Nylon Calculus

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?

Nylon Calculus: Signature games and the MVP race

Nylon Calculus: Using VORP to pay college basketball players

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?

HOUSTON, TX - MARCH 13: TV analyst for NBA on ESPN, Doris Burke, and Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors smile after a game against the Houston Rockets 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: Tossing a wet blanket on the hot hand

LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 6: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after passing Michael Jordan on the NBA All-Time Scoring Leaders List against the Denver Nuggets on March 6 2019 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, 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 Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)

Nylon Calculus: How LeBron James finally passed Michael Jordan

Nylon Calculus: Defining teams by their offensive style

DETROIT, MI - JANUARY 29: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks passes the ball against the Detroit Pistons on January 29, 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 Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images)

Nylon Calculus: Charting player passing lanes

OAKLAND, CA - OCTOBER 24: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors reacts to a play during the game against the Washington Wizards on October 24, 2018 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)

Nylon Calculus: Stephen Curry is inevitable

Nylon Calculus: Predicting playoff position and probability

OAKLAND, CA - FEBRUARY 6: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors talks to the media after the game against the San Antonio Spurs on February 6, 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: Could the Warriors score 200 points in a game?

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - FEBRUARY 04: Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans stands on the court prior to a game against the Indiana Pacers at the Smoothie King Center on February 04, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Sean Gardner/Getty Images)

Nylon Calculus: Anthony Davis, Porzingis, and All-Star picks

HOUSTON, TX - JANUARY 25: James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets takes a three point shot defended by Norman Powell #24 of the Toronto Raptors in the second half at Toyota Center on January 25, 2019 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. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)

Nylon Calculus: The Rockets’ consistent 3-point threat

SACRAMENTO, CA - NOVEMBER 29: Montrezl Harrell #5 of the LA Clippers is congratulated by Tobias Harris #34 after making a basket against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center on November 29, 2018 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: How are the Clippers still in the playoff race?

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - JANUARY 14: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz shoots the ball against the Detroit Pistons on January 14, 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 Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images)

Nylon Calculus: The worst individual matchups in the NBA

Nylon Calculus: When does it pay to stagger your stars’ playing time?

ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 15: Trae Young #11 of the Atlanta Hawks is introduced prior to the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on January 15, 2019 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. 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 Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images)

Nylon Calculus December in review: 3-pointers, Trae Young, and lineups

DURHAM, NC - FEBRUARY 09: (L-R) Head coach Mike Krzyzewski of the Duke Blue Devils and head coach Roy Williams of the North Carolina Tar Heels shake hands prior to their gaem at Cameron Indoor Stadium on February 9, 2017 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Nylon Calculus: The AAU to college player pipeline

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - NOVEMBER 8: James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets shoots the ball during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on November 8, 2018 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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 Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images)

Nylon Calculus: No one shoots 3-pointers like James Harden

Mandatory Credit: Matthew Holst/Getty Images

Nylon Calculus: What are you talking about coach?

CHICAGO, UNITED STATES: Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant(L) and Chicago Bulls guard Michael Jordan(R) talk during a free-throw attempt during the fourth quarter 17 December at the United Center in Chicago. Bryant, who is 19 and bypassed college basketball to play in the NBA, scored a team-high 33 points off the bench, and Jordan scored a team-high 36 points. The Bulls defeated the Lakers 104-83. AFP PHOTO VINCENT LAFORET (Photo credit should read VINCENT LAFORET/AFP/Getty Images)

Nylon Calculus: What’s the best advanced stat?

PORTLAND, OR - JANUARY 5: James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets shoots the ball against the Portland Trail Blazers on January 5, 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: James Harden and True Shooting Charts

NEW ORLEANS, LA - MARCH 21: Anthony Davis

Nylon Calculus: The NBA players with the weakest supporting casts

HOUSTON, TX - MAY 14: A view of the fans in Game One of the Western Conference Finals between the Golden State Warriors and the Houston Rockets during the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 14, 2018 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)

Nylon Calculus: What stats best correlates to fan attendance?

The NBA’s White Elephants

TORONTO, ON - NOVEMBER 25: Toronto Raptors forward Kawhi Leonard (2) and Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) wait for the refs as they consult with each other. Toronto Raptors vs New Orleans Pelicans in 2nd half action of NBA regular season play at Air Canada Centre. Raptors won 125-115. Toronto Star/Rick Madonik (Rick Madonik/Toronto Star via Getty Images)

Nylon Calculus: Kyle Lowry is a different player with Kawhi Leonard

OAKLAND, CA - SEPTEMBER 24: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors poses with three Larry O'Brien NBA Championship Trophies during the Golden State Warriors media day on September 24, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

On a scale of one to basketball: Counting rings with credit deserved