Can Data Analysis Used In Baseball Be Useful In The NBA?

There is a "significant universe of basketball statistics that are simply not captured," and Celtics Associate Counsel Mike Zarren is "quietly pushing for a technological solution that would produce it," according to Dubner & Levitt in a special to N.Y. TIMES MAGAZINE. The Celtics for the past few years have "been one of the most data-driven teams in the NBA," and Celtics GM Danny Ainge calls Zarren his "secret weapon." Zarren, in his third season with Celtics, is "responsible for the Celtics' basketball-related technology and uses a service that delivers video footage tagged with statistical information." Ainge said that he hired Zarren, who previously worked two years for the team without pay, because Ainge "wants any advantage worth having, and Zarren's insights are 'more information on every decision we make.'" Ainge: "Mike is a much smarter guy than I am." Zarren can help the Celtics by "assessing potential deals and draft picks," as well as offering "strategic advice." Dublin & Levitt note that data not calculated includes each pass, "each player's position on the floor at a given time [and] any number of angles and proximities and nuances." Zarren indicated that "one possibility" for a technological solution is to "embed the floor of each NBA arena with electronic sensors and have the players wear microchips in their sneakers" (N.Y. TIMES MAGAZINE, 5/4 issue).

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