1.
Abilene, Texas
–
Abilene is a city in Taylor and Jones counties in West Texas, United States. The population was 117,063 according to the 2010 census and it is the principal city of the Abilene Metropolitan Statistical Area, which had a 2011 estimated population of 166,416. It is the county seat of Taylor County, Dyess Air Force Base is located on the west side of the city. Abilene is located off Interstate 20, between exits 279 on its edge and 292 on the east. Abilene is 150 miles west of Fort Worth, Texas, the city is looped by I-20 to the north, US 83/84 on the west, and Loop 322 to the east. A railroad divides the city down the center north and south. The historic downtown area is on the side of the railroad. Many developments have begun in these three areas within the last few years, established by cattlemen as a stock shipping point on the Texas and Pacific Railway in 1881, the city was named after Abilene, Kansas, the original endpoint for the Chisholm Trail. The T&P had bypassed the town of Buffalo Gap, the county seat at the time, eventually, a landowner north of Buffalo Gap, Clabe Merchant, known as the father of Abilene, chose the name for the new town. According to a Dallas newspaper, about 800 people had begun camping at the townsite. The town was out by Colonel J. Stoddard Johnson. By the end of the first day,139 lots were sold for a total of $23,810, and another 178 lots were sold the next day for $27,550. Abilene was incorporated soon after being founded in 1881, and Abilenians began to set their sights on bringing the county seat to Abilene, in 1888, the Progressive Committee was formed to attract businesses to the area, which later became the Board of Trade in 1890. By 1900,3,411 people lived in Abilene, and in that decade, however, this committee failed when the population only hit 9,204 in 1910. Replacing it was the Young Mens Booster Club, which became the Abilene Chamber of Commerce in 1914, the cornerstone was laid for the first of three future universities in Abilene, called Simmons College, in 1891, which later became Hardin-Simmons University. Childers Classical Institute followed in 1906, currently Abilene Christian University, in 1923, McMurry College was founded and later became McMurry University. Much more recently, Abilene succeeded in bringing Cisco Junior College and Texas State Technical College branches to Abilene, with the Cisco Junior College headquarters being located in Abilene. In 1940, Abilene raised the money to land for a U. S. Army base, southwest of town, named Camp Barkeley
2.
Redondo Beach, California
–
Redondo Beach is one of the three Beach Cities located in Los Angeles County, California, United States. The population was 66,748 at the 2010 census, up from 63,261 at the 2000 census, the city is located in the South Bay region of the greater Los Angeles area. Redondo Beach was originally part of the 1785 Rancho San Pedro Spanish land grant that became the South Redondo area. The citys territory has an unusual shape including an area along the beach and another strip inland from Manhattan Beach, the primary attractions include Municipal Pier and the sandy beach, popular with tourists and a variety of sports enthusiasts. The western terminus of the Metro Rail Green Line is in North Redondo Beach, the Chowigna Indians used the site of todays Hopkins Wilderness Park, formerly Nike missile site LA-57 from 1956 to 1963, in Redondo Beach, California, as a lookout place. The wetlands located at the site of todays AES power plant in Redondo Beach were a source of foods including halibut, lobster, and sea bass, and also of salt. In the 1700s, the Chowigna bartered salt from the old Redondo Salt Lake and their village by the lake was called Onoova-nga, or Place of Salt. The Chowigna were relocated to missions in 1854, when Manuel Dominguez sold 215 acres of Rancho San Pedro, including the lake, to Henry Allanson, moonstone Beach was a tourist attraction from the late 1880s to the early 1920s. Tourists gathered moonstones from the mounds that had washed ashore during storms. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has an area of 6.2 square miles. Redondo Beach was originally part of the 1784 Rancho San Pedro Spanish land grant of the 43, the ocean side of Pacific Coast Highway has restaurants and boating activities while inland of PCH is largely residential. Redondo Breakwall is a surf spot in the South Bay. This power plant sports Whaling Wall number 31, a 586 ft ×95 ft whale mural by world-famous artist Robert Wyland titled Gray Whale Migration. Redondo Beach has a division between the north and south sections of the city with 190th, Anita, and Herondo streets forming its east-west boundary line. South Redondo is along the beachfront with the pier and marina/harbor complex, the small business district near the pier and marina was revived in the 1990s by beachgoers and new residents who wanted to sell beachwear and surfing accessories. South Redondo has wide streets, wide beaches and laid-back feel make it a prime destination for those seeking a bike to the grocery store community. The main library is located in the Civic Center, North Redondo, north of 190th Street, is an inland community separated from the beachfront by Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach. It is also home to the South Bay Galleria shopping center, the North Branch of the Redondo Beach Library serves this area
3.
Porterville, California
–
Porterville is a city in the San Joaquin Valley, in Tulare County, California, United States. It is part of the Visalia-Porterville metropolitan statistical area, since its incorporation in 1902, the citys population has grown dramatically as it annexed nearby unincorporated areas. The citys July 2014 population was estimated at 55,466, Porterville serves as a gateway to a vast wonderland and recreational area, the Sequoia National Forest, the Giant Sequoia National Monument and Kings Canyon National Park. During Californias Spanish period, the San Joaquin Valley was considered a region of little value. Emigrants skirted the eastern foothills in the vicinity of Porterville as early as 1826, swamps stretched out into the Valley floor lush with tall rushes or tulares as the Indians called them. Gold discovered in 1848 brought a tremendous migration to California, starting in 1854, Peter Goodhue operated a stopping place on the Stockton - Los Angeles Road on the bank of the Tule River. Wagon trains of gold seekers passed through the village, but other travelers found the land rich, a store was set up in 1856 to sell goods to miners and the Indians, who lived in tribal lands along the rivers. From 1858 to 1861 it was the location of the Tule River Station of the Butterfield Overland Mail, royal Porter Putnam came to the village in 1860 to raise cattle, horses and hogs. Putnam bought out Goodhue in 1860, turning the station into a stopping place. He bought 40 acres of land and built a store and a hotel on the highest point of the swampy property. The town of Porterville was founded there in 1864, the town took its name from the founders given name because another Putnam family lived south of town. In 1862,20.8 inches of rain fell in the area causing the change of course of the Tule River, putnams acres drained, and he had his property surveyed, staking out lot lines and establishing streets. Settlers were offered a lot for every one purchased. Needs of a burgeoning California population for food gave the impetus which led to permanent development of the east side southern San Joaquin Valley, the long, dry, hot summer prompted irrigation of the lands. In 1888, the Southern Pacific Railway brought in the line from Fresno. The Pioneer Hotel and Bank were built by businessmen from San Francisco, the town incorporated in 1902, as miners moved into the area to extract magnetite ore, and the Chamber of Commerce was formed in 1907. A City Manager-Council form of government was adopted in 1926, the City has grown from a community of 5,000 people in 1920. Agriculture supplemented by the Central Valley Water Project has been the source of economic growth in the area
4.
USC Trojans men's basketball
–
The program was formerly coached by Tim Floyd, until his resignation on June 9,2009. Other staff members include Phil Johnson, Bob Cantu, Gib Arnold, Rob Brooks, Kevin ONeill, who last coached in the NCAA at Arizona, was named the head coach by Mike Garrett on June 20,2009. ONeill was terminated in January 2013 after a 7–10 start, longtime assistant Bob Cantu was given interim duties. On April 1,2013, Andy Enfield, head coach of the Florida Gulf Coast University team known for its upsets during the 2013 NCAA Tournament, was named head coach, the USC Trojans are 1, 500–1,097 all-time in intercollegiate basketball games. Sam Barry and four of his USC players have been inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as coaches, on December 7,1906 the Los Angeles Herald declared, Basketball Is Started At U. S. C. The first official game of USC basketball was an interclass drubbing by the freshman over the sophomores, USC would later host its debut intercollegiate basketball game, the first of its kind in Southern California, on January 16,1907 with an 18–15 win over Occidental College. After a standout season in 1910, when USC placed second in the league, several football headmen served as basketball coaches during that time, including Ralph Glaze, Dean Cromwell, Elmer Gloomy Gus Henderson, and Leo Calland. In addition, USCs basketball team was often littered with football standouts such as USC Athletic Hall of Famers Morley Drury, in 1922 USC joined the Pacific Coast Conference. The Trojans then won their first conference title in 1928 under Callands leadership, edging past the Washington Huskies in the second and final game of the conference championship series. With a see-sawing score for most of the game, Charley Bone buried two shots in the last minute to secure the 27–26 victory and begin a new era of achievement for USC basketball. Jones recommended Sam Barry, one of his assistants at the University of Iowa who had also coached Hawkeye basketball for seven years. Barry agreed to follow Jones west, once more joining his staff while also taking control of the basketball program. Barry brought with him a style of play uncommon outside the midwest. His strategic innovations would lay the groundwork for the Triangle offense and it is rumored that other conference coaches are eyeing the Trojans with no little anxiety, the Daily Trojan mused in the lead up to Barrys first season. The Trojans would finish the 1929–30 season with an record of 15–5. USC defeated the Washington Huskies in three games to win the PCC championship for the time in school history. Guard Johnny Lehners and center Jess Mortensen received All-America honors at the end of the season, producing three more All-Americans, USC dominated the PCC South Division for much of the 1930s, with five straight division titles from 1932 to 1936 and a title in 1939. In 1935 the Trojans also won the title with a victory over Oregon State in Corvallis
5.
1950 NBA draft
–
The 1950 NBA draft was the fourth annual draft of the National Basketball Association. This is the first draft after the Basketball Association of America was renamed the NBA, the draft was held on April 25,1950, before the 1950–51 season. In this draft,12 remaining NBA teams took turns selecting amateur U. S. college basketball players, in each round, the teams select in reverse order of their win–loss record in the previous season. The Chicago Stags participated in the draft but folded prior to the start of the season, the draft consisted of 12 rounds comprising 121 players selected. Chuck Share from Bowling Green State University was selected first overall by the Boston Celtics, Paul Arizin from Villanova University was selected before the draft as Philadelphia Warriors territorial pick. The sixth pick, Irwin Dambrot, did not play in the NBA, four players from this draft, Paul Arizin, Bob Cousy, George Yardley and Bill Sharman, have been inducted to the Basketball Hall of Fame. Chuck Cooper, the 12th pick, and Earl Lloyd, the 100th pick, Lloyd became the first African American to play in the NBA on October 31,1950, one day before Cooper made his debut. The following list includes draft picks who have appeared in at least one NBA game. General Specific NBA. com NBA. com, NBA Draft History
6.
Shooting guard
–
The shooting guard, also known as the two or off guard, is one of the five positions in a regulation basketball game. A shooting guards main objective is to score points for his team, some teams ask their shooting guards to bring up the ball as well, these players are known colloquially as combo guards. A player who can switch between playing shooting guard and small forward is known as a swingman, notable swing men include Jimmy Butler, Tracy McGrady, Vince Carter, Joe Johnson, Andre Iguodala, Andrew Wiggins, Evan Turner and Tyreke Evans. In the NBA, shooting guards usually range from 64 to 67, the Basketball Handbook by Lee Rose describes a shooting guard as someone whose primary role is to score points. As the name suggests, most shooting guards are good long-range shooters, typically, shooting guards are taller than point guards. Height at the position varies, many bigger shooting guards also play small forward, Shooting guards should be good ball handlers and be able to pass reasonably well, though passing is not their main priority. Since good shooting guards may attract double-teams, they are frequently the teams back-up ball handlers to the point guard, Shooting guards must be able to score in various ways, especially late in a close game when defenses are tighter. They need to have a free throw percentage too, to be reliable in close games. Because of the level of offensive skills shooting guards need, they are often a teams primary scoring option. Good shooting guards can usually play point guard to a certain extent, Lee H. Rose ISBN 0-7360-4906-1 Media related to Shooting guards at Wikimedia Commons
7.
Boston Celtics
–
The Boston Celtics are an American professional basketball team based in Boston, Massachusetts. The Celtics compete in the National Basketball Association as a club of the leagues Eastern Conference Atlantic Division. Founded in 1946 and one of eight NBA teams to survive the leagues first decade, the Celtics play their home games at the TD Garden, which they share with the National Hockey League s Boston Bruins. The franchises 17 championships are the most of any NBA franchise, as a percentage of championships won, the Celtics are the most successful franchise to date in the major four traditional North American professional sports leagues. The Celtics have played the Lakers a record 12 times in the Finals, including their most recent appearances in 2008 and 2010, four Celtics players have won the NBA Most Valuable Player Award for an NBA record total of 10 MVP awards. Their mascot Lucky the Leprechaun is a nod to the teams Irish heritage, in 1950, the Celtics signed Chuck Cooper, becoming the first NBA franchise to draft a black player. The Celtics struggled during their years, until the hiring of coach Red Auerbach. In the franchises early days, Auerbach had no assistants, ran all the practices, did all the scouting—both of opposing teams and college draft prospects—and scheduled all the road trips. One of the first great players to join the Celtics was Bob Cousy, Cousy eventually became the property of the Chicago Stags, but when that franchise went bankrupt, Cousy went to the Celtics in a dispersal draft. After the 1955–56 season, Auerbach made a stunning trade and he sent perennial All-Star Ed Macauley to the St. Louis Hawks along with the draft rights to Cliff Hagan in exchange for the second overall pick in the draft. Auerbach also acquired Holy Cross standout, and 1957 NBA Rookie of the Year, Russell and Heinsohn worked extraordinarily well with Cousy, and they were the players around whom Auerbach would build the champion Celtics for more than a decade. With Bill Russell, the Celtics advanced to the NBA Finals and defeated the St. Louis Hawks in seven games, Russell went on to win 11 championships, making him the most decorated player in NBA history. In 1958, the Celtics again advanced to the NBA Finals, however, with the acquisition of K. C. Jones that year, the Celtics began a dynasty that would last for more than a decade. In 1959, the Celtics won the NBA Championship after sweeping the Minneapolis Lakers, during that time, the Celtics met the Lakers in the Finals five times, starting an intense and often bitter rivalry that has spanned generations. In 1964, the Celtics became the first NBA team to have an all African-American starting lineup. On December 26,1964, Willie Naulls replaced an injured Tommy Heinsohn, joining Tom Satch Sanders, K. C. Jones, Sam Jones, the Celtics defeated St. Louis 97–84. Boston won its next 11 games with Naulls starting in place of Heinsohn, the Celtics of the late-1950s–60s are widely considered as one of the most dominant teams of all time. Auerbach retired as coach after the 1965–66 season and Russell took over as player-coach, with his appointment, Russell also became the first African-American coach in any U. S. pro sport
8.
Cleveland Pipers
–
The Cleveland Pipers was an American industrial basketball team based in Cleveland, Ohio in the 1950s and early 1960s. The Pipers are most known for having played in the short-lived American Basketball League from 1961–62, general Manager, Mike Cleary hired John McLendon, the first African American head coach in professional basketball, to lead the squad. Playing under coach John McLendon, and later coach Bill Sharman, the won the leagues 1961-62 championship. Team owner George Steinbrenner got his start in professional sports ownership with the Pipers, the teams precarious financial situation was such that its home games took place in eight different arenas and gyms. These ranged from the primary home at either Cleveland Public Hall or the Cleveland Arena to high school facilities in Ashtabula, Lorain and Sandusky. McClendon was able to convince a former player he had coached, Dick Barnett. Then, after the teams first season, Steinbrenner signed Ohio State University All-American Jerry Lucas, in the latter case, the signing proved to be wishful thinking when Steinbrenner folded the team just months later. Even early on, Steinbrenner could be meddlesome and irrepressible, in a game against the Hawaii Chiefs, George Steinbrenner sold player Grady McCollum to the Chiefs at halftime. After Steinbrenner unsuccessfully petitioned to get the National Basketball Association to accept his team the following year, after the ABL folded, Steinbrenner had $125,000 in debts and personal losses of two million dollars. In the spring of 1962, Cleveland Pipers owner George Steinbrenner signed Jerry Lucas to a player-management contract worth forty thousand dollars, with the Lucas signing, Steinbrenner had a secret deal with NBA commissioner Maurice Podoloff. Steinbrenner and partner George McKean fell behind in payments to the NBA, Lucas did not play in any ABL games
9.
San Francisco Warriors
–
The Golden State Warriors are an American professional basketball team based in Oakland, California. The Warriors compete in the National Basketball Association as a club of the leagues Western Conference Pacific Division. The team was established in 1946 as the Philadelphia Warriors based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1962, the franchise relocated to the San Francisco Bay Area and was renamed the San Francisco Warriors. In 1971, the changed its geographic moniker to Golden State. Since 1972, the home court has been the Oracle Arena in Oakland. The team is nicknamed the Dubs, the Warriors have reached eight NBA Finals, winning four NBA championships in 1947,1956,1975 and most recently in 2015 when they defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers. Golden States four NBA championships are the fifth most in history only the Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers, Chicago Bulls. Wilt Chamberlain and Stephen Curry have both named the NBAs Most Valuable Player while playing for the Warriors, for a total of three MVP awards. Golden State holds the NBA record for best regular season with 73–9, the Warriors were founded in 1946 as the Philadelphia Warriors, a charter member of the Basketball Association of America. They were owned by Peter A. Tyrrell, who owned the Philadelphia Rockets of the American Hockey League. Tyrrell hired Eddie Gottlieb, a longtime basketball promoter in the Philadelphia area, as coach, the owners named the team after the Philadelphia Warriors, an old basketball team who played in the American Basketball League in 1925. Led by early scoring sensation Joe Fulks, the won the championship in the leagues inaugural 1946–47 season by defeating the Chicago Stags. The NBA, which was created by a 1949 merger, officially recognizes that as its own first championship, Gottlieb bought the team in 1951. The Warriors won its championship in Philadelphia in the 1955–56 season. The Warrior stars of this era were future Hall of Famers Paul Arizin, Tom Gola, in 1959, the team signed draft pick Wilt Chamberlain. Known as Wilt the Stilt, he led the team in scoring six times, quickly began shattering NBA scoring records, in 1962, Franklin Mieuli purchased the majority shares of the team and relocated the franchise to the San Francisco Bay Area, renaming them the San Francisco Warriors. Prior to the 1963–64 NBA season, the Warriors drafted big man Nate Thurmond to go along with Chamberlain, the Warriors won the Western Division crown that season, but lost the 1964 NBA Finals to the Boston Celtics, four games to one. In the 1964–65 season, the Warriors traded Chamberlain to the Philadelphia 76ers for Connie Dierking, Lee Shaffer, Paul Neumann and $150,000 and won only 17 games
10.
Utah Stars
–
The Utah Stars were an American Basketball Association team based in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA. Under head coach Bill Sharman the Stars were the first major basketball team to use a pre-game shootaround. The team was founded as the Anaheim Amigos, a member of the ABA based in Anaheim. They played at the Anaheim Convention Center, the teams colors were orange and black. The Anaheim Amigos were founded by Art Kim, a Hawaii native who had long active in basketball as a player, Amateur Athletic Union administrator. The Amigos lost the very first ABA game to Oakland, 132-129 and they finished their first season with 25 wins and 53 losses, good for fifth place in the Western Division but not good enough to make the playoffs. The Amigos lost $500,000 in their first season, largely due to attendance, they only averaged 1,500 fans per game in a 7. Chamberlain did not sign with the Stars, with 33 wins and 45 losses, the Stars improved from their first season but again finished fifth in the Western Division and did not make the playoffs. First year players Mack Calvin and Willie Wise signed with the Stars, the Stars finished fourth in the Western Division with a record of 43-41, earning the first winning season in franchise history and a playoff berth. Kirst had not anticipated the fast turnaround, and did not book the Sports Arena for several dates and they had to play several first and second round games in their old home in Anaheim, as well as at the Long Beach Sports Arena in Long Beach. This turned out to be their game as the Los Angeles Stars. Despite a promising young roster, the Stars were more or less an afterthought in a market whose first choices were the Los Angeles Lakers and UCLA Bruins, they only averaged 2,500 fans per game. In June 1970, Kirst sold the team to Colorado cable TV pioneer Bill Daniels, zelmo Beaty suited up for the team and the Stars finished second in the Western Division with their best record yet,57 wins and 27 losses. The Stars won their first division championship, winning the Western Division with a record of 60-24, the Stars defeated the Dallas Chaparrals 4 games to none in the Western Division semifinals before falling to the Indiana Pacers in the Western Division finals,4 games to 3. The Stars hosted the ABA All Star Game and again won the Western Division with a record of 55-29, the Stars defeated the San Diego Conquistadors 4 games to none in the Western Division semifinals but lost in the Western Division finals 4 games to 2 to the Indiana Pacers. In 1973–74 the Stars finished with a record of 51-33 and won first place in the ABAs Western Division for the third year under new coach Joe Mullaney. It was the Stars third straight Western Division title, the Stars then lost the championship to the New York Nets 4 games to 1. This was the Stars final full ABA season, Daniels was almost broke due to a series of failed business ventures and an unsuccessful run for governor of Colorado
11.
Los Angeles Lakers
–
The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles. The Lakers compete in the National Basketball Association, as a club of the leagues Western Conference Pacific Division. The Lakers are one of the most successful teams in the history of the NBA, as of 2015, the Lakers are the second most valuable franchise in the NBA according to Forbes, having an estimated value of $2.7 billion. The franchise began with the 1947 purchase of a disbanded team, the new team began playing in Minneapolis, calling themselves the Minneapolis Lakers in honor of the states nickname, Land of 10,000 Lakes. The team was propelled by center George Mikan, who is described by the NBAs official website as the leagues first superstar, after struggling financially in the late 1950s following Mikans retirement, they relocated to Los Angeles before the 1960–61 season. Led by Hall of Famers Elgin Baylor and Jerry West, Los Angeles made the NBA Finals six times in the 1960s, but lost each series to the Boston Celtics, beginning their long and storied rivalry. After the retirement of West and Chamberlain, the team acquired another center, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who had won multiple MVP awards and this team featured Hall of Famers in Johnson, Abdul-Jabbar, and James Worthy, and a Hall of Fame coach, Pat Riley. After Abdul-Jabbar and Johnsons retirement, the team struggled in the early 1990s before acquiring Shaquille ONeal, led by ONeal, Bryant, and another Hall of Fame coach, Phil Jackson, Los Angeles won three consecutive titles between 2000 to 2002, securing the franchise its second three-peat. After losing both the 2004 and 2008 NBA Finals, the Lakers won two championships by defeating the Orlando Magic in 2009 and Boston in 2010. The Lakers hold the record for NBAs longest winning streak,33 straight games,21 Hall of Famers have played for Los Angeles, while four have coached the team. Four Lakers—Abdul-Jabbar, Johnson, ONeal, and Bryant—have won the NBA MVP Award for a total of eight awards, Minneapolis sportswriter Sid Hartman played a key behind the scenes role in helping put together the deal and later the team. Inspired by Minnesotas nickname, Land of 10,000 Lakes, Hartman helped them hire John Kundla from College of St. Thomas, to be their first head coach, by meeting with him and selling him on the team. The Lakers had a roster which featured forward Jim Pollard, playmaker Herm Schaefer, and center George Mikan. In their first season, they led the league with a 43–17 record, in 1948, the Lakers moved from the NBL to the Basketball Association of America, and Mikans 28.3 point per game scoring average set a BAA record. In the 1949 BAA Finals they won the championship, beating the Washington Capitols four games to two, the following season, the team improved to 51–17, repeating as champions. In the 1950–51 season, Mikan won his third straight scoring title at 28.4 ppg, one of those games, a 19–18 loss against the Fort Wayne Pistons, became infamous as the lowest scoring game in NBA history. In the playoffs, they defeated the Indianapolis Olympians in three games but lost to the Rochester Royals in the next round, during the 1951–52 season, the Lakers won 40 games, finishing second in their division. They faced the New York Knicks in the NBA Finals, which won in seven games
12.
NBA champion
–
The National Basketball Association Finals is the championship series for the NBA and the conclusion of the NBAs postseason. Prior to 1949, the playoffs were instituted a three-stage tournament where the two winners played each other in the finals. The winning team of the series receives the Larry OBrien Championship Trophy, the home-and-away format in the NBA Finals is in a 2–2–1–1–1 format. It was previously in a 2–3–2 format during 1949, 1953–1955, the Eastern Conference/Division leads the Western Conference/Division in series won. The defunct Central Division won one championship, the Boston Celtics and the Minneapolis/Los Angeles Lakers alone own almost half of the titles, having won a combined 33 of 70 championships. The original trophy was awarded to the BAA/NBA champions from 1947 to 1976, a new trophy design was created for the 1977 NBA Finals, although it retained the Walter A. Brown title. Unlike the original trophy, the new trophy was given permanently to the winning team. The inaugural winners of the trophy were the Philadelphia Warriors, who defeated the Chicago Stags, the Boston Celtics won the trophy 14 times, the most in league history. From 1957 to 1969, they won the NBA Finals 11 out of 13 times, the final winners of the trophy were the Philadelphia 76ers, who defeated the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1983 NBA Finals. In 1984, the trophy was renamed the Larry OBrien Championship Trophy, in 1984, the trophy was renamed to the Larry OBrien Championship Trophy, in honor of Larry OBrien, who served as NBA commissioner from 1975 to 1983. The current trophy is made out of 14.5 pounds of sterling silver and vermeil with a 24 karat gold overlay and it is designed to look like a basketball about to enter a net. The year and team names are engraved on the trophies, which are prominently displayed in the winning teams arena. The Boston Celtics were the winners of the renamed trophy. The Los Angeles Lakers have won the eight times, the Chicago Bulls have won it six times
13.
NBA All-Star
–
The National Basketball Association All-Star Game is an annual exhibition basketball game played between the Eastern-Conference and the Western-Conference All-Stars. It is the event of the NBA All-Star Weekend. The starters are chosen by a combination of fans, media, fans may vote using a variety of online platforms, and account for 50% of the vote, with the media and current players each accounting for 25%. The reserves are chosen by voting among the coaches of each teams particular conference. Coaches are not allowed to vote for their own players, if a player is unable to participate due to injury, the NBA commissioner will select a replacement. The 1999 All-Star Game was canceled due to the leagues lockout, the following is a list of NBA All-Stars, players who have been selected for the NBA All-Star Game at least once in their career. Note that the number indicates the number of selections—not the number of games played. For instance, Michael Jordan was named to the All-Star Game roster 14 times, as of the 2017 All-Star Game,411 players have been selected to an All-Star Game roster at least once. However, only 283 of them have earned multiple selections to the game, hall of Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar holds the record for most All-Star Game selections and most All-Star Games played. He was selected 19 times and played in 18 All-Star games, dirk Nowitzki and LeBron James both hold the record for most All-Star Game selections among active players, with 13 selections. Bob Cousy, John Havlicek, and LeBron James are tied for the most consecutive games actually played, tim Duncan also played in 13 straight All-Star Games if the lockout-cancelled 1999 game is excluded. Several players were named to All-Star Game rosters, but never played in the game due to injury. Note, Statistics are correct as of the conclusion of the 2017 NBA All-Star Game, notes a Before the 1971–72 season, Lew Alcindor changed his name to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. He missed the 1973 All-Star Game due to personal reasons, B When Hakeem Olajuwon arrived in the United States, the University of Houston incorrectly spelled his first name Akeem. Olajuwon used that spelling until March 9,1991, when he announced that he would add an H, C This column does not include American Basketball Association All-Star Game selections. D Before the 2011–12 season, Ron Artest changed his name to Metta World Peace, general All-Star Game Selections by Player. Specific NBA. com, All-Star Game history Basketball-Reference, All-Star Game Index
14.
NBA All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award
–
The National Basketball Association All-Star Game Most Valuable Player is an annual National Basketball Association award given to the player voted best of the annual All-Star Game. The award was established in 1953 when NBA officials decided to designate an MVP for each years game, the league also re-honored players from the previous two All-Star Games. Ed Macauley and Paul Arizin were selected as the 1951 and 1952 MVP winners respectively, the voting is conducted by a panel of media members, who cast their vote after the conclusion of the game. The player with the most votes or ties for the most votes wins the award, no All-Star Game MVP was named in 1999 since the game was canceled due to the leagues lockout. As of 2017, the most recent recipient is New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis, bob Pettit and Kobe Bryant are the only two players to win the All-Star Game MVP four times. James first All-Star MVP in 2006 made him the youngest to have won the award at the age of 21 years,1 month. Kyrie Irving, winner of the 2014 All-Star Game MVP, is the second-youngest at 21 years,10 months, theyre notable as being the two youngest to win the award, both as Cleveland Cavaliers. Four of the games had joint winners—Elgin Baylor and Pettit in 1959, John Stockton and Malone in 1993, ONeal and Tim Duncan in 2000, ONeal became the first player in All-Star history to share two MVP awards. The Los Angeles Lakers have had eleven winners while the Boston Celtics have had eight, Duncan of the U. S. Virgin Islands and Irving of Australia are the only winners not born in the United States. Both Duncan and Irving are American citizens, but are considered international players by the NBA because they were not born in one of the fifty states or Washington, D. C. No player trained entirely outside the U. S. has won the award, bob Pettit and Russell Westbrook are the only players to win consecutive awards. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has the distinction of playing in the most All-Star Games without winning the All-Star Game MVP, NBA Most Valuable Player Award Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award List of NBA All-Stars General Specific
15.
All-NBA First Team
–
The All-NBA Team is an annual National Basketball Association honor bestowed on the best players in the league following every NBA season. The voting is conducted by a panel of sportswriters and broadcasters throughout the United States, the team has been selected in every season of the leagues existence, dating back to its inaugural season in 1946. The All-NBA Team originally had two teams, but since 1988 it is composed of three five-man lineups—a first, second, and third team, typically comprising a total of 15 roster spots. Players receive five points for a first team vote, three points for a team vote, and one point for a third team vote. The five players with the highest point totals make the first team, with the next five making the second team, in the case of a tie at the fifth position of any team, the roster is expanded. If the first team consists of six due to a tie. A tie has occurred once, in 1952, when Bob Davies. From 1946 to 1955, players were selected without regard to position, however, since 1956, kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Kobe Bryant and Tim Duncan hold the record for the most total selections with fifteen. Karl Malone and Shaquille ONeal follow with fourteen total honors, while Schayes, Bob Cousy, Jerry West, Hakeem Olajuwon, Dirk Nowitzki, and LeBron James have twelve selections. From the 1946–47 season to 1954–55 season, the All-NBA Team was composed of two teams, each with five spots, except when there were ties. During this period, players were selected without regard to position, from the 1955–56 season to 1987–88 season, the All-NBA Team was composed of two teams, each with five roster spots, except when there were ties. During this time, players were selected with regard to position, they are listed according to position in the descending order. Since the 1988–89 season, the All-NBA Team has been composed of three teams, each with five spots, except when there are ties. Players are selected with regard to position, they are listed according to position in the descending order. The following table lists players with at least ten total selections. National Basketball Association portal All-NBA Development League Team General Specific
16.
All-NBA Second Team
–
The All-NBA Team is an annual National Basketball Association honor bestowed on the best players in the league following every NBA season. The voting is conducted by a panel of sportswriters and broadcasters throughout the United States, the team has been selected in every season of the leagues existence, dating back to its inaugural season in 1946. The All-NBA Team originally had two teams, but since 1988 it is composed of three five-man lineups—a first, second, and third team, typically comprising a total of 15 roster spots. Players receive five points for a first team vote, three points for a team vote, and one point for a third team vote. The five players with the highest point totals make the first team, with the next five making the second team, in the case of a tie at the fifth position of any team, the roster is expanded. If the first team consists of six due to a tie. A tie has occurred once, in 1952, when Bob Davies. From 1946 to 1955, players were selected without regard to position, however, since 1956, kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Kobe Bryant and Tim Duncan hold the record for the most total selections with fifteen. Karl Malone and Shaquille ONeal follow with fourteen total honors, while Schayes, Bob Cousy, Jerry West, Hakeem Olajuwon, Dirk Nowitzki, and LeBron James have twelve selections. From the 1946–47 season to 1954–55 season, the All-NBA Team was composed of two teams, each with five spots, except when there were ties. During this period, players were selected without regard to position, from the 1955–56 season to 1987–88 season, the All-NBA Team was composed of two teams, each with five roster spots, except when there were ties. During this time, players were selected with regard to position, they are listed according to position in the descending order. Since the 1988–89 season, the All-NBA Team has been composed of three teams, each with five spots, except when there are ties. Players are selected with regard to position, they are listed according to position in the descending order. The following table lists players with at least ten total selections. National Basketball Association portal All-NBA Development League Team General Specific
17.
NBA 50th Anniversary Team
–
The 50 Greatest Players in National Basketball Association History were chosen in 1996 to honor the fiftieth anniversary of the founding of the National Basketball Association. These fifty players were selected through a vote by a panel of members, former players and coaches. In addition, the top ten coaches and top ten single-season teams in NBA history were selected by media members as part of the celebration. The fifty players had to have played at least a portion of their careers in the NBA and were selected irrespective of position played, the announcement marked the beginning of a season-long celebration of the leagues anniversary. Forty-seven of the fifty players were assembled in Cleveland, during the halftime ceremony of the 1997 All-Star Game. At the time of the announcement, eleven players were active, oNeal was the last to be active in the NBA, retiring at the end of the 2010–11 season. The list was made through unranked voting completed by fifty selected panelists, of the last group, thirteen were former NBA players. Players were prohibited from voting for themselves, only three voting veterans were not selected to the team. Eleven players were active in the 1996–97 season, during which the team was announced, oNeal was the last to be active in the NBA, retiring at the end of the 2010–11 season. All of the players have been inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Lenny Wilkens was the member of the players list to have been selected as a member of the coaches list. At the time of the list, only Pete Maravich was deceased, since then, Wilt Chamberlain, Dave DeBusschere, Paul Arizin, George Mikan, Bill Sharman, Moses Malone, Dolph Schayes and Nate Thurmond have all died. Note, Statistics are correct through the end of the 2010–11 season, alongside the selection of the 50 greatest players, was the selection of the Top 10 Coaches in NBA History. The list was compiled based upon unranked selection undertaken exclusively by members of the print, all 10 coaches named were alive at the time of the lists announcement, and four of them—Phil Jackson, Don Nelson, Pat Riley, and Lenny Wilkens—were then active. Four have since died, Red Holzman in 1998, Red Auerbach in 2006, Chuck Daly in 2009, Jackson was the last of the ten to coach in the NBA, he announced his retirement after the 2010–11 season. Nelson was the member to have never won a championship as a coach. Wilkens was the member of the coaches list to have been selected as a member of the players list. Nine of the ten coaches are members of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
18.
List of Boston Celtics accomplishments and records
–
This is a comprehensive list of the accomplishments and records of the Boston Celtics. The Boston Celtics are an American professional basketball team playing in the National Basketball Association. The Celtics 17 NBA Championships are the most of any NBA franchise,42 men with Celtic ties have been enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, the most of any NBA team. Bailey Howell Dennis Johnson Ed Macauley K. C, william G. Mokray Inducted as a contributor. Celtics public relations director 1946–1957, Vice-President 1957–1969, noted primarily for his independent contribution to basketball statistics and historical scholarship during that time. The Celtics have retired 21 numbers, the most of any professional sports franchise in North America,1 Also served as head coach. 2 Also served as coach, as broadcaster. 3 Also served as head coach,4 Also served as head coach. 5 Loscutoff, who wore #18, asked that his legacy be honored by allowing other Celtics to wear his number in the future, on one of the banners of retired numbers at the TD Garden, Loscutoff is represented by a square with the letters LOSCY. #18 was later retired for Dave Cowens,6 Also served as head coach. 7 Also served as broadcaster, briefly wore No.30 in 1977–78,8 Died of a heart attack while still playing for the team, number retired posthumously. Boston Celtics List of Boston Celtics seasons List of Boston Celtics broadcasters The Sports Museum Celtics History
19.
NBA Coach of the Year Award
–
The National Basketball Associations Coach of the Year is an annual National Basketball Association award given since the 1962–63 NBA season. The winner receives the Red Auerbach Trophy, which is named in honor of the coach who led the Boston Celtics to nine NBA Championships from 1956 to 1966. The winner is selected at the end of regular season by a panel of sportswriters from the United States and Canada, each of whom casts a vote for first, second and third place selections. Each first-place vote is five points, each second-place vote is worth three points, and each third-place vote is worth one point. The person with the highest point total, regardless of the number of first-place votes, since its inception, the award has been given to 40 different coaches. The most recent award winner is Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr, Gregg Popovich, Don Nelson and Pat Riley have each won the award three times, while Hubie Brown, Bill Fitch, Cotton Fitzsimmons and Gene Shue have each won it twice. No coach has won consecutive Coach of the Year awards, Riley is the only coach to be named Coach of the Year with three different franchises. Larry Bird is the recipient to have also been named MVP as a player. Tom Heinsohn, Bill Sharman, and Lenny Wilkens are the recipients to have been inducted to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as both player and coach. Johnny Kerr is the person to win the award with a losing record. Kerr was honored because he had guided the Bulls to the NBA Playoffs in their first season in the league, only five recipients also coached the team that won the championship the same season, Red Auerbach, Red Holzman, Bill Sharman, Phil Jackson, and Gregg Popovich. Popovich is the only NBA Coach of the Year recipient to win the championship in the season twice. Assistant coach Luke Walton served as head coach for the other 43 games for the Warriors, receiving one second-place vote. National Basketball Association portal General Specific
20.
1987 NBA Finals
–
The 1987 NBA Finals was the championship round of the 1986-87 NBA season. The match took place between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics, the Lakers won 4–2, beating the Celtics in the Finals. The key moment of the series was Magic Johnsons junior sky hook in Game 4 and this was the tenth time that the Celtics and Lakers met in the NBA Finals and would also mark the Celtics last appearance until the two teams met again in 2008. This was the first NBA Championship Series conducted entirely in the month of June, the last time there were no NBA Championship Series games in the month of May was in the 1970-1971 season, when the finals ended on April 30. The Celtics finished the season with a 59–23 record, best in the Eastern Conference. Despite retaining the core of the team won the championship a year earlier. Their bench, an asset of the years team, was decimated by injuries to Scott Wedman. With limited options, head coach K. C, after sweeping the Chicago Bulls in the first round, the Celtics were pushed to a Game 7 in the next two rounds by the Milwaukee Bucks and the Detroit Pistons, only to advance each time. Still, the Celtics health became a mark as they enter the Finals. The Lakers finished the season with a league-best 65–17 record. Head coach Pat Riley made a pair of moves, shifting the offensive focus to Magic Johnson. Both moves helped alleviate the load off of the aging Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, also taking a greater role in the Showtime offense are A. C. Green and Byron Scott, who supplanted Kurt Rambis and Michael Cooper in the starting lineup. The Lakers path to the Finals proved to be smoother and they swept the Denver Nuggets in the first round, defeated the Golden State Warriors in five games during the second round, and swept the Seattle SuperSonics in the conference finals. Magic Johnson led a 126-113 victory with 29 points,13 assists, eight rebounds, James Worthy, on the receiving end of many of Johnsons passes, had 33 points and nine rebounds. The Lakers ran 35 fast breaks in the first two quarters and led by 21 at intermission, the Celtics plan for Game 2 was to concentrate on stopping Magic Johnson. Danny Ainge, at 65, could not deal with the 69 Magic, Michael Cooper emerged as the star of the game. With the Lakers leading by seven in the quarter, Cooper pushed the Lakers through a 20-10 outburst. When it was over, he had popped in 6 of 7 three-point attempts, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar added 23 points on 10 of 14 shots, while Magic posted 20 assists and 22 points
21.
1988 NBA Finals
–
The 1988 NBA Finals was the championship round of the 1987–88 NBA season. One of Los Angeles Lakers head coach Pat Rileys most famous moments came when he promised the crowd a repeat championship during the Lakers 1986-87 championship parade in downtown Los Angeles. With every team in the league now gunning for them, the Los Angeles Lakers still found a way to win, taking their seventh consecutive Pacific Division title. While the 1988 Lakers did not produce as many wins in the season as the 1987 Lakers, they were just as successful in the playoffs. The Lakers met the physical Detroit Pistons in the 1988 NBA Finals, one of Piston guard Isiah Thomas career-defining performances came in Game 6. Despite badly twisting his ankle midway through the period, Thomas scored a still-NBA Finals record 25 third quarter points, as Detroit fell valiantly, 103-102, Thomas still managed to score 10 first-half points in Game 7, as Detroit built a 5-point lead. In the 3rd quarter, the Lakers, inspired by Finals MVP James Worthy and Byron Scott, the lead swelled to 15 before Detroit mounted a furious 4th-quarter rally, trimming the lead to 2-points on several occasions. Still, several Detroit miscues enabled the Lakers to win with a 108-105 victory, during the 1987 championship parade in Los Angeles, Lakers coach Pat Riley guaranteed a repeat championship, a feat that had not been achieved since the Boston Celtics won the 1969 NBA Finals. Motivated by their coachs boast, the Lakers once again earned the leagues best record in the 1987–88 season, the playoffs proved to be a difficult climb for the Lakers, however. After sweeping the San Antonio Spurs in the first round, they were pushed to the brink in the two rounds by the Utah Jazz and the Dallas Mavericks. The Lakers eventually prevailed in both series thanks to their championship experience, the Pistons of head coach Chuck Daly were an up-and-coming team that gradually moved up the Eastern Conference ranks. Midway through the season, Detroit gained a valuable backup to Laimbeer, the 1987–88 season marked a further ascension for the franchise, as Detroit won the Central Division title with a 54–28 record. The second-seeded Pistons overcame the Washington Bullets and the Chicago Bulls in five games each and this time, the Pistons were the better team, eliminating the Celtics in six games for their first NBA Finals appearance since 1956. The Lakers were tired, and it showed, adrian Dantley scored 34 points, hitting 14 of 16 shots from the field. The Pistons took control of the game with four seconds left in the first half when Bill Laimbeer hit a three-point shot to put the Pistons up 54-40. Isiah Thomas then stole Kareems inbound pass at half court and let fly with another three-pointer which hit nothing, the Pistons had a 57-40 halftime lead and never looked back, stealing Game 1 with a 105-93 win. Facing the possibility of going down 2-0 with three games to play in Detroit, the veteran Lakers found resolve with a 108-96 win, James Worthy led the Lakers with 26 points, Byron Scott had 24, and Magic Johnson 23 despite battling the flu. With Magic still battling the flu, the Lakers got a key win in Detroit, 99-86, the Lakers took control of the game in the third period, outscoring the Pistons 31-18
22.
Rebound (basketball)
–
In basketball, a rebound, colloquially referred to as a board, is a statistic awarded to a player who retrieves the ball after a missed field goal or free throw. Rebounds are also given to a player who tips in a shot on his teams offensive end. Rebounds in basketball are a part in the game, as all possessions change after a shot is successfully made. A rebound can be grabbed by either a player or a defensive player. The majority of rebounds are defensive because the team on defense tends to be in position to recover missed shots. Offensive rebounds give the team another opportunity to score whether right away or by resetting the offense. A block is not considered a rebound, a ball does not need to actually rebound off the rim or backboard for a rebound to be credited. Rebounds are credited after any missed shot, including air balls, if a player takes a shot and misses and the ball bounces on the ground before someone picks it up, then the person who picks up the ball is credited for a rebound. Rebounds are credited to the first player that gains possession of the ball or to the player that successfully deflects the ball into the basket for a score. A rebound is credited to a team when it gains possession of the ball after any missed shot that is not cleared by a single player, great rebounders tend to be tall and strong. Because height is so important, most rebounds are made by centers and power forwards, the lack of height can sometimes be compensated by the strength to box out taller players away from the ball to capture the rebound. For example, Charles Barkley once led the league in rebounding despite usually being much shorter than his counterparts, also, some shorter guards can be excellent rebounders as well such as point guard Jason Kidd who led the New Jersey Nets in rebounding for several years. Great rebounders must also have a sense of timing and positioning. Great leaping ability is an important asset, but not absolutely necessary, players such as Larry Bird and Moses Malone were excellent rebounders, but were never known for their leaping ability. Bird has stated, Most rebounds are taken below the rim, the action can also be called blocking out. A team can be boxed out by players using this technique to stop the other team from rebounding. Because fighting for a rebound can be physical, rebounding is often regarded as grunt work or a hustle play. Overly aggressive boxing out or preventing being boxed out can lead to personal fouls, statistics of a players rebounds per game or rebounding average measure a players rebounding effectiveness by dividing the number of rebounds by the number of games played
23.
National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame
–
The National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame, located in Kansas City, Missouri, is a hall of fame and museum dedicated to mens college basketball. The museum is a portion of the College Basketball Experience created by the National Association of Basketball Coaches. The hall is meant as a complement to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, on November 17,2006 the NABC honored around 180 players, coaches and other notable contributors to college basketball by inducting them into the founding class of the Hall of Fame. Oscar Robertson, Bill Russell, Dean Smith, John Wooden, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts has indicated it will help with the exhibits. The other interactive portions of the College Basketball Experience are called The Entry Experience, The Fan Experience, the NABC recently renamed the Guardians Classic college tournament the CBE Classic to help promote it
24.
Basketball
–
Basketball is a non-contact team sport played on a rectangular court by two teams of five players each. The objective is to shoot a ball through a hoop 18 inches in diameter and 10 feet high that is mounted to a backboard at each end of the court. The game was invented in 1891 by Dr. James Naismith, a team can score a field goal by shooting the ball through the basket being defended by the opposition team during regular play. A field goal scores three points for the team if the player shoots from behind the three-point line. A team can also score via free throws, which are worth one point, the team with the most points at the end of the game wins, but additional time is mandated when the score is tied at the end of regulation. The ball can be advanced on the court by passing it to a teammate and it is a violation to lift, or drag, ones pivot foot without dribbling the ball, to carry it, or to hold the ball with both hands then resume dribbling. The game has many techniques for displaying skill—ball-handling, shooting, passing, dribbling, dunking, shot-blocking. The point guard directs the on court action of the team, implementing the coachs game plan, Basketball is one of the worlds most popular and widely viewed sports. Outside North America, the top clubs from national leagues qualify to continental championships such as the Euroleague, the FIBA Basketball World Cup attracts the top national teams from around the world. Each continent hosts regional competitions for teams, like EuroBasket. The FIBA Womens Basketball World Cup features the top womens basketball teams from continental championships. The main North American league is the WNBA, whereas the EuroLeague Women has been dominated by teams from the Russian Womens Basketball Premier League, in early December 1891, Canadian Dr. He sought a vigorous indoor game to keep his students occupied, after rejecting other ideas as either too rough or poorly suited to walled-in gymnasiums, he wrote the basic rules and nailed a peach basket onto a 10-foot elevated track. Basketball was originally played with a soccer ball and these laces could cause bounce passes and dribbling to be unpredictable. Eventually a lace-free ball construction method was invented, and this change to the game was endorsed by Naismith, dribbling was not part of the original game except for the bounce pass to teammates. Passing the ball was the means of ball movement. Dribbling was eventually introduced but limited by the shape of early balls. Dribbling only became a part of the game around the 1950s
