Quote:
Originally Posted by getbak
Burke doesn't scoff at analytics. He does scoff at calling things like Corsi and Fenwick "analytics" though.
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Yep exactly. Burke is actually VERY interested in analytics and has said he'd pay megabucks in cash for a system, algorithm, or anything that actually is proven to work in terms of predicting outcomes. However, nothing so far has actually been useful in achieving this.
As he mentioned, like a lamppost to the drunk. Supports but doesn't illuminate.
It's actually incredibly pathetic how in this "analytics" era that we live in, we still haven't come up with anything better than shot attempts that we refer to as "advanced." Shot attempts. All of which are considered equal.
It speaks to the incredible complexity and fluidity of the game that this is the best we have so far.
As a footnote, was approached by Kent Wilson years back after some of my tracking of zone entries to post this info on Flames Nation. So definitely not an anti-stats guy. Love the idea of exploiting market inefficiencies and finding an edge.
But Corsi? It's incredibly elementary. It doesn't even measure true possession, which would be defined by having the puck. Some players hang onto the puck longer (ie having possession) but cycle more and often don't get a shot away unless they create a perfect chance. Like the Sedins. Then you have morons like Dallas Eakins telling Jordan Eberle to shoot from anywhere anytime because shot attempts = GOOD.
Shot attempts is always going to be flawed until someone figures out how to account for shot quality and that's incredibly difficult to pinpoint. In the meantime, let's save the term "advanced" for stats that actually are.