Updated Explanation of Defensive Statistics

Ok, before posting the analysis for last nights game against the Hornets, here’s an updated version of the stats definitions. The newest stats are at the top. I will have a post soon about challenges with keeping these stats where I could use some help. However, for anyone reading this, my biggest problem so far is figuring out a way to “score” pick-and-roll plays. Please let me know any suggestions you might have.

Post Scored On (PSO) – A negative statistic tracking every time a player gets posted up on and the offensive player scores on them. You can also call it the Spencer Hawes memorial statistic for now. Committing a shooting foul on a player posting you up does count as a PSO.

Post Advantage (PA) – Tracks when a defensive player is posted up and the offensive player gains an advantage for their team off it, even though they do not score. The most common example would be if the defense is forced to double team and the offensive player is able to find the open man. This often leads to a layup or uncontested shot for the offense. This does not count a post player simply getting an assist out of the post though off of a cut or off the ball screen.

Post Stop (PST) – If the defensive player is posted up but stops the offensive player from scoring. This does not require that the offensive player actually shoots the ball. However, they must make an aggressive or offensive move for a stat to be registered. So if Chris Paul throws the ball inside to Tyson Chandler and he hands it right back to CP3, then the defender does not get credited with a PST.

Team Uncontested Shot (TU) – Counts every uncontested shot the offense gets against the team’s defense.

Hold (H) – I haven’t actually tracked this stat yet. However, it is the equivalent of the Post Stop, but for a player trying to drive. Like the Post Stop, in order for a defensive player to get credit for a Hold, the offensive player needs to make an aggressive/offensive move towards the hoop. So if a team throws the ball around the perimeter, that counts for nothing. However, if Kobe tries to drive and then has to kick the ball back outside, the defender is credited with a hold.

Altered/Blocked shots (ABS) – I assume everyone already knows what a blocked shot it. However, I am counting an altered shot every time a defensive player is able to make the offensive players greatly change the way he is shooting the ball or have to make a noticeable adjustment to a layup or other types of shot.

Heavily contested shot (HC) – To get credit for a heavily contested shot a player needs to have a hand up within inches of the offensive player.

Lightly contested shot (LC) – A player gets credited for a lightly contesting a shot if they are able to get a hand up and possibly distract a shooter, but is further away from the offensive player. These can still cause a player to miss a shot, but are much less distracting to a shooter.

Blown-by into the lane (BL) – This just tracks the number of times an offensive players 1 on 1 to get into the key, where they can cause havoc. Again, for now this is only 1 on 1, this does not count screen and rolls or a help defender jumping at a shooter to chase them off of the tree point line. This does count getting back cut. Gambling for a steal and having the offensive player get past you, etc.

Forced Turnovers (FTO) – This is credited to a player who forces a turnover. This can be by grabbing a steal, poking the ball loose (even if another player technically gets the steal), pressuring a passer who throws the ball away or any other action that clearly causes the other team to turn the ball over. It’s important to mention that credit only goes to the player who actually forces a turnover. So in the Kings-Grizzlies game, Kevin Martin ran behind Rudy Gay and tapped the ball out of his hand to Francisco Garcia. On this play Martin is the player who gets credit for the FTO, even if the box score credits Garcia with the steal.

A couple of other notes:

- A player does not get credit for any positive defensive statistic if they foul a player. So hacking a shooter does not get someone an ABS or HC or LC.

- While there is some judgment applied to these stats (such as who gets credit for the FTO), I do not overrule the officials. So if Jason Thompson hacks David West’s arm and he turns it over, Jason gets credit for a FTO. Similarly, if David West posts up JT and JT gets called for a phantom shooting foul, he still gets credited for a PSO.