How data transformed the NBA

NBA teams are changing the way they play basketball. The Houston Rockets, who boast stars like James Harden, have used data analytics to help them become championship contenders in recent seasons. Film supported by @DXCTechnology

Sponsored by DXC Technology.

An invisible powerful force is lifting professional basketball to new heights, transforming how this multibillion-dollar sport is played and, crucially how to win.

In elite sport the difference between success and failure is often the finest of margins. The Houston Rockets are one of the top teams in NBA basketball. They boast some of the sport's biggest stars, including the NBA's most valuable player in 2018.

In the past decade the Rockets have risen from mid-table mediocrity to serious NBA championship contenders. But it's not just big names that have fueled this dramatic ascent - it's big data.

The Rockets recent success owes much to their pioneering decision to start crunching data about every aspect of their game - and this is the man responsible. Computer scientist Daryl Morey is the sport's foremost data and statistics guru among NBA bosses. Ten years ago Daryl set out to find that winning formula. The Rockets were one of four NBA teams to install a pioneering video tracking system which mined raw data from games. What they discovered changed the way teams try to win.

In the 1990s, long two-point shots from just inside the three-point line were common but Darryl's data analysis showed that statistically these shots provided the worst return.

In the 2017-18 season the Rockets made more three-pointers than any other team in NBA history and this was a major reason they won more games than any of their rivals.

Professor Rajiv Masheswaran co-founded Second Spectrum. The analytics company gathers and codes a vast range of increasingly granular data for all 30 NBA teams. Cameras now track and record 3D spatial data for every player and ball movement at 25 frames per second. Machine learning technology uses this huge volume of data to produce interactive visualizations allowing teams to analyze the minutiae of their performances and achieve marginal gains on court.

There is a particular focus on all important data around player movement and the probability of making a shot.

Qualitative data analysis has even changed the type of players that successful teams like the Rockets have players today are on average leaner and more agile. When it comes to recruiting new players from the college draft each season, poring over data on player performance has given the Rockets a winning edge.

Basketball has constantly changed but it's about to enter a brave new world where data could be courtside in the hands of coaches, helping to swing a game as it happens.

[jrco]

not a good time to show this. the rockets are now ranked 13 out of 15 in the west and 19 out of 30 with the rest of the league.

[chewyta]

I remember Danny Ainge explaining to Bob Cousy who was a critic of the three pointer in the 80's that he only had to make 1/3 of the three pointers to get the same points as a 50% shooter. Groundbreaking stuff.

[elieobeid]

I guess they didn't care about data when they signed chris paul and Carmelo anthony

[michaelxz]

so 3 point shots are useful? where can I buy this supercomputer

[energy]

I didn't know "top team" meant top 13 out of 15

[ivanbekavac]

Shot probability: 1%
Steph Curry: hold my beer

[saitenotoshuitsnaini]

Last 20 seconds of this video showed the bigger loss the rockets are regretting as they found out their data on defensive performances: Trevor Ariza.

[swagg]

The key is to combine analytics and traditional knowledge in order to be successful

[DJCrispyC]

At the moment the data isnt really working

[moneyboyok]

I love this two of my favourite things basketball and data.

[captaincrunchamerica]

So how come he didn't predict carmelos slump?

[pauskie]

How about Harden's flopping percentage?

[punitdodwal]

Still they missed 27 3s in conf. finals game 7 against warriors.

[blackmayb]

This video couldn't have come at a worst time lol. Take THAT for data

[mooreideas]

I currently work for Second Spectrum and I can say it’s truly amazing to see what we do in the background to provide data to MLS & NBA. We have a lot in the world so expect a lot from SS in 2022!

[samcarney]

they missed 37 3's in game 7, and kept shooting, these tech guys trying to sell their shit like it solves basketball, but the human touch and feel remains far better than any supercomputer

[TheDefenseIsUpNext]

Of course Daryl Morey loves this sort of ass kissing over his analytics bs which has produced 0 championships. You're sitting there with a team that plays no defense and still nothing's been done about that.

[rukawagold]

If this video came out 6 months ago, it would be have been very convincing. When Rockeys almost knocked off Warriors, they were seen as the successful story in technology innovation.
Now, with Rockets struggling to make playoffs,
However, statistics and quantitative data analysis will continue to impact basketball decisions. All other teams has their own data analysis team. That probably neutralize the competitive advantage of Rockets.

[kam]

Pat Riley said this 30 years ago, rebounds equal rings. It's not that complicated but they want you to think it is, it still boils down to having 2 great players, 1 top tier 3rd player, defense and now 3 pointers. Nothing changes except how you score.

[saumini]

When everyone has access to the same data there's no competitive advantage