Abstract

MALARRANHA, Jorge  and  SAMPAIO, Jaime. Basketball game rhythm in the European Competitions Finals’ (1988-2006) and the game-related statistics that discriminate between fast and slow paced games . Rev. Port. Cien. Desp. [online]. 2007, vol.7, n.2, pp.202-208. ISSN 1645-0523.

The aim of this study was to characterize Basketball game rhythm, as measured by ball possessions, and to identify the differences in game-related statistics between high and low rhythm games. Archival data report to team game-related statistics from the final games of the three European competitions for clubs from 1987-88 to 2005-06 season (Euroleague, ULEBCUP and FIBACUP, n=27). Two groups were made according to the number of ball possessions per game: fastest games and slowest games. The results seem to suggest an increase in ball possessions per game and a decrease in points per game and offensive rating. Slowest games' offensive ratings were significantly superior to the fastest games' ratings (p≤0,05). The analysis of the discriminant function was based on the observation of the structure coefficients (SC), and identified committed fouls (SC=0,44), received fouls (SC=0,43), defensive rebounds (SC=0,38) and unsuccessful free-throws (SC=0,37) as the game-related statistics that best discriminate fastest from slowest games. Coaches can use these results in players’ selection and to prepare the team, deciding which game rhythm to impose during games and which players’ are best prepared to perform these tasks.

Keywords : Basketball; statistics; game rhythm.

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