Compared to many other sports whose origins stem from several centuries ago, basketball is relatively new. Its origins come from a man named James Naismith. He is known as the inventor of basketball. In his legacy, he left many diaries and interviews that explain how and when he created the sport of basketball. Being from the state of Massachusetts, the climate was cold during the winter. The people there demanded for a game that could be played indoors, where it was warm. This is when Naismith stepped in. Naismith was originally born in Canada, he took schooling in Eastern Canada, but ended up dropping out in 1890.
He moved to Massachusetts where he became a teacher. It is at the International Young Men’s Christian Association Training School that he invented basketball. In 1891, the first basketball game took place. James Naismith had finished deciding on the rules of basketball and created a new game. The first games used a soccer ball and a basket. In the early days of basketball, a helper that sits on the side of court would climb sets of stairs to retrieve the ball from the basket. Later, an idea to cut a hole on the bottom of the peach basket arose.
It was only in 1906 that nets, boards, and a metal hoop was introduced. That resembles what we have in modern day. The YMCA helped propagate this sport throughout the US and Canada. The first championship took place in 1897. Soon, basketball became a professional sport, with teams. The Buffalo Germans were among the first who competed in championships. The influence of the YMCA helped spread basketball further, into European countries. When the World War occurred in the 1910s, the US army brought basketball everywhere they went.
This helped spread the idea of basketball worldwide. Professional leagues came about in 1989. There were six teams who took part in the National League. Although the league was dissolved in 1904, its legacy went on. Several small championships were organized but did not have the same impact as games played for money. The Eastern Basketball League, American Basketball League and Metropolitan Basketball League were founded in the 1920s and 1930s. Soon came the rise of American colleges playing basketball. Several Eastern universities played competitions and matches.
Soon, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) was founded, in 1908. Finally, the NBA (National Basketball Association of America) was founded in 1949. This became the most important professional league in the world. Following suit, the popularity of basketball grew to the female gender. This spawned the development of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) in 1997. Point Guard: The point guard is usually a shorter, quicker player of the team. Their main purpose is to dribble, pass, do outside shooting, and defend.
The point guard is usually the best dribbler and passer on the team. This person playing this position helps create high scoring opportunities for the team. It also has responsibilities in defense. Shooting Guard: The shooting guard is usually a shorter, quicker player of the team. Their main purpose is to dribble, pass, rebound, do outside shooting and defense. He is the team’s best outside shooter. He tries to be open to get a pass from a teammate and then search for an open shot. Small Forward: The small forward is usually taller than guards and smaller than the power forward.
His responsibilities include dribbling, passing, rebounding, inside shooting, outside shooting, and defense. Usually he is the most athletic and versatile player. He usually pressures the other team when shooting and waits for an open shot. Power Forward: The power forward is usually the 2nd tallest in the team. He is big, strong and aggressive. They are responsible for inside shooting, rebounding and defense. They work to get open shots and possess many good moves. They work on offensive rebounding. Center: The center is the tallest player on the team, with great strength and aggression.
He is responsible for inside shooting, rebounding, shot-blocking and defense. His main job is to do offensive rebounding, but also be able to block the other team’s shots. Famous Basketball Players Michael Jordan Michael Jordan is considered a legacy of basketball. He was born in 17 February 1963. His career in athletics started with basketball, baseball and football. In his 10th grade of school, he could not make a position in his varsity basketball team due to his height. This did not let him down. He eventually became the greatest basketball player in his time through much effort.
He won the title “Air Jordan” thanks to his extraordinary leaping abilities. Even after his retirement from basketball, he remains one of the highest figures of basketball in the world. Wilt Chamberlain When he was very young, he was not a basketball fanatic. He viewed basketball as a game for sissies. His view changed when basketball became very popular in Philadelphia. He stands at 7’1″, giving him an ultimate advantage in basketball. He is known for his physical strength and ability to block shots. He holds many NBA all-time records.
His legacy remained as one of the most dominant players of basketball after his death in 1999. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Ever since he was young, he showed an interest in basketball. He was an only child, brought up Roman Catholic. He soon rose to the top, being enlisted in NBA during 1969 and 1989. In this time, he scored 38,387 points-the highest score made by any player in the NBA. He won one of the six MVP awards. He retired, but his legacy as a basketball player went on, especially for his well-known Skyhook shot.