Essential 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 world. The game is even included in the Olympics.
Though almost everyone knows the game, not everyone knows about basketball’s history. Perhaps only a portion of basketball fans knows how basketball began and where. To better understand basketball and its history, here are a few important facts about it;
• James Naismith – is the inventor of basketball. He is a Canadian educator as well as a sports recreational.
• 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 nine players on the court per team.
•That the first ball used in basketball was 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 the NBA
The history of basketball will never be complete without mentioning the introduction and development of the National Basketball Association or NBA. It was formed in 1946. In the early days of the NBA, though there have been many great players, it doesn’t enjoy the sophistication and popularity 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 eight 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 people’s interest in the game.
However, the fame and glory that NBA has today are much attributed to Michael Jordan in the 1980s up to the 1990s.
Basketball, Refined
Basketball has been polished; the rules were changed so that only five 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 NCAA until 1980. The American Basketball Association or ABA league was the first to use this shot.
There are still many things 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 advanced techniques.
The internet also abounds with information on the history of basketball and other essential things about the game.