Basketball: What Analytics Don't Measure

"Stats are killing the game of basketball.

A lot of things happen that you can't measure in stats"

- Marc Gasol pic.twitter.com/uEXssRsa5s

— Coach Mac 🏀 (@BballCoachMac) May 3, 2024

What contributions don't get counted? Most occur in "the 95" (without the ball) but not all. And yes, individual and team play shows up in offensive and defensive efficiency team stats. 

Offensive 'invisible' examples (often multiple actions):

• Communication 
• Screens
• Rebounding tip outs
• Outlet passes
• "Hockey assists"
• Saved balls
• Cutting to open areas for teammates

Defensive examples: 

• Communication
• Block outs
• Charges drawn
• Defensive help, rotation, and recovery
• Ball containment
• Transition team defense
• Forced held balls
• Defensive great 'contests'
• Forced shot clock violations
• Forced five second violations

Lagniappe. Ball containment just wins. We did something similar but using multiple baskets. No standing around.  

Lagniappe example 2. Help and recover. 

Lagniappe 3. More ball containment.