Basketball as a Well-liked Sport

How did you come to love the sport, basketball? Is it because you were influenced by one of your friends or is it because you have a collection of so many funny basketball moments to cherish? Perhaps you are able to reminisce over a dad-son duo during days of yesteryear playing against each other or your winning moments because you made the victorious shot during a school competition. No matter what your reason may be, nothing can change the fact that basketball is a fun and entertaining sport regardless of age. Not to mention that it is a superb way of getting in shape because it is indeed, a good exercise. When you are on the court, you are actually working at your body.

A medical doctor specializing in sports physiology named Dr. James Naismith invented basketball. Dr. Naismith was seriously thinking of an indoors game that could be played during winter to divert restless young men. The first ever basketball game played was at the YMCA gymnasium on the 20^th day of January 1982 consisting of nine players. The court way back then was half the size of a recent day NBA court. The original ball used for the game was a soccer ball and the color was brown. However, players and crowds seem to have a hard time seeing the ball due to its color. That is why, by the late 1950’s, Tony Hinkle developed a modern day color of the basketball, which is orange. And this color has been used up to this date.

Avid basketball addicts including those who do not play the sport but simply love it, always find a way to enjoy the sport. Others are willing to make a leave of absence from work and don’t mind spending money just to watch their favorite teams play live on the stadium. If this isn’t possible to some, they make it a point to pause from their work for a little while just to take a quick look on the highlights flashed on the live telecasts. Fanatics, who really can’t see due to uncontrollable circumstances, will make sure that the first thing they will do once they get home is to catch the replay on television. And to supplement this admiration of the sport, they take time to read the sports section of the daily newspaper or a sports magazine just to keep themselves updates. Purchasing of basketball collectible items have also been an object of obsession to a lot of fans.

People at extremes of age but still with the desire to play sports, can, nevertheless, take pleasure in playing basketball. However, not necessarily competitive playing. They can augment walking around the vicinity of their place with shooting a few tolerable shots in their backyard. Besides, it does not require much of an effort to start playing basketball. A basketball, and a ring plus your desire to get back on the court are the essential things you need to get ready.  

Who says basketball is only played as an indoor wooden court with rules to follow? Nowadays, basketball has gone through a lot of several variations that we can say, it has reached a whole new level. Anybody can play the sport---no matter who you are, how old you may be and what physical limitations you may possess, you can have fun with the game. Probably, this is one of the reasons why this sport is so well-liked by people all across the world.

The first variation is the Wheelchair Basketball, which from the name itself, is played using the wheelchair. The chairs are specifically designed for the sport wherein players can quickly and easily move just like how a traditional basketball is being played. In fact, the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (IWBF) has been regulating this sport. Another variation is the Water Basketball. It is played in the water and rules are a little different because obviously, there is no dribbling involved. Beach Basketball, on the other hand, is played on the sand and again, dribbling can’t be done. This type of variation is more of a physical game rather than that of a basketball game. The type of basketball nearly everyone plays is called the Informal Basketball. You can agree on a specific set of rules provided, that everyone else agrees. Players can just make a simple basket and then, start the fun.

Playing basketball truly dribbles away our worries and shoots us to fun and enjoyment. So go, get that 3-point shot now!