Understanding True Shooting Percentage (TS%) in Basketball
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True Shooting Percentage, often abbreviated as TS%, is an advanced basketball statistic designed to provide a more comprehensive measure of a player’s shooting efficiency than traditional metrics like field goal percentage (FG%) or even three-point percentage (3P%). Unlike those metrics, TS% takes into account not only the effectiveness of field goals but also the value of three-pointers and the contribution of free throws, offering a holistic view of a player’s scoring ability. In essence, TS% reflects how efficiently a player converts scoring opportunities per possession. It answers the question: How many points is a player actually getting for every shooting attempt, adjusting for the added value of the 3-pointer and free throws? This makes it a vital tool for assessing scoring efficiency in the modern NBA, where diverse offensive arsenals are paramount.
Why is TS% Important?
The traditional field goal percentage (FG%) only considers the percentage of 2-point and 3-point attempts that a player makes. It doesn’t account for the fact that three-pointers are worth more than two-pointers, and it completely ignores free throws, which are also a vital part of scoring in basketball. This presents a major flaw: a player who shoots a high FG% but doesn’t attempt many threes or draw fouls might be a less efficient scorer overall than someone with a slightly lower FG% who excels in both of those areas.
TS% addresses these shortcomings by weighting three-pointers more heavily than two-pointers and by incorporating free throws into the calculation. This provides a more accurate reflection of a player’s scoring output. A player who makes a lot of free throws, shoots a decent percentage from the field, and hits a good number of threes will naturally have a higher TS% than a player who primarily relies on 2-point shots, even if that player has a slightly better FG%.
By considering all scoring avenues, TS% paints a more complete picture of a player’s scoring effectiveness. It recognizes that generating points isn’t just about making shots, but also about capitalizing on all opportunities available to a player.
How is TS% Calculated?
The formula for True Shooting Percentage is:
TS% = Points Scored / [2 * (Field Goal Attempts + 0.475 * Free Throw Attempts)]
Let’s break down the formula:
- Points Scored: The total points a player has scored (from field goals, including threes, and free throws).
- Field Goal Attempts: The total number of shots taken from the field, both two-pointers and three-pointers, whether they went in or not.
- Free Throw Attempts: The total number of free throws attempted.
- 0.475: This number is an approximate adjustment to account for the fact that free throws are not always directly equal to 1 point each due to technical fouls or free throws awarded on 3 point attempts. The factor is a consistent constant used across the league.
The formula essentially calculates a player’s average number of points for every shooting opportunity they have, which is a more accurate reflection of scoring efficiency than just counting the percentage of shots that go in.
What Makes a Good TS%?
While context is always crucial, here’s a general guide:
- Below 50.0%: Generally considered a poor TS%, indicating that a player is inefficient with their scoring opportunities.
- 50.0% – 55.0%: Considered average for many NBA players, suggesting reasonable efficiency.
- 55.0% – 60.0%: A good TS%, indicative of above-average shooting efficiency.
- 60.0% and Above: Elite TS%, demonstrating exceptional scoring efficiency.
As you can see Jarrett Allen currently leads the NBA with an astronomical 71.9% TS%, this gives you an idea of what is possible. Rudy Gobert has the best career TS% at 67.1%, showing that a consistently high level can be maintained over an NBA career. For comparison, LeBron James has a career 58.8% TS%, Steph Curry is at 62.7%, and Kevin Durant at 61.9%. These are extremely high and show the very best in the game. On the other end of the spectrum, Killian Hayes had the lowest TS% in 2022-23 at 45.5%, and Joe Fulks has the lowest career TS% in NBA history at 37.4%.
TS% vs. EFG%
It’s also important to distinguish TS% from another efficiency metric: Effective Field Goal Percentage (EFG%). EFG% accounts for the added value of three-pointers but doesn’t incorporate free throws. TS% goes a step further than EFG% by considering all avenues of scoring. EFG% only measures the effectiveness of a players field goal attempts (either 2 point or 3 point), while TS% measures the effectiveness of both field goals and free throws. You can think of TS% as a measure of how efficient a player is per possession.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about TS%
1. What is the primary goal of True Shooting Percentage?
The primary goal of TS% is to provide a more accurate and comprehensive measure of a player’s overall shooting efficiency by accounting for the value of three-pointers and free throws, something traditional FG% does not do.
2. Why does the TS% formula use 0.475?
The 0.475 constant in the TS% formula is used to approximate the fact that free throws aren’t always worth a single point. Sometimes technical fouls and fouls on 3-point attempts mean you do not get an exact one-to-one ratio of free throws to points. The constant helps adjust for these discrepancies and provide a more accurate true shooting calculation.
3. Is a high TS% always the best indicator of a good player?
While a high TS% is generally desirable and indicates a player is an efficient scorer, it’s not the sole determinant of a player’s value. Factors like defense, playmaking, and rebounding must also be considered.
4. Can TS% be used to evaluate a team’s offense?
Yes, you can apply TS% to evaluate a team’s overall offensive efficiency. It provides a holistic view of how well a team converts its scoring opportunities.
5. What are some limitations of TS%?
TS% doesn’t consider other aspects of offense, such as offensive rebounding or assist totals, and only focuses on scoring efficiency. It doesn’t take into account the difficulty of the shot or the context of a player’s possessions.
6. Does TS% take into account turnovers?
No, TS% does not factor in turnovers. It solely focuses on the player’s efficiency in scoring when they attempt a shot or get to the free-throw line.
7. How does TS% differ from FG% (Field Goal Percentage)?
FG% only measures the percentage of shots made from the field (both 2-pointers and 3-pointers). TS% is a more holistic measure because it also considers the value of three-pointers and free throws, thus providing a more accurate reflection of a player’s scoring efficiency.
8. Who is considered to have an exceptionally high TS% in NBA history?
Rudy Gobert has the highest career TS% at 67.1% and Jarrett Allen currently leads the league with 71.9%. Steph Curry and Kevin Durant are also known for extremely high career TS percentages.
9. Who has a very low TS% in NBA history?
Joe Fulks holds the record for lowest career TS% at 37.4%.
10. How can coaches use TS% in player development?
Coaches can use TS% to identify areas where players can improve their scoring efficiency, such as by focusing on generating more free throws, hitting more three-pointers, or adjusting shot selection.
11. How is TS% used in advanced basketball analytics?
TS% is often combined with other advanced metrics to gain a comprehensive understanding of a player’s overall value and performance. It’s commonly used to compare scoring efficiency across positions and eras.
12. Does TS% vary by position?
Yes, TS% can vary by position. Players in positions that typically score inside, such as centers, often rely on high FG% and free throws, whereas guards may rely more on 3-pointers. It should be considered within the context of each position.
13. Can TS% be used to analyze past eras of the NBA?
Yes, TS% can be used to analyze and compare scoring efficiency across different eras, providing a consistent metric to compare efficiency, even when playing styles differ.
14. What are some other key basketball statistics besides TS%?
Other key basketball stats include points per game, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks, field goal percentage (FG%), three-point percentage (3P%), effective field goal percentage (EFG%), and player efficiency rating (PER).
15. How has TS% changed the way teams and coaches approach offensive strategy?
TS% has pushed coaches to promote more efficient shot selection (3-pointers and layups) and emphasize getting to the free throw line to maximize scoring opportunities. It has also led to more advanced scouting of player efficiency.
In summary, True Shooting Percentage is a valuable advanced metric for assessing a player’s scoring efficiency, and therefore their overall offensive effectiveness. By considering the value of both 3-pointers and free throws, TS% paints a more comprehensive and accurate picture of how well a player converts scoring opportunities and makes it an invaluable tool for understanding the modern NBA.