"Measure a thousand times and cut only once." - Turkish Proverb
Experts like Dean Oliver showed the value of measurement in explaining outcomes. Find three "game changing" ideas a day to enhance our chance of winning.
Conventional and unconventional statistics often reflect if not always predict outcomes. Tracking beyond the critical Four Factors (differentials of EFG%, turnovers, rebounding, and free throws) reveals more about our teams.
Quarterbacks, point guards, and basketball teams live and die at the intersection of decisions and execution.
Turnovers
Turnovers sort by decision-making and execution.
Graphic from Zak Boisvert
Every coach needs to evaluate where the "low-hanging fruit" lies for their team. I recently watched a women's college basketball game where traveling was rampant. Turnovers are the answer to a math questions - the zero percent possessions.
Kills
Some call three consecutive stops a kill. Get seven a half for two halves and you've stopped 42 possessions. That translates to winning a high percentage of games.
Bad Shots
Every player should know what a good shot is for themselves and for each of their teammates. Watch some high school games and cringe at a painful percentage of airballed threes. Dr. Rivers called them "shot turnovers."
Transition Points Allowed
We used to set a goal of no more than three transition hoops allowed per game. That's a high bar but not impossible. That begins with knowing who goes to the offensive boards, who balances the floor, and having a clear plan. (reference)
Special situations differential
Years ago we won a game by three against a good middle school team. AN official came up to me and said, "Amazing. Three time outs down the stretch and you scored on the ATO each time." Special situations often separates success and less close and late.
50-50 Ball Percentage and Hustle Stats
Nobody gets all the "up for grabs" balls. But aggressiveness and anticipation show up with more loose balls corralled. Winning 50-50 balls either extends or establishes possessions. Hustle matters.
Think "hustle equals possessions."
Lagniappe. Lessons are here for us.
A game changing mentality to start 2026 right: pic.twitter.com/ILGggyAeqx
— Reads with Ravi (@readswithravi) December 23, 2025
Lagniappe 2. Simple wins when done well.
A simple system executed well will beat a complex system executed poorly.
— Reid Ouse (@reidouse) December 23, 2025
