• RIVALRY TODAY
  • DUMB-O-METER
  • MISERY INDEX
  • THERMOMETER
  • MATCHUPS
• RIVALRY HISTORY
  • QUARTERS
  • TEAM STATISTICS
• RIVALRY GREATS
  • CELTICS
  • LAKERS
  • RATING THE GREATS
• SITUATION ROOM
• PHOTO GALLERY

MATCHUPS

Matchups include projections for the 2008-09 season and ABPRmetrics for 2007-08.

To the right of each player’s photograph are Kevin Pelton’s projections for 2008-09 from Basketball Prospectus (BP) including Field Goal Percentage (FG%); Free Throw Percentage (FT%); Rebounds (REB); Assists (AST); and Points Per Game (PPG).

Directly below each photograph is a figure representing ESPN’s projected ranking for the player among all ranked players at his position.

Below BP’s projections are 2007-08 metrics from Basketball Reference including Player Efficiency Rating (PER); True Shooting Percentage (TS%); Offensive Rating (ORtg); Defensive Rating (DRtg); and Win Shares (WS).

GLOSSARY

Player Efficiency Rating or PER provides a single number to encapsulate a player’s statistical accomplishments. It takes into account a player’s positive achievements including field goals, free throws, assists, rebounds, blocked shots, and steals and then deducts negative ones such personal fouls, turnovers, and missed shots. The rating is adjusted to a per-minute basis and to team pace.

True Shoot Percentage or TS% is a measure of shooting efficiency that takes into account 2-point field goals, three-point field goals, and free throws.

Offensive Rating or ORtg is an estimate of the points produced by a player per 100 possessions.

Defensive Rating or DRtg is an estimate of the points allowed by a player per 100 possessions.

Win Shares or WS assigns a single number to a player for a season or career, based on his ORtg and DRtg, to quantify his contribution to his team.