Observe the following play. It's very important that you pay attention to the details as some of the choices have only a minor difference. Decide which one seems most accurate, appropriate and fair. Consider both the accuracy in grading method as well as the simplicity and practicality of both tracking and presenting the results. You can pick two, one for accuracy and one for practicality if you'd like.
How should the responsibility of the 2 points allowed be distributed?
Which one of the following explanations and grading methods seems most accurate and appropriate?
a) Amare allowed 2 points and should take full responsibility for the points allowed. Because the offensive screen was set properly, Lin was blocked, and Amare became Parker's defender. Defensive roles switched. Melo and Fields could not prevent Parker from scoring. No one else bears any responsibility because once he failed to pick up Parker, nobody else could prevent the score from happening.
b) Lin, Amare, Melo and Fields each allowed 0.25 of the total 2 points because they were all equally responsible defending the play. It's all one defensive play. Lin and Amare equally failed in defending the screen, while Melo and Fields equally failed in defending the basket so they should all share the responsibility in points allowed. Since it was Lin's initial man that scored, he should also share the responsibility of the points allowed.
c) There are 3 separate events. Melo and Fields should split the points allowed, each allowing 1 point, because they were the last defenders at the basket and the ultimate responsibility falls on them. Amare should be credited with 1 "allowed blow by" for failing to pick up Parker, which was the second event. Amare and Lin equally failed to defend the screen, the first event. Amare's allowed "blow by" should be tracked separate but he should not be held responsible for any points allowed because there were still 2 defenders that had a chance to prevent the score. Lin and Amare should share responsibility in failing to defend the screen and this should also be tracked.
Example stat line:
Melo: 1 Point Allowed
Fields: 1 Point Allowed
Amare: 1 "blow-by" Allowed
Lin: 0 Points Allowed 0 "blow-bys" Allowed.
d) Same as above but Amare and Lin should share the allowed "blow by" , and each be credited with half for failing to pick up Parker.
Example stat line:
Melo: 1 Point Allowed
Fields: 1 Point Allowed
Amare: 0.5 "blow-bys" Allowed
e) Amare, Melo, Fields each allowed 1/3rd or 0.67 of the 2 points. Amare also allowed a "blow by" which should be counted and tracked separate in addition to sharing 1/3rd of the responsibility of the points allowed. Nothing should be tracked for Lin.
f) Amare, Melo, Fields each allowed 1/3rd or 0.67 of the 2 points. Because Amare is sharing the responsibility of the points allowed, a "blow by" should no longer be counted against him. Nothings should be tracked for Lin.
g) Amare is responsible for 1 point while Melo and Fields should each be held responsible for 0.5 points. After the screen was set, Amare was in the best position to prevent Parker from scoring and should share at least half the responsibility for the points allowed. Amare should also be credited with a "blow by".
g) Other. If you don't like any of the above grading methods/explanations OR want to change something, please explain.
PS: I chose not to do a poll because I only want responses from people that actually take the time to think this through. And please don't berate anyone that might pick an answer you feel is completely ridiculous. I'd love to hear everyone's point of view.
