The Changing Face Of Basketball Essay example -- essays research paper

The Changing Face of BasketballBasketball has come a long way since its soccer ball and apricot tree field goal beginningsin that its style, players, facilities and leagues have developed dramaticallyand gained tremendous popularity. Salaries have increased from Bob Cousysminute $45.00 a game (Minser 37) to Michael Jordans $300,000 + per game(Minser 37). Basketball is a blow in which all ages can participate in any way,shape, or form and is a big part of American society today. In 1891 pack A.Naismith invented basketball at a YMCA gymnasium in Springfield, Massachusetts(Hollander 4). He told a custodian to nail both peach baskets 10 feet high onopposite ends of the gymnasium walls. The first teams consisted of nine playerson each side (this was later changed to five because of roughness) (Hollander 5-7). The main rules were one could not take much than two steps with the ball,which meant one would have to dribble it and it was not to be a contact sport,so one was not allowed t o tackle or push, etc... or a foul would be called. Therules have developed in that a shot clock was installed. The shot clock is a 24second clock that a team had to shoot within that time period (Minsky 12).Basketball has developed in that players have become more(prenominal) flashy, facilitieshave become bigger and more complex, and leagues have grown. The 50s marked aperiod of fundamentals. Teams practiced shooting, dribbling, and passing. theyalso emphasized execution something lacking in todays game. Execution is therunning of plays to perfection. Basketball in the 50s was predominate by 610George Mikan of the Minneapolis Lakers (Minsky 14).Mikan was a disciplined teamleader who had a masterful soft shot. Big George led the Lakers to five NationalBasketball Association (NBA) championships in six years, making them the firstprofessional basketball dynasty (Minsky 14). Growing up, George was veryuncoordinated and was cut from almost every basketball team he essay out forhoweve r, a man named Ray Meyer was the coach of DePaul University and dedicatedhis training sessions to Mikan (Minsky 15-16). George worked very hard he leveltook dance lessons to improve his agility and footwork. He also played one - on- one with shorter but faster players in order to improve his defensivepositioning. He also jumped rope, played hours of haulage with tennis and medicineballs, and pra... ...arenas, enormouscrown support, and plenty of luxuries (Hollander 60-69). Original salaries weremicroscopic compared to salaries today, especially when compared to otherprofessionals. Basketball today is being sold to the public more than any othersport. Corporate sponsors have lured players with million dollar offers. It isamazing at the difference between the salaries of basketball players andprofessionals such as teachers, nurses, social workers , and even what we payour clergy. The public wants to be entertained, and will pay for it, but failsto give adequate payment to professio nals who affect our daily lives. The styleof play, players, facilities, and leagues have developed dramatically and gainedtremendous popularity since its soccer ball and peach basket beginnings.Thesis Statement Basketball has come a long way since its soccer ball and peachbasket beginnings in that its style, players, facilities and leagues havedevoloped dramatically and gained tremendous popularity.I. HistoryA. WhatB. WhenC. Basic rulesII. DevelopmentA. First great playersB. FacilitiesC. LeaguesIII. SalariesA. OriginalB. Salaries nowC. Salaries compared to other professions