The incorporation of data analytics into basketball, specifically in the National Basketball Association, has led to a significant shift in the way teams strategize, make decisions, and generally how the game is played. The utilization of advanced analytics and big data is now a crucial aspect that has revolutionized both on-court performance and off-court preparations. Some of the areas where analytics are heavily used are:

• developing winning strategies
• forecasting and preventing player injuries
• scouting potential players

The good old days?

Gone are the days when teams relied solely on traditional methods, such as pounding the ball down low to their big men and playing through them. The increasing popularity of the three-pointer is a testament to the influence of analytics in the league. Twenty years ago, during the 02-03 season, the average team took about 14.7 three-point shots per game. This season, teams are launching 34.2 long range bombs per game which is a 132.65% increase! The reason for this shift is rooted in the statistical analysis which is actually pretty simple when you think about it: a three-point shot, with decent accuracy and a larger volume of attempts, will lead to more points than a two-pointer over the course of a game. As a result, teams now encourage players who excel in shooting beyond the arc to seemingly take as many shots as possible. Players like Buddy Hield, Damian Lillard, Klay Thompson, and Steph Curry are prime examples of this strategy.

Dub Nation

The Golden State Warriors have been at the forefront of this revolution, making the most of analytics which certainly helped them during their championship runs. Their willingness to take a mind boggling number of three-pointers and their emphasis on ball movement, have played a significant role in their success. With so many sharpshooters on the floor at the same time, it is only a matter of time for them before someone has an open look. The likes of Steph Curry, and Klay Thompson attempt little mid-range jump shots in comparison to 3 pointers, a testament to the team's adherence to data-driven decision-making.

Rocket launchers

Perhaps one of the most notable examples of a team using analytics in the NBA is from back when Daryl Morey was the general manager of the Houston Rockets. That team was a prime example of how analytics can be utilized to gain a competitive edge in the NBA. With Morey's background in computer science and statistics, he expertly relied on advanced analytics to identify and acquire undervalued players, create efficient lineups, and develop game plans that capitalized on the weaknesses of opposing teams. All of this was most evident in their style of play, which emphasized three-point shooting and the use of the pick-and-roll. According to analytic data, the three-pointer is the most efficient shot in basketball, as it is worth 50% more than a two-pointer. The Rockets have built their team around this principle, with players like former MVP James Harden and Eric Gordon who were among the league's best at hitting three-pointers. They also heavily relied on the pick-and-roll, which is a play that involves a ball-handler using a screen set by a teammate to create an opening for a shot or a pass. The Rockets used this play to create open shots for their three-point shooters and to exploit the defensive weaknesses of opposing teams.

State-of-the-art tracking

Over the last decade or so, the SportVU video system that tracks player movements and the ball on the court is used and constantly developed in the NBA. Teams like the Golden State Warriors have credited their success to their analysts and the use of data in their decision-making. Decisions by coaches to rest players is an example of this, as the data showed that certain players needed days off to prevent injuries and prolong their careers. Furthermore, wearables are also used in tracking every move of players, not only during games but also during practice. Many players wear sleep monitors at night while dietary data is being quantified and recorded as well. With the help of biometrics, all teams can even better assess players’ fitness, thus further reducing the risk of injuries. Data analytics are now an essential part of scouting, as coaches rely on predictive analytics to make draft selections. Drafting is a crucial decision for teams, as they could be stuck with their expensive selections for years. Analytics helps teams minimize risk by looking at performance data of college players, which results with a more informed decision-making process.

Not a temporary trend

The integration of analytics has revolutionized the NBA. Teams are now relying on data and statistics to gain an additional competitive edge and this led to changes in the way rosters are constructed and how the game is played. All of this is a clear sign that the influence of analytics will continue to shape the game in the years to come. Obviously, if you are serious about basketball as a player, coach, scout, an executive or even a journalist then it would be detrimental to think that this is just a trend that will go away. Instead, learn about advanced analytics as much as possible and use the knowledge to reach the highest levels of performance! Of course, top-level performance needs the best gear so for that make sure to check out our webshop or visit one of our stores in Zagreb, Ljubljana or Budapest.