Did you know that wilt chamberlain scored a 100 points in one game? Or that Michael Jordan played a whole game with the flu? Well if you love basketball, you know all of these facts. There have been many Trail Blazers in the history of the NBA. Bill Russel has a total of 11 rings, he is one of the greatest players to play the game. But that is one of many many others. If you've ever played or watched basketball, you know there are many rules to the game. For example, you cant walk with the ball or else you get a traveling violation or if you dribble the ball pick it up and dribbling it again or if you dribble with two hands you, get a double dribble.

It could be both really fun and really hard and frustrating. Its really fun because it teaches teamwork skill and sportsmanship. I say skill because if you work hard you will always get better and who doesn't want to get better at something they suck at. It also teaches sportsmanship because it makes you more mature than others who are sore losers. It can be frustrating because you could possibly go through adversity with your teams and others. A ref could give you a bad even though he knows he's wrong, or he could make a bad mistake. Sometimes he can frustrate you to the point where you say or do something wrong and you get ejected from the game. That's something you want to avoid doing because it gives you a bad reputation.

Looking back at it the some of the greatest pioneers of basketball faced adversity. Some injuries, some off the court affairs but they were great enough to the point where they were still loved by the friends fans and family while going through it. Magic Johnson was tested hiv positive but he was still loved by his family and his fans.
     

We all have one person to thank if you love basketball. That person is James Naismith. James Naismith was a physical educator, physician, chaplain, sports coach and innovator. He invented basketball in 1891. He was born on November 6th 1861 in almonte Canada. He created most of the rules and violations of basketball. He started with nothing but a grip less ball and a fruit basket. A great day for basketball was 1936 in Berlin for the 1936 Olympic Games. It was finally named an official event. It was a great day because that was the day we got to represent our country through basketball. Basketball is now played in an organized fashion by 250 million people world wide. The first professional basketball league was formed in 1898. Players earned $2.50 for a home game and 1.50 for an away game. Many teams in the NBA now have foreign players who return home to represent their native countries during the Olympic Games. The dream team in the early 1990s made up of top American basketball players really paved a way for future olympic athletes like LeBron or Carmelo anthony. They were one of and if not, the best team to be created for the olympics. Even though they've never played together in the NBA, they're chemistry was great.

Some people don’t know how lucky we were to have such a great team represent the united states of America. The way they passed the ball and facilitated shots for each other was the way basketball should be played by all teams around the country, and maybe even the world. The dream team definitely goes down in the history book of pioneers. Without basketball I don’t know what I would do to have fun or compete. Michael Jordan is basically  the definition of competition. He has a total of 6 rings, 32,292 points, 6,672 rebounds  and 5,633 assist.  Accomplished basketball player. Also another pioneer of basketball history.

Basketball has changed many Peoples lives over time. I know for a facts that it has changed mine. Another thing that has changed my life is the pioneers and trailblazers of basketball. They have made the game so much easier if you have just watched their style of play in their prime. Mentors, my parents and my other family have also made it much easier. I don’t know what I would do without basketball.