just got one, asking me if I really think gameplanning does not matter, my answer was that I do think gameplanning matters, but that I don't think def level has more than a couple of point swing in any game best to worst, and almost no effect if just slightly changed.
In terms of what does matter, here is my list:
#1 ratings (40 point difference between the best and worst teams per game)
#2 how the RNG fell that night (+/- 10 any given night)
#3 all of gameplanning (+/- 10 any given night)
**EDIT = #4 - HCA - (5-10 points)**
included in all of gameplanning is def and off type, lineups, fatigue setting, practicing, off pace, def levels, end of game settings, distro, shot selection, etc)
My logic for #1 is based on my observation, and the 40pts is more a bad d3 team vs a great one, moreso than two human d1 teams, where I would guess the PPG rating diff to be around 10-15 pts.
My logic for #2 is also based on a guess, and is a pretty big number, what I am saying is if a game on average simmed to 50-50, that 2/3's of the results will fall between 60-40 and 40-60. This is the part of the game that most coaches do not like, IMO
My logic for #3 is borrowed from #2, that in an equal game, coaching can just about trump the RNG, maybe 2/3's to 80% of the time.
I think any of these guesses might be off by a fair amount, but I do think a structure something like this is how ratings, RNG, and gameplanning work together.