Andrew Pace
In basketball, a field goal is a basket scored from any shot or tap that is not a free throw and is worth two or three points depending on the location of the shot. Field goal percentage (FG%) is the percentage of successful shots (2 or 3 points) to attempted shots (2 or 3 points). Although three-point field goal percentages are often calculated separately, they are included in the general field goal percentage. This paragraph will explore the question: does basketball field goal percentage include 3 pointers?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Does field goal percentage include 3-pointers? | Yes, three-point field goals are included in the general field goal percentage. |
| How is field goal percentage calculated? | Field goal percentage is the ratio of field goals made to field goals attempted. Its abbreviation is FG%. |
| What is a good field goal percentage? | In basketball, a FG% of .500 (50%) or above is considered good, although this varies by position. |
| Are there other metrics similar to field goal percentage? | Yes, there are two other similar metrics: Effective Field Goal Percentage (eFG%), which gives extra weight to three-point shots, and True Shooting Percentage (TS%), which considers free throws. |
| Who are some players with high career field goal percentages? | DeAndre Jordan holds the NBA record at 0.673, while Shaquille O'Neal had a career FG% of around .580. |
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What You'll Learn
- Three-point field goals are included in the general field goal percentage
- Field goal percentage is the ratio of field goals made to field goals attempted
- Effective Field Goal Percentage (eFG%) weighs three-point shots higher than two-point shots
- True Shooting Percentage (TS%) includes free throws in its calculation
- A player with a high field goal percentage may be efficient, but it doesn't indicate skill
Three-point field goals are included in the general field goal percentage
In basketball, a field goal is a basket scored on any shot or tap other than a free throw, worth two or three points depending on the location of the attempt on the basket. Field goal percentage (FG%) is the percentage of successful shots (2 or 3 points) to attempted shots (2 or 3 points). Although three-point field goal percentage is often calculated separately, three-point field goals are included in the general field goal percentage.
The standard FG% does not distinguish between 2 and 3-point shots. For example, a player who shoots 4 for 10 on all two-point baskets has a standard FG% of 40%. However, if all those makes were three-pointers, that player’s FG% remains 40%. This is because a three-pointer is not given extra weight in the standard FG%.
To address this, the "Effective Field Goal Percentage" (eFG%) was introduced. This metric provides a more complete picture of the game situation than standard field goal percentages because three-point shots are given extra weight. In the eFG%, a made three-pointer is worth one and a half times as much as a made two-pointer. Using the previous example, a player who shoots 4 for 10 on all two-point baskets has an eFG% of 40%. But, if all those makes were three-pointers, that player’s eFG% is now 60%, reflecting the extra value of a made three.
In the NBA, DeAndre Jordan holds the record for the highest career field goal percentage at 0.673 (or 67.4%). The highest field goal percentage for a single season was set by New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson in the abbreviated 2019–20 season, at 0.742 (or 74.2%).
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Field goal percentage is the ratio of field goals made to field goals attempted
In basketball, a field goal is a basket scored on any shot or tap other than a free throw, and is usually worth two or three points depending on the location of the attempt. A field goal can also be worth one point in FIBA 3x3 basketball competitions or four points in the BIG3 basketball league.
Field goal percentage (FG%) is the ratio of field goals made to field goals attempted. It is a performance statistic that can help show a player's ability independent of pure scoring. Although three-point field goal percentages are often calculated separately, three-point field goals are included in the general field goal percentage. Instead of using scales of 0 to 100%, the scale .000 to 1.000 is commonly used. A higher field goal percentage denotes higher efficiency. In basketball, a FG% of .500 (50%) or above is considered a good percentage, although this criterion does not apply equally to all positions. Guards usually have lower FG% than forwards and centers.
While field goal percentage is a useful metric, it does not completely tell the skill of a player. For example, a low field goal percentage can indicate a poor offensive player or a player who takes many difficult shots. Additionally, field goal percentage does not distinguish between two and three-point shots, nor does it consider free throws. As a result, other metrics such as "Effective Field Goal Percentage" (eFG%) and "True Shooting Percentage" (TS%) have been created to provide a more comprehensive understanding of a player's performance.
Effective Field Goal Percentage, or eFG%, gives extra weight to three-point shots by considering them to be worth one and a half times as much as a two-point shot. This provides a more complete picture of the game situation and can be used to more effectively evaluate a player's shooting performance. For example, a player who shoots 4 for 10 on all two-point baskets has a standard FG% of 40% and an eFG% of 40%. However, if all those makes were three-pointers, the player's eFG% increases to 60%, reflecting the higher value of a three-pointer.
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Effective Field Goal Percentage (eFG%) weighs three-point shots higher than two-point shots
Effective Field Goal Percentage (eFG%) is a statistic that adjusts field goal percentage to account for the fact that three-point field goals are worth three points, while all other field goals are worth two points. It provides a more complete picture of the game situation than standard field goal percentages because three-point shots are given extra weight.
The calculation of eFG% reflects the extra value of a made three-pointer, which is worth one and a half times as much as a made two-pointer. For example, a player who shoots 4 for 10 on all two-point baskets has a standard FG% of 40% and an eFG% of 40%. However, if all those makes were three-pointers, the player's eFG% would be 60%, reflecting the higher value of a three-pointer.
In basketball, a player's shooting ability is considered one of the most critical factors in their performance. eFG% is a valuable metric for evaluating a player's shooting efficiency, especially when compared to their opponents. By looking at the eFG% differential, coaches can make informed strategic decisions and adjustments to their team's offense and defense.
While eFG% is a useful tool, it should be considered alongside other statistics to properly evaluate players. For instance, players with high eFG% may have a high number of attempts or play in positions that favour their shooting style. Therefore, it is important to consider other factors such as usage rate, position, and the difficulty of shots taken.
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True Shooting Percentage (TS%) includes free throws in its calculation
In basketball, the field goal percentage (FG%) is the ratio of field goals made to field goals attempted. Although three-point field goal percentages are often calculated separately, they are included in the general field goal percentage.
True Shooting Percentage (TS%) is an advanced statistic that measures a player's efficiency at shooting the ball. It is intended to provide a more accurate calculation of a player's shooting ability than field goal percentage (FG%), free throw percentage, and three-point field goal percentage taken in isolation.
TS% includes free throws in its calculation, along with two- and three-point field goals. It is calculated similarly to traditional FG% but accounts for differences in shot selection. It appropriately weighs free throws, two-point field goals, and three-point field goals.
The formula for TS% includes a magic constant of 0.44 to account for the fact that most free throws come in pairs, with the occasional and-1 and the sporadic influence of technical free throws. As a result, most players in the NBA have a higher TS% than FG%, as they typically shoot free throws at a better percentage than normal field goals.
For example, consider two players with the same shot profile on two- and three-pointers. Player A shoots 70% on ten free throws per game, while Player B shoots 80% on five free throws per game. Despite Player B having a higher free throw percentage, Player A's higher number of free throw attempts results in a higher TS% of .659 compared to Player B's TS% of .655.
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A player with a high field goal percentage may be efficient, but it doesn't indicate skill
In basketball, field goal percentage (FG%) is the ratio of field goals made to field goals attempted. While a high field goal percentage denotes higher efficiency, it doesn't tell the whole story about a player's skill level.
Firstly, it's important to note that three-point field goals are included in the general field goal percentage, although they are often calculated separately. This distinction is significant because the popularization of the three-point shot has changed the dynamics of the game. As a result, a player's field goal percentage may not fully capture their ability to make three-pointers, which can be a crucial aspect of their offensive arsenal.
Secondly, the position of the player needs to be considered. For example, guards typically have lower FG% than forwards and centers. So, when comparing players, their positions and the associated strategic roles should be taken into account.
Additionally, a high field goal percentage can be a result of strategic play rather than superior skill. For instance, Shaquille O'Neal, a center in the NBA, had a high career FG% of around .580 because he played near the basket, taking many high-percentage layups and dunks. His strategic positioning elevated his FG%, but it doesn't necessarily reflect exceptional skill in shooting from varied distances or angles.
Furthermore, the traditional field goal percentage doesn't account for the extra point earned for three-point field goals. This is where the effective field goal percentage (eFG%) becomes a more informative metric. eFG% provides a clearer understanding of a player or team's scoring efficiency by factoring in the additional value of three-pointers. It showcases the value of taking high-percentage shots, especially from beyond the arc.
In conclusion, while a high field goal percentage may indicate efficiency, it doesn't necessarily reflect the full scope of a player's skill. To gain a more nuanced understanding of a player's offensive capabilities, especially in the modern basketball landscape, metrics like eFG% that account for the evolving nature of the game, including the increasing importance of three-pointers, are more insightful.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, field goal percentage (FG%) includes both 2 and 3-point shots.
It is the ratio of field goals made to field goals attempted. It is usually given as a value between .000 and 1.000, rather than a percentage.
In the NBA, a FG% of ~.500 (50%) or above is considered good, but this varies depending on the position — guards tend to have lower FG% than forwards and centers.
DeAndre Jordan holds the record for the highest career field goal percentage at 0.673.
Field goal percentage does not distinguish between 2 and 3-point shots, nor does it consider free throws. An alternative metric is Effective Field Goal Percentage (eFG%), which gives extra weight to three-point shots.
