[Basketball from the perspective of non-linear complex systems]
de Saá Guerra, Y., Martín-González, J.M., García Manso, J.M. Spanish Sport Council Journal. 2014. (406). 45-55. ISSN: 11336366.

 

Abstract

Aim. Describing the theoretical framework in which the study of complex systems is based, and its application to team sport through basketball. Method. We studied basketball from three different levels: the competition, the game and the team. In the first case we evaluated the uncertainty degree using the Shannon entropy, in order to fi gure out the uncertainty present in basketball. In the second cased we studied 6150 games of the NBA regular season, analyzing scoring and time between points. Finally we carried out an approach to the team performance using network theory and their interactions: passes, screens and space creations. Results. NBA and ACB show high levels of uncertainty. The point difference acts as an order parameter. The high randomness degree that exists in the most part of games, score difference lower than 11 points, points outs a high level of
uncertainty to the fi nal result. Some parameters such as passes, screens and space creations can be interpreted as interactions among players and enables to analyze using network theory. Conclusions. Basketball leagues can be understood as systems organized critically because they remain between two situations, one of maximum randomness and other completed ordered. In turn, teams (players network) try to overcome the game through selforganization, based in different patterns of complex networks.

Keywords: Basketball, complexity, self-organization, uncertainty, complex network.

 

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