Important Facts about the History of Basketball

Basketball is a game that is famous worldwide. There is no one around the world who does not know about basketball or even heard about the game. And nowadays, there are different leagues and governing bodies for the game; NBA being the most famous league and FIBA as the highest governing body. With its popularity, basketball is now being played in most parts of the worlds. The game is even included in the Olympics.

Though almost everyone knows the game, not all knows about the history of basketball. Perhaps only a portion of basketball fans know how basketball really begun and where. To better understand basketball and its history, here are the few important facts about it;

• James Naismith – he is the inventor of basketball. He is a Canadian educator as well as a sports recreationalist.

• 1981 – this was the year when James Naismith invented basketball.

• Springfield, Massachusetts – where the game was invented

Did You Know?

• That it took James Naismith and his team about 14 days to form the rules of basketball.

• That basketball was initially played using peach baskets as hoops.

• That it was then played with 9 players on the court per team.

•That the first ball use in basketball was actually a soccer ball.

Out of these developments, basketball evolved into the game that we know today. This evolution can be attributed to the committees and governing bodies of basketball.

The Birth of NBA

The history of basketball will never be complete without mentioning the introduction and development of the National Basketball Association or NBA. It was basically formed in 1946. In the early days of the NBA, though there have been lots of great players, it doesn’t enjoy the sophistication and popularity that it has today.

This changed in the late 50s and early 60s when Bill Russell entered the league. With Russell and the Boston Celtics, NBA received a new shine in the limelight as the team collected 8 successive championships. And in the 70s the Larry Bird-Magic Johnson matchup gave NBA a new height. Their team’s battle for an NBA reign fueled many peoples interest towards the game.

However, the fame and glory that NBA has today is much attributed to Michael Jordan in the 1980s up to the 1990s.

Basketball, Refined

Throughout the years, basketball has been polished; the rules were changed that only 5 players per team are now playing on the court. The peach baskets were also replaced by iron rims with nylon nets beneath. The point system was also refined. The soccer ball was replaced with an official basketball. Long range shooting or the three-point shot were also included in the game. This was not included in NBA games until 1979 and in NCAA until 1980. The American Basketball Association or ABA league was the first one to use this kind of shot.

There are still lots of things that you need to know regarding the history of basketball. What’s written here is just basic information. Should you need an in-depth study of basketball’s history, you can always get a textbook discussing everything about basketball; from history to the most advance techniques.

The internet also abound with information on the history of basketball and other essential things about the game.

Getting to Know the Different Basketball Game Rules

All games follow certain rules in order for the game to be fair and properly executed. Rules are drafted these days by authorized people; particularly by the board that manages a certain authority on particular sports. As for the case of basketball game rules, they are drafted and finalized by people behind the game associations or leagues.

For example, the NBA (National Basketball Association) has an executive committee that determines the rules for the game. For the international basketball games, the FIBA, or the Fédération Internationale de Basketball Amateur or simply as the International Basketball Federation, may adopt their own rules of the game. However, no matter how many associations there are, the main and skeletal rules of basketball are most of the time unchanged.

Aside from the differences of the league, the rules of the courts may also be changed according to the players. The rules on basketball games for women are absolutely different from those of the men. This is very evident particularly on the measurements of the ball to be used, the measurement of the court and some other minor rules.

Because each basketball game has its own rule depending on the league and the type of game, it is best to check on the official draft of rules of each association and also their sub-rules on men and women games.

However, there are rules that remain constant to most of all basketball associations around the world. These are the rules of court that pertains to the original rules of the game. Here are the basic rules of court.

• The Backcourt Violation – this happens when an offensive team passed the ball behind the midcourt line before the defensive team touches it. In this case the ball is awarded to the defensive team.

• Dribbling – dribbling is a skill of the game. However, a player is not allowed to stop and dribble and move and dribble again. This is a double-dribble violation.

• Personal Fouls – physical assault is not allowed in the game, be it intentional or unintentional. The punishment for committing personal foul is elimination from the game when a certain player reaches the allowed number of personal fouls.

• Traveling – the player can pivot around with one foot without stepping at least another step while grasping the ball with the hands. When he steps more than that while the ball is still in his possession, traveling violation is incurred. Traveling is also termed as walking. When this happens, the ball is awarded to the opposing team.

• Technical Fouls – if any player or coach displays any untoward actions against the referee or to the committee in charge of the game a technical foul maybe called upon. Flagrant foul is also considered as technical foul.

There are also rules in the game time and in a basketball time; there are so many time rules that needed to be understood.

1.) 24-second clock – this is the time given for the team holding the ball to shoot it at their goal. If the ball is not shot before the 24-seconds the ball is awarded to the opponent. Each time shot is made or an attempt of shot is made. The 24-second clock restarts.

2.) 10-second violation – this is the time given for the team to bring the ball beyond the midline from the opponent’s half court.

3.) 5-second in-bound violation – a referee will award the ball to a player and gives the player 5 seconds to pass the ball to his team mates. When his 5 seconds expires, the ball is awarded to the opponent.

4.) 5-second possession violation – each player is given 5 second to dribble, pass, or shoot the ball. When the five second expires, the ball is given to the opponent team.

5.) 3-second rule – this is the time given to a player to stay on in the lane. The player must shoot or pass the ball before the 3-second expires.

These basketball game rules remain the same in most games regardless of the association or league. So every player must master this rules and avoid any violations.

Getting to Know the Basketball Hall of Fame and the Famers

If you are going to review your basketball history, you will surely encounter the name James Naismith. He is the inventor of the game. And from the time that he has introduced the game up to this date, the game basketball has evolved and became the game that we know today. Basketball moves and new basketball rules were added and different leagues and conferences were introduced. Along with the changes, many people have contributed to the evolution and development of the sports. To honor them, the Basketball Hall of Fame was introduced.

Known as the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, this is a building located in Springfield, Massachusetts. It aims to honor basketball players with exceptional talent and skills, great coaches and referees as well as people who have important contribution to basketball. To date, there have been six teams inducted into this Hall of Fame. They are;

• James Naismith’s First Team
• The Buffalo Germans
• The Original Celtics
• The New York Renaissance
• Harlem Globetrotters
• 1966 Texas Western Team – most recently inducted

Mission

Upon establishment, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame has one mission. And that is to preserve as well as to promote basketball at all levels. It also aims to serve as the game’s most important library of history.

So, if you are in search for the most comprehensive stories behind the history of basketball and its evolution, you will most likely find it here.

History and Structure

The Hall of Fame was built in 1968, the 17th of February at Springfield College. But, it was actually established in 1959 but lack of funds prohibited building. In 1985, the new Hall of Fame building was opened on Connecticut River’s east bank. In 2002, the 28th of September, the Hall of Fame found its new and present home. It is located just south of the previous one. It costs $45 million and features a user friendly ambience.

The new Hall of Fame is divided into three floors; the Honors Ring where all members have photos and an artifact representing each of them. The second floor is where you find the famous Hooperactive Zone, the Coaches Gallery, the Players Gallery, the Broadcast Section as well as the College Section. The Center Court is a full-sized basketball court where the public may take shots; choose from different hoops area such as slam dunk area and the trivia challenge area.

The Hall of Famers

As of this year, there have been 285 individuals honored by the Hall. Some notable inductees were John Wooden, Bill Sharman and Lenny Wilkens who were all inducted both as players and coach. On the other hand, the inductees of Class 2007 did not include a player. This is the first since 1968.

Among the most notable inductees are;

• Arnold “Red” Auerbach (1969) – coach; has great contributions to the Boston Celtics.

• Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (1995) – player; one of the greatest NBA players of all time.

• Isaiah Thomas (2000) – player; named one of the 50 Greatest Players of the NBA History.

• Lawrence “Larry” Brown (2002) – coach; the only coach to lead seven different teams to the palyoffs.

• Charles Barkley (2006) – player; known as “The Round Mound of Rebound”.

• Hakeem Olajuwon (2008) – player; notable for leading the Houston Rockets into a back-to-back championships in 1994 and 1995.

If there is something you want to know about the Basketball Hall of Fame and its members, you can always search the internet. There are lots of information you can find online pertaining to this subject.

Getting to Know Basketball Positions

Basketball is not only a great sport. It is the most popular, actually. But, the game is not only for professionals. Even if you don’t know much about basketball, you can play the game as a form of exercise or recreation. You don’t have to know everything that a professional basketball player knows. You just have to know the basics.

Likewise if you are new to the game and would want to try playing, you just have to know the basic information such as the equipments used, the basic rules and the basic basketball positions.

Basically, in playing basketball, there are two teams. And each team playing on the court is composed of five players. Each of these players has specific positions. The team coach or captain usually assigns the positions according to each player’s size, ability and skills. Along with the positions came different responsibilities. What are they? These are the following;

• Center – this is usually the biggest player on the floor playing for each team. It is the responsibility of the centers to pose as a force near the basket. And as centers are usually used for scoring, they are not asked to roam very far from the basket. Rebounding is also among the main tasks of centers.

• Forwards – this is the basketball position which is next in size to the center. Responsibilities of this position usually vary depending on the skills of the players in the team.

There are two types of forwards;

• Power forwards – this position is usually held by the team’s second biggest player. Power forwards are expected to make rebounds and scores for the team but unlike the centers, they can play away from the basket.

• Small forwards – these are mostly the scorers and playmaker in the team. They play farther from the basket. Responsibilities of small forwards require going down and rebounding, dribbling and shooting the ball outside. These positions need versatile players as well as those who are sharp at three-point perimeter.

Guards – there are also two types of guards;

• The Shooting Guards – responsibilities or these positions are similar to those of small forward. In fact, the responsibilities of the two positions can be interchanged or done by the same player; either the small forward or the shooting guard. Though not expected to make many rebounds, the shooting guard are also focused on scoring.

• Point Guards – this is considered as the most important position. It is because these positions require the player to run the team’s offense as well as distributing the ball to his team mates. Being the smallest players on the court, point guards are usually quick, a great passer and playmaker. Most point guards are also good shooters; making them almost a jack of all trade.

The information listed here are just basic information about the different basketball positions. Should you need in-depth analysis and further information about these positions, books about basketball are available. You can study each positions according to the data listed on the books. Figures and drawings illustrating executions for each position are also included in most of these books.

The internet is also an avenue to find additional information and tips about the different basketball positions. Famous basketball players for each position can also be found on some websites.

Get to Know NBA Basketball

When you hear the word basketball, the first thing that probably comes into your mind is NBA basketball. And why not? The NBA or the National Basketball Association is the most popular basketball league all over the world. That’s many thanks to Michael Jordan who’s been an instrument in popularizing NBA both in 1990s and in 1980s.

Basically, the NBA is the premier men’s basketball league in the United States in the professional level, particularly in North America. It is also the top league when it comes to salaries, game popularity, level f competition and talent. At present, there are thirty teams in the NBA coming from both the United States and Canada.

History of NBA

The NBA started out as the Basketball Association of America or the BAA in 1946. Its aim was to organize the top teams in the professional category as well as to make them more popular. The first game of the league was played between the Toronto Huskies and the New York Knickerbockers in Toronto, Canada. In 1949, the name National Basketball Association was adopted.

From this year hereon, NBA continued to evolve along with the addition of more teams. Notable players also started to emerge. It featured famous players like George Mikan who is known in the NBA as the first “big man;” Bob Cousy, the most celebrated point guard; Bill Russell, considered as the genius in defense. Other notable players include;

• Wilt Chamberlain
• Oscar Robertson
• Jerry West
• Karl Malone
• Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
• Julius Erving
• Larry Bird
• Magic Johnson
• Michael Jordan

There are lots of notable NBA players fro the United States. However, not all of the players considered to be among the greatest are from the USA. International players have also made their own marks in the history of NBA. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is among them. Others include;

• Leandro Barbosa – He was from Brazil and was awarded the Sixth Man Award in 2007.

• Pau Gasol – received the NBA Rookie of The Year award in 2002 and became the World Championships MVP in 2006.

• Manu Ginobili – this San Antonio Spurs man is from Argentina and won the Sixth Man Award in 2008. He was also the Olympic Tournament MVP in 2004.

• Dirk Nowitzki – He is German and won awards like 2007 NBA MVP, 2002 World Championships MVP and Eurobasket 2005 MVP.

• Tony Parker – Also playing for San Antonio Spurs; he was the NBA Finals MVP in 2007.

• Peja Stojakovic – this Serbian won the Eurobasket 2001 MVP award.

• Andrei Kirilenko – this Russian is also known as the AK-47 in NBA; he won the Eurobasket 2001 MVP award.

Aside from the list above, many international players have been doing great jobs in NBA. Yao Ming and Andrea Bargnani were both first picked in 2002 NBA Draft by Houston Rockets and 2006 NBA Draft by Toronto Raptors respectively.

The Teams in NBA

Basically, there are 29 teams from the US and 1 from Canada playing in the NBA. All these themes were divided into two conferences with three divisions each.

Eastern Conference

• Atlantic Division – includes teams such as the Boston Celtics, New Jersey Nets, New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers and the Toronto Raptors.

• Central Division – includes the Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Detroit Pistons, Indiana Pacers and Milwaukee Bucks.

• Southeast – includes Atlanta Hawks, Charlotte Bobcats, Miami Heat, Orlando Magic and the Washington Wizards.

Western Conferences

• Northwest Division – teams included are Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA Oklahoma City which is set to replace the now defunct Seattle SuperSonics, Portland Trailblazers, and Utah Jazz.

• Pacific Division – teams like Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Phoenix Suns and the Sacramento Kings are included in this division.

• Southwest Division – this division includes teams like the Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets, Memphis Grizzlies, New Orleans Hornets and San Antonio Spurs.

For the 2007-2208 NBA season, the San Antonio Spurs from the Southwest Division of the Western Conference played against the Los Angeles Lakers of the Pacific Division of the same conference. The San Antonio Spurs, which is the depending champion, lose in the game.

Come to Think of the Most Famous Basketball Players

Basketball fanatics have something in common aside from knowing the latest basketball news and standing of teams, they also know the most famous basketball players in the history. Among these are the hall of famers and other big names known in the industry.

Most are very bankable stars and still some are old enough to retire but won’t for the love of the game. There are very many that made it to the top stories of basketball news but there are few that really marked in the minds of basketball fanatics as well as the history. Some are as follows:

1. Michael Jordan. ESPN’s greatest North American athlete of the 20th century is still very significant in the world of basketball and is still making big waves even after his retirement in the industry. Air Jordan to his many fans, Michael had left his career on top. He was the undefeated Most Valuable Player (MVP) in his time and Bulls’ most bankable star. But he started out with a humbling story: he was rejected in a varsity position during his tenth grade but that did not stopped him from becoming the best of what he can be. At most, he was admired for his leaping ability and got six NBA Finals MVP awards.

2. Wilt Chamberlain. Philadelphia’s sport symbol Wilt Chamberlain was 1978’s Hall of Famer for the many contributions he added to the industry. He was among those that are involved in making basketball a more effective sport to many. Widening the lane, free throws and inbounding the ball are jusit few of his advocated changes that were all adapted. Even if he was not a fanatic of the game in his early years, he became one of the dominant features in the industry with his advantageous 7 feet 1 inch bulk.

3. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. A successful coach and author nowadays, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was another important figure in the NBA. He scored 38,387 points in his 20 years in the industry, the highest score ever made by a basketball player. He was an only child and rose in an organized Roman Catholic religion.

4. Lisa Leslie. The fourth most famous basketball player is a woman who won regular season, WNBA Championship and All-Star Game MVP awards in the same season. She was also the first woman who dunked in WNBA game and to score 3,000 points. Lisa Leslie is WNBA’s most known athlete and is idolized by many woman fanatics of the game.

5. Larry Bird. ‘Kodak’ to his coach, Larry Bird is among the world-class clutch performers of NBA. He has a great ability to anticipate and react to his opponents’ offenses and strategies. He played power forward and small forward positions and rebounds very well. His constant motivator is the poverty he struggled from.

The magic five most famous basketball players’ list is just few of the still many very famous players in the industry. These people were highly instrumental in making the game more popular and sought after in the world. In fact, basketball is the most watched and played team sports anywhere in the world.

This is just a proof that the legends in the industry have made a very good job in creating buzz and promoting the sport to every man and woman, adult and young ones around the world.

Basketball Players: On and Off the Court

Basketball is the most popular sports all over the world. And NBA is the most popular association. And of course, NBA players are the most popular in the basketball world. Who would forget the reign of the one and only Michael Jordan? Who wouldn’t know about the greatness of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar? In the whole of NBA history, there have been lots of famous basketball players and most of them excelled in their own ways.

Perhaps, as a basketball fan you would want to know what happened to the legends and the greatest players in NBA after they have stopped making big hoops and showing awesome crossover moves. Here are some of them;

• Michael Jordan – he’s been considered as the ultimate instrument in making NBA popular around the world. He is also acclaimed as the greatest player of all time. He received many basketball awards; most of them prestigious. Off the court, Jordan is now a business man. After retiring, he concentrated on promoting is Jordan Brand, a line of clothing.

He also owns a motorcycle road-racing team. On the side court, he joined the side court as the part owner as well as President for Basketball Operations for the Washington Wizards.

• Kareem Abdul-Jabbar – he’s been know for his signature sky hooks and he was awarded with several honors for the great feats he shown while still playing. Off the court, he has done several other things including acting. He has appeared in several films such as Game of Death and Airplane!

He also appeared in several TV sitcoms including Full House, Amen, Living Single and Everybody Loves Raymond. Aside from acting, he has also authored several books including Kareem in 1996. On the side court, he has worked as assistant coach to Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers and Seattle SuperSonics.

• Hakeem Olajuwon – he is also considered as one of the greatest in NBA history. In fact, he has been recently inducted in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Off the court, Olajuwon also wrote a book entitled “Living the Dream”. And did you know what greatest feat this man has? He is endorsing a sneaker from Spalding which is being sold at $35. He is not endorsing high-end brands like Nike or Adidas because according to him, a poor mother can’t buy Nikes worth $120.

They are just few of the greatest basketball players that NBA has. All of them are no longer playing hard court action. But still, every body will remember them as basketball legends.

But, not only retired basketball players are doing great off the court. In fact, many basketball players in NBA have their own great stories off the court. And with the NBA Cares program, these cagers are doing humanitarian activities which we can consider as their great contribution outside the world of hoops; reaching out to their fans.

Now, if you want to find out more of your favorite basketball players; their personal life and what they do when not shooting hoops, you can always look up the internet. The World Wide Web is the greatest place to look for such information. NBA.com alone would be a great help. Books about your favorite players are also available.

Basketball Ankle Braces: Fend Off Ankle Sprains

Basketball is a game full of action. It involves a lot of running and body contacts. And these more often than not result to injuries like ankle sprains. Different basketball moves such as crossover dribbling may also cause injuries like this one. Because of the body movements and actions involve in playing basketball, injuries like ankle sprains cannot be avoided. What players do is to use basketball ankle braces.

Before trying to understand what these ankle braces are, you need to understand ankle sprains first. Ankle sprain is usually caused by falling off and accidentally twisting the ankle too far. Signs of ankle sprains include swelling, bruising, pain or tenderness, stiffness and the inability to walk or even bear the weight.

Depending on how badly the ligaments are forced or stretched, an ankle sprain could be mild or severe. The latter can be very painful. While some may still be able to play with sprained ankle, as with the case of Manu Ginobili in the recent NBA Championship games against the Lakers, some will be advised to rest and will miss several games.

To combat ankle sprains, players use basketball ankle braces or tape your ankles. But, if you are not trained to do it, you should not tape your ankles lest you want to experience discomfort. Usually, an experienced trainer or your coach will be able to administer ankle tapes properly. So, what do you think is better? Tape or ankle braces?

Tape vs. Ankle Braces

For teams with low budgets, tapes are usually the option. It is almost ten times cheaper than a pair of ankle braces. Tapes are widely available especially for the young athletes. The disadvantage, however, is that it can cause blisters and pains when administered improperly.

Ankle braces can be use easily especially if they fit the user. They are mostly beneficial in providing support, stabilizing and limiting the motion of the ankle joint. There are also lots of choices when it comes to ankle braces. However, the most common type of basketball ankle braces are the lace up braces which feature Velcro for better stability.

In the end, choosing tape or ankle braces still depends on the player who will use it. Some may feel comfortable with tapes while some prefer basketball ankle braces.

Getting the Best Deals on Basketball Ankle Braces

If you opted for basketball ankle braces over tapes, the next thing that you should decide on is where to buy them.

• Sports shops – your local athletic shops surely offer wide array of ankle braces for you to choose from. Be sure to look for ankle braces that fit you.

• Online shops – if you don’t have time to take the trip down your local sports shops, you can always buy online. And as there are lots of sports shop websites online, you have lots of choices. You can even compare which online shop offers the best products and the best prices. You just have to make sure that the website is legitimate.

Say, you are serious about playing basketball and even dreamed of joining one of the prestigious teams in the NBA; you have to learn the proper discipline of professional basketball. And one of them is wearing the right gear such as wearing basketball ankle braces. Choosing the right pair is also an important factor.