Donaldson1

Kameron Donaldson April 1,2014 5th hour The Fantastic sport of BASKETBALL

Basketball is a famous sport around the U.S many people play the sport or watch it. Its important to know the background, how was the game first played, and how the game has changed since it first began. The game basketball was invented in massachusetts in the 1981 by a man name James Naismith, who throw a soccer ball into a peach basket in gym class. Then, the students began to do that as well. Naismith made it as a activity in gym class to keep the students at a fast moving pace in the winter. Then over Time, the game become worldwide, Then thats how Mr.Naismith became famous for his invention. (The book of Rule)The first baskets to be used were two vegetables baskets and these were fixed at a height of three metres and five centimetres at each end of the gymnasium.The first team match was played in front of a crowd of 200 people.(Modernghana) Which has nothing on how many watch the game today. Basketball was also played outdoors in 1892 less than a year after it was invented. There were no backboards. which wasnt added until 1896. The peach basket was replaced in 1892 by a wire basket with a hole in the bottom. So that a pole could be used to push the ball back out until then someone had to climb a ladder to get the ball. BY 1893 a basket with iron rims and a cord netting was made with a chain at the bottom that when pulled released the ball.(Hickok 54) Open ended nylon nets were approved for use in 1912. By then it was a major milestone for basketball since the free falling ball after a made basket dramatically increased tempo and scoring of the

Donaldson2

game.Even the first basketball wasnt the best It was a soccer ball. However they proved to be unsuitable for dribbling and ball handling. Over the years the made over 3 to 4 ball to try and find the best fit one. Then in 1929 basketballs were re-designed for more bounce and with concealed laces which eliminated erratic bounces. The balls were bigger and lighter to handle.(HoopTactics) The sport of basketball has changed in many ways over the years. Basketball has undergone many changes since James Naismith invented the game to give his students something to do when the cold weather prevented them from playing sports outside. High school & college teams started to play basketball. As the game became more physical. They hired referees who would call fouls if/when a player was hit while shooting. low-scoring games were common, since there was no limit how long a team could hold the ball before shooting. The NBA introduced the shot clock in 1954. Each team had 24 seconds to get off a shot. This increased the pace of the game dramatically and changed the game. this led to high scoring games, run and gun fast break basketball that was entertaining to the fans. In 1967 the NBA added the 3-point shooting as a way of scoring. Players who shot the ball from beyond the 23ft arc painted on the floor.(LiveSTRONG) Basketball has been through numerous adjustments since James Naismith developed the game. From the original start of the game towards the todays action-filled sport basketball has advanced and developed greater than any other game. Teams which managed to make a 10 points lead typically the possession of the ball for minutes to keep the rival from making a come back. Thats when/why the shot clock was made.(Barkhamsted Basketball)

Donaldson3

Basketball is a very important sport. But many doesnt know the history, why the rules were made up, and the history of the sport. Basketball has changed the world for many of people. Many say if it wasnt for basketball they dont have any idea where they would be.