Valencia Basket: offensive efficiency and rebounding under Xavi Albert

The Valencia Basket faces the new season under the direction of Xavi Albert after the period of Pedro Martínez, and the initial numbers in the EuroLeague already reflect substantial differences in the taronja's gameplay. Although it is premature to draw definitive conclusions, the statistical comparison between both campaigns allows us to identify three fundamental axes that characterize the team's evolution in attack and defense.

Fewer attempts, greater perimeter effectiveness

One of the most significant changes occurs in the outside shooting. During the 2025-26 season, Pedro Martínez's Valencia Basket averaged 31.8 three-point attempts per game in the EuroLeague, with a success rate of 36.7%. At the start of the current season, the team led by Xavi Albert has reduced that figure to 25.5 attempts but has increased its effectiveness to 46.1%. This transformation is relevant: the taronja take 6.3 fewer three-pointers per game and, despite this, maintain virtually the same scoring production from the perimeter, with 11.7 three-pointers made per game in the previous era and 11.8 in the current one.

The overall efficiency of the shots also shows a notable improvement. The effective field goal percentage, which weighs the additional value of three-pointers, has risen from 56.2% to 58.2%, while the true shooting percentage, which also includes free throws, has increased from 59.1% to 62.3%. These figures point to a Valencia Basket that is more efficient in its finishes, although the extraordinary outside accuracy at the start of the season necessitates caution before validating these trends as established.

More productive attack and favorable balance in Net Rating

The second substantial difference appears in the advanced performance indicators. According to advanced rating data, the Valencia Basket has improved from an offensive rating of 106.3 points per 100 possessions in the 2025-26 season to 115.5 at the start of the 2026-27 season. This increase of more than 9 points reflects a significant improvement in offensive efficiency under the new project.

The Net Rating, which measures the difference between offensive and defensive efficiency, shows an even more remarkable evolution. The team has moved from a Net Rating of -4.6 to +6.9, a variation of 11.5 points that reflects a much more favorable balance between what the team produces in attack and what it concedes in defense. This transformation is fundamental to understanding the change in competitive dynamics.

Statistics per game also show progress, albeit more moderate. The average scoring has increased from 86.3 to 89 points, while the field goal percentage has risen from 47.7% to 49.8%. Turnovers have decreased from 12.2 to 11.5 per game, indicating greater care in possession. Assists, on the other hand, remain practically stable, with 21 per game in the previous season and 20.8 in the current one. The offensive improvement thus coincides with greater shooting effectiveness and fewer errors.

More efficient defense in rebounding, but less presence in rim protection

The third aspect that deserves special attention is defensive performance. The advanced rating data places the defensive rating of the Valencia Basket at 110.9 points conceded per 100 possessions during the 2025-26 season and at 108.6 at the beginning of the current one, indicating an improvement in overall defensive efficiency.

Defensive rebounds show a notable increase, rising from 24.7 to 27.3 per game. This figure is especially relevant, as it points to a greater ability to close out opposing possessions and control the paint, one of the key aspects to limit the opponent's second-chance opportunities.

However, not all defensive indicators evolve in the same direction. Blocks decrease from 3.2 to 2 per game, a reduction that suggests less statistical presence in rim protection. At the same time, the percentage of three-pointers allowed increases from 34.7% to 35.5%, indicating that the team is being more permissive from the perimeter. Steals also remain at similar figures, with 6.9 per game in 2025-26 and 6.5 in 2026-27. The team seems to improve in aspects of defensive efficiency and rebounding but loses statistical presence in rim protection, a change that might respond to tactical adjustments by the new coach.

Conclusions on the evolution of the taronja

The initial numbers of the 2026-27 season paint a Valencia Basket different from the previous campaign. The strategy of reducing triple attempts to increase outside effectiveness, combined with an improvement in offensive rating and a defensive evolution focused on controlling rebounds, suggests a more selective and efficient team in its gameplay decisions. The transformation of the Net Rating from negative to positive is particularly significant, although caution advises waiting for more games before validating these trends as definitive in European competition.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Valencia Basket: eficiencia ofensiva y rebote bajo Xavi Albert