The prevailing belief propagated by NBA league observers is that the workload of the NBA season dramatically influences a player's performance$^{1,2,3,4,5}$. We offer an analysis of cross game player fatigue that calls into question the empirical validity of these claims. The analysis is split into three observational studies on prior NBA seasons. First, to offer an analysis generalized to the whole league, we conduct an examination of relative workloads with in-game player tracking data as a proxy for exertion. Second, to introduce a more granular perspective, we conduct a case study of the effectiveness of load management for Kawhi Leonard. Third, to extend the analysis to a broader set of fatigue sources, we examine the impact of schedule features structurally imposed on teams. All three analyses indicate the impact of cumulative player fatigue on game outcomes is minimal. As a result, we assert in the context of the measures already taken by teams to maintain the health of their players,$^6$ the impact of fatigue in the NBA is overstated.
翻译:NBA联盟观察员宣传的普遍信念是,NBA赛季的工作量对球员的性能产生巨大影响,1,2,3,4,5美元。我们分析跨游戏玩家疲劳症,质疑这些说法的经验有效性。分析分为三个关于以前NBA赛季的观察研究。首先,我们分析整个球季的通用性分析,用游戏玩家跟踪数据的相对工作量作为施压的替代。第二,从更颗粒的角度出发,我们对Kawhi Leonard的负载管理效果进行个案研究。第三,将分析扩大到更广泛的疲劳源,我们审查对团队的结构性安排特征的影响。所有三项分析都表明,累计玩家疲劳对游戏结果的影响微乎其微。因此,我们断言,在团队为保持球员健康而采取的措施方面,NBA疲劳症的影响是夸大了6美元。