Helena Frye
In basketball, PER stands for Player Efficiency Rating. It is a metric that measures a player's statistical output and overall impact on the game. Developed by ESPN.com columnist John Hollinger, the rating is calculated using a detailed formula that takes into account various positive and negative aspects of a player's performance, such as field goals, assists, rebounds, and turnovers. The league-average PER is always 15.00, and it is used to compare player performance across seasons and in fantasy basketball drafting.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Full Form | Player Efficiency Rating |
| Creator | John Hollinger |
| Objective | Collect all of a player's contributions into one number |
| Calculation | A detailed formula that rates every player's statistical performance |
| Parameters | Positive results (field goals, free throws, 3-pointers, assists, rebounds, blocks, steals) and negative results (missed shots, turnovers, personal fouls) |
| Adjustments | Per-minute performance, pace of the game, and team's pace |
| League Average | 15.00 |
| Above Average | Above 15 |
| Great | Above 20 |
| Elite | Above 25 |
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What You'll Learn
Player Efficiency Rating (PER)
The PER formula aims to summarise a player's statistical accomplishments in a single number, taking into account various factors such as field goals, free throws, 3-pointers, assists, rebounds, blocks, steals, missed shots, turnovers, and personal fouls. It is a per-minute rating that adjusts for the pace of the game, allowing for comparisons between players with different playing times.
The calculation of PER involves several steps, including defining certain terms and formulas, such as "factor" and "VOP". The final step is to standardise the PER by calculating the league average, which is typically set to 15. A PER above this average is considered good, while a rating above 20 is considered great, and anything above 25 is elite.
One of the limitations of PER is that it primarily measures offensive performance, and the defensive statistics it incorporates, such as blocks and steals, may not accurately reflect a player's defensive skills. Additionally, PER may favour volume over efficiency and does not account for the quality of a player's teammates or opponents. Despite these limitations, PER remains a valuable tool for evaluating players, especially in fantasy basketball, where individual stats are of utmost importance.
While PER provides a quantitative measure of a player's performance, it should not be the sole evaluation criterion. Other factors, such as leadership, court vision, and defensive positioning, also contribute to a player's overall impact on the game. Therefore, PER should be considered alongside other metrics and qualitative assessments to gain a comprehensive understanding of a player's abilities.
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PER calculations
The Player Efficiency Rating (PER) is a per-minute rating developed by ESPN.com columnist John Hollinger. It is an all-in-one basketball rating that attempts to collect all of a player's contributions into one number. It measures a player's per-minute performance, while adjusting for pace and the team's style of play. The league-average PER is always 15.00, which allows for comparisons of player performance across seasons.
PER takes into account positive results, including field goals, free throws, 3-pointers, assists, rebounds, blocks, and steals. It also considers negative results, such as missed shots, turnovers, and personal fouls. The formula adds positive stats and subtracts negative ones through a statistical point value system. For example, Hollinger argues that each two-point field goal made is worth about 1.65 points. A three-point field goal made is worth 2.65 points, while a missed field goal costs the team 0.72 points.
The formula for PER is quite detailed and takes into account various factors. It is important to note that PER calculations begin with what is called unadjusted PER (uPER). The calculation of uPER depends on certain statistics, and adjustments are made for missing data. For example, if data is missing, it is suggested to zero out three-point field goals, turnovers, blocked shots, and steals. The team's pace is also taken into account when calculating uPER.
After uPER is calculated, a further adjustment is made for the team's pace. This is done to ensure that players on slower-paced teams are not penalised just because their team has fewer possessions than faster-paced teams. The final step is to standardise aPER by calculating the league average aPER (lg_aPER) using player minutes played as weights. This sets the league average to 15 for all seasons.
While PER provides a useful summary of a player's statistical accomplishments, it is important to remember that it is not the sole evaluation of a player's performance during a season. PER largely measures offensive performance and may not accurately capture defensive specialists who do not accumulate many blocks or steals. Additionally, PER can reward inefficient shooting and may give undue weight to a player's contribution in limited minutes.
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PER history
The Player Efficiency Rating (PER) is a per-minute rating developed by ESPN.com columnist John Hollinger in the late '90s. Hollinger's work was influenced by the observations of sabermetric baseball analysts, such as Bill James, who noted that traditional counting statistics in baseball are not reliable indicators of a player's value.
PER attempts to collect all of a player's contributions into one number. It measures a player's per-minute performance while adjusting for pace and the number of minutes played. A league-average PER is always 15.00, which allows for comparisons of player performance across seasons.
PER takes into account positive results, including field goals, free throws, 3-pointers, assists, rebounds, blocks, and steals, and negative results, including missed shots, turnovers, and personal fouls. The formula adds positive stats and subtracts negative ones through a statistical point value system.
While PER is a popular and mainstream NBA advanced stat, it is not without its limitations. For example, it largely measures offensive performance, and the defensive statistics it incorporates can produce a distorted picture of a player's value. Additionally, PER may give undue weight to a player's contribution in limited minutes and reward inefficient shooting.
PER has been used to evaluate players in fantasy basketball and has been applied to NBA & ABA career leaders and records.
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PER in fantasy basketball
Player Efficiency Rating, or PER, is a popular metric in basketball analytics that provides a holistic measure of a player's performance on the court. It is designed to offer a comprehensive overview of a player's contribution across various facets of the game, encompassing both offensive and defensive abilities. While it is widely used in basketball analysis, PER also has significant applications in the realm of fantasy basketball, where it serves as a valuable tool for team owners seeking to optimise their rosters.
In fantasy basketball, the objective is to assemble a team of players that will accumulate the most fantasy points, with each category representing a potential win or loss. The calculation of PER becomes especially pertinent in this context, as it enables owners to assess players beyond traditional box score statistics. By capturing a player's efficiency and productivity, PER offers insights into their overall effectiveness, helping owners make more informed decisions during drafts and trades.
When evaluating players for their fantasy basketball rosters, owners often rely on a multitude of resources, including rankings published by fantasy basketball journalists and websites. In this process, PER is a crucial factor, as it provides a standardised metric for comparing players across different positions and teams. Owners can utilise PER to identify players who excel in specific areas, such as scoring, rebounding, or playmaking, ensuring that their rosters are well-rounded and capable of competing across various statistical categories.
Additionally, PER can assist owners in identifying undervalued players who may be available later in the draft or through trades. By scrutinising players' PER, owners can uncover hidden gems who contribute significantly to their teams despite flying under the radar. This strategic approach allows owners to maximise the potential of their rosters and gain a competitive edge in their fantasy leagues.
While PER is undoubtedly a valuable tool in fantasy basketball, it should not be the sole criterion for player evaluation. Owners must also consider other factors, such as injury history, age, and positional eligibility. By incorporating PER into a comprehensive assessment strategy, fantasy basketball owners can make more nuanced decisions, increasing their chances of success in the highly competitive world of fantasy basketball.
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PER's creator
The Player Efficiency Rating (PER) system used in basketball was created by ESPN.com columnist John Hollinger. In his words, "The PER sums up all a player's positive accomplishments, subtracts the negative accomplishments, and returns a per-minute rating of a player's performance."
Hollinger developed a detailed formula that rates a basketball player's statistical performance. The PER system strives to measure a player's per-minute performance, while adjusting for pace. It takes into account positive results, such as field goals, free throws, 3-pointers, assists, rebounds, blocks, and steals. It also considers negative results, including missed shots, turnovers, and personal fouls. The formula adds positive stats and subtracts negative ones through a statistical point value system.
Hollinger's work was influenced by the observations of sabermetric baseball analysts like Bill James. One key insight was that traditional counting statistics in baseball, like runs batted in and wins, are not reliable indicators of a player's value. Hollinger extended this critique to basketball, noting that a player's opportunities to accumulate statistics depend on the number of minutes played and the pace of the game.
PER largely measures offensive performance, and Hollinger acknowledges that the two defensive statistics it incorporates (blocks and steals) may not provide a complete picture of a player's defensive abilities. Additionally, PER has been criticised for rewarding inefficient shooting and undervaluing players with diverse skills who can play starter's minutes.
Despite these limitations, Hollinger's PER system has been widely adopted and is used to evaluate and compare player performance in basketball.
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Frequently asked questions
PER stands for Player Efficiency Rating.
The Player Efficiency Rating is a per-minute rating that measures a player's statistical performance. It takes into account positive results such as field goals, free throws, assists, rebounds, blocks and steals, and negative results such as missed shots, turnovers and personal fouls.
The Player Efficiency Rating is calculated using a formula that sums up a player's positive accomplishments and subtracts the negative ones. The rating is then adjusted to a per-minute basis to facilitate comparisons between players with different amounts of playing time.
