NBA – All You Need to Know

Basketball occupies one of the top-most ranks when it comes to the most popular and globally-renowned sports. A basketball game is played between two teams, each consisting of five players. A basketball match usually takes place on a rectangular-shaped court, where each team tries to score points by tossing the ball through the opposing team’s hoops. The team getting the most points wins the game. The sport has millions of fans all around the globe, and its popularity is completely justified, thanks to numerous reasons. For instance, the game is immensely easy to follow and play. There are no complicated rules, which makes the game very fun. Moreover, it is very fun and exciting to watch a basketball match. Moreover, the game teaches and improves skills like teamwork, coordination, etc. 

There are numerous outlets hardcore basketball fans can explore to have a more immersive experience of the sport, out of which indulging in fantasy basketball games is one of the primary ones. Like other forms of fantasy sports, fantasy basketball offers enthusiasts the option to create basketball teams and predict the outcomes of real-life matches. This facilitates enthusiasts to not only enjoy the sport to the fullest but also test their knowledge regarding its different aspects. Thanks to the sport’s popularity, anyone looking for a top-tier basketball fantasy app in India can find one without hassle. 

The recognition basketball boasts of today is not a result of a specific event. The massive popularity that the sport has garnered over the years in different parts of the globe has been a result of numerous tournaments and leagues, out of which NBA stands at the top. This article will dive deep into what the NBA is and cover numerous aspects of the popular league. Let us get started:

What is the NBA?

As per Wikipedia, the NBA is the biggest and most prominent men’s professional basketball league in the world. The popular league comprises a total of 30 teams, out of which 29 belong to the United States, whereas the remaining one represents Canada. The league was initially called BAA or the Basketball Association of America. However, three years after it was founded, it was renamed the National Basketball Association, the name by which it is known today. According to Wikipedia, the National Basketball Association is a professional basketball league based in North America. NBA is an integral member of USAB, which holds the title of the national governing body for basketball in the US. The prestigious title was conferred by the FIBA (International Basketball Federation).

History of the NBA:

The National Basketball Association of the US was established in 1946 as a rival to the then-popular NBL league. The first three teams to clinch the titles were Philadelphia Warriors, Baltimore Bullets, and Minneapolis Lakers. In 1949, it merged with NBL to create the NBA. Initially, the NBA consisted of only 17 teams. However, as the years progressed, numerous teams were disbanded or discarded due to issues like financial crunches and lack of fan interest. By 1955, there were only eight teams left in the popular league. However, the popular league introduced the 24-second shot clock, which caused an immense rise in the game’s popularity across different regions. Over the next few decades, the NBA gained immense recognition, thanks to stars like Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russells, Oscar Robertson, etc. The game’s format was completely revolutionized after the three-point line was added in the league 79-80 season. Thanks to the rise of global icons like Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Stephen Curry, etc., basketball is deemed a star-driven sport. 

Teams in the NBA:

The National Basketball Association currently comprises 30 teams. The most popular teams are Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets, Chicago Bulls, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, Phoenix Suns, New York Knicks, and Toronto Raptors. Every team can have a maximum of 17 players on their roster, out of which 8 can be a part of a basketball game. Out of the eight listed players, only five can be on the field during a given match. 

Primary Positions in the NBA:

The NBA consists of five main positions. Here is a detailed look at each one of them:

PG or Point Guard – Considered to be the smallest player present on the court, the point guard is the main player who runs the offense. Hence, the PG is deemed the main playmaker of any team. After a team scores, the point guard is the one who carries the ball and brings it up to the court. The PG is also referred to as many by names like the point, one, or point man. Some of the greatest PGs of all time include Stephen Curry, Magic Johnson, Oscar Robertson, etc. 

SG or Shooting Guard – The SG of a team, plays alongside the PG and is often the player with the most number of goals. SGs are required to have top-tier shooting skills. Some of the greatest SG names include Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, Ray Allen, etc. 

SF or Small Forward – As the name suggests, SFs are shorter, leaner, and more powerful than other players. They have numerous responsibilities, including passing the ball, scoring, shooting, etc. Some popular SF names in the history of the NBA are LeBron James, Scottie Pipen, Kevin Durant, etc. 

PF or Power Forward – Compared to SFs, PFs are bigger and have numerous roles, such as rebounding the ball, defending against opponents, scoring, etc. PFs are required to shoot long-range shots. Some popular PFs include Kevin Garnett, Karl Malone, and Dirk Nowitzki. 

C or Center – The center is the biggest player on any NBA roster. They are relied upon by teammates to set screens during matches and score goals on offense. While defending, they are supposed to act as a barrier around the rim and block opponents’ shots. Some popular NBA centers are Kareem Adbul-Jabbar, Shaquille O’Neal, Bill Russell, etc. 

The NBA is followed religiously by millions of fans across the globe thanks to the excitement it’s matches offer to enthusiasts all year long. Its popularity has exponentially increased over the years, and there are still no signs that suggest the league’s rise will stop or slow down anytime soon.

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