History of Basketball
Basketball is a popular game and lots of people like to play basketball, so
for all of you that enjoy basketball here is a detailed description of the
history of basketball. The
History of Basketball, a game that started with 18 men in a
YMCA gymnasium in Springfield, Mass., has grown into a game that more than 300
million people play worldwide. The man who created this instantly successful
sport of basketball was Dr. James Naismith.
Under orders from Dr. Luther Gulick, head of Physical Education at the School
for Christian Workers. Naismith had 14 days to create an indoor game to play
that would provide an "athletic distraction" for a rowdy class through
the brutal New England winter.
Naismith's invention didn't come easily. Getting close to the deadline, he
struggled to keep the class' faith. His first intention was to bring outdoor
games indoors, i.e., soccer and lacrosse. These games proved too physical and
cumbersome. At his wits' end, Naismith recalled a childhood game that required
players to use finesse and accuracy to become successful. After brainstorming
this new idea, Naismith developed basketball's original 13 rules and
consequently, the game of basketball.
Although the popularity of playing basketball grew through the evolution of the history of basketball
at this time, Naismith neither sought publicity
nor engaged in self-promotion. He was first and foremost a physical educator who
embraced recreational sport but shied away from the glory of competitive
athletics who like to play sports.
Naismith was an intense student, collecting four degrees in the diverse fields
of Philosophy, Religion, Physical Education and Medicine. Although he never had
the opportunity to see the game of basketball become the astonishing spectacle
it is today, Naismith's biggest thrill came when he was sponsored by the
National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) to witness basketball become
an Olympic sport at the 1936 Games held in Berlin.
Naismith became famous for creating the game of basketball as played today, a
stroke of genius that never brought him fame or fortune during his lifetime, but
enormous recognition following his passing in 1939.
For his part in history of basketball and its evolution and invention, Naismith's name adorns the world's only Basketball
Hall of Fame, a tribute that forever makes James Naismith. synonymous with
history of basketball play.
Abner Doubleday, who didn't invent baseball, is probably a more widely
recognized name than Naismith, who did invent basketball. And even those who
know about him continue to learn more about the man who invented a sport
designed for off season physical exercise, which began with his own 13 basic
rules, but which has grown to become a game not for a specific culture or nation
or ethnic group, but for an entire planet to share play and enjoy called
basketball.
Naismith is the only coach in University of Kansas men's basketball history to
own a losing record. Naismith was 55-60 from 1898 to 1907, which mattered little
to him only in that one of his most famous quotes was that basketball was never
meant to be coached, anyway, only to be played.
The new game of basketball evolved from the history of basketball was explained by 13 basic rules and was played with a
soccer ball, peach baskets and nine to a side. There have been major changes to
how the game of basketball is played since that first contest, which
is believed to have been played Dec. 21, 1891.
But perhaps what is most amazing about Naismith's creation, other than the fact
that few sports that are purposely invented actually stand the test of time, is
that the essence of basketball play - throwing a ball into an elevated goal-has
remained the focus from day one.
Today, Naismith would be universally recognized as a genius, a Bill Gates of
sport. And in all likelihood, the opportunity would exist for him to become a
multi-millionaire.
But if Naismith was The Basketball Man, he was not The Money Man, and life in
1891 was far different than in 1991 or 2001.
But if Naismith's invention did not lead to profit, it did lead to huge
popularity for basketball. Even in the final years of the 19th century, with
communication and transportation that was primitive by today's standards, the
game of basketball and its growth was palpable, immediate and widespread.
James Naismith had changed the face of sport through the history of basketball, not so much for the 19th century,
but the 20th, and it is now clear, the 21st. All in an effort to keep unruly
students at bay as they play basketball. From history sources that is how the
great game and the history of basketball play was invented.
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