Basketball why is it my number one US best sports and different in rules from NCCA - Research Paper Example

Number: Basketball as the most popular sport in the USA Word Count:500 Introduction Basketball is one of the world’s renowned sports of which the precise origin is known. It was invented in1891 by James W. Naismith who was an instructor at the International YMCA Training School in Springfield, Massachusetts. At that time it was played with peach baskets and an attendant on a ladder retrieved the ball after a made basket. Naismith came up with thirteen rules of the game, of which twelve of them are still followed in today’s modern game.

Nature of the SportThe game is played by two teams and the players move the ball by passing or throwing it to one another or by dribbling or bouncing as they move down the court with aim to score points by throwing the ball through the opponents’ basket. The five players from each team may be on the court at one time and substitutions are unlimited though they can only be done when play is stopped. A team can score a field goal by shooting the ball through the hoop during regular play. A regulation basketball hoop consists of a rim 18 inches in diameter and 10 feet high mounted onto a backboard.

Afield goal scores two points for the shooting team if a player is touching or closer to the hoop than the three point line while three points are scored if the player is outside the three-point line. The team with more points at the end of the game emerges the winners.Reasons why Basketball is PopularIt is evident that basketball is one of the best and most popular sports in the USA. It has taken a big role in shaping the cultures of many a people, the young and the old alike. One of the reasons making basket ball a popular sport is street basket ball, a spin-off basket ball played by millions of people.

Street basket ball players are both females and males with the ages ranging between 5 and 65 years. Kids start familiarizing themselves with the sport at kindergarten levels. A person’s life as a street ball player usually takes many years as it doesn’t require much practice because it is played for fun (Mallon, 49). This introduction of boys and girls to basketball at such a young age has gone a long way in popularizing the game and in most cases street basket ball players proceed to becoming professionals in the sports.

Another reason why basketball has been considered one of the most popular sports in USA is the roles played by the National Basketball Association. The NBA has engendered international interests in the sport and also involved the various USA teams in numerous league matches and thus adding growth to the sport. The NBA commitment in basketball world has played a major role in developing and popularizing the sport. Starting in 1984 with the leadership of David Stern, a reign of popularity and prosperity of the game was born which continues to the present day.

Under his leadership, average attendance increased to over 50%, with a significance increase in the years 1988-1989. In addition, NBA products sold millions of dollars, with NBA games viewed on television in over eighty countries, a phenomenon which had never been witnessed before. Stern also increased the number of teams allowed in the play-offs and expanded the franchise. Each approved franchise to the NBA brought 180 millions dollars to the coffers of the existing NBA franchises (Batchelor, 2005).

Along with this success and money making, a key factor for the NBA, the negotiations for a drug testing policy was equally essential. This happened and strengthened the sport where those found to be in use of drugs for three times of the test would be banned for life from participating in any game. These measures were regarded with high esteem by the people as they felt the freeness to engage in a sport that bans the use of drugs to realize victory.ConclusionThrough its renowned stars, basketball has brought street life to the mainstream, popularizing some ways of life associated with the players.

Rarely will a person make it through a single day in an American city and fail to witness numerous examples of basketball effects on popular culture, be it tattoos, baggy shorts, totally shaved heads or street ball fashions which have gone mainstream.ReferencesBatchelor Bob, (2005), Basket Ball in America: from the play grounds to Jordan’s game and beyond, The Harwoth Press.Mallon Bill and Heijmans Jeroen, (2011), Historical Dictionary of the Olympic Movement, Scarecrow Press 2nd Ed.Brown Donald H., (2007), A Basketball Handbook, Authorhouse.

Porter David L. (2005), Basketball; a biographical Dictionary, Greenwoods.Kellogg William O. (2003), American History: The Easy Way, Barron’s Educational Series, 3rd Ed.