NBA Coverage ​

Player impact metrics, lineup analysis, and the ongoing quest to measure basketball's most complex interactions.

The Challenge of Basketball Analytics ​

Basketball is arguably the hardest major sport to analyze statistically. Five players interact simultaneously on both ends, possessions are short, and the game's fluidity makes isolating individual contributions extremely difficult.

That said, modern tracking data and plus-minus models have made enormous strides.

Metrics We Focus On ​

Player Impact ​

• EPM (Estimated Plus-Minus) — Currently the best public all-in-one metric
• RAPTOR — FiveThirtyEight's comprehensive player rating
• BPM (Box Plus-Minus) — Simpler box-score-based estimate

Shooting ​

• True Shooting % — Accounts for 2PT, 3PT, and FT in a single number
• eFG% — Adjusts FG% for the extra value of three-pointers

Team & Lineup ​

• Net Rating — Point differential per 100 possessions
• Pace — Possessions per 48 minutes

Common NBA Myths ​

"PPG is the most important stat" — Scoring volume without efficiency context is meaningless. A 25 PPG scorer on 52% TS is hurting his team.

"Triple-doubles show dominance" — They show usage and rebounding opportunity more than impact. Many triple-double seasons coincide with mediocre advanced metrics.

"The eye test beats analytics" — The best analysts use both. Stats without context are dangerous, but so are vibes without data.