APBRmetrics

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.

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!

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.