SportIntel MCP Server

# BallDontLie API Limitation ## The Problem The Actor is failing with this error: ``` Error fetching stats: AxiosError: Request failed with status code 401 ``` ## Root Cause The **FREE tier of BallDontLie API does NOT include access to the `/stats` endpoint**. ### What Works (FREE tier): - ✅ `/players` - Get player information - ✅ `/teams` - Get team information - ✅ `/games` - Get game schedules ### What Doesn't Work (Paid plans only): - ❌ `/stats` - Get player statistics (REQUIRED for projections) - ❌ `/season_averages` - Get season averages ## Testing Results ```bash # This WORKS: curl -H "Authorization: <your-balldontlie-api-key>" \ "https://api.balldontlie.io/v1/players?per_page=1" # Returns: Player data ✅ # This FAILS: curl -H "Authorization: <your-balldontlie-api-key>" \ "https://api.balldontlie.io/v1/stats?per_page=1" # Returns: "Unauthorized" ❌ ``` ## Solutions ### Option 1: Upgrade BallDontLie Plan (RECOMMENDED) **Cost**: $10-20/month for stats access **Steps**: 1. Go to: https://www.balldontlie.io/pricing 2. Upgrade to a paid plan that includes `/stats` endpoint 3. No code changes needed - Actor will work immediately! ### Option 2: Use Alternative Data Source (FREE) **Replace BallDontLie with balldontlie-free or another free API** Free alternatives: - **NBA API** (unofficial, no key needed): https://github.com/swar/nba_api - **ESPN API** (unofficial): http://site.api.espn.com/apis/site/v2/sports/basketball/nba - **Sportradar** (free tier with stats): https://developer.sportradar.com/ ### Option 3: Use Mock Data for MVP (TEMPORARY) **Keep current implementation but use fake stats for testing** This allows you to: - Submit to Apify Store - Show the concept/UI - Get user feedback - Add disclaimer: "Uses sample data for demonstration" Once you get paying users, upgrade to real data source. ## Recommended Path Forward Since you're trying to MVP quickly and get to market: 1. **Short term** (this week): - Use mock/fake player stats - Add clear disclaimer - Focus on getting UI/UX right - Submit to Apify Store 2. **Medium term** (once you have users): - Upgrade to BallDontLie paid plan ($10-20/mo) - OR integrate free alternative (ESPN API, NBA API) - Remove disclaimer 3. **Long term** (if successful): - Build your own data pipeline - Scrape multiple sources - Add data validation ## Next Steps **Choice A**: Pay for BallDontLie ($10-20/mo) - WORKS NOW **Choice B**: Switch to free alternative API - REQUIRES CODE CHANGES **Choice C**: Use mock data for MVP - WORKS NOW BUT FAKE DATA Which path do you want to take? --- ## Technical Note The Actor successfully: - ✅ Deploys to Apify - ✅ Fetches DFS salaries (62 players) - ✅ Calls BallDontLie API - ✅ Has correct authentication It only fails when trying to fetch player statistics because the free API key doesn't have access to that endpoint.