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David Locke - Yesterday 8:20 PM - Public Vidieo http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NoYDQRZTlHE
The true thesis of “Moneyball” is finding something that is undervalued. In the case of Billy Beane in Michael Lewis great book it had to do with on base percentage and later evolved to defense.
Kevin O’Connor is playing his own game of “Moneyball.” For O’Connor it is finding a player who a year or two ago who was worth 2 to 3 times what he is worth now and seeing if you can get undervalued talent who performs to his previous level.
Last year it was Raja Bell and this year is Josh Howard (who has not signed). For Raja Bell year 1 of money ball was a failure, but the book is not closed on the attempt yet. As is the case with moneyball it may not be an equation that hits every time, but if you hit 1 out 3 you are fine and 1 out of 2 you are rolling.
In 2008-09 Josh Howard was averaging 18 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assist a game. He was shooting 45% from the field going to the line 4 times a game and knocking down 34.5% from three.
It was this performance that made him a 10 million dollar a year player. Now after a slew of injuries and diminishing performances his market value has dipped to an all time low. Is he done at 31 years old? Have the injuries eliminated his effectiveness as a player? Or could he return to 80% of the player he once was for 20% of the price. That is moneyball the NBA way.
Last year, O’Connor tried the same thing. In 2008-09 Raja Bell averaged 13 pts and shot 42% from the three point range. He was a 5 million dollar a year player at the time and would have surpassed that if he were a free agent. Instead, injuries eliminated his next year in the NBA and his market dropped out. O’Connor pushed by the Lakers increasing the market paid $3 million for what was once a $5 to $8 million dollar talent.
The results of last season would say that the Moneyball grab on Raja Bell was a failure. Early signs in this year’s camp are that Raja has returned to his 08-09 form but only time will tell.
There is no exact science in acquiring talent, but when you are not able to joining the bidding wars for some of the marquee talent what O’Connor is trying to do is find the high priced talent on currently undervalued players. It is the NBA version of moneyball. Now the question is can it work.
Kevin O’Connor is playing his own game of “Moneyball.” For O’Connor it is finding a player who a year or two ago who was worth 2 to 3 times what he is worth now and seeing if you can get undervalued talent who performs to his previous level.
Last year it was Raja Bell and this year is Josh Howard (who has not signed). For Raja Bell year 1 of money ball was a failure, but the book is not closed on the attempt yet. As is the case with moneyball it may not be an equation that hits every time, but if you hit 1 out 3 you are fine and 1 out of 2 you are rolling.
In 2008-09 Josh Howard was averaging 18 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assist a game. He was shooting 45% from the field going to the line 4 times a game and knocking down 34.5% from three.
It was this performance that made him a 10 million dollar a year player. Now after a slew of injuries and diminishing performances his market value has dipped to an all time low. Is he done at 31 years old? Have the injuries eliminated his effectiveness as a player? Or could he return to 80% of the player he once was for 20% of the price. That is moneyball the NBA way.
Last year, O’Connor tried the same thing. In 2008-09 Raja Bell averaged 13 pts and shot 42% from the three point range. He was a 5 million dollar a year player at the time and would have surpassed that if he were a free agent. Instead, injuries eliminated his next year in the NBA and his market dropped out. O’Connor pushed by the Lakers increasing the market paid $3 million for what was once a $5 to $8 million dollar talent.
The results of last season would say that the Moneyball grab on Raja Bell was a failure. Early signs in this year’s camp are that Raja has returned to his 08-09 form but only time will tell.
There is no exact science in acquiring talent, but when you are not able to joining the bidding wars for some of the marquee talent what O’Connor is trying to do is find the high priced talent on currently undervalued players. It is the NBA version of moneyball. Now the question is can it work.
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