Seven Wonders, Vol. 04
The best things I’ve read in sports
Hey everyone! It’s been a minute since I last shared my favorite sports reads. In fact, the last email with my favorites was way back in July. Some of these picks may be a month or two old, but I’m all about interesting storytelling and smart analysis, which usually doesn’t become outdated too quickly. These gems are still relevant and hit just as hard now as the day they were published.
Before we get to seven of my favorite articles, here are my recent pieces in case you missed them:
How to Successfully Rebuild an NBA Roster. A look into the intricate world of NBA roster building, where calculated moves and asset accumulation come together to help teams transform into championship contenders.
Chip Kelly and the Road Not Taken. The rise of Chip Kelly at Oregon and his long road back to doing what he enjoys best: play calling.
Sports and Parenthood. Inside the world of rock climbing and some names that put it on the map. Plus how it has found a place inside my own family.
The Growth and Sustainability of NBA Contracts. The history and numbers behind the business of the NBA.
Inside the Mind of Greatness. What it takes to be the cream of the crop in any given sport.
Could America’s Best Athletes Save U.S. Soccer? A deep dive into what makes a soccer player elite and how athletic abilities in one sport don’t always carry over to another.
The Lost Basketball Empire. What could have been with the Yugoslavia National Team if they were competing as one country today.
And now, here are the seven best things I’ve read in sports:
Why Man Utd Wanted Rúben Amorim as Their Next Manager by Ryan Benson. Amorim’s background and tactical tendencies and how a new look Manchester United can be optimistic about its future.
Wemby, CP3 and a modern theory of NBA talent distribution by
. A fun then-and-now analysis of the ages of NBA players and how it relates to playing time.TMQ: Wrapping our heads around concussions by
. Everything you need to know about concussions in football, how they are in decline, and what we can do to reduce them even more to keep players safe.Six Stories Not About College Football by
. Personal and touching stories about sports and how they will always be woven into our lives.What Zach Lowe Getting Laid Off Means by
. Dissecting the shocking news of Zach Lowe being laid off by ESPN and what it means for the network moving forward.Baseball Bytes: Scott Servais, Jerry Dipoto and the Foibles of 54 Percent by
. A data-driven look into the infamous quote by the Seattle Mariners President of Baseball Operations, Jerry Dipoto, on aiming to win 54% of the time.Can you really win the Premier League with analytics? by
. A review of a book by Liverpool’s former Director of Research on how data is driving decision-making in football (soccer).It’s late fall and we have plenty of sports to consume. Enjoy the rest of your week. Until next time!