Basketball is a game of possessions. Teams have a limited amount of time to score as many points as they can with each possession. This means that the number of points they score over a given period of time is an important measure of their performance. One way to measure a team’s performance is to calculate their points per possession (PD). Here’s how to do it.
Understanding Points Per Possession
Points per possession (PD) is a measure of a team’s efficiency in converting their possessions into points. It is calculated by dividing the total number of points a team has scored by the total number of possessions they have had. PD takes into account all scores, regardless of whether they come from two-point shots, three-point shots, or free throws. It also takes into account any turnovers a team has had, as these do not result in a score.
Calculating Points Per Possession
Calculating PD is relatively straightforward. The formula for PD is:
PD = (Points scored / Possessions)
For example, if a team has scored 60 points in 20 possessions, their PD would be 3.0 (60/20 = 3.0).
Factoring in Turnovers
When calculating PD, it is important to factor in turnovers. Turnovers occur when a team fails to score on a possession, and can significantly impact the team’s PD. To factor in turnovers, the following formula should be used:
PD = (Points scored / (Possessions – Turnovers))
For example, if a team has scored 60 points in 20 possessions and had 5 turnovers, their PD would be 2.5 (60/(20-5) = 2.5).
Using PD to Evaluate Performance
PD can be used to evaluate a team’s performance on the court. It is a good measure of their ability to score points efficiently. Generally speaking, a team with a PD of 1.0 or higher is performing well, while a team with a PD of less than 1.0 is having difficulty converting their possessions into points.
PD is also a useful statistic for comparing teams. If two teams have a similar number of possessions, then the team with the higher PD will likely be the more efficient team.
Conclusion
PD is a useful statistic for evaluating a team’s performance on the court. It is calculated by dividing the total number of points a team has scored by the total number of possessions they have had, and it should be adjusted for turnovers. A team with a PD of 1.0 or higher is generally doing well, while a team with a PD of less than 1.0 is having difficulty converting their possessions into points. PD can also be used to compare teams, with the team with the higher PD typically being the more efficient team.