Statistical Anomalies Associated with NBA Scorekeepers: A Bootstrap Investigation

Abstract

In 2009, a Deadspin article documented how an anonymous NBA scorekeeper skewed statistics for various purposes. This research sets out to test the assertions set forth by the author of the Deadspin piece and uses prospect theory and unique statistical techniques to do so. The findings support the assertions proposed in the Deadspin piece that scorekeepers for various venues are skewing the statistics. The discussion provides suggestions for correcting this bias as well as demonstrates how asymmetric incentives by scorekeepers in favor of the home teams could be misused in determining salaries, playing time, trade negotiations, and media attention.