Chapter 1 Quiz: Introduction to Basketball Analytics

Instructions

This quiz tests your understanding of Chapter 1 concepts. Answer all questions before checking the solutions at the end.

Format: - Multiple choice questions: Select the best answer - True/False questions: Determine if the statement is correct - Short answer questions: Provide a brief response

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1

Which type of analytics answers the question "What should we do?"

A) Descriptive analytics B) Predictive analytics C) Prescriptive analytics D) Diagnostic analytics

Question 2

Who is commonly called "the father of basketball analytics"?

A) John Hollinger B) Daryl Morey C) Dean Oliver D) Dan Rosenbaum

Question 3

According to Dean Oliver's Four Factors, which factor is weighted most heavily?

A) Turnovers (25%) B) Free throws (15%) C) Rebounding (20%) D) Shooting (40%)

Question 4

What technology enabled the "tracking data era" starting in 2013-14?

A) Box score databases B) SportVU cameras C) Machine learning algorithms D) Basketball Reference

Question 5

A player shoots 36% from three-point range and 48% from mid-range. What are their expected points per shot from each location?

A) 3PT: 1.08, Mid-range: 0.96 B) 3PT: 0.36, Mid-range: 0.48 C) 3PT: 1.20, Mid-range: 1.00 D) 3PT: 0.72, Mid-range: 0.96

Question 6

What is the primary advantage of Adjusted Plus-Minus over Raw Plus-Minus?

A) It's easier to calculate B) It accounts for teammate and opponent quality C) It uses tracking data D) It includes defensive statistics

Question 7

Which of the following is NOT one of Dean Oliver's Four Factors?

A) Effective Field Goal Percentage B) Turnover Rate C) Plus-Minus D) Free Throw Rate

Question 8

The "three-point revolution" is driven primarily by:

A) Rule changes making three-pointers worth more B) Players becoming better shooters C) Expected value analysis showing three-pointers are efficient D) Television ratings preferring three-point shots

Question 9

Player tracking data captures positions approximately how many times per second?

A) 5 times B) 10 times C) 25 times D) 60 times

Question 10

Which former GM coined the term "Moreyball"?

A) Sam Hinkie B) R.C. Buford C) Pat Riley D) Daryl Morey

Question 11

What does eFG% account for that regular FG% does not?

A) Free throws B) The extra value of three-pointers C) Shot difficulty D) Opponent defense

Question 12

The installation of tracking cameras in all NBA arenas began in which season?

A) 2010-11 B) 2013-14 C) 2015-16 D) 2017-18

Question 13

Which of the following is a limitation of basketball analytics?

A) Inability to process large datasets B) Difficulty measuring leadership and chemistry C) Lack of available data D) No applications for coaching

Question 14

Second Spectrum became the NBA's official tracking provider in:

A) 2013 B) 2015 C) 2017 D) 2019

Question 15

True Shooting Percentage (TS%) includes which of the following?

A) Only field goals B) Field goals and three-pointers C) Field goals and free throws D) Field goals, three-pointers, and free throws

True/False Questions

Question 16

John Hollinger created Player Efficiency Rating (PER) while working for the Memphis Grizzlies.

Question 17

Raw plus-minus is considered a reliable measure of individual player impact.

Question 18

The pace (possessions per 48 minutes) has increased in the modern NBA compared to the 1990s.

Question 19

"Pace and space" basketball emphasizes traditional post-up play.

Question 20

A 35% three-point shooter has higher expected value per shot than a 50% mid-range shooter.

Question 21

Player tracking data can measure a player's speed and distance traveled during a game.

Question 22

The confidence interval for a shooting percentage gets wider as sample size increases.

Question 23

Dean Oliver's book "Basketball on Paper" was published in 1994.

Question 24

Load management (resting healthy players) emerged partly due to analytics research.

Question 25

All aspects of basketball defense can be measured through tracking data.

Short Answer Questions

Question 26

Explain why the mid-range shot has declined in frequency in the modern NBA. (2-3 sentences)

Question 27

What are the three types of analytics, and give one basketball example of each? (3-4 sentences)

Question 28

Why is sample size a particular problem for basketball statistics? Give one specific example. (2-3 sentences)

Question 29

Name two things that analytics cannot effectively measure in basketball. (1-2 sentences)

Question 30

What is the formula for Effective Field Goal Percentage (eFG%), and why does it exist? (2-3 sentences)

Answer Key

Multiple Choice Answers

  1. C) Prescriptive analytics - Prescriptive analytics recommends optimal actions based on analysis.

  2. C) Dean Oliver - His book "Basketball on Paper" (2004) established foundational concepts.

  3. D) Shooting (40%) - Oliver found shooting efficiency is the most important factor for winning.

  4. B) SportVU cameras - These cameras were installed in all NBA arenas for the 2013-14 season.

  5. A) 3PT: 1.08, Mid-range: 0.96 - Calculate as (point value × percentage): 3×0.36=1.08 and 2×0.48=0.96.

  6. B) It accounts for teammate and opponent quality - APM uses regression to isolate individual impact.

  7. C) Plus-Minus - The Four Factors are: eFG%, TOV%, ORB%, and FT Rate.

  8. C) Expected value analysis showing three-pointers are efficient - Analytics revealed the EV advantage.

  9. C) 25 times - Tracking systems capture 25 frames per second.

  10. D) Daryl Morey - As Houston Rockets GM, his analytical approach became known as "Moreyball."

  11. B) The extra value of three-pointers - eFG% = (FGM + 0.5×3PM) / FGA.

  12. B) 2013-14 - SportVU cameras were installed league-wide that season.

  13. B) Difficulty measuring leadership and chemistry - These intangibles remain hard to quantify.

  14. C) 2017 - Second Spectrum replaced SportVU in 2017.

  15. D) Field goals, three-pointers, and free throws - TS% = PTS / (2 × (FGA + 0.44×FTA)).

True/False Answers

  1. False - Hollinger created PER while writing for ESPN, before joining the Grizzlies.

  2. False - Raw plus-minus is heavily influenced by teammate and opponent quality.

  3. True - Pace has increased significantly, from around 90 to over 100 possessions per 48 minutes.

  4. False - Pace and space emphasizes floor spacing, three-point shooting, and ball movement.

  5. True - 3×0.35=1.05 > 2×0.50=1.00 expected points per shot.

  6. True - Tracking data captures precise movement information.

  7. False - Confidence intervals get narrower (more precise) as sample size increases.

  8. False - "Basketball on Paper" was published in 2004.

  9. True - Analytics showed injury risk and performance decline from overwork.

  10. False - Many defensive aspects (communication, help positioning) remain difficult to measure.

Short Answer Rubric

  1. Mid-range decline: The mid-range shot is the least efficient shot type in terms of expected value. It has similar accuracy to three-pointers but is worth one less point, and it's less accurate than shots at the rim while being worth the same. Analytics demonstrated that teams score more efficiently by focusing on three-pointers and rim attempts.

  2. Three types: Descriptive analytics describes what happened (e.g., a player averaged 25 PPG). Predictive analytics forecasts what will happen (e.g., projecting a rookie's career trajectory). Prescriptive analytics recommends actions (e.g., optimal lineup combinations to use against a specific opponent).

  3. Sample size problem: Many basketball situations occur infrequently, making it difficult to draw reliable conclusions. For example, a player might have only 30 attempts from a specific spot on the court over an entire season, making their "true" shooting percentage from that location highly uncertain.

  4. Unmeasurable aspects: Analytics struggles to measure leadership and locker room influence. It also cannot fully capture defensive communication and help defense coordination.

  5. eFG% formula: eFG% = (FGM + 0.5 × 3PM) / FGA. This metric exists because regular FG% treats all made field goals equally, but three-pointers are worth 50% more than two-pointers. The 0.5 factor for three-pointers accounts for their extra value.

Scoring Guide

  • 27-30 correct: Excellent understanding of chapter concepts
  • 23-26 correct: Good understanding with minor gaps
  • 18-22 correct: Adequate understanding, review weak areas
  • Below 18: Review chapter before proceeding

Complete this quiz before proceeding to Chapter 2.