Here's an interesting article by a physics grad student (props) that discusses the optimal usage of a superstar player in basketball. His analysis was motivated by Bill Simmons' Ewing Theory, which is that the Knicks would play better when their all-star center, Patrick Ewing, was out of the lineup.
http://gravityandlevity.wordpress.com/2009/05/28/braesss-paradox-and-the-ewing-theory/
Now, the real question is: Did David Stern know about the phenomenon and purposely give Ewing to the Knicks (with the rigged 1985 NBA Draft lottery) to spite them?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TgJE7C5wiU
(start watching just before the 5 minute mark to see the infamous corner bashing of the Knicks envelope and then Stern specifically choosing the envelope with the bend corner.)
Depending on how long we keep this blog going (it looks right now like it is capable for sustained excellence) we should have a counter for how many times we link to that video. I know we've done it twice now, maybe 3 times?
ReplyDeleteI think the 3rd time I may have just put it in an email.
Usual practice is to link to the older post, I'd say.
ReplyDelete