What is a Good +/- in Basketball?

Whether you’re a casual fan or an avid basketball enthusiast, you’ve likely heard the term “plus-minus” (or “plus/minus”) thrown around. But what exactly is a good plus-minus in basketball? And how can it help you evaluate a player’s performance? In this article, we’ll discuss what plus-minus is, how it’s calculated, and what a good plus-minus looks like.

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What is Plus-Minus in Basketball?

Plus-minus (or plus/minus) is a statistic used to measure a basketball player’s point differential when they’re on the court. It is calculated by subtracting the total points scored by the opposing team when a player is on the court from the total points scored by their team. If a player has a positive plus/minus, it means that their team outscored their opponents when they were on the court. Conversely, a negative plus/minus indicates that their team was outscored when they were on the court.

Calculating Plus-Minus

Plus-minus is calculated by subtracting the total points scored by the opposing team when a player is on the court from the total points scored by their team. For instance, if a player’s team scores 107 points and the opposing team scores 99 points when they are on the court, their plus-minus would be +8. Conversely, if a player’s team scores 99 points and the opposing team scores 107 points when they are on the court, their plus-minus would be -8.

What Does a Good Plus-Minus Look Like?

A good plus-minus depends on a variety of factors, including a player’s role on the team and the quality of their opposition. Generally speaking, a plus-minus of +5 or higher is considered good, meaning that the player’s team outscored their opponents by at least 5 points when they were on the court. A plus-minus of -5 or lower is considered poor, indicating that the player’s team was outscored by at least 5 points when they were on the court.

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Factors Impacting Plus-Minus

There are several factors that can impact a player’s plus-minus. For instance, if a player is playing against a team with a much better record, their plus-minus is likely to be lower than if they were playing against a team with a worse record. Additionally, the role of the player can have a significant impact on their plus-minus. For example, if a player is playing the role of point guard, they are likely to have a higher plus-minus than a player playing the role of center.

Using Plus-Minus to Evaluate Players

While plus-minus can be a useful tool for evaluating players, it’s important to remember that it is just one of many factors that should be considered when evaluating a player’s performance. Plus-minus does not take into account a player’s individual contributions, such as assists, rebounds, or steals. Additionally, plus-minus can be heavily influenced by factors that are outside of a player’s control, such as their team’s overall performance or the quality of their opponents.

Conclusion

Plus-minus is a statistic used to measure a basketball player’s point differential when they’re on the court. A good plus-minus depends on a variety of factors, including a player’s role on the team and the quality of their opposition. Generally speaking, a plus-minus of +5 or higher is considered good, while a plus-minus of -5 or lower is considered poor. While plus-minus can be a useful tool for evaluating players, it’s important to remember that it is just one of many factors that should be considered when evaluating a player’s performance.