At AERS we’re really into cutting-edge visualization techniques, so we’re always on the lookout for cool ways to express complex data.  Jason R. Bailey has totally gotten our attention with this movable visualization of every shot from the 2007-2008 NBA season.  Wow.

If you find yourself on a basketball court next weekend and can’t decide where to head within the key to nail your jump shot, perhaps you’ll remember this chart, choose your best percentage, and nail the 2 points.  Our screen grab of Jason’s chart is pretty cool, but for the full effect you should visit his site and use the java app to view the chart from different angles.

Were you to combine this tool with an effort similar to Bill James‘ work with the Boston Red Sox, where statistical analysis of individuals versus the mean has become something of a religion in the team’s front office, you could provide players with a powerful visual representation of their past success in scoring on the court and help them make smarter individual choices.  Kudos to Jason… hope your phone is ringing off the hook with NBA and NHL teams.