Paris Basketball: A Tale of Two Halves
How the rookie team is making waves in EuroLeague.
Paris Basketball's inaugural Euroleague season has been nothing short of impressive, opening with a 7-3 record. They currently boast the 6th best offensive rating and 3rd best defensive rating in the league.
Let's take a deep dive into how Paris has managed such a remarkable debut in Europe's top-tier competition.
1. Efficiency Landscape
Paris Basketball has the 5th in Net rating, thanks to their exceptional balance—3rd in defense and 6th in offense.
2. Offensive Analysis
Paris Basketball’s offense has been explosive, holding a solid 115.2 offensive rating (points per 100 possessions). What sets them apart is their ability to combine high efficiency with pace, clocking in at the third-fastest team in the league in term of pace (number of possessions by 40 minutes).
2.1 Shot Selection & Efficiency
The team combines elements of a modern "Moreyball" approach—prioritizing shots at the rim and three-pointers—with a strategic use of the mid-range game.
A quick glance at the shot chart shows a balanced distribution, with a high volume of attempts in the paint and from beyond the arc, while still utilizing the mid-range for specific situations and matchups. This versatility adds depth to their offensive arsenal.
They rank 5th in the league in three-point attempt rate (3PAr) at .431, underscoring their commitment to modern shot selection.
2.2 Team Offensive Playtype
Paris Basketball excels in Catch-and-shoot situations, attempting 13.7 such shots per game with an impressive 1.21 points per possession (PPP).
2.3 Pushing the Tempo
Paris Basketball play fast - not a surprise. They’re averaging 14.01 seconds by play, the fastest in the league. When the opponent turnovers the ball, this timedrops to 11.53 seconds, showcasting their ability to capitalize on mistakes.
Additionally, Paris maximizes possessions, turning the ball over on only 14% of their trips, meaning 86% of their possessions end in a shot attempt or a drawn foul.
2.4-TJ Shorts: The engine of Paris’ Offense
At the heart of this offensive firepower is TJ Shorts, whose leadership has earned praise from Head Coach Tiago Splitter::
"TJ is a point guard who sees the game, he's a leader. In my career as a center, I had a lot of contact with point guards. I played with Prigioni, Huertas, Ginobili, and Parker. All those people understand the game very well. I think it's very important to have that connection between the center and the point guard. And I think I have that with TJ. He's a guy who listens to me, he's a leader, who has points, who has passing and is a born competitor."
When TJ is on the floor, Paris’ Net Rating climbs to +7.4, showcasing his impact on both ends of the court. In the following shot chart, we can see his ability to convert points from mid-range in front of the hoop with a 51% success rate.
2.5 The X-Factor: Yakuba Ouattara and Mikael Jantunen
While TJ Shorts steals much of the spotlight, Ythe partnership of Yakuba Ouattara and Mikael Jantunen has been crucial to Paris' success on both ends of the floor. When both players share the court, Paris’ Net Rating skyrockets to +11.4, a staggering improvement compared to when they are not together.
Their defensive impact is undeniable, as the team’s Defensive Rating drops to 102.4, ranking among the league's best. They also dominate the boards: Paris grabs an impressive 39.9% of offensive rebounds and 68% of defensive rebounds when Ouattara and Jantunen are on the floor. This duo doesn’t just add balance—they elevate Paris Basketball's overall game.
2.6 Spotlight: Nadir Hifi and Mikael Jantunen
Nadir Hifi has been a revelation, creating space and driving into the paint with precision. His shot chart highlights his volume from 3-point range but also a great % rate attacking the basket.
Mikael Jantunen provides balance. His shot chart reveals a high conversion rate around the rim and solid consistency in 3-point range scenarios, making him a versatile offensive weapon.
3. Defensive Breakdown
Despite their NBA-style, high-octane offense, Paris Basketball hasn’t compromised on defense.
They allow an effective field goal percentage (eFG%) of just .508 and force turnovers on 18.3% of opponents' possessions, ranking 4th in the league.
Paris employs a full-court press from the jump, coupled with aggressive pick-and-roll defense, allowing just 0.65 points per possession (PPP)—the second-best defense in the Euroleague, trailing only Anadolu Efes (0.62 PPP). For context, the league average is 0.80 PPP.
They are relentless in forcing turnovers, with 18.3% of opponents' possessions ending in giveaways, ranking them 4th in the league for opponent turnover percentage. This defensive pressure not only disrupts the rhythm of rival teams but also fuels Paris' transition game.
A Continuation of Dominance
These impressive numbers are no fluke for Paris Basketball. Last season, they dominated the EuroCup with the best offensive rating (126.0), the second-best defensive rating (103.5), and led the league in forced turnovers (14.2 per game). Despite a change in coaching staff and facing tougher competition in the Euroleague, Paris has managed to retain its identity, consistently staying in playoff contention in one of the toughest leagues in the world.
How far can this team go? The stats are promising, but only time will tell if Paris Basketball can maintain this momentum in their Euroleague journey.