Scoring Attempts Differential

Scoring Attempts Differential

Coaches, assistants and stats analysists are constantly trying to find even the smallest detail that can lead to a win: How to exploit your advantages, how to hide your weakness and on the contrary how to minimize opponent’s advantages, and how to exploit his weaknesses.

There will be never one number to illustrate all data! That’s why we have so many statistical categories.

If we focus to same strength opponents, striving for increased eFG% is the key.

Though, let’s do not underestimate the value of who takes more shots. Actually, who is taking more shooting attempts considering also FTs.

The formula to identify which team takes more shooting attempts per game is:

TeamA (FGAs + 0.44*FTA) – TeamB (FGAs + 0.44*FTA)

Equally, this is a derivative of counting Turnovers and Offensive Rebounds. Thus:

TeamA (OffRBs – Turnovers) – TeamB (OffRBs – Turnovers)

We don’t give any weight to the different types of shots, ie FTs, or 2pts, or 3pts. This is only a quantification of more shot attempts. And this doesn’t mean that the Team that attempts more shots will be the winner. Though it should give an advantage for the win.

Example: NBA Season 2018-19 comparing 'Number of Scoring Attempts' of each Team compared to their opponent