Sports Statistician Answers Sports Math Questions From Twitter | Tech Support | WIRED

The most efficient shot in basketball is the layup, as it offers a higher percentage shot and a higher chance of getting to the foul line.

The second most important shot in basketball is beyond the three-point arc, due to the extra point awarded, despite a lower success rate.

In comparing Michael Jordan and LeBron James, Jordan was a slightly better defender, while LeBron is a better passer and adopted the three-point shot earlier.

To become a sports statistician, one needs to know sports, programming languages like Python, and have a solid understanding of statistics.

The passer rating is the longest existing quarterback stat, evaluating touchdowns, yards, completion percentage, and interceptions.

QBR from ESPN is considered a better metric than traditional passer rating, as it accounts for modern NFL elements like running quarterbacks and avoiding sacks.

The increase in no-hitters in baseball is attributed to lower batting averages and changes in pitcher management, with more combined no-hitters and fewer complete games.

Defense can contribute to winning championships, especially in the playoffs, by strategically defending against better offensive teams and taking away the best players.

Messi is considered better than Ronaldo in soccer stats primarily based on goals scored, which is the most commonly used measure of individual performance.

Derek Jeter was a below-average fielder despite his reputation and gold gloves, due to his limited range and ability to get to the ball.

NFL spreads are calculated based on various factors including player availability, game location, weather conditions, and refereeing crew tendencies.

True shooting percentage is a more representative stat that captures the efficiency of a player's scoring from field goal attempts, accounting for both two-point and three-point shots as well as free throws.

Pitcher wins are a meaningful but incomplete stat, as they indicate winning and avoiding losing but do not capture the details of a pitcher's performance.

Running backs in the NFL are currently being devalued due to a better understanding of the importance of the offensive line in their success.

Advanced stats are particularly effective in the NBA, providing a detailed representation of team performance through offensive and defensive ratings per 100 possessions.

In the NFL, offensive guards can be statistically measured based on their blocking effectiveness against defensive players, using extensive data tracking player positions and movements.

Assists in the NBA may be overrated for some players who get them from simple passes, but they remain valuable for those who create complex scoring opportunities.

Bill James and Billy Beane changed baseball by using data to identify undervalued statistics like walks or on-base percentage, giving their teams a strategic advantage.

Offensive and defensive ratings per 100 possessions are the most important statistics in the NBA, providing a clear picture of a team's efficiency on both ends of the court.

The triangle offense relies on the strengths of the players to make decisions and create good shots, but its success is limited to certain coaches and teams.

Red zone efficiency is a useful but not perfect NFL statistic, as it helps explain and predict the success of offenses but does not account for all variables.

For wide receivers, there is no simple metric that fully represents their ability; instead, a complex series of analytical stats like drops and catch difficulty must be considered.