NBA to Track, Release 'Hustle Stats' for 1st Time During 2016 Playoffs

The NBA is set to dive even deeper into the world of statistical analysis, as it was announced Friday that "hustle stats" will be tracked and released for the first time during the 2016 playoffs.

According to ESPN.com's Zach Lowe, the league will record statistics such as contested shots, defensive deflections, charges taken, loose balls recovered and screen assists.

Per Lowe, NBA Senior Vice President of Basketball Strategy and Analytics Evan Wasch helped spearhead the project after the tracking of similar stats was praised during the Las Vegas Summer League: "We decided to take this to the next level. ... It's another way for us to engage fans."

ESPN's Fran Fraschilla is excited about the addition, but he added:

Of course, you'd still expect players logging major minutes to lead the way in these new stats, just as they would in more traditional stats like scoring, rebounding, assisting, etc.

But will a player like the Houston Rockets' James Harden, often the butt of jokes regarding his lack of hustle on defense, log hustle stats commensurate with his playing time? He did average 38.1 minutes per game in the regular season, after all.

Will grind-and-grind favorite Tony Allen, 34, be able to put up big-time hustle stats on a depleted Memphis Grizzlies team? Will some previously under-the-radar option, like the Boston Celtics' Avery Bradley or the Cleveland Cavaliers' Matthew Dellavedova, emerge?

We'll find out starting Saturday, but sound off in the comments below with early front-runners.

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