Nylon Calculus

Jun 16, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Leandro Barbosa (19) shoots against Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) during the first quarter of game six of the NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

A Random Walk Through NBA Variance

The Impact of Changing teams: The Josh Smith Edition

Do the Pieces Fit? Let’s Not Crown the San Antonio Spurs Prematurely

Nylon Notebook: Overheard at Summer League

Apr 1, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah (13) dives for the loose ball during the second quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Can’t Knock the Hustle, But Can We Measure It?

Jun 16, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr reacts prior to game six of the NBA Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

A Quarter at a Time, Part I

Apr 4, 2015; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Reggie Jackson (1) does an interview after the game against the Miami Heat at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Pistons beat the Heat 99-98. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

NBA Free Agent Market: It Pays to Play

Apr 27, 2015; Portland, OR, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Tony Allen (9) attempts to steal the ball from Portland Trail Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge (12) during the second quarter in game four of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports

Gambling for Steals: What’s the expected payoff?

Apr 12, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers guard C.J. Miles (0) holds a pose after making a three pointer against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Dion Waiters (23) at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Indiana defeats Oklahoma City 116-104. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Replacement Level: Role vs Quality

TeamSPACE: The Spurs, Reloaded

Mar 27, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge (12) celebrates with center Robin Lopez (42) after making a basket against the Phoenix Suns during the second half at US Airways Center. The Trail Blazers won the game 87-81. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Robin Lopez and Rebound Value

Dec 15, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Injured Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (left) talks with general manager and president Sam Hinkie (right) before a game against the Boston Celtics at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Tracking the Philadelphia 76ers Rebuild

Jun 25, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Kristaps Porzingis (SPN) reacts after being selected as the number four overall pick to the New York Knicks in the first round of the 2015 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Benefit of the Doubt Draft Rankings

Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports

Nicolas Batum is not Damaged Goods

Jun 26, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves number one overall draft pick Karl-Anthony Towns and Tyus Jones pose with their jerseys at Mayo Clinic Square. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Objective Draft Grades for the 2015 NBA Draft

Average NBA Draft Measurements by Position for 2015

Mar 26, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Karl-Anthony Towns (12) shoots while guarded by West Virginia Mountaineers forward Devin Williams (5) during the first half in the semifinals of the midwest regional of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

The Rookie Scale and Draft Night’s (Financial) Winners & Losers

Apr 4, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Wisconsin Badgers forward Frank Kaminsky (44) dribbles past Kentucky Wildcats forward Karl-Anthony Towns (12) in the first half of the 2015 NCAA Men

Nylon Calculus Discusses Youth and Fit

Apr 4, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Karl-Anthony Towns (12) shoots the ball against Wisconsin Badgers forward Frank Kaminsky (44) during the first half of the 2015 NCAA Men

Towns, Okafor, and the Great Modern Center Debate

Apr 4, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Karl-Anthony Towns (12) and forward Willie Cauley-Stein (15) celebrate a basket against the Wisconsin Badgers in the first half of the 2015 NCAA Men

A Manifesto for the “Best Player Available” Approach

May 14, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Glen Davis (0) before playing against the Houston Rockets in game six of the second round of the NBA Playoffs. at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Nylon Calculus Discusses Replacement Level

Apr 27, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler (21) looks on against the Milwaukee Bucks in game five of the first round of the 2015 NBA Playoffs at United Center. The Bucks won 94-88. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

Character Evaluation and the NBA Draft

Jun 9, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) signals to the crowd during the fourth quarter against the Golden State Warriors in game three of the NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

A Look Back at the NBA Finals and LeBron James’ Supporting Cast

Jun 16, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Shaun Livingston (34) dunks against Cleveland Cavaliers center Timofey Mozgov (20) and forward LeBron James (23) in game six of the NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Tony Dejak-Pool Photo via USA TODAY Sports

The Hidden Reality of the 2015 NBA Finals

Jun 9, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Fans cheer prior to game three of the NBA Finals between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Nylon Notebook: Wrapping Up The NBA Finals

Jun 9, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) reacts after winning game three of the NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors at Quicken Loans Arena. Cleveland won 96-91. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

LeBron James’ Gravitational Pull On the Finals

Jun 9, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard J.R. Smith (5), center Tristan Thompson (13) and forward LeBron James (23) react during the second quarter of game three of the NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

How Officiating Has Impacted Win Probabilities in the NBA Finals

Jun 4, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) reacts after a play during the third quarter against the Golden State Warriors in game one of the NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Nylon Notebook: Found at the Finals