Basketball and the NBA Learn the facts ( 事实 ) about your favorite sport.

Trevor Ariza contorts himself for a reverse layup in Game 5 against Houston

Who created basketball? Dr. James Naismith, a Canadian physical education professor ( 教授 ), created basketball in December He wanted to create a vigorous ( 苍劲 ) indoor sport for his students to play during the winter. He decided to nail a peach basket to each end of the gym. Each player had to try to throw a ball into the basket.

Dwight Howard and Paul Pierce battle for a rebound in Game 6.

What is the NBA? The NBA of the National Basketball Association is professional men’s basketball league. There are 30 teams. 29 in the USA and 1 team in Canada. The NBA is headed by a commissioner and each team has a president and a coach.

NBA Teams

Paul Gasol and Yao Ming battle for rebounding position

Where does the NBA get the basketball players? The draft is a lottery ( 抽 奖 ) where players are chosen.

Basketball Positions Guards: There are two types of guards. They are the point guard and the shooting guard. Allen IversonMichael Jordan

Guards The point guard is the player that can handle the ball the best –Job is to make teammates better, give assists –Jason Kidd and Steve Nash The shooting guard is the best shooter on the team –Needs to hit 3-point shots, and become open –Dwyane Wade and Kobe Bryant

Basketball Positions Center: The center is usually the tallest person on the team. They play in between the basket and the free- throw line. Yao Ming Shaquille O’Neal

Center Plays close to the basket Tries to make rebounds and score points “in the paint,” or in the key Yao Ming and Shaquille O’Neal

Basketball Positions Forwards: There are two types of forwards. The small forward and the power forward. LeBron James Carmelo Anthony

Forwards Small Forwards need to move fast –They try to power the ball to the basket, and often try to get fouled so they can go to the line –Lebron James and Carmelo Anthony Power Forwards –Try to play defense at the basket, and tries to set up jump shots –Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett

Basketball Court

Positions on Court

Boston Celtics Won 17 NBA Championships, most of any team Key Players: Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen 2008 NBA Champions

Cleveland Cavaliers Team started in 1970 They were very bad In 2003 they got Lebron James

Dallas Mavericks The Mavs started in 1980 Lost 2006 NBA Finals Got Jason Kidd in 2008

Houston Rockets Team started in 1967 Won 1995 NBA Finals Got Yao Ming in 2002 Key players: Yao Ming, Ron Artest,

New Jersey Nets Began in 1967 Team is in a rebuilding period Traded Jason Kidd in 2008

Miami Heat Team started in 1988 Won 2006 NBA Finals Key Player: Dwyane Wade

Philadelphia 76ers Oldest team in NBA, started in 1949 Has had lots of hall-of-fame players Key player: Elton Brand

Phoenix Suns Started in 1968 Key players: Steve Nash, Shaquille O’Neal, Grant Hill, Amar’e Stoudemire My favorite team

San Antonio Spurs Started in 1976 Have been to the playoffs in 19 of past 20 years Have not missed playoffs since 1997 Key player: Tim Duncan

Chicago Bulls Started in 1966 Won 6 Finals in 8 years with Michael Jordan Not the same since

Orlando Magic Team started in 1989 Key player: Dwight Howard

Los Angeles Lakers Started in 1946 Has been in 29 NBA Finals, the most 14 NBA Championships, second most Key players: Kobe Bryant, Derik Fisher, Lamar Odom

NBA Finals Series played in game format Team with better regular season record gets home court advantage In 1995 Orlando was swept by Houston –To sweep means to beat the other team all 4 games in a row

NBA Finals Larry O’Brian Championship Trophy Created in 1978 Named after former commissioner in 1984 Team has names engraved in trophy

Important Basketball Vocabulary ( 词汇量 ) Three Point Shot Block Steal Lay-up Full Court-Press Free Throw Dribbling Slam Dunk (Dunk)