History Of Basketball

Today I am going to inform you about the game of basketball. The game of basketball has evolved a great deal through the years. Basketball was invented on December 21, 1891. The inventor of the game was a Canadian clergyman, James Naismith. There has been no question that basketball was first played in the United States. In fact, the first game was played at the International Young Men's Christian Association Training School, now called Springfield college. Basketball was a simple game, which consists of a ball and a basket. The very first ball that was used was a soccer ball until 1894 when an actual "basketball" was invented, The basketball was slightly smaller, about 30 inches in diameter. While the first baskets that were used were two peach baskets that were hung from the balcony of a gymnasium. In 1906, the peach baskets were replaced by metal baskets with holes at the bottom. These holes were placed in the basket so a long pole could be used to poke the ball out of the basket. Finally in 1913 a hoop with a net was invented so the basketball could fall freely to the ground. This was a big step in the game because it allowed the ball falling free to the ground and increased the tempo of the game. Due to the fans interfering with the game the backboard was invented. The first backboard was made of wire mesh, then wood, and now glass so the fans can clearly view the game.

As the game of basketball was developing, Naismith introduced the 13 original rules for the game in which 12 out of the 13 original rules still were used up until 1934. The only rule which was changed, was that a player was now allowed to dribble a basketball. The rule of dribbling the basketball was first used in 1896 at a basketball game at Yale University. With the introduction of the 13 original rules, Naismith created four fundamental principles which stayed in the game from 1891 to 1937. These four fundamental principles stated, Players with the ball must not make progress un less dribbling, the goal is above the head of the players, roughness is eliminated and a player may not receive the ball by use of contact. Through the years of 1891 to the 1940's there were many rule changes as well as addition of rules to the game of basketball. In 1895, the free throw was introduced after a person was fouled. The problem with this rule at first was that a team had a "special shooter" to take the foul shots. It was not until 1923 that the player that had been fouled had to shoot the foul shots. In 1897, the number of players allowed on the court was reduced to five on each team. A team consisted of a center, two forwards, and two guards. Also in 1908, the addition of the five foul rule was introduced to the game. It stated that a player who had exceeded the limit was not permitted to continue the play of the game. One of the most important rule changes of this time, which really helped to speed up the game came in 1937, was the elimination of the jump ball after any foul or stoppage of play.

In 1925, the American Basketball League (ABL) was the first real attempt to wide basketball to a worldwide sport. The American basketball league seasons were six months long and paid star players $1500. This league was made up of nine teams. By 1932, basketball was officially gaining international status with the founding of the International Amateur Basketball Federation in Geneva, Switzerland. At this time basketball was drawing extraordinary popularity not only with the fans but also its 20,000,000 players worldwide. One of the most important reason for this popularity at this time was because of the formation of the Harlem Globetrotters in 1927. They were an all Negro team, which toured the world to promote basketball. There was no city too big or too small for the Globetrotters to play at. Throughout the years they attracted crowds of great capacity and shattered all time American attendance marks. I think the Harlem Globetrotters have changed the game of basketball because they realized to grow you must entertain the fans. As everyone knows the Harlem Globetrotters are amazing athletes and entertain people with their tricks and extraordinary talent. In 1946, the Basketball Association of America was formed but did not do well because it was competing against the National Basketball League. But in 1949, the Basketball Association of America and the National Basketball League joined together to make the National Basketball Association, or as we know it the NBA. The firts season was in 1949 and consisted of 17 city-circuit which was divided uo into three divisions.

Throughout the formation of the league there were many aspects and rules added to the game of basketball. In the 1930's, Kenny Sailor invented the jump shot. He realized that he could shoot over a taller player if he jumped while he was shooting. In 1946, Bob Kurland, a seven foot center was believed