Basketball Statistics Blog

Sunday's Reflexions on Basketball Statistics:
Center as a Full-time Basketball Position

Let us now have a closer look to the first two changes proposed here by Dennis Hans. He thinks that we’ll not only reduce the threat of foul trouble, we’ll remake center into a full-time basketball position, where quickness, creativity and skill, rather than brute strength or a gift for flopping, are paramount.

"... 1) Make non-brutal illegal screens a loss-of-possession violation, like traveling. Only dirty picks – sticking out an elbow, forearm or bony knee – will be a foul.

Probably 90 percent of illegal screens fall into the non-dirty category.

2) Quit treating intentional fouls as if they were non-intentional. Current penalties for the latter are fine; for the former, they are so weak that they function as rewards.

Photograph: Mike Ransdell from Canada.com/

Most intentional fouls – grabs by beaten or outmanned defenders to abort fast breaks or halfcourt drives; hugs and muggings to prevent layups and dunks – are based on the premise that the opposing team is less likely to score two points if they have to restart their offense by inbounding the ball or step to the line for a pair of free throws than if the fast break, drive or power move had continued. ...

If we make the penalty an actual penalty – two points for the fouled player, and his team retains possession of the ball – refs will never have to invoke the rule because no one would be so stupid as to intentionally foul.

We’ll have fewer stoppages of play, more fast breaks, less roughhousing, and fewer fouls, particularly by centers. ..."

And how we adapt these proposals to the basketball statistics registration?

A selected excerpt from the discussions at the eBA Annual Analysis System Clinic Chat about this topic "Basketball Positions".

This topic is resumed in the eBA Basketball Statistics Analysis System
at the eBA Encyclopedia > The Articles

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tags:  basketball  ~ basketball statistics ~  basketball analysis  ~  basketball positions
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