engleski

Difference of Offensive Structure Between European and American Top-level Basketball

The aim of this study was to determine if there were any structural differences in relation to offensive style of play between European and NBA basketball. The focus of the study was on types of offenses, their distribution, efficiency, and finishing actions. The sample was collected by analyzing 30 games of high qualitative rank of the European and American competition during the 2017-18 season. 15 European (11 Euroleague playoff games, 3 EuroCup semifinals and finals, 1 Champions League final) and 15 NBA playoff games were analyzed using video analysis software. The games involved 14 different European teams and 16 NBA teams. A total of 5027 possessions were categorized into 4 types of basic offense and 11 types of finishing actions using notational analysis. The analysis was performed using Sideline Sports - XPS Video Analyzer, where the following findings stand out: a) The results of the Chi2-test confirmed a statistically significant difference in the distribution of basic types of offenses between European and NBA basketball ; b) European basketball had significantly more finishing actions of pick and roll and post up, whereas in the NBA 1v1 face to the basket occurred significantly more ; c) No statistical significant difference in efficiency, except that pick and roll is executed for significantly higher points per possession in European basketball. The main conclusions of this study reveal differences in the basic offensive structure, regarding transition, early offense, set plays, and other offenses. Additionally, differences were found in the preference of the use of finishing actions in the two styles of play. European basketball is based more on set plays and control with significantly more use of pick and roll. American basketball relies significantly more on transition and early offense with significantly more use of one-on-one situations facing the basket. The study can help understand the nature of differences between two analyzed models of professional basketball and to establish specific structures that can be interpreted and evaluated constructively and used practicably and prospectively in coaching and other professional practices related to basketball.

performance analysis, NBA, euroleague, offense, finishing action

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