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Posted By: Kevin Cummings

Jay:

I'm not rewarding anyone for anything and Vail readily admits that longevity certainly has an impact that effects cumulative statistics.

But if you don't totally ascribe to the theory that there are "...lies, damned lies and statistics..." then it sort of goes along the lines of what David Rudd mentioned. Projecting how someone might have done had they lasted as long as the person you are trying to compare them to is futile. The numbers are what they are.

If player "A" played "X" seasons and player "B" played only "Y" seasons, it's hard to make a totally valid comparison since the seasons are not equal let alone that their positions are different. In addition, numbers can't possibly take into account intangibles. The fact still reamins that if player "A" lasted longer than player "B" and player "A" contributed to the success of his team by being there, then by definition he contributed more simply becasue he was there when player "B" was not.

The numbers are simply intended to minimize the emotionalism that often overshadows what statistics might otherwise dictate.