5 Things You May Not Know About The NBA

Basketball is one of the most exciting sports to watch- full of fast-paced plays and lots of action! Like all major sports, the rules of the National Basketball Association are consistently changing from season to season. Even the most avid basketball fans may find they don’t know everything about the NBA. With 82 games in the regular NBA season, there are so many games to watch! Yet, no two basketball games are exactly alike. Even if you’ve watched hundreds of games, there’s always something new you can learn about this exciting sport. Check out these 5 things you may not know about the NBA! These interesting facts may just come in handy next time you play basketball trivia!

You Can Bet on NBA Sports Games

Basketball lovers pay attention! Did you know you can bet on your favorite NBA basketball games right from the comfort of your own home? NBA betting is an exciting way to experience the game in a whole new light. There are many different types of bets you can wager on basketball games, including point spread bets, money line bets, or even over/under wagers. Don’t have the money to bet on basketball? Playing online video poker can be a way to make some extra cash to fund your sports bets. Online casinos like this even allow you to bet on casino games with bitcoin as currency! On the other hand, you can save some money for upcoming events.

Basketball’s Origins

This is sure to surprise serious basketball fans: Basketball was originally played with a soccer ball! Before the invention of basketball string baskets in 1990, the game was played with a different type of ball catch. The baskets used were actually the same ones used to collect peaches! Of course, the NBA today has strict regulations on the type of basketball used for games. The first ball that was made specifically for basketball was brown! Many people are shocked to learn about this important part of basketball history. Later on, Tony Hinkle developed the classic orange basketball that we know today. The purpose of making a basketball orange was to enhance visibility for both players and people watching the game.

Shortest and Tallest Players

It’s no secret height is a major factor in an NBA player’s ability to perform. Did you know that the shortest and tallest players once played for the same NBA Team? This team was the Washington Bullets in 1987, where one player was only 5’3” and another player was 7’7”. This certainly made for some interesting games!

Not only did an extremely short player and a tall player play on the Washington Bullets at the same time, but the tallest, Manute Bol, remains the tallest ever player in the NBA today. Since then, the Washington Bullets have changed their name quite a bit. In 1972, the name was changed to Capital Bullets. The team later changed its name again in 1997 to the Washington Wizards, the name they keep today.

Christmas Eve Games

Christmas day games are sometimes played in the NBA, however, Christmas Eve games have been few and far between. Of course, this is because NBA players want this time to spend with their friends and families at holiday gatherings. Furthermore, games played on Christmas Eve are likely to experience low viewership.

In the history of the NBA, only 2 games have been played on Christmas Eve. NBA game schedulers today try to avoid Christmas eve games. When NBA schedulers work on the season’s schedule, they also try to avoid conflict with major NFL games. Of course, if two games are played at the same time, this can also affect viewership.

Air Jordans Were Banned from NBA

Air Jordans are a popular type of basketball sneaker that came on in 1985. However, when they first came out, they were only made in white. Many NBA players wanted to wear their Air Jordans for the game, however, NBA teams wanted players to wear sneakers that matched their uniforms. Plus, the NBA also wanted all the players on the court to be wearing the same sneakers.

In fact, a former commissioner fined Michael Jordan nearly $5,000 for every game he played wearing his Air Jordans! That’s one hefty fine for wearing the wrong shoes! Today, Air Jordans are offered in many colors and styles. Recently, the NBA has actually loosened modern regulations on sneakers, allowing players more flexibility in the type of shoes they wear during games.

Learning More About NBA and Basketball

Did you know all these fun facts about NBA? If not, you’re not alone! There’s so much to learn about NBA history and basketball. Ask your friends and family to see if they knew these five facts about the NBA. To learn more fun facts about the NBA, check out these Bleacher Report statistics too.