Why Basketball is such a big deal in the US?

Basketball is the second most popular game in United States, only after American Football. But the amazing part is that Basketball is also the second most popular game in the World, next to Soccer. Almost as 200 countries play Basketball, of which 100 have their own leagues or National teams. With lucrative tv broadcasting deals and increase in number of corporate sponsors, NBA (National Basketball Association) is now one of the most valued leagues in the World. With the popularity of MLB waning, and with repeated safety concerns over NFL, NBA is all set to outshine the American Sports industry in the times to come. The United States National Basketball team has won medals in all eighteen Olympic tournaments it has entered, of which fifteen are gold medals. In addition they have also won 5 golds, 3 silver and 4 bronze medals in the FIBA world cup. The United States is currently the number 1 ranked team in FIBA world rankings. History of Basketball in US     The game, was itself discovered in US by Dr. James Naismith in December 1891. Naismith was a physical education instructor at YMCA International Training School, in Massachusetts. Upon the request of his boss, Naismith was asked to create an indoor sports game to keep the young athletes in shape during the winter’s. The initial game consisted of peach baskets and a soccer style ball. The 13 rules laid out by Naismith were later reconfigured with the evolution of the game. On December 21, 1891, the first ever Basketball game was played in the Armory Street court. It was a 9 versus 9, soccer ball and peach basket game, governed by Naismith’s 13 rules. YMCA (Youth Men’s Christian Association) played a major role in spreading of Basketball all over US and the World. By 1914, the First World War broke out and the US army was fighting in Europe. Basketball was popular among the army and they took it everywhere they went, so as to keep themselves in shape during the War. Soon Basketball started flourishing in American colleges, as they would take on local YMCA boys. Within just 7 years of its inception, the first professional basketball league was found in 1898, named NBL (National Basketball League). The league though abandoned in 1904, had given an emergence as more and more championships were being organized in US. With the growth of Basketball in the world stage, the first international basketball organization was formed, named FIBA in 1932. It worked hard to earn its  inclusion of Basketball in the Berlin Olympics Games of 1936. The first Olympic gold winners was the US, and that changed the whole outlook of the sport in US. Basketball had now become an serious, serious affair. Rise of NBA NBA was formed in the year 1949, after merging with rival NBL. As of today, NBA is the most significant professional Basketball league of the World. There is absolutely no match to the level of popularity, money, talent and skill NBA brings to the table. Rules like 24-second shot clock and three-point line in modern Basketball, were as a result of NBA’s introduction. The league was mostly dominated by black athletes in the early stages. But in 1970’s NBA got a setback, as it was seeing a steady decline in its attendance and television ratings. But with the start of the 80’s decade NBA revived its popularity and the due credit was given to mainly two players Earvin ‘Magic’ Johnson of Los Angeles and Larry Bird of Boston. Both of them brought about a cultural change in the way the game was played. NBA helped popularize Basketball in every part of the World. Players like Michael Jordan, Shaquille O’Neal, and Kobe Bryant brought about widescale popularity to NBA across the World. Suddenly an influx of International Players was seen in NBA, of which one notable mention is Yao Ming, the first ever Chinese player to be picked in NBA. This was huge as his presence brought about attention from Asian countries. What makes Basketball so popular as a sport in America?  While there are many reasons for the popularity of Basketball in US. Here are some notable mentions…. Ease of Access & Easy to Learn You only need a hoop and a ball to enjoy a game of Basketball. Essentially the game requires minimal equipment’s and participants in comparison to other sports like Cricket, Soccer and Golf. Rules are pretty simple and straightforward, hence, easy to learn and understand. You can literally see a Basketball court in each and every well to do American household. Healthy Introduction Among The Younger Groups You all may think that, Basketball has its hardcore fans in adult groups, but the surprising fact is that the game in US is keenly followed by teenagers and children. American schools and colleges hold high esteem in their basketball teams and promote the sport as a fruitful career. Fruitfull Finishes The game in itself is very exciting and thrilling to watch as an audience. Last Shot finishes are almost a norm in Basketball games in High School, College and Professional levels. The dramatic finishes and intense competitiveness helps out any newcomer to be a hardcore fan of the game. Dream Team Believe it or not the Dream Team of 1992 Barcelona Olympics was an turning point in the history of the game. America was in pressure to mark its dominance in the game, hence it sent an All Stars NBA team as the US National team in the Olympics. The team featured giants like Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird and others. America scored an emphatic gold medal and the International Basketball world was awed by the accomplishments the Dream Team acquired.

yawnn this sport is super boring!