Experts in NBA analysis are clueless.

Don’t Feel Obligated to Respect Their Opinions

Let’s face it, the so-called “experts” aren’t always right. In fact, they’re often wrong. And yet, we’re supposed to treat them like they’re some sort of data-driven geniuses whose every word is gospel. Well, it’s time to put an end to that nonsense.

The ESPN Debacle

Take ESPN, for example. They recently assembled a team of 15 NBA experts to predict the winners of every second-round series in the playoffs. These experts “analyzed all the data” and “talked to insiders across the league” before making their predictions.

So, how did they do? Not great. In fact, they only got 30% of their predictions right. That’s right, after all that analysis and insider information, they still couldn’t get it right.

• Golden State Warriors (6) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (7) – Experts who got it right: 2/15 (13%)
• Denver Nuggets (1) vs. Phoenix Suns (4) – Experts who got it right: 4/15 (27%)
• New York Knicks (5) vs. Miami Heat (8) – Experts who got it right: 6/15 (40%)
• Boston Celtics (2) vs. Philadelphia 76ers (3) – Experts who got it right: 9/15 (60%)

Not a single expert predicted all four winners correctly. Only one got three out of four right. So, why do we continue to put so much stock in these “experts”?

Expertise Doesn’t Always Equal Accuracy

Acquiring the credentials to call yourself an “expert” doesn’t necessarily mean you’re smarter or more capable than anyone else. In fact, it might make you less able to understand or relate to the real world.

Remember when political “experts” predicted Hillary Clinton would win the presidential election with 347 electoral college votes? She ended up with just 227 and lost the election. So much for expertise.

The bottom line is this: you are not obligated to respect the opinions of so-called “experts.” They’re often wrong, and it’s time we stop treating them like they’re infallible.

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