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Team Similarity Scores, Again

Posted by Neil Paine on March 10, 2010

This is another stab at something I've worked on for years -- the idea is to take the performance for each team in the Four Factors, and find teams with similar profiles in the past to determine how teams of that ilk eventually do in the playoffs. Here's the methodology:

  1. Calculate the Four Factors for each team on offense and defense (technically, I guess that would make it Eight Factors, but whatever).
  2. Calculate the Z-score for each team's factors by subtracting the league average and dividing by the league's standard deviation.
  3. Compute the difference between the two teams' z-scores and square it... Do this for all 8 factors.
  4. Add the squared differences together, weighted by the following: Offensive & defensive eFG% --> 0.2 each; offensive & defensive TOV% --> 0.125 each; offensive & defensive ORB% --> 0.1 each; offensive & defensive FT rate --> 0.075 each.

The result is how similar the two teams are in terms of not only how their factors match up, but also by placing more weight on the factors that correlate most to team performance. Here are the results for the 2010 teams so far:

Rank Team Wins Losses Playoffs ConfChamp NBAChamp
2010 Atlanta Hawks 40 23 0.635
1 1998 Minnesota Timberwolves 45 37 1 0 0
2 1998 Washington Wizards 42 40 0 0 0
3 2006 Detroit Pistons 64 18 1 0 0
4 1986 Houston Rockets 51 31 1 1 0
5 1986 Detroit Pistons 46 36 1 0 0
6 2010 Dallas Mavericks 44 21 n/a n/a n/a
7 2001 Toronto Raptors 47 35 1 0 0
8 2005 Sacramento Kings 50 32 1 0 0
9 1984 Dallas Mavericks 43 39 1 0 0
10 2010 Portland Trail Blazers 38 28 n/a n/a n/a
Total 470 317 0.597
Rank Team Wins Losses Playoffs ConfChamp NBAChamp
2010 Boston Celtics 40 22 0.645
1 1996 Seattle Supersonics 64 18 1 1 0
2 1977 Phoenix Suns 34 48 0 0 0
3 1997 Miami Heat 61 21 1 0 0
4 1998 Cleveland Cavaliers 47 35 1 0 0
5 1981 Philadelphia 76ers 62 20 1 0 0
6 2005 Memphis Grizzlies 45 37 1 0 0
7 2008 Boston Celtics 66 16 1 1 1
8 2002 Detroit Pistons 50 32 1 0 0
9 1988 Utah Jazz 47 35 1 0 0
10 2000 Phoenix Suns 53 29 1 0 0
Total 529 291 0.645
Rank Team Wins Losses Playoffs ConfChamp NBAChamp
2010 Charlotte Bobcats 31 31 0.500
1 2009 Charlotte Bobcats 35 47 0 0 0
2 1974 Detroit Pistons 52 30 1 0 0
3 1990 Los Angeles Clippers 30 52 0 0 0
4 1990 San Antonio Spurs 56 26 1 0 0
5 1995 Indiana Pacers 52 30 1 0 0
6 1989 Houston Rockets 45 37 1 0 0
7 2004 Philadelphia 76ers 33 49 0 0 0
8 1998 Cleveland Cavaliers 47 35 1 0 0
9 1984 Philadelphia 76ers 52 30 1 0 0
10 1981 Phoenix Suns 57 25 1 0 0
Total 459 361 0.560
Rank Team Wins Losses Playoffs ConfChamp NBAChamp
2010 Chicago Bulls 31 32 0.492
1 1981 Seattle Supersonics 34 48 0 0 0
2 1978 New Orleans Jazz 39 43 0 0 0
3 1992 Detroit Pistons 48 34 1 0 0
4 2001 Detroit Pistons 32 50 0 0 0
5 1985 Cleveland Cavaliers 36 46 1 0 0
6 1977 New Orleans Jazz 35 47 0 0 0
7 2006 Houston Rockets 34 48 0 0 0
8 1988 Houston Rockets 46 36 1 0 0
9 1991 Washington Bullets 30 52 0 0 0
10 1995 New Jersey Nets 30 52 0 0 0
Total 364 456 0.444
Rank Team Wins Losses Playoffs ConfChamp NBAChamp
2010 Cleveland Cavaliers 50 15 0.769
1 2010 Orlando Magic 45 20 n/a n/a n/a
2 2005 Miami Heat 59 23 1 0 0
3 2006 Miami Heat 52 30 1 1 1
4 2008 Orlando Magic 52 30 1 0 0
5 1999 Miami Heat 33 17 1 0 0
6 2009 Orlando Magic 59 23 1 1 0
7 1991 Boston Celtics 56 26 1 0 0
8 2000 Portland Trail Blazers 59 23 1 0 0
9 1990 Utah Jazz 55 27 1 0 0
10 2000 Miami Heat 52 30 1 0 0
Total 522 249 0.677
Rank Team Wins Losses Playoffs ConfChamp NBAChamp
2010 Dallas Mavericks 44 21 0.677
1 2009 Atlanta Hawks 47 35 1 0 0
2 1994 Cleveland Cavaliers 47 35 1 0 0
3 2009 New Orleans Hornets 49 33 1 0 0
4 1998 Minnesota Timberwolves 45 37 1 0 0
5 1984 Dallas Mavericks 43 39 1 0 0
6 1998 Washington Wizards 42 40 0 0 0
7 2001 Sacramento Kings 55 27 1 0 0
8 1988 Milwaukee Bucks 42 40 1 0 0
9 1990 Dallas Mavericks 47 35 1 0 0
10 2004 Los Angeles Lakers 56 26 1 1 0
Total 473 347 0.577
Rank Team Wins Losses Playoffs ConfChamp NBAChamp
2010 Denver Nuggets 42 21 0.667
1 2009 Denver Nuggets 54 28 1 0 0
2 1987 Portland Trail Blazers 49 33 1 0 0
3 1995 Seattle Supersonics 57 25 1 0 0
4 1996 Indiana Pacers 52 30 1 0 0
5 1993 Utah Jazz 47 35 1 0 0
6 2009 Utah Jazz 48 34 1 0 0
7 2008 Denver Nuggets 50 32 1 0 0
8 2005 Boston Celtics 45 37 1 0 0
9 1991 Golden State Warriors 44 38 1 0 0
10 2005 Dallas Mavericks 58 24 1 0 0
Total 504 316 0.615
Rank Team Wins Losses Playoffs ConfChamp NBAChamp
2010 Detroit Pistons 22 41 0.349
1 2000 Golden State Warriors 19 63 0 0 0
2 2005 Charlotte Bobcats 18 64 0 0 0
3 2008 Chicago Bulls 33 49 0 0 0
4 2002 Denver Nuggets 27 55 0 0 0
5 1990 Minnesota Timberwolves 22 60 0 0 0
6 1997 Toronto Raptors 30 52 0 0 0
7 1999 Toronto Raptors 23 27 0 0 0
8 2005 Cleveland Cavaliers 42 40 0 0 0
9 1975 Atlanta Hawks 31 51 0 0 0
10 1990 New Jersey Nets 17 65 0 0 0
Total 262 526 0.332
Rank Team Wins Losses Playoffs ConfChamp NBAChamp
2010 Golden State Warriors 17 46 0.270
1 1993 Milwaukee Bucks 28 54 0 0 0
2 1991 Charlotte Hornets 26 56 0 0 0
3 1991 Golden State Warriors 44 38 1 0 0
4 2007 Golden State Warriors 42 40 1 0 0
5 2004 Boston Celtics 36 46 1 0 0
6 1982 Kansas City Kings 30 52 0 0 0
7 1991 Milwaukee Bucks 48 34 1 0 0
8 1987 New York Knickerbockers 24 58 0 0 0
9 1980 New York Knickerbockers 39 43 0 0 0
10 1976 Seattle Supersonics 43 39 1 0 0
Total 360 460 0.439
Rank Team Wins Losses Playoffs ConfChamp NBAChamp
2010 Houston Rockets 32 31 0.508
1 2004 New Orleans Hornets 41 41 1 0 0
2 1975 Philadelphia 76ers 34 48 0 0 0
3 1992 Atlanta Hawks 38 44 0 0 0
4 1983 Detroit Pistons 37 45 0 0 0
5 1995 Miami Heat 32 50 0 0 0
6 2006 Golden State Warriors 34 48 0 0 0
7 1990 Cleveland Cavaliers 42 40 1 0 0
8 1980 Portland Trail Blazers 38 44 1 0 0
9 2006 Los Angeles Lakers 45 37 1 0 0
10 1983 Portland Trail Blazers 46 36 1 0 0
Total 387 433 0.472
Rank Team Wins Losses Playoffs ConfChamp NBAChamp
2010 Indiana Pacers 21 43 0.328
1 1991 Sacramento Kings 25 57 0 0 0
2 2002 New York Knickerbockers 30 52 0 0 0
3 1980 New Jersey Nets 34 48 0 0 0
4 1997 Minnesota Timberwolves 40 42 1 0 0
5 2004 Toronto Raptors 33 49 0 0 0
6 1986 Utah Jazz 42 40 1 0 0
7 2000 Cleveland Cavaliers 32 50 0 0 0
8 1986 Cleveland Cavaliers 29 53 0 0 0
9 2005 Indiana Pacers 44 38 1 0 0
10 2008 Indiana Pacers 36 46 0 0 0
Total 345 475 0.421
Rank Team Wins Losses Playoffs ConfChamp NBAChamp
2010 Los Angeles Clippers 25 39 0.391
1 2004 Atlanta Hawks 28 54 0 0 0
2 1986 Sacramento Kings 37 45 1 0 0
3 2005 Orlando Magic 36 46 0 0 0
4 2001 Atlanta Hawks 25 57 0 0 0
5 2010 Sacramento Kings 21 43 n/a n/a n/a
6 2001 Cleveland Cavaliers 30 52 0 0 0
7 1991 Orlando Magic 31 51 0 0 0
8 1997 Sacramento Kings 34 48 0 0 0
9 2007 Minnesota Timberwolves 32 50 0 0 0
10 2007 Portland Trail Blazers 32 50 0 0 0
Total 306 496 0.382
Rank Team Wins Losses Playoffs ConfChamp NBAChamp
2010 Los Angeles Lakers 47 18 0.723
1 1997 Los Angeles Lakers 56 26 1 0 0
2 1997 Atlanta Hawks 56 26 1 0 0
3 1976 Golden State Warriors 59 23 1 0 0
4 1982 Seattle Supersonics 52 30 1 0 0
5 2005 Detroit Pistons 54 28 1 1 0
6 1980 Seattle Supersonics 56 26 1 0 0
7 1998 Chicago Bulls 62 20 1 1 1
8 1983 Boston Celtics 56 26 1 0 0
9 2008 Detroit Pistons 59 23 1 0 0
10 2002 New Jersey Nets 52 30 1 1 0
Total 562 258 0.685
Rank Team Wins Losses Playoffs ConfChamp NBAChamp
2010 Memphis Grizzlies 33 31 0.516
1 1984 San Diego Clippers 30 52 0 0 0
2 1993 Atlanta Hawks 43 39 1 0 0
3 1980 Houston Rockets 41 41 1 0 0
4 1979 San Diego Clippers 43 39 0 0 0
5 1981 Golden State Warriors 39 43 0 0 0
6 1996 Golden State Warriors 36 46 0 0 0
7 1990 Atlanta Hawks 41 41 0 0 0
8 2008 Washington Wizards 43 39 1 0 0
9 2010 Philadelphia 76ers 23 40 n/a n/a n/a
10 1999 Seattle Supersonics 25 25 0 0 0
Total 364 405 0.473
Rank Team Wins Losses Playoffs ConfChamp NBAChamp
2010 Miami Heat 32 32 0.500
1 2004 Miami Heat 42 40 1 0 0
2 1978 Golden State Warriors 43 39 0 0 0
3 1988 Atlanta Hawks 50 32 1 0 0
4 2006 Chicago Bulls 41 41 1 0 0
5 1987 Houston Rockets 42 40 1 0 0
6 1992 Los Angeles Clippers 45 37 1 0 0
7 1983 Boston Celtics 56 26 1 0 0
8 1994 Utah Jazz 53 29 1 0 0
9 1979 Indiana Pacers 38 44 0 0 0
10 1988 Milwaukee Bucks 42 40 1 0 0
Total 452 368 0.551
Rank Team Wins Losses Playoffs ConfChamp NBAChamp
2010 Milwaukee Bucks 34 29 0.540
1 2001 Phoenix Suns 51 31 1 0 0
2 1980 Kansas City Kings 47 35 1 0 0
3 1997 Cleveland Cavaliers 42 40 0 0 0
4 2010 Miami Heat 32 32 n/a n/a n/a
5 1987 Indiana Pacers 41 41 1 0 0
6 2007 Cleveland Cavaliers 50 32 1 1 0
7 2004 Miami Heat 42 40 1 0 0
8 1978 Golden State Warriors 43 39 0 0 0
9 2006 Chicago Bulls 41 41 1 0 0
10 1998 New York Knickerbockers 43 39 1 0 0
Total 432 370 0.539
Rank Team Wins Losses Playoffs ConfChamp NBAChamp
2010 Minnesota Timberwolves 14 50 0.219
1 2008 Milwaukee Bucks 26 56 0 0 0
2 2005 Atlanta Hawks 13 69 0 0 0
3 2009 Oklahoma City Thunder 23 59 0 0 0
4 1992 Orlando Magic 21 61 0 0 0
5 2002 Chicago Bulls 21 61 0 0 0
6 2000 Vancouver Grizzlies 22 60 0 0 0
7 2008 New York Knickerbockers 23 59 0 0 0
8 1989 New Jersey Nets 26 56 0 0 0
9 2010 Philadelphia 76ers 23 40 n/a n/a n/a
10 2002 Atlanta Hawks 33 49 0 0 0
Total 231 570 0.288
Rank Team Wins Losses Playoffs ConfChamp NBAChamp
2010 New Jersey Nets 7 56 0.111
1 1998 Denver Nuggets 11 71 0 0 0
2 2001 Chicago Bulls 15 67 0 0 0
3 1981 Dallas Mavericks 15 67 0 0 0
4 1996 Vancouver Grizzlies 15 67 0 0 0
5 1974 Philadelphia 76ers 25 57 0 0 0
6 2005 New Orleans Hornets 18 64 0 0 0
7 2002 Chicago Bulls 21 61 0 0 0
8 1997 Dallas Mavericks 24 58 0 0 0
9 2001 New Jersey Nets 26 56 0 0 0
10 2007 Atlanta Hawks 30 52 0 0 0
Total 200 620 0.244
Rank Team Wins Losses Playoffs ConfChamp NBAChamp
2010 New Orleans Hornets 32 32 0.500
1 2009 New York Knickerbockers 32 50 0 0 0
2 2003 Seattle Supersonics 40 42 0 0 0
3 2010 New York Knickerbockers 22 41 n/a n/a n/a
4 1999 Phoenix Suns 27 23 1 0 0
5 1992 Charlotte Hornets 31 51 0 0 0
6 1977 Milwaukee Bucks 30 52 0 0 0
7 1992 Atlanta Hawks 38 44 0 0 0
8 1984 Dallas Mavericks 43 39 1 0 0
9 1987 San Antonio Spurs 28 54 0 0 0
10 1980 Cleveland Cavaliers 37 45 0 0 0
Total 328 441 0.427
Rank Team Wins Losses Playoffs ConfChamp NBAChamp
2010 New York Knickerbockers 22 41 0.349
1 2009 New York Knickerbockers 32 50 0 0 0
2 2010 New Orleans Hornets 32 32 n/a n/a n/a
3 1992 Charlotte Hornets 31 51 0 0 0
4 1982 Utah Jazz 25 57 0 0 0
5 1977 Milwaukee Bucks 30 52 0 0 0
6 1988 San Antonio Spurs 31 51 1 0 0
7 2003 Memphis Grizzlies 28 54 0 0 0
8 1993 Washington Bullets 22 60 0 0 0
9 2004 Phoenix Suns 29 53 0 0 0
10 2005 Toronto Raptors 33 49 0 0 0
Total 293 509 0.365
Rank Team Wins Losses Playoffs ConfChamp NBAChamp
2010 Oklahoma City Thunder 38 24 0.613
1 2004 Detroit Pistons 54 28 1 1 1
2 1990 San Antonio Spurs 56 26 1 0 0
3 1986 Atlanta Hawks 50 32 1 0 0
4 1984 Philadelphia 76ers 52 30 1 0 0
5 2002 Philadelphia 76ers 43 39 1 0 0
6 2003 Indiana Pacers 48 34 1 0 0
7 1974 Detroit Pistons 52 30 1 0 0
8 2001 Philadelphia 76ers 56 26 1 1 0
9 1995 Indiana Pacers 52 30 1 0 0
10 1988 Houston Rockets 46 36 1 0 0
Total 509 311 0.621
Rank Team Wins Losses Playoffs ConfChamp NBAChamp
2010 Orlando Magic 45 20 0.692
1 2009 Orlando Magic 59 23 1 1 0
2 2010 Cleveland Cavaliers 50 15 n/a n/a n/a
3 1999 Miami Heat 33 17 1 0 0
4 2001 San Antonio Spurs 58 24 1 0 0
5 2008 Orlando Magic 52 30 1 0 0
6 2005 Miami Heat 59 23 1 0 0
7 2000 San Antonio Spurs 53 29 1 0 0
8 1986 Boston Celtics 67 15 1 1 1
9 1993 San Antonio Spurs 49 33 1 0 0
10 2006 Miami Heat 52 30 1 1 1
Total 532 239 0.690
Rank Team Wins Losses Playoffs ConfChamp NBAChamp
2010 Philadelphia 76ers 23 40 0.365
1 1983 Golden State Warriors 30 52 0 0 0
2 1997 Toronto Raptors 30 52 0 0 0
3 2007 Seattle Supersonics 31 51 0 0 0
4 2008 Washington Wizards 43 39 1 0 0
5 1982 New York Knickerbockers 33 49 0 0 0
6 2004 New Orleans Hornets 41 41 1 0 0
7 1993 Atlanta Hawks 43 39 1 0 0
8 1995 Miami Heat 32 50 0 0 0
9 1976 Detroit Pistons 36 46 1 0 0
10 1993 Los Angeles Lakers 39 43 1 0 0
Total 358 462 0.437
Rank Team Wins Losses Playoffs ConfChamp NBAChamp
2010 Phoenix Suns 40 25 0.615
1 1994 Orlando Magic 50 32 1 0 0
2 1995 Orlando Magic 57 25 1 1 0
3 1997 Charlotte Hornets 54 28 1 0 0
4 2002 Milwaukee Bucks 41 41 0 0 0
5 1993 Charlotte Hornets 44 38 1 0 0
6 1987 Los Angeles Lakers 65 17 1 1 1
7 2008 Phoenix Suns 55 27 1 0 0
8 1975 Buffalo Braves 49 33 1 0 0
9 1981 Los Angeles Lakers 54 28 1 0 0
10 2001 Houston Rockets 45 37 0 0 0
Total 514 306 0.627
Rank Team Wins Losses Playoffs ConfChamp NBAChamp
2010 Portland Trail Blazers 38 28 0.576
1 1994 Cleveland Cavaliers 47 35 1 0 0
2 1983 Portland Trail Blazers 46 36 1 0 0
3 1990 Philadelphia 76ers 53 29 1 0 0
4 2004 Los Angeles Lakers 56 26 1 1 0
5 2006 Los Angeles Lakers 45 37 1 0 0
6 1983 Detroit Pistons 37 45 0 0 0
7 1998 Detroit Pistons 37 45 0 0 0
8 1988 Portland Trail Blazers 53 29 1 0 0
9 2003 Los Angeles Lakers 50 32 1 0 0
10 2004 Milwaukee Bucks 41 41 1 0 0
Total 465 355 0.567
Rank Team Wins Losses Playoffs ConfChamp NBAChamp
2010 Sacramento Kings 21 43 0.328
1 1997 Sacramento Kings 34 48 0 0 0
2 2010 Washington Wizards 21 40 n/a n/a n/a
3 1986 Sacramento Kings 37 45 1 0 0
4 2007 Portland Trail Blazers 32 50 0 0 0
5 2004 Atlanta Hawks 28 54 0 0 0
6 2000 Washington Wizards 29 53 0 0 0
7 2010 Los Angeles Clippers 25 39 n/a n/a n/a
8 2000 Denver Nuggets 35 47 0 0 0
9 1986 Chicago Bulls 30 52 1 0 0
10 2005 Orlando Magic 36 46 0 0 0
Total 307 474 0.393
Rank Team Wins Losses Playoffs ConfChamp NBAChamp
2010 San Antonio Spurs 36 25 0.590
1 1992 Boston Celtics 51 31 1 0 0
2 1977 Washington Bullets 48 34 1 0 0
3 2009 Dallas Mavericks 50 32 1 0 0
4 2003 Minnesota Timberwolves 51 31 1 0 0
5 1984 Boston Celtics 62 20 1 1 1
6 1995 San Antonio Spurs 62 20 1 0 0
7 1994 San Antonio Spurs 55 27 1 0 0
8 1990 Los Angeles Lakers 63 19 1 0 0
9 1974 Golden State Warriors 44 38 0 0 0
10 1993 Boston Celtics 48 34 1 0 0
Total 534 286 0.651
Rank Team Wins Losses Playoffs ConfChamp NBAChamp
2010 Toronto Raptors 32 30 0.516
1 2007 Los Angeles Lakers 42 40 1 0 0
2 1974 Phoenix Suns 30 52 0 0 0
3 1999 Los Angeles Lakers 31 19 1 0 0
4 1991 Indiana Pacers 41 41 1 0 0
5 1980 San Antonio Spurs 41 41 1 0 0
6 2004 Milwaukee Bucks 41 41 1 0 0
7 1990 Indiana Pacers 42 40 1 0 0
8 2001 Houston Rockets 45 37 0 0 0
9 1997 Charlotte Hornets 54 28 1 0 0
10 1994 Charlotte Hornets 41 41 0 0 0
Total 408 380 0.518
Rank Team Wins Losses Playoffs ConfChamp NBAChamp
2010 Utah Jazz 41 22 0.651
1 1977 Portland Trail Blazers 49 33 1 1 1
2 2000 Utah Jazz 55 27 1 0 0
3 1995 Seattle Supersonics 57 25 1 0 0
4 2001 Utah Jazz 53 29 1 0 0
5 1985 San Antonio Spurs 41 41 1 0 0
6 1999 Detroit Pistons 29 21 1 0 0
7 1996 Utah Jazz 55 27 1 0 0
8 1980 Boston Celtics 61 21 1 0 0
9 2008 Utah Jazz 54 28 1 0 0
10 1983 Kansas City Kings 45 37 0 0 0
Total 499 289 0.633
Rank Team Wins Losses Playoffs ConfChamp NBAChamp
2010 Washington Wizards 21 40 0.344
1 1997 Sacramento Kings 34 48 0 0 0
2 2010 Sacramento Kings 21 43 n/a n/a n/a
3 1975 Philadelphia 76ers 34 48 0 0 0
4 2007 Portland Trail Blazers 32 50 0 0 0
5 2009 Chicago Bulls 41 41 1 0 0
6 1995 Philadelphia 76ers 24 58 0 0 0
7 1991 Washington Bullets 30 52 0 0 0
8 2001 Detroit Pistons 32 50 0 0 0
9 2004 Atlanta Hawks 28 54 0 0 0
10 1991 Orlando Magic 31 51 0 0 0
Total 307 495 0.383

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This entry was posted on Wednesday, March 10th, 2010 at 8:25 pm and is filed under Data Dump, Statgeekery. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

14 Responses to “Team Similarity Scores, Again”

  1. Raj Says:
    March 10th, 2010 at 9:58 pm

    Is it just me, or does it seem like none of these teams are (historically speaking, by this method) championship caliber? The most champs I saw for any one team was Orlando.

  2. Crow Says:
    March 10th, 2010 at 10:09 pm

    I find this interesting and it may lead to checking some things further.

  3. Ricardo Says:
    March 10th, 2010 at 10:13 pm

    Thought it was amusing that three teams similar to the 2010 Charlotte Bobcats were also coached by Larry Brown. Man knows what he's doing, doesn't he?

  4. Crow Says:
    March 10th, 2010 at 10:27 pm

    Neil would you be wiling to publish the similarity scores of the team to it's 2009 season across the league? Someone noted this issue to me and I only see 4 of the 2009 seasons in these top 10s and that seems surprisingly light.

  5. P Middy Says:
    March 10th, 2010 at 10:55 pm

    What do steps 3 & 4 do for the process?

  6. Aku Says:
    March 10th, 2010 at 11:06 pm

    Great stuff. It'd be interesting to see other comparisons between present teams and their closest historical analogs. Usage distribution for the top 5 players, maybe? Top 8? I'm curious what the relationship is between team balance and victories.

  7. Ricardo Says:
    March 11th, 2010 at 12:03 am

    I'd like to see this list from another angle - list the NBA champions chronologically together with their most similars.

  8. izzy Says:
    March 11th, 2010 at 1:22 pm

    go ricardo. good idea!

  9. David Lewin Says:
    March 11th, 2010 at 3:06 pm

    It's a little confusing that you listed win% in the "playoffs" column for current teams...

  10. Neil Paine Says:
    March 11th, 2010 at 5:52 pm

    Yeah, it was one of those situations where there's really no good place to put it, yet I wanted to have it on there as a comparison to the aggregate WPct of their most similar teams.

  11. Alvy Says:
    March 11th, 2010 at 10:25 pm

    Is CLE is only team with a possible record of 62 plus wins this season?

  12. Joseph W. Says:
    March 12th, 2010 at 7:41 am

    I noticed that four of the similar teams under the 2010 Utah Jazz were . . . the Utah Jazz. No other franchise had as many as four. It's worth noting and says quite a bit about Jerry Sloan's system especially considering that only one of the similar Utah Jazz teams (2008) had any players in common with the current team.

  13. Downpuppy Says:
    March 12th, 2010 at 3:54 pm

    Is CLE is only team with a possible record of 62 plus wins this season?

    Finally, one I can answer!

    Since the Lakers are the only other team with less than 21 losses, Cleveland & LA have a chance.

    But as far as similarity scores for the 2010 Celtics -
    http://www.boston.com/sports/columnists/pierce/2010/03/petrified.html

  14. David Lewin Says:
    March 13th, 2010 at 1:25 am

    Neil,

    When you do this you may also want to include efficiency differential with a weight of 1, and off/def efficiency with weights of 1/2 each so that you are matching on both quality and style. I'd be interested to see what you come up with with that method at the very least.

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