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Methodology · Reviewed October 20, 2026

How the Balladex Impact index is calculated

The Impact index is a single 0–99 number for an NBA player's two-way skill and proven pedigree. It is a Balladex model estimate, not an official statistic.

By Beau Thoutt · Used on Best NBA players right now, Head-to-head compare, NBA player pages

Inputs to the Balladex Impact index

  • Eight skill ratings on a 0–99 scale: Scoring, Playmaking, Perimeter D, Rim protection, Rebounding, Clutch, Athleticism and Spacing. These are Balladex's editorial characterizations of each player's role, not tracked data.
  • The player's listed honors (MVP, Finals MVP, championships, scoring titles, All-Defensive or DPOY, All-Star, All-NBA, All-Rookie or Rookie of the Year), counted with their multiplier where one is given ("4×").

How the Balladex Impact index is calculated

  1. Take a weighted average of the skill ratings. Weights: Scoring 1.3, Playmaking 1.1, Clutch 1.1, Perimeter D 1.0, Rim protection 0.9, Rebounding 0.8, Spacing 0.8, Athleticism 0.7.
  2. Add a pedigree bonus per honor: MVP 6, Finals MVP 4, championship 3, scoring title 2, All-Defensive or DPOY 1.5, All-Star 1.5, All-NBA 1, All-Rookie or Rookie of the Year 0.5. The bonus is capped at +14.
  3. Round and clamp the result to 1–99.
  4. Assign a tier: 90+ Superstar, 80+ All-Star level, 70+ Star starter, 58+ Solid starter, 48+ Rotation piece, below that Role player.
  5. The three highest ratings are shown as the player's drivers.

How the NFL Impact score works

NFL records carry no skill ratings, so football uses its own index (lib/nflVision.js nflImpact): the player's position-aware grades from his latest season — each a percentile against players at the same position — averaged, then multiplied by a position weight so an elite kicker does not outrank a very good quarterback. The same tier names apply. A player with no football season on record is unrated and shows no score.

Known limitations

  • The skill ratings are editorial judgments by Balladex. The scheduled data refresh does not recompute them from box scores, so they can trail a player's current form.
  • The pedigree bonus rewards career honors, so a decorated veteran keeps a high score after his production has dropped.
  • Honors are recognized by keyword. An accolade worded unusually in a player's record may not be counted.
  • The index is not an official statistic. Use it to compare players on Balladex, not as a substitute for league data.

Balladex Impact index: frequently asked questions

What is the Balladex Impact index?

A 0–99 Balladex model estimate of an NBA player's two-way skill and proven pedigree: a weighted average of eight skill ratings plus a capped bonus for MVPs, titles, All-NBA and other major honors. It is not an official statistic.

How is the Impact index calculated?

Eight skill ratings are averaged with weights that favor scoring (1.3), playmaking (1.1) and clutch (1.1). A pedigree bonus is added: 6 per MVP, 4 per Finals MVP, 3 per championship and smaller amounts for other honors, capped at +14. The result is clamped to 1–99.

How do NFL players get an Impact score?

Football has its own index: each player's position-aware grades from his latest season, as percentiles against the same position, averaged and multiplied by a position weight. It uses the same 0–99 scale and tier names. A player with no football season on record is unrated and shows no score.

What do the Impact tiers mean?

90 and up is Superstar, 80–89 All-Star level, 70–79 Star starter, 58–69 Solid starter, 48–57 Rotation piece, and below 48 Role player.

Other Balladex models

  • MVP odds — NBA and NFL MVP ladders: a production-based score per contender, turned into probabilities across the field.
  • Title and Super Bowl odds — NBA title odds from a team rating (last season, roster talent, this season) run through the bracket; Super Bowl odds from point differential.
  • Power rankings and team grades — Teams ordered by point differential, with an A–F grade from win percentage.
  • Fantasy projections — Forward-looking fantasy points, value over replacement, tiers and a model draft round for NFL and NBA.
  • Compare verdict — Head-to-head verdicts: who leads in more shared stat categories, and which pairs get a page.
  • NFL production index — A cross-position NFL rating: each player's production as a percentile of his position, curved to 20–99.
Source. Transcribed from lib/players.js (impactScore); lib/nflVision.js (nflImpact); lib/playerImpact.js; lib/starScore.js (award parsing) in the Balladex codebase. Found an error? Email hello@balladex.com. See the full methodology, including data sources and the corrections policy.