Draft Comparison by Numbers

With just over 24 hours left until the 2010 NBA Draft, scouting reports, opinions, analysis and comparisons are flying around at a fevered pace. The culmination of two and a half months worth of anticpation for many NBA fans, there is a huge mass of information and discussion available about each player, their strengths, weaknesses and potential. One of the most frustrating components of this coverage for me is the comparison of draft prospects to current NBA players. As the easiest way for casual fans and analysts to contribute, these can make up the bulk of discussion on many media outlets (I’m looking at you sports talk radio.) I don’t have a problem with these comparisons in theory, I have a problem with the criteria used to make the comparisons.

For years, every guard with exceptional leaping ability was potentially the next Michael Jordan. Every long white player who can shoot is the next Larry Bird, Keith Van Horn or Adam Morrison; depending on the era. Although, in some parts of Rhode Island they’re referred to as the second coming of Austin Croshere. Every point guard from Gonzaga is the next John Stockton, every huge, awkward center is the next Greg Ostertag and every shot-blocking center with African roots is the next Dikembe Mutombo. These comparisons, based on skin color, position, the college they attended or one singular attribute do a diservice to the players and fans alike.

I began this project almost two months ago, with the idea of creating a system for comparing draft prospects to current NBA players, based on statistical outputs alone. With limited math and statistics skills it was a serious undertaking, and I have arrived at a system with some serious flaws. We’ll address the flaws in a moment, let me start by explaining what I’ve done.

My goal was to create a database whereby I could plug in a statistical profile for a draft prospect and return the statistical profile for the past draftee who’s profile is most similar, in addition I was hoping to find a way to create a numeric representation of how similar their profiles were. In this way you could make accurate comparisons without any subjective opinions. I understand that this project is an over-reaction in the other direction, and that potential and subjective opinions are invaluable tools for making personnel decisions. I just wanted to remind everyone that there are other tools being largely ignored by the casual fan and analyst.

I started by selecting 27 statistical categories which I thought I would offer a semi-complete profile of a player’s skills and abilities. Some of these categories were simple statistical production (Ast/40), some were ratios designed to help inform a player’s tendencies (3PA/FGA). I was somewhat limited in what stats I could use because I needed ones that I could find for college players over the last decade for comparison. For example, I would have liked to use Rebound Rates, but couldn’t find those numbers for college seasons before 2004. The complete list of categories I decided on is below:

Height
Weight
Minutes per Game
Points per 40 minutes
Rebounds per 40 minutes
Offensive Rebounds per 40 minutes
Defensive Rebounds per 40 minutes
Assists per 40 minutes
Steals per 40 minutes
Blocks per 40 minutes
Turnovers per 40 minutes
Personal Fouls per 40 minutes
2PT Field Goal Percentage
3PT Field Goal Percentage
Free Throw Percentage
Effective Field Goal Percentage
True Shooting Percentage
Free Throw Attempts per 40 minutes
3PT Attempts per Field Goal Attempt
Assists per Field Goal Attempt
Assist to Turnover Ratio
Pure Point Rating
Percentage of Team’s Possessions Used
Points per Possession
Field Goal Attempts per Possession
Turnovers per Possession
Player Efficiency Rating (PER)

Once I had the categories for a statistical profile, I put together the database for comparison, including every player drafted in the 1st Round since the 2001 NBA Draft. Subtracting high schoolers and foreign players, this left me with 171 players for comparison. Adding the top 40 college players available in this year’s draft (I used Draftexpress.com’s mock draft as a reference.) The next step was to calculate the average and standard deviation for each statistical category in the database. With that information I could standardize the individual values for each player in each category. Adding those standardized values together then gives us a single numeric value for each player’s statistical profile which can be used for comparison.

Now the sum of these standardized values is not a measure of a player’s worth. Some the values you see below are negatives, as for certain categories it would be better to below average, turnovers for example. By comparing these sums I was able to find the previous college player with the most similar statistical profile to each of the 40 players available in this draft. The results are below with the sum of the standardized values for each player in paraentheses. After the tables we can talk about some of the flaws.

1. John Wall (0.2779) – Jerryd Bayless (0.2166)

	Position	Height	Weight	Min/g	Pts/40	Reb/40	Oreb/40	Dreb/40	Ast/40	Stl/40	Blk/40	TO/40	PF/40	2PT%	3PT%	FT%	eFG%	TS%	FTA/40	3PA/FGA	Ast/FGA	A/TO	PPR	% of Tm Pos.	Pts/Pos.	FGA/Pos	TO/Pos	PER
John Wall	PG	76.0	196.0	34.8	19.1	4.9	0.9	4.0	7.5	2.0	0.6	4.6	2.2	50.9	32.5	75.4	50.0	56.0	7.2	0.26	0.55	1.62	0.78	23.4	1.01	0.72	0.24	22.2
Jerryd Bayless	PG/SG	75.0	204.0	35.7	22.1	3.1	0.5	2.6	4.5	1.1	0.1	3.3	2.5	48.9	40.7	83.9	54.0	61.0	8.3	0.38	0.32	1.36	-0.85	25.3	1.19	0.76	0.18	23.7

2. Evan Turner (12.4739) – George Hill (12.9405)

	Position	Height	Weight	Min/g	Pts/40	Reb/40	Oreb/40	Dreb/40	Ast/40	Stl/40	Blk/40	TO/40	PF/40	2PT%	3PT%	FT%	eFG%	TS%	FTA/40	3PA/FGA	Ast/FGA	A/TO	PPR	% of Tm Pos.	Pts/Pos.	FGA/Pos	TO/Pos	PER
Evan Turner	SG	79.0	214.0	35.8	22.8	10.2	2.2	8.0	6.7	1.9	1.0	4.9	3.1	54.0	36.4	75.8	54.0	58.0	6.6	0.12	0.40	1.36	-1.25	29.6	1.05	0.76	0.23	30.4
George Hill	PG/SG	74.5	181.0	36.8	23.3	7.3	1.7	5.7	4.6	1.9	0.4	3.2	3.0	58.0	45.0	81.2	61.0	66.0	8.3	0.27	0.34	1.46	-0.30	26.5	1.26	0.74	0.17	32.4

3. Derrick Favors (1.2534) – Al Horford (1.2752)

	Position	Height	Weight	Min/g	Pts/40	Reb/40	Oreb/40	Dreb/40	Ast/40	Stl/40	Blk/40	TO/40	PF/40	2PT%	3PT%	FT%	eFG%	TS%	FTA/40	3PA/FGA	Ast/FGA	A/TO	PPR	% of Tm Pos.	Pts/Pos.	FGA/Pos	TO/Pos	PER
Derrick Favors	PF	82.0	245.0	27.5	18.1	12.3	4.4	7.9	1.5	1.3	3.0	3.6	3.8	61.3	-	62.9	61.0	62.0	5.8	0.00	0.13	0.41	-6.63	15.9	1.11	0.72	0.22	24.8
Al Horford	PF	82.0	246.0	27.8	19.0	13.6	3.6	10.0	3.1	1.1	2.6	2.6	3.6	61.4	0.0	64.4	61.0	63.0	7.6	0.01	0.27	1.21	-1.31	16.3	1.20	0.73	0.16	30.2

4. DeMarcus Cousins (10.0594) – Jason Thompson (10.4672)

	Position	Height	Weight	Min/g	Pts/40	Reb/40	Oreb/40	Dreb/40	Ast/40	Stl/40	Blk/40	TO/40	PF/40	2PT%	3PT%	FT%	eFG%	TS%	FTA/40	3PA/FGA	Ast/FGA	A/TO	PPR	% of Tm Pos.	Pts/Pos.	FGA/Pos	TO/Pos	PER
DeMarcus Cousins	PF/C	83.0	292.0	23.5	25.8	16.8	6.9	9.9	1.7	1.7	3.0	3.5	5.5	56.5	16.7	60.4	56.0	58.0	12.0	0.02	0.10	0.59	-5.93	18.8	1.14	0.73	0.15	34.4
Jason Thompson	PF/C	83.0	250.0	34.6	23.6	14.0	3.9	10.1	3.2	1.2	3.1	3.4	3.4	57.8	32.4	58.1	57.0	58.0	7.8	0.07	0.19	0.94	-3.20	25.6	1.13	0.80	0.16	31.4

5. Wesley Johnson (2.6055) – Luther Head (2.5294)

	Position	Height	Weight	Min/g	Pts/40	Reb/40	Oreb/40	Dreb/40	Ast/40	Stl/40	Blk/40	TO/40	PF/40	2PT%	3PT%	FT%	eFG%	TS%	FTA/40	3PA/FGA	Ast/FGA	A/TO	PPR	% of Tm Pos.	Pts/Pos.	FGA/Pos	TO/Pos	PER
Wesley Johnson	SG/SF	79.0	206.0	35.0	18.9	9.8	2.5	7.3	2.5	1.9	2.1	2.6	2.4	54.0	41.5	77.2	56.0	60.0	4.7	0.30	0.19	0.96	-2.41	19.7	1.18	0.84	0.17	25.4
Luther Head	SG	75.0	179.0	33.3	19.2	4.8	0.7	4.0	4.6	2.1	0.3	2.1	1.7	54.7	41.0	78.8	59.0	61.0	3.1	0.61	0.32	2.17	2.31	19.1	1.27	0.94	0.14	25.5

6. Greg Monroe (5.3338) – Chris Bosh (5.7637)

	Position	Height	Weight	Min/g	Pts/40	Reb/40	Oreb/40	Dreb/40	Ast/40	Stl/40	Blk/40	TO/40	PF/40	2PT%	3PT%	FT%	eFG%	TS%	FTA/40	3PA/FGA	Ast/FGA	A/TO	PPR	% of Tm Pos.	Pts/Pos.	FGA/Pos	TO/Pos	PER
Greg Monroe	PF/C	83.0	247.0	34.2	18.9	11.3	2.5	8.7	4.4	1.4	1.8	3.8	3.0	54.5	25.9	66.0	58.0	61.0	7.2	0.07	0.33	1.14	-2.36	23.1	1.05	0.73	0.21	25.9
Chris Bosh	PF	83.0	225.0	31.0	19.5	11.2	3.8	7.3	1.5	1.2	2.6	2.9	2.9	57.6	46.8	73.0	60.0	63.0	7.0	0.16	0.13	0.53	-4.89	18.3	1.21	0.75	0.18	27.6

7. Al-Farouq Aminu (-3.3085) – Spencer Hawes (-3.3208)

	Position	Height	Weight	Min/g	Pts/40	Reb/40	Oreb/40	Dreb/40	Ast/40	Stl/40	Blk/40	TO/40	PF/40	2PT%	3PT%	FT%	eFG%	TS%	FTA/40	3PA/FGA	Ast/FGA	A/TO	PPR	% of Tm Pos.	Pts/Pos.	FGA/Pos	TO/Pos	PER
Al-Farouq Aminu	SF/PF	80.5	216.0	31.3	20.2	13.7	5.5	8.2	1.7	1.8	1.8	4.1	3.8	48.4	27.3	69.8	47.0	53.0	8.2	0.18	0.11	0.41	-7.42	21.9	1.00	0.76	0.20	23.6
Spencer Hawes	C	85.0	244.0	28.9	20.6	8.8	2.7	6.1	2.7	0.7	2.4	3.5	3.1	53.3	33.3	75.5	53.0	56.0	4.4	0.01	0.17	0.77	-4.29	19.4	1.08	0.85	0.18	22.8

8. Xavier Henry (-4.4071) - Tayshaun Prince (-4.4495)

	Position	Height	Weight	Min/g	Pts/40	Reb/40	Oreb/40	Dreb/40	Ast/40	Stl/40	Blk/40	TO/40	PF/40	2PT%	3PT%	FT%	eFG%	TS%	FTA/40	3PA/FGA	Ast/FGA	A/TO	PPR	% of Tm Pos.	Pts/Pos.	FGA/Pos	TO/Pos	PER
Xavier Henry	SG/SF	78.5	210.0	27.5	19.5	6.3	1.7	4.6	2.1	2.2	0.7	2.8	2.7	49.2	41.8	78.3	56.0	59.0	4.6	0.47	0.15	0.77	-3.44	16.3	1.18	0.86	0.17	21.9
Tayshaun Prince	SF	81.0	215.0	34.0	20.5	7.4	2.4	4.9	1.9	1.2	1.6	2.3	1.9	56.4	34.0	70.3	54.0	56.0	4.3	0.43	0.12	0.81	-2.79	20.7	1.18	0.93	0.13	23.4

9. Ed Davis (-1.3980) – Jason Maxiell (-1.5073)

	Position	Height	Weight	Min/g	Pts/40	Reb/40	Oreb/40	Dreb/40	Ast/40	Stl/40	Blk/40	TO/40	PF/40	2PT%	3PT%	FT%	eFG%	TS%	FTA/40	3PA/FGA	Ast/FGA	A/TO	PPR	% of Tm Pos.	Pts/Pos.	FGA/Pos	TO/Pos	PER
Ed Davis	PF	82.0	227.0	26.9	19.2	13.6	4.1	9.6	1.4	0.6	4.0	2.9	2.6	57.8	-	65.9	58.0	61.0	8.2	0.00	0.11	0.48	-4.88	15.2	1.16	0.72	0.17	26.8
Jason Maxiell	PF	78.0	258.0	31.4	19.5	9.8	4.1	5.7	1.1	1.3	3.5	2.5	3.2	54.5	40.0	64.5	55.0	59.0	10.2	0.02	0.09	0.44	-4.39	18.8	1.17	0.70	0.15	26.3

10. Ekpe Udoh (-2.8560) – Brandan Wright (-2.2947)

	Position	Height	Weight	Min/g	Pts/40	Reb/40	Oreb/40	Dreb/40	Ast/40	Stl/40	Blk/40	TO/40	PF/40	2PT%	3PT%	FT%	eFG%	TS%	FTA/40	3PA/FGA	Ast/FGA	A/TO	PPR	% of Tm Pos.	Pts/Pos.	FGA/Pos	TO/Pos	PER
Ekpe Udoh	PF/C	82.0	237.0	35.1	15.8	11.1	4.1	7.0	3.9	0.9	4.2	2.8	2.8	50.5	26.9	68.5	50.0	54.0	5.1	0.07	0.25	1.11	-1.82	19.7	1.04	0.81	0.18	25.1
Brandan Wright	PF	82.0	200.0	27.4	21.5	9.0	3.0	6.0	1.5	1.4	2.6	2.3	2.2	64.6	-	56.7	65.0	64.0	6.2	0.00	0.10	0.63	-3.41	15.8	1.26	0.81	0.14	27.0

11. Patrick Patterson (-2.5771) – Jared Jeffries (-3.0796)

	Position	Height	Weight	Min/g	Pts/40	Reb/40	Oreb/40	Dreb/40	Ast/40	Stl/40	Blk/40	TO/40	PF/40	2PT%	3PT%	FT%	eFG%	TS%	FTA/40	3PA/FGA	Ast/FGA	A/TO	PPR	% of Tm Pos.	Pts/Pos.	FGA/Pos	TO/Pos	PER
Patrick Patterson	PF	81.0	240.0	33.0	17.3	9.0	3.7	5.3	1.1	0.9	1.6	1.3	1.9	62.6	34.8	69.2	61.0	63.0	4.1	0.18	0.10	0.88	-1.37	15.6	1.30	0.89	0.10	24.0
Jared Jeffries	SF/PF	82.0	215.0	32.6	19.4	9.8	3.3	6.6	2.7	1.9	1.7	3.7	3.2	47.2	38.0	66.7	49.0	53.0	7.2	0.17	0.18	0.73	-4.52	22.1	1.03	0.79	0.20	22.7

12. Luke Babbitt (6.2743) - Troy Bell (6.2797)

	Position	Height	Weight	Min/g	Pts/40	Reb/40	Oreb/40	Dreb/40	Ast/40	Stl/40	Blk/40	TO/40	PF/40	2PT%	3PT%	FT%	eFG%	TS%	FTA/40	3PA/FGA	Ast/FGA	A/TO	PPR	% of Tm Pos.	Pts/Pos.	FGA/Pos	TO/Pos	PER
Luke Babbitt	SF	81.0	218.0	37.1	23.6	9.6	2.2	7.4	2.3	1.1	0.9	2.6	2.8	52.1	41.6	91.7	54.0	62.0	6.9	0.20	0.14	0.89	-2.66	25.0	1.24	0.84	0.13	27.6
Troy Bell	PG/SG	74.0	178.0	38.6	26.1	4.7	1.6	3.1	3.8	2.3	0.2	2.6	2.2	48.4	40.2	84.7	55.0	62.0	8.9	0.52	0.23	1.46	-0.26	27.7	1.28	0.83	0.13	29.5

13. Avery Bradley (-20.2629) - Demar Derozan (-15.7546)

	Position	Height	Weight	Min/g	Pts/40	Reb/40	Oreb/40	Dreb/40	Ast/40	Stl/40	Blk/40	TO/40	PF/40	2PT%	3PT%	FT%	eFG%	TS%	FTA/40	3PA/FGA	Ast/FGA	A/TO	PPR	% of Tm Pos.	Pts/Pos.	FGA/Pos	TO/Pos	PER
Avery Bradley	SG	75.0	180.0	29.5	15.8	3.9	1.3	2.6	2.8	1.8	0.7	2.1	3.2	45.7	37.5	54.5	49.0	50.0	2.6	0.30	0.19	1.37	-0.51	14.9	1.05	0.97	0.14	14.5
Demar Derozan	SG	78.5	211.0	33.4	16.6	6.9	2.9	4.0	1.7	1.1	0.4	2.5	2.5	56.2	16.7	64.6	53.0	56.0	5.0	0.10	0.14	0.70	-3.37	19.4	1.09	0.83	0.16	19.3

14. Cole Aldrich (1.1862) - Charlie Villanueva (1.1378)

	Position	Height	Weight	Min/g	Pts/40	Reb/40	Oreb/40	Dreb/40	Ast/40	Stl/40	Blk/40	TO/40	PF/40	2PT%	3PT%	FT%	eFG%	TS%	FTA/40	3PA/FGA	Ast/FGA	A/TO	PPR	% of Tm Pos.	Pts/Pos.	FGA/Pos	TO/Pos	PER
Cole Aldrich	C	83.0	236.0	26.8	16.9	14.7	4.6	10.1	1.3	1.1	5.2	2.3	3.8	56.2	-	67.9	56.0	60.0	6.6	0.00	0.12	0.55	-3.69	13.9	1.16	0.76	0.16	28.7
Charlie Villanueva	PF	81.0	237.0	25.8	21.1	12.9	4.1	8.8	2.0	1.0	2.9	3.5	3.4	52.2	50.0	68.8	53.0	57.0	6.7	0.04	0.13	0.57	-5.46	17.3	1.09	0.79	0.18	25.9

15. Gordon Hayward (-2.7436) – Jared Jeffries (-3.0796)

	Position	Height	Weight	Min/g	Pts/40	Reb/40	Oreb/40	Dreb/40	Ast/40	Stl/40	Blk/40	TO/40	PF/40	2PT%	3PT%	FT%	eFG%	TS%	FTA/40	3PA/FGA	Ast/FGA	A/TO	PPR	% of Tm Pos.	Pts/Pos.	FGA/Pos	TO/Pos	PER
Gordon Hayward	SF	80.0	211.0	33.5	18.5	9.8	2.3	7.5	2.0	1.3	1.0	2.9	2.6	59.2	29.4	82.9	53.0	50.0	7.0	0.43	0.17	0.73	-3.56	20.6	1.17	0.76	0.17	24.9
Jared Jeffries	SF/PF	82.0	215.0	32.6	19.4	9.8	3.3	6.6	2.7	1.9	1.7	3.7	3.2	47.2	38.0	66.7	49.0	53.0	7.2	0.17	0.18	0.73	-4.52	22.1	1.03	0.79	0.20	22.7

16. Larry Sanders (-0.6325) - Hakim Warrick (-0.9993)

	Position	Height	Weight	Min/g	Pts/40	Reb/40	Oreb/40	Dreb/40	Ast/40	Stl/40	Blk/40	TO/40	PF/40	2PT%	3PT%	FT%	eFG%	TS%	FTA/40	3PA/FGA	Ast/FGA	A/TO	PPR	% of Tm Pos.	Pts/Pos.	FGA/Pos	TO/Pos	PER
Larry Sanders	PF	82.5	222.0	26.9	21.4	13.6	4.5	9.1	1.4	1.1	3.8	2.5	4.4	54.7	25.0	64.1	54.0	56.0	7.1	0.04	0.09	0.59	-3.78	18.4	1.15	0.84	0.13	30.0
Hakim Warrick	PF	80.5	215.0	37.5	22.8	9.2	3.3	5.9	1.6	1.0	0.8	2.7	2.5	56.6	29.0	68.1	56.0	60.0	9.7	0.07	0.11	0.58	-4.16	26.4	1.19	0.76	0.14	26.9

17. Paul George (5.6852) – Al Thornton (5.4371)

	Position	Height	Weight	Min/g	Pts/40	Reb/40	Oreb/40	Dreb/40	Ast/40	Stl/40	Blk/40	TO/40	PF/40	2PT%	3PT%	FT%	eFG%	TS%	FTA/40	3PA/FGA	Ast/FGA	A/TO	PPR	% of Tm Pos.	Pts/Pos.	FGA/Pos	TO/Pos	PER
Paul George	SG/SF	81.0	214.0	33.2	20.2	8.7	2.3	6.4	3.7	2.7	1.0	3.9	3.5	48.5	35.3	90.9	51.0	57.0	5.5	0.46	0.24	0.94	-3.73	23.1	1.09	0.81	0.21	25.4
Al Thornton	SF	79.0	221.0	31.2	25.3	9.2	3.9	5.3	0.9	1.9	1.5	3.2	3.5	54.9	44.4	79.0	57.0	62.0	7.7	0.18	0.05	0.28	-6.52	23.7	1.22	0.81	0.15	30.0

18. Eric Bledsoe (-11.6073) – Daequan Cook (-10.7018)

	Position	Height	Weight	Min/g	Pts/40	Reb/40	Oreb/40	Dreb/40	Ast/40	Stl/40	Blk/40	TO/40	PF/40	2PT%	3PT%	FT%	eFG%	TS%	FTA/40	3PA/FGA	Ast/FGA	A/TO	PPR	% of Tm Pos.	Pts/Pos.	FGA/Pos	TO/Pos	PER
Eric Bledsoe	PG/SG	73.5	182.0	30.3	14.9	4.1	0.7	3.4	3.8	1.9	0.4	4.0	2.9	51.6	38.3	66.7	54.0	57.0	4.4	0.41	0.34	0.96	-3.69	16.1	1.00	0.74	0.27	14.4
Daequan Cook	SG	78.0	203.0	19.7	19.8	8.7	1.5	7.2	2.1	1.5	0.5	2.9	3.4	46.5	41.5	69.7	53.0	55.0	3.4	0.41	0.13	0.71	-3.84	13.3	1.12	0.93	0.16	21.2

19. Solomon Alabi (-4.9582) – Marcus Haislip (-5.5872)

	Position	Height	Weight	Min/g	Pts/40	Reb/40	Oreb/40	Dreb/40	Ast/40	Stl/40	Blk/40	TO/40	PF/40	2PT%	3PT%	FT%	eFG%	TS%	FTA/40	3PA/FGA	Ast/FGA	A/TO	PPR	% of Tm Pos.	Pts/Pos.	FGA/Pos	TO/Pos	PER
Solomon Alabi	C	85.0	237.0	25.6	18.2	9.7	3.9	5.8	0.8	1.0	3.7	3.0	3.7	53.4	-	79.4	53.0	60.0	6.6	0.00	0.06	0.26	-6.15	15.3	1.13	0.75	0.18	24.6
Marcus Haislip	PF	82.0	221.0	33.5	19.8	7.9	2.7	5.3	1.1	0.5	2.1	2.4	4.1	55.1	32.6	72.1	54.0	57.0	5.3	0.15	0.08	0.47	-4.20	20.5	1.16	0.87	0.14	21.6

20. Damion James (4.3035) – Tyler Hansbrough (4.2418)

	Position	Height	Weight	Min/g	Pts/40	Reb/40	Oreb/40	Dreb/40	Ast/40	Stl/40	Blk/40	TO/40	PF/40	2PT%	3PT%	FT%	eFG%	TS%	FTA/40	3PA/FGA	Ast/FGA	A/TO	PPR	% of Tm Pos.	Pts/Pos.	FGA/Pos	TO/Pos	PER
Damion James	SF/PF	80.0	227.0	30.3	23.8	13.6	4.2	9.4	1.3	2.2	1.6	2.7	3.9	53.5	38.3	67.4	54.0	58.0	8.1	0.22	0.08	0.48	-4.59	20.4	1.18	0.81	0.13	28.6
Tyler Hansbrough	PF	81.5	234.0	30.3	27.4	10.7	4.0	6.7	1.3	1.6	0.5	2.4	3.0	52.1	39.1	84.1	52.0	61.0	11.5	0.05	0.08	0.54	-3.94	21.7	1.26	0.78	0.11	30.4

21. Daniel Orton (-20.1845) – Chris Wilcox (-15.6641)

	Position	Height	Weight	Min/g	Pts/40	Reb/40	Oreb/40	Dreb/40	Ast/40	Stl/40	Blk/40	TO/40	PF/40	2PT%	3PT%	FT%	eFG%	TS%	FTA/40	3PA/FGA	Ast/FGA	A/TO	PPR	% of Tm Pos.	Pts/Pos.	FGA/Pos	TO/Pos	PER
Daniel Orton	C	81.5	269.0	13.2	10.3	10.0	3.6	6.5	1.2	1.7	4.2	3.0	7.0	53.9	0.0	52.4	53.0	53.0	5.0	0.02	0.16	0.39	-5.60	5.2	0.92	0.65	0.27	15.8
Chris Wilcox	PF	82.0	218.0	24.1	18.4	11.0	4.1	6.8	2.3	1.2	2.3	2.3	4.1	50.6	0.0	58.5	50.0	52.0	6.3	0.01	0.15	1.00	-2.08	14.6	1.08	0.86	0.13	23.7

22. Hassan Whiteside (3.5234) – Demarre Carroll (3.5869)

	Position	Height	Weight	Min/g	Pts/40	Reb/40	Oreb/40	Dreb/40	Ast/40	Stl/40	Blk/40	TO/40	PF/40	2PT%	3PT%	FT%	eFG%	TS%	FTA/40	3PA/FGA	Ast/FGA	A/TO	PPR	% of Tm Pos.	Pts/Pos.	FGA/Pos	TO/Pos	PER
Hassan Whiteside	PF/C	83.5	227.0	26.1	20.1	13.6	4.1	9.5	0.4	0.9	8.2	2.9	3.7	52.2	60.0	58.8	53.0	55.0	8.4	0.02	0.03	0.16	-6.46	16.9	1.09	0.78	0.16	29.8
Demarre Carroll	SF	80.0	207.0	28.0	23.6	10.3	3.5	6.8	3.1	2.2	0.9	2.1	3.2	57.9	36.4	63.4	58.0	59.0	7.2	0.10	0.19	1.46	-0.18	18.6	1.23	0.86	0.11	30.3

23. Dominique Jones (1.6883) – Marcus Williams (1.6426)

	Position	Height	Weight	Min/g	Pts/40	Reb/40	Oreb/40	Dreb/40	Ast/40	Stl/40	Blk/40	TO/40	PF/40	2PT%	3PT%	FT%	eFG%	TS%	FTA/40	3PA/FGA	Ast/FGA	A/TO	PPR	% of Tm Pos.	Pts/Pos.	FGA/Pos	TO/Pos	PER
Dominique Jones	SG	77.0	216.0	37.1	23.0	6.6	1.2	5.4	3.9	1.8	0.6	3.2	3.0	52.1	31.1	74.1	50.0	56.0	9.2	0.34	0.24	1.24	-1.45	28.8	1.13	0.79	0.16	26.3
Marcus Williams	PG	75.0	215.0	33.3	14.8	4.6	0.9	3.7	10.3	1.1	0.3	4.4	2.0	41.0	40.0	86.2	47.0	56.0	5.7	0.29	0.97	2.33	5.96	17.9	0.96	0.69	0.29	19.3

24. Elliot Williams (-1.0605) – Kirk Snyder (-1.0392)

	Position	Height	Weight	Min/g	Pts/40	Reb/40	Oreb/40	Dreb/40	Ast/40	Stl/40	Blk/40	TO/40	PF/40	2PT%	3PT%	FT%	eFG%	TS%	FTA/40	3PA/FGA	Ast/FGA	A/TO	PPR	% of Tm Pos.	Pts/Pos.	FGA/Pos	TO/Pos	PER
Elliot Williams	PG/SG	76.0	175.0	33.3	21.5	4.8	0.9	3.9	4.5	1.6	0.1	3.5	2.4	52.7	36.6	75.8	54.0	60.0	9.0	0.42	0.33	1.28	-1.37	23.3	1.15	0.73	0.19	23.8
Kirk Snyder	SG	79.0	228.0	31.7	23.7	7.2	2.4	4.8	4.3	1.3	0.8	4.4	2.7	47.0	34.8	73.1	49.0	54.0	8.2	0.32	0.24	0.98	-3.87	25.6	1.05	0.80	0.20	23.4

25. Craig Brackins (-9.8072) – Darrell Arthur (-9.2456)

	Position	Height	Weight	Min/g	Pts/40	Reb/40	Oreb/40	Dreb/40	Ast/40	Stl/40	Blk/40	TO/40	PF/40	2PT%	3PT%	FT%	eFG%	TS%	FTA/40	3PA/FGA	Ast/FGA	A/TO	PPR	% of Tm Pos.	Pts/Pos.	FGA/Pos	TO/Pos	PER
Craig Brackins	PF	82.0	229.0	35.1	18.8	9.7	2.4	7.3	2.5	0.9	1.4	2.4	2.3	44.6	31.0	76.0	45.0	50.0	5.5	0.19	0.15	1.01	-2.00	22.4	1.05	0.91	0.13	20.3
Darrell Arthur	PF	80.5	216.0	24.7	20.6	10.1	3.7	6.4	1.3	0.8	2.1	3.0	4.8	55.5	16.7	70.2	55.0	57.0	4.6	0.03	0.08	0.44	-5.38	16.6	1.11	0.86	0.16	23.5

26. Greivis Vasquez (5.5496) – Josh Childress (5.3564)

	Position	Height	Weight	Min/g	Pts/40	Reb/40	Oreb/40	Dreb/40	Ast/40	Stl/40	Blk/40	TO/40	PF/40	2PT%	3PT%	FT%	eFG%	TS%	FTA/40	3PA/FGA	Ast/FGA	A/TO	PPR	% of Tm Pos.	Pts/Pos.	FGA/Pos	TO/Pos	PER
Greivis Vasquez	PG/SG	78.5	211.0	33.9	23.1	5.5	1.4	4.1	7.4	2.0	0.4	4.0	2.5	47.0	35.9	85.7	50.0	55.0	5.8	0.37	0.41	1.87	2.35	25.7	1.08	0.85	0.18	25.8
Josh Childress	SF	79.0	196.0	29.8	21.0	10.1	2.6	7.5	3.6	1.2	2.2	3.0	3.2	53.6	39.5	82.1	56.0	60.0	5.5	0.34	0.24	1.20	-1.57	19.5	1.19	0.84	0.17	28.5

27. Armon Johnson (-9.8069) – Jordan Farmar (-9.7921)

	Position	Height	Weight	Min/g	Pts/40	Reb/40	Oreb/40	Dreb/40	Ast/40	Stl/40	Blk/40	TO/40	PF/40	2PT%	3PT%	FT%	eFG%	TS%	FTA/40	3PA/FGA	Ast/FGA	A/TO	PPR	% of Tm Pos.	Pts/Pos.	FGA/Pos	TO/Pos	PER
Armon Johnson	PG	75.0	195.0	34.5	18.3	3.9	0.9	3.0	6.5	1.0	0.4	3.9	2.1	54.4	23.9	67.8	51.0	54.0	4.0	0.16	0.43	1.66	0.92	22.2	1.00	0.83	0.21	18.4
Jordan Farmar	PG	74.0	171.0	30.4	17.7	3.4	0.7	2.6	6.7	1.5	0.3	4.8	2.2	47.2	33.3	71.7	48.0	52.0	4.5	0.45	0.45	1.40	-0.91	22.3	0.95	0.80	0.26	17.9

28. James Anderson (5.1228) – Quincy Douby (5.2268)

	Position	Height	Weight	Min/g	Pts/40	Reb/40	Oreb/40	Dreb/40	Ast/40	Stl/40	Blk/40	TO/40	PF/40	2PT%	3PT%	FT%	eFG%	TS%	FTA/40	3PA/FGA	Ast/FGA	A/TO	PPR	% of Tm Pos.	Pts/Pos.	FGA/Pos	TO/Pos	PER
James Anderson	SG/SF	78.0	208.0	34.1	26.2	6.8	2.3	4.6	2.8	1.6	0.7	2.8	3.1	54.9	34.1	81.0	53.0	60.0	9.2	0.44	0.16	1.03	-2.24	26.3	1.23	0.83	0.13	29.1
Quincy Douby	SG	75.0	175.0	36.7	27.7	4.7	0.9	3.8	3.4	1.9	0.9	3.0	2.0	51.5	40.1	84.7	56.0	60.0	5.8	0.47	0.17	1.12	-1.98	31.3	1.24	0.92	0.14	30.7

29. Stanley Robinson (-9.1744) – Wilson Chandler (-10.0241)

	Position	Height	Weight	Min/g	Pts/40	Reb/40	Oreb/40	Dreb/40	Ast/40	Stl/40	Blk/40	TO/40	PF/40	2PT%	3PT%	FT%	eFG%	TS%	FTA/40	3PA/FGA	Ast/FGA	A/TO	PPR	% of Tm Pos.	Pts/Pos.	FGA/Pos	TO/Pos	PER
Stanley Robinson	SF/PF	80.0	213.0	34.2	17.0	8.9	3.1	5.8	1.2	1.0	1.4	2.6	1.8	57.1	34.2	62.9	56.0	57.0	3.3	0.20	0.09	0.44	-4.69	19.2	1.11	0.87	0.17	20.7
Wilson Chandler	SF	80.0	210.0	31.7	18.4	8.7	2.3	6.4	1.8	0.8	1.7	2.0	3.6	49.4	33.3	65.4	50.0	52.0	4.0	0.27	0.11	0.87	-2.16	20.8	1.10	0.96	0.12	21.6

30. Terrico White (-14.1043) – Demar Derozan (-15.7564)

	Position	Height	Weight	Min/g	Pts/40	Reb/40	Oreb/40	Dreb/40	Ast/40	Stl/40	Blk/40	TO/40	PF/40	2PT%	3PT%	FT%	eFG%	TS%	FTA/40	3PA/FGA	Ast/FGA	A/TO	PPR	% of Tm Pos.	Pts/Pos.	FGA/Pos	TO/Pos	PER
Terrico White	PG/SG	77.0	203.0	31.5	19.3	5.8	2.0	3.8	1.9	1.1	0.3	1.7	2.3	48.7	34.3	71.4	50.0	53.0	4.3	0.40	0.12	1.11	-1.15	18.5	1.15	0.97	0.10	18.7
Demar Derozan	SG	78.5	211.0	33.4	16.6	6.9	2.9	4.0	1.7	1.1	0.4	2.5	2.5	56.2	16.7	64.6	53.0	56.0	5.0	0.10	0.14	0.70	-3.37	19.4	1.09	0.83	0.16	19.3

31. Willie Warren (-4.4783) – Frank Williams (-4.4793)

	Position	Height	Weight	Min/g	Pts/40	Reb/40	Oreb/40	Dreb/40	Ast/40	Stl/40	Blk/40	TO/40	PF/40	2PT%	3PT%	FT%	eFG%	TS%	FTA/40	3PA/FGA	Ast/FGA	A/TO	PPR	% of Tm Pos.	Pts/Pos.	FGA/Pos	TO/Pos	PER
Willie Warren	SG	76.0	208.0	32.3	20.2	4.1	0.8	3.2	5.1	1.2	0.1	4.7	2.8	52.4	30.9	79.5	50.0	57.0	7.5	0.40	0.36	1.08	-3.43	23.1	1.03	0.73	0.24	18.6
Frank Williams	PG	75.0	212.0	32.5	19.8	5.7	1.1	4.6	5.3	2.5	0.3	3.4	2.5	42.3	34.0	80.8	45.0	53.0	7.1	0.36	0.35	1.59	0.44	21.8	1.06	0.83	0.18	22.5

32. Quincy Pondexter (2.2165) – Antoine Wright (2.2119)

	Position	Height	Weight	Min/g	Pts/40	Reb/40	Oreb/40	Dreb/40	Ast/40	Stl/40	Blk/40	TO/40	PF/40	2PT%	3PT%	FT%	eFG%	TS%	FTA/40	3PA/FGA	Ast/FGA	A/TO	PPR	% of Tm Pos.	Pts/Pos.	FGA/Pos	TO/Pos	PER
Quincy Pondexter	SF	78.0	220.0	32.3	23.9	9.1	3.7	5.4	2.2	1.6	0.7	2.3	3.1	55.0	35.3	82.7	55.0	61.0	7.8	0.11	0.14	0.93	-2.27	21.4	1.24	0.83	0.12	28.2
Antoine Wright	SG/SF	78.0	203.0	33.9	21.0	7.0	1.9	5.1	2.6	1.4	0.8	2.9	3.0	54.0	44.7	69.1	59.0	61.0	5.4	0.41	0.18	0.92	-2.80	22.0	1.22	0.85	0.17	24.7

33. Darrington Hobson (-1.7650) – Aaron Brooks (-1.7392)

	Position	Height	Weight	Min/g	Pts/40	Reb/40	Oreb/40	Dreb/40	Ast/40	Stl/40	Blk/40	TO/40	PF/40	2PT%	3PT%	FT%	eFG%	TS%	FTA/40	3PA/FGA	Ast/FGA	A/TO	PPR	% of Tm Pos.	Pts/Pos.	FGA/Pos	TO/Pos	PER
Darrington Hobson	SF	78.5	204.0	33.6	18.9	11.1	2.6	8.5	5.4	1.5	0.5	3.5	2.3	46.5	36.1	65.3	48.0	52.0	6.8	0.25	0.36	1.54	0.14	22.9	1.02	0.80	0.19	24.0
Aaron Brooks	PG	72.0	161.0	36.8	19.3	4.6	1.0	3.7	4.6	1.5	0.2	2.8	2.7	50.2	40.4	84.6	55.0	59.0	4.2	0.43	0.32	1.67	0.72	22.5	1.17	0.88	0.17	22.2

34. Devin Ebanks (-15.6870) – Demar Derozan (-15.7654)

	Position	Height	Weight	Min/g	Pts/40	Reb/40	Oreb/40	Dreb/40	Ast/40	Stl/40	Blk/40	TO/40	PF/40	2PT%	3PT%	FT%	eFG%	TS%	FTA/40	3PA/FGA	Ast/FGA	A/TO	PPR	% of Tm Pos.	Pts/Pos.	FGA/Pos	TO/Pos	PER
Devin Ebanks	SF	80.0	208.0	34.1	14.1	9.5	3.4	6.1	2.9	1.2	0.8	2.6	1.9	49.5	10.0	77.0	46.0	53.0	5.2	0.10	0.26	1.11	-1.74	18.1	1.02	0.79	0.19	20.3
Demar Derozan	SG	78.5	211.0	33.4	16.6	6.9	2.9	4.0	1.7	1.1	0.4	2.5	2.5	56.2	16.7	64.6	53.0	56.0	5.0	0.10	0.14	0.70	-3.37	19.4	1.09	0.83	0.16	19.3

35. Gani Lawal (-8.6004) – Darrell Arthur (-9.2456)

	Position	Height	Weight	Min/g	Pts/40	Reb/40	Oreb/40	Dreb/40	Ast/40	Stl/40	Blk/40	TO/40	PF/40	2PT%	3PT%	FT%	eFG%	TS%	FTA/40	3PA/FGA	Ast/FGA	A/TO	PPR	% of Tm Pos.	Pts/Pos.	FGA/Pos	TO/Pos	PER
Gani Lawal	PF	81.0	233.0	25.8	20.3	13.1	4.5	8.6	0.6	0.7	2.1	3.4	3.3	53.1	-	57.2	53.0	55.0	9.5	0.00	0.05	0.19	-7.32	17.3	1.06	0.73	0.18	22.9
Darrell Arthur	PF	80.5	216.0	24.7	20.6	10.1	3.7	6.4	1.3	0.8	2.1	3.0	4.8	55.5	16.7	70.2	55.0	57.0	4.6	0.03	0.08	0.44	-5.38	16.6	1.11	0.86	0.16	23.5

36. Jordan Crawford (-2.3259) – Casey Jacobsen (-2.3250)

	Position	Height	Weight	Min/g	Pts/40	Reb/40	Oreb/40	Dreb/40	Ast/40	Stl/40	Blk/40	TO/40	PF/40	2PT%	3PT%	FT%	eFG%	TS%	FTA/40	3PA/FGA	Ast/FGA	A/TO	PPR	% of Tm Pos.	Pts/Pos.	FGA/Pos	TO/Pos	PER
Jordan Crawford	SG	76.5	198.0	32.8	25.0	5.8	1.2	4.6	3.5	1.6	0.2	3.0	2.0	50.1	39.1	77.3	53.0	57.0	5.4	0.36	0.18	1.19	-1.60	24.6	1.17	0.91	0.14	24.8
Casey Jacobsen	SG/SF	78.0	215.0	35.2	24.0	4.9	1.6	3.3	3.9	0.7	0.1	2.7	2.0	48.1	37.2	77.6	51.0	57.0	8.6	0.37	0.23	1.45	-0.29	25.5	1.19	0.84	0.13	24.2

37. Mikhail Torrance (-0.4767) – Mike Conley (-0.4634)

	Position	Height	Weight	Min/g	Pts/40	Reb/40	Oreb/40	Dreb/40	Ast/40	Stl/40	Blk/40	TO/40	PF/40	2PT%	3PT%	FT%	eFG%	TS%	FTA/40	3PA/FGA	Ast/FGA	A/TO	PPR	% of Tm Pos.	Pts/Pos.	FGA/Pos	TO/Pos	PER
Mikhail Torrance	PG/SG	76.0	207.0	32.9	19.2	4.6	0.4	4.2	6.2	1.0	0.3	3.3	1.9	52.1	35.8	86.5	53.0	59.0	6.0	0.31	0.47	1.88	2.01	21.0	1.13	0.78	0.19	23.3
Mike Conley	PG	73.0	175.0	31.6	14.3	4.4	0.9	3.5	7.7	2.8	0.3	2.8	1.9	57.9	30.4	69.4	55.0	59.0	4.7	0.22	0.77	2.77	5.77	15.8	1.09	0.76	0.21	24.2

38. Lance Stephenson (-15.6001) - Demar Derozan (-15.7654)

	Position	Height	Weight	Min/g	Pts/40	Reb/40	Oreb/40	Dreb/40	Ast/40	Stl/40	Blk/40	TO/40	PF/40	2PT%	3PT%	FT%	eFG%	TS%	FTA/40	3PA/FGA	Ast/FGA	A/TO	PPR	% of Tm Pos.	Pts/Pos.	FGA/Pos	TO/Pos	PER
Lance Stephenson	SG	78.0	227.0	28.2	17.5	7.6	2.6	5.0	3.5	1.3	0.3	3.4	2.8	49.5	21.9	66.4	46.0	49.0	5.0	0.20	0.23	1.04	-2.66	18.8	0.97	0.85	0.19	17.7
Demar Derozan	SG	78.5	211.0	33.4	16.6	6.9	2.9	4.0	1.7	1.1	0.4	2.5	2.5	56.2	16.7	64.6	53.0	56.0	5.0	0.10	0.14	0.70	-3.37	19.4	1.09	0.83	0.16	19.3

39. Jarvis Varnado (-0.2561) – Hilton Armstrong (-0.2794)

	Position	Height	Weight	Min/g	Pts/40	Reb/40	Oreb/40	Dreb/40	Ast/40	Stl/40	Blk/40	TO/40	PF/40	2PT%	3PT%	FT%	eFG%	TS%	FTA/40	3PA/FGA	Ast/FGA	A/TO	PPR	% of Tm Pos.	Pts/Pos.	FGA/Pos	TO/Pos	PER
Jarvis Varnado	PF	82.0	210.0	31.7	17.4	12.9	3.8	9.2	1.1	0.8	6.0	2.5	3.1	58.2	-	61.0	58.0	60.0	7.4	0.00	0.10	0.45	-4.37	17.4	1.15	0.74	0.17	28.6
Hilton Armstrong	PF	82.0	240.0	27.7	14.0	9.6	2.9	6.7	1.1	0.9	4.5	3.3	4.0	60.9	50.0	69.2	61.0	64.0	5.3	0.01	0.13	0.32	-6.42	12.3	1.09	0.64	0.26	19.8

40. Trevor Booker (-4.7462) – Luol Deng (-4.7329)

	Position	Height	Weight	Min/g	Pts/40	Reb/40	Oreb/40	Dreb/40	Ast/40	Stl/40	Blk/40	TO/40	PF/40	2PT%	3PT%	FT%	eFG%	TS%	FTA/40	3PA/FGA	Ast/FGA	A/TO	PPR	% of Tm Pos.	Pts/Pos.	FGA/Pos	TO/Pos	PER
Trevor Booker	SF	79.5	236.0	30.8	19.8	10.9	3.6	7.3	3.3	1.7	1.8	2.5	2.6	54.7	26.5	59.1	47.0	53.0	7.0	0.09	0.22	1.31	-0.87	19.4	1.11	0.83	0.14	26.7
Luol Deng	SF	80.0	220.0	31.1	19.4	8.9	2.9	6.0	2.4	1.7	1.4	2.9	2.9	51.4	36.0	71.0	52.0	55.0	4.7	0.25	0.15	0.82	-3.32	19.6	1.10	0.87	0.16	23.0

41. Sherron Collins (-6.7597) – T.J. Ford (-6.7383)

	Position	Height	Weight	Min/g	Pts/40	Reb/40	Oreb/40	Dreb/40	Ast/40	Stl/40	Blk/40	TO/40	PF/40	2PT%	3PT%	FT%	eFG%	TS%	FTA/40	3PA/FGA	Ast/FGA	A/TO	PPR	% of Tm Pos.	Pts/Pos.	FGA/Pos	TO/Pos	PER
Sherron Collins	PG	72.0	217.0	33.0	18.8	2.5	0.3	2.3	5.4	1.3	0.1	2.9	2.0	46.9	37.0	85.5	51.0	56.0	4.7	0.44	0.37	1.89	1.79	19.8	1.12	0.87	0.17	19.1
T.J. Ford	PG	72.0	162.0	33.6	17.2	4.5	0.7	3.7	8.0	2.3	0.2	3.7	2.9	42.9	26.5	82.0	42.0	51.0	6.8	0.17	0.64	2.37	5.46	21.8	0.97	0.78	0.21	22.0

Now there are some obvious flaws with my method, as evidenced by the results. Since each of the categories are weighted equally, a close similarity in a subtle category like FGA/POS can make up for a large disparity in a more obvious category like Assists. In addition since my technique is really measuring how far away from average a player is in each of these categories, it doesn’t always lead to statistical profiles that match up perfectly. For example a guard could be above average in all the shooting categories and come out looking the same as a power forward who is above average in all the rebounding or possession categories. The only subjective piece I had to add was factoring in a position played when a profile was close to two or more profiles.

I am hoping that this is a tool that I can continue to refine for next year’s draft. As this year’s draft classs gets incorporated into the comparison database I will have a larger sample for comparison. In addition if anyone has suggestions on how to improve or simply change my techniques I would love to hear them. Here is the link to the spreadsheet if anyone wants to look at the raw data.

That being said, there were some interesting results. Keep in my mind that this is not meant as a tool to predict future production, just compare what a player has already done. I am not saying that Wesley Johnson will have Luther Head’s career arc, but it is interesting that those two players had such similar profiles. The others that were extremely close were Willie Warren and Frank Williams as well as Antoine Wright and Quincy Pondexter. Remember, I am not advocating using this for any specific purpose, but I thought it would be fun to see. Enjoy!

http://chrisross91.wordpress.com Chris Ross
Great blog about the draft! I love draft time whether it be NBA, NFL or NHL it’s all so much fun. It’s going to be interesting to see who falls and who rises. Lotta tough decisions for teams to make. These stats are really in depth it’s great. Also, you think you could check out my piece on tomorrow’s draft? I really wanna hear your opinion on what I think. http://chrisross91.wordpress.com/
Devin
Nice read.
As you note, you didn’t weight various categories, but is this something you look to do in the future? Also, have you considered potentially just eliminating categories that aren’t at all statistically significant? Like, for example, you’ve got a center who’s taken 1 three pointer ever, and made it — presumably this would make him different from someone who was otherwise just the same, but who took one three pointer and missed it leaving a comparison of 0% to 100% in that one category, when really there’s pretty much no value in it, and would probably get a better, closer match, if the category were not even included.
Anyhow, good stuff — I’m bookmarking and look forward to reading more.
- http://ilevy.wordpress.com ilevy
  Devin, Thanks for taking the time to read and comment. I didn’t weight various categories and I know it caused some problems in the numbers. I wanted to weight the categories but couldn’t come up with a consistent way to handle and basically ran out of time before the draft. It’s something I will definitely be revisiting as this year’s draft approaches.
  Your example with 3Pointers is a perfect illustration of one of the problems I ran into. Leaving it the way I did you obviously end up with a few guys, big men who made something like 1 out of 2 3Pts on the season which statistically makes them look very different than a guy who didn’t make any, even though it is not a big difference. The problem is if I leave out 3Pts for big men I am discounting the value of those few big men who can shoot from the outside.
  I also really struggled with weighting the categories. Theoretically, there are some categories which are important to all players and these could be weighted more. But I ran out of time leading up the draft and didn’t have time to experiment as much as I would have liked.
  One of the major problems with weighting categories is, as I mentioned in the intro, I was trying to keep this analysis as free from subjective opinion as possible. I felt like any serious attempt at weighting the categories, would have to factor in the position a player plays in that the important categories for a point guard are different from the important categories for a center. However, even within a position there are such variances. A power forward at Duke is asked to do very different things from a power forward at Texas. This created a situation where I was thinking about breaking players down beyond positions. This injected more subjective analysis than I was comfortable with and I didn’t have time to come up with a good solution so I just left it until next season.
  I am glad you enjoyed the analysis. Hopefully, I will have something a little more refined and accurate ready for next spring. Thanks again for commenting!

Draft Comparison by Numbers

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Draft Comparison by Numbers

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