lost and Found Production: Revisiting Preseason Predictions

Nylon Calculus 101: Expected Value and Shot Selection

Freelance Friday: 2015/16 NBA Schedule Better Balances Rest

May 14, 2014; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan (left) hugs Portland Trail Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge (right) talk after game five of the second round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center. The Spurs won 104-82. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

Freelance Friday – Grading 2015 NBA Free Agent Salaries

Guest Post
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Nylon Calculus 101: Intro to SportVU

Seth Partnow
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April 20, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) shoots the basketball against the Golden State Warriors during the second quarter in game two of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

“He’s Learning to Shoot the Corner Three”

Seth Partnow
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Jun 25, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; NBA commissioner Adam Silver speaks at the conclusion of the first round of the 2015 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Industry Q&A: NBA Director of Analytics Jason Rosenfeld

Seth Partnow
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Apr 12, 2015; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Reggie Jackson (1) dribbles the ball down the court during the fourth quarter against the Charlotte Hornets at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Pistons beat the Hornets 116-77. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

Changing Teams: Part 2

Krishna Narsu
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Apr 15, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Magic Johnson attends ceremonies to commemorate Jackie Robinson Day before the game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Seattle Mariners at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Introducing HBox: Predicting Wins Based on Historical Data and Trends

Justin
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Jan 12, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; (left to right) San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan, Spurs guard Manu Ginobili, and Spurs guard Tony Parker present President Barack Obama with a jersey during a ceremony honoring the NBA Champion Spurs in the East Room at The White House. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

As NBA Empires Rise and Fall

Johannes Becker
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Dec 7, 2013; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz center Andris Biedrins (11) is defended by Sacramento Kings power forward Jason Thompson (34) during the second half at EnergySolutions Arena. Sacramento won 112-102 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports

The Magic Beans: Big Minute, Zero Usage Performances

Matt Femrite
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May 13, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal (3) attempts a shot against Atlanta Hawks guard Kent Bazemore (24) in the third quarter of game five of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena. The Hawks won 82-81. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

Threes and Transition Defense – A Follow Up

Seth Partnow
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April 3, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers center Robert Sacre (50) attempts a shot against the Portland Trail Blazers during the second half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

The Most Unlikely Performances of the Year by Daily RAPM Estimate

Adam Yudelman
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Dec 9, 2014; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge (12) guard Damian Lillard (0) and center Robin Lopez (42) during the fourth quarter against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Portland won 98-86. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

The Evening Redness in the West: The Demise of the Portland Trail Blazers

Justin
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May 12, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose (1) reacts in the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers in game five of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

Derrick Rose is a Different Player When he’s Rested

Ian Levy
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Jan 16, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Dante Cunningham (44) drives the basket and collides with Philadelphia 76ers guard K.J. McDaniels (14) during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The 76ers defeated the Pelicans 96-81. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Every Little Bit Helps – Rim Protection From All Angles

Seth Partnow
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Jun 16, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) and forward Draymond Green (23) celebrate during the fourth quarter of game six of the NBA Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena. Warriors won 105-97. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

Guest Tech Post: EvanZ’s Battle RAPM (a How To)

Guest Post
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Jun 25, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Frank Kaminsky (Wisconsin) greets NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as the number nine overall pick to the Charlotte Hornets in the first round of the 2015 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

The Charlotte Hornets Probably Should Have Taken the Picks

Ian Levy
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May 17, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) and guard Chris Paul (3) walk on the court during the fourth quarter against the Houston Rockets in game seven of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center. The Rockets defeated the Clippers 113-100 to win the series 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

A Further Look at Rest and Shot Difficulty

Adam Yudelman
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Mar 20, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (left) drives the ball defended by Washington Wizards guard John Wall (right) during the fourth quarter at Staples Center. The Los Angeles Clippers won 113-99. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

Some Fancy Passing Stats

Seth Partnow
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NBA Players Need Their Rest: A Look at Shot Difficulty

Adam Yudelman
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Mar 16, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside (21) dunks during the third quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at American Airlines Arena. Miami Heat defeated against the Cleveland Cavaliers 106-92. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Scoring Efficiency by Touch Frequency

Ian Levy
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Apr 30, 2015; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs power forward Tim Duncan (21) waits to enter the game against the Los Angeles Clippers in game six of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

Traditional Big Men and Three Point Shooting

Andrew Johnson
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May 17, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan (6) reacts after a play during the second quarter against the Houston Rockets in game seven of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

NBA Iron Men 2015

Justin
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Apr 14, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) misses a game winning three pointer at the end of the first overtime against Washington Wizards center Marcin Gortat (4) and forward Rasual Butler (8) at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Indiana defeats Washington 99-95 in double overtime. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

An NBA Player’s Comfort Zone

Johannes Becker
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Apr 15, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Ty Lawson (3) drives in against Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) during the second quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Ty Lawson and James Harden Will Be Driving the Houston Rockets

Ian Levy
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Jun 3, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors center Andrew Bogut (12) sits on the bench during practice prior to the NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

NBA Players Need Their Rest

Krishna Narsu
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