Is most variance in Scoring Efficiency [opportunities converted] and Pace in sports just random noise or random variation in performance [eg 100% on free throws]?
Considering that unless a player, coach or ref has a bet on they should care very little about the TOTAL, their sole / primary objective is to win without getting injured / suspended / severely fatigued. While professional refs motivation is to be impartial and not unduly influence the match [insert joke to the contrary here].
TLDR; How much variance in TOTALs is intentional behavior by players, coaches and referees? eg deliberately playing at a faster pace, focusing on offense at the expense of defense, "parking the bus" in soccer, refs deliberately interfering with pace.
Followed by, how often do the coaches and players involved change their underwear? Do past results carry much predictive value in respect to TOTALs or are coaches incredibly erratic? When do coaches make significant policy re-assessments that affect totals, once a season, 2-3 times a season, or every ____ing week?
A real world example using the NBA, if all teams in a conference are sorted by average total points* scored per match. [Regular season only and all points scored in overtime removed].
Is the difference between the middle five teams in regards to TOTALs pretty much all noise, mostly noise or mostly intentional?
Thanks for reading my first post of many hopefully.
Considering that unless a player, coach or ref has a bet on they should care very little about the TOTAL, their sole / primary objective is to win without getting injured / suspended / severely fatigued. While professional refs motivation is to be impartial and not unduly influence the match [insert joke to the contrary here].
TLDR; How much variance in TOTALs is intentional behavior by players, coaches and referees? eg deliberately playing at a faster pace, focusing on offense at the expense of defense, "parking the bus" in soccer, refs deliberately interfering with pace.
Followed by, how often do the coaches and players involved change their underwear? Do past results carry much predictive value in respect to TOTALs or are coaches incredibly erratic? When do coaches make significant policy re-assessments that affect totals, once a season, 2-3 times a season, or every ____ing week?
A real world example using the NBA, if all teams in a conference are sorted by average total points* scored per match. [Regular season only and all points scored in overtime removed].
Is the difference between the middle five teams in regards to TOTALs pretty much all noise, mostly noise or mostly intentional?
Thanks for reading my first post of many hopefully.
