Statistics play an integral role in the game of basketball. From the number of points scored to the number of rebounds grabbed, stats provide an objective way to evaluate the performance of players and teams. One particular stat that you may have seen while watching a game or reading a box score is ‘plus/minus’ (or +/-). It may seem like a confusing statistic at first, but it has some important implications for understanding and evaluating the game.
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What Does +/- Mean?
Plus/minus is a basketball statistic that measures the difference between a team’s points scored while a player is on the court versus the points scored against the team while the same player is on the court. It is calculated by subtracting the points scored against the team from the points scored by the team while the player was on the court. The resulting number is the player’s plus/minus statistic.
For example, if Player A was on the court for a total of 10 minutes and the team scored 25 points and allowed 20 points during that time, Player A’s plus/minus would be +5. This means that the team outscored their opponents by 5 points while Player A was on the court.
The plus/minus statistic can also be calculated for an entire team. This statistic measures the difference between a team’s points scored and points allowed over the course of a game.
The Advantages of Plus/Minus
The plus/minus statistic has several advantages. For one, it provides an objective measure of a player’s performance. It does not take into account points scored or allowed while the player was off the court, so it is not influenced by factors such as who the team was playing or the score of the game.
Plus/minus also provides an overall picture of the team’s performance. While traditional stats such as points, rebounds, and assists provide insight into individual players’ contributions, plus/minus offers a team-level perspective of the game. It allows coaches and analysts to assess how the team performed as a whole, rather than just as individual players.
Plus/minus can also be used to compare players on different teams, as it is not affected by the team’s overall record or performance. This is especially useful when evaluating trades or free agent signings, as it can provide insight into how a particular player will fit in with a different team.
The Disadvantages of Plus/Minus
Plus/minus is not without its drawbacks. For one, it does not take into account the context of a game. While it can provide an overall picture of a team’s performance, it does not factor in the specific plays that contributed to the team’s success or failure.
Plus/minus also does not take into account a player’s individual contributions. For example, if a player scores 10 points but his team scores 20, his plus/minus would be +10. This does not tell the whole story, as it does not factor in how many shots the player took or how many assists he had.
Finally, plus/minus is a cumulative statistic, meaning that it takes into account all of a player’s minutes over the course of a season or career. This can be problematic if a player has had an up-and-down season, as their plus/minus could be artificially inflated by their strong performances in the early part of the season.
Conclusion
Plus/minus is a valuable statistic that can provide insight into a team’s performance and individual players’ contributions. It has several advantages, such as providing an objective measure of a player’s performance and offering an overall picture of a team’s performance. However, it also has some drawbacks, such as not taking into account the context of a game or individual contributions. Ultimately, plus/minus is a useful tool for understanding and evaluating the game of basketball.