Charles Barkley Criticizes Use Of Analytics In NBA & MLB (VIDEO)
Entertaining as he is brash, with the latter perhaps fueling the former, Charles Barkley pulls no punches when offering his analysis and criticism. Barkley’s straight-forward personality has played a key role in TNT’s weekly show, “Inside The NBA” becoming one of the more entertaining shows on television.
On Tuesday night, Barkley responded to a critical tweet from Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey. The 11-time All-Star then embarked on a rant regarding the growing use of analytics in the NBA before also criticizing its use in baseball. According to Barkley, analytics have only kept baseball teams competitive to a certain extent:
They use that same crap in baseball. They put these little lightweight teams together and they never win. They’re always competitive to a certain degree and they don’t win.”
With president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman and general manager Farhan Zaidi now leading the front office, the Los Angeles Dodgers have shifted to an organization that will value the use of analytics. However, Friedman and Zaidi have also been sure to point out they value all information and will utilize every mean at their disposal when making a decision.
Although Friedman and Zaidi made a name for themselves as being pro-analytics, they have resources with the Dodgers that were previously unavailable to them with the Tampa Bay Rays and Oakland Athletics, respectively.
It’s clear that while analytics have become more accepted in sports, a hotly-contested division remains between proponents and opponents of its use, no matter the sport. Barkley’s rant can be viewed in it’s entirety below, courtesy of backone on YouTube:
http://youtu.be/NZf9NFaCQHQ
As usual, he’s MOSTLY wrong, but there is some truth..Especially in BasketB. Where the BEST player usually can dictate a game more, but even then there are statistical data to why and what makes them the best. So too in BaseB. The saber craze guys doesn’t count into affect the “intimidation” factor (Hitting infront of Fielder, created different opportunities for both Miggy and Braun). I think there is a common ground for both.
With that said, I don’t understand how it’s an upgrade at catcher if you lead the league in pass balls and near the bottom of steals and throw outs, but you can FRAME? How good is framing when our pitchers don’t walk many as is and their clutch pitches are usually off speed in the dirt? That doesn’t NEED to be framed, it need to be caught! smh