Over the past few weeks, my Statistical Doppelgänger Machine has huffed up carbon-free electrons and churned out players from previous seasons who the Machine estimates are “most similar.”
The Machine factors age and an array of pace-neutral statistical categories like minutes played, usage, preferred shot types, offensive and defensive rebounding, assists, steals, blocks, turnovers, fouls, scoring, and an overall measure of the player’s production relative to era.
For me, this annual offseason ritual is an entertaining opportunity to look back at previous eras and reminisce or learn. For example, this year I stumbled into Joel Kramer, a 6-7, 203 pound PF/C for the Phoenix Suns in the late 1970s and 80s.