py-ball 1.0.0

Python API wrapper for stats.nba.com with a focus on NBA and WNBA applications

py_ball

Python API wrapper for stats.nba.com with a focus on NBA and WNBA applications

Introduction

The motivation for this stems from nba_py by seemethere and nbastatsR by abresler. The work towards a Python API wrapper in nba_py is a great start, but the documentation of the stats.nba.com API is lacking. nbastatsR is an extremely valuable resource for the R community, and this work hopes to extend the breadth and depth of that package. In my research, I have also come across the recent effort of nba_api by swar. This looks similar to nba_py and I am hoping to collaborate.

Goals

If successful, py_ball should accomplish the following:

• By working with the community, improve the quality of documentation for stats.nba.com.
• Further enable the dissemination of basketball statistics to increase the understanding of the sport and encourage the practice of basketball analytics.
• Produce introductory analyses leveraging NBA and WNBA data to reduce the barrier of entry to basketball analytics through demonstration.
• Focus on the WNBA in an effort to stress inclusivity and contribute to women's basketball analytics.

Documentation

While nba_api improves greatly upon the documentation of the stats.nba.com API in nba_py, py_ball strives to take documentation further through the following:

• Fully documented code, including function, class, and script docstrings.
• Extend endpoint and parameter documentation to include feature definitions.

Current Documentation

Classes

• BoxScore
• Draft
• Image
• LeaderBoard
• League
• LeagueDash
• PlayByPlay
• Player
• ScoreBoard
• Team

Development

1. Initially map stats.nba.com API and fully document code.
2. Refactor code to generate a more consistent structure across classes.
3. Document endpoints and parameters with definitions. (See Wiki here)
4. Research other basketball-related APIs to map.
5. Write unit tests for the package.
6. Begin introductory basketball analytics analyses.