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Exploring Game Performance in the National Basketball Association Using Player Tracking Data

Author

Listed:
  • Jaime Sampaio
  • Tim McGarry
  • Julio Calleja-González
  • Sergio Jiménez Sáiz
  • Xavi Schelling i del Alcázar
  • Mindaugas Balciunas

Abstract

Recent player tracking technology provides new information about basketball game performance. The aim of this study was to (i) compare the game performances of all-star and non all-star basketball players from the National Basketball Association (NBA), and (ii) describe the different basketball game performance profiles based on the different game roles. Archival data were obtained from all 2013-2014 regular season games (n = 1230). The variables analyzed included the points per game, minutes played and the game actions recorded by the player tracking system. To accomplish the first aim, the performance per minute of play was analyzed using a descriptive discriminant analysis to identify which variables best predict the all-star and non all-star playing categories. The all-star players showed slower velocities in defense and performed better in elbow touches, defensive rebounds, close touches, close points and pull-up points, possibly due to optimized attention processes that are key for perceiving the required appropriate environmental information. The second aim was addressed using a k-means cluster analysis, with the aim of creating maximal different performance profile groupings. Afterwards, a descriptive discriminant analysis identified which variables best predict the different playing clusters. The results identified different playing profile of performers, particularly related to the game roles of scoring, passing, defensive and all-round game behavior. Coaching staffs may apply this information to different players, while accounting for individual differences and functional variability, to optimize practice planning and, consequently, the game performances of individuals and teams.

Suggested Citation

  • Jaime Sampaio & Tim McGarry & Julio Calleja-González & Sergio Jiménez Sáiz & Xavi Schelling i del Alcázar & Mindaugas Balciunas, 2015. "Exploring Game Performance in the National Basketball Association Using Player Tracking Data," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 10(7), pages 1-14, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0132894
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0132894
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jaime Sampaio & Manuel Janeira, 2003. "Statistical analyses of basketball team performance: understanding teams’ wins and losses according to a different index of ball possessions," International Journal of Performance Analysis in Sport, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 3(1), pages 40-49, April.
    2. Jorge Malarranha & Bruno Figueira & Nuno Leite & Jaime Sampaio, 2013. "Dynamic Modeling of Performance in Basketball," International Journal of Performance Analysis in Sport, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 13(2), pages 377-387, August.
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    1. Juan M. García-Ceberino & Antonio Antúnez & Sebastián Feu & Sergio J. Ibáñez, 2020. "Quantification of Internal and External Load in School Football According to Gender and Teaching Methodology," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(1), pages 1-18, January.
    2. Sergio J Ibáñez & Aitor Mazo & Juarez Nascimento & Javier García-Rubio, 2018. "The Relative Age Effect in under-18 basketball: Effects on performance according to playing position," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(7), pages 1-11, July.
    3. Rafael Martínez-Gallego & Jesús Ramón-Llin & Miguel Crespo, 2021. "A Cluster Analysis Approach to Profile Men and Women’s Volley Positions in Professional Tennis Matches (Doubles)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-9, June.
    4. Shun-Chuan Chang, 2018. "Capability and opportunity in hot shooting performance: Evidence from top-scoring NBA leaders," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(2), pages 1-14, February.
    5. Bruno Gonçalves & Diogo Coutinho & Juliana Exel & Bruno Travassos & Carlos Lago & Jaime Sampaio, 2019. "Extracting spatial-temporal features that describe a team match demands when considering the effects of the quality of opposition in elite football," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 14(8), pages 1-20, August.
    6. Eduard Pons & Tomás García-Calvo & Ricardo Resta & Hugo Blanco & Roberto López del Campo & Jesús Díaz García & Juan José Pulido, 2019. "A comparison of a GPS device and a multi-camera video technology during official soccer matches: Agreement between systems," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 14(8), pages 1-12, August.
    7. Shaoliang Zhang & Miguel Ángel Gomez & Qing Yi & Rui Dong & Anthony Leicht & Alberto Lorenzo, 2020. "Modelling the Relationship between Match Outcome and Match Performances during the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup: A Quantile Regression Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(16), pages 1-11, August.
    8. Angel Ric & Carlota Torrents & Bruno Gonçalves & Lorena Torres-Ronda & Jaime Sampaio & Robert Hristovski, 2017. "Dynamics of tactical behaviour in association football when manipulating players' space of interaction," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 12(7), pages 1-16, July.
    9. Kęstutis Matulaitis & Tomas Bietkis, 2021. "Prediction of Offensive Possession Ends in Elite Basketball Teams," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(3), pages 1-11, January.
    10. Jorge Serna & Verónica Muñoz-Arroyave & Jaume March-Llanes & M. Teresa Anguera & Queralt Prat & Aaron Rillo-Albert & David Falcón & Pere Lavega-Burgués, 2021. "Effect of Ball Screen and One-on-One on the Level of Opposition and Effectiveness of Shots in the ACB," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-16, March.
    11. Feng Li & Damir Knjaz & Tomislav Rupčić, 2021. "Influence of Fatigue on Some Kinematic Parameters of Basketball Passing," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(2), pages 1-10, January.
    12. Yixiong Cui & Miguel-Ángel Gómez & Bruno Gonçalves & Hongyou Liu & Jaime Sampaio, 2017. "Effects of experience and relative quality in tennis match performance during four Grand Slams," International Journal of Performance Analysis in Sport, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 17(5), pages 783-801, September.

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