
PPR, or Pure Point Rating, is an individual statistic designed to measure a basketball player's passing and ball-handling ability. It was developed by ESPN's John Hollinger to address the limitations of the more commonly used Assist to Turnover ratio in evaluating a player's performance. The PPR formula is: Pure Point Rating = 100 x (League Pace / Team Pace) x ([(Assists x 2/3) – Turnovers] / Minutes). This creates a single numeric representation of a player's ability to handle the ball and create positive shot opportunities for their teammates, accounting for the relationship between assists and turnovers as well as league and team pace.
PPR rankings in basketball
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Full form | Pure Point Rating |
| What it measures | A player's passing and ballhandling ability |
| Developed by | ESPN's John Hollinger |
| Reason for development | Inaccurate pictures of a player's ability from Assist to Turnover ratio |
| Formula | Pure Point Rating = 100 x (League Pace / Team Pace) x ([(Assists x 2/3) – Turnovers] / Minutes) |
| Sample PPR values | Chris Paul – 11.96, Steve Nash – 11.03, Rajon Rondo – 9.38, LeBron James – 5.68, Darren Collison – 3.98, Dwayne Wade – 2.82, Boris Diaw – 1.27, Jamal Crawford – 0.82, David Lee – 0.19, Caron Butler – -2.29 |
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What You'll Learn

Pure Point Rating
> Pure Point Rating = 100 x (League Pace / Team Pace) x ([(Assists x 2/3) – Turnovers] / Minutes)
Hollinger explains that this formula “adjusts for the fact that assists do less good than turnovers do harm". Since turnovers cost almost exactly one point, no adjustments are needed for that part of the equation. The formula also measures productivity by summing a player's accomplishments on a per-minute basis and adjusting them for their team's pace. PPR can be used to compare players' abilities and performance regardless of position or minutes played. Distributor and pure facilitator-type point guards generally have higher PPRs.
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Assists and turnovers
In basketball, the assist-to-turnover ratio (AST/TO) is a key indicator of a player's and team's performance. It is calculated by putting a player's assists in context with their turnovers. An assist is when a player passes the ball to a teammate who then scores a basket. A turnover is when a player loses possession of the ball to the opposing team. Examples of turnovers include stepping out of bounds, passing the ball out of bounds, or committing an offensive foul that results in a change of possession.
The assist-to-turnover ratio is an important metric because it provides insight into a player's or team's ball control and decision-making skills. A higher AST/TO ratio indicates better ball control, as it means the player or team is creating more assists and committing fewer turnovers. This can lead to more field goals scored and a higher probability of winning the game.
On the other hand, a lower AST/TO ratio can indicate less ball control and more turnovers. Turnovers can result in fast break points for the opposing team and fewer scoring opportunities for the player's team. Therefore, minimizing turnovers is crucial for a team's success.
While the assist-to-turnover ratio is a useful indicator, it is important to consider other factors as well. For example, a player who scores a lot may have a lower number of assists and a higher number of turnovers, as their focus is on putting the ball through the basket themselves. Additionally, there are offensive and defensive variations to consider. A team that is more offensively oriented may have a higher number of assists and turnovers compared to a more defensive-minded team.
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Player Efficiency Rating
PER largely measures offensive performance and has been set up so that the league average every season is 15.00. This acts as a handy reference guide for comparing player performance across seasons. For example, only 33 times has a player posted a season efficiency rating over 30.0 (with more than 15 games played in that season), with the highest score being 32.85 (Nikola Jokić).
PER has its limitations, though. It is dependent on the number of minutes played and the pace of the game. It also relies heavily on counting statistics, which may not always be reliable indicators of a player's value. For instance, Hollinger acknowledges that two of the defensive statistics it incorporates—blocks and steals—can produce a distorted picture of a player's defensive value.
Despite these limitations, PER is a widely used metric in basketball. It has been used to compare players from different generations, such as LeBron James and Michael Jordan, and is often featured in news and analysis.
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Games played
In PPR rankings, the more games played, the higher the potential for players to accumulate points and improve their rankings. For example, a player who consistently delivers moderate performances across many games may rank higher than a player who has sporadic bursts of high performance but with frequent gaps in between. Consistency and longevity in performance are key factors influenced by games played.
The impact of games played on PPR rankings is especially evident when comparing players with similar statistical outputs. Consider two players with identical points, rebounds, and assists per game averages. The player who has appeared in more games will likely rank higher due to their larger body of work and greater demonstration of durability and reliability. Their overall PPR total will be higher, pushing them up the rankings.
However, it's important to note that the quality of performance in those games also matters. A player who performs exceptionally well in a limited number of games, showcasing high averages across the PPR categories, could still rank highly despite fewer games played. This is where the nuance of PPR rankings comes into play, balancing the quantity of games with the quality of performance.
In summary, games played are a fundamental factor in PPR rankings, influencing the accumulation of statistics and the overall ranking of players. While a higher number of games played can boost a player's ranking, it must be balanced with the consistency and quality of their performances. As such, fantasy basketball managers need to consider both the volume and value of players' statistical outputs when making roster decisions, ensuring they maximize the benefits of PPR rankings.
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Percentile
In basketball, PPR stands for Pure Point Rating. It is an individual statistic designed to measure a player's passing and ball-handling ability. It was developed by ESPN's John Hollinger.
The PPR statistic was created to address the limitations of the commonly used Assist to Turnover ratio in evaluating a player's ball-handling ability. Hollinger observed that while coaches and personnel often rely on the Assist to Turnover ratio to assess a player's performance, it can provide an inaccurate picture. The Assist to Turnover ratio simply compares the number of assists to the number of turnovers, without considering other crucial factors.
The Pure Point Rating formula is as follows:
Pure Point Rating = 100 x (League Pace / Team Pace) x ([(Assists x 2/3) – Turnovers] / Minutes)
Hollinger explained the rationale behind this formula: "First, it adjusts for the fact that assists do less good than turnovers do harm by multiplying assists by two-thirds. There's a factual basis for this. As I noted in a recent column, of the three acts of creating a basket (getting open, making the pass and making the shot), the passer does one."
The PPR statistic provides a more comprehensive evaluation of a player's ability to handle the ball and create positive shot opportunities for their teammates. It takes into account the relationship between assists and turnovers, as well as the league and team pace. By summing a player's accomplishments on a per-minute basis and adjusting them for team pace, PPR offers a more nuanced understanding of their performance.
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Frequently asked questions
PPR stands for Pure Point Rating.
The Pure Point Rating measures a player's passing and ballhandling ability. It was developed by ESPN's John Hollinger as an alternative to the commonly used Assist to Turnover ratio.
The PPR is calculated using the following formula: Pure Point Rating = 100 x (League Pace / Team Pace) x ([(Assists x 2/3) – Turnovers] / Minutes).











































