Cleveland Cavaliers: The advanced numbers that improve the team

When overturning his roster at the trade deadline, general manager Koby Altman may have used advanced statistics to improve his team. Here’s where each new addition will help in that regard.

Diehard NBA fans probably didn’t excel at math in high school. We were too busy binging Vince Carter dunk videos or debating the merits of the San Antonio Spurs.

But analytics, or math, is becoming a major piece of NBA scouting. It’s not enough to be an elite scorer. Teams look at efficiency ratings, where players shoot from, points per 36 minutes and a bevy of other numbers.

For example, the Cleveland Cavaliers‘ newest additions didn’t look sexy at first glance. None of them were regular starters or ever averaged 20 points per game in a single season. Unlike Isaiah Thomas or Derrick Rose, the four newcomers weren’t former All-Stars.

However, Jordan Clarkson, George Hill, Rodney Hood and Larry Nance Jr. collectively added important pieces equivalent to an All-Star addition. That’s what general manager Koby Altman sought: a mixture of players that would complement LeBron James and Kevin Love and wouldn’t cost the franchise’s future.

So he had to be smart, pinpointing areas that needed improvement and targeting the appropriate players.

For example, Hoops Habit previously compared Nance To DeAndre Jordan. Obviously, the new Cav isn’t on Jordan’s level. But when it comes to post efficiency, he’s actually better. Utilizing statistical analysis, or math, if you will, the Cavs determined the perfect players to fit their team.