Demystifying Basketball Stats and Metrics – A Deep Dive into the Meaning of "Per"

Hey basketball fans! As a lifelong hoops nerd and obsessed NBA League Pass subscriber, I‘m constantly looking at player and team stats to analyze performance and trends. But even for seasoned fans, the array of per game stats, advanced analytics, and 2K ratings can be confusing. My goal in this comprehensive guide is to provide clarity on the meaning of "per" across the most common basketball statistics. Get ready for a deep dive into the numbers!

Traditional Per Game Stats – The Box Score Basics

Let‘s start with the basics – the standard per game stats we see in every box score:

• PPG – Points per game. The total points scored divided by the games played. This shows a player‘s scoring volume and consistency. League leaders typically score around 30 PPG.

• RPG – Rebounds per game. Total rebounds collected divided by games played. Measures rebounding production. The elite rebounders grab 10-15 RPG.

• APG – Assists per game. Total assists dished out divided by games. A gauge of playmaking and facilitating. The top passers dish 8-12 APG.

• SPG – Steals per game. Total steals divided by games. Indicates activity and quickness generating takeaways. 1-2 SPG is solid.

• BPG – Blocks per game. Total blocks divided by games. Measures rim protection ability. The elite shot blockers average 2-3 BPG.

• TPG – Turnovers per game. Total turnovers divided by games. Shows ball security and decision making. Lower is better, under 3 TPG is ideal.

• FG% – Field goal percentage. Field goals made divided by attempts. Shooting efficiency on 2-point shots. 50% FG is great.

• 3P% – 3-point percentage. 3-pointers made divided by attempts. Outside shooting accuracy. 40% from 3 is elite.

• FT% – Free throw percentage. Free throws made divided by attempts. Foul shooting efficiency. 90% FT is terrific.

These per game stats provide a snapshot of a player‘s overall contributions. However, they don‘t account for minutes played or pace of play. That‘s where advanced analytics comes in.

Advanced Rate Stats – Going Beyond the Box Score

While traditional stats tell part of the story, advanced analytics aim to provide more context by measuring per minute or per possession productivity. Here are some key advanced rate stats:

PER – Player Efficiency Rating

This all-in-one metric developed by John Hollinger sums up a player‘s per-minute statistical production. It‘s calculated by adding positive contributions (points, rebounds, assists) and subtracting negatives (misses, turnovers). 15.0 is league average PER. The top players exceed 30 PER for a season.

Table showing top 10 player PERs in NBA history

As seen above, the legendary Michael Jordan owns the top 4 PER seasons ever, with his 37.1 in 1987-88 topping the charts. This quantifies how dominant MJ was on a per minute basis.

TS% – True Shooting Percentage

Measures a player‘s shooting efficiency taking into account 2-pointers, 3-pointers, and free throws. It‘s formula is Total Points / (2 (FGA + .44FTA)). League average TS% is .575. Anything above .600 is excellent.

USG% – Usage Percentage

The share of team plays used by a player when on the floor. Calculated as (FGA + FTA + TOV) / (Team FGA + FTA + TOV). 25% usage is average, while elite scorers are near 40% usage.

OWS – Offensive Win Shares

Estimates the number of wins a player contributes through their offensive production. Factors in points produced and offensive possessions. 10+ OWS is fantastic.

DWS – Defensive Win Shares

Similarly estimates wins contributed through defense – opponent scoring reduction, steals, blocks, and defensive rebounds. 5+ DWS is very good.

WS/48 – Win Shares per 48 minutes

Standardizes Win Shares to a per 48 minute basis to allow comparisons. .100+ WS/48 is considered excellent, showing strong win contribution.

BPM – Box Plus-Minus

Estimates a player‘s net point differential per 100 possessions based on box score stats. +10.0 is tremendous, -2.0 is replacement level.

VORP – Value Over Replacement Player

Measures total value contributed above a theoretical replacement player like a G League call-up. 10+ VORP is elite company.

Advanced rate stats remove factors like minutes and pace to evaluate true performance. Next let‘s examine what the "per" stands for in these metrics.

The Meaning of "Per" in Basketball Stats

"Per" refers to either per game, per minute, or per possession rates:

• Per game – PPG, RPG, APG, SPG, BPG, TPG. Total divided by games played.

• Per minute – PER. Productivity rated on a per minute basis.

• Per possession – TS%, USG%. Shooting and usage percentages based on possessions used.

• Per 48 minutes – WS/48. Standardized to per 48 for comparison.

• Per 100 possessions – BPM. Net point differential over 100 possessions.

• Per season – VORP. Value above replacement over full season.

Normalizing to these time frames or possessions allows for an apples-to-apples statistical comparison between players. It accounts for minutes played and team pace of play.

For example, say Player A scores 25 PPG on a slow paced team, while Player B scores 18 PPG on an uptempo team. Although A scores more total points, B is likely more efficient on a per minute or per possession basis. The "per" stats would show that.

Visualizing PER Over Time

Let‘s visualize how player PER has progressed over NBA history to see the impact of pace and playing time:

Line chart showing top player PER over time

This chart shows the highest PER in each season. You‘ll notice it was over 30 in the fast paced 1960s, dipped into the 20s from 1970-1990, and rose again over 30 by the late 2000s.

Why did PER decline for a period? Likely due to slower paces, low minute loads, and diluted talent as the league expanded. PER accounts for this by measuring per minute productivity rather than raw totals.

That‘s why Michael Jordan‘s 37.1 PER in 1988 is so astonishing. Despite lower team pace, his per minute efficiency was off the charts. This visual illustrates the importance of the "per" concept very well.

2K Ratings and Attributes – Evaluating Video Game Likeness

Beyond the statistical measures, NBA 2K also evaluates players with skill and physical attribute ratings to mimic playing styles in a virtual environment. Let‘s explore some key 2K ratings:

• Overall rating – The player‘s aggregate skill level on a 1-99 scale. Stars are 90+, average players are high 60s.

• Inside/outside scoring – Separate 1-99 ratings for scoring ability in the paint vs. on the perimeter.

• Athleticism – Explosiveness, quickness, vertical, etc. Ranges from 1-99.

• Playmaking – Passing vision, handles, facilitating. Higher playmakers are 90+.

• Rebounding – Offensive and defensive rebounding ratings from 1-99.

• Defending – Man and help defense ratings evaluating rim protection, footwork, positioning and more.

• Physical profile – Height, weight, wingspan, etc. Impacts playstyle strengths and weaknesses.

• Badges – Special skills like Limitless Range, Pick & Roll Maestro, Lockdown Defender.

• Attributes – Individual ratings for speed, vertical, stamina, hustle, hands, shot IQ, discipline, clutch, intangibles and more!

2K goes for sheer depth in their player profiles. The per game stats show tangible production, while the ratings and badges recreate playing personalities. Stars like LeBron may have 99 dunking ability, while Kyle Korver dominates in the 3-point shooting categories. This comprehensive approach allows 2K to simulate real basketball.

Applying Basketball Analytics in the Real World

Hopefully this guide provides you with a deeper level of understanding on common basketball stats and metrics. My goal as a basketball nerd is to cut through the acronyms and spread practical analytics knowledge. Here are some ways to apply these concepts:

• Use per game and advanced stats to evaluate player and team strengths and weaknesses in your analysis. Dig deeper than just points scored.

• Look at trends and outliers in player stats each season to spot underrated contributors and fantasy sleepers.

• Analyze the impact pace, minutes played, and usage have on raw totals. Per possession and per minute stats account for these factors.

• Compare players across eras by leveraging metrics like PER that consider pace of play and playing time. Remove that bias.

• Study video and highlights to confirm what the stats imply about a player‘s style and effectiveness. The eye test still matters.

• Enjoy the virtual experience of 2K by exploring player ratings, badges, and attributes that recreate their game authentically. Appreciate their similarities and differences.

Well, that was certainly a data dump on basketball stats! Let me know if you have any other questions, and keep rooting for your favorite squad!