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Instructions for Using the NBA GraphQL API

1. Access the GraphiQL Interface:

   • Open your web browser and go to https://nbaapi.com/graphql/.
   • This interface allows you to write and execute GraphQL queries against the NBA database.

2. Basic Query Structure:

   • A GraphQL query consists of a query keyword followed by the specific data request enclosed in curly braces {}.

   • Example:

     query {
       playerTotals(name: "LeBron James") {
         playerName
         position
         season
         team
         games
         id
       }
     }

3. Querying Player Totals:

   • To fetch player totals for a specific player:

     query {
       playerTotals(name: "LeBron James") {
         playerName
         position
         season
         team
         games
         id
       }
     }

   • This query returns the player name, position, season, team, games played, and database ID for every entry matching "LeBron James".

4. Querying Players by Position and Ordering:

   • To fetch players by position and order them by a specific stat:

     query {
       playerTotals(position: "C", ordering: "-total_rb") {
         playerName
         totalRb
         team
         season
       }
     }

   • This returns players in the Center position, ordered by total rebounds in descending order.

5. Advanced Player Stats:

   • To fetch advanced stats for players from a specific team and season:

     query {
       playerAdvanced(team: "HOU", season: 2019, position: "PG", ordering: "-win_shares") {
         playerName
         position
         team
         season
         winShares
       }
     }

   • This returns Point Guards from the Houston Rockets in the 2019 season, ordered by win shares in descending order.

6. Querying Specific Player's Advanced Stats:

   • For detailed advanced stats for a specific player:

     query {
       playerAdvanced(name: "Kobe Bryant") {
         playerName
         age
         assistPercent
         blockPercent
         defensiveWs
         offensiveWs
         winShares
         per
         vorp
       }
     }

   • This returns all available advanced stats for Kobe Bryant.

7. Using Filters and Ordering:

   • Filters: You can filter data by name, season, team, position, playerID, and id.

   • Ordering: Use the ordering parameter to sort results. Prefix the category with a - for descending order.

   • Example:

     query {
       playerTotals(team: "LAL", ordering: "-points") {
         playerName
         points
       }
     }

8. Explore the Schema:

   • Use the GraphiQL interface's built-in documentation explorer to understand the available types, queries, and fields.
   • This helps in constructing more complex and precise queries.

By following these steps, you can effectively use the NBA GraphQL API to retrieve various player statistics and perform data analysis.