Nylon Calculus

TORONTO, ON - NOVEMBER 29: Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors dribbles the ball as Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors defends during the second half of an NBA game at Scotiabank Arena on November 29, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)

Nylon Calculus: How would reducing the shot clock affect offenses?

Nylon Calculus: What does it mean to steal homecourt advantage?

Nylon Calculus: Natasha Howard is carrying the Seattle Storm

Nylon Notebook: Who has been the MVP of the playoffs?

OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 12: Kyle Lowry #7 of the Toronto Raptors reacts after Greg Monroe #15 made a basket against the Golden State Warriors at ORACLE Arena on December 12, 2018 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Nylon Calculus: Raptors-Warriors win probabilities, assist maps, style charts and more

OAKLAND, CA - MAY 16: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors and Seth Curry #31 of the Portland Trail Blazers look on during Game Two of the 2019 Western Conference Finals of the NBA Playoffs at the ORACLE Arena on May 16, 2019 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)

Nylon Calculus: Grouping players by offensive role, again

TORONTO, ON- JANUARY 31 -Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam (43) defends against Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) as the Toronto Raptors fall to the Milwaukee Bucks at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. January 31, 2019. (Steve Russell/Toronto Star via Getty Images)

Nylon Calculus: Bucks-Raptors win probabilities, assist maps, style charts and more

PORTLAND, OR - FEBRUARY 13: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors and Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers talk a;tg; on February 13, 2019 at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images)

Nylon Calculus: Warriors-Trail Blazers win probabilities, assist maps, style charts and more

PORTLAND, OR - APRIL 7: Head Coach Terry Stotts of the Portland Trail Blazers looks on against the Denver Nuggets on April 7, 2019 at the Moda Center Arena in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images)

Nylon Calculus: Nuggets-Trail Blazers win probabilities, assist maps, style charts and more

HOUSTON, TX - MARCH 13: James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets handles the ball against Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors on March 13, 2019 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)

Nylon Calculus: Warriors-Rockets win probabilities, assist maps, style charts and more

PHILADELPHIA, PA - FEBRUARY 05: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Philadelphia 76ers and Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors in action at the Wells Fargo Center on February 5, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Raptors defeated the 76ers 119-107. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

Nylon Calculus: Raptors-76ers win probabilities, assist maps, style charts and more

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - FEBRUARY 21: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks is defended by Al Horford #42 of the Boston Celtics during a game at Fiserv Forum on February 21, 2019 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

Nylon Calculus: Bucks-Celtics win probabilities, assist maps, style charts and more

PHILADELPHIA, PA - April 23: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers stands for the National Anthem prior to a game before Round One Game Five of the 2019 NBA Playoffs on April 23, 2019 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)

Nylon Calculus: Using Daily RAPM Estimate to rank the best and worst of the playoffs

PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 15: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers chases the ball against D'Angelo Russell #1 of the Brooklyn Nets in the third quarter of Game Two of Round One of the 2019 NBA Playoffs at the Wells Fargo Center on April 15, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers defeated the Nets 145-123. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

Nylon Calulus: Ben Simmons has helped lock up D’Angelo Russell

DENVER, COLORADO - DECEMBER 14: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder plays the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center on December 14, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

Nylon Calculus: Is Westbrook struggling because he’s already peaked?

DENVER, CO - APRIL 13: Jamal Murray #27 of the Denver Nuggets reacts to a play during Game One of Round One of the 2019 NBA Playoffs against the San Antonio Spurs on April 13, 2019 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images)

Nylon Calculus: How worried should the Nuggets be?

PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 28: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers and JJ Redick #17 of the Philadelphia 76ers walk on the court during the third quarter at the Wells Fargo Center on March 28, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers defeated the Nets 123-110. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Corey Perrine/Getty Images)

Nylon Calculus: How J.J. Redick relies on Joel Embiid for shot creation

CJ McCollum #3 of the Portland Trail Blazers reacts against the Oklahoma City Thunder on March 7, 2019 at the Moda Center Arena in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images)

Nylon Calculus: Trail Blazers-Thunder win probabilities, assist maps, style charts and more

OAKLAND, CA - APRIL 7: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors drives to the basket against the LA Clippers on April 7, 2019 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)

Nylon Calculus: Warriors-Clippers win probabilities, assist maps, style charts and more

TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 24: Jonathan Isaac #1 of the Orlando Magic dribbles the ball as Pascal Siakam #43 of Toronto Raptors defends during the first half of an NBA game at Scotiabank Arena on February 24, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)

Nylon Calculus: Raptors-Magic win probabilities, assist maps, style charts and more

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - JANUARY 29: Stanley Johnson #7 of the Detroit Pistons shoots the ball over Brook Lopez #11 of the Milwaukee Bucks at Little Caesars Arena on January 29, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Cassy Athena/Getty Images)

Nylon Calculus: Bucks-Pistons win probabilities, assist maps, style charts and more

MILWAUKEE, WI - JANUARY 5: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks shoots a free-throw against the Toronto Raptors on January 5, 2019 at the Fiserv Forum Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images).

Nylon Calculus: Age-related comparisons for every NBA playoff team

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - FEBRUARY 2: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz handles the ball against the Houston Rockets on February 2, 2019 at Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Chris Elise/NBAE via Getty Images)

Nylon Calculus: Rockets-Jazz win probabilities, assist maps, style charts and more

DENVER, CO - APRIL 3: Lonnie Walker IV #1 of the San Antonio Spurs dunks the ball during the game against the Denver Nuggets on April 3, 2019 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images)

Nylon Calculus: Nuggets-Spurs win probabilities, assist maps, style charts and more

PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 28: D'Angelo Russell #1 of the Brooklyn Nets and Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers look on during a game on March 28, 2019 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images)

Nylon Calculus: 76ers-Nets win probabilities, assist maps, style charts and more

BOSTON, MA - JANUARY 9: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics drives through the paint during the game against the Indiana Pacers on January 9, 2019 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Steve Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)

Nylon Calculus: Celtics-Pacers win probabilities, assist maps, style charts and more

PHOENIX, AZ - NOVEMBER 27: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns looks on after the game against the Indiana Pacers on November 27, 2018 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Barry GossageNBAE via Getty Images)

Nylon Calculus: What’s the historical precedent for Devin Booker?

DETROIT, MI - JANUARY 5: Reggie Jackson #1 of the Detroit Pistons handles the ball while Ricky Rubio #3 of the Utah Jazz plays defense during the game on January 5, 2019 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images)

Nylon Calculus: Can a defense influence ball movement? Part II