They may be worlds apart in terms of geographic location and culture, but Atletico Madrid and the Atlanta Hawks have both illustrated a model that Economists around the world applaud. With Atletico seemingly forever in the shadow of big brother Real Madrid, and the Atlanta Hawks competing against the glitz and glamour markets in perhaps the greatest era the NBA has ever seen, both clubs are reaching impressive heights in their respective codes.
Just like in business, when you are a small market competing against sector giants, you do not have the luxury of premium buys, nor do you have any room to move in your decision making. A perfectly run organisation becomes paramount, from top to bottom.
Atlanta have flown under the radar to have the best record in the Eastern Conference at 33-8 (second best in the NBA). If this were a James led Cleveland or any of a handful of power clubs from the West, that side with the same record would without a doubt be a heavy favourite to win the championship. There are many still questioning Atlanta's ability to even make it to the Eastern Conference Finals let alone win the title, but as the doubters continue to question, the Hawks continue to take big scalps.
Currently on a twelve game winning streak, the Hawks currently boast a starting line-up of Teague, Korver, Horford, Millsap and Carroll, with an equally standard looking second unit. This record has come on the back of overwhelming team basketball on both ends of the floor. They are currently 6th in points per game and 1st in opposition points per game, reflecting superb outcomes on offence and defence. To further illustrate this success, Atlanta are above league average in field goal and free throw percentages and 2nd in assists per game, reflecting the efficient spacing and shot selection on offence. The outlier statistic in their season is rebounds per game of which they are 19th (their offensive efficiency has had a major impact on the importance of this statistic).
Atletico Madrid on the other hand are a year ahead on the accelerator curve. Having won La Liga last season and seconds away from beating their greatest rivals in the UEFA Champions League Final, Los Colchoneros have began the 2014/15 campaign with the same resilience and quality despite having lost key players to bigger clubs in the summer. Diego Simeone almost achieved the greatest coaching feat in decades last season, however, he was quick to write off his teams chances this season. Atleti thrive on performance outside of the limelight and this is exactly what is occurring. The El Classico clubs of Real and Barca continue to dominate teams with eye catching football and superstar names. Despite this fact, Atletico remain only 4 points off leaders Real Madrid and 3 points behind Barcelona.
In high pressure situations, it is those teams who do the basics incredibly well that tend to come out on top. When you strip sport back to its rawest characteristics, an outcome is impacted by the repetitive execution of various actions. Low risk actions are executed more often than high risk actions in environments outside a comfort zone.
Whether it be players with compact service actions effectively serving out sets and matches or a simple play call to give your most efficient shooter an open jumper from his favourite spot on the court, execution of the basics remains fundamental to success. This applies equally to back office functions. "Moneyball" talent recognition and recruitment, efficient communication and financial processes, all affect the ceiling of a teams on field performance.
Atlanta and Atletico have found a sound balance at the front and back end levels. The current platform that both clubs have generated will hold them in great stead to achieve sustained success in their respective codes and markets.
Just like in business, when you are a small market competing against sector giants, you do not have the luxury of premium buys, nor do you have any room to move in your decision making. A perfectly run organisation becomes paramount, from top to bottom.
Atlanta have flown under the radar to have the best record in the Eastern Conference at 33-8 (second best in the NBA). If this were a James led Cleveland or any of a handful of power clubs from the West, that side with the same record would without a doubt be a heavy favourite to win the championship. There are many still questioning Atlanta's ability to even make it to the Eastern Conference Finals let alone win the title, but as the doubters continue to question, the Hawks continue to take big scalps.
Currently on a twelve game winning streak, the Hawks currently boast a starting line-up of Teague, Korver, Horford, Millsap and Carroll, with an equally standard looking second unit. This record has come on the back of overwhelming team basketball on both ends of the floor. They are currently 6th in points per game and 1st in opposition points per game, reflecting superb outcomes on offence and defence. To further illustrate this success, Atlanta are above league average in field goal and free throw percentages and 2nd in assists per game, reflecting the efficient spacing and shot selection on offence. The outlier statistic in their season is rebounds per game of which they are 19th (their offensive efficiency has had a major impact on the importance of this statistic).
Atletico Madrid on the other hand are a year ahead on the accelerator curve. Having won La Liga last season and seconds away from beating their greatest rivals in the UEFA Champions League Final, Los Colchoneros have began the 2014/15 campaign with the same resilience and quality despite having lost key players to bigger clubs in the summer. Diego Simeone almost achieved the greatest coaching feat in decades last season, however, he was quick to write off his teams chances this season. Atleti thrive on performance outside of the limelight and this is exactly what is occurring. The El Classico clubs of Real and Barca continue to dominate teams with eye catching football and superstar names. Despite this fact, Atletico remain only 4 points off leaders Real Madrid and 3 points behind Barcelona.
In high pressure situations, it is those teams who do the basics incredibly well that tend to come out on top. When you strip sport back to its rawest characteristics, an outcome is impacted by the repetitive execution of various actions. Low risk actions are executed more often than high risk actions in environments outside a comfort zone.
Whether it be players with compact service actions effectively serving out sets and matches or a simple play call to give your most efficient shooter an open jumper from his favourite spot on the court, execution of the basics remains fundamental to success. This applies equally to back office functions. "Moneyball" talent recognition and recruitment, efficient communication and financial processes, all affect the ceiling of a teams on field performance.
Atlanta and Atletico have found a sound balance at the front and back end levels. The current platform that both clubs have generated will hold them in great stead to achieve sustained success in their respective codes and markets.