Deep Stats: eFG% & TS% Through 3 Games

Yesterday, I introduced you to the NBA efficiency rating.  Today we are going to take a look at two shooting percentages that we will be tracking all season long, for both the individual players and the team: Effective Field Goal Percentage & True Shooting Percentage.

Effective Field Goal Percentage

Effective Field Goal Percentage (eFG%) is a shooting metric that combines both 2-point and 3-point shooting.  What makes eFG% different than the standard FG%, is the fact that it that it takes into account the impact of 3-point baskets, by attributing a higher value to three-pointers made.  The formula counts a 3PT as 1.5 field goals.  Effective Field Goal Percentage is a more accurate rating of three-point than the traditional field goal percentage statistic, but has little impact on post players that venture out that far.

Here is the formula for eFG%:

(FGM + (0.5 x 3PM)) / FGA

Here is how the NC State players rank through 3 games in eFG%:

As a team, NC State has posted a eFG% mark of 54.6% through 3 games, compared to a 50.6% traditional field goal percentage.  NC State’s opponents average a eFG% of 46.1%, and 38% according to traditional FG%.  Note to self: The Wolfpack has not been able to defend the three-point shot through 3 games. #mightbeaproblem

True Shooting Percentage

True Shooting Percentage (TS%) is similar to eFG%, but goes one step further, throwing free throws into the mix.  This statistic tends to even out the ‘big guys’ with the ‘little guys’.  While ‘bigs’ tend to have a higher FG%, they very often struggle with ‘Shaq Syndrome’ at the free throw line.  The goal of TS% is to distinguish the best all-around shooter.  #ilovethisstat

Here is the formula for TS%:

PTS/(2 * (FGA + (0.475 * FTA)))

Here is how the NC State players rank through 3 games in TS%:

Through 3 games, NC State has a TS% of 58.5%, and their opponents are shooting 50.1%.