While he may not be a household name outside of the NBL circles, Melbourne United’s Josh Boon is quietly putting up huge numbers in NBL.
The NBA big-man turned journeyman has found a basketball home in Melbourne since joining the NBL last season. “I really enjoyed my time last year. It’s one of my favourite places I’ve ever played in my professional career,” Boone said upon re-signing with United in the offseason. Most expected Boone to sign elsewhere this season, so it was a bonus when he returned.
Boone is somewhat in the shadows of Melbourne United’s other high-profile imports, Casey Prather, and Casper Ware. Boone is currently averaging 13 points and nine rebounds a game. Although, it is the advanced statistics that tell the true tale of Boone’s impact.
In a star-studded lineup, Josh Boone’s success is often overlooked.
Boone’s advanced impact
Melbourne United have a significantly better offensive and defensive rating when Boone in playing. Offensive and defensive ratings are based on how many points a team scores in one hundred possessions. Between Boone’s offensive and defensive rating there is a differential of 13.9 points. Meaning that for every one-hundred possessions Boone plays, Melbourne outscores their opponents by nearly 14 points. In a sport that is often decided by the final shot, that is insanely good, better than both Prather and Ware
The one PER-centre
Individually, Boone’s advanced statistics also impress. The ex-New Jersey Net currently leads the NBL in Player Efficiency Rating (PER).
“PER is The player efficiency rating is a rating of a player’s per-minute productivity…..What PER can do, however, is summarise a player’s statistical accomplishments in a single number”.- ESPN
In layman’s terms, Per is a one-number statistic that summarises a players impact on the court. An average player’s PER is 15. Josh Boone’s PER is 22.9%. Yes, that is very, very good.
Boone gets to his 22.9% in a few ways. For starters, his rebound rate is incredible. Not only does Boone lead the league with over nine rebounds a match, but he collects a massive 23.7% of total rebounds when he is on the floor. Furthermore, of his nine boards a game, nearly five of them are on the offensive end. These offensive rebounds give United valuable second-chance opportunities to score.
Efficient offence
In addition to his rebounding, Boone makes the most of his limited offensive game and plays within himself. In a world of stretching the floor and everybody shooting threes like they’re Steph Curry, Boone is a throwback. The Melbourne big does all of his work down low and is bloody good at it, shooting 60% from the field. The only criticism of his offence is his free-throw shooting, which is comical at times. However, the rest of his offensive game is making up for it so far.
The long and short of it is simple. Melbourne United are a better basketball team when Josh Boone is on the court. His stellar rebounding and efficient shooting help contribute to the side outscoring opponents significantly when he is on the court.
A Melbourne based sports reporter and bad joke enthusiast. My interest in the NBA started with the NBA JAM Session board game, and blossomed with a computer copy NBA Live 99. This all goes part way to explain my irrational love of Antonie Walker, Tom Gugliotta, and the Minnesota Timberwolves.
