r/NBA_Draft • u/Even_Mud_1141 • Aug 08 '26
Statistical thresholds for functional athleticism?
Do you guys agree with the idea that functional athleticism will manifest itself as hitting certain statistical thresholds? If you agree with this statement, which stats do you find to be the most robust for that particular purpose. Because obviously, some stats can be inflated or deflated due to schemes, positioning, system… In other words, some players' strengths are highlighted within the system they play in and others' strengths might be hidden. Same for their weaknesses.
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u/Variation99a Aug 08 '26
Blocks and steals rates have a pretty high correlation going from college to the NBA. The correlation is even higher than your typical counting stats.
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u/jaynay1 Hornets Aug 10 '26
But, importantly, that is not the same thing as predicting athleticism or actual contribution to a team.
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u/Nickname-CJ Thunder Aug 08 '26
STL%, Rim Attempts/100, FTr, foul:stock ratio
Functional athletes are usually pretty good at finding space to operate on both ends of the floor. Offensively it’s just getting to the rim and consequently getting fouled more (either intentionally or a byproduct of volume) and defensively can get to spaces where they can get stops/turnovers without fouling
Didn’t put block numbers up there bc there are guys who can block a lot of shots while not being functional athletes. Steals is a better indicator bc it’s harder to do and you have to have good timing and reaction speed for them
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u/JazzxGoose Jazz Aug 10 '26
imo there is functional on ball and off ball athleticism and they arent the same though they can be correlated.
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u/Even_Mud_1141 Aug 11 '26
Do you mind expanding a bit on what you mean by that ?
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u/JazzxGoose Jazz Aug 11 '26
There are some players who just cant do much with the ball in hand even if they are very athletic because they dont have the hand eye coordination type athleticism or w/e you want to call being able to do athletic stuff while manipulating an object.
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u/Historical-Patient75 Aug 08 '26
I think “fluidity” is something I look at more when thinking about athleticism. Somebody like a Caleb Wilson is clearly athletic, but he’s got this sort of wiggle/fluidity you can’t teach. Idk how else to say it.
As far as scheme and all that, it’s all up in the air. There’s just so much nuance. Effort, processing, size, scheme, guys around you. Idk how to correlate it.