Nylon Calculus

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

Nylon Calculus: Did lottery reform actually curb tanking?

Nylon Calculus: Kyle Lowry is a playoff problem

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

DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA - FEBRUARY 20: A detailed view of the shoe worn by Zion Williamson #1 of the Duke Blue Devils against the North Carolina Tar Heels during their game at Cameron Indoor Stadium on February 20, 2019 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Nylon Calculus: Did Zion’s ‘shoe explosion’ actually impact Nike’s value?

MEMPHIS, TN - MARCH 20: James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets shoots the ball against the Memphis Grizzlies on March 20, 2019 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. 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 Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)

Nylon Calculus: Signature games and the MVP race

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 12: Jordan Hunter (L) #1 and Jordan Ford #3 of the Saint Mary's Gaels celebrate after defeating the Gonzaga Bulldogs 60-47 to win the championship game of the West Coast Conference basketball tournament at the Orleans Arena on March 12, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Nylon Calculus: Using VORP to pay college basketball players

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 19: D'Angelo Russell #1 of the Brooklyn Nets reacts towards the crowd after the Nets came back to beat the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center on March 19, 2019 in Sacramento, 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: Who has the inside track for Most Improved Player?

OAKLAND, CA - MARCH 8: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets handles the ball against Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors on March 8, 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: Can a defense influence ball movement?