Amanda Knapp
Points per Possession (PPP) is an advanced statistic in basketball that evaluates a player's scoring efficiency by measuring the number of points generated for each possession of the ball. It is calculated by dividing the total points by the sum of field goal attempts, free throw attempts, and turnovers. PPP is a more accurate indicator of productivity than points-per-game or points-per-minute as it accounts for variations in minutes played and pace of play. However, it does not consider rebounds, interceptions, and assists, which may disadvantage certain players and positions. By breaking down PPP into specific play types, such as isolation or pick-and-roll situations, coaches and analysts can gain further insights into a player's performance and make strategic decisions accordingly.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To evaluate a player's scoring efficiency and productivity when they possess the ball |
| Formula | Points ÷ (Field Goal Attempts + (0.44 x Free Throw Attempts) + Turnovers) |
| Benefits | High scoring power forwards, centers, or spot-up shooters who rarely lead the offense |
| Weaknesses | Does not account for possessions gained through rebounds, interceptions, etc., and may unfairly penalize certain positions |
| Variations | PPP can be further broken down into specific situations, such as isolation plays or pick-and-rolls |
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What You'll Learn
Points per possession (PPP) formula
Points per possession (PPP) is a player evaluation metric that refers to a player's scoring efficiency. It is an advanced statistic that measures the number of points a player generates for each possession of the ball. PPP is calculated using the formula PPP = Pts/Poss (poss = possession), where Poss = FGA + 0.44*FTA + TOV. FGA refers to field goal attempts, FTA refers to free throw attempts, and TOV refers to turnovers. The 0.44 factor is used to accurately represent the number of possessions used during total free throw attempts.
While PPP is a useful indicator of a player's efficiency and productivity when they possess the ball, it has some weaknesses. It does not account for possessions gained through rebounds, interceptions, or other means. As a result, players who contribute additional possessions and points through these methods are not credited for their impact on the team. Point guards, ball-handling shooting guards, and small forwards may be unfairly penalized as they will naturally have more turnovers due to their positions. Additionally, indirect contributions such as assists are not included in the PPP calculation.
To address these limitations, PPP is often broken down into specific events, such as PPP in isolation plays or PPP in pick-and-roll situations. This provides a more nuanced understanding of a player's performance and their ability to create points per possession through different tactics.
Overall, PPP is a valuable tool for evaluating players' scoring efficiency, particularly for high-scoring power forwards, centers, and spot-up shooters who possess the ball less frequently and, consequently, have fewer turnovers.
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Player efficiency evaluation
Points per possession (PPP) is a player evaluation metric that reflects a player's scoring efficiency. It is calculated by dividing the total number of points by the total number of possessions. The formula for the total number of possessions is:
> POSSt = FGAt + 0.44 × FTAt – OREBt + TO
While PPP is a useful metric, it does not provide a complete picture of a player's efficiency and productivity. This is where the Player Efficiency Rating (PER) comes in.
The PER, developed by ESPN basketball statistician John Hollinger, is a comprehensive player evaluation system that rates a player's statistical performance. It takes into account various positive and negative results, including field goals, free throws, 3-pointers, assists, rebounds, blocks, steals, missed shots, turnovers, and personal fouls. The formula adds the positive stats and subtracts the negative ones, resulting in a per-minute rating that indicates a player's overall impact on the game. A PER of 15 is considered average, while a PER above the low twenties indicates a star player. The highest PERs belong to some of the greatest players, including Michael Jordan, LeBron James, and Anthony Davis.
While the PER is a widely used metric, it primarily measures offensive performance, and the defensive statistics it includes may not fully capture a player's defensive value. Additionally, it does not account for factors such as the number of minutes played and the pace of the game. As such, it should be considered alongside other metrics and contextual factors to fully evaluate a player's efficiency and impact.
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Free throw attempts
By considering both field goals and free throws, PPP provides a more comprehensive evaluation of a player's productivity and efficiency than traditional statistics like TS%. It recognizes the value of players who shoot minimally but hit three-pointers and penalizes turnovers as missed field goal opportunities. This benefits players who score high and efficiently, such as power forwards or centers with strong free throw percentages and three-point shooters who rarely lead the offense.
However, PPP has limitations. It does not account for additional possessions created by players through rebounds or interceptions, disadvantaging players who contribute significantly in these areas, such as rebounding specialists. Point guards, ball-handling shooting guards, and small forwards may also be unfairly penalized due to their higher possession rates and subsequent increased turnover chances.
In summary, while PPP offers valuable insights into a player's scoring efficiency and benefits certain player profiles, it has shortcomings in recognizing the value of players who create additional possessions or contribute through assists. Analyzing free throw attempts as a component of PPP helps evaluate players' efficiency in converting possessions into points, particularly for those who frequently get to the free throw line.
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Turnovers
Players who possess the ball less frequently, such as high-scoring power forwards or centers, tend to have lower turnover rates. Their PPP stat can be enhanced as they have fewer possessions and, consequently, fewer turnovers. On the other hand, point guards, ball-handling shooting guards, and small forwards are at a disadvantage due to their positions requiring more ball control, leading to higher turnover rates.
The formula for calculating PPP is Pts / (FGAt + 0.44 x FTAt - OREBt + TO). While this formula provides an accurate measurement, it is important to note that it does not account for all factors. For instance, it does not consider additional possessions gained through rebounds or interceptions. As a result, players who excel in these areas may not receive full credit for their contributions to the team's success.
In summary, turnovers are a critical aspect of PPP in basketball. They directly impact a player's efficiency and can influence their ranking within the team. While the PPP formula offers a quantitative assessment, it is essential to recognize that it may not capture the full scope of a player's impact on the game.
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Possession duration
A possession can also end in a turnover, a field goal, or a free throw, with one exception: possessions are extended by offensive rebounds. Offensive rebounds must be backed out to help get the official number of possessions used by a team and avoid over-counting possessions. The formula for accurately measuring the total number of possessions is:
POSSt = FGAt + 0.44 × FTAt – OREBt + TO
The 0.44 multiplier is used because not all free throws take up a possession. Technical foul shots and "AND 1"s, for example, do not, while there might be more than two free throws on one possession. Research has determined that about 44% of all free throws take up possessions.
The duration of a possession is an important factor in understanding the pace of a game. A higher share of transition opportunities or shorter possession lengths can increase the pace of a game. Possession duration can also impact the number of turnovers a team commits. More possessions can lead to more turnovers, but it can also mean more opportunities to score.
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Frequently asked questions
PPP stands for Points Per Possession.
PPP can be calculated by dividing the total points by the total number of possessions. The formula for this is: Points ÷ (Field Goal Attempts + (0.44 x Free Throw Attempts) + Turnovers).
PPP is an indicator of a player's efficiency and productivity when they possess the ball. It measures the number of points a player generates for each possession.
PPP is a useful statistic as it provides a more accurate representation of a player's scoring ability than points-per-game or points-per-minute. This is because PPP accounts for variations in minutes played per game and pace of play.
PPP does not account for possessions gained through rebounds, interceptions, or other means. As a result, players who contribute additional possessions and points through these methods are not credited in the PPP statistic. Additionally, PPP does not consider assists or other indirect contributions to scoring.
