National Basketball Association

Pelicans GM refutes ESPN article, is pro-analytics

Published Feb. 25, 2015 12:09 p.m. ET

foxsports

In a recent article by ESPN Insider's Kevin Pelton, all 30 NBA teams were ranked on their current relationship with analytics. Each was placed in one of five tiers, ranging from "all-in" to "nonbelievers."

The New Orleans Pelicans were listed as "skeptics," which seems accurate based on recent personnel decisions and their playing style over the past few seasons. But according to The Times-Picayune's John Reid, Pelicans general manager Dell Demps does not agree.

''It is completely inaccurate to suggest that the Pelicans are skeptics and do not value analytic data. We study and analyze the data using advanced metrics before we make any decisions. Just because we do not publicly broadcast how we use analytics, I do feel it is important to let the Pelicans fans know that the use of analytics is an important part of our decision-making process.''

To be fair, the first sentence of Pelton's evaluation reads "relative to most teams in the 'skeptics' tier, the Pelicans have invested heavily in analytics." But he then goes on to say Demps and Pelicans head coach Monty Williams do not use advanced statistics when measuring a player's value, which is perceptively accurate.

Still, Demps and Williams do not agree. And that's fine. But if it's true that they willingly absorb all this helpful information, maybe they should consider implementing it into their team, before both find themselves looking for another job.

(h/t: The Times-Picayune)