while returning my encyclopedia to its position deep inside my asshole, I came across this article on Truehoop. 

It's about the Logo and his hatred of statistics. Of course, he changed his mind. This is one of the best and shortest arguments I've read for the use of "advanced statistics."  Here, Jeff Ma argues for a different way of counting. Yes, counting can apparently be advanced.  

Given the back-and-forth on this site about stats, much of it vitriolic, this discussion from Ma seemed appropriate to share. 

There's a tremendous passage in the book when Ma and his business partner resolve to build the credibility of their company, then called ProTrade (later it became Citizen Sports) by getting sports luminaries to endorse their advanced statistical work. In basketball, they targeted West, and were able to set up a meeting in Memphis through their investor Jeffrey Moorad. 

Then, as they sat down to talk, West declared "I hate statistics." 

Ma admits he had half a mind to change the topic to Memphis barbecue, and then leave gracefully. But instead they didn't battle West's point, and instead explained things like how assists that lead to dunks ought to be valued more than assists that lead to jumpers, how rebounding a missed free throw is not as valuable as other rebounds, and how blocks are not just a measure of blocks but also a sign of athletic ability, timing and coordination.  

By the end of the first meeting, West had called his scouts to tell them to stop counting all rebounds and assists the same. He had also agreed to give ProTrade an important vote of confidence.