'Mathlete' has figured out what's wrong/right with Jazz
The author of “Mathletics” – a popular book about using math to analyze stats in sports – has figured out what is wrong (and right) with the Utah Jazz. According to stat guru Wayne Winston, here’s why the Jazz are off to a less-than-stellar 3-5 record:
- First off, Winston’s math has the Jazz not being as bad as their record. Utah has apparently played two points better than its average when compared to the strength of opposing players, he pointed out.
Other interesting points Winston made in his “What’s Wrong the Jazz” post on waynewinston.com:
- AK 47 and Millsap have been fantastic, especially on defense.
- Boozer, Brewer and Price have killed Jazz on defense.
- Williams has keyed offense.
- Fesenko has played great and deserves more minutes. When he is in Jazz play 16 points better than average.
- In their limited time Maynor and Koufos have killed Jazz. The team plays 30 points (per 48 minutes) worse than average when either is in.
Some other interesting points (all numbers are per 48 minutes):
- AK47, Williams, Okur and Millsap in is great – Jazz play 40 points better than average with these four in.
- Williams and AK47 in do well – nine points better than average.
- Millsap, Williams and AK47 in is great – 25 points better than average.
- Price in without AK47 is a disaster – team plays 43 points worse than average. But Price with AK47 is 14 points better than average.
Best lineups are:
- Brewer, AK47, Millsap, Okur and Williams – 49 points better than average so far.
- Boozer, AK47, Millsap, Price and Williams – 41 points better than average.
- Starting lineup has played one point worse than average.