In 1891: The object of the game is to put the ball in your opponents goal (a peach basket at first). This may be done by throwing the ball from any part of the grounds, with one or two hands.
This simple idea was originated by Dr. James Naismith, a Canadian physical education teacher, to provide an “athletic distraction” to a group of bored teenagers during a brutal winter in Springfield, MA. “Basket ball” grew into one of the world’s most popular sports, with 300 million people playing around the globe today (not counting RJ’s sweet shot of a ball of tape into a trash can via a co-worker’s back that he totally meant to do). Naismith laid out 13 simple rules, which banned traveling (which is yet to be adopted by the NBA), dribbling (players had to shoot or pass when catching the ball), and included the five second inbounding rule and no goaltending. Naismith died on Nov. 28, 1939, almost 40 years to the day he invented basketball. He was enshrined in the Basketball Hall of Fame (which adorns his name) in 1959. (hoophall.com)
In 1993: The Houston Rockets proved they were pretty good at Naismith’s invention by defeating the Knicks at Madison Square Garden 94-85, to win their 15th game in a row to start a season, tying an NBA record. Led by MVP Hakeem Olajuwon, the “Clutch City” Rockets won 22 out of their first 23 games and later beat the Knicks again to win their first of back-to-back NBA titles. (basketball-reference.com)
In 1967 Wilt Chamberlain of the Philadelphia 76ers proved that he wasn’t so good at Naismith’s invention on this day as he set a record for missing 22 free throws in a 138-130 win over the Los Angeles Lakers. Of course, we’re kidding about the not-so-good part, but foul shooting was an Achilles heel of the Stilt’s, as he shot only 51 percent from the line for his career (opponents originated the “Hack-a-Shaq” strategy on Wilt). (nba.com/history)
