The Strange But True History of Basketball

It would seem that Basketball has been with us forever. Yet it was only in 1881 that Dr. James Naismith created the game that now is one of the most popular games in the United States. What you may not also realise is that Naismith was actually born in Canada, and some wonder if the sport would be so popular in the US had he not been living in Massachusetts at the time he invented it.

Naismith worked at the University of McGill in Montreal for several years as the athletics director before heading to Massachusetts to the YMCA Training School. It was here that Naismith was looking for a game that students would be able to play inside during the winter months. The first game of basketball was played with a soccer ball and two peach baskets. A broom stick was used to push the ball back out of the basket initially, but holes were cut in the bottom of the basket to resemble the familiar hoop and net we see on television and in gymnasiums today.

The game was introduced widely through the YMCA, not only the United States but throughout the world. Millions of people world wide play basketball as a hobby or even professionally. However, no nation has seen as much popularity for basketball as North America.

The game of Basketball continued to gain popularity and it was showcased in the 1936 Berlin Olympics. And today the National Basketball League is one of the most popular sports events. Prior to the formation of NBA the controlling body for the game of basketball in America was the Basketball Association of America. Today the NBA players boast some of the highest salaries in the professional sports.

The first paid basketball players can be traced back to 1896 on November 7. This was the date of a game between the Trenton Basketball Team and the Brooklyn YMCA. Basketball eventually broke away from the YMCA and moved into the National Basketball League.

Since then players such as Michael Jordan, Wilt Chamberlain, and Shaquille O'Neal have made headlines not only in basketball, but in movies, tabloids, and even music. Basketball players also offer great role models for many inner city kids, where basketball is a popular and encouraged past time.

The NBA Finals are one of the most popular televised sports events in the United States. Everyone loves to cheer on their favorite teams and players. Michael Jordan, or Air Jordan as he was known, brought about much of the popularity in NBA merchandise. Everyone wanted Air Jordan jerseys, shirts, hats, shorts, and of course the ever popular shoes.

The NBA today is worth millions of dollars. It makes its money from ticket sales, merchandise, and televising the games. Trouble prone children often clean up their acts when they start playing basketball at school and on neighborhood teams. Basketball is becoming more popular every year and the trend is likely to continue. James Naismith undoubtedly never dreamed what his peach basket and soccer ball game would turn into.

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About the author: Carlos Lintons is the chief writer at FSU Basketball, it's one of the webs most up to date Basketball sites, their free newsletter is well worth signing up for too. For more quality articles on Basketball why not visit: www.fsubasketball.com/articles
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