You hear it all the time in basketball commentary: "He's a high-percentage shooter." But what does that actually mean, beyond just making shots? In the NBA, that phrase often boils down to 'FG%', or Field Goal Percentage. It's one of those fundamental stats that, at first glance, seems straightforward – just how often a player makes a shot they take. Simple, right? Well, like most things in basketball, there's a bit more nuance to it.
At its core, FG% is calculated by dividing the number of successful shots (field goals) by the total number of shot attempts. This includes both two-pointers and three-pointers, but crucially, it doesn't count free throws. So, if a player takes 10 shots and makes 5, their FG% is 50%.
But here's where it gets interesting. While a good FG% is obviously desirable, it doesn't always tell the whole story of a player's scoring efficiency. Think about it: a player who takes a ton of difficult, contested jumpers might have a decent FG%, but if they're taking shots that are unlikely to go in, it can actually hurt the team. This is where the analytics folks step in with more sophisticated metrics.
We've seen the NBA evolve, and so have the ways we measure shooting. You'll often hear about 'eFG%' (Effective Field Goal Percentage). This stat gives a little extra credit for three-pointers, recognizing that a made three-pointer is worth more than a made two-pointer. The formula is (Made Field Goals + 0.5 * Made Three-Pointers) / Total Field Goal Attempts. It’s a smarter way to look at scoring efficiency because it accounts for the value of the shot.
Then there's 'TS%' (True Shooting Percentage). This is perhaps the most comprehensive measure of scoring efficiency because it incorporates free throws. Free throws are a significant part of scoring for many players, and TS% gives a more complete picture by looking at total points scored relative to total scoring opportunities (which includes free throw attempts, weighted appropriately). The formula is Points / [2 * (Field Goal Attempts + 0.44 * Free Throw Attempts)].
It's fascinating to see how these numbers have shifted over time. The overall FG% in the NBA has actually been climbing, from around 44.9% in the 2014-15 season to about 47.4% in 2023-24. This reflects a league that's increasingly focused on efficient scoring, with more emphasis on three-point shooting and smarter shot selection.
And the game keeps changing. Starting with the 2025-26 season, the NBA is even adjusting how certain shots are counted. For instance, long-range heaves taken in the final three seconds of a quarter from behind the half-court line won't count towards a player's individual FG% if they miss. This is a move to further refine individual shooting statistics, ensuring they reflect shots taken in more typical offensive situations. It means players like Nikola Jokic and Stephen Curry might see their percentages tick up slightly under the new rules, as those desperation heaves are removed from their personal stats.
Ultimately, FG% is a foundational stat, a good starting point for understanding a player's scoring ability. But when you dig a little deeper into metrics like eFG% and TS%, and consider the context of shot selection and the evolving nature of the game, you get a much richer, more accurate picture of true offensive efficiency. It’s not just about making shots; it’s about making the right shots, at the right time, and doing it consistently. And that, my friends, is what makes a truly efficient scorer.
