Basketball

Basketball is a competitive sport that involves agility, awareness and most of all accuracy. Its was first played in 1891, Springfield, Massachusetts. It was created by Dr. James Naismith as a sport to play during the winter. Basketball was first called Duck on a Rock. It's a good thing they changed the name because Duck on a Rock doesn't make any sense. Basketball was mostly played indoors but is very popular as an outdoor sport in both inner city and rural groups.

Basketball Around The World

Basketball is a sport played all round the world. Just looking at the NBA in the past there wasn't many players from different countries but now there are players from Europe, South America, Asia. They also bring a different taste to the game. Take a look a Dirk Nowitzki from Germany, he has a tall center frame but he shoots like a guard. I believe international basketball gives a chance to see talented players from countries. FIBA(International Basketball Federation) gives a chance for countries to put a side the political differences and just play the game they love. FIBA ranked Argentina as #1, USA as #2, and Spain as #3.

Manute Bol and Muggsy Bogues

Manute Bol was the tallest player to ever play in the NBA. He measures at 7 feet 7 inches. He was born in Gogrial, Sudan. His career stats are 1,599 points, 2,647 rebounds, and 2,086 blocks. The huge center played for the Bullets, Warriors, 76ers, and the Heat. Muggsy Bogues was the shortest player to ever play in the NBA. He measures at 5 feet 3 inches. His career stats are 6,858 points, 6,726 assists, and 1,369 steals. He was point guard that played for the Bullets, Hornets, Warriors, and Raptors. Even though being the smallest player in the NBA he managed to get 39 blocks. One of those blocks came against seven foot Patrick Ewing.

Perfect Shot

1. If you are a right handed shooter position your right foot in front of your left. Opposite for a left handed shooter.


2. Keep your elbows in front and close to your body.


3. Position your fingertips on the center of the ball. Then put your thumb and index finger in the shape of a "Y".


4. Keep it in front of your eye with your hands on the side of the ball.


5. Cock your wrist back until your wrist wrinkles.


6. As you straighten your arm, flick your wrist forward.

Things To Know

First thing you need know is to always dribble the ball. If you choose to drive in don't take more than two steps. You got to always be aware of where the outbounds are. If you do not have an easy shot and you are being defended well, try to pass the ball. When you shoot a basketball, try aim at the square on the hoop. On defense make sure you always stay in front of your man and if you are playing zone defense make sure you are in your zone. Last but not least never let your opponent get an easy shot. If you have to foul them.

Western Conference

There are three divisions in the Western Conference. The Northwest Division consist of the Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves, Oklahoma City Thunder, Portland Trailblazers, and the Utah Jazz. The Southwest Division consist of the Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets, Memphis Grizzles, New Orleans Hornets, and San Antonio. The Pacific Division consist of the Golden State Warriors, LA Clippers, LA Lakers, Phoenix Suns, and the Sacramento Kings. The Minneapolis/Los Angeles Lakers have thirty Western Conference championships which is the most in the Western Conference.

Eastern Conference

There are three divisions in the Eastern Conference. The Atlantic Division consist of the Boston Celtics, New Jersey Nets, New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers, and the Toronto Raptors. The Southeast Division consists of the Atlanta Hawks, Charlotte Bobcats, Miami Heat, Orlando Magic, and the Washington Magic. The Central Division consists of the Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Detroit Pistons, Indiana Pacers, and the Milwaukee Bucks. The Boston Celtics have 20 Eastern Conference championships which is the most in the Eastern Conference.

NBA

The NBA was formed in 1946. It was first called the Basketball Association of America (BAA). The first game was in Toronto, Canada between the Toronto Huskies and the New York Knickerbockers. In 1976, the NBA merged ABA and now is the top professional basketball league in the world. The current commissioner of the NBA is David Stern. In 2001, the NBA formed a development league called the NBDL. The NBA started with only eleven teams but now there are thirty teams. There are two conferences in the NBA the eastern and western conference. There are 162 games in a NBA season. Then the best eight teams from each conference go to the playoffs. Then the best team from each conference battle it out in a best of seven series.

Some Records

Game

• Most Points in a Game: 100 by Wilt Chamberlain



• Most Rebounds in a Game: 55 by Wilt Chamberlain



• Most Assist in a Game: 30 by Scott Skiles



• Most Steals in a Game: 11 by Larry Kenon and Kendall Gill



• Most Blocks in a Game: 17 by Elmore Smith

Season

• Most Field Goals Made: 1,597 by Wilt Chamberlain



• Most Rebounds: 2,149 by Wilt Chamberlain



• Most Assists: 1,164 by John Stockton



• Most Steals: 301 by Alvin Robertson



• Most Blocks: 456 by Mark Eaton

Career

• Most Points: 38,387 by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar



• Most Rebounds: 23,924 by Wilt Chamberlain



• Most Assists: 15,806 by John Stockton



• Most Steals: 3,265 by John Stockton



• Most Blocks: 3,830 by Hakeem Olajuwon

The Basics

The first thing you need to know is there are 12 players on a team and five from each team playing at a time. The main positions are center, guard, and forward. The center is the usually the big man that mainly rebounds on defense and posts up on offense. There are two guards the shooting guard and the point guard. The shooting guard is one of the best shooters on the team and usually covers the best perimeter player on defense. The point guard runs the offense and most of the time has the fastest dribbles. There are also two forwards the small forward and the power forward. The small forward scores most of his driving in or off of cuts. The power forward is second biggest man and most of the has his back toward the hope. A field goal is worth to two points and a three is obviously worth three points. A free throw is worth one point. In a NBA game there are four quarters twelve minutes each. Each team has three timeouts each half.