In 1973, Joseph Morse noted that the game of basketball has undergone significant changes since its creation on December 21, 1891. James Naismith, a Canadian clergyman, is credited with inventing basketball.
The origins of basketball can be traced back to various games such as indoor rugby, soccer and lacrosse. The creator, Naismith, also incorporated elements from the children’s game “Duck-on-a-Rock,” where children would throw smaller rocks to knock off a rock from a boulder at a distance of approximately 20 feet (Lauren S. Bahr, 1995). It is widely accepted that basketball was initially played in the United States.
In fact, basketball was invented by Joseph Morse Naismith, a professor at the International Young Men’s Christian Association Training School (now called Springfield College). He created the game as an alternative to the calisthenics and marching exercises his students usually did to stay active during the winter months (Lauren S. Bahr, 1995). The sport itself is quite straightforward, involving just a ball and a basket.
Until 1894, the original ball used in basketball was a soccer ball. However, in that year, a smaller basketball was invented measuring approximately 30 inches in diameter (William D. Halsey, 1975). Additionally, the initial baskets utilized in the game were two peach baskets suspended from the gymnasium’s balcony by Frank G.
Menke, 1970. The peach baskets were replaced with metal baskets in 1906. The new baskets had holes in the bottom, allowing a long pole to be used for retrieving the basketball. This improvement eliminated the need for ladders, which were previously used to fetch the ball from the basket in the early days.
Finally, in 1913, a hoop with a net was invented by Lauren S. Bahr, 1995. This invention marked a significant advancement in the game of basketball because it allowed the basketball to fall freely to the ground. In my opinion, the introduction of the hoop and net resulted in an increased tempo of the game, facilitating further development of basketball.
In 1893, the backboard was invented due to overzealous spectators interfering with basketball. It was initially made of wire mesh but later replaced with wood. Today, it is made of glass to ensure unhindered game viewing. At that time, the game did not have a name (Lauren S. Bahr, 1995).
Students initially desired to name the game “Naismith Ball,” but their suggestion was not adopted. However, in 1921, a man named Mahn gave it the name “basketball,” which has remained unchanged since then (Frank G. Menke, 1970). Alongside the evolution of basketball, Naismith introduced the 13 original rules for the game, of which 12 continued to be utilized until 1934 (William D.).
According to Lauren S. Bahr in 1995, the only modification made to the rules of basketball was the allowance for players to dribble a basketball. This change in the rule of dribbling first occurred in 1896 during a basketball game at Yale University.
However, during that time, the player who was dribbling the ball was unable to make a field goal (Joseph Morse, 1973). This change in the rules had various benefits as it introduced more movement, resulting in increased excitement during basketball games. Nonetheless, there were also drawbacks associated with this rule. The primary issue was that teams would dribble the ball for extended periods when they were in the lead.
In the early days of basketball, a tactic known as “stalling” led to many low scoring games (Frank G. Menke, 1970). When Naismith introduced the 13 original rules, he established four fundamental principles that remained in the game from 1891 to 1937. These principles included: players with the ball not being allowed to make progress, the goal being positioned above the players’ heads, the elimination of roughness, and players not being able to receive the ball through contact (Joseph Morse, 1973).
From 1891 to the 1940s, numerous modifications and new rules were implemented in the game of basketball. One significant change occurred in 1895 with the introduction of free throws following a foul. Initially, a team designated a “special shooter” for these shots. However, in 1923, it was mandated that the player who was fouled must take the free throws (Joseph Morse, 1973).
According to William D. Halsey (1975), the number of players per team on the court was lowered to five in 1897, with one center, two forwards, and two guards making up these teams. Before this change, teams had the flexibility to have six, seven, or even eight players each.
In 1908, the game implemented the five-foul rule, which prohibited players who surpassed the limit from further participating. The game’s pace was significantly accelerated in 1937 with the removal of jump balls following fouls or stoppages.
Since the standardization of rules in 1934, I have believed that basketball has experienced positive changes leading to greater speed and intensity. These changes began with the formation of basketball leagues in the United States, most notably the National Basketball League (NBL) in 1898, which marked the start of professional basketball.
The National Basketball League (NBL) gained popularity after World War II with four teams: New York, Philadelphia, Brooklyn, and New Jersey. According to Lauren S. Bahr in 1995, the league experienced a surge in popularity during this period. Furthermore, the establishment of the New England League in 1898 provided star players with monthly salaries ranging from $150 to $200.
The New England League had a short lifespan and failed to persist. In 1925, the American Basketball League (ABL) made the initial endeavors to popularize basketball on a global scale, as stated by Lauren S. Bahr. The ABL seasons spanned six months, and talented players received a salary of $1500.
The American Basketball consisted of a nine-team circuit. In 1932, basketball gained international recognition when the International Amateur Basketball Federation was founded in Geneva, Switzerland, according to Lauren S. Bahr (1995). By 1927, basketball had become extremely popular, with 20,000,000 players worldwide, as noted by Frank G.
Menke, in 1970, explains that the Harlem Globetrotters became popular in 1927 thanks to Abe Saperstein, the man who formed the team. The Harlem Globetrotters were a touring all Negro basketball team that aimed to promote the sport worldwide.
Irrespective of the city’s size, the Harlem Globetrotters played in many different places and managed to attract large crowds, breaking attendance records in America. According to Joseph Morse (1973), they drew 35,548 spectators in 1952 and 36,256 fans in 1953. In my opinion, the Harlem Globetrotters have transformed basketball by recognizing the importance of entertaining the audience for the sport’s development.
The Harlem Globetrotters are renowned for their impressive tricks and skills, entertaining audiences with their athletic abilities. The growth of basketball in the United States is owed to the efforts of “Ned Irish,” a prominent executive at Madison Square Gardens. In 1934, Irish successfully persuaded the president of Madison Square Gardens to arrange a double header game showcasing Notre Dame and New York University. This event proved to be a resounding success, drawing a capacity crowd.
From 1935 to 1936, basketball experienced a decline due to bribery incidents. Gamblers were bribing college players to purposely win games by a smaller margin than the expected points (William D. Halsey, 1975). In response, the Basketball Association of America was established in 1946; however, it faced competition from the National Basketball League.
In 1949, the Basketball Association of America and the National Basketball League merged to create the National Basketball Association (NBA). The NBA’s first season occurred that same year, with a 17-city circuit divided into three divisions. Joseph Morse reported in 1973 that the schedule included 550 games.
By the second season, the National Basketball Association (NBA) reduced its number of teams to 10, divided into two divisions. Philadelphia became the inaugural NBA champions. Maurice Podolalf Lauren S.Bahr served as the league’s first president, beginning in 1995.
During the development of the basketball league, numerous rules and elements were introduced to the game. In the 1930s, Kenny Sailor innovated the jump shot by recognizing that jumping while shooting allowed him to shoot over taller opponents. In 1946, Bob Kurland, a seven-foot center from Oklahoma, is credited with making the first dunk shot.
Although the dunk shot was allowed in the NBA, it was prohibited in NCAA games until the 1976 season (Barbara A. Chenow, 1993). Additionally, during the 1940s, Bob Kurland was known for his shot-blocking skills, which prompted the creation of the “goaltending” rule. In 1952, the foul lane was widened and the three-second rule was implemented to prevent centers from constantly positioning themselves in front of the basket (Ralph Hickok, 1977).
The 24-second shot clock was introduced in 1954 to stop teams from using the “stalling technique” to protect their lead. Alongside this, Barbara A. Chernow introduced the three-point line in 1967, while the National Basketball Association experienced growth during the 1950s.
The league had renowned players, like Wilt Chamberlain, who started off with the Harlem Globetrotters before joining the NBA. During his time in the NBA, Chamberlain achieved numerous records such as scoring 100 points in a single game (John Arlott, 1975). Additionally, there were players such as Jerry West, famously referred to as “Mr. Clutch.”
“West had a remarkable career, making the All-Star Team 14 times. As noted by John Arlott in 1975, basketball during the 1960’s saw the Boston Celtics dominating the sport with eight consecutive titles from 1959 to 1966. The Celtics’ success was largely attributed to exceptional players such as Bill Russel and Bob Cousy.” – Lauren S.
Bahr, 1995. Bill Russel, known for his defensive skills, led Boston to win 11 NBA championships during his 13-year career. In addition, Bob Cousy, who became a member of the Celtics in 1950, impressed spectators with his creative style of playmaking. Lauren S. Bahr, 1995.
Since the 1960’s, the NBA has grown its league by adding new teams like the Chicago Bulls, Seattle Supersonics, and Phoenix Suns. The original eight teams consisted of the Boston Celtics, New York Knickerbockers, and Philadelphia Warriors. (Barbara A. Cherow, 1993)
During the 1970s and 1980s, the NBA underwent significant growth, expanding from eight teams to an impressive total of 27 teams. This period witnessed a intense rivalry between Larry Bird from the Boston Celtics and Magic Johnson from the LA Lakers. It is important to mention that both Bird and Johnson earned three MVP awards each during this era.
During the 1980s and 1990s, Magic Johnson achieved nine finals appearances and emerged victorious in five championships (Barbara A. Chernow, 1993). In contrast, Bird’s success was limited to three titles during that time frame. Nevertheless, it was Michael Jordan who truly transformed the sport in the mid-1980s and early 1990s. Jordan, widely recognized as one of the greatest NBA players of all time, established numerous scoring records and solidified his position as one of the league’s most prolific scorers (Lauren S.).
Bahr (1995) claims that basketball gained popularity during this time, with participation from 176 nations in the 1991 and 1992 season, which marked its centennial celebration. Furthermore, the late 1990s witnessed the introduction of the league’s last two teams.
In 1995, the NBA grew by including two Canadian teams: the Toronto Raptors and the Vancouver Grizzlies. This increased the total number of teams to 29. As a result, divisions were established within the league, specifically Atlantic, Central Eastern Conference Midwest, and Pacific division Western Conference (Lauren S.Bahr, 1995).
In the basketball industry today, there is a growing emphasis on finances. Notable players like Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and Kevin Garrnet now demand contracts worth millions of dollars and are unwilling to play until their demands are fulfilled.
Back in the 1990s, players’ discontentment with their salaries led to strikes and walkouts. Regrettably, these actions caused numerous fans to lose interest in the sport because they perceived both players and owners as being selfish.
The game of basketball has experienced significant transformations, including the impact on salaries and endorsements. In earlier times, players participated solely for their passion for the sport, but now financial considerations also come into play. It is ludicrous that a player can earn millions of dollars within a single season.
However, I wouldn’t mind earning millions for playing basketball. Despite its increasing commercialization and focus on money, I would still participate in and watch the game. I still believe that there are people who play basketball for the right reason – their love for the game.
