In 2012, Muthu Alagappan, a Stanford University student, made waves in the sports analytics world during MIT’s Sloan Sports Analytics Conference.
His presentation, titled “From 5 to 13: Redefining the Positions in Basketball,” introduced a groundbreaking way to analyze and position basketball players beyond the traditional five roles: point guard, shooting guard, small forward, power forward, and center.
Alagappan’s goal was to better reflect how players actually play on the court, moving away from the rigid positional labels.
His work sought to create new categories based on how players perform in specific statistical areas, rather than just relying on physical attributes or where they typically line up on the floor.
Key Idea: Understanding Performance Through Data
The heart of Alagappan’s analysis was understanding that a player’s contribution to the game isn’t always tied to traditional roles.
Instead, a player’s impact on both offense and defense can be determined by analyzing seven key statistical categories:
- Points
- Rebounds
- Assists
- Steals
- Blocked Shots
- Turnovers
- Fouls
By comparing how players performed relative to the league average in these categories, Alagappan was able to break down the traditional five positions into 13 distinct roles that better describe how players truly play the game.
The 13 New Positions
Below are the 13 positions Muthu Alagappan identified, with some well-known players as examples:
Offensive Ball-Handler:
- Players who excel at handling the ball in offensive plays.
- Example Players: Jason Terry, Tony Parker
Defensive Ball-Handler:
- Players whose primary role is to handle the ball and defend.
- Example Players: Mike Conley, Kyle Lowry
Combo Ball-Handler:
- Players who combine offense and defense in ball-handling roles.
- Example Players: Jameer Nelson, John Wall
Shooting Ball-Handler:
- Players who are both adept at handling the ball and are key shooters.
- Example Players: Stephen Curry, Manu Ginobili
Role-Playing Ball-Handler:
- Players who take on supporting roles while still handling the ball.
- Example Players: Arron Afflalo, Rudy Fernandez
3-Point Rebounder:
- Players known for combining three-point shooting with strong rebounding.
- Example Players: Luol Deng, Chase Budinger
Scoring Rebounder:
- Players who score efficiently and also rebound well.
- Example Players: Dirk Nowitzki, LaMarcus Aldridge
Paint Protector:
- Players whose main role is protecting the paint and blocking shots.
- Example Players: Marcus Camby, Tyson Chandler
Scoring Paint Protector:
- Players who both protect the paint and are key scorers.
- Example Players: Kevin Love, Blake Griffin
Role Player:
- Players who focus on contributing to team success through small but vital roles.
- Example Players: Shane Battier, Ronnie Brewer
NBA 1st-Team:
- Elite players who consistently perform at the highest level across all categories.
- Example Players: Kevin Durant, LeBron James
NBA 2nd-Team:
- Highly effective players who may not reach the superstar level but are still top performers.
- Example Players: Rudy Gay, Caron Butler
One-of-a-Kind:
- Unique players with an unmatchable style or skillset.
- Example Players: Derrick Rose, Dwight Howard
Impact of the Analysis
Alagappan’s work showcased how big data can be used to redefine the understanding of player roles in basketball.
His model suggests that the way a player fits into a team or performs on the court depends on the system of play—whether offensive or defensive—rather than sticking rigidly to traditional roles.
By using data to highlight the actual impact players have, his analysis provided coaches and analysts a new way to view team-building and strategy.
Conclusion
Muthu Alagappan’s work at the Sloan Sports Analytics Conference in 2012 remains a landmark moment in sports analytics.
His redefinition of basketball positions opened the door for a more nuanced understanding of player roles, breaking away from the five traditional positions.
For anyone interested in how data can transform sports strategy, his analysis is a clear example of how numbers can provide deeper insights into player performance and team building.