Abstract

This paper starts with a review about Plant Functional Types and then goes deeper into the conceptual foundations of Plant Functional Types (PFT's) with detailed discussion of global trait spectra such as the leaf economics spectrum and the fast-slow continuum. Using concepts like response and effect traits, the review then talks about how a trait based ecological framework can provide a more robust guideline to classify plants. The review then talks about how players in basketball have been classified in the past along with some of the newer typologies. The review starts to draw some parallels between the ecological framework and how it is being used in defining basketball player typologies. The paper then talks about a clustering analysis of men's college basketball "wings," (players that play on the perimeter), to see how many groups naturally exist in the data and what the defining traits of each group are. Hierarchical clustering was used to cluster the data which showed that there were 3 typologies that naturally existed in the category of wings. The 3 typologies could be classified as "Rim Facilitators," "3pt Specialists" and "Role Players". The defining qualities of Rim Facilitators were above average scores of 2pt field goals taken and made, shots created from the paint in closeouts and below average 3pt rate in closeouts. The defining qualities of 3pt Specialists were above average in made and attempted 3's, total shots and shot rate in closeout situations. The defining qualities of Role Players were below average in most of the offensive production variables and were generally players that played less minutes and took fewer shots. These typologies have moderate stability and are to be treated as approximate typologies rather than hard definitions. The paper then talks about how these typologies can be used in practice to inform decisions about roster construction, lineup analysis, matchup optimization and player development. It also talks about how this data and information can be best communicated with a coaching staff and also goes into the limitations of the study. So, to summarize, the paper is using an ecological framework of Plant Functional Types to define new typologies in basketball to improve team performance.

Degree

College and Department

Life Sciences; Biology

Rights

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