Chapter 28: Building a Basketball Analytics Career - Quiz

Instructions

This quiz covers key concepts from Chapter 28 on building a career in basketball analytics. Select the best answer for multiple-choice questions. Short answer questions should be answered in 2-4 sentences.

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1

How many NBA teams currently employ dedicated analytics staff? - A) 15 - B) 22 - C) 30 - D) 27

Question 2

Which of the following is NOT typically a functional area within NBA team analytics departments? - A) Player evaluation and draft analysis - B) Game strategy and preparation - C) Television broadcast production - D) Health and performance analytics

Question 3

Entry-level basketball analytics salaries at NBA teams typically range from: - A) $30,000 - $50,000 - B) $50,000 - $80,000 - C) $90,000 - $120,000 - D) $120,000 - $150,000

Question 4

What is the primary job board for sports industry positions? - A) Indeed - B) LinkedIn - C) TeamWork Online - D) Glassdoor

Question 5

Which programming language is considered dominant in modern sports analytics? - A) R - B) Java - C) Python - D) MATLAB

Question 6

According to the chapter, what is described as "the single most important asset for breaking into basketball analytics"? - A) An advanced degree - B) Personal connections - C) Your portfolio - D) Team experience

Question 7

Which company became the official tracking provider for the NBA? - A) Synergy Sports - B) Second Spectrum - C) Sportradar - D) StatMuse

Question 8

What is a key disadvantage of working for an NBA team compared to media roles? - A) Lower salary - B) Less access to data - C) Work produced is proprietary and cannot be published - D) Less basketball exposure

Question 9

Which conference is described as "the premier gathering for sports analytics professionals"? - A) SABR Analytics Conference - B) KDD Sports Analytics Workshop - C) MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference - D) NBA Summer League

Question 10

When are most NBA team hiring cycles? - A) During the playoffs - B) At the trade deadline - C) Offseason (May-September) - D) At the start of the season

Question 11

Which of these is NOT mentioned as a major employer in sports media for analytics talent? - A) ESPN - B) The Athletic - C) Sports Illustrated - D) Basketball-Reference

Question 12

What skill is described as "paramount" for media analytics roles? - A) Machine learning expertise - B) Writing and communication - C) Database management - D) Video editing

Question 13

According to the chapter, what approach is most effective for networking? - A) Only attending large conferences - B) Sending mass emails to executives - C) Providing value and building genuine relationships - D) Focusing exclusively on LinkedIn connections

Question 14

Which Python library is mentioned as essential for data manipulation and analysis? - A) TensorFlow - B) Pandas - C) Django - D) Flask

Question 15

What book is described as providing "foundational basketball analytics" knowledge? - A) "Moneyball" by Michael Lewis - B) "Basketball on Paper" by Dean Oliver - C) "The Book of Basketball" by Bill Simmons - D) "Thinking, Fast and Slow" by Daniel Kahneman

Question 16

For entry-level positions, how long should a resume typically be? - A) As long as needed - B) Two pages - C) One page - D) Three pages

Question 17

Which sector typically offers the highest compensation for basketball analytics professionals? - A) NBA teams - B) Media organizations - C) Technology companies - D) Player agencies

Question 18

What is emphasized as essential for communicating with non-technical stakeholders? - A) Using complex statistical terminology - B) Providing detailed mathematical proofs - C) Framing analysis in terms of decisions and actions - D) Avoiding any quantitative content

Question 19

Which of these is described as a characteristic of the sports industry job market? - A) High job security - B) Volatility and potential for turnover - C) Minimal competition for positions - D) Guaranteed career advancement

Question 20

What time frame is suggested for regular portfolio output? - A) One piece per day - B) One substantial piece per week - C) One substantial piece per month - D) One piece per year

Short Answer Questions

Question 21

Why is networking described as "not optional" in basketball analytics? Explain the role networking plays in the job market.

Your Answer:

Question 22

Describe the tradeoffs between working for an NBA team versus working in sports media. What factors might lead someone to prefer one over the other?

Your Answer:

Question 23

What does the chapter recommend for building basketball knowledge if you come from a non-basketball background? List at least three specific strategies.

Your Answer:

Question 24

Explain why communication skills are emphasized so heavily in the chapter. How do communication requirements differ between technical and non-technical audiences?

Your Answer:

Question 25

What advice does the chapter give for handling the challenges of working in a competitive, volatile industry? Mention at least two specific strategies.

Your Answer:

Extended Response Questions

Question 26

A recent college graduate with a statistics degree wants to break into basketball analytics. They have strong technical skills but limited basketball knowledge and no professional network in sports. Outline a 12-month plan for this person to become a competitive candidate for entry-level positions.

Your Answer:

Question 27

Compare and contrast the career paths of working for NBA teams, media organizations, and sports technology companies. What types of professionals would be best suited for each path?

Your Answer:

Answer Key

Multiple Choice Answers

  1. C - All 30 NBA teams now employ dedicated analytics staff.

  2. C - Television broadcast production is not mentioned as a team analytics function. The chapter lists player evaluation, game strategy, player development, salary cap analysis, and health/performance as typical functional areas.

  3. B - Entry-level salaries at NBA teams typically range from $50,000 to $80,000.

  4. C - TeamWork Online is described as the primary sports industry job board.

  5. C - Python is described as "the dominant language in sports analytics."

  6. C - The chapter states "Your portfolio is the single most important asset for breaking into basketball analytics."

  7. B - Second Spectrum is mentioned as the official NBA tracking provider (now part of the NBA).

  8. C - The chapter notes that "Work produced for teams is proprietary. You cannot publish research or share methods developed on the job."

  9. C - The MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference is described as "the premier gathering for sports analytics professionals."

  10. C - The chapter states "NBA hiring cycles often align with the offseason (May-September)."

  11. C - Sports Illustrated is not mentioned among the major employers. ESPN, The Athletic, and Basketball-Reference are specifically listed.

  12. B - For media roles, the chapter states "Writing and communication are paramount."

  13. C - The chapter emphasizes "Provide Value: The best networking involves mutual benefit" and "Be Authentic: Genuine relationships are more valuable than transactional connections."

  14. B - Pandas is listed as essential for "Data manipulation and analysis."

  15. B - "Basketball on Paper" by Dean Oliver is described as providing "foundational basketball analytics" knowledge.

  16. C - The chapter advises to "keep it concise (one page for entry-level)."

  17. C - For technology companies, the chapter notes "Compensation: Generally higher than team or media roles, particularly at larger technology companies."

  18. C - The chapter emphasizes "Actionable Recommendations: Framing analysis in terms of decisions and actions rather than abstract statistical findings."

  19. B - The chapter warns "The sports industry is volatile. Front office changes often lead to staff turnover."

  20. C - The chapter suggests "Even one substantial piece per month makes a difference over time."

Short Answer Rubric

Question 21 - Should mention: Many positions are never publicly posted; positions favor candidates with existing connections; relationships essential for career success; networking creates awareness of opportunities.

Question 22 - Should contrast: Team work is proprietary vs. media work is public; teams offer data access vs. media offers visibility; different compensation structures; creative freedom differences; work-life balance considerations.

Question 23 - Should include strategies like: Watch basketball deliberately with analytical focus; study coaching materials and strategy; read foundational books; develop basketball vocabulary; consider playing recreationally; engage with basketball communities online.

Question 24 - Should address: Analysis only matters if it changes decisions; communication determines career success beyond technical prowess; technical audiences need methodology details while non-technical need actionable insights; building relationships with skeptical stakeholders requires effective communication.

Question 25 - Should mention strategies like: Maintain marketable skills and external relationships while employed; set boundaries to prevent burnout; find satisfaction in impact rather than public recognition; maintain integrity while being constructive; have backup plans.

Extended Response Rubric

Question 26 - Quality responses should include a structured monthly plan covering: - First 3 months: Building basketball knowledge (watching games, reading foundational texts, developing vocabulary) - Months 3-6: Portfolio development (2-3 analysis projects, GitHub setup, personal website) - Months 6-9: Networking (informational interviews, conference attendance, online community engagement) - Months 9-12: Job search preparation (resume, cover letters, interview practice, applications) - Throughout: Continuing technical skill development as needed

Question 27 - Quality responses should cover: - NBA Teams: Best for those who want direct basketball impact, willing to accept proprietary work, interested in decision support, comfortable with industry volatility - Media: Best for those who value public profile, strong writers, enjoy creative freedom, want to build personal brand - Technology: Best for those prioritizing compensation, stronger technical focus, interest in product building, more stability than teams

Responses should note that paths are not mutually exclusive and many professionals move between sectors throughout their careers.