Basketball

One of the most popular sports around the globe today. Basketball was created back in 1891 by an athletics director in a school in masachustts. Dr. James Naismith, inventor of basketrball, created basketball as a solution for his problem of finding a inside sport for winter.
 * BACKGROUND:**

= **Surge into Popularity**: = Basketball's early adherents were dispatched to YMCAs throughout the United States, and it quickly spread through the USA and Canada. By 1895, it was well established at several women's high schools. While the YMCA was responsible for initially developing and spreading the game, within a decade it discouraged the new sport, as rough play and rowdy crowds began to detract from the YMCA's primary mission. However, other amateur sports clubs, colleges, and professional clubs quickly filled the void. In the years before WW1, the Amatuer Athletic Union and the Intercollegiate Athletic Association of the United States (forerunner of the NCAA) vied for control over the rules for the game. The first pro league, the National Basketball League, was formed in 1898 to protect players from exploitation and to promote a less rough game. This league only lasted five years. Mens basketball was first incorporated in the Olympic Games during 1936 in Berlin. Played outdoors, the United States defeated the Canadians. Since then, the Americans have been dominant in the world basketball competitions. In the 2008 Beijing Olympics, a total of twelve countries worldwide qualified for mens basketball. These teams included: Angola, Argentina, Australia, China, Croatia, Germany, Greece, Iran, Lithuania, Russia, Spain and the United States. The United States took gold, while Spain came out with Silver and Argentina held bronze. Womens basketball is gaining in popularity as well. In the 2008 Beijing Olympics, twelve teams competed as well, including Brazil, Mali and Korea. The United States, Australia and Russia took home the gold, silver and bronze medals respectively. Children all over the world are aspiring for basketball greatness

=** Basketball Today **:= In 1932, the International Basketball Federation was formed by a handful of countries. Currently a total of 214 nations are members of the organization, which regulates international play of the game. From equipment specifications to game rules, the organization oversees and governs basketball competition internationally. Basketball started as a unique sport which called peoples attention rapidly. It spreaded into all United States and Canada, and very soon it went to the other side of the world. Many people enjoy it today. Its popularity doesnt only come from people who play it, people enjoy and like to whatch it. It has become a popular and a professional sport in many parts of the world toda, World Wide Sport. It has changed in the way you play it. People have adapted it today to the way people would like.

NBA ( National Basketball Association) is the most popular association of professional basketball today. It is the most whatched also for the fact that tyhe best players of the world play in the NBA. certain people like the famous former basketball player Michael Jordan have marked it and made popular the NBA. He is considered the best player inm history till now and he is the top of the hall of fame. media type="youtube" key="MNxPfsezN5o" width="425" height="350"

Even though MJ has retired today, the NBA continues on with the best stars in the world. People still keep suprising us and over go our expectatives. Kobe bryant as seen in the video is known as to be the second best player in history. He still plays and is on the lakers team, actual champion. He is the closest person who has reached Michael Jordan, but yet not over pass him. he has talent and we dont dought it. He is gifted for the sport. Located in the United States, the NBA suprises people over the world and is planning to expand to europe to keep people happy and entretained as it should be.

1. Before you couldnt dunk the ball to the rim 2. Your shorts couldnt pass your knee 3. You couldnt bounce the ball above your hip 4. You could walk three steps without baounciong the ball || Rules: 1. you can dunk the ball to the rim but you cant stay hanging 2. Your shorts can pass your knees but barley 3. You can bounce the ball over your hip but under your shoulder 4.you can only walk to steps without bouncing the ball || media type="youtube" key="6gG4W0L41FI" width="425" height="350"
 * Before || Today ||
 * Compare and Contrast ||<  ||
 * Rules:

=**COMPARISON WITH OTHER PROFESSIONAL SPORTS:**=