[NOTE that we have fully migrated this group to a new site:
http://sonicscentral.com/apbrmetrics/
Please visit that because it has better capabilities for graphics and tables.]

The Association for Professional Basketball Research is an organization to promote historical research of professional basketball. The APBR has its own discussion group (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/APBR), but this APBR_analysis group is meant to take some of the historical discussions and findings of APBR and look analytically at questions faced in basketball. In particular, APBR_analysis will focus on statistical evaluation and analysis of the sport.

Among the issues that can be tackled here (by no means a complete list) are
-evaluating the effects of rules changes,
-assessing the impact of players on their teams,
-analysis of game strategy,
-assessment of future prospects through statistics,
-standard trade analysis and "best player" analysis.

There are a wide variety of analysis tools available for the sport. Websites that are particularly appropriate are listed in the Bookmarks tab. These include Doug Steele's general statistical resource, the APBR website, and my personal Journal of Basketball Studies. I currently do not have online references for Dave Heeren's Tendex, Bob Belotti's points created, HoopStat grades, Martin Manley's Production ratings, or David Claerbaut's Quality Points, but these methods are welcome with appropriate explanation and/or reference.

What we do not want here are "flame wars" or generally unproductive name-calling, self-promoting without either facts or analysis that can be evaluated fairly. I think you know what I mean.