The “Advanced” box score explained | Pace & Four Factors (NBA Stats 101 Part 3)

Part 3 of the Thinking Basketball stats series dives into the problem with NBA stats and the limitations of the box score historically. Really, what are the best NBA stats? What more can we do to add context beyond per game adjustments?

This video explains advanced NBA stats and discusses the additional context provided by pace-adjustments (per 100 stats), per 36 stats, assist percentage (AST%) and better ways to measure rebounding (TRB%). It also raises some interesting strategic questions about Dean Oliver's Four Factors (turnovers, efficiency, etc.). Additional resources:

Twitter: @elgee35

Ben Taylor is the author of Thinking Basketball, a Nylon Calculus contributor, creator of the Backpicks Top 40 series & host of the Thinking Basketball podcast.

Stats courtesy:

Player art by @CrumpledJumper
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Music: The Way Forward

#NBAStats #AdvancedStats #BestNBAStats

[s.l]

The best stat is the one that makes my favorite player look good - nephews

[Eltalstro]

Wilt Chamberlain boned approximately 0.63 women per point scored, which sounds a little cumbersome. Let's say per 100 points, he boned 63 women. This means his BPR or boning proficiency rating was 63, a phenomenally high number! But if we adjust for pace will his numbers look as impressive? Let's just say that on March 2, 1962, 63 women were pretty impressed.

[govols]

I respect era adjusted stats so much, they just bring so much clarity and context. I’d really like to hear what Ben thinks about the talent differential between eras and to what extent today’s players are better than in the past on average(obviously most all time greats would succeed in any era)

[isiahsimonett]

It's amazing that you offer these analysis videos for free, but a company like ESPN charges money for lesser content. It's great to have someone discuss basketball without constant "hot-takes" and "attention-grabbing" for ratings.
Thanks for the quality content!

[chrissullivan]

It's sad that on Facebook and Twitter we get trolls, when this is the level of basketball we should be talking.

[Steelo]

Can’t wait for the episode with J Kidd in it. Interested to see that breakdown.

[wheresthebeef]

I might not be first, I might not be last, but when the analytics come out, I click fast.

[burner]

The arrow diagram explaining causation is great. That's a good summary of any statistical measurement, in any field. There is reality on one side of the arrow, and statistical inference on the other; and you can infer from different steps in the process of causation to better understand the context of reality.

[FlintlockYT]

I'd love for people to start using contested rebound stats more often. Usually when people bring up rebounds, they value a contested one as much as an uncontested one, but a rebound fought for and won is more indicative of a player's ability than a rebound that just happened to fall to them. Perhaps someone could come up with a combined stat that weights rebounds based on the distance of the nearest opposing player.

[feedingcarry]

I used to hate analytics and even say that analytics killed basketball. This channel has been an eye opener for me. Screw eye test scouting, numbers are the way to go. Numbers don't lie!

[blue-phoenix]

This is the best analytical basketball channel. Something about the way these videos are presented that makes them all very smooth, entertaining, and informative.

[TheTEN]

Awesome breakdown on advanced stats, people could definitely use this for baseball with the analytics movement.

[zhihaoxu]

Great video! Extremely inspirational. I study Math and Econometrics in college, your content shows me how those simple stats idea work in a such creative and rigorous manner! Thank you so much for making these videos!

[ComicsInk]

i love you and this series. i can't wait for your Netflix series

[agusgasco]

I would really like to see a breakdown on Bam Adebayo. Sort of a “prediction” on his potencial now that he is gonna get all the minutes he deserves with HW out. I’ve heard he is a versatile defender but I don’t really watch Heat games like that.

[MisterXdotcom]

I love your videos, people can learn a lot and that's the goal. I believe that you are the only channel that have really good teaching experience and really I personally learned a lot from you (and Adam Mares, I love his takes, differently than you but very informative as well)

Keep it up 👍

P.S. I can't wait for the next video about Nikola Jokic. You said when you analysed top 10 players that you are going to do a video about Jokic (another yeeey 👏👌)

[py]

Man, I really love your work. These are such a well made analysis, and such subtle observations. I really really enjoy this. What is your academic background? And what made you get interested in this stuff?

[UAlredyKnowWhatItIss]

I just wish those advanced stats were taken into account when 2k franchise mode picks the all stars.

[spacepeezy]

Man they need you on espn cause I love the way you look at the game man. Makes basketball interesting again

[BoonZer]

Already watched this 3 times. Thanks for the great content. Keep that analytics content coming.