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Modern Wisdom

#749 - Seth Stephens-Davidowitz - The Hidden Statistics That Control The NBA

Feb 24, 2024
Seth Stephens-Davidowitz, a data scientist and economist, reveals fascinating insights about the NBA using advanced AI techniques. He discusses the impact of height on player success, noting that seven-footers have remarkable chances to make the league. Seth also explores how genetics, socio-economic factors, and early exposure to basketball shape talent. He delves into the basketball draft system, critiquing how flashy traits often overshadow essential skills in evaluations. Discover the intriguing interplay of self-belief and performance metrics, transforming our understanding of the game!
01:03:59

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Quick takeaways

  • Players' hand size crucial for basketball success.
  • Taller players underperform in high-pressure situations.

Deep dives

Genetics and Basketball Success

Height, hand size, and other genetically influenced traits heavily impact basketball success. Identical twins have a high representation in the NBA, indicating genetic influence. Players' hand size significantly affects their performance, with larger hands correlating with better outcomes, especially in free-throw shooting.

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