Youthful Destitution

by Tom Ziller on Jan 29, 2008 7:30 AM PST in Links

Remember, like, 17 years ago when mapped the NBA? I finally got around to a sequel, focusing on age.

Sacramento, last season, was one of four teams at the midway point with an above-average team age and a below-average winning percentage. The winning percentage hasn't changed much, but the team is actually younger this year. It's likely owed to the difference between Spencer Hawes (19) and Shareef Abdur-Rahim (30), with Beno Udrih (25) for Mike Bibby (29) also helping the team get younger in real terms.

Atlanta and Charlotte have been stuck in the young-bad sector forever. That's the biggest fear going into a rebuild, isn't it? But you can't tell me you wouldn't have traded our roster for either of those last season, can you?

Tweet Comment 8 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Nice work

Nice work, and an interesting and unique angle on NBA teams. It's interesting to be able to visualize the data - you really get an idea of which teams will likely be on the down swing in the next couple of years and which teams are basically hopeless.

by Carl on Jan 29, 2008 8:44 AM PST reply actions

Thanks

The whole reason for me to do these maps is because it makes me see things I wouldn't in a spreadsheet. Phoenix 2005, I never realized they were a fairly young team. And I didn't realize how young Boston was last year.

by Tom Ziller on Jan 29, 2008 8:56 AM PST up reply actions

Yeah, nice and damn that must've taken awhile

One of these years SAS is not going to be able to pull off their 2nd half surge, and head toward MIA territory. Pointed out at the end of your article.

I like our movement from semi-old bad team to semi-young not quite as bad team. If we can continue the journey north east on the graph over the next 2 years, we will be in good shape.

by Kfan in Korea on Jan 29, 2008 12:56 PM PST reply actions

And as if on que

SA loses to the Sonics

by Kfan in Korea on Jan 30, 2008 5:35 AM PST up reply actions

At least when I go to Marie Callenders

I can read about how wonderful the Sonics were in beating the "World Champion" Spurs. Yippee.

I am the stone that the builder refused I am the visual, the inspiration That made Lady Sing the Blues..I'm the spark that makes your idea bright...

by pookeyguru on Jan 30, 2008 6:32 AM PST up reply actions

Ummm some things sir

Charlotte hasn't been around for even a half decade. They aren't as poorly run, as say the Hawks were, for the better part of this decade. I say judge them 6 years from now before you do.

The age factor is an interesting one, and found it interesting that you mention the Suns for several reasons. Nash was 30 years old driving the actual age factor UP, and everyone else was pretty much 24 or younger. The Blazers are a good young team, and are led by an incredible young player in Brandon Roy. Incredible talent wins games. Age means a little bit less in that department. Hasn't LBJ proven this to everyone?

I am the stone that the builder refused I am the visual, the inspiration That made Lady Sing the Blues..I'm the spark that makes your idea bright...

by pookeyguru on Jan 29, 2008 12:58 PM PST reply actions

I would say

Youth wins games. Talent and experience win championships.

How many really young teams, no matter how talented, have ever seen the finals?

You have to have young role-players, for sure, but you can't make it to the promised land without knowing how to win in the NBA, and that comes from veterans.

I think it's a delicate balance, and only a handful of teams have figured it out, and none of them for extended periods. The ones that do for a few years at a stretch are called dynasties.

Don't make me come in there!

by LeaguePassAddict on Jan 29, 2008 5:55 PM PST up reply actions