"The NBA has sprawled outwards. If you rewatch games that Jordan dominated in the early nineties, it looks like clowns and sort of a taxicab, like just a bunch of dudes clustered up in the paint fighting for each other."

Welcome Kirk Goldsberry

We’re joined on the Starline by a former cartographer for FEMA, Vice President of Strategic Research for the San Antonio Spurs, current head analyst for Team USA. The UT professor and NYT best-selling author of “Sprawlball” has a new book out “Hoop Atlas”. We welcome Kirk Goldsberry.

Kirk, let’s go Beyond the Mic. I didn’t get even to page 1 and found something I’ve been harping on for years, that the mid ranger jumper was endangered as the NBA has moved to chunking and dunking. How has the pro game evolved and in some cases devolved from when you first started watching the game?

Teams look at terms like offensive and defensive efficiency on a daily basis. How has analytics helped and hurt basketball from the playground to the NBA?

(speaking of prettier)You’ve made plenty of graphics over the years showing all sorts of information. Which one is your favorite and which one did you have to tweak the most over the years?

The Rockin' 8:

It’s time for the Rockin’ 8, 8 random questions, answer with the first thing that comes to your mind. There is no Pressure.

1. Favorite course at Penn State?

2. Which one basketball stat do you love and loath?

3. One or the other – to help the NBA either move back the 3 point line or move to FIBA rules?

4. Are you in favor or against the NBA in season tournament?

5. Where are your seats in Pastime National Park and can you still order the maps?

6. What was the biggest problem for the Lakers?

7. Yes, No or Kinda : Do NBA refs understand what a carry is?

8. You’re the associate director for the Center for Leadership & Ethics. Is it ethically fair that the Texas PUF fund exists in its current form?

One Big Question:

Who are the top 5 NBA players of all time without any recency bias?

The Wrap:

The 3 point line should be moved back, thinks that NBA refs know what a carry is but their never call it and wants you to read his book “Hoop Atlas”. We thank Kirk Goldsberry for taking the time to talk with us today.

Wreck Em! And that my friends is a Beyond the Mic Short Cut.