Statistical Analysis of the Atlanta Hawks’ Most-Used Lineups
By Seth Kindig
In an age where lineup decisions are judged by all and lineup data is available to all, let’s take a look at which lineups were the most and least effective for the Atlanta Hawks this past season.
As I have written before, the task of measuring the value of an NBA coach is difficult and most likely short-sighted. However, in the information age, the fan has access to more data than ever before. Because of the data available, one of the few areas where fans, writers, and thinkers have the license to evaluate is lineups.
One of the darling fascinations of the “analytics revolution” of basketball has been precisely how to measure groupings of different sets of players, and the statistical differences in performance of those groups.
I was first introduced to the idea of lineup data when reading about the work Drew Cannon, now an analyst for the Celtics, was doing for Brad Stevens at Butler. When asked about Cannon’s work in a Sports Illustrated piece in 2013, Stevens said:
"It includes every player, pairs of players, groups of three, big lineups, small lineups, etc.,” Stevens said. Cannon will also include the offensive and defensive efficiency of Butler’s players from previous matchups with an opponent, which Stevens said, “Will help me determine probable sub patterns, late game lineups, etc."
While in college, I helped start a group at Davidson College called CatsStats. My specific project was to collect and present lineup data to their Men’s Basketball coaching staff. The process was simple. Look at which lineups were the best offensively and defensively on a per possession basis. When a lineup appeared to be performing worse than the coaches would have expected, they would go to the film to see, in a basketball sense, what was going on.
Suffice it to say, coaches are obsessed with lineups, and rightfully so. Thankfully, thanks to stats.nba.com, we, as fans, have access to all the information we need to evaluate all lineups that Mike Budenholzer trotted out this past season.