5. Inefficient on the Field
The Hot Hand and Coaching Contradictions
In football and baseball, decision-making is relatively easy to scrutinize. The game comes to a halt after each play in these sports, so one can assess the state of the world at that point and ascertain the optimal decision. Basketball is a more fluid game. Coaches can call plays from the sidelines, but with the exception of time-outs, the players are supposed to be in constant motion. Despite these differences, it’s still possible to comment on the decisions made by NBA coaches.
Our first comment will address a phenomenon felt by most everyone who has ever played basketball. When a player makes a few shots in a row, he will start to believe that he is “hot”; consequently, ...
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