Only teams with 2000 3pt FGAs and 2000 FTAs last season were the Rockets and Lakers (unlikely to replicate).Title winning Heat were only other team with more 1800 on each. Spurs one of 4 others over 1700 on each. Griz were only conference finalist much short of 3500 (league average is about 3450) on these 2 stats combined and they barely made 2850. Bulls and Celtics were also playoff teams well short of 3500. Warriors were off by a bit.
Griz and Pacers gave up less 3 pt FGAs + FTAs than average, helping offset the offensive shortfall here. Spurs’ defense in same range. Heat were only average here. OKC only average, GSW and Mavs well worse than average. Rockets and Celtics modestly below average. Nets were the best.
Spurs and Pacers are about +400 on the net difference between offensive and defensive FGAS + FTAs. Houston is almost +800. Knicks about +500. Heat and Thunder are about +200. Bulls –200. Clips close to 0. Warriors, Griz and Celtics almost –500.
Seems like there is information in here for some teams that needs further action in response.
Will the Rockets be even more the runaway leaders on these stats next season? Probably and probably from the offensive side exclusively. If they could be better than average from both sides they’d have an even better chance to win a title. Spurs and Pacers did enough of these stats to get close to the title. Simply put they either need to do more in this sphere or more elsewhere to change the result. Heat did just enough of these stats and FG% and FG% allowed and other things to win. It is of course about both and more. Warriors, Griz and Celts probably killed their chances to win the last title right here. Bulls and Clips? Maybe, maybe not; but they they did not do much to help themselves here compared to other elite teams. I'd recommend trying to improve here to them in particular and almost everyone.
On team FGAs + FTAs
Re: On team FGAs + FTAs
7 of last 9 seasons the title winner has had 3600+ on these 2 stats combined. Celtics were in top 2 in this group the season they actually won the title. They then moved bit by bit away from this level of stats / approach. By about 20% last season from the 2007-8 totals, with a substantial change in team rankings on this.
Re: On team FGAs + FTAs
Frequency of inside shots is important too (but not as important as FTAs). As usual consideration of more factors at one time is usually wise but sometimes small slices can be useful starting points. As here.