Defense

[Jimcs50]

Notice Dallas being second in Opp. FG% yet 9th in points allowed. It means that they are allowing a lot more shots off than the Spurs.

Their opp. score almost 9 more ppg than the Spurs opp. Is this due to a faster pace or poor rebounding?

That is because they are shooting more shots than the Spurs, because they play an up tempo game. Opponent shooting % is a much better indicator for how a defense is playing than opp pts/game.

[Nikos]

Opponent shooting % is a much better indicator for how a defense is playing than opp pts/game.

I will go even further and say defensive efficiency (opponents offensive efficiency) is the best indicator because it factors FT attemps, turnovers, and efficiency PER possesion, not just field goal attempts.

[Solid D]

Nikos, the site is certainly interesting and provides some additional ratios. I'll bookmark it.

The defensive efficiencies are still weighted by Opp. FG%, points & assists differentials...just more detail to arrive at basically the same conclusions.

I believe the Spurs and Pistons will defend the perimeter better the further they get into the season and the more second nature their rules of defense become for the new guys.

[Nikos]

Nikos, the site is certainly interesting and provides some additional ratios. I'll bookmark it.

The defensive efficiencies are still weighted by Opp. FG%, points & assists differentials...just more detail to arrive at basically the same conclusions.

I believe the Spurs and Pistons will defend the perimeter better the further they get into the season and the more second nature their rules of defense become for the new guys.

There is another site I refer to at the end of the season that uses Def Efficiency method. Maybe this one isn't what I thought it was supposed to be exactly, but in general this type of concept DOES include FTA's and Turnovers not just weighting FG% Opp and and Assists etc....

You did not mention opponents team FTA per game relative to possesions/shots nor turnovers etc...

Sometimes those little things can mean the difference between being the 4th best O or D, to actually being 1st or 2nd.

[Solid D]

Yes, actually some useful catagories might be "empty trips" and pts. per trip (possession) - both offensive and defensive for each.