Stats Explained
by Ken Pomeroy on Monday, August 1, 2005
Let’s start with the most basic stats to measure the ability of a team’s offense and defense.
Points scored per 100 offensive possessions.
Defensive efficiencyPoints allowed per 100 defensive possessions.
In order to compute efficiency, we need to know how to compute possessions.
PossessionsWe can estimate possessions very well from box score stats by using this formula.
FGA-OR+TO+0.475xFTA
For each team, possessions are counted for the team and their opponents, and then averaged.
Efficiency gives us broad view of how well the offense or defense functions, but we can break efficiency into what Dean Oliver dubbed the Four Factors. Shooting, rebounding, turnovers, and free throws provide the basic components of efficiency.
Effective field goal percentage (eFG%)(FGM + 0.5*3PM) / FGA
Shooting is measured by effective field goal percentage, which differs from conventional field goal percentage by taking into account the extra value of a made…
