Chapter 6 Quiz: Box Score Fundamentals

Instructions

This quiz contains 25 questions covering the key concepts from Chapter 6. Questions are organized by topic and include multiple choice, true/false, short answer, and calculation problems.

Scoring Guide: - Multiple Choice: 2 points each - True/False: 1 point each - Short Answer: 3 points each - Calculations: 4 points each

Section A: Points and Scoring (Questions 1-6)

Question 1 (Multiple Choice)

The formula for calculating total points is:

a) Points = FGM + 3PM + FTM b) Points = 2(FGM) + 3PM + FTM c) Points = 2(2PM) + 3(3PM) + FTM d) Points = 2(FGA) + 3(3PA) + FTA

Question 2 (Calculation)

A player has the following shooting line: 8-15 FG, 3-7 3PT, 5-6 FT. Calculate: a) Total points scored b) Two-point field goals made c) Field goal percentage

Question 3 (True/False)

Scoring leaders historically always play on championship-winning teams because high-volume scoring directly correlates with team success.

Question 4 (Short Answer)

Explain why comparing raw points per game between players from the 1960s and the 2020s may be misleading. Provide at least two specific reasons.

Question 5 (Multiple Choice)

Which of the following best describes the relationship between scoring volume and efficiency?

a) High-volume scorers are always more efficient b) Efficiency typically decreases as volume increases c) Volume and efficiency are unrelated d) Low-volume scorers are always inefficient

Question 6 (True/False)

The three-point line was introduced to the NBA in the 1979-80 season.

Section B: Rebounds (Questions 7-11)

Question 7 (Multiple Choice)

Offensive rebounds are generally considered more valuable than defensive rebounds because:

a) They are worth more points b) They prevent the expected change of possession c) They are easier to obtain d) They count more in rebounding statistics

Question 8 (Calculation)

A center plays 32 minutes in a game where his team played 240 total minutes. Team rebounds were 52 (14 OREB, 38 DREB). Opponent rebounds were 46 (8 OREB, 38 DREB). The center grabbed 4 OREB and 10 DREB.

Calculate the center's: a) Offensive Rebound Percentage (ORB%) b) Defensive Rebound Percentage (DRB%)

Question 9 (Short Answer)

Describe three skills that contribute to elite rebounding ability.

Question 10 (True/False)

The NBA began separating offensive and defensive rebounds in their official statistics starting in the 1973-74 season.

Question 11 (Multiple Choice)

Russell Westbrook's triple-double seasons benefited from which team strategy?

a) Teammates crashing the offensive glass b) Teammates allowing him to secure uncontested defensive rebounds c) Playing at an extremely slow pace d) High isolation play volume

Section C: Assists and Playmaking (Questions 12-15)

Question 12 (Multiple Choice)

The "home cooking" phenomenon in assist statistics refers to:

a) Better passing at home b) Scorer bias favoring home teams c) Improved shooting at home d) Fatigue affecting road performance

Question 13 (Calculation)

A point guard has 742 assists and 184 turnovers for the season. Calculate the assist-to-turnover ratio.

Question 14 (Short Answer)

Explain why raw assist totals may not accurately reflect a player's playmaking ability. Provide at least two limitations of the assist statistic.

Question 15 (True/False)

John Stockton holds the NBA record for career assists with over 15,000.

Section D: Steals and Blocks (Questions 16-19)

Question 16 (Multiple Choice)

Which of the following is NOT a limitation of using steals to evaluate defensive ability?

a) Players who gamble may leave their team vulnerable b) Position bias affects steal opportunities c) Steals directly measure overall defensive value d) System dependence affects steal totals

Question 17 (Calculation)

Calculate Block Percentage (BLK%) for a player with: - 2.8 blocks per game - 30 minutes per game - Team minutes: 240 - Opponent 2-point attempts: 44 per game

Use the formula: BLK% = 100 * BLK * (Tm MP / 5) / (MP * Opp 2PA)

Question 18 (True/False)

Steals and blocks were officially tracked by the NBA beginning in the 1973-74 season.

Question 19 (Short Answer)

Why might a player with high steal totals actually hurt their team's defense? Explain the concept of "gambling" for steals.

Section E: Turnovers (Questions 20-21)

Question 20 (Multiple Choice)

LeBron James leads in career turnovers primarily because:

a) He is careless with the ball b) His playmaking role creates turnover opportunities c) He plays in a turnover-prone system d) He never improved his ball-handling

Question 21 (Short Answer)

Explain the difference between live-ball and dead-ball turnovers and why this distinction matters for analysis.

Section F: Minutes and Context (Questions 22-25)

Question 22 (Calculation)

A player averages 18.5 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 4.1 assists in 28.5 minutes per game. Calculate their per-36 minute statistics for all three categories.

Question 23 (Multiple Choice)

Per-36 minute statistics have which limitation?

a) They cannot be calculated for all players b) Small sample sizes for low-minute players create volatility c) They overvalue defensive players d) They are only valid for post players

Question 24 (True/False)

In the 1961-62 season, Wilt Chamberlain averaged 48.5 minutes per game, meaning he played virtually every minute of every game including overtimes.

Question 25 (Short Answer)

Explain why box score statistics cannot fully capture a player's defensive value. Provide at least three aspects of defense that are not reflected in traditional box scores.

Answer Key

Section A: Points and Scoring

Question 1: c) Points = 2(2PM) + 3(3PM) + FTM

Question 2: a) Two-point FGM = 8 - 3 = 5; Points = 2(5) + 3(3) + 5 = 10 + 9 + 5 = 24 points b) 5 two-point field goals made c) FG% = 8/15 = 53.3%

Question 3: False. Many scoring leaders played on losing teams (e.g., Allen Iverson 2005-06, Tracy McGrady 2002-03). High-volume scoring sometimes comes at the expense of team basketball.

Question 4: Sample answer: (1) Pace differences - 1960s teams played at much faster pace (130+ possessions) compared to modern era (~100 possessions), creating more scoring opportunities. (2) Three-point line - did not exist before 1979-80, fundamentally changing point distribution. (3) Rule changes affecting defensive physicality and freedom of movement.

Question 5: b) Efficiency typically decreases as volume increases

Question 6: True

Section B: Rebounds

Question 7: b) They prevent the expected change of possession

Question 8: a) ORB% = 100 * (4 * (240/5)) / (32 * (14 + 38)) = 100 * (4 * 48) / (32 * 52) = 100 * 192 / 1664 = 11.5% b) DRB% = 100 * (10 * (240/5)) / (32 * (38 + 8)) = 100 * (10 * 48) / (32 * 46) = 100 * 480 / 1472 = 32.6%

Question 9: Sample answer: (1) Positioning - anticipating shot trajectory and establishing position before the ball arrives. (2) Boxing out - using body position to create space between opponent and basket. (3) Timing - jumping at the optimal moment to secure the ball at its highest point. (4) Strength - maintaining position against opposing players. (5) Ball-handling - securing the rebound against potential strips.

Question 10: True

Question 11: b) Teammates allowing him to secure uncontested defensive rebounds

Section C: Assists and Playmaking

Question 12: b) Scorer bias favoring home teams

Question 13: AST/TO = 742 / 184 = 4.03

Question 14: Sample answer: (1) Subjectivity - different scorekeepers apply different standards for what constitutes a direct contribution to a basket. (2) Shot-making dependence - a perfect pass that leads to a missed shot receives no assist credit. (3) System dependence - some offensive systems generate more assist opportunities than others.

Question 15: True (15,806 career assists)

Section D: Steals and Blocks

Question 16: c) Steals directly measure overall defensive value (This is FALSE - it's a limitation that steals do NOT directly measure overall defensive value)

Question 17: BLK% = 100 * 2.8 * (240/5) / (30 * 44) = 100 * 2.8 * 48 / 1320 = 100 * 134.4 / 1320 = 10.2%

Question 18: True

Question 19: Sample answer: Players who gamble for steals leave their defensive position, creating openings for the offense when the steal attempt fails. A player might generate 2 extra steals per game while also giving up 4 additional open shots due to being out of position. The steals show up in the box score, but the defensive breakdowns do not, potentially making a net-negative defender appear valuable.

Section E: Turnovers

Question 20: b) His playmaking role creates turnover opportunities

Question 21: Sample answer: Live-ball turnovers (steals, interceptions) immediately give the opponent possession and often lead to fast-break opportunities, making them more costly. Dead-ball turnovers (traveling, violations, offensive fouls) stop play and allow the defense to set up, reducing immediate damage. Distinguishing between them helps evaluate the actual cost of turnovers and the context in which they occur.

Section F: Minutes and Context

Question 22: - Points per 36: (18.5 / 28.5) * 36 = 23.4 PPG - Rebounds per 36: (6.2 / 28.5) * 36 = 7.8 RPG - Assists per 36: (4.1 / 28.5) * 36 = 5.2 APG

Question 23: b) Small sample sizes for low-minute players create volatility

Question 24: True

Question 25: Sample answer: (1) Off-ball defense - positioning, communication, and help defense leave no statistical trace. (2) Contesting shots without blocking - altering shot trajectory and forcing misses is not recorded. (3) Defensive positioning - directing opponents away from efficient shots has no box score representation. (4) Communication - organizing teammates and calling out screens is unmeasured. (5) Boxing out - allowing teammates to grab rebounds provides invisible value.

Scoring

Grade Scale: - A: 61-68 points (90%+) - B: 54-60 points (80-89%) - C: 47-53 points (70-79%) - D: 41-46 points (60-69%) - F: Below 41 points