Per-Minute Production: The Great Equalizer
Per-game stats inherently favor players who play more minutes. A player averaging 20 PPG in 28 MPG is arguably more productive than one averaging 24 PPG in 38 MPG. Per-minute analysis normalizes for playing time to reveal the purest production rates in the league.
Our Minute Efficiency metric goes beyond simple per-36 stats. We compute a weighted production score that accounts for all statistical categories, then add an efficiency bonus for players who shoot above league average. This creates a comprehensive per-minute production rating.
Caveats of Per-Minute Stats
Per-minute stats can be misleading for low-minute players. A player who dominates in 15 MPG against bench units might not sustain those rates over 35 MPG against starters. Our metric works best for players averaging 25+ MPG, where the sample is large enough to be meaningful.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is minute efficiency?
Minute Efficiency measures comprehensive production per minute played, normalized to a 36-minute baseline with an efficiency bonus. It reveals who produces the most in every minute they're on court.
How does per-36 work?
Per-36 multiplies a player's per-minute rate by 36. If a player averages 20 PPG in 30 MPG, their per-36 is 24.0 PPG. It answers: 'What would this player average playing 36 minutes?'
Are per-36 stats reliable?
For players averaging 25+ minutes, per-36 is quite reliable. For low-minute players, it can inflate stats because those minutes often come against weaker competition.
Why use weighted production instead of just PPG?
Points alone miss rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks. Our weighted production captures total impact per minute, not just scoring rate.