How do you count points per game? A deep dive into the art and science of scoring

What‘s up, basketball fans! I‘m back with an epic guide breaking down everything that goes into points per game. As a basketball nerd, I live for analyzing obscure scoring stats and trends. So let‘s dive into the details together!

Calculating the Basics

First, a quick refresher. Points per game (PPG) is calculated by dividing total points by games played. Simple enough. But so many factors influence a player‘s raw points total and PPG average.

Over my years tracking box scores and emerging analytics, I‘ve discovered insights that explain how both volume and efficiency shape PPG. I‘ll spotlight some standout scoring seasons later. First, let‘s unpack how pace, shot selection, role, and rules impact scoring at the team and individual level.

Team Style and Pace Set the Table

A key starting point is understanding team offensive style and pace. Do they push the tempo or favor half-court sets? More possessions per game equals more scoring opportunities.

For example, Mike D‘Antoni‘s 7 Seconds or Less Suns of the mid-2000s blitzed teams with a breakneck pace, averaging over 110 possessions and shots per game. This turbocharged Steve Nash‘s, Amar‘e Stoudemire‘s, and Shawn Marion‘s PPG averages.

Meanwhile, the 2014 champion Spurs ran a slowed down motion offense with methodical ball movement. Unsurprisingly, their leading scorer Tony Parker averaged just 16.7 PPG.

So team pace and style set the platform that individuals operate within. Let‘s explore how players maximize their scoring within these frameworks.

Efficiency – Getting the Most from Each Possession

In a perfect scoring world, players would notch points on every single possession. The closest we have to this basketball utopia is True Shooting Percentage (TS%).

TS% accounts for all types of scoring opportunities – 2 pointers, 3 pointers, and free throws. It sums the points from all shot attempts then divides by 2 times field goal attempts. Here‘s the formula:

TS% = Total Points / [2 (FGA + .44 FTA)]

So a player with 1000 total points on 800 FGAs and 200 FTAs would have:

TS% = 1000 / [2 (800 + .44 200)] = 1000 / [2 * (800 + 88)] = 1000 / 1760 = 56.8% TS

This adjusts for 3 pointers and free throws when calculating shooting efficiency. It provides a well-rounded measure of scoring productivity per possession used.

Let‘s see some elite true shooting seasons:

Player	Season	TS%
Stephen Curry	2015-16	66.9%
Kevin Durant	2013-14	63.5%
Lebron James	2012-13	64.0%

Curry‘s unanimous MVP season demonstrates the pinnacle of versatile scoring efficiency. He annihilated defenses from all over the court.

Usage Rate – How Often a Player Shoots

While efficiency evaluates scoring performance per shot attempt, usage rate simply measures how often a player shoots when they‘re on the floor.

It‘s calculated by taking the percentage of team plays finished (shots, free throws, or turnovers) by a player when they are in the game.

A usage rate of 30% means that player "used" 30% of their team‘s plays while they were on the court. This illuminates role and shot volume. Let‘s look at some of the highest single season usage rates:

Player	Season	Usage Rate
Russell Westbrook	2016-17	41.7%
James Harden	2018-19	40.5%
Kobe Bryant	2005-06	38.7%

Westbrook‘s insane usage while averaging a triple-double reveals his total offensive dominance. Meanwhile, Harden and Kobe show that usage doesn‘t always sacrifice efficiency with their 35+ PPG seasons.

Scoring Gravity – How Defenses Shift to Counter Threats

Even when they don‘t directly shoot, some players warp defenses with their sheer scoring gravity. Defenses tilt coverages toward these threats to limit clean looks.

In his prime, a LeBron James drive would attract multiple defenders to stop his freight train attacks at the rim. This opened up teammates for easy buckets.

Gravity is tough to quantify, but here are some indicators:

• Double team rate
• Closest defender distance
• Help defender frequency
• Shot quality improvement for teammates

It‘s a subtle skill that boosts scoring for everyone. Speaking of overlooked skills…

Little Things Add Up – Cuts, Putbacks, Drawing Fouls

We rightfully praise scorers with deep bags of stepback, isolation, and perimeter skills. But less glamorous hustle stats also pad PPG totals.

Mastering the craft of backdoor cuts, offensive rebounds, and drawing fouls earns players "free" points without using up precious shot clock time. Let‘s highlight some oft-overlooked aspects of scoring:

• Andre Drummond leads all active players with 5.4 offensive rebounds per game for putback chances
• JJ Redick is an elite off-ball mover who gets nearly 2 points per game just on cuts
• James Harden averages an NBA-best 10 free throw attempts per game thanks to foul drawing wizardry

I always appreciate players who maximize their scoring impact beyond just jump shooting. These grafting grinders contribute in subtle ways.

How Rules and Style Shifts Impact Scoring

You can‘t discuss scoring without looking at how rule changes alter what‘s possible. The NBA has steadily introduced reforms to encourage pace, space, and perimeter attacks.

• 3-point line introduction (1979) – Extended defenses and enabled high volume bombing from downtown.
• Handchecking ban (2004) – Freer movement on the perimeter and better driving lanes to the rim.
• Freedom of movement focus (2018) – Protecting shooters and cutters has boosted efficiency.

I‘d love to see a 4-point line added to create an ultra-deep threat and further unclog the paint. It would be a shocking shift sure to spark some wild scoring innovation!

Profile of a Scoring Legend – Michael Jordan‘s Mid-Range Mastery

Now that we‘ve explored scoring from every angle, let‘s study the greatest of all time – Michael Jordan. His blend of outrageous athleticism, acrobatics, and obsessive competitiveness produced the most iconic scoring career in NBA history. Let‘s break down MJ‘s points per game:

Regular Season Career PPG: 30.12

Jordan dominated as a mid-range virtuoso, breaking down defenses with an unstoppable arsenal of pull ups, fadeaways, and immaculate footwork. He lived at the elbows, masterfully creating enough space for his impossibly high release.

Despite limited 3 point shooting, Jordan scored efficiently through selective shotmaking closer to the basket versus bombing away. His career TS% of 56.9% is extremely impressive considering the era.

Jordan amazingly averaged over 30 PPG for his entire prime while winning Defensive Player of the Year and multiple championships. The stats and hardware back up his case as the GOAT scorer.

Points Per Game in Video Games and Simulations

As a tech nerd, I‘m fascinated by how basketball video games convert the complex dynamics of scoring into defined ratings and algorithms. Let‘s examine some notable examples:

NBA 2K – Scoring is governed by shooting attributes like "Close Shot", "Mid Range", and "3PT", plus physical traits like "Vertical" and "Driving Dunk". Signature shots and styles are captured through hundreds of animated jumpshot and layup packages. Overall scoring consistency stems from the "Offensive Consistency" rating.

NBA Live – Scoring ability is defined through "Inside Scoring", "Outside Scoring", and "Athleticism" ratings. Shooting mechanics are governed by foundational attributes like "Hands", "Release", and "Shot IQ". Signature skills like "ankle breaker" and "acrobat" replicate player moves and finishing craft.

It‘s incredible seeing the detail that goes into virtually replicating the nuances of real basketball scoring. As gaming graphics and AI evolve, the experiences become ever more lifelike representations.

Points Per Game in International Basketball

The NBA represents the pinnacle of basketball competition, but pro leagues around the globe also feature elite scoring talents. How does scoring compare in other top international leagues?

EuroLeague – In recent seasons, the points per game average ranges between 75-85 compared to the NBA‘s 110 PPG. The slightly condensed EuroLeague 3-point line shifts more shots inside the arc. ButSpacing continues improving as athleticism and shooting skill rises. Prospects like Luka Doncic enter the NBA ready to score.

Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) – Games feature NBA-level athleticism but the style of play focuses more on isolation scoring than ball movement. This star-centric approach leads to huge scoring outputs – the CBA averaged 105 PPG in recent seasons with over 120 possessions per game.

Olympics – Playing for national pride on the global stage motivates incredible scoring performances. In 2016, Kevin Durant averaged 19.4 PPG on insane efficiency while leading the United States to Gold. International players like Manu Ginobili and Pau Gasol repeatedly finish as scoring leaders.

The world‘s basketball talent pool keeps expanding. I‘m eager to see prospects from emerging hoops hotbeds like Africa make their scoring mark in the NBA.

Points Per Game in Fantasy Basketball

Let‘s switch gears to discuss how points per game factors into fantasy basketball strategy. When drafting teams or acquiring players, you must balance three elements:

Scoring Volume – Target players guaranteed to rack up lots of shots and points.
Efficiency – Seek out finishing and shooting aptitude to boost percentages.
Versatility – Well rounded contributions in 3s, rebounds, assists bolster totals.

High usage, high volume PPG scorers like James Harden and Giannis Antetokounmpo make tempting early round selections. But I actually target more balanced 9-cat producers like Nikola Jokic and Damian Lillard to fill multiple stat columns.

Understanding the various paths to fantasy value helps form analytically balanced teams. Let‘s keep exploring other sports next.

Scoring in Other Sports – Goals, Touchdowns, and More

Scoring points manifests differently across various ball sports, but calculating rate stats remains analogous. A touchdown per game is the football version of points per game. Let‘s overview popular examples:

Hockey

• Goals per game – Most elite scorers net 30-50 goals per season
• Assists per game – Top playmakers average around 1 assist per game

Soccer

• Goals per game – Ranging from 0.5 (defenders) up to 1.0 (strikers)
• Shots on target percentage – Accuracy and shot quality

American Football

• Passing touchdowns per game – Top QBs average 2-5
• Rushing/Receiving touchdowns per game

I always get excited when crossover superstar talents like Bo Jackson demonstrate scoring ability across sporting boundaries. Two-sport legends showcase the highest athletic caliber.

Final Thoughts – An Art and Science

Scoring seems simple on the surface. Put ball in hoop. Good. But through this deep dive, we‘ve unearthed so many hidden facets that enable elite scoring performances.

It‘s both an art and science. The art of footwork, touch, and shot creation combine with the science of efficiency calculations, trends, and analytics. Mastering the mental and physical sides of scoring leads to legendary, inevitable points per game totals.

Thanks for joining me on this scoring safari! Let me know what obscure stats or random scoring stories you‘d love to explore next. Now go work on your jumper and take your game to the next level!