A New Scientific Approach To Sports Performance Comparison

Hi,

We can mathematically compare anything we measure. We only need to
guess about things we do not measure. For any operation to be
manageable, a percentage of measurement must occur. The extent to
which we are sure, determines the accuracy of the operation.

In some sports(like athletics-racing) one variable fully measures the
performance. No guessing is necessary. Other sports may involve a
certain degree of uncertainty, but, usually, the more tasks we
measure, the less guessing is needed.

In some sports, the performance consists many tasks. The usual
practice is to measure the effort of doing each task, independently,
and than listing the results on tables(boxscores) with some simple
averages. Performance statistics can be used to do much more than
this. The main objective of collecting the data shoud be to
represent the whole performance numerically. This allows us to use
laws of science and mathematics on them.


MEASURE THEORY

The main principle of Measure Theory is that we can represent sets of
numbers by single values. Thus, considering a sport with six main
categories, we have a specific number of performance-data-sets that
may be produced, and each set has a value that never chances,
regardless of the era in which it was done.

Our task is to find unchangeable attributes(constants) that allow us
to combine the data sets. Some constants are: mass length, time, and
speed. A hundred miles per hour(in 2000 B.C. is as fast as a hundred
miles per hour, in A.D. 2000. Thus the speed at which players amass
statistics is a way to compare them, in any sport, in any era.


This document introduces a general method to summerize all the
partial measurements we make of any performance. All the partial
measurements do make up the overall performance.

NO SOLUTION WITHOUT SCIENCE ENVISIONED

Many years are spent learning the Scientific Method(Observing,
Recording, Experimenting, Recording Results, and Concluding).
Unfortunately, in the real world most people simply observe and then
start drawing conclusions. Subsequently, we have been unable to
agree on many measurable facts, for years. We have been arguing,
instead of measuring. It is a general principle, in life, that it is
more accurate to measure than to guess. The applies equally to all
sports performances.

For decades, sports fans have been debating the rankings of players
and teams of various sports. Every season, sports professionals, are
faced with the difficult task of assembling the best players they can
find. However, if the performance cannot be measured, identifying
brilliance becomes a guessing-game, or a system of trial-and-error.

It is easier to compare performances in some sports than in others.
However, there is a general method that can be used for any activity
(sports, business, etc.), to make the process easier. The simple
solution is to work in relative values, instead of absolute ones.


To compare performances, in any activity, establishing a performance
standard is necessary. Basketball has been used as the example to
demonstrate the power of the technique.

The Standard NBA Performer

The standard NBA performance is from a a fictitious player who set
all the individual category records(points-P, assists-A, rebounds-R,
turnovers-TO, steals-S, and blocks-B) in a single game. Such a feat
is practically impossible, but this standard allows us to compare
basketball players and teams of any level, or league, worldwide.

The key to the method is to equate all the record performances to a
hundred percent. In the NBA, the records are:

Points = 100P; Assists = 30A; Rebounds = 55R;

Turnovers = 11TO; Steals = 14S; Blocks = 17B;

i.e. 100% = 100P = 30A = 55R = 14S = 17B = 11TO;

So, the standard performance-SP = (100P + 30A + 55R + 14S + 17B - 0TO)

i.e. SP = 100% + 100% + 100% + 100% + 100% - 100% =400%


We compare each performance to this standard.

X = 50P + 3A + 11R = 50% + 10% + 20% = 80% , and

2X = 100P + 6A + 22R = 100% + 20% + 40% = 160%

Z = 21P + 15A + 5R + 7S = 21% + 50% + 9% + 50% = 130%

Using the percentages, we can readily compare the performances. The
total values are percentages of the standard effort, but as it is
points that betermine winners, the ability of players to produce them
will always be viewed most importantly.


If you would like more information about an ebook which allows you to
calculate the percentages by inputting the statistics into a form,
and clicking a button, join this gpoup for more information. This
ebook(The Basketball Manifesto)allows the reader to calculate the
speed and work of getting the statistics. It is the only one of its
kind, and shows the possibilities, as this method can be extended to
every sport.

The work-values associated with the points, assists, and rebounds,
Michael Jordan got over his career each season are:

84-85 39.2%
85-86 25.6%
86-87 40.7%
87-88 42.5%
88-89 48.4%
89-90 44.1%
90-91 39.9%
91-92 40.8%
92-93 41.5%
94-95 37.5%
95-96 37.3%
96-97 35.9%
97-98 33.5%
Playoffs 42.1%

The stardard used, in this case was 100%.

Also, the following was deduced using the ebook forms:

The 2000-01 Finalists Regular Season Results

(A)Lakers: 253 %-1.04 %/minute

(B) 76ers: 237%-0.98 %/minute;

Thus, the Lakers went into the playoffs as the faster producer of
statistics. Based on the figures observed, and calculated, the 76ers
had to play a slow tournament, and try to win by shooting accuracy.
Otherwise it would have been practically impossible to beat the
Lakers. That was my prediction before the series started.

The Sixers, however, did the opposite, and tried to out-run the
Lakers. This was their biggest mistake, and the main reason they
lost the series, in such a fashion.

Statistical analysis helps you plan better strategies for the
particular opponent.

This method has been used in engineering design and construction for
over a decade, and tested on with various sports statistics, for over
five years. Everyone associated with sports will benefit from this
breakthrough analytical system. This approach has not been seen in
any other document, anywhere.


For more information, join by sending a blank e-mail to:

bball-man-subscribe@yahoogroups.com



Regards,


Arthur R. Linton, B.Sc.

Production Manager/ Freelance Sports Writer