Team triple threats

[Crow]

In last 10 years, 5 teams have averaged a triple threat of at least .3 of FGAs within 3 feet, .3 FT rate and .3 3pt rate. 2007-8 and 2009-10 Magic and last 3 Rockets seasons. 4 had Dwight Howard. No title winners yet. Only 2 of these were able to replicate the triple threat in playoffs. At least 5 others did it in playoffs. GSW did it last season but is missing badly on rate within 3 feet this time. Cavs currently are reasonably close, missing on within 3 feet. This playoffs had 3 triple threats, the most in period and probably ever.


2010 Lakers barely missed on rate within 3 feet and pretty widely on 3pt rate in playoffs. Mavs missed by a lot on within 3 feet and barely on 3pt rate. 2012 Heat missed moderately on within 3 feet. 2013 Heat missed moderately on 3pt rate. 2014 Spurs were great but missed on all 3 threat levels. So these 5 champs average just 1.2 threat levels fulfillments. Will we see more twin threats? When will we get a triple threat titlewinner? Should that be the strategy for some teams or the new norm? It appears to be the Rockets strategy. Total level of offensive threat from the 3 criteria and everything else is more important than balance of the 3, but a certain of balance helps from being too dependent on one and perhaps allowing the defense to key on that and / slack off the defense of a weak threat.

[Mike G]

That's a pretty cool observation. Of course, it's just offense, and it's only part of offense, so it's a minority share of point differential.

If you take it to the defensive side -- less than .300 on FTr, 3PAr, and 0-3' rate -- you'd have to use different parameters, or you get a much larger sample. This year, it looks like 6 to 9 teams made each list on offense.

The league avgs were: .288 of FG in 0-3' range; .268 3PAr; and .273 FTr
What teams were better than avg in all 3 ? On defense?
Relax the standards and you get bigger sample sizes. (Yeah, the 3-3-3 has a ring to it.)

Last year's Spurs were avg in 0-3 shots and below avg in the other 2. Last in FTr!

[Crow]

Thanks for mentioning the averages. .3 achievements aren't that huge looking advancements but they are meaningful.

"This year, it looks like 6 to 9 teams made each list on offense." From context, I assume you meant defense.

I hadn't looked at D yet. It is equally important.