Basketball – A Game That Touched Millions
Basketball as a game needs no introduction. Legends like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, ‘Magic’ Johnson and Michael Jordan have achieved cult-status, both, within U.S.A and outsides. However, this fascinating game that went on to be the darling of the world began, rather innocuously.
It was December, 1891. Dr. James Naismith, a Canadian physician of McGill University and minister on the faculty of Springfield College, Massachusetts, U.S.A was worried about the long New England winters. Well, not exactly. He was preoccupied with the indolent state of his students. They were not to be blamed. The cold broke the back of the best.
He tweaked his mind for something that would beat the cold. He had a brainwave. It would be a game. And the game was basketball!
He was wrong on one account, though. Basketball did not remain a simple game meant for winter. It went on to became a passion that touched millions.
The research activists claim that Dr Naismith had evolved the basics of a Mayan game and written his own rules. What is interesting in this respect is the fact that the archetypal baskets had a bottom, totally unlike the modern counterparts. The balls that went into the basket had to be poked out.
It became popular, quite fast. The women’s version of the game started the next year, in 1892. Senda Berenson, a physical education teacher at Smith’s College modified the rules for the women’s version.
It may be hard to believe but the first basketball games used soccer balls. The balls that were made for the game were brown in color. It was not until the late 1950′s when the orange balls that have become a common sight now, made an appearance. The credit goes to one Tony Hinkle.
Dribbling did not form a part of the game’s original ball movement. The bounce-pass was there but the predominant way of movement was by passing the ball. The asymmetric shape of the early ball limited the evolution of this one act that is the cornerstone of the modern play.
The game spilled over from schools and colleges to become a national rage. As a result, the NBA or the National Basketball Association came into fore. The N.B.A organized the professional game and today the N.B.A has become synonymous with basketball. The first professional game took place between the Toronto Huskies and the New York Knickerbockers. The place was Toronto, Canada and the date was November 1, 1946.
From 2001, the NBA has formed a developmental league called the NBDL.
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How to Build a Basketball Court In Your Own Yard
Some people dream of becoming a doctor, a pilot, or a teacher while others dream of becoming a professional basketball player. If you are entertaining high hopes for yourself or your son in entering a professional league, you need to start practicing as early as possible and all the important basketball training in this world always start at the backyard.
There are two ways for you to build your own basketball court: you can do it from scratch or simply purchase a DIY basketball court kit.
Starting from Scratch
Skills – You need to have intermediate carpentry skills to successfully build your own basketball court from scratch. Firstly, you have to make sure that the ground you’ll be building your basketball court on has a smooth even surface to prevent accidents and decrease the risk of injury. Secondly, you’ll need to build your own basketball ring. Thirdly, you’ll need to paint your own court lines.
Costs – It’s possible that you’ll enjoy lower costs when it comes to building your own basketball court from scratch. Most DIY basketball court kits include flooring, which would just be an unnecessary expense if you already have an appropriate floor surface for your basketball court. You can also choose your own materials for your basketball stand and ring and even painting materials and ensure that you’ll pay less for them.
Production Time – Of course, building your own basketball court from scratch will take a longer time than it would with a DIY kit. This is because instead of simply having to assemble things only as is such the case with a DIY kit, it’s entirely a different procedure when you’re determined to build one from scratch.
Firstly, you’ll have to take appropriate measurements. Secondly, you’ll have to go shopping for the necessary materials and tools before you can finally get on to the building part.
Material Sources – You may have a difficult time procuring the required materials for your project especially if you’re looking for things that are only sold wholesale in the market.
Using a DIY Basketball Court Kit
Model – Make sure that you’re purchasing the correct DIY basketball court kit. Most DIY basketball court kits differ according to court dimensions and whether or not it adheres to NBA or collegiate standards or the likes. Check also if the kit is for half or full court models.
Skills – Basic or moderate building skills are all that’s necessary to get your basketball court assembled. You will need however to read instructions carefully and thoroughly because the assembly process leaves no room for errors. Skipping a step can spell danger for you in the long run as it compromises the safety of your basketball court.
Cost – Expect to spend a small amount of money on a DIY basketball kit, although this is certainly money well spent because DIY kits include absolutely everything you need to make your basketball court entirely professional and fit for the NBA!
Tips on Installing Poles for Your Basketball Court
Whether you’re building your own basketball court from scratch or using a DIY kit, you’ll basically undergo the same process in properly installing your pole.
Firstly, you need to dig an appropriately sized hole for the foundation of your basketball pole. At least one foot and three inches of your basketball pole must be set underneath to ensure its stability. Once you’ve secured the pole’s position, cover the hole with concrete. Make sure it’s completely filled and doesn’t have any air pockets. Afterwards, fill the pole with concrete as well. When that’s done, check if the pole is plumb positioned accurately.
Important Measurements for Basketball Court Building
The NBA and NCAA are both using the same court dimensions: ninety-four feet in length and fifty feet in width. High school basketball courts use the same width but a shorter length at eighty-four feet. Junior high basketball courts are seventy-four feet in length and forty-two feet in width.
Regardless of whether you’re using an NBA, NCAA, or Junior High basketball court, you should concentrate more on honing your son’s skills in basic basketball skills like dribbling and shooting if you want him fully prepared for a professional basketball career. But most important of all is to ensure that you and your son have fun playing. Shoot for your dreams!
Lee Dobbins writes for http://www.sports-wise.com where you can learn more about your favorite sports and get more tips on building a basketball court.
Events And People In Basketball
The father of basketball, Dr. James Naismith came up with the game in 1892 and the first game was played in Beaver Falls Pennsylvania on April 8 1893 between the New Brighton YMCA and the Geneva College.
The game was very popular and by 1914 as many as 360 colleges boasted basketball teams. In 1939, the first NCAA Men’s College Basketball Championship tournament was held which was won by the University of Oregon.
The formation of Pro basketball in 1896 came about from a dispute between YMCA team members and officials and ended in the members forming a professional team that played for money. In 1898, the NBL (National Basketball League) was formed and produced the first basketball stars – Ed Wachter and Barney Sedran.
The first two professional basketball teams to achieve success were the Buffalo Germans and the Celtics but during the 1930′s favorites included the New York Renaissance and the Harlem Globetrotters. During this time, womens basketball was also popular and produced great players such as Babe Didrikson and Alline Banks Sprouse.
In 1940, the first college basketball game was shown on TV. This game was played between Pittsburgh and Fordham at Madison Square Garden, and catapulted basketball into a national sensation. Since then basketball has been one of the most watched sports and in fact the March Madness, when almost 350 American colleges compete for the NCAA basketball crown is the most watched event in the United States.
In Pro basketball during the 1940′s and 50′s the Minneapolis Lakers were a huge favorite of many winning 5 NBA championship titles and producing starts like Bob Cousy and Bob Pettit. But during the late 1950′s up until 1969, the Celtics had the court winning 11 NBA titles (8 f them right in a row). During this era favorite players included Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlin of the Philadelphia Warriors.
During 1963 to 1975 The University of California, Los Angeles was in the spotlight winning 10 national championships, including seven in a row. Some of the great players of this UCLA team include Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Jamaal Wilkes, Bill Walton, Gail Goodrich and Marques Johnson.
In 1967 the American Basketball Association (ABA) was formed and many will remember one of the satart players Julius Erving as well as their red white and blue basketballs. The ABA only lasted until 1976 when it broke up and many of the teams joined the NBA.
In the 1960′s, womens basketball introduced the 5 player full court format and made dribbling fully legal but it wasn’t until 1985 that the Basketball Hall of Fame began inducting woman coaches and players. Some of the first women to get this honor include Carol Blazejowski, Ann Meyers, Cheryl Miller; Nancy Lieberman-Cline and Anne Donovan.
In the late 1970′s start players like Larry Bird of Indiana State University and Michigan State Universities Magic Johnson emerged and the late 1980s saw such major players as Isiah Thomas and Dennis Rodman. But perhaps the most beloved player of all is Michael Jordan who led the Chicago Bulls to six NBA championships in the 1990s.
Lee Dobbins writes for www.sports-wise.com where you can learn more about all your favorite sports.
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Professional Basketball History
The first official basketball history would be at YMCA in Trenton, New Jersey, in 1896. It was the fallout of a dispute between members of the YMCA team and a YMCA official, resulting in a professional team, playing for money. 2 years later, the National Basketball League was founded.
In the 2oth century, the top professional teams were the Buffalo Germans and the Original Celtics. The first major national professional league was the American Basketball League.
In the 30s, the most successful teams were the New York Renaissance and Harlem Globetrotters. Both of these teams consisted of all-black players.
In the 40s, the game was monopolized by the Minneapolis Lakers, led by George Mikan and coached by John Kundla. This team won 5 NBA championships in the decade.
Come the 50s, guard Bob Cousy and forward Bob Pettit were celebrated players. From 1957 to 1969, The Celtics won 11 NBA titles, 6 of them led by Bill Russell.
From 1963 to 1975, the UCLA team won ten national championships. Star players during this period were center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, center Bill Walton, guard Gail Goodrich, forward Jamaal Wilkes, and forward Marques Johnson. Abdul-Jabbar made history by becoming the leading scorer with 38,387 points in his career.
In the 80s, basketball was dominated by the Detroit Pistons with Isiah Thomas and Dennis Rodman.
And most recently, Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls are the highlights of the 90s, with the Bulls winning 6 NBA titles. Star players in this period were Hakeem Olajuwon, Scottie Pippen, Charles Barkley, David Robinson, Karl Malone, John Stockton, and Shaquille O’Neal. And the women star players were Cynthia Cooper, Sheryl Swoopes, Teresa Edwards, Lisa Leslie, and Jennifer Azzi.
Women basketball has also undergone some changes throughout the years. In 1966, dribbling was legalized in play. 3 years later, a 5-player full court format was introduced. In 1984, women officials (coaches, players) were admitted in the basketball hall-of-fame. Some of these famous women who obtained recognition for their skills and expertise were Ann Meyers, Carol Blazejowski, Cheryl Miller; Anne Donovan and Nancy Lieberman-Cline.
The NBA’s rival was the American Basketball Association (ABA) and its trademark red, white, and blue basketballs. The best player for ABA was Julius Erving. ABA was dissolved in 1976.
The passing of years have seen the rise and fall of many teams and players. Without a doubt, all the players strive to do their best to be immortalized as the champions of the decade.
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Womens College Basketball League – History
The history of women’s college basketball started in Smith College for girls in 1893. But the first official basketball match played by women was between Stanford and Berkley in April 1896, which was played behind locked doors, for women eyes’ only.
The first rules for women basketball were drawn up in 1901. These included rules that we would find peculiar today like having the basket sewn, where the umpire had to retrieve the ball after each score, and even playing on grass courts!
In 1975, the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics was formed and the first national basketball tournament for women was held. In the same year, the first All-American women basketball team was selected.
Only recently in 1996, the American Basketball League (ABL) was founded and WNBA a year later.
College basketball is supervised by the NCAAA. According to the NCAAA, there shall be 3 divisions for basketball to filter out the players. Division I is the most prominent and popular league that is participated by colleges that sponsor seven sports for women players. This is followed by Division 2, participated by colleges that hold four sports for women players while Division 3 is played by colleges that organize five sports and have two participating teams.
The winners of 31 matches will qualify for the annual basketball championship. Another 34 teams will be chosen by a selection committee. These teams are categorized into four pools and given seedings. The championship will be played on the 3rd Thursday of March every year between teams and the losers eliminated until a grand champion emerges.
It is without question that the governing body of women’s basketball is important to ensure smooth running of championships and to preserve the standards of this game.
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