A History of Hoops

Last week, we went over basketball basics and rules in Hoops for Dummies. However, knowing the people who made the game what it is today will makes watching its current players more interesting and relevant. Read on to get a spark note’s version of basketball’s greats.

Relevant Rivalries

New York Kicks and Miami Heat
Maybe it’s a North versus South thing, but whatever it is, it’s aggressive. The Heat’s dominant past 2 seasons might cause people to dismiss the intensity of this rivalry, but you never know who’s going to come out to play.

LA Lakers and Boston Celtics
This rivalry was initiated in the late 70’s when “Magic” Johnson and Michigan State beat Larry Bird and Indiana State in the NCAA championship game and there were then drafted to the Lakers and Celtics respectively.

Legends

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Kareem played from 1969-1989 for the Milwaukee Bucks and then the Lakers. Many, including Pat Riley (one of the most prominent coaches in basketball) regard him as the greatest basketball players of all time. At the time of his retirement he was the NBA’s leader in point scored, games played, minutes played, blocked shots, and personal fouls among other things. Put it this way, if someone is talking about almost any player being a great, you’re usually safe to say, “he’s no Kareem”.

Larry Bird
Bird played for the Celtics 1979-1992. As mentioned, his rivalry with Magic Johnson, and the Lakers, created a great rivalry making the game a show, reigniting interest in the NBA and his team. He was a great leader (NBA MVP his rookie year) and led his team to 3 NBA championships. Bird was one of the best all around players.

Wilt Chamberlain
Playing 1959-1973 for various teams. Just know that there is a claim that he slept with 20,000 women, and that he scored a record 100 points in one game.

Julius Erving “Dr. J.”
Dr. J. was with the Philly 76ers 1976-1987. He is responsible for changing the rhythm of basketball to a performance with dunks and plays flying through the air. In addition he was a true ambassador for the game, a black star player embraced by white fans, which was an accomplishment at the time.
“Respect is a lot more important, and a lot greater, than popularity.” – Dr. J.

Michael Jordan

Jordan will forever be known as a Chicago Bulls player (1984-1998) but did play for the Washington Wizards 2001-2003. While debates about if Jordan was the greatest player ever are inconclusive, he is without a doubt the most famous to have ever played the game. There are a few key things to know about Jordan to get by; his number was 23, he was known for his fade-away shot, and was an international superstar. His hard work never stop attitude was what made him such a highly regarded player.

“I have failed over and over and over again in my life. And that’s precisely why I succeed.” – Michael Jordan

Thanks for that one, MJ. We all need to hear this more often from the world’s great successes.

You now know enough to make a contribution to a conversation about basketball’s greats. Next time you’re at the bar watching a game shock your buddies by whipping some of the information you’ve learned.

By Tess Szymanski