What you need to know

Basics

So I thought it would be wise to first introduce what the NBA is all about and how exactly basketball is played. As easy as it may look to just throw a ball into the opposing team's basketball hoop, basketball does in fact involve a lot of rules that many are unaware of. This is the perfect starter's guide to getting into the sport and to have a better viewing or playing experience.

What is the NBA?

NBA stands for the National Basketball Association, and is considered to be the most well-known association when it comes to the sport of basketball - making it one of the most viewed sports in the world. Notably, there are an overall number of 30 teams within the association.

Originally it was referred to as the Basketball Association of America which was founded in 1946, in areas of the United States and Canada. However, during the year of 1946, on the 1st of November, the Toronto Huskies actually hosted a game of basketball called the New York Knickerbockers. This event was held at Maple Leaf Gardens, and is known to be the first NBA game played in history.

What are the objectives?

A basic of any sport (besides golf) also follows into the profession of basketball which is to score more points than the opposing player or in this case the opposing team. Teams are usually made up of 15 players, but normally with only 5 players on the basketball court at one time. Each of the 5 players take up designated roles consisting of two guards, two forwards, and a center.

How is it played?

The beginning of the game generally starts off with a tip off whereby each team tries to take possession of the ball. When possession occurs, the team 'attacking' has up to 24 seconds to score by shooting the ball into the opponent's basket. The ball may move up the court through the common methods of dribbling or simply passing the ball to a teammate. 

Shots which occur within the arc give an additional 2 points to the scoring team, whereas as scoring from outside the arc gives 3 points (commonly referred to as a 3-pointer). Free throws given to a team on the other hand gives a score of 1 point if the shot is successful. 

A 'defending' team can take the ball off the 'attacker' through the common methods of:

• Blocking
• Stealing
• Rebounding a missed shot

On an international level of basketball, there are 4 x 10 minute quarters, and 2 x 10 minute halves in the NCAA. However, in our case of the NBA there are 4 x 12 minutes quarters. A tie however will result in overtime until a winning team is decided upon.

What are the rules?

There are an abundance of rules when it comes to a standard game of basketball in the NBA. Therefore, we'll try to cover the most common as the more uncommon rules involve a lot of technicalities.

Rules can simply be broken down into two of the following categories, with these being the most common:

• Violations (breaking a rule)
• Shot-clock violation - Failing to score within 24 seconds of possession.
• Double dribble - Dribbling the ball again after stopping in motion and stopping dribbling
• Travelling - Taking too many steps without dribbling the ball
• Three in the key - Staying in the opponent's key for more than 3 seconds
• Charging - Attacking player charges or runs into a defender that is stationary
• Foals 
• Personal foul - Interfering with another player using illegal contact
• Flagrant foul - Violent contact against another player
• Technical foul - Not defined as personal or flagrant foals, such as unsportsmanlike conduct.

For a much more in-depth read of the rules, please click here.

Sources

• http://www.nba.com/heritageweek2007/newleague_071207.html
• http://www.nba.com/canada/History_of_Basketball_in_Canad-Canada_Generic_Article-18023.html
• https://turnernbahangtime.files.wordpress.com/2015/11/official-nba-rule-book-2015-16.pdf
• Image source (NBA logo): http://www.officialpsds.com/images/thumbs/NBA-logo-psd15019.png 
• Image source (rule book): http://www.ifslcentral.com/shfs/NBA/images/1.jpg