Basketball: It’s Origin and Development

Posted on January 17, 2008
Filed Under Books, Sports |

I just finished reading a book by James Naismith, the inventor of basketball. The book was actually a series of writings and articles from over the years incorporated into this volume.

The idea for the book originated when Naismith, already in his mid-seventies, was prompted by his family to put his story on paper. Because of his declining health, family and a hired English professor helped with recording and editing the final manuscript.

This work does not claim to be an exhaustive account of the origin and development of the game of basketball, but there is an interesting discussion here on Naismith’s family, the Publisher’s influence on the final manuscript, and also why there was not any discussion of the game played by African Americans.

Despite the lack of exhaustiveness, there is still a lot of great information from the mind of the inventor and on the origins of the game. A few random bits of information:

1. Within the first set of printed rules, a player committing a personal foul got a warning. Then when the second foul was committed he had to sit out until the next basket was scored, no substitutions (Naismith said this wasn’t that big of a deal at first because they were playing nine players each).

2. The backboards were added only because the goals were nailed to edge of a balcony and spectators in the galleries would try to deflect the ball in order to give their team an advantage. The first backboards evolved from a screen material, wood, and then finally to glass so spectators could see the game.

3. On sportsmanship, in the last chapter, Naismith comments on “booing” from spectators. He condemned the practice, but understood that it was unnatural for spectators, who are educated in the game, to sit passively when they feel a decision was made unjustly. He believed, however, that the less attention paid to the “booing,” the sooner it will cease. (Yeah right).

4. Final remarks in the book: Let us all be able to lose gracefully and to win courteously; to accept criticism as well as praise; and last of all, to appreciate the attitude of the other fellow at all times.

C.Harv

Comments

2 Responses to “Basketball: It’s Origin and Development”

Claude on January 17th, 2008 6:33 pm

Hey C.Harv, nice summary of some of the most interesting and important points. The discussion about omissions is still ongoing, and I hope someone decides to study that aspect further. We were just raising the question and I appreciate how handled it as well. Thanks and best wishes!
Pops on January 20th, 2008 4:47 pm

Spot on Grasshopper!

Love,

Pops . . . .