Metrics Glossary for Basketball Analytics
This document serves as a comprehensive glossary, capturing the essence of key metrics featured in our blog and Instagram posts. As we continue to explore the details of basketball statistics and performance evaluation, this resource will grow, keeping you up-to-date with the most relevant concepts.
Whether you're an experienced analyst or someone who's just starting to explore the world of basketball statistics, this glossary is here to assist you in deciphering the insights presented by Basketball Analytics Lab. Let's begin our journey to better understand the metrics used.
We've divided the glossary in two parts: collective metrics and individual metrics.
Collective Metrics
OER (Offensive Efficiency Ratio):
OER shows the number of points scored per 100 possessions.
DER (Defensive Efficiency Ratio):
DER shows the number of points allowed per 100 possessions.
Net Rating:
Net Rating is the difference between offensive efficiency (OER) and defensive efficiency (DER).
Possessions:
Possessions are a fundamental concept in basketball analytics used to calculate OER and DER. There are two common methods to calculate possessions. In Basketball Analytics lab, we use the basic formula as it provides a reasonably accurate approximation and is easy to apply.
eFG% (Effective Field Goal Percentage):
eFG% measures the effectiveness of both 2-point and 3-point shots, considering the extra point awarded for a 3-point shot. eFG% is one of Dean Oliver’s “4 Factors”.
eFG% can be applied both as an offensive concept, considering a team's shooting, and as a defensive concept, considering the shots allowed.
Additionally, in Basketball Analytics Lab, we calculate the difference between offensive and defensive eFG% and refer to it as Net_eFG%.
TO% (Turnover Percentage):
TO% calculates the number of turnovers a team would have in 100 possessions. TO% is one of Dean Oliver’s “4 Factors”.
TO% can be applied both as an offensive concept, considering a team's turnovers, and as a defensive concept, considering the turnovers forced to the opponent.
Additionally, in Basketball Analytics Lab, we calculate the difference between offensive and defensive TO% and refer to it as Net_TO%.
Def.R% and Off.R% (Defensive and Offensive Rebounding Percentage):
These metrics show the percentage of rebounds a team has collected in relation to the total available rebounds. Off.R% is one of Dean Oliver’s “4 Factors”.
These metrics can also be employed as offensive or defensive concepts.
In Basketball Analytics Lab, we also utilise the difference between the team's Off.R% and that of the opponent, which we refer to as Net_Off.R%.
FTR (Free Throw Rate):
FTR quantifies a team's ability to get to the free-throw line for every 100 field goal attempts. FTR is one of Dean Oliver’s “4 Factors”.
It is possible to use this metric as an offensive concept or as a defensive concept.
In Basketball Analytics Lab, we also calculate the difference between offensive and defensive FTR and refer to it as Net_FTR.
3PR:
3PR shows the percentage of attempted shots that are 3-pointers. A 3PR of 50% means that half of the field goal attempts are 3-point shots, and the other half are 2-point shots.
Individual Metrics
eFG% (Effective Field Goal Percentage):
eFG% for individual players is calculated using player-specific data instead of team data, measuring the effectiveness of a player's 2-point and 3-point shots.
TO% (Turnover Percentage):
TO% for individual players is a similar concept to TO% for teams.
Def.R% and Off.R% (Defensive and Offensive Rebounding Percentage):
These metrics estimate the percentage of available rebounds that an individual player has captured, factoring in the minutes played by the player.
Usg% (Usage Percentage):
Usg% estimates the percentage of plays used by an individual player when they are on the court.
EOP (Efficient Offensive Production):1
EOP measures a player's offensive production, considering both their offensive efficiency and volume. It also adjusts the production for the specific league and season, allowing player comparisons across eras.
Abbreviations
PT: Points scored
FGA: Field goal attempts
FGM: Field goals made
3PA: 3-point field goal attempts
3PM: 3-point field goals made
FTA: Free throw attempts
TO: Turnovers
DR: Defensive Rebounds
OR: Offensive Rebounds
MP: Minutes played
Shea, S. M., & Baker, C. E. (2013). Basketball Analytics: Objective and Efficient Strategies for Understanding How Teams Win. Createspace Independent Publishing Platform.