Have you ever wondered what your life would be like living in the 1900’s? Kids in this generation (Z Gen) have many influences in their lives. Influences have been a major part of kids' lives but throughout the years the kids have changed. Basketball has had major importance on some kid's life throughout the years. In the different eras like the Old School Era in the 1940s-1990s, there were different styles of play than now in the Modern Era in the 2000s and that different style of play has a major role in kids' lives. Basketball has influenced lives differently in the Modern Era than it did in the Old School Era.
The Beginning
Basketball was invented in 1891 by Dr. James Naismith in Springfield, Massachusetts. “James Naismith was a Canadian physical educator, physician, Christian Chaplain, and a sports coach” (Wikipedia). “Naismith created basketball to be played indoors at the YMCA during the cold winters. It was also created to keep the kids in the early 1900s out of trouble and to keep them entertained” Basketball has been an important role in many people’s lives. It has brought their families out of the street and brought them back to “life.” Basketball in the early 1900s was way different than it is nowadays. The rules have changed, the purpose of basketball has changed, and the overall view of the sport has changed. The rules have had an effect on the game because it started off by being very strict and having to be played perfectly.
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Old School Era
The Old School Era started in 1946 when the NBA was organized which became the basis of basketball around the world. There were a couple of changes in the NBA team and players but there was no crucial change until 1950 when Nat 'Sweetwater' Clifton and Earl Lloyd became the first African Americans to play and get drafted in the NBA. This broke the color barrier in basketball and opened the door to abolish Jim Crow Laws. Which opened the door for African Americans in sports and much more. Basketball and other sports have built relationships between people that would have taken a much longer time to build. Segregation didn’t end until the 1960s but in the 1950’s when the first African Americans joined the NBA it created a gap in society. This gap in society has caused more and more people to respect African-American rights and to not be racist to all of the African Americans.
There are many legends that kids look up to in the Old School Era. Some of these legends are Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, and many more. All of the legends have had an effect on someone in our world. They have had an effect on people in the Old School Era and in the Modern Era. They have also had an effect on the stars in today’s world. Larry Bird is one of the important players in the NBA because of what he accomplished. He has inspired many to pursue their dreams and to do whatever it takes to get to the top. Larry Bird said, “I've got a theory that if you give 100 percent all of the time, somehow things will work out in the end.” This has inspired many people to do their best and to put forth all of the efforts that they can. One of Larry’s rivals Magic Johnson is also an important player and has had an impact on society. “He has been active civically, particularly with the United Negro College Fund. Johnson's annual charity game has raised over $6.5 million for the United Nations Children's Fund.” (Brown.) A little later in the era, a superstar named Michael Jordan came into the NBA. He changed the culture of the city of Chicago and he took the league by surprise by his way of play and his talent. He also became a male model and a major league baseball player (Wikipedia). “Stars such as Michael Jordan were at times more popular than national heroes in foreign countries” (Daily History).
Basketball hasn’t only had an effect on men it also has had an effect on women. It started as women being restricted from playing in public competitions because of masculinity but a few years later women started playing sports in organized leagues. While white girls were in the Olympics and thriving as models and athletes, African American women versus a team of white women in basketball slowly started to merge the races of the teams. The old-school era was just the beginning of basketball for women and for African Americans.
Modern Era
The Modern Era in basketball is considered to have started in the early 2000s when the rules of the game changed to make the game safer so the players would have less of a chance of getting injured. The major rule changes in the NBA occurred in the 2004-05 season. On his blog Horace Grant, a 4 time NBA champion from the Chicago Bulls and the Los Angeles Lakers says, “The game has changed drastically since the era of the three-inch inseam, creating a greatly different playing style. The implementation of the three-point shot and the elimination of hand and forearm checking were created in response to a highly physical, big man’s game, and resulted in the subsequent rise of “small ball” (Grant). The rule changes have had an effect on how kids play the game. Kids do not have to be the biggest or the best basketball is a game of effort and hustle just like in life where if you slack off you will not move forward but if you keep on pushing you will go forward.
Basketball’s effect on women has grown tremendously from the old-school era. Why women play basketball has changed over the years. “When women were taught basketball a little over a century ago, teamwork and cooperation were emphasized over competition while girl’s basketball is certainly competitive teamwork and cooperation remain important. In fact, for many basketball purists, the women’s game is a more accurate reflection of how the game should be played even though women don’t play the same way as men” (“The Evolution Of Women’s Basketball”). Women have played an important role in the sports and in society.
African-American rights in sports improved when Michael Jordan won his 6th NBA championship and retired as the greatest basketball player and one of the greatest African-American athletes. Even though African American rights improved racism has gone up. Racism is a terrible thing in society. It has led to suicide, depression, and health problems. “Experiencing racism throughout our lifespan can overwhelm our health functionality. Repetitive acts of untreated trauma and violence lead to debilitating health issues” (Timothy). Pro athletes also have their opinions on racism and how it affects people. NBA players have had multiple altercations with racism being directed toward them. Racism in sports has had effects on kids and adults in a variety of different ways. According to the article Race based inclusion, “Racism affects motivation, enjoyment and levels of participation and, if unchecked, may result in inappropriate, potentially dangerous and violent behavior.” Racism not only in sports but in today’s society needs to stop.
Basketball and other sports force kids to get good grades in the classroom and to be a good students. Most schools around the United States of America and club teams make kids have passing grades to play sports. Merlin Rajan says, “This gives them motivation to get good grades and to try their best in school. This incongruence can ruin their chance of going to a good college and getting a professional job. Therefore, students must have good grades to play sports.” You don’t have to have straight A’s but students need to try your best. “There is a potential for athletes to represent the high school and collegiate schools they play for in very public ways at events. Students who don't maintain strong grade point averages don't reflect well on their respective schools. Balancing good grades with participation in extracurricular activities shows character and shows that students are capable of being well-rounded” (Blake). Basketball also
Conclusion
People do not have to be the best at basketball or even play basketball for it to have an effect on them. Teens live differently in the modern day than they did in the old school days because basketball has had an effect on their lives. Basketball has brought people out of darkness and brought them into humanity. Basketball has brought people together and will continue to bring people together if they have respect for each other.
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