By charting the location and frequency of every shot in the NBA, cartographer Kirk Goldsberry can create a map of the strengths and weaknesses of each player's offensive and defensive game. Kobe Bryant, pictured, is able to shoot from all areas in the court.
Decoding the game —
By charting the location and frequency of every shot in the NBA, cartographer Kirk Goldsberry can create a map of the strengths and weaknesses of each player's offensive and defensive game. Kobe Bryant, pictured, is able to shoot from all areas in the court.
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Midrange shots aren't very productive for most players -- except Dirk Nowitzki of the Dallas Mavericks, who loves the right baseline.
Decoding the game —
Midrange shots aren't very productive for most players -- except Dirk Nowitzki of the Dallas Mavericks, who loves the right baseline.
Courtesy of Clever Franke
Ray Allen is widely regarded as one of NBA's best shooters and is known to have perfected the three-point shot.
Decoding the game —
Ray Allen is widely regarded as one of NBA's best shooters and is known to have perfected the three-point shot.
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But even the most prolific three-point shooter of all time has relatively weak areas according to Kirk Goldberry's data. The left wing is shown to be a particular soft spot.
Decoding the game —
But even the most prolific three-point shooter of all time has relatively weak areas according to Kirk Goldberry's data. The left wing is shown to be a particular soft spot.
Courtesy of clever franke
The most important area of the court to defend is around the basket, but some players are more effective than others. Using spatial data that shows where defenders are, Goldsberry can determine who holds shooters to low percentages and who fails to stop scorers. Roy Hibbert, pictured, is known to reduce his opponent's shots dramatically.
Decoding the game —
The most important area of the court to defend is around the basket, but some players are more effective than others. Using spatial data that shows where defenders are, Goldsberry can determine who holds shooters to low percentages and who fails to stop scorers. Roy Hibbert, pictured, is known to reduce his opponent's shots dramatically.
Courtesy of Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images
Overall, NBA shooters make 49.7 percent of their shots when they face a defender around the basket.
Decoding the game —
Overall, NBA shooters make 49.7 percent of their shots when they face a defender around the basket.
Courtesy of clever franke
The Milwaukee Bucks center, Larry Sanders, holds shooters to a much lower percentage.
Decoding the game —
The Milwaukee Bucks center, Larry Sanders, holds shooters to a much lower percentage.
COURTESY of clever franke
Roy Hibbert, and Larry Sanders, pictured, were found to reduce the shooting efficiency of their opponents to 38 percent.
Decoding the game —
Roy Hibbert, and Larry Sanders, pictured, were found to reduce the shooting efficiency of their opponents to 38 percent.
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David Lee of the Golden State Warriors has been an all-star, but it's clearly for his offensive abilities, according to this graph. His interior defense is a disaster.
Decoding the game —
David Lee of the Golden State Warriors has been an all-star, but it's clearly for his offensive abilities, according to this graph. His interior defense is a disaster.
Courtesy of clever franke
Whilst in defensive positions, Lee allowed his opponents to make a generous 61% of their shots.
Decoding the game —
Whilst in defensive positions, Lee allowed his opponents to make a generous 61% of their shots.
Courtesy of Ezra Shaw/Getty Images