PER, or Player Efficiency Rating, is a statistic in basketball that attempts to measure a player’s overall contribution to the game. It is often used by coaches, scouts, and analysts to evaluate individual players and teams. It is also used by fans to compare players across different eras. While it is a useful tool, it has its flaws, and it is important to understand the pros and cons of using PER as a metric when evaluating players.
What is PER?
PER, or Player Efficiency Rating, is a statistic in basketball that attempts to measure a player’s overall contribution to the game. It was originally developed by John Hollinger in the 2000s, and it has since been adapted and improved over the years. The statistic is calculated by taking a player’s total contributions and dividing it by the total number of minutes they have played. The formula takes into account a variety of factors, such as points, rebounds, assists, and blocks, as well as shooting and free-throw percentages. It is then adjusted for pace and the strength of the team.
The Pros of Using PER
PER has become popular among basketball fans, analysts, and scouts due to its ability to measure a player’s overall performance. It is a simple and effective tool for comparing players across different eras, as it takes into account a variety of factors. It is also a useful tool for evaluating players on a team, as it can help identify which players are the most productive and efficient. Additionally, it is a relatively easy statistic to understand and interpret, which makes it accessible for everyone.
The Cons of Using PER
Although PER is a useful tool, it does have its flaws. One limitation of the statistic is that it does not take into account a player’s defensive contributions, which is an important aspect of the game. Additionally, the formula has been known to be biased towards certain players and styles of play. For example, players who score a lot of points or take a lot of shots are more likely to have higher PERs. This can be problematic as it can lead to a skewed perception of a player’s overall performance.
Conclusion
Overall, PER is a useful tool for evaluating basketball players. It is a simple statistic that takes into account a variety of factors, and it can be used to compare players across different eras. However, it is important to understand the pros and cons of using PER when evaluating players. It does not take into account defensive contributions, and it can be biased towards certain players and styles of play. Therefore, it is important to consider other factors when evaluating a player’s overall performance.