What is True Shooting Percentage (TS)?
True Shooting Percentage is a statistic used in basketball to measure how efficiently a player shoots the ball. It considers not just the number of shots a player takes, but also how many points they score from those shots, including free throws and three-pointers.
In short, abbreviated TS provides a better picture of a player’s overall scoring efficiency compared to traditional stats like field goal percentage (FG%).
Why is True Shooting Percentage Important?
In today’s game, scoring efficiently matters more than ever. Traditional metrics like FG% only look at two-point field goals, which don’t give the whole story. Players who excel at free throws or three-point shots could be undervalued if we rely only on FG%. TS fills in these gaps, showing how well a player turns their scoring chances into points, no matter how those points are scored.
How to Use a True Shooting Calculator
- Points Scored
- Field Goal Attempts (FGA)
- Free Throw Attempts (FTA)
Once you input this data, the calculator gives a free throw percentage that reflects how efficiently the player is scoring overall.
Why Use a TS Calculator?
A True Shooting Calculator helps save time and ensures accuracy. Instead of doing the formula by hand, you can plug in your numbers and get instant results. This is especially useful for analysts and coaches who track multiple players during a game.
How to Calculate True Shooting Percentage
The formula for True Shooting Percentage is following:
TS% = Points Scored / (2 * (Field Goal Attempts + 0.44 * Free Throw Attempts))This formula allows a factor of 0.44, which accounts for how often free throws lead to additional shots. It’s a simple formula once you know the components, but the TS calculator makes it even easier.
Breaking Down the True Shooting Percentage Formula
Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of what the formula means:
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Points Scored – The total number of points a player has scored in a game.
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Field Goal Attempts (FGA) – How many times the player has attempted to score by shooting the ball?
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Free Throw Attempts (FTA) – The number of free throws a player has attempted.
By dividing the total points by twice the sum of FGA and the adjusted FTA, you get a number that tells you how efficient the player is overall. A higher TS% means the player is using their scoring opportunities better.
How TS% Helps in Analyzing Professional Basketball Players
TS% gives coaches, analysts, and fans a way to compare players, especially those who score in different ways. A player with a great three-point shot might have a lower field goal percentage, but their TS% could still be high if they hit a lot of threes or free throws.
Why Basketball Analysts Rely on TS%
Advanced basketball is all about efficiency. Teams want players who can score with fewer possessions. True Shooting Percentage provides a clearer picture of a player’s shooting efficiency by factoring in all types of scoring opportunities. It’s one of the key stats used in the NBA and other professional basketball leagues to evaluate talent.
Conclusion
Understanding True Shooting Percentage is essential for anyone looking to analyze player performance in basketball. Whether you're a coach, player, or fan, using a True Shooting Calculator helps you quickly measure a player’s efficiency and compare them to others. TS% takes into account not just field goals, but free throws and three-pointers, making it one of the most accurate ways to assess a player’s ability to score.
By mastering this simple yet effective tool, you'll be able to dive deeper into the game and make better judgments about player performance.