
In basketball, RTG most commonly refers to Net Rating (NET RTG), an advanced statistic that measures a team's overall efficiency and performance. It combines offensive and defensive capabilities into a single metric, providing a holistic view of a team's performance. Net Rating is calculated by subtracting the Defensive Rating (DRTG) from the Offensive Rating (ORTG) and then multiplying it by 100. This statistic is valuable because it adjusts for pace, allowing for fair comparisons between teams that play at different speeds.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Full Form | RTG stands for Rating |
| Types | Offensive Rating (ORtg), Defensive Rating (DRtg), and Net Rating (NetRtg) |
| Calculation | Offensive Rating is the team's offensive efficiency value or the points scored per 100 possessions. Defensive Rating is calculated similarly but for points allowed by a team. Net Rating is the offensive rating minus the defensive rating. |
| Use | RTG is used to estimate how much better or worse a team is when a specific player is on the court. |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn

Offensive rating (ORtg)
The formula for calculating ORtg involves dividing a player's number of points produced by their individual total possessions, and then multiplying that number by 100. Calculating individual possessions can be complex and time-consuming, as it involves accounting for any possession where the player attempts a field goal or free throw, has an assist, or commits a turnover.
ORtg is useful because it allows analysts and fans to evaluate a team's ability to score without the influence of a game's pace. Teams can have varying numbers of possessions in a game, so normalizing to 100 possessions provides a consistent sample size for comparison. It is important to note that ORtg should be compared to those of other players in similar roles, as defensive data limitations can impact the accuracy of individual ratings.
Additionally, when interpreting ORtg, it is crucial to consider the context of the league average. A high ORtg in a league with a low average may not be as impressive as a slightly lower ORtg in a league with a higher average. Therefore, ORtg should be evaluated relative to the average value of the league or championship.
The Evolution of Basketball in Asia
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Defensive rating (DRtg)
The calculation for an individual player's DRtg is as follows: a player's number of points allowed is divided by their individual total possessions when guarding an opponent who scores, shoots, provides an assist, or commits a turnover. This number is then multiplied by 100. Points allowed refer to the number of points conceded by being scored on or by allowing an assist.
DRtg can be influenced by the defence of a player's teammates. For example, a player with more steals and blocks will have a better DRtg than another defender who focuses on positioning rather than forcing turnovers. This is because steals and blocks are the primary defensive counting stats.
Team DRtg is calculated by taking a team's points allowed per game average and scaling it to 100 possessions. This is a more popular metric than the individual version as it provides a more uniform representation of points allowed per game.
For example, the 2021/22 Golden State Warriors had a DRtg of 106.9, allowing the third-fewest points per game that season (105.5). Their middling pace and ability to limit opponents' efficiency contributed to their strong defensive rating.
Which Sport Takes More: Biking or Basketball?
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Net rating (NetRtg)
Net Rating has gained prominence in basketball analytics over the past few decades as a comprehensive measure of a team's overall efficiency and performance. It is part of a movement towards more nuanced, pace-adjusted statistics that offer deeper insights into team efficiency. While Net Rating is a strong indicator of team performance, it does not account for certain factors such as strength of schedule or clutch performance. It also relies on accurate tracking of possessions, which can be complex.
Net Rating can also be used to evaluate individual players. In this context, the offensive rating of a player represents how many points a team scores when that player is on the court, and the defensive rating represents how many points they concede. The two combined (offense-defense) are referred to as the individual net rating. These ratings are usually calculated on a per X possessions basis. Using possessions rather than minutes eliminates the effects of varying play speeds. For example, Steph Curry has led the NBA in net rating, indicating that the Warriors significantly outscored their opponents when he was on the court.
Additionally, Net Rating can be calculated for two-player combinations to understand the synergy between specific players. This is done by measuring the average between their respective individual ratings and their combined rating. For instance, if players A and B have individual net ratings of 19.3 and 23.2 respectively, their two-player rating would be calculated as follows: (Two-Player Rating - Player A Rating) + (Two-Player Rating - Player B Rating) / 2.
In the NBA, a Net Rating above +5.0 is generally considered very good, while a rating above +7.0 is excellent. Championship-level teams often have Net Ratings of +6.0 or higher. However, it's important to note that Net Rating can sometimes differ from what a team's record suggests. Teams with high Net Ratings but mediocre records may improve over time, while teams with low Net Ratings but good records might be winning unsustainably.
Basketball Rim Height: How High Can You Go?
You may want to see also
Explore related products

NBA vs Basketball Reference metrics
RTG in basketball stands for Rating, which is a metric used to evaluate the performance of a team or a player. It can be further broken down into offensive and defensive ratings.
Now, when it comes to comparing NBA and Basketball Reference metrics, there are a few differences to note. Both platforms provide extensive basketball statistics and data, but they have some variations in their calculations and presentations of certain metrics. Here are some key differences:
- Offensive and Defensive Ratings: NBA uses precise data from Second Spectrum to calculate offensive and defensive ratings, which are measured per 100 possessions. Basketball Reference, on the other hand, relies on estimates and calculations based on box scores, which may lead to slight discrepancies in the numbers.
- Team vs Individual Focus: NBA.com focuses on team-level statistics, providing an offensive rating for the entire team while a specific player is on the court. Basketball Reference (BBR), on the other hand, calculates and presents individual player ratings, showing the points that a player actually contributed to.
- Possession Estimates: NBA.com likely uses actual possession data obtained through tracking technologies. Basketball Reference, due to the historical nature of its formula, estimates possessions using a FT coefficient and box scores.
- Data Availability: NBA.com is considered the "official" source of statistics and may have access to proprietary data that is not shared with third parties. Basketball Reference relies on third-party data and estimates for some of its calculations.
- User Experience: Some users have noted that they find NBA Stats to offer a wide variety of metrics, while Basketball Reference is generally easier to use and navigate.
In summary, while both platforms provide valuable insights into basketball performance, the NBA's metrics are often considered more accurate due to their access to precise, proprietary data. Basketball Reference, however, still offers valuable tools and resources for understanding basketball statistics and historical data, even if some of its calculations are estimates.
Tammie's Toxic Behavior on Basketball Wives: What's Wrong?
You may want to see also
Explore related products

How Net RTG is calculated
RTG in basketball stands for Net Rating, which is an advanced statistic that measures a team's point differential per 100 possessions. It is calculated by finding the difference between a team's offensive rating and defensive rating. The offensive rating of a player represents the number of points scored by the team when that player is on the court, while the defensive rating represents the number of points allowed. Net rating combines offensive and defensive efficiency into a single metric, providing a holistic view of a team's performance.
The formula for calculating Net Rating is: ((Points Scored - Points Allowed) / Possessions) * 100. This formula provides the point differential per 100 possessions. For example, if a team has scored 110 points and allowed 105 points over 100 possessions, their Net Rating would be ((110 - 105) / 100) * 100 = 5.0. A positive Net Rating indicates that a team, on average, outscores its opponents, while a negative Net Rating suggests the opposite.
Net Rating is a valuable statistic because it adjusts for pace, allowing for fair comparisons between teams that play at different speeds. It is also used to evaluate the impact of individual players on their team's performance. This is often referred to as On/Off Net Rating, which calculates the team's performance when a specific player is on the court versus off the court. However, it is important to note that Net Rating does not account for factors such as the strength of the schedule or clutch performance.
Net Rating can be calculated for the team as a whole, at the 5-player lineup level, or at the player combination level. For example, if two players have individual net ratings of 19.3 and 23.2 respectively, their two-player rating can be calculated as the average of the differences between the two-player rating and each player's individual rating. In this case, the calculation would be ((25.1 - 19.3) + (25.1 - 23.2)) / 2 = 3.8. This calculation provides a measure of the team impact of the two players when they play together.
Basketball: Developing Physical Fitness Through Fun
You may want to see also











































