Good points all. I still think there are more valuable players to be had at the same price as Rinaldo that would be better for the 4th line. Same with an NHL filler like White.

I think part of me is paranoid as well as spoiled when it comes to GMs saying they'll use analytics. On one hand, Ruben Amaro Jr. said he'd start using them (also without specifying which) yet continues to make moves that are indicative of the non-use of these stats. He won't even look at OBP.

On the flip side, Sam Hinkie has come into the Sixers front office with the advanced stats approach and completely flipped the team without wasting any time.

Time will tell with Hextall but given that Snider, who is the puppet master, still seems to want to play in a line with tradition, I don't think we'll see as much analytics as Hextall says/wants.
- NickTheKid87

What has Hinkie done aside from tear down the team and tank? Not to say I think it's the wrong course of action, but you don't need statistics to blow it up. I also don't follow the Sixers, so maybe I'm missing something.

Jfc
- Giroux_Is_God

That phase should have died the day it was born

That doesn't answer the question.
- jmatchett383

Butthurt means someone that gets offended or upset about ones comments or actions. Usually it means youre being overractive or a baby about it.

Not to get too off topic, but this recent surge of Sixers love is truly perplexing to me. This team basically tore itself apart, traded it best players, tied the record for longest losing streak ever, is most likely going to be the worst team in the league this year, has long-term injuries to its 2 most promising players (neither of which have played an NBA game yet), and people are automatically stating they'll be a championship contender in 3-4 years.

I just don't get it. I'd like to see some evidence of success before people call Sam Hinkie some miracle worker genius. It may be that Noel can't hack it in the NBA, MCW is nothing but a supporting role player, and Embiid never recovers from his crippled state.
- jmatchett383

The NBA is a league in which you can only compete with at least 2-3 stars. The Sixers were in purgatory: finishing 7-10 and getting the mid-round picks. Since no stars seem to want to sign here, Hinkie saw that he had to dismantle the team and basically suck to get high draft picks. Not to mention he's made some great trades and stockpiled young talent. Embiid, Noel, Saric, MCW, etc. plus future 1st round picks he acquired in addition to the high picks they'll get for the next 1-4 seasons. Some of these players will have to pan out. More likely than not, at least one will become a star. He's basically seeing the NBA for what it is and exploited it by sucking on purpose to get the high level prospects.

Butthurt means someone that gets offended or upset about ones comments or actions. Usually it means youre being overractive or a baby about it.
- GOA88

What has Hinkie done aside from tear down the team and tank? Not to say I think it's the wrong course of action, but you don't need statistics to blow it up. I also don't follow the Sixers, so maybe I'm missing something.
- BulliesPhan87

He uses analytics in his drafting and personnel decisions. In addition, he has made some great trades. He turned the 10th overall pick into the 12th and a future first rounder. He moved Thad Young for a 1st rounder. He's getting so much bang for his buck in order to stockpile young talent essentially.

He uses analytics in his drafting and personnel decisions. In addition, he has made some great trades. He turned the 10th overall pick into the 12th and a future first rounder. He moved Thad Young for a 1st rounder. He's getting so much bang for his buck in order to stockpile young talent essentially.
- NickTheKid87

Those are smart moves, but they don't really indicate use of analytics to me.

He uses analytics in his drafting and personnel decisions. In addition, he has made some great trades. He turned the 10th overall pick into the 12th and a future first rounder. He moved Thad Young for a 1st rounder. He's getting so much bang for his buck in order to stockpile young talent essentially.
- NickTheKid87

Without knowing anything about basketball analytics, those seem like no-brainer moves from someone who knows next to nothing about the NBA.

Careful, people get butthurt when you complain about topics of discussion. lol
- GOA88

Butthurt is a banable word.

If that isnt irony then I dont know what is.

Butthurt means someone that gets offended or upset about ones comments or actions. Usually it means youre being overractive or a baby about it.
- GOA88

Then it makes no sense. That's like saying the term "hookerpunch" means to drink some water. For some reason, the term just irritates me.

Those are smart moves, but they don't really indicate use of analytics to me.
- BulliesPhan87

Here's a good article from the New Yorker on his approach: http://www.newyorker.com/...-revolution-in-basketball

Without knowing anything about basketball analytics, those seem like no-brainer moves from someone who knows next to nothing about the NBA.
- jmatchett383

I'm citing the moves as another reason why he's positioning the Sixers for success, not to say he uses analytics.

My analytics on this trade was that Berube was tired of Hartnell playing an undisciplined game, and felt Hartnell was never going to make an effort to change this.

Now people will say, well then why did they sign Rinaldo? I will say it is because Rinaldo is a 4th liner who can be sent to Allentown if he doesn't get it under control.
- MBFlyerfan

Using analytics in hockey is so tough. A players performance depends a lot on the guys on the ice with him. It's not like baseball. Baseball has one pitcher pitching to one batter. The batter can either hit lefties or they can't. I agree you have a variety of variables that come into play like runners on base, game score and a thousand others. But really it comes down to can the batter hit against a lefty or righty or against a specific pitcher.

In hockey you have a small amount of players that make other players better. I believe current line chemistry and solid defenseman that move the puck weigh a lot more on an individual players advanced stats than his individual abilities for a vast majority of NHL players. The player is only as strong as the group he is with. So to me it is more about a specific for each player. I do not need any stats to know that Streit and MDZ are not good defensive pairing.

Advanced can be used to figure how the team is performing in certain situations. I do not see how they could be used to come up with a solution to said problem or if the solution is available internally.

Then it makes no sense. That's like saying the term "hookerpunch" means to drink some water. For some reason, the term just irritates me.
- jmatchett383

Well I didnt invent the term. Maybe I should say they get their panties in a wad??

Well I didnt invent the term. Maybe I should say they get their panties in a wad??
- GOA88

Well, I know that I get angry/irritated when my panties get all wadded up. Very uncomfortable for me. Don't you?

the term "butthurt" is kind of played out tbh

Wow does are schedule really suck for the start of the year. I hope that mason gets the first back to back bcuz NJ may be only team that we are better than IMO

Using analytics in hockey is so tough. A players performance depends a lot on the guys on the ice with him. It's not like baseball. Baseball has one pitcher pitching to one batter. The batter can either hit lefties or they can't. I agree you have a variety of variables that come into play like runners on base, game score and a thousand others. But really it comes down to can the batter hit against a lefty or righty or against a specific pitcher.

In hockey you have a small amount of players that make other players better. I believe current line chemistry and solid defenseman that move the puck weigh a lot more on an individual players advanced stats than his individual abilities for a vast majority of NHL players. The player is only as strong as the group he is with. So to me it is more about a specific for each player. I do not need any stats to know that Streit and MDZ are not good defensive pairing.

Advanced can be used to figure how the team is performing in certain situations. I do not see how they could be used to come up with a solution to said problem or if the solution is available internally.
- mickel25

Advanced stats aren't really for solving problems as much as they are for pointing them out. If what you see doesn't match up with the numbers, an intelligent person would ask why and try to figure it out. This is what would lead to a solution.

I'm citing the moves as another reason why he's positioning the Sixers for success, not to say he uses analytics.
- NickTheKid87

Ah, gotcha.

Basketball, or actually the NBA, is just such a weird game now. It used to be about skill, defense, positioning passing, and scoring touch. Now it's about being a thug and "posterising" a guy so you can get on SportsCenter. Not to mention the insane talent dilution that seems rampant, and the fact that you can pick one out of 5 teams in the summer and have one of them win the championship.

Well, I know that I get angry/irritated when my panties get all wadded up. Very uncomfortable for me. Don't you?
- jmatchett383

Especially when they run up and give me a wedgie....

Wow does are schedule really suck for the start of the year. I hope that mason gets the first back to back bcuz NJ may be only team that we are better than IMO
- AGL_91

It's September.

Especially when they run up and give me a wedgie....
- GOA88

Actually, I kinda like that feeling...

Advanced stats aren't really for solving problems as much as they are for pointing them out. If what you see doesn't match up with the numbers, an intelligent person would ask why and try to figure it out. This is what would lead to a solution.
- NickTheKid87

But why use them at all if they cannot point out a specific reason as to why the Flyers are not good 5 on 5 for example?

Ok so in your scenario Berube used analytics to figure out that the Flyers are not great 5 on 5. What is the solution to the problem based on the data you were given?

But why use them at all if they cannot point out a specific reason as to why the Flyers are not good 5 on 5 for example?

Ok so in your scenario Berube used analytics to figure out that the Flyers are not great 5 on 5. What is the solution to the problem based on the data you were given?
- mickel25

Trade everyone.

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Improving on Last Season's Benchmarks, Quick Hits
- bmeltzer

Happy Birthday to the best blogger I know! Hope it's a good one!