Brandon Roy or Arvydas Sabonis? The NBA Stat Breakdown

Few NBA comparisons generate more debate than Brandon Roy vs Arvydas Sabonis. The numbers reveal a genuinely competitive matchup — Brandon Roy takes 5 categories while Arvydas Sabonis claims 3, making this one of the closer head to head comparisons at the SG position. Every statistical category matters in a matchup this tight.

Arvydas Sabonis's Blocks Per Game of 1.1 compared to Brandon Roy's 0.2 represents a 450% advantage — dramatically better than their counterpart in this critical category. It is the single most decisive number in this comparison and the clearest statistical argument for Arvydas Sabonis's edge.

The most competitive category in this matchup is Free Throw %, where Brandon Roy posts 80% against Arvydas Sabonis's 78.6% — a gap of just 1.8%. Arvydas Sabonis can point to this as evidence that the overall comparison is closer than the final 5-3 tally suggests. In any debate, Free Throw % is the statistical ammunition for the Arvydas Sabonis side.

In NBA history, backcourt players are judged on their ability to create offense for themselves and teammates alike. Points per game captures scoring but assists and efficiency metrics reveal the complete offensive picture.

The verdict favors Brandon Roy — 5 categories to 3 — but Arvydas Sabonis makes this far from a one-sided debate. Anyone building the case for Arvydas Sabonis has real statistical ammunition particularly in Free Throw % where the gap narrows to just 1.8%. The numbers have spoken, but the argument will continue.