Basketball at 2008 Summer Games: Basketball is a team sport, which is essentially an indoor game. The game is played on a basketball court following strict rules and regulations. However, there are other versions of the game also. These versions are played casually. The most common version of basketball is “the half court game”, where only one half of the court is used. The other popular versions include “streetball” and “one-on-one”.
In the basketball game, two teams consisting of five players each play against each other. The aim of the game is to score by throwing a ball through the opponents' basket from above. The game involves various techniques for shooting the ball into the basket, passing and dribbling. Different strategies are taken by the teams to win the game. The players' position and offensive and defensive structures of them during the game are also included in the game plans. Both men and women play basketball at the international level. At the beginning, it was amateurs' game. However, with time basketball got the professional status. The National Basketball Association (NBA) and the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) are the two governing bodies of basketball at international level.
Basketball in the Summer Games: Basketball made its first appearance at the Summer Games at the 1904 St. Louis Games as a demonstration event. The game was given the status of the full medal sport at the 1936 Berlin Summer Games. Basketball at the Olympics was played only by men till the 1976 Montreal Games, when women's event was included in the Olympic schedule. The United States of America has been leading the field of both men and women's basketball in the Summer Games since its advent. Russia has also emerged as a prominent figure in the field.
In the Olympics basketball competition, each game is divided in 4 periods of 10 minutes each. The game is extended into five-minute overtime, if there is a tie. In both the men's and women's competition twelve teams participate.
Rules of Basketball: The National Basketball Association or NBA and the International Basketball Federation or FIBA are authorized to set rules fro basketball at the international level. Some of the rules followed during the basketball game are—
The players have to follow the rule concerning their attire during the game.
A successful shot is worth two points. However, the shot taken from place beyond the three point arc carries three points.
During the basketball games, one referee, one or two umpires and table officials are appointed to monitor the game.
The size and the weight of the basketball are specified in the rule set by the FIBA and NBA.
The shape and size of the basket ball court is determined by the FIBA and the NBA.
Players' movement with the ball during the game has to be in accordance with the regulations of the game. A violation of the rule is punishable.
The number of fouls committed by a team is predetermined by the FIBA and the NBA. More number of fouls can be penalized.
The techniques of shooting, passing and dribbling the ball are specified by the FIBA and the NBA.
Illegal physical contact during the game is a punishable offence. Players are not allowed to obstruct the opponent players on their way in any illegal manner.
Medal winners in Basketball: The United States of America and Russia are the leading nations in the field of basketball. Earl Boykins, Darko Milicic, Moochie Norris, LeBron James, Nikoloz Tskitishvili, Ruben Boumtje- Boumtje, Kareem Rush, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Lucious Harris, Nene, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Nate Archibald, Paul Arizin, Larry Bird, Rick Barry, Billy Cunningham, Julius Erving, Reggie Miller, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Garnett, LeBron James, Emeka Okafor, Diana Taurasi, Richard Hamilton, Sarunas Jasikevicius, Jameer Nelson, Manu Ginobili, J.R.Smith, Taylor Coppenrath, Pau Gasol, Yao Ming, Tim Duncan, Shaquille O'Neal, Dirk Nowitzki, Kobe Bryant, Allen Iverson, Dwyane Wade, Steve Nash and Tracy McGrady are the leading players in the field of international basketball.
Tina Thompson , Diana Taurasi , Sheryl Swoopes, Jacqueline Batteast, Jamie Carey, Ashley Earley, Ruth Riley, Yolanda Griffith, Lisa Leslie, Shyra Ely, Katie Feenstra, Roneeka Hodges, Sandora Irvin, Dionnah Jackson, Temeka Johnson, Laurie Koehn, Caity Matter, Janel McCarville, Heather Schreiber, Kendra Wecker, Dee Dee Wheeler, Tan White and Tanisha Wright are some of the famous female basketball players of the world.
