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Naismith published the rules for the game and had his class play the first game using a soccer ball and two peach baskets. -
Originally, players wore one of three styles of uniforms: knee-length football trousers; jersey tights, as commonly worn by wrestlers; or short padded pants, forerunners of today’s uniforms, plus knee guards. The courts often were of irregular shape with occasional obstructions such as pillars, stairways, or offices that interfered with play. In 1903
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The most important leagues in the 1920s were the Eastern Basket Ball League, Metropolitan Basketball League, and American Basketball League. -
Basketball was one of the most popular sports in the United States in the 1940s, with people of all ages playing. However, professional basketball didn't receive much attention at the time. -
Some basketball fans consider the 1970s to be the "dark ages" of the NBA, with low attendance and TV ratings. However, others say the decade was pivotal and set the template for the league today -
In 2008, Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen led the Celtics to a championship. This was a precursor to the "Super Team" phenomenon that would follow.
The expansion of the player pool
The NBA's player pool expanded in the 2000s, with the following notable players:
Kwame Brown: The first high schooler to be drafted number one overall in 2001 by Jordan's Wizards.
Yao Ming: The first non-American to be drafted number one overall in 2002 by the Houston Rockets. -
Some notable basketball events and players from the 2010s include:
Superstar retirements
Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash, and Allen Iverson were among the many NBA legends who retired during the 2010s.
Allen Iverson
Iverson, also known as "A.I.", showed that even small players could be successful in the NBA. -
LeBron James
The oldest player in the 2024-25 NBA season, James is a forward for the Los Angeles Lakers. P.J. Tucker
A forward for the LA Clippers, Tucker is 39 years old and was born in 1985. Chris Paul
A guard for the San Antonio Spurs, Paul is 39 years old and was born in 1985. Taj Gibson
A forward for the Charlotte Hornets, Gibson is 39 years old and was born in 1985.