The impact of +/- in evaluating a player’s performance.
In the world of basketball, statistics play a crucial role in evaluating player performance. Beyond points, assists, or rebounds, one metric that has gained relevance in recent years is the ‘plus-minus’ (+/-). But what does it really mean, and how useful is it for measuring a player’s impact on the court?
What is the +/- in basketball?
The +/- is a statistic that measures the difference in the score when a player is on the court. That is, if a player enters the game with their team leading by 10 points and leaves when the lead has increased to 15, their +/- will be +5. On the other hand, if the team loses the lead while the player is on the court, they will have a negative +/-.
Why is this metric important?
The +/- allows for analyzing a player’s impact beyond their individual statistics. A player may score many points, but if their team is less effective while they are on the court, their +/- will reflect their real impact on the game. Similarly, there are players who don’t stand out in points or assists, but their presence helps their team become more efficient on both sides of the court.
Factors that influence the +/-
While the +/- is a useful statistic, it should not be analyzed in isolation. Some factors that can influence this number are:
- Teammates and opponents: A player who shares minutes with great stars will have a higher +/- than someone who plays with a less effective second unit.
- Role on the team: Defensive players often have a positive impact without needing to score many points.
- Minutes played: A player with a lot of minutes on the court may see variations in their +/- depending on the context of the game.
- Game situation: It’s not the same to play in the clutch as it is during low-intensity minutes when the outcome is already decided.
Advantages and limitations of +/-
Advantages:
- It allows for evaluating a player’s overall impact on the team’s performance.
- It reflects the collective effort beyond individual statistics.
- It can help coaches make strategic decisions about lineups.
Limitations:
- It doesn’t distinguish between individual merits and the overall team performance.
- It heavily depends on the teammates and opponents on the court.
- It doesn’t always accurately reflect a player’s defensive performance.
The +/- is a valuable statistic when used alongside other advanced metrics. It should not be the sole criterion for evaluating a player, but it does provide an overall perspective on their impact on the team’s dynamics. For a deeper analysis, it is recommended to complement it with other statistics like Net Rating, Offensive and Defensive Ratings, and advanced efficiency metrics.
In modern basketball, where data plays a key role in decision-making, the +/- remains a useful tool for evaluating player performance and their influence on the collective game.