Need For Speed: Why the NBL is setting the pace worldwide

The pace of the NBL is one of the main reasons so many Americans are choosing to play in Australia as a stepping stone to the NBA.

In a special investigation conducted by CODE Sports, where they obtained pace of play data of some of the world's major leagues, research shows how favourable the NBL stacks up compared to the NBA and EuroLeague.

A team’s pace of play rating is measured on the number of possessions per game, while offensive and defensive ratings are determined by how a side uses those possessions in terms of points scored and conceded per 100 possessions.

Research shows the Tasmania JackJumpers, statistically the NBL's slowest side, would sit second, only behind Paris Basketball, among all EuroLeague teams.

Whereas in the NBA, once converted from 48 to 40 minutes, there are 10 teams who play with a pace under 100, including the competition's slowest, Houston.

The Rockets in fact play slower than all 10 NBL teams, while the NBA's fastest team, Miami, are only just ahead of Melbourne and Brisbane.

Not far behind is South East Melbourne, who coach Josh King said has made a concerted effort to play fast during the Hungry Jack's NBL26 season.

“I think it shows how offensively focused the league [NBL] is,” King told CODE Sports.

“Every league around the world wants to play with pace and create more possessions. Even college basketball this year in the states the focus is how can they generate more points.

“More possessions means more points, more highlights and more highlights is more content for fan engagement.”

Round 10 of the NBL26 season tips off on Wednesday when Adelaide hosts Illawarra, from 7.30pm AEDT, live on ESPN.

Read the full story here >> Revealed: Where the NBL stands in pace of play on the global hoops stage