Strength of Schedule First Quarter Report Cards

[TheSyndicate]

I ran everyone's schedule of opponents they have played this year (and will play for the rest of the season) and made the chart below (sorted by OPP Win%):



What kinds of conclusions can we draw?

Strength of schedule can't tell you EVERYTHING, but it's helpful to answer some questions about slow/hot starts that may or may not be surprising.

A couple things that jump out at me immediately:

1. The 13-8 record of the Thunder MIGHT be soft. Not only has the Thunder played the softest schedule in the league this year, but they've played 12 home vs. 9 road games and are 3-6 in those. They have the 3rd hardest schedule the rest of the way, so let's see how this shakes out. Of course, lineup changes etc. could change everything.

2. The Pelicans and the T-Wolves could be primed for strong rest of seasons. These two teams are barely over .500, but they've played the 2 hardest schedules in the league, and have the 2 highest differences in strength of opponents played minus strength of opponents left.

Obviously, the season is still young, and rosters are still changing, but this should give some insight on a few teams...

[NOLa.]

Nice I was thinking of doing this same article over the weekend but never got around to it. Middle of the pact, not bad


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[IamQuailman]

I feel like the Raptors are in a tough spot. Schedule only getting tougher too..

[JNR]

Excellent work Ryan!

[Inner_GI]

Ryan, you can claim 5 points toward the 2015-16 media cap.

[TheSyndicate]

Danke shoen

[TheSyndicate]

2/2 on predictions through one sim! Obviously a small sample size, but the two teams I identified as having a good chance to bounce-back went a combined 11-4, while the previously 13-8 Thunder went 3-5...

[kucoach7]

Thanks for doing this. I kind of suspected something like this was true for my team but hadn't verified. Between strength of schedule and overcoming my slow start, I think I might yet be able to sniff the 8 seed.