Kristian Ferrell
Basketball is a sport that lends itself well to statistical analysis. The game's relatively simple mechanics and closed system mean that it is easy to collect and compare data on players and teams. Basic statistics like points per game, assists, blocks, and steals can give an indication of a player's skill, while more advanced metrics like Player Efficiency Rating (PER) and plus/minus can provide a more nuanced view. Statistics can be used to evaluate a player's or team's performance, identify areas for improvement, and inform strategy. However, it's important to remember that statistics don't tell the whole story and must be considered alongside other factors like game context and individual player strengths and weaknesses.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose of Statistics | To evaluate a player's or a team's performance |
| PER | Provides a per-minute evaluation of a player's skills, including offensive performance |
| Rebounds | Getting the ball back; rebounds stats are as important as points per game (PPG) stats |
| Defensive Stops | The number of times a player ends an opposing team's possession of the ball |
| EFF | NBA's efficiency rating |
| PIR | Performance Index Rating used in the Euroleague and Eurocup |
| Double Double | A player who makes double digits in a game in any two of the PTS, REB, AST, STL, and BLK statistics |
| Triple Double | A player who makes double digits in a game in any three of the PTS, REB, AST, STL, and BLK statistics |
| Quadruple Double | A player who makes double digits in a game in any four of the PTS, REB, AST, STL, and BLK statistics |
| Advanced Statistics | Player Efficiency Rating (PER), plus/minus, PIE, OPR, PECOTA |
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What You'll Learn
Player Efficiency Rating (PER)
Basketball is a sport that lends itself well to statistical analysis, with a higher sample size of games, attempts, etc. than many other sports. One of the most prominent statistical metrics in basketball is the Player Efficiency Rating (PER), developed by ESPN basketball statistician John Hollinger. PER is an "all-in-one" rating that aims to consolidate all of a player's contributions into a single number. This per-minute rating is calculated using a detailed formula that evaluates a player's statistical performance, taking into account both positive and negative results.
The positive accomplishments considered in PER include field goals, free throws, 3-pointers, assists, rebounds, blocks, and steals. On the other hand, negative outcomes such as missed shots, turnovers, and personal fouls are subtracted from the positive stats through a statistical point value system. The resulting rating is then adjusted to a per-minute basis, allowing for comparisons between players with varying playing time. For example, substitutes can be compared with starters to inform playing time decisions.
One of the key benefits of PER is its ability to standardise player performance across different seasons and teams. Hollinger set the league-average PER to 15.00 for every season, providing a consistent reference point. This allows for easy comparisons between players from different generations, as demonstrated in the debate surrounding LeBron James and Michael Jordan's career PER rankings.
However, it's important to acknowledge that PER is not a perfect evaluation system. It primarily measures offensive performance, and Hollinger acknowledges that the defensive statistics incorporated, such as blocks and steals, may not accurately reflect a player's defensive capabilities. Additionally, PER has been criticised for potentially overvaluing players who contribute in limited minutes and undervaluing those with a more diverse skill set capable of playing starter's minutes.
Despite these limitations, PER remains one of the most widely used basketball statistics due to its ability to provide a concise and comparable rating of a player's overall efficiency. It has influenced how players and teams approach the game, with some coaches choosing to explain PER to their players at the beginning of the season to encourage attention to all areas of performance.
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Rebounds
In basketball, a rebound, sometimes colloquially referred to as a board, is a statistic awarded to a player who retrieves the ball after a missed field goal or free throw. Rebounds are a routine part of the game, and they can be grabbed by either offensive or defensive players. If a shot is made successfully, possession of the ball will change; if not, the rebound allows the defensive team to take possession.
Players can position themselves to get a rebound by "boxing out", or maintaining body contact with the player they are guarding and positioning themselves between their opponent and the basket. This action can also be called "blocking out".
Rebound rates or rebound percentages are used to gauge a player's effectiveness at gaining possession of the ball after a missed field goal or free throw. This statistic takes into account external factors such as the number of shots taken in games and the percentage of those shots that are made.
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Assists
There is some judgement involved in deciding whether a pass should be counted as an assist. While the original definition required the basket to be made immediately after the pass, without any dribbling, the modern interpretation allows for a short dribble before the score and still counts as an assist. However, only the pass directly before the score may be counted, so no more than one assist can be recorded per field goal.
Centers tend to have fewer assists, but those with good floor presence and court vision can dominate a team by assisting. A strong center with inside-scoring prowess can be an effective assister, as the defense's double-teaming opens up offense for shooters.
Assist statistics can be used to evaluate individual player performance as well. For example, John Stockton holds the NBA record for most career assists, while Scott Skiles of the Orlando Magic holds the record for most assists in a single game.
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Steals
In basketball, a steal occurs when a defender takes, deflects, or intercepts the ball from an offensive player, resulting in a change of possession. The defender who successfully steals the ball is credited with a steal in the statistics, while the offensive player who loses possession is charged with a turnover. Steals are highly valued in basketball due to their potential impact on the outcome of the game.
The NBA keeps extensive records of steals, with leaders in steals categories such as most steals in a regular-season game, most steals in a season, and all-time career steals. Notable players with exceptional steal records include John Stockton, Alvin Robertson, Chris Paul, Kendall Gill, Larry Kenon, and Michael Ray Richardson.
While steals can be advantageous, they also carry risks. Aggressive steal attempts can lead to fouls, especially if the defender is overly aggressive with their hands. This can be detrimental if a key player gets into early foul trouble and the team lacks a suitable substitute. Additionally, unsuccessful steal attempts can leave the defence momentarily vulnerable, creating openings for offensive players to take high-quality shots or receive the ball in scoring positions.
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Blocks
A block occurs when a defensive player legally interrupts a shot attempt by an opponent. This can be done by slapping or hitting the ball out of its trajectory, or by physically blocking the shot with the defender's hand or arm. A block is distinct from a rebound, which is when a player recovers the ball after a missed shot. Blocks are also distinct from steals, which occur when a defender legally gains possession of the ball from an opponent.
In basketball, blocks are a crucial part of the game as they can prevent an opponent from scoring points. They are also a key indicator of a player's defensive ability and can showcase their athleticism and timing. Blocks can be a powerful tool to evaluate a player's performance and can be used to motivate players to improve their defensive skills.
While blocks are a valuable tool for analysis, it is important to consider other factors as well. For example, the amount of playing time a player has can impact their block statistics. Additionally, blocks are just one aspect of a player's defensive performance, and other factors such as defensive stops and rebounds should also be considered to gain a comprehensive understanding of a player's defensive capabilities.
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Frequently asked questions
Basic basketball statistics include points per game, assists, blocks, and steals.
Advanced basketball statistics include Player Efficiency Rating (PER), plus/minus, and PIE (Player Impact Estimate).
Basketball teams use statistics to evaluate player and team performance, identify areas for improvement, and make informed decisions about strategy and player recruitment.
PER is a complex formula that takes into account a player's playing time, positive and negative statistics, and the pace of the team. It provides a per-minute evaluation of a player's skills.
Statistics in basketball can only provide part of the picture and may sometimes lead in the wrong direction. For example, a high assist rate does not necessarily indicate a strong understanding of the game, as players may pass to improve their stats rather than take a better shot.
