MARCH 2014: TEAMS STATISTICS. NBA REGULAR SEASON.

Team statistics: Best ATTACK / EFFICIENCY / DEFENSE in NBA regular season: March 2014.

The most impressive statistic of the month is the winning streak of the San Antonio Spurs (16 in a row). The team, led by Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili, ultimately won 19 in a row which is winning streak N°8 in NBA history of the regular season (link to the data).

However, including playoffs, we must remember that the Spurs made 20 in row in 2012, which is the winning streak N°5 in NBA history including the regular season and the playoffs (link to the data).

Few days ago, I looked at the most impressive statistics for players in March 2014 (link to the article). As in February, my screening revealed Lebron James and Kevin Durant among the best in attack/efficiency and Joakim Noah as one of the best defensive players.

I’m now screening for the best team in terms of attack and defense for the same month, according to statistics.

A. ATTACK/EFFICIENCY.

First, I focus on (a) best attack based on superior efficiency (high field goal % implying more points). Secondly, I screen for (b) the most efficient attack (low level of turnovers and few steals by opponents) that we can also traduce by the most intelligent teamwork play (with many assists to find the open guy).

Rk	Season	Tm	W	L	ORtg ▾	DRtg
1	2013-14	LAC	54	23	111.9	104.7
2	2013-14	POR	49	27	111.7	107.3
3	2013-14	MIA	52	22	111.4	105.3
4	2013-14	DAL	45	31	111.3	108.8
5	2013-14	SAS	59	17	110.7	101.9

In March 2014, the San Antonio Spurs, which are currently fifth in offensive rating (for the whole regular season) reached the top of my first statistic.

Meanwhile, the Washington Wizards (as in February), appeared in my two sets of statistics. The team is currently in sixth position in the Eastern conference.

a. In 2013-14, in the regular season, game played in March, team won game, requiring 2-PT Field Goal Pct ≥ 0.5 and 3-Pt Field Goal Pct ≥ 0.45 and Points ≥ 110, sorted by most games matching criteria. RESULTS for at least 2.

Rk	Tm	Count
1	SAS	4
2	MEM	3
3	PHO	3
4	DEN	2
5	HOU	2
6	OKC	2
7	WAS	2

b. In 2013-14, in the regular season, game played in March, team won game, requiring Turnovers ≤ 8 and Assists ≥ 20 and Opponent Steals ≤ 8, sorted by most games in season matching criteria. RESULTS for at least 1.

Rk	Tm	Count
1	CHA	3
2	CHI	2
3	NYK	2
4	ATL	1
5	BOS	1
6	LAC	1
7	MIA	1
8	MIN	1
9	NOP	1
10	WAS	1

B. DEFENSE.

On defense, I focus on positive pressure on attack that leads to: (a) low level of field goal % and (b) turnovers, steals and few opportunities in term of offensive rebounds by the opponent team (implying little second chances).

Rk	Season	Tm	W	L	ORtg	DRtg ▴
1	2013-14	IND	53	23	103.9	98.5
2	2013-14	CHI	43	32	102.0	100.5
3	2013-14	SAS	59	17	110.7	101.9
4	2013-14	GSW	46	29	107.0	102.8
5	2013-14	OKC	55	19	110.3	103.2

In March 2014, 6 teams reached my two sets of statistics. Of course, the San Antonio Spurs, which are currently third in defensive rating (for the whole regular season) reached the top of my two statistics.

I also found the Chicago Bulls, the Los Angeles Clippers, Oklahoma City Thunder, the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Washington Wizards.

a. in 2013-14, in the regular season, game played in March, team won game, requiring Opponent Points ≤ 85 and Opponent 2-Pt Field Goal Pct ≤ 0.45 and Opponent 3-Pt Field Goal Pct ≤ 0.25, sorted by most games matching criteria.

Rk	Tm	Count
1	POR	2
2	SAS	2
3	CHI	1
4	IND	1
5	LAC	1
6	MIN	1
7	OKC	1
8	ORL	1
9	PHO	1
10	WAS	1

b. In 2013-14, in the regular season, game played in March, team won game, requiring Steals ≥ 8 and Opponent Turnovers ≥ 8 and Opponent Offensive Rebounds ≤ 12, sorted by most games in season matching criteria. RESULTS for at least 4.

Rk	Tm	Count
1	BRK	7
2	SAS	7
3	TOR	7
4	LAC	5
5	MEM	5
6	MIN	5
7	NOP	5
8	CHI	4
9	DAL	4
10	DEN	4
11	OKC	4
12	WAS	4

COMING SOON: PART 4: THE G.O.A.T of the 90's... 

Just to remind you, I put the introduction of my part 1 and the link to the article (if you want to access the statistics that I use to elect the G.O.A.T of every decade).   
 

What do the statistics say about who should be the Greatest of All Time (G.O.A.T)? PART 1.

What I wanted to look at for a long time was: What do the statistics say about who should be the Greatest of All Time (G.O.A.T)? Effectively, outside of statistics, we all have a point of view about who is/was/should be considered the G.O.AT. Just to name a few that are widely considered as a reference over the decades:

·      Bill Russell with his eleven titles,

·      Wilt Chamberlain with the most impressive statistics ever for a player, 

·      Kareem Abdul Jabbar, the NBA's all-time leading scorer,

·      Larry Bird & Magic Johnson, the 2 "show time" leaders of the 80's,  

·      Michael Jordan, a guy called "God" by mister Bird,

·    And ShaquilleO'Neal & Tim Duncan, the two most dominant  winners/players since Jordan's departure.

Source: www.basketball-reference.com.