The Numbers Behind Transition, Three-Point Runners, and the Pacers' Defensive Turnaround

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Welcome to the NBA Librarian Weekly, where we curate and summarize the best NBA content of the week.

<1000 words each week. I consume so you don’t have to.

In Today's Edition:

1. Coast to Coast: Buckets and Dimes Edition

2. Is the Running Jumper the New Stepback?

3. Suns and Sixers Have Problems Beyond Injuries

4. The Pacers Defensive Turnaround

5. The Numbers Behind the Cavs Historic Start

Coast to Coast: Buckets and Dimes Edition

Fun coast-to-coast stats here:

• Buckets: Giannis leads the pack with 24 coast-to-coast buckets (grabs a rebound and scores within 5 seconds), followed by Jalen Green (14) and Shaedon Sharpe (12). Two Rockets on this list.

• Dimes: LeBron is the king of transition assists with 22 coast-to-coast dimes, edging out Jokic (19) and Cade Cunningham (17).

Is the Running Jumper the New Stepback?

Everyone knows three-point shooting is at an all-time high, and if you're reading this, you probably know the Celtics are smashing records with 50 three-point attempts per game. But what's less talked about is how these shots are opening up the floor—layup efficiency has jumped from 58% in 2004 to 67% in 2023, while short mid-range efficiency has climbed from 37% to 44%. The threat of the three-pointer is forcing defenses to stretch thin, creating easier opportunities near the rim and fundamentally reshaping how the game is played.

In response, individual players are rewriting the playbook.

The "no-dip" three, where shooters skip the downward motion for faster releases, is now a staple, while Steph Curry-inspired deep threes continue to expand the floor. And then there’s Trae Young, pioneering the floater three—a hybrid shot that doubles as a jump-pass, putting defenses in impossible situations. LaMelo is routinely taking one-legged threes, Wembanyama recently has been taking runners from three as well.

Even pull-up threes, once a rarity, have doubled in usage over the past decade, becoming a go-to weapon for stars like Jayson Tatum. As hybrid zones and defensive schemes try to adapt, offenses keep evolving, proving that basketball’s creative revolution is still far from its peak.

Suns and Sixers Have Problems Beyond Injuries

Some good stats behind the struggles of the Suns and Sixers

• The Embiid-Maxey-George trio has been underwhelming in their limited time together (192 minutes). They've managed a +6.26 net rating with a 110.3 offensive rating, which, while decent, isn't what you'd expect from a "big three." To put it into perspective, this trio ranks 243rd out of 545 three-man lineups with at least 190 minutes—far from dominant.

• Meanwhile, the Suns' struggles are becoming harder to ignore. Since Kevin Durant returned on December 13th, Phoenix has gone just 4-8 with a -4.8 net rating. For the season, their net rating remains nearly identical whether Durant plays or not (-2.16 vs. -2.28).

• Their starting lineup of Durant, Booker, Beal, Nurkic, and Jones has fared even worse, posting a -18.25 net rating in 119 minutes with a 126.3 defensive rating. These inefficiencies have forced Phoenix to shake things up, moving Beal and Nurkic to the bench in an attempt to find better balance.

The Pacers Defensive Turnaround

The Pacers have turned their season around with a dramatic improvement on defense, going 9-3 in their last 12 games after a four-day break during the NBA Cup.

Key to this transformation is Andrew Nembhard, whose return to the lineup has solidified their point-of-attack defense. With Nembhard on the floor, the Pacers allow just 100.8 points per 100 possessions, compared to 119.7 points per 100 possessions without him—a massive swing from elite to bottom-tier defense. Myles Turner has also been huge too, reducing opponent shots at the rim from 31.4% to 26.5% when he’s on the floor, while continuing to deter attempts with a defensive field goal percentage of ~55%.

Additionally, improved turnover management has stiffened their defense, with Tyrese Haliburton committing just one turnover in a stretch of 277 passes and 24 minutes of possession over 4 games. The Pacers have also leaned into peel-switching and help rotations, with Pascal Siakam’s size and instincts enhancing their defensive schemes. While some of their success comes from opponent shooting variance, the team’s renewed effort and energy, combined with smarter rotations, have elevated them to 17th in defensive rating, a jump from 24th earlier this season.

The question now is whether they can sustain this form and address lingering issues like rebounding and depth?

The Numbers Behind the Cavs Historic Start

The Cavs are 32-4, the fifth-best start in NBA history, driven by a perfect mix of elite offense, role player contributions, dominant post play, and defensive versatility.

Cleveland’s second-best offensive rating ever is fueled by their league-leading effective field goal percentage (eFG%). Role players like Georges Niang (10 threes/100 possessions, 39%), Sam Merrill (13 threes/100 possessions, 35%), and Isaac Okoro (49% from deep) space the floor for Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland to create high-percentage looks. Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen, both in the top 10 for dunks, pair Allen’s second-ranked field goal percentage with Mobley’s length and footwork to dominate inside, balancing Cleveland’s historic three-point shooting with unmatched interior efficiency.

On defense, Cleveland ranks in the top 10, anchored by Defensive Player of the Year candidate Evan Mobley, who averages 10+ defensive rebounds, 2 blocks, and 1.5 steals per 100 possessions while holding opponents to elite efficiency at the rim. Dean Wade, an unsung hero, adds critical defensive IQ with his ability to box out opponents effectively—sacrificing stats for the team by creating opportunities for others to grab rebounds. His 16.3 OnCourt rating, better than stars like Jokić or Tatum, highlights his impact. Caris LeVert has also been instrumental, contributing offensive versatility with 45% shooting from three and providing dribble penetration to fill gaps in the lineup.

With Mitchell and Garland orchestrating the offense and a deep, cohesive roster blending elite shooting, playmaking, and defense, Cleveland’s +31 net rating ranks among the best ever, solidifying them as a serious championship contender.

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