Fun Facts

One of the many sports activities that is played both as a professional sport and also as a recreational activity is Bowling.

What is bowling?

Bowling is a game in which a heavy ball is rolled down a long narrow lane to knock down a group of 10 wooden objects, called as pins.

This game is not a new invention of the 20th century. Traces of this game can be found historical records as old as 16th century. The game, which is quite popular in the United States, according to historical evidence, was brought from the Dutch people to the country in the 17th century and gained immense popularity among the people. The popularity was such that it occasionally led to betting and had to be banned for this very reason many a times in the past in many states across the U.S.

The game regained its popularity since the beginning of the 20th century, and in the year 1958, this game has been declared as a professional sport, as well.

The primary goal or aim of the game is to knock down the wooden objects or pins from a distance, using the heavy ball.

The rules and scoring system in this game are very simple. If all the pins are knocked down by the ball in the first throw, then it is called as strike, and 10 points are awarded for a strike. If some of the 10 pins stand remaining in the game at the end of the first throw, then the ball is thrown for the second time to knock down the balance bins. When the balance pins are knocked down with the second ball, then it is called as spare, and another 10 points are awarded for the spare. If a strike is thrown in a frame, the number of pins knocked down by the next two balls bowled count in that game. Thus, the maximum points a player can score in a single frame is thirty.

Both professionally and as an amateur, a typical game of bowling comprises of 10 frames. Each player is allowed to deliver two balls per frame. In the last frame of the game or in the 10th frame, the player is allowed another two balls. A perfect score of 300 in a game can be achieved by having 12 strikes in a row.

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One of the most popular sports played in the world is Basketball. The NBA championship played in the United States of America is renowned across the world with huge following and extensive TV coverage.

What is basketball?

Basketball is a team game, played between two teams, each comprising of 5 players, in a basketball court played either indoor or outdoor. There will be a placed a basket on either sides of the basketball court at a height of approximately 10 feet or 3.048 meters from the ground level. The motto of the players occupying one side of the basket ball court is to throw the inflated ball through the basket placed at the opponent’s court. For every successful attempt, points are awarded to the scoring team, and the match is decided by the number of points scored by each team, after completion of the stipulated time of play.

When and how the game originated?

The game of basketball, as we all know, originated in the year 1891, when one professor of physical education Dr. James Naismith developed this game primarily with the intention of keeping his students healthy and physically fit even in cold conditions during the winter season. He discarded the idea of gymnasium and wanted something innovative which will not only help in beating the long and chill winter but also very stimulating and invigorating exercise to the body. The outcome is none other than basketball.

Rules of the game

The object of the game has not changed from what was foreseen by James Naismith. As a player of the team, the goal should be score points by throwing the ball through the basket of the opponent from above. At the same, the player should also protect that opponent from throwing the ball in to the basket. From what distance the ball is thrown into the basket also determines the number of points. If the ball thrown from a distance of a minimum of 20 ft 6 inches or more to the basket deserves 3 points, and others deserves 2 points. The team which secures more points will be declared the winner.

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Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Julius “Dr. J” Erving, Earvin “Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Michael “His Airness” Jordan, Allen Iverson, Shaquille O’ Neal, Kobe Bryant, Lebron James, David Stern etc.  Do these guys sound a bell?

Ask any strange and unknown guy around the block if he happens to know what makes these guys similar and you’ll get a quick respond:  NBA and Basketball, of course!

Since Canadian Dr. James Naismith’s invention of the sport in 1891, basketball has never been the same again.  Guys the world over has their eyes glued on their television sets when the sport is on it.  And there’s no better way to name a thing that associates to this famous sport than the NBA (National Basketball Association).

I.  History - The NBA had its early roots as the Basketball Association of America (BAA) which was established and founded in 1946.  And did you know that the idea of having the league established actually came from major ice hockey arena owners.  There were many attempts of “professionalizing” the sport by founding various leagues such as the American Basketball League but it was still BAA who were able to held games on most major cities.  The National Basketball Association finally got its name debut on NBAe 1946.  It has adopted the name after merging with its rival league, the National Basketball League.  Currently, NBA is one of the most premiere basketball league in North America, and ranks as the most popular in the world over.  It is composed of thirty (30) teams.  The introduction of foreign players in the league started in 1947 by a Japanese-American Knicks player, Wataru Misaka.  The NBA opened its doors for African-American players in 1950.  Since then, an increasing number of international players have started to move-in to play in NBA.

Other important dates in NBA history:

• 1950 – Pistons vs. Lakers 19-18.  The lowest in NBA game history is made;

• 1952 – NBA widens the free-throw lane from 6-12 feet;

• 1954 – the introduction of the “shot-clock”;

• 1964 – they again widened the foul lane from 12-16 feet (as players are getting bigger, I guess);

• 1968 – NBA expands to 14 teams;

• 1970 – NBA expands to 17;

• 1974 – teams to 18;

• 1976 – ABA teams-San Antonio, Dallas, Denver, and New York Nets joined in;

• 1978 – Approval of the first franchise trade;

• 1979 – Additional third referee is inserted in the game;

• 1980 – Introduction of the three point line (There you go, Peja!); and,

• May 1980 – NBA teams expands 23 teams.

And since our favorite sport has been piling tons of record books and been filling up the Guinness Book of Records in the sports section, we might as well, note some interesting facts about NBA’s teams, games and players.

II.  Teams. – Below are interesting facts about your favorite NBA team:

• The first NBA title was won by the Philadelphia Warriors in 1947;

• The team that won the most championship title is obviously, the Boston Celtics (15);

• It is “the Airness” and the rest of the Chicago Bulls that holds the best playoff records, 72 wins and 10 losses (‘95-‘96 season);

• And the worst comes from the Philadelphia 76ers, 9 wins, 73 losses in the ’72-’73 season. (Their coach must have been really sad…and mad at the same time!);

• The Los Angeles Lakers holds the record for the longest winning streak – 33 games (must got tired of celebrating after that. I presume..);

• The longest losing streak of 24 games comes from the Cleveland Cavaliers (that’s why Lebron is way too popular!);

• The longest winning streak at home belongs to the nest of the Larry Bird, the Boston Celtics – 38 games.  They also hold the best record at home 40-1;

• The first NBA game played outside North America was in Japan between Phoenix Suns and Utah Jazz; and,

• It was the Atlanta Hawks who got to play first in the Soviet Union.  They won over the Soviet team by a single point 85-84.

III.  Players. – Now here’s the most exciting part…the individual feats.  Just a reminder everyone, what you are about to witness by reading below, are not in any way related to Superman or any Marvel hero you know…

A. Scoring

• Still unbroken since 1962 is Wilt Chamberlain’s record of the player with the most number of points made in a single game: 100 points.  (Yup fellas, this guy’s got hot hands!).  He also holds the most points scored in one half – 59.;

• Sir Wilt also holds the NBA player with most points in an NBA All-Star game – 42 points.  This feat is aside from the player with the most points per game average (50.4) and the most points scored in a NBA career (31,419).  He is considered as one of NBA’s greatest player and lives as an icon to his co-players and fans around the world.

• A prototype of the scoring abilities and tremendous athletic talents of Mr. Chamberlain is Michael “his Airness” Jordan.   He is currently ranked 3rd in most points scored in his entire NBA career – 32,292 points.  The feat of the player of the most points per game belongs to him – 32.12 points per game.  He also has the most seasons leading scorer- 10 seasons.  (Do these guys ever get tired?)

B. Steals

• NBA’s quick hands belong to Utah Jazz’s John Stockton as he holds the most steals in NBA career – 3,625.  A same tight spot is shared by Kendall Hill and Larry Kenon in a player with the most number of steals in a single game.  They are tied with 11 a piece.

C.  Rebounds

• Wait a minute….is he really not a relative of superman?  Again, wilt Chamberlain lords over the rebound department in the NBA.  He has pulled a number of 24,934 rebound in his entire NBA career and enjoys the title of the player of having the most rebounds in a single game, 55. (Eat your heart out Dennis Rodman!)

D.  Blocks

• 1973 was the year for Elmor Smith as he recorded the most blocks in a single game – 17.  “The Dream” Hakeem Olajuwon of the Houston Rockets have swatted a total of 3,830 basketballs in his entire NBA career.

E.  Assists

• This department is mostly dominated by point guards in the NBA. the top three (3) players with the most assists in career are Utah’s John Stockton (15,806), Indiana’s Mark Jackson and Lakers’ Magic Johnson (10,141).

• The most assists in one game belong to Scott Skiles.  He wowed everyone with his 30 assists.

One of the most prestigious awards that one gets in the NBA or on any basketball league aside from the championship crown is the Most Valuable Player (MVP).  Lakers’ Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Michael Jordan shares the top spot with the most MVPs.  No big deal, they just have six (6) each attached to their hats.

IV.  Facts, facts, facts…

• Dallas Maverick’s Popeye Jones’ real first name isn’t Popeye,  its Ronald Jerome;

• Houston’s Dikembe Mutombo’s real name is Dikembe Mutombo Mpolondo Mukamba Jean Jacques Wamutombo.  And this center man speaks seven (7) languages fluently;

• Kobe Bryant added the numbers that he wore during his camp days (143) and came up with his then jersey number eight (8);

• Boston’s Ray Allen is Walter Ray Allen in real life.

• New Orleans’ Bonzi Wells’ real first name is Gawen.  It’s the same name that his father and brother shares (Now that’s a real closed family ties!)

• In real life, Atlanta’s Mike Bibby and Boston’s Eddie House are brothers-in-law.

• MVP Tim Duncan has a tattoo of Merlin the Magician on his back.

• Quick and fancy passer from Miami, Jason Williams and NFL Patriot’s Randy Moss started on the same high school basketball team.

• Gilbert Arenas’ pop once had bit acting parts in Miami Vice and Days of Our Lives TV shows.

• Before going to Chicago, Lebron’s bald teammate Drew Gooden’s mother is Finnish by nationality.

• As a kid, Shaq fell from a tree while imitating his favorite hero Spider-Man.  He fractured both of his wrists (those two huge ones!)

• Boston’s Kevin Garnett’s wife is sister to the wife of RNB’s Jimmy Jam.

• Rasheed Wallace has a daughter named “Rashiyah”.  He likewise had his championship ring he got from the Pistons, altered so that it would fit his middle finger.

• Detroit’s Tayshaun Prince was born in Compton.

• Piston’s Kwame Brown has a daughter named “Kwameeri”.

Aside from playing plenty of basketball day in and day out, the NBA being a large professional basketball league also has other programs that are beneficial not only to its players but also to its millions of avid fans.  They have this “NBA Cares” program.  The Mission of this program is to address important social issues around the US.  Since its establishment in October 2005, various teams and players have already raised more than $97 million.  In this umbrella project of the NBA, players through their popularity as well as the game’s, try to formulate outreach programs that could somehow effect positive change in the world.  Among the key social issues that they are geared on doing their programs are education, youth and family development, Health and wellness.

With the way the league has been keeping the basketball spirits of millions of fans around the world on an extreme level, it is an interesting fact to note that these guys are not here just to play the game or entertain at the same time.  The NBA is selfless in the sense that they are playing with the ball with heart.

Sports Fun Facts