As you look through my Position-Adjusted Classification system, you may have some questions.  How does it all work?  What numbers do you use?  How is the classification calculated?  How dare you call my favorite player that?  This guide is here to help.

First of all, let’s explain what PAC is.  It is a player classification system that uses four advanced statistics to divide players into 48 different categories.  The statistics I use are: Pure Point Rating (explanation here: Link), jump shot percentage, free throw attempts divided by field goal attempts, and Rebound Rate.  Pure Point Rating basically compares a player’s assists to turnovers, but in a more accurate and complex way than you’re probably used to.  Jump shot percentage is the amount of shots a player takes that are taken from the perimeter (not necessarily three-pointers).  Rebound Rate is the percentage of rebounds a player gathers while he is on the floor.

Once I have those numbers for every player, I adjust them for position.  Then, using a formula I have developed, I determine if a player is especially strong or weak in each of those categories.  Each combination gets a different classification, for a total of 16 combinations.  The names of the combinations are:

All-Around
Perimeter Scorer
Perimeter Player Who Can Rebound
Ball-Handler with Range
Skilled and Strong
Inside Scoring Ball-Handler
Rebounder With Skill
Ball-Handler
Scorer Who Can Rebound
Scorer
Rebounder With Range
Outside Shooter
Strong
Inside Scorer
Rebounder
Neutral

I won’t get into explaining which combination leads to each category, but I’ve tried to make them as self-explanatory as possible.  When in doubt, check other players that qualify for that same category to get a list of similar players (if you’re wondering, there’s only one All-Around player and that’s Kobe Bryant). 

The 16 categories turn into 48 when I add Usage Rate, a number that measures how many of a team’s possessions that a player uses.  Each player can have a high, medium, or low usage rate.

Player names, positions, and free throw rates were obtained from DougStats.com.  I obtained the Pure Point Rating, Rebound Rate, and Usage Rate data from the KnickerBlogger.net stats page.  Jump shot percentages were obtained from 82games.com.

THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND:

• PAC is based on position.  Chris Paul may not seem that strong, but for a point guard he is.
• The numbers are based on this current season.  Therefore it’s not a full 82 games worth of a sample size, so things could change as the season progresses.
• PAC reflects a player’s style, not quality, of play.  Just because two players fit under the same category doesn’t mean they’re of equal ability.  In fact, the two usually have nothing to do with each other.
• This is still a work in progress.  It’s my first go at this, so there may be some minor flaws.  If you have any suggestions, e-mail me at [email protected]. 

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