What Does GB Mean in Basketball?

GB is a statistical category in basketball that represents team standings. It effectively translates as "Games Behind." This refers to win/loss records of each team relative to the win/loss record of the leading team. The higher the GB figure, the worse the team is performing.

  1. Statistical Representation

    • The division leader has the most wins and fewest losses of any other team. The leader always has a GB represented by --, which means the team is zero games behind. A team with fewer wins and more losses may have GB figure of 6, which means it is six games behind.

    Considerations

    • If two teams have an equal number of wins but different numbers of losses or vice versa, then statisticians use half-game stats in the GB category. So, if division-leading Team A has 10 wins and three losses and Team B has 10 wins and four losses, Team B is a half-game behind Team A represented by GB: 1/2.

    Types

    • Statisticians keep GB statistics for each division and conference in a league. A team may be leading in its division, but GB: 3 in the conference.

    Significance

    • Games-behind statistics are important for determining postseason tournament participants and schedules for championship games.