Rekindling the dream of becoming a star

Chapter 161: The Red Devil Twins, Reaching the Top of America (Part )
The epoch-making NBA advanced data RAPM algorithm was first officially introduced in the NBA league by Joseph Sill at the MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference in 2010.

From then on, the debate over real big players and fake superstars no longer existed, at least among general managers and senior scouts around the league.

The only ones who are still enjoying arguing are football fans, internet celebrities, and some stars who think they are superstars.

Its core algorithm is to produce results based on the independent variables and weight coefficients of the formula.

自变量是什么？把某球员当成一个自变量，1代表他上场，0代表没有上场。然后把主客队所有球员的5+5这个组合以100个回合来作为因变量。然后统计出整个赛季高达400+自变量和十万+等式，最终把这个超级方程式进行【岭回归】运算。

The final result is the player's contribution per 100 possessions, which is called the raw plus-minus.

The weight coefficient is obtained through regression analysis, which is off-topic and will be outlined later.

Through this algorithm, we can accurately distinguish the players who cling to others, the players who are dragged down by their teammates, the players who travel at off-peak times (that is, they play against weak teams and avoid strong teams), and the players who brush their data.

As the general manager of a team, you will be very clear about the contribution of each player to the team.

RAPM is a more perfect logic algorithm because it ignores basic data such as points, rebounds, assists, etc.

You can score, do the dirty work, and take the blame. Anything you do on the court that helps the team score or avoid being scored will be accurately captured and turned into your plus-minus value.

Since 2010, RAPM has become the basic support for integrated high-level data.

But even if it is perfect, RAPM still has natural flaws, such as the need for 3 years or even more game samples, the imperfect ridge regression operation, and the need for PBP single-game detailed data.

Of course, it is the best tool in the NBA to judge the true value of players, and it has been proven. (RAPM is also known as exclusive to stars. If you don't play in the league for 3-5 years, it is impossible to calculate it.)
Duncan, Curry, O'Neal, Garnett, Wade, James, Durant, and Kobe were all at the top of the league's RAPM at some stage.

So, how to apply this algorithm to the draft?

That requires the use of PBP, the full name of which is play-by-play.

Translated, it means comprehensive statistics of individual data in a single game. It is not a simple calculation of points, rebounds, assists and blocks, but it is detailed to where you scored, where you grabbed rebounds, whether the assist was a positional battle or an offense-defense transition, including whether the defense was outside or inside, whether the steal was under double-teaming or assist defense, and where the opponent missed the shot, etc.

Scouts will manually calculate a super-small RAPM through dozens of PBP games. This positive and negative value will fluctuate due to the sampling base and different samples, as well as the artificial adjustment of the weight coefficient.

This is called the draft algorithm.

This is a better way to judge the true level of rookie players than BPM (Box Plus/Minus).

However, because the strength of opponents played by American high school players is uneven, most of the time, judgments still need to be made based on scouts' experience. Scouts and coaches need better game PBP to provide basic data to support the algorithm. Therefore, the National Invitational Tournament came into being, allowing teams of equal strength to fight each other and obtain highly accurate PBP data for scouts and head coaches as a basis for player selection.

The Hoophall Classic will not interfere with private games between teams, because dozens of teams playing only one or two games in five days in Springfield cannot meet the needs of head coaches, scouts and NBA managers from all over the country.

The Chaminade Red Devils began receiving numerous match requests on the third day after their arrival, which was the 15th. Head coach Bennett selected two of them, one from the east and one from the west coast.

One is from Chino Hills High School in California on the west coast, led by Lonzo, and the other is from Shamori Pounds from Thomas Jefferson High School in Brooklyn, New York on the east coast.

Even though it was a private match, it still attracted the attention of many scouts, and the results of the two matches were very unexpected.

Especially with Lonzo's Chino Hills High School, it was even more amazing.

This year, Lonzo led Chino Hills to 35 wins and ranked first in the California Power Rankings. He has attracted a lot of attention from the D1 league. In this game, almost all the coaches, managers and scouts from the D1 college league were present.

Everyone thought it would be an exciting match, but the course of the game surprised everyone. The Red Devils showed a defensive intensity and attacking level that exceeded the level of the American high school.

The combination of Chen Fang and Tatum popularized the concept of big and small kings across the country, and Lonzo's previous all-around performance was completely exposed.

A triple-double of 23.9 points, 11.3 rebounds and 11.7 assists was Lonzo's average in high school. Such gorgeous data naturally attracted the attention of countless expert scouts.

But in essence, Lonzo relies on the team's strong wings and simple blue-collar center to get his data through a lot of offensive and defensive transitions and spot shooting.

This is why we need to fight strong against strong. Weak opponents will definitely produce data brushes.

In the three main offensive tactics, ball handling, spot shooting, and transition offense, Lonzo is not excellent.

(By comparing the data from the 18-21 season, we can see Lonzo's problem. There are comparisons with Kidd, Rondo, and Rubio. The first two are too far apart so we won't compare them.)
It can be seen that there is a difference and gap between the two. (These 11 data are also the most intuitive reflection of analyzing a player.)
In the past, Lonzo Ball's statistics looked very good, but this game revealed that he is actually a very weak player. His offense and defense rely heavily on his teammates, and he lacks the ability to face up and score.

Facing Chen Fang's high-pressure defense, he had no better way to deal with it. His teammates were completely suppressed, Lonzo was isolated and helpless, and he witnessed the stunning Chen Fang yesterday. The invisible pressure made his performance worse.

On the other hand, Tatum's presence connects the Red Devils' inside and outside lines very well. He can launch indiscriminate massacres very comfortably without worrying about anything else.

The Red Devils ended the match in three quarters, winning by 91 points with a score of 68:23.

If the Red Devils hadn't used all their substitutes in the fourth quarter, the score would have been even bigger.

After this game, Chen Fang directly entered D1's field of vision. With the spread of some gossip, the private games of NBA bigwigs were revealed. In just one day, Chen Fang's exposure skyrocketed.

This reaction was clearly reflected in the game against Thomas Jefferson High School on the 16th, with more than media and scouts watching the game.

As compensation, Bennett let Tatum rest. As he has already officially announced his commitment to Duke University, there is actually not much point in him coming here.

As the sole core player, Chen Fang also faced scouts from all over the United States for the first time.

In this regard, Chen Fang used his perfect performance to prove that his spiritual core is very strong. Facing Thomas Jefferson High School, Chen Fang proved himself with all-around data of 31 points, 13 assists, 10 rebounds, 3 steals and 2 blocks.

Even Tatum on the bench was very clear that this little brother had caught up with him.

They are now brothers, the real twin kings.

With this understanding, on the morning of the 18th, the Red Devils officially appeared against Thomas Jefferson High School. Fultz will lead his team in a nationally broadcast battle with the Red Devils' duo.

At seven o'clock, the whole team got up and assembled. After breakfast, they took the bus to the Black Arena.

At 8:15, we arrived at the annex stadium and started warming up before the game.

Some reporters were allowed in. They were officially contracted reporters who had been waiting at the hotel and were responsible for recording every focus game before and after the game.

The footage will be compiled into a documentary of this year's Hoofar Classic.

As one of the focuses, Chen Fang was honored to be assigned to a two-person filming team, one in charge of filming and the other in charge of editing, directing and commentary.

At this moment, director Uli Merrick is doing a voice-over monologue.

He is a media reporter contracted by the organizer and has been reporting on high school basketball games. This year is his seventh year participating in the Huffalo Elite Tournament.

Uli Merrick was equally curious about being assigned to follow the rocket-like No. 21.

He started waiting at six in the morning, but was told that the Chinese man had already gotten up and was doing morning exercises in the hotel's exclusive gym. He asked specifically and found out that the Chinese man had maintained the habit of going to the gym at 5:30 during the three days he had stayed in the hotel.

It's not clear whether it was to curry favor, but at least the attitude was shown. Uli took the cameraman to the gym, and after recording a clip, he came forward to greet them and told them that they were the reporters following him today.

To his surprise, the Chinese man was unfazed and continued with his training without any hesitation.

The paparazzi were going to follow the team to the stadium. Uli was sitting in the seat opposite Chen Fang, and he took the opportunity to ask a few questions.

"Chen, what size court have you played on?"

The Chinese answer: "Ten thousand."

"So today is 18,000. Is this a milestone for you?"

"of course."

"So you're nervous?"

"No. In my eyes, there are always five people."

Chen Fang's answer surprised Uli. He immediately understood what the Chinese meant. He was saying that he didn't care about anything outside the court. He only focused on the game.

This answer quickly made Uli realize that this Chinese person was not simple.

Because even in the NBA, it is difficult to hear such high-quality answers. After arriving at the arena, the team began to warm up. Uli instructed the cameraman to keep an eye on Chen Fang, and his every move was recorded in the video.

Later, he saw Tatum coming over and the two had a pleasant conversation. As the dual cores of the team, this scene was very meaningful.

After a brief conversation between the two, Chen Fang began his personal warm-up. As a teammate, he was no longer surprised. In particular, the last scene where Chen Fang sat cross-legged on the floor with the wall behind him surprised Uli.

So he immediately interviewed his teammates, and the person he found was Theo.

As the team's best defensive player at the moment, he is also attracting the attention of many scouts.

Theo was very happy and he answered Uli's question.

"What kind of player is Chen in your eyes?"

"Super player." Theo answered without thinking.

"Does he get up at 5:30 every day?" Uli asked deliberately, expecting a contrasting bubble of lies.

But Theo's answer silenced him: "Of course, he has maintained this schedule since I met him. I heard from Jason that they also trained together at 5:30 in the morning on Christmas Day."

There are many rumors about Tatum, one of which has spread far and wide, that is, Tatum has been insisting on morning training every day for ten years.

So Uli immediately asked: "Do they train together every day?"

"Yes, every day."

"Thank you."

"What is he doing now?"

"Oh, this is Chen's exclusive pre-match conditioning ritual." Theo replied with a shrug.

After the interview, Uli said in a voice-over monologue: "This may be why the Red Devils have two kings."

At half past ten, the team was allowed to enter the stadium for adaptation training.

Uli followed behind, and as he passed through the dark streets and stepped into the daytime arena, the hustle and bustle and noise all rushed into his ears.

He was stunned. Although he told Chen Fang that there would be 18,000 people today, that was for the show. He didn't expect that there would really be so many people on the scene, or even more.

This looks more like an NCAA tournament, just inferior to the Final Four.

The NCAA's Final Four has clear regulations that it must be held in a stadium with more than 6 people.

There were perhaps 20,000 people at the event, making it truly the highlight of this year’s Hoofar Elite Championship.

The Chaminade Red Devils wore red for their home games, while DeMatha Catholic High School wore white for their away games. Coincidentally, their home and away games were also red and white.

Both teams began to shoot in their respective half courts and adapt to the game.

The three rows standing by the court are all media and insiders, as well as local celebrities and internet celebrities dressed sexy and revealingly, which makes it look very NBA.

This kind of occasion is a show, not only for the players but also for the audience.

Chen Fang looked up at the four TV screens hanging on the top of the center of the stadium. At this moment, the screens were playing live images in real time. The broadcast happened to cut to him, so Chen Fang saw himself looking up at the sky on the screen.

It's a very strange feeling, like a big star.

So Chen Fang smiled, and then the curtain conveyed this smile to the 20,000 audience members in the audience.

Well, the wait was worth it.

The competition that Chen Fang had been looking forward to for a long time was about to begin.

Tatum shot a ball but missed. Chen Fang picked it up and passed it back, then shouted, "Make it!"

As he wished, Tatum made the shot for the second time.

Chen Fang walked up to him and high-fived him. The latter asked, "Are you nervous?"

"Do you think I look like a nervous person?" Chen Fang asked back.

"Okay, let's bully Fultz in this game." Tatum was eager to try. He couldn't forget the loss in the last sweaty game.

"of course."

Since Tatum volunteered to leave the court in the last game, leaving Chen Fang to perform alone, Chen Fang naturally had to return the favor.

Now the relationship between the two has become more harmonious because of Tatum's change of mentality.

It all looks beautiful.

Chen Fang also hopes to maintain his friendship with Tatum, as they will have many opportunities to meet each other in the league in the future.

At DeMatha Catholic High School, Fultz was giving instructions to his teammates.

Angus White, Lemuel Gavin.

His right-hand man, Angus is an excellent power forward. With a height of 206, a strong body and tough defense, he has always been the most reliable protector behind Fultz.

Lemuel, an excellent shooter and a smart guy running without the ball, has been helping Fultz, turning his passes into points and assists.

They have also received offers from the D1 league. This is a game that cannot be lost, and their future coach is watching from the sidelines.

"Pay attention to No. 21, don't let him rush, force him to go to the sideline, then block him, and put more intensity in the confrontation." Coach Kenneth Xavier was making the final arrangements.

"Rav Carson, number 21 is yours, stick to him, bite him."

"Understand! I can do it." The one who answered was a 193cm tall black boy with dreadlocks. He was smacking gum with his thick lips and looked very relaxed.

Fultz glanced at Love, the scavenger on the team. He used to dislike him a little, but today, for some reason, his uneasy heart calmed down.

The basketball court is the sweeper, which comes from football terminology. Essentially, it refers to the defenders on both sides of the center back who reach the goalkeeper's area. Switching to the basketball court, it is the wing defenders from the top of the arc to both sides of the paint area.

On paper, DeMatha Catholic High School is as strong as Chaminade.

He also has an excellent shooting guard in Al O'Connor, who has been the team's third-leading scorer with a steady average of 13 points per game.

Fultz, Lemaire, and El are also known as the DeMasha Three Musketeers.

Whether the demonic flames of the two Red Devil Kings are more raging, or the swords of the three musketeers of Dimasha are sharper, this suspense is thrilling.

When the referee walks to the center of the court holding the basketball, the national high school battle of January is about to begin.

Chen Fang and Tatum stood on the left and right, with their hands on their hips. They looked at each other and nodded at the same time.

Uli captured this scene and quickly pressed the shutter.

What he didn't expect was that this photo became the most forwarded photo by American media the next day.

Title: The Red Devils’ duo tops the US!

　This is not a joke. I have always wanted to popularize the positive and negative contribution values, and I also hope to let readers know the underlying logic of this value. I am not a hater or a fan. Let's discuss scientifically whether the so-called super giants should follow the impression flow or the data flow.

　　I have always been a person who goes by impressions. Whoever can help the team win in the end is the superstar.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)