Analyzing NBA Player Salaries: Integrating Skills and Social Media Impact Using Feature Importance

Bridging the Gap: Unraveling the Complex Dynamics of People Analytics Through Feature Importance Using NBA 2K Dataset

Abstract:

This study investigates the intricate relationship between various attributes of National Basketball Association NBA players, their online presence on social media platforms, and how these elements influence their salaries. Drawing upon tournament theory and capital theories, our research diverges from conventional studies that have primarily focused on skill-related metrics alone. Instead, we analyze a dataset derived from the NBA 2K Sports game to encompass both off-court personas alongside on-court performance indicators, thereby offering a comprehensive view of players.

Our analysis goes beyond examining the traditional metrics of player performance and delves into understanding how each attribute contributes differently to salary determination-be it skills or digital persona. We use feature importance techniques to dissect the relative significance of these attributes in the decision-making process for salaries within professional basketball.

The findings shed light on insights crucial for sports managers, resource professionals, and stakeholders alike, providing a systematic approach to evaluate individual abilities and their overall impact on team performance. This study not only enriches our understanding of NBA player valuation but also paves the way for advancements in people analytics methodologies, offering valuable lessons that can be applied across various industries.

Keywords: NBA players, resources, capital theory, video game data, salary determination, tournament theory, feature importance analysis, people analytics

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References:

1. Baron, R.M., Kenny, D.A. 1986. The moderator-mediator variable distinction in social psychological research: Conceptual, strategic, and statistical considerations. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 516, 1173-1182.

2. Berri, D.J., Leeds, M.A., Von Allmen, P. 2015. Salary determination in the presence of fixed revenues. International Journal of Sport Finance, 101, 5-25.

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For further inquiries and collaboration on this study or to discuss potential applications for other datasets, please contact Tianzi Zheng at the University of Texas at Arlington.
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