Visualizing Team Offense by Style

Mar 8, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) watches the ball after making a three point basket next to Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) and forward Matt Barnes (22) in the third quarter at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Clippers 106-89. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Earlier today, at The Cauldron, I took a look at the offensive season of the Philadelphia 76ers. The idea was to look for any signs of growth within the scorched earth of one of the worst offensive performances since the three-point era. To accomplish that goal I had to separate results (which was heavily influenced by a lack of talent) from process and intention. I identified traits of offensive style that I thought reflected process—pace, ball movement, player movement and shot selection.

Pace is measured by Michael Beuoy’s average seconds per offensive possession. Ball movement and player movement are both measured with statistics created by our own Adam Mares—average seconds between passes and Half-Court Pace, respectively. Shot selection is measured by Seth Partnow’s expected effective field goal percentage, which takes into account shot location as well as defender distance and the split between catch-and-shoot and pull-up jumpshots. This is the only really tricky one to be used as a measure of process because it’s very closely correlated with results. However, there are enough differences to make it workable.

Using those four measurements, and a technique blatantly stolen from Seth’s Point Guard Personality Test, we can put those four elements on separate axes and see a stylistic fingerprint for each team’s offensive process. Here we see all 30 teams laid out.

That nasty-looking spiderweb is an indication of just how much variation there is between the offensive styles of different teams. It’s worth reiterating that style and results are not linked in any general sense. For example, here are the two most efficient offenses in the league this season — the Los Angeles Clippers and the Golden State Warriors.

Both play at a relatively fast pace and both offenses move the ball. But the Clippers are nowhere near as extreme as the Warriors on either count. Each offense is also dramatically different in the nature of their shot selections and by how much people movement the utilize.

In comparing the Warriors and the Clippers we can see that these charts are not evaluative. Successful offenses come in all different shapes and sizes. These charts do seem to hold plenty of value as descriptive tools, explaining how each teams goes about the business of trying to outscore the opposition.

The charts below show the offensive styles for each NBA team. We will also have matchup versions of these charts as part of the Nylon Calculus playoff previews, which should begin rolling out tomorrow.

Mar 16, 2012; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Stacy Lewis greenside on the fifth hole during the second round of the RR Donnelley LPGA Founders Cup at Wildfire Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Allan Henry-USA TODAY Sports

Jun. 7, 2012; Pittsford, NY, USA; Stacy Lewis hits from the tee during the first round of the Wegmans LPGA championship at the Locust Hill Country Club. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

Jun. 10, 2012; Pittsford, NY, USA; Stacy Lewis hits on the eighth hole from the fairway during the final round of the Wegmans LPGA championship at the Locust Hill Country Club. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

July 10, 2011; Colorado Springs, CO, USA; Stacy Lewis (USA) hits a tee shot on the tenth hole during the third round of the 2011 U.S. Womens Open at The Broadmoor, East Course. Mandatory Credit: Andrew B. Fielding-USA TODAY Sports

The Prairie Club Pro Shop in Nebraska

Mar 18, 2012; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Ai Miyazato is framed by a rainbow on the green of the 16th during the final round of the RR Donnelley LPGA Founders Cup at Wildfire Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Allan Henry-USA TODAY Sports

Feb 8, 2012; Pebble Beach CA, USA; General view of putters on the practice green before the celebrity challenge of the AT

May 12, 2013; Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, USA; Ryan Palmer tees off the first hole in the final round of The Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass – Stadium Course. Mandatory Credit: Debby Wong-USA TODAY Sports

Aug 9, 2012; Kiawah Island, SC, USA; Francesco Molinari hits from the fairway on the 15th hole during the first round of the 94th PGA Championship at the Ocean Course of the Kiawah Island Golf Resort. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports