![Crissy 2
to minimize the time it takes to record so they can focus more on the game. Sports statisticians
need to be able to multitask and operate quickly in order to meet the demands of the press, the
teams, and the fans.
In the same way that statisticians report to the media, the media reports to the fans.
Fantasy sports have become increasingly popular as of late; they engage the fan by
accompanying points to real life statistics in separate stat categories. Although the fans do not
need to calculate the data, most of the statistics can be easily determined:
For most statistical categories - points, rebounds, blocks, steals - that's simple:
add 'em up. But for the percentage stats - most commonly field goal percentage
and free throw percentage - it's not that easy. For those categories - and any others
that consider a team's percentage as opposed to a team's total - you tally the
numbers that make up the percentage, and then divide (Zegers).
Statistics such as points, rebounds, and blocks should be commonplace to any basketball fan.
The already easy to observe statistics become even more user friendly with fantasy sports.
However, statistics can create a facade to disguise glaring defects, for example [Juwan] Howard
was 10th in the league in scoring average, but fourth in minutes per game and third in field-goal
attempts. These numbers suggest that he wasn't really making the most of his time on the court,
something the Washington organization would have noticed if they had been looking at the right
metrics (Turbow). At a glance, Howard would appear to be an outstanding player by viewing
his core stats that are recorded during the game. Upon further evaluation, it can be revealed that
many players, as in Howards case, are not always as successful as they may seem at first.
Evaluating all of a players statistics as a whole is the only true way to identify a players
strengths.](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/seniorprojectpaper-120415195456-phpapp02/85/Senior-Project-Research-Paper-2-320.jpg)
![Crissy 4
is not just for evaluating individual player value. It's also a useful tool in scouting team
tendencies (Ballard). Advanced statistics such as player efficiency ratings can be extremely
helpful in deciding which player to start and who to bench. However, these statistics can also be
useful if they are used to scout the matchup and determine the opposing teams strengths and
weaknesses. Statistics are commonly inspected to review past events. On the other hand, stats
can be used to forecast future results. One of the dangers [of evaluating statistics] is to draw on
historical information that seems to be telling you something will happen and forget thats why
they play the games. I know its a clich辿, but things reach clich辿 status for a reason (Peter
Hirdt). Statistics do not only display what happened in a game; they can also be used to predict
what will happen in a game. Companies such as the Elias Sports Bureau that have been in the
business for numerous years can predict the outcome in a game based on past games. Statistics
that display mind boggling information such as the probability of a basketball team winning
while down by 10 points in the fourth quarter frequently appear on the television to inform fans
watching of the rarity of such an event occurring. Statistics not only tell about the past, but they
can also determine the expected outcome of a game.
Thoroughly evaluating statistics after games can prove to be beneficial for preparation of
future games. Successive games can really take a toll on a team and affect their performance. A
discriminant analysis allowed identifying the two point field goals made, the defensive rebounds
and the assists as discriminators between winning and losing teams in all three games (Jaime
Sampaio, et al.). This study was compiled in an effort to study the recorded statistics of winning
and losing teams that played in consecutive games. With this information, a sports statistician
can conclude that shot selection, ball control, and passing are essential to a teams performance](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/seniorprojectpaper-120415195456-phpapp02/85/Senior-Project-Research-Paper-4-320.jpg)
Senior Project Research Paper
- 1. Crissy 1 Ben Crissy Ms. Tillery AP Literature 18 November 2011 Sports Statistics What is the correlation between a basketball teams performance at a home and an away game? Few people would know the answer or even how to solve for the answer. This question could only be answered by thorough research from a sports statistician. Sports statistics are used every day to represent teams, players, and coaches performances in sports. The ever expanding realm of sports statistics is structured by the statisticians responsibilities, statistical categories, and the analysis of the statistics. Most important to sports statistics is of course the statistician. The responsibilities of the statistician can be grouped into eight different duties: Recording statistics as events happen, auditing stats with play-by-play, preparation of final stats for league records, serves as official scorer for both teams, computer data entry, preparation of final and midgame summary reports for the media, keep up to date on changes in statistical scoring rules, and involvement in resolution of disputed calls (Team Statistician). The most obvious duty of a statistician is to observe the game and periodically record statistics as they occur. For example, basketball includes many statistics such as: field goals, blocks, steals, fouls, assists, rebounds, and countless more. When sports were first introduced, statistics were recorded by hand on a scorecard. In todays world, some statisticians still prefer to manually record statistics, while many have downloaded programs on laptops or other hand-held devices
- 2. Crissy 2 to minimize the time it takes to record so they can focus more on the game. Sports statisticians need to be able to multitask and operate quickly in order to meet the demands of the press, the teams, and the fans. In the same way that statisticians report to the media, the media reports to the fans. Fantasy sports have become increasingly popular as of late; they engage the fan by accompanying points to real life statistics in separate stat categories. Although the fans do not need to calculate the data, most of the statistics can be easily determined: For most statistical categories - points, rebounds, blocks, steals - that's simple: add 'em up. But for the percentage stats - most commonly field goal percentage and free throw percentage - it's not that easy. For those categories - and any others that consider a team's percentage as opposed to a team's total - you tally the numbers that make up the percentage, and then divide (Zegers). Statistics such as points, rebounds, and blocks should be commonplace to any basketball fan. The already easy to observe statistics become even more user friendly with fantasy sports. However, statistics can create a facade to disguise glaring defects, for example [Juwan] Howard was 10th in the league in scoring average, but fourth in minutes per game and third in field-goal attempts. These numbers suggest that he wasn't really making the most of his time on the court, something the Washington organization would have noticed if they had been looking at the right metrics (Turbow). At a glance, Howard would appear to be an outstanding player by viewing his core stats that are recorded during the game. Upon further evaluation, it can be revealed that many players, as in Howards case, are not always as successful as they may seem at first. Evaluating all of a players statistics as a whole is the only true way to identify a players strengths.
- 3. Crissy 3 Furthermore, there is more to sports statistics than what is on the surface. In a recent study, Jaime Sampaio, Eric Drinkwater, and Nuno Leite studied the effects of season period, team quality, and playing time on basketball players' game-related statistics: While playing time was significant in almost all variables, errors were the most important factor when contrasting important and less important players, with fewer errors being made by important players. The trends identified can help coaches and players to create performance profiles according to team quality and playing time. However, these performance profiles appear to be independent of season period. After a devastating loss, teams can often wonder what they should have done to achieve victory. With this discovery, coaches can better prepare their teams for games by adding focus to ball handling, control, and passing. Evaluating statistics such as this can greatly affect future game results and philosophies. Defeats can be demoralizing to players, coaches, and fans. On the other hand, sports statisticians can use data from losses to expose areas that need improvement. An also important finding was that, in best teams, the nonstarters' performance was worse in the games that the team lost, whereas in worst teams, it was the starters' performance that was worse in the games that the team lost (Gomez et al.). Not surprisingly, teams that are deemed bad lose games mainly due to their starters lack of talent. On the contrary, coaches of talented teams may be shocked to discover that losses can be a result of poor game play by players who do not start. Normally, coaches are quick to place blame on the starters. Thanks to this detection by sports statisticians, coaches can better prepare their teams as a whole to improve their game play. Additionally, the specific statistics that are analyzed produce different insights. Sports statistics have evolved over the years to include various perspectives of players. The new math
- 4. Crissy 4 is not just for evaluating individual player value. It's also a useful tool in scouting team tendencies (Ballard). Advanced statistics such as player efficiency ratings can be extremely helpful in deciding which player to start and who to bench. However, these statistics can also be useful if they are used to scout the matchup and determine the opposing teams strengths and weaknesses. Statistics are commonly inspected to review past events. On the other hand, stats can be used to forecast future results. One of the dangers [of evaluating statistics] is to draw on historical information that seems to be telling you something will happen and forget thats why they play the games. I know its a clich辿, but things reach clich辿 status for a reason (Peter Hirdt). Statistics do not only display what happened in a game; they can also be used to predict what will happen in a game. Companies such as the Elias Sports Bureau that have been in the business for numerous years can predict the outcome in a game based on past games. Statistics that display mind boggling information such as the probability of a basketball team winning while down by 10 points in the fourth quarter frequently appear on the television to inform fans watching of the rarity of such an event occurring. Statistics not only tell about the past, but they can also determine the expected outcome of a game. Thoroughly evaluating statistics after games can prove to be beneficial for preparation of future games. Successive games can really take a toll on a team and affect their performance. A discriminant analysis allowed identifying the two point field goals made, the defensive rebounds and the assists as discriminators between winning and losing teams in all three games (Jaime Sampaio, et al.). This study was compiled in an effort to study the recorded statistics of winning and losing teams that played in consecutive games. With this information, a sports statistician can conclude that shot selection, ball control, and passing are essential to a teams performance
- 5. Crissy 5 when playing consecutive games. Analysis of statistics such as this can aid teams who are facing successive games to perform better and achieve victory. Many coaches are interested in what stat categories are the most likely to yield season- long success. Sports statisticians have conducted studies to determine which of the core stats produce successful seasons: The results allowed discrimination between best and worst teams' performances through the following game-related statistics: assists (SC=0.47), steals (SC=0.34), and blocks (SC=0.30). The function obtained correctly classified 82.4% of the cases. In conclusion, season-long performance may be supported by players' and teams' passing skills and defensive preparation (Ortega). While a lack of scoring may appear to be an obvious reason for a losing season, statisticians have proven that this is not the only factor. The most successful teams of the ACB League had significantly higher rates of assists, steals, and blocks as compared to teams with poor performances. Coaches can utilize this data to improve their teams passing by sharing the ball, and to produce more blocks or steals by revising defensive strategies. Likewise, statisticians have studied data based on the location of games, the outcome, and the statistics produced. The multivariate analysis showed that winning teams differ from losing teams in defensive rebounds (SC = .42) and in assists (SC = .38). Similarly, winning teams differ from losing teams when they play at home in defensive rebounds (SC = .40) and in assists (SC = .41) (Palao). Teams may often be flustered when they leave their safe haven to play an away game. When in the opponents building, teams often have to face the dreaded 6th Man, the fans. Sports statisticians have found that there is not much discrimination between stats for the away teams to worry about. Teams have only seen small fluctuations in the defensive rebound and assist
- 6. Crissy 6 categories when playing away games. In order to be victorious on the road, coaches only need to tweak their game plan a little to favor rebounding and assists. In summary, sports statistics are the central component to the success of sports today. Behind every single statistic is a dedicated statistician who works for the benefit of the fans and the players. Sports statistics are based upon the statisticians responsibilities, various statistical categories, and the analysis of the statistics.
- 7. Crissy 7 Works Cited Ballard, Chris. "MEASURE Of Success." Sports Illustrated 103.16 (2005): 60. Academic Search Complete. Web. 15 Nov. 2011. Gomez, Miguel et al. "Discriminative Game-Related Statistics Between Basketball Starters And Nonstarters When Related To Team Quality And Game Outcome." Perceptual & Motor Skills 103.2 (2006): 486-494. Academic Search Complete. Web. 15 Nov. 2011. Hirdt, Steve and Peter. "Seven Questions with the Hirdt Brothers of Elias Sports Bureau." Interview by Ryan Stellabotte. Fordham. Ed. Ryan Stellabotte. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Nov. 2011. <http://www.fordham.edu/images/whats_new/ magazine/fall11/sevenquestions.pdf>. Ortega, Enrique et al. "Basketball game-related statistics that discriminate between teams' season-long success." European Journal of Sport Science 8.6 (2008): 369-372. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Web. 17 Oct. 2011. Palao, Jos辿 et al. "Differences In Game-Related Statistics Of Basketball Performance By Game Location For Men's Winning And Losing Teams." Perceptual & Motor Skills 106.1 (2008): 43-50. Academic Search Complete. Web. 15 Nov. 2011. Sampaio, Jaime, Eric J. Drinkwater, and Nuno M. Leite. "Effects of season period, team quality, and playing time on basketball players' game-related statistics." European Journal of Sport Science 10.2 (2010): 141-149. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Web. 17 Oct. 2011.
- 8. Crissy 8 Sampaio, Jaime et al. "Effects of consecutive basketball games on the game-related statistics that discriminate winner and losing teams." Journal of Sports Science & Medicine 8.3 (2009): 458-462. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Web. 17 Oct. 2011. "Team Statistician." Statistics in Sports. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Nov. 2011. <http://www.amstat.org/sections/SIS/Careers%20in%20Sports%20Statistics/ team.html>. Turbow, Jason. "Settling The Score." Popular Science 273.2 (2008): 66-70. Academic Search Complete. Web. 17 Oct. 2011. Zegers, Charlie. "Fantasy Basketball 101: Understanding Percentage Stats." About.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Nov. 2011. <http://basketball.about.com/od/fantasygames/a/percentage-stats.htm>.