YEAR OF EXAMINATION:

SUBJECT: ADDITIONAL MATHEMATICS

CANDIDATE NUMBER:

CANDIDATE NAME:

TITLE: AN INVESTIGATION COMPARING THE OFFENSIVE RECORDS

OF BASKETBALL PLAYERS KOBE BRYANT AND ALLEN

IVERSON USING DESCRIPTIVE STATISTICS

TEACHER: MR.R.RAMCHARITAR
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Project Title 1

Purpose of Project 2

Method of Collection 3

Presentation and Analysis of Data 4

Discussion of Finding 30

Conclusion 31

Bibliography 32

Appendix 34
 PROJECT TITLE

An investigation comparing the offensive records of basketball players Kobe Bryant and Allen
Iverson using descriptive statistics.

1
 PURPOSE OF PROJECT

Basketball is a team sport. It consists of two teams having five players each trying to score by
shooting a ball through a hoop elevated 10 feet above the ground. The game is played on a
rectangular floor called the court, and there is a hoop at each end. The court is divided into two
main sections by the mid-court line. The world’s most famous basketball association is known as
The National Basketball Association (NBA). This is a pre-eminent men’s professional basketball
league in North America and is widely considered to be the premier men’s professional
basketball league in the world.

Kobe Bryant and Allen Iverson being two of my favorite basketball players, both play in the
same position, shooting guard for their teams. In this research paper I would like to compare who
plays better during these two seasons (1999-2001). Analyzing the number of points scored and
the number of assists made by both players will be done. The points recorded is used to keep
track of the score in a game and assists are attributed to a player who passes the ball to a
teammate in a way that lead to a score by field goal.

The purpose of this project is to determine who is a better offensive player between Kobe Bryant
and Allen Iverson in the NBA during the period from1999-2001. This would be achieved
through the computation and comparison of measures of central tendency and dispersion together
with basic probability calculations.

The variables used were:

Controlled variables: NBA seasons (1999-2001)

Age Range of Player:21-25 years

League of competition: National Basketball Competition (NBA).

Manipulating variables: Basketballer: Kobe Bryant and Allen Iverson.

Responding variables: Number of points scored per game and Number of assists made per game.

2
 METHOD OF DATA COLLECTION

In order to analyze the two basketballers, research was done to find the points scored and the
number of assists over the two seasons from 1999-2001 by each basketballer. The information
was collected through secondary data; that is the data that has already been collected through the
primary sources and made readily available for researchers to use for their own research. It is a
type of data that had already been collected in the past. Therefore, Information pertaining to
Kobe Bryant and Allen Iverson's performance in basketball was found on the website
https://www.basketball-reference.com . In total 50 observations of the number of points scored
and the number of assists made from two seasons 1999-2000 and 2000-2001 was collected on
this website. The data used in this investigation was quantitative (numerical) discrete data. The
steps carried out are as follows:

Step 1: ID numbers from 1-200 were assigned to each match record for Kobe Bryant.

Step 2: Using Microsoft Excel Random Number generator, random numbers from 1-200 were
generated and their corresponding match records were collected.

Step 3: In each of these match records, the number of points per game and assists per game were
recorded on a table for games of Kobe Bryant.

Step 4: The procedure was repeated for Allen Iverson match records.

See Appendix 1 for the raw data of Kobe Bryant and Allen Iverson scored in 1999-2001.

3
 PRESENTATION OF DATA

Stem plots:
Number of Assists (1999-2000)

Key: 2|0 means 02 Key: 0|3 means 03

Allen Iverson Kobe Bryant

3 000 0 0 1
1 1 0 11 2
5 22222 0 22222 5
4 3333 0 3333333 7
9 444444444 0 44444444 8
12 555555555555 0 555555555 9
11 66666666666 0 666666666 9
5 77777 0 777 3
1 8 0 888 3
0 9 1
1 12 2

Figure 1: Stem plot illustrating Number of assists made by Allen Iverson and Kobe Bryant
from 1999-2000.

Number of Assists (2000-2001)

Key: 2|0 means 02 Key: 0|3 means 03

Allen Iverson Kobe Bryant

0 0 1
4 1111 0 1 1
3 222 0 222222 6
13 3333333333333 0 333333 6
6 444444 0 44444444444 11
8 55555555 0 5555555 7
1 6 0 66666666 8
4 7777 0 777 3
7 8888888 0 88 2
3 999 0 999 3
1 0 1 01 2

Figure 2: Stem plot illustrating Number of assists made by Allen Iverson and Kobe Bryant
from 2000-2001.

4
 Basketball points (1999-2000)

Key: 0|2 means 20 Key: 2|1 means 21

Allen Iverson Kobe Bryant

1 5 0
4 5411 1 1334555 7
5 99966 1 77888889 8
5 54210 2 11112222223455 14
11 99998876665 2 666667778899 12
13 5555444422100 3 0001113 7
7 9777775 3
4 5210 4 00 2
4
5

Figure 3: Stem plot illustrating basketball points scored by Allen Iverson and Kobe Bryant
from 1999-2000.

Basketball point (2000-2001)

Key: 2|1 means 12 Key: 1|5 means 15

02
Allen Iverson Kobe Bryant
1 7 0
3 221 1 45 2
5 99887 1 7789 4
9 554322111 2 11223455 8
12 999987776666 2 6666779999 10
7 5322100 3 11111222234556 14
3 877 3 78889 5
6 543100 4 0345 4
3 976 4 78 2
1 4 5 1 1

Figure 4: Stem plot illustrating basketball points scored by Allen Iverson and Kobe Bryant
from 2000-2001.

5
 Box and Whisker Plots

Five number summaries:

Kobe Bryant
Min=0, Lower quartile=3, Median=5, Higher quartile=6, Max=12

Kobe Bryant without outlier

Min=0, Lower quartile=3, Median=5, Higher quartile=6, Max=9

Allen
Min=0, Lower quartile=3, Median=5, Higher quartile=6, Max=8

Figure 5: Box and whisker plot illustrating number of assists made by Kobe Bryant and
Allen Iverson in 1999-2000.

Five number summaries:

Kobe Bryant
Min=0, Lower quartile=3, Median=4.5, Higher quartile=6, Max=11

Kobe Bryant without outlier

Min=0, Lower quartile=3, Median=5, Higher quartile=6, Max=10

Allen
Min=1, Lower quartile=3, Median=4, Higher quartile=7, Max=10

6
Figure 6: Box and whisker plot illustrating number of assists made by Kobe Bryant and
Allen Iverson in 2000-2001.

Five number summaries:

Kobe Bryant
Min=11, Lower quartile=18, Median=22.5, Higher quartile=28, Max=40

Allen
Min=05, Lower quartile=20, Median=29, Higher quartile=35, Max=45

7
Figure 7: box illustrating number of points scored by Kobe Bryant and Allen Iverson in
1999-200

Five number summaries:

Kobe Bryant
Min=14, Lower quartile=25, Median=31, Higher quartile=37, Max=51

Allen
Min=7, Lower quartile=22, Median=27.5, Higher quartile=37, Max=54

Figure 8: box illustrating number of points scored by Kobe Bryant and Allen Iverson in
2000-2001

Class Frequency
0≤x<2 3
2≤x<4 12
4≤x<6 17
6≤x<8 12
8 ≤ x < 10 4
10 ≤ x < 12 1
12 ≤ x < 14 1

8
Figure 9: Histogram showing the assists made by Kobe Bryant in1999-2000.

Class Frequency
0 ≤ x < 13
1 ≤ x < 21
2 ≤ x < 35
3 ≤ x < 44
4 ≤ x < 59
5 ≤ x < 6 12
6 ≤ x < 7 11
7 ≤ x < 85
8 ≤ x < 91

9
Figure 10: Histogram showing the assists made by Allen Iverson in 1999-2000.

Class Frequency
0≤x<2 2
2 ≤ x < 4 12
4 ≤ x < 6 18
6 ≤ x < 8 11
8 ≤ x < 10 5
10 ≤ x < 12 2

10
Figure 11: Histogram showing the assists made by Kobe Bryant in 2000-2001.

Class Frequency
0≤x<2 4
2 ≤ x < 4 16
4 ≤ x < 6 14
6≤x<8 5
8 ≤ x < 10 10
10 ≤ x < 12 1

Figure 12: Histogram showing the assists made by Allen Iverson in 2000-2001.

Class Frequency
11 ≤ x < 17 7
17 ≤ x < 23 18
23 ≤ x < 29 14
29 ≤ x < 35 9
35 ≤ x < 41 2

11
Figure 3: Histogram showing the points scored by Kobe Bryant in1999-2000.

Class Frequency
5 ≤ x < 13 3
13 ≤ x < 21 8
21 ≤ x < 29 11
29 ≤ x < 37 18
37 ≤ x < 45 9
45 ≤ x < 53 1

Figure 14: Histogram showing the points scored by Allen Iverson in1999-2000.

12
 Class Frequency
14 ≤ x < 22 8
22 ≤ x < 30 16
30 ≤ x < 38 15
38 ≤ x < 46 8
46 ≤ x < 54 3

Figure 15: Histogram showing the points scored by Kobe Bryant 2000-2001.

Class Frequency
17 ≤ x < 25 16
25 ≤ x < 33 19
33 ≤ x < 41 7
41 ≤ x < 49 7
49 ≤ x < 57 1

13
Figure 16: Histogram showing the points scored by Allen Iverson in 2000-2001.

Data analysis
MEAN
Definition: the mean of a set of n terms is obtained by adding them and dividing by n.

∑𝑛
𝑖=1 𝑥
Formula: 𝜒̅ = 𝑛

Calculations:
The average assists made by Kobe Bryant in 1999-2000
∑𝑛
𝑖=1 𝑥
Mean = 𝑛
0+1+4+9+6…+12
means= 50
means= 4.82

The average assists made by Kobe Bryant in 2000-2001

∑𝑛
𝑖=1 𝑥
Mean = 𝑛
1+2+0+3+5…+11
means= 50
means= 4.9

The average assists made by Allen Iverson in 1999-2000

∑𝑛
𝑖=1 𝑥
Mean = 𝑛
3+2+1+0+4…+8
means= 50

14
means= 4.48

The average assists made by Allen Iverson in 2000-2001

∑𝑛
𝑖=1 𝑥
Mean = 𝑛
5+4+3+1+9…+10
means= 50
means= 4.76

the average points scored by Kobe Bryant in 1999-2000

∑𝑛
𝑖=1 𝑥
Mean = 𝑛
11+14+15+15+21…40
means= 50
means= 23.46

The average points scored by Kobe Bryant in 2000-2001

∑𝑛
𝑖=1 𝑥
Mean = 𝑛
17+18+21+14+26…51
means= 50
means= 30.42

The average points scored by Allen Iverson in 1999-2000

∑𝑛
𝑖=1 𝑥
Mean = 𝑛
5+15+16+19+21…45
means= 50
means= 28.02

The average points scored by Allen Iverson in 2000-2001

∑𝑛
𝑖=1 𝑥
Mean = 𝑛
7+26+27+21+19…+54
means= 50
means= 29

MEDIAN
Definition: The median of a set of terms divides them into two equal halves, half above the
median and hale below. The median is obtained by arranging the terms in order and finding the
term in the middle.
1
Formula: 2 (𝑛 + 1)𝑡ℎ ordered 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚
Calculations:
The median number of assists made by Kobe Bryant 1999-2000
1
Median= 2 (𝑛 + 1)𝑡ℎ ordered 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚
1
Hahaha= 2 (50 + 1)𝑡ℎ 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚
Hahaha= 25.5 th term
25𝑡ℎ+26𝑡ℎ 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚
Hahaha= 2

15
 5+5
Hahaha= 2
Hahaha= 5

The median number of assists made by Kobe Bryant in 2000-2001

1
Median= 2 (𝑛 + 1)𝑡ℎ ordered 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚
1
Hahaha= 2 (50 + 1)𝑡ℎ 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚
Hahaha= 25.5 th term
25𝑡ℎ+26𝑡ℎ 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚
Hahaha= 2
4+5
Hahaha= 2
Hahaha= 4.5

The median number of assists made by Allen Iverson in 1999-2000

1
Median= 2 (𝑛 + 1)𝑡ℎ ordered 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚
1
Hahaha= 2 (50 + 1)𝑡ℎ 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚
Hahaha= 25.5 th term
25𝑡ℎ+26𝑡ℎ 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚
Hahaha= 2
5+5
Hahaha= 2
Hahaha= 5

The median number of assists made by Allen Iverson in 2000-2001

1
Median= 2 (𝑛 + 1)𝑡ℎ ordered 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚
1
Hahaha= 2 (50 + 1)𝑡ℎ 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚
Hahaha= 25.5 th term
25𝑡ℎ+26𝑡ℎ 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚
Hahaha= 2
4+4
Hahaha= 2
Hahaha= 4

The median number of points scored by Kobe Bryant in 1999-2000

1
Median= 2 (𝑛 + 1)𝑡ℎ ordered 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚
1
Hahaha= 2 (50 + 1)𝑡ℎ 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚
Hahaha= 25.5 th term
25𝑡ℎ+26𝑡ℎ 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚
Hahaha= 2
22+23
Hahaha= 2
Hahaha= 22.5

The median number of points scored by Kobe Bryant in 2000-2001

1
Median= 2 (𝑛 + 1)𝑡ℎ ordered 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚
1
Hahaha= 2 (50 + 1)𝑡ℎ 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚

16
Hahaha= 25.5 th term
25𝑡ℎ+26𝑡ℎ 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚
Hahaha= 2
31+31
Hahaha= 2
Hahaha= 31

The median number of points scored by Allen Iverson in 1999-2000

1
Median= 2 (𝑛 + 1)𝑡ℎ ordered 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚
1
Hahaha= 2 (50 + 1)𝑡ℎ 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚
Hahaha= 25.5 th term
25𝑡ℎ+26𝑡ℎ 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚
Hahaha= 2
29+29
Hahaha= 2
Hahaha= 29

The median number of points scored by Aleen Iverson in 2000-2001

1
Median= 2 (𝑛 + 1)𝑡ℎ ordered 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚
1
Hahaha= 2 (50 + 1)𝑡ℎ 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚
Hahaha= 25.5 th term
25𝑡ℎ+26𝑡ℎ 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚
Hahaha= 2
27+28
Hahaha= 2
Hahaha= 27.5

MODE
Definition: The mode of a set of terms is the most commonly occurring term.

Calculations:
The mode of the assists made by Kobe Bryant in 1999-2000
Mode = 5

The mode of the assists made by Kobe Bryant in 2000-2001

Mode = 4
The mode of the assists made by Allen Iverson in 1999-2000
Mode = 6

The mode of the assists made by Allen Iverson in 2000-2001

Mode = 3

The mode of the points scored by Kobe Bryant in 1999-2000

Mode = 22

The mode of the points scored by Kobe Bryant in 2000-2001

Mode = 31

17
The mode of the points scored by Allen Iverson in 1999-2000
Mode = 35

The mode of the points scored by Allen Iverson in 2000-2001

Mode = 26

LOWER QUARTILE
1
Definition: This is also known as Q1, is a 4 of the values in the ordered data set.
1
Formula: 4 (𝑛 + 1 𝑡ℎ ordered 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚)

Calculations:
Lower quartile of
The assists made by Kobe Bryant in 1999-2000
1
= (𝑛 + 1 𝑡ℎ ordered 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚)
4
1
=4 (50 + 1 𝑡ℎ 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚)
= 12.75 th term
=3

The assists made by Kobe Bryant in 2000-2001

1
(𝑛 + 1 𝑡ℎ ordered 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚)
4
1
=4 (50 + 1 𝑡ℎ 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚)
= 12.75 th term
=3

The assists made by Allen Iverson in 1999-2000

1
(𝑛 + 1 𝑡ℎ ordered 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚)
4
1
=4 (50 + 1 𝑡ℎ 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚)
= 12.75 th term
=5

The assists made by Allen Iverson in 2000-2001

1
(𝑛 + 1 𝑡ℎ ordered 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚)
4
1
= (50 + 1 𝑡ℎ 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚)
4
= 12.75 th term
=4

The points scored by Kobe Bryant in 1999-2000

1
(𝑛 + 1 𝑡ℎ ordered 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚)
4
1
=4 (50 + 1 𝑡ℎ 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚)
= 12.75 th term
= 18

18
The points scored by Kobe Bryant in 2000-2001
1
(𝑛 + 1 𝑡ℎ ordered 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚)
4
1
=4 (50 + 1 𝑡ℎ 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚)
= 12.75 th term
= 25

The points scored by Allen Iverson in 1999-2000

1
(𝑛 + 1 𝑡ℎ ordered 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚)
4
1
=4 (50 + 1 𝑡ℎ 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚)
= 12.75 th term
= 20

The points scored by Allen Iverson in 2000-2001

1
(𝑛 + 1 𝑡ℎ ordered 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚)
4
1
=4 (50 + 1 𝑡ℎ 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚)
= 12.75 th term
= 22

UPPER QUARTILE
3
DEFINITION: This is also known as Q3, it is 4 of the ordered values of data set.

3
Formula: 4 (𝑛 + 1 𝑡ℎ ordered 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚)
Calculations:
Lower quartile of
The assists made by Kobe Bryant in 1999-2000
3
(𝑛 + 1 𝑡ℎ ordered 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚)
4
3
=4 (50 + 1 𝑡ℎ 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚)
= 38.75 th term
=6

The assists made by Kobe Bryant in 2000-2001

3
(𝑛 + 1 𝑡ℎ ordered 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚)
4
3
=4 (50 + 1 𝑡ℎ 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚)
= 38.75 th term
=6

The assists made by Allen Iverson in 1999-2000

3
4
(𝑛 + 1 𝑡ℎ ordered 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚)
3
=4 (50 + 1 𝑡ℎ 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚)

19
= 38.75 th term
=6

The assists made by Allen Iverson in 2000-2001

3
(𝑛 + 1 𝑡ℎ ordered 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚)
4
3
=4 (50 + 1 𝑡ℎ 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚)
= 38.75 th term
=7

The points scored by Kobe Bryant in 1999-2000

3
(𝑛 + 1 𝑡ℎ ordered 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚)
4
3
=4 (50 + 1 𝑡ℎ 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚)
= 38.75 th term
= 28

The points scored by Kobe Bryant in 2000-2001

3
(𝑛 + 1 𝑡ℎ 𝑡ordered 𝑒𝑟𝑚)
4
3
=4 (50 + 1 𝑡ℎ 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚)
= 38.75 th term
= 37

The points scored by Allen Iverson in 1999-2000

3
(𝑛 + 1 𝑡ℎ ordered 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚)
4
3
=4 (50 + 1 𝑡ℎ 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚)
= 38.75 th term
= 35

The points scored by Allen Iverson in 2000-2001

3
(𝑛 + 1 𝑡ℎ 𝑣 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚)
4
3
=4 (50 + 1 𝑡ℎ 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚)
= 38.75 th term
= 37

RANGE
Definition: This is the difference between the highest and lowest value

Formula: Highest Observation – Lower Observation

Calculations:
Range of:
The assists made by Kobe Bryant in 1999-2000
12-0 = 12

20
The assists made by Kobe Bryant in 2000-2001
11-0 = 11

The assists made by Allen Iverson in 1999-2000

8-0 = 8

The assists made by Allen Iverson in 2000-2001

10-1 = 9

The points scored by the Kobe Bryant in 1999-2000

40-11 = 29

The points scored by the Kobe Bryant in 2000-2001

51-14 = 37

The points scored by the Allen Iverson in 1999-2000

45-5 = 40

The points scored by the Allen Iverson in 2000-2001

54-7 = 47

INTERQUARTILE RANGE
Definition: this is a measure o statistical dispersion being equal to the difference being the upper
quartile and the lower quartile

Formula: Upper Quartile – Lower Quartile

Calculations:
Interquartile Range of:
The assists made by Kobe Bryant in 1999-2000
6-3 = 3

The assists made by Kobe Bryant in 2000-2001

6-3 = 3

The assists made by Allen Iverson in 1999-2000

6-3 = 3

The assists made by Allen Iverson in 2000-2001

7-3 = 4

The points scored by Kobe Bryant in 1999-2000

28-18 = 10

The points scored by Kobe Bryant in 2000-2001

21
37-25 = 12

The points scored by Allen Iverson in 1999-2000

35-20 = 15

The points scored by Allen Iverson in 2000-2001

37-22 = 15

STANDARD DEVIATION
Definition: this is the quantity expressing by how much the number differ from the real values.

∑𝑛
𝑖=1(𝑥𝑖 −𝑥̅ )
2
Formula: √ 𝑛

Calculations:
standard Deviation of:
The assists made by Kobe Bryant in 1999-2000
(0−4.82)2 +(1−4.82)2 +(4−4.82)2 …+(12−4.82)2
=√ 50
= 2.41

The assists made by Kobe Bryant in 2000-2001

(1−4.9)2 +(2−4.9)2 +(0−4.9)2 …+(11−4.9)2
=√ 50
= 2.33

The assists made by Allen Iverson in 1999-2000

(3−4.48)2 +(2−4.48)2 +(1−4.48)2 …+(8−4.48)2
=√ 50
= 1.96

The assists made by Allen Iverson in 2000-2001

(5−4.76)2 +(4−4.76)2 +(3−4.76)2 …+(10−4.76)2
=√ 50
= 2.51

The point scored by Kobe Bryant in 1999-2000

(11−23.46)2 +(14−23.46)2 +(15−23.46)2 …+(40−23.46)2
=√ 50
= 6.52

The point scored by Kobe Bryant in 2000-2001

(17−30.42)2 +(18−30.42)2 +(18−30.42)2 …+(51−30.42)2
=√ 50
= 8.79

22
The points scored by Allen Iverson in 1999-2000
(5−28.02)2 +(15−28.02)2 +(16−28.02)2 …+(45−28.02)2
=√ 50
= 9.21

The points scored by Allen Iverson in 2000-2001

(7−29)2 +(26−29)2 +(27−29)2 …+(54−29)2
=√ 50
= 10.49

VARIANCE
Definition: This is the expectation of the squared of the standard deviation for a rando variable
from its mean, it measures how far a set of numbers are spread out from the average
2
∑𝑛
𝑖=1(𝑥𝑖 −𝑥̅ )
2
Formula: (√ )
𝑛

Calculations:
The variance of:
The assists made by Kobe Bryant in 1999-2000
= (2.41)2
= 5.82

The assists made by Kobe Bryant in 2000-2001

= (2.33)2
= 5.44

The assists made by Allen Iverson in 1999-2000

= (1.96)2
= 9.21

The assists made by Allen Iverson in 2000-2001

= (2.51)2
= 6.31

The points scored by Kobe Bryant in 1999-2000

= (6.52)2
= 42.50

The points scored by Kobe Bryant in 2000-2001

= (8.79)2
= 77.23

The points scored by Allen Iverson in 1999-2000

23
= (9.21)2
= 84.84

The points scored by Allen Iverson in 2000-2001

= (10.49)2
= 110

Outlier Detection
An outlier is an overexaggerated value in a distribution which can either be very large or small.
To detect an outlier:

Let 𝑦= 1.5 x IQR

𝑥𝑖 is an outlier if:

𝑥𝑖 > 𝑄3 +𝑦 Or if 𝑥𝑖 < 𝑄1 – 𝑦

For the distribution of number of assists made by Kobe Bryant for the time period 1999-2000:

𝑦 = 1.5 x IQR
= 1.5 x 3
= 4.5
Upper Boundary:
𝑄3 + 𝑦 = 6 + 4.5
= 10.5 assists
Lower Boundary:
𝑄1 – 𝑦 = 3 – 4.5
= -1.5 assists

Since there are values/observations that are outside the interval (-1.5, 10.5), there are two outliers
in the distribution of assists made by Kobe Bryant.

Kobe Bryant assists in 1999- 2000 calculation without outlier:

0+1+2+3+4...9
Mean = = 4.54
48

Mode = 5

Median = 5
1
Lower Quartile = 4 (𝑛 + 1 𝑡ℎ 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚)
1
=𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛 = 4 (48 + 1 𝑡ℎ 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚)
= 12.25 th term
=3

24
 3
Upper quartile = 4 (𝑛 + 1 𝑡ℎ 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚)
3
=𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛 = 4 (48 + 1 𝑡ℎ 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚)
= 36.75 th term
=6

Range = 9 – 0 = 9

Interquartile Range = 6 – 3 = 3

(0−4.54)2 +(1−4.54)2 +(4−4.54)2 …+(9−4.54)2

Standard deviation = √ =2
50

Variance = (2)2 = 4

For the distribution of number of assists made by Kobe Bryant for the time period 2000-2001:

𝑦 = 1.5 x IQR
= 1.5 x 3
= 4.5
Upper Boundary:
𝑄3 + 𝑦 = 6 + 4.5
= 10.5 assists
Lower Boundary:
𝑄1 – 𝑦 = 3 – 4.5
= -1.5 assists

Since there are values/observations that are outside the interval (-1.5, 10.5), there are outlier in
the distribution of assists made by Kobe Bryant.

Kobe Bryant assists made in 2000-2001 calculation without outlier:

0+1+2+3+4...10
Mean = = 4.80
49

Mode = 4

Median = 4.54
1
Lower Quartile = 4 (𝑛 + 1 𝑡ℎ 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚)
1
=𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛 = 4 (49 + 1 𝑡ℎ 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚)
= 12.5 th term
=3

25
 3
Upper quartile = 4 (𝑛 + 1 𝑡ℎ 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚)
3
=𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛 = 4 (49 + 1 𝑡ℎ 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚)
= 37.5 th term
=6

Range = 10 – 0 = 10

Interquartile Range = 6 – 3 = 3

(0−4.80)2 +(1−4.80)2 +(4−4.80)2 …+(11−4.80)2

Standard deviation = √ =2
50

Variance = (2)2 = 4

For the distribution of number of assists made by Allen Iverson for the time period 1999-2000:

𝑦 = 1.5 x IQR
= 1.5 x 3
= 4.5
Upper Boundary:
𝑄3 + 𝑦 = 6 + 4.5
= 10.5 assists
Lower Boundary:
𝑄1 – 𝑦 = 5 – 4.5
= 0.5 assists

Since there are no values/observations that are outside the interval (0.5, 10.5), there are no
outliers in the distribution of assists made by Allen Iverson

For the distribution of number of assists made by Allen Iverson for the time period 2000-2001:

𝑦 = 1.5 x IQR
= 1.5 x 4
=6
Upper Boundary:
𝑄3 + 𝑦 = 7 +
= 13 assists
Lower Boundary:
𝑄1 – 𝑦 = 4 – 0
= -4 assists

26
Since there are no values/observations that are outside the interval (-4,13), there are no outliers in
the distribution of assists made by Allen Iverson.

For the distribution of number of points scored by Kobe Bryant for the time period 1999-2000:

𝑦 = 1.5 x IQR
= 1.5 x 10
= 15
Upper Boundary:
𝑄3 + 𝑦 = 28 + 15
= 43 points
Lower Boundary:
𝑄1 – 𝑦 = 18 – 15
= 3 points

Since there are values/observations that are outside the interval (3,43), there are no outliers in the
distribution of assists made by Kobe Bryant.

For the distribution of number of points scored by Kobe Bryant for the time period 2000-2001:

𝑦 = 1.5 x IQR
= 1.5 x 15
= 18
Upper Boundary:
𝑄3 + 𝑦 = 37 + 18
= 55 points
Lower Boundary:
𝑄1 – 𝑦 = 25 – 18
= 7 points

Since there are values/observations that are outside the interval (7,55), there are no outliers in the
distribution assists made by Kobe Bryant.

For the distribution of number of points scored by Allen Iverson for the time period 1999-2000:

𝑦 = 1.5 x IQR
= 1.5 x 15
= 22.5
Upper Boundary:
𝑄3 + 𝑦 = 35 + 22.5
= 57.5 points
Lower Boundary:
𝑄1 – 𝑦 = 20 – 22.5
= -2.5 points

27
Since there are no values/observations that are outside the interval (-2.5,57.5), there are no
outliers in the distribution of assists made by Allen Iverson.

For the distribution of number of points scored by Allen Iverson for the time period 2000-2001:

𝑦 = 1.5 x IQR
= 1.5 x 15
= 22.5
Upper Boundary:
𝑄3 + 𝑦 = 37 + 22.5
= 59.5 points
Lower Boundary:
𝑄1 – 𝑦 = 22 – 22.5
= -0.5 points
Since there are no values/observations that are outside the interval (-0.5,59.5), there are no
outliers in the distribution of assists made by Allen Iverson.

PROBABILITY
Definition: the probabilities is the measure of the likelihood that an event will occur
𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑢𝑐𝑐𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑓𝑢𝑙 𝑜𝑢𝑡𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑠 𝑖𝑛 𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝐴
Formula: P(A) = 𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑜𝑢𝑡𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑠

Calculations:

1. Probabilities that Kobe Bryant number of assists is more than Allen Iverson mean
number of assists in 1999-2000
27
P [KB no. of assists > AI mean no. of assists] = 50 = 0.54

2. Probabilities that Kobe Bryant number of assists is more than Allen Iverson mean
number of assists in 2000-2001
25
P [KB no. of assists > AI mean no. of assists] = 50 = 0.5

3. Probability that Allen Iverson scores more points than Kobe Bryant mean number of
points in 1999-2000.
37
P [AI no. of points scored > KB mean no. of points scored] = = 0.74
50

4. Probability that Allen Iverson scores more points than Kobe Bryant mean number of
points in 1999-2000.
15
P [KB no. of points scored > AI mean no. of points scored] = 50 = 0.3

28
SUMMARY TABLE OF DESCRIPTIBE STATISTICS

Statistics Assists Basketball Ball Point Scored

Kobe Bryant Allen Iverson Kobe Bryant Allen Iverson
1999-2000 2000-2001 1999- 2000- 1999- 2000- 1999- 2000
2000 2001 2000 2001 2000 -
2001

WITHOUT WITHOUT
OUTLIER OUTLIER
Mean 4.82 4.54 4.90 4.80 4.48 4.76 23.46 30.42 28.02 29
Mode 5 5 4 4 6 3 22 31 35 26
Median 5 5 4.5 5 5 4 22.5 31 29 27.5
Lower quartile 3 3 3 3 3 3 18 25 20 22
Upper Quartile 6 6 6 6 6 7 28 37 35 37
Range 12 9 11 9 8 9 29 37 40 47
Interquartile 3 3 3 3 3 4 10 12 15 15
Range
Standard 2.41 2 2.33 2.0 1.96 2.51 6.52 8.79 9.21 10.49
Deviation
Variance 5.82 4 5.44 4 9.21 6.31 42.50 77.23 84.84 110

29
 Discussion of findings

Kobe Bryant has the higher mean (4.80) and median (5) number of assists for the 2001 season
than Iverson however his mean number of assists for the 2000 season are below Iverson’s. When
comparing the mean and median number of assists, Kobe Bryant’s mean for 2000 of 4.54 is
greater than Iverson’s 4.48. In addition, for the 2001 season he has a greater a modal number of
assists than Iverson. Overall it can be said that Bryant was marginally more valuable to his team
in terms of providing assists over the two seasons than was Iverson. Although Bryant had an
improved number of assists in 2001. It must be noted that over the two seasons Kobe Bryant
distribution of number of assists included outliers which were removed before making
comparisons. The effects of removing these outliers were evident in the reduced mean number of
assists and standard deviation and also reduced the skewness of Kobe Bryant’s distributions. The
distributions of their number of assists for both players over both seasons were therefore
symmetric. This means that most of the observations were close to the measures of central
tendency: mean, mode and median. Kobe Bryant was known to be an exceptional player and
therefore extremely large scores would be an occasional feature of his game.

Kobe Bryant has the higher mean (30.42) and median (31) points tally for the 2001 season than
Iverson however his mean points tally for the 2000 season are below Iverson’s. When comparing
the mean and median number of points scored, Kobe Bryant mean and median for 2001 are
(30.42 and 31) respectively is greater than Iverson’s (29 and 27.5) but for the 2000 season
Iverson have a greater mean and median number of points scored than Kobe. This suggests that
both players are almost the same at acquiring point per games. Although both have an
improvement points tally in 2001, it must be noted that over the two seasons Kobe has a great
improvement from 23.46 to 30.42 while Iverson is remained almost constant 28.02 and 29. Kobe
Bryant is known to be a most valuable player and high scores would be an occasional feature of
his game.

The number of assists made by both basketball players was shown to be symmetrical when
looking at the respective boxplots and histogram. The standard deviation of the assists made by
Kobe Bryant in 2000 season (2) is greater than Iverson (1.96) however in 2001 season his points
are below Iverson (2.51 vs 2). Furthermore when comparing the interquartile range and range of
assists Kobe and Iverson has the same for 2000 season (3 vs 3) however, in 2001 Iverson’s
interquartile range is slightly greater than Kobe (4 vs 3 ). In addition, the interquartile range for
the number of points scored is greater for Iverson (15 vs 12) and it appears that Iverson is
therefore less consistent than Bryant based on this measure of dispersion. Using the probability
calculated, approximately 5% of Kobe’s assists made exceeded the mean number of assists made
by Iverson indicating that Kobe is a more valuable to his team than Iverson based on the assists
made

The distribution of the number of points scored by both athletes appear to by symmetric when
looking at their respective boxplots and histograms. Allen Iverson has the higher standard
deviation than Kobe this suggesting there is more variability in Iverson’s distribution of point In
addition, for the both season Allen Iverson interquartile range and range are greater than Kobe
(15 vs 10 and 15 vs 12), (40 compared to 29 and 47 compare to 37 ) respectively. It appears that
Iverson is less consistent than Kobe based on these measures of dispersion. Using the probability
30
calculated approximately in 2000 season 74% of Allen Iverson points exceeded the mean
number of points scored by Kobe while in 2001 season 3% of Kobe points exceeded the mean
number of points scored by Iverson. This indicated that Iverson performed slightly better than
Kobe based on the number of points scored.

31
 Conclusion

Based on the analysis carried above, Kobe Bryant is the better offensive player than Allen
Iverson because he has the overall higher measures of central tendency (mean, median, mode)
with respect to both points scores and number of assists. In addition, Kobe Bryant is the more
consistent player of the two with overall lower measures of dispersion. This suggests he is a
greater asset to his team as an offensive forward than is Allen Iverson. Kobe’s number of assists
is more than Allen Iverson however his point scored is slightly lower than Allen Iverson, but
overall Kobe is the better player offensively because his position allows him to vary over the
court. Although both players play point guard and shooting guard. Kobe Bryant seems to be a
more valuable player to his team since his points and assists are higher compare to Allen Iverson.

For further research on this topic, we can compare the records of these athletes, as well as other
players in the NBA using statistical hypothesis testing of their means. Also, a comparison of
American based NBA players and European basketball players can be carried out and other
variables or game statistics can also be used to make comparisons such as the number of shots
and blocks. Investigations including data for players across different time periods can also be
considered as a means of studying the effect of sports technology on performances.

32
 References

https://www.basketball-reference.com

http://www.imathas.com/stattools/boxplot.html

http://www.imathas.com/stattools/histo.html

33
 Appendix
Appendix 1: The raw data obtained from Kobe Bryant and Allen Iverson in the time period
of 1999-2001.
Kobe Bryant 1999-2001 Allen Iverson 1999-2001
AST PTS AST PTS AST PTS AST PTS
0 11 0 14 0 5 1 7
1 13 1 15 0 11 1 11
1 13 2 17 0 11 1 12
2 14 2 17 1 14 1 12
2 15 2 18 2 15 2 17
2 15 2 19 2 16 2 18
2 15 3 21 2 16 2 18
2 17 3 21 2 18 2 19
3 17 3 22 2 18 2 19
3 18 3 22 3 19 3 21
3 18 3 23 3 19 3 21
3 18 3 24 3 19 3 21
3 18 3 25 3 20 3 22
3 18 3 25 4 21 3 22
3 19 4 26 4 22 3 23
4 21 4 26 4 24 3 24
4 21 4 26 4 25 3 25
4 21 4 26 4 25 3 25
4 21 4 27 4 26 3 26
4 22 4 27 4 27 3 26
4 22 4 29 4 28 4 26
4 22 4 29 4 28 4 26
4 22 4 29 5 29 4 27

34
 5 22 4 29 5 29 4 27
5 22 4 31 5 29 4 27
5 23 5 31 5 29 4 28
5 24 5 31 5 30 5 29
5 25 5 31 5 30 5 29
5 25 5 31 5 31 5 29
5 26 5 32 5 32 5 29
5 26 5 32 5 32 5 30
5 26 5 32 5 34 5 30
6 26 6 32 6 34 5 31
6 26 6 33 6 34 5 32
6 27 6 34 6 34 6 32
6 27 6 35 6 35 7 33
6 27 6 35 6 35 7 35
6 28 6 36 6 35 7 37
6 28 6 37 6 35 7 37
6 29 6 38 6 35 8 38
6 29 7 38 6 37 8 40
7 30 7 38 6 37 8 40
7 30 7 39 6 37 8 41
7 30 8 40 6 37 8 43
8 31 8 43 7 37 8 44
8 31 9 44 7 39 8 45
8 31 9 45 7 40 9 46
9 33 9 47 7 41 9 47
11 40 10 48 7 42 9 49
12 40 11 51 8 45 10 54

35