For the better part of the last decade, the NBA has been in a full-court sprint toward offensive efficiency. Teams spaced the floor, ditched the mid-range, and leaned hard into threes and shots at the rim.
The payoff? A league-wide jump in finishing at the rim - from 60% in 2016 to 67% in 2026.
But with everyone playing the same math game, the edge that once came from shot selection is starting to flatten out.
So now the question isn’t just what shots you take - it’s how many chances you get to take them.
We’re entering a new phase of basketball strategy, one where the possession battle is becoming the next frontier. It’s not just about efficiency anymore.
It’s about volume. Who can create more cracks in the game to squeeze out extra possessions?
That’s where teams are starting to separate themselves.
Possessions: The New Currency of Winning
We’ve seen the shift coming. A few weeks back, we broke down how the Celtics have leaned into offensive rebounding and turnover creation to stay among the league’s elite. The math is simple: more possessions mean more opportunities to score - and more margin for error.
But identifying which players actually swing that possession battle? That takes a deeper dive. Using a custom-built metric that tracks possessions gained or saved when a player is on the floor, we now have a clearer view of who’s doing the dirty work that drives winning.
And one name near the top of that list might surprise you: Celtics rookie Hugo Gonzalez.
Hugo Gonzalez: The Possession Magnet
Among all NBA players with at least 500 minutes logged this season, Gonzalez ranks second in total possessions added. Only Yves Missi ranks higher. That puts Gonzalez ahead of some serious company - elite offensive rebounders like Mitchell Robinson and Moussa Diabaté, and defensive playmakers like Alex Caruso and Marcus Smart.
That’s not just impressive. That’s game-changing.
And it’s not a fluke. The correlation between total possessions added and Net Rating has only grown stronger year over year.
In 2024-25, the correlation sat at 0.476. This season, it’s jumped to 0.558.
Translation: if you’re helping your team win the possession battle, you’re almost certainly helping them win games.
Gonzalez has quickly become the Celtics’ new engine in that category - the kind of player who doesn’t need the ball in his hands to make a massive impact.
Boston’s Blue-Collar Backbone
Last season, Luke Kornet was Boston’s go-to guy when it came to generating extra possessions. This year, Gonzalez has taken the baton.
But he’s not alone. Luka Garza and Neemias Queta have also emerged as key contributors in this area.
Garza’s value shows up on the offensive glass. He’s a space-eater who creates second-chance opportunities just by being relentless. Queta, on the other hand, tilts the possession scale with his defense - boxing out, cleaning up the glass, and helping force turnovers when he’s on the floor.
Then there are the guards. Derrick White and Anfernee Simons both have a positive impact on Boston’s possession math.
White, in particular, is a Swiss Army knife - he pressures the offensive glass, protects the ball, and makes life miserable for opposing ball handlers. Simons brings a similar energy, helping force turnovers and disrupt rhythm on the perimeter.
All of these contributions add up. They don’t always show up in the box score, but they show up where it matters - in the win column.
The Trade-Off With Star Power
Of course, not every Celtic grades out as a possession-winner. Jaylen Brown and Payton Pritchard, for example, land on the other end of the spectrum.
When they’re on the court, Boston creates fewer turnovers and struggles a bit more on the defensive glass. Offensively, there’s also less pressure on the boards.
But this isn’t a knock on effort - it’s a reflection of role. Brown and Pritchard carry significant offensive loads, and with that responsibility comes a natural trade-off.
You can’t be everywhere at once. Still, it’s worth noting that Boston’s Net Rating has been higher when those two are off the floor - a reminder that even stars need support from the grinders around them.
Nikola Vucevic: A Mixed Bag in Chicago
As for Nikola Vucevic, now with the Bulls, his possession impact has been a little more complicated. Offensively, he hasn’t moved the needle much in terms of rebounding. Defensively, Chicago’s ability to generate turnovers and get out in transition has dipped with him on the floor.
That said, Vucevic has been a rock on the defensive glass - an area where Boston has occasionally struggled. So while he may not swing the possession battle in the same way as Boston’s current core, his strengths could still fill a gap if needed.
Winning the Margins
What this all comes down to is a shift in how we evaluate impact. It’s not just about points, assists, or even efficiency anymore. It’s about margins - the small, often-overlooked plays that stack up over 48 minutes.
Hugo Gonzalez is proving to be one of those rare rookies who excels in the margins. And in a league where the difference between good and great can come down to a handful of possessions, players like him are becoming invaluable.
Boston’s identity is built around stars, but its sustainability - its ability to win night after night - is powered by players who grind out extra chances. Whether it’s Kornet last year, Garza and Queta this year, or White and Simons in the backcourt, the Celtics are showing that the path to contention isn’t just paved with talent. It’s paved with effort, timing, and a relentless pursuit of the next possession.
As the season unfolds, keep an eye on the guys who don’t get the headlines but win the moments in between. Because in today’s NBA, winning the possession battle might just be the next great cheat code.