Expert on the Moon

Monsters on the Courts, Different Beasts on the Sheets

How Player Efficiency Rating and Advanced Statistics drives the NBA 

By:Tristan Baizar

With an average hight of 6'7'' in the NBA its apparent that real life monsters lurk the locker room's of our favorite NBA teams. Ever though the NBA is packed with loads of athletic talent today's top basketball analysis get to see the real inter workings of player statics that tell the story of the beasts that dominate the spotlights of the NBA.

Since its solidification in 1946, The National Basketball Association has transformed into the fast paced league we have come to know and love. Names like Russell Westbrook, Lebron James, Stephen Curry , and James Harden post up on your twitter timeline of the absolute terror they cause on the courts every night - all season long.  But how do we measure player performance? One word - efficiency, ESPN columnist John Holinger the developer of the Player Efficiency Rating (PER) calls this metric tracks a players contributions ultimately quantifying there utility.(Maroun)

Thinking Outside the Box

What Box? well all stats that are tracked from points and rebounds to assist and turnovers are posted to a chart called the box score. This simple compilation of data at first glance doesn't tell the whole story. Thats where PER comes into play. 

PER is a per minute metric - it sums up all a players positive attributes, takes away all negative accomplishments, and delivers a rating based on the minutes a player has provided. (2) More specifically: The efficiency formula: ((Points + Rebounds + Assists + Steals + Blocks) - ((Field Goals Att. - Field Goals Made) + (Free Throws Att. - Free Throws Made) + Turnovers)). 

Not Everything is Perfect

PER is not the end all be all statistic. The main problem surrounding the rating is the fact that many actions happen on the court that cant be quantified properly. For instance, how do you put a number to Stephen Curry successfully slipping a screen or the lethality of Lebron's dribble drive. Since the rating does lack the ability to incorporate non quantifiable events defensive giants like Dandre Jordan and Tony Allen seams figuratively less effective while their literal impact may rattle a game. 

Despite some evident shortcomings PER is still the most effective measure of player contribution and overall performance. (Maroun) Now what does all this mean?  Well let me provide context.

PER for the NBA averages at 15.0 from there players are identified on a scale:

This Scale helps to identify the type of talent level a certain play has based on his PER allowing for this information to be used in many ways. Coaches may use this information to scout opposing teams or establish strategic player rotations. Fans will probably use this information for Fantasy Basketball and good old fashion trash talk. 

The Mon"stars" of our Era 

So who is the Best? Strictly talking PER the crown belongs to the one and only "Jumpman" Michael Jordan who even after being long gone hols a solid 27.91 on his career. Lebron James is second at 27.73 and with his career still ahead he could overtake Jordan. The evolution of advanced statistics have propelled the coaches, fans and players of the NBA into a smarter more informed group where the state sheet can tell you a lot about a team and as you read the statistics you can imagine the deviation that some of these hardwood warriors display for all to see.

One player who's efficiency sticks out is Russell Westbrook as the 2016-17 NBA season's MVP. Along with the honors Westbrook posted 31.6 points 10.7 rebounds and 10.4 assists a game averaging a triple double and over taking Oscar Robinson by obtaining 42 triple doubles though out the season.

I only reference Westbrook to exemplify how with his amazing efficiency along with his team being able to take those stats and quantify his worth OKC offered Westbrook a 204 million dollar contact - the highest payed contact in league history.

Even though, to some sports statistics could seem like pulling teeth it does bring a greater understanding an nuance to the NBA that keeps team and fans interested in past and future performance of these teams and superstar athletes. 

Work Cited

1. Maroun, Eric. “Understanding Advanced Statistics: Player Efficiency Rating.” Hardwood Paroxysm, FanSided, 7 Mar. 2012, hardwoodparoxysm.com/2012/03/07/understanding-advanced-statistics-player-efficiency-rating/.

2. “Calculating PER.” Basketball-Reference.com, www.basketball-reference.com/about/per.html.

3. “FAQ.” NBA Stats, stats.nba.com/help/faq/.

4.  Schuhmann, John. “The New NBA.com/Stats: Advanced Stats All Start With Pace And Efficiency « NBA.com | Hang Time Blog.” NBAcom Hang Time Blog, hangtime.blogs.nba.com/2013/02/15/the-new-nba-comstats-advanced-stats-all-start-with-pace-and-efficiency/.