Evaluating Combinations of Play Styles in the NBA

Abstract

This thesis explores the influence of player play styles on offensive performance in the NBA. It offers valuable insight to coaches and managers who seek to understand the significance of play styles and identify the optimal combinations. Through classifying player play styles and analyzing their relationships with team performance, this research reveals that play styles have a tangible impact on performance, even when adjusting for individual skill levels. The findings highlight the importance of three point shooting, the ability to create shot opportunities for teammates, and the benefit of court spacing. Offensive performance is not simply equivalent to the sum of the individual talents, but can be greater or less depending on how the styles of players complement each other. Coaches can use this information to make informed decisions about what players to acquire for optimal offensive performance.