NBA
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NBA Basics – Court, Equipment & Rules
All the key details about NBA courts, equipment, and rules.
The Basketball Court:
The size of basketball courts varies, but a professional NBA court is 94” x 50” (28.65m x 15.24m). The NBA has 30 teams across two conferences. At each game, the home team’s branding is featured on the court, whether it be their logo or key themes relating to the team they represent.
On the court, there are two baskets, a half-court line, free-throw lines, and three-point arcs, which help determine player positions and scoring opportunities.
The Basketball & Hoop
The size of the basketball varies across certain age groups and standard of play, but in the NBA, they use a size 7 basketball. The circumference is between 29.5”-30.3” (75-77 cm) with a diameter between 9.43”-9.51” (24-24.2 cm) – the weight of the ball cannot exceed 22 ounces.
All backboards must be transparent, and the vertical elevated rectangle will have a basket attached to it.
The NBA states that all basketball backboards must have a width of 72” (183cm) and a height of 42” (107cm) with an inner rectangle that is 24” wide and 18” (45.7cm) tall. All rims are hung 10 feet (3.05m) above the court.
The rim’s diameter is 18” (45.72 cm), and nets of 15–18” (38.1–45.7 cm) hang below. The rim is positioned 10 feet (3.05 m) from the court floor. All rims are fixed onto the backboard.
Rules Snapshot:
Here are the 5 key fundamental rules of basketball:
- Game length: All NBA games are contested over four 12-minute quarters, with a 15-minute break between the second and the third quarter. If tied, a 5-minute overtime period is played on repeat until a team prevails.
- Players on court: Only five players can represent one team on court at any one time, playing as either a center, point guard, shooting guard, small forward or power forward.
- Basic scoring: Teams can score 1, 2, or 3 points. A free throw is worth 1 point, a field goal made inside the three-point line is worth 2 points, and a shot made beyond the three-point arc is worth 3 points.
- Shot clock: In the NBA, the shot clock starts at 24 seconds, requiring the team in possession to attempt a field goal before the time runs out.
- Fouls: In basketball, a foul occurs when a player makes illegal personal contact with an opponent. Most fouls result in free throws. Fouls can be classified as personal fouls, technical fouls, or flagrant fouls.
Major NBA Teams
- Boston Celtics: The most successful NBA franchise in history, with 18 championship titles. A team that dominated the 1960s, to the Larry Bird years of the 1980s, to recently winning in 2024.
- Los Angeles Lakers: With 17 titles and 15 runner-up finishes, this team has dominated across eras, featuring iconic players like Jerry West, Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Kobe Bryant, and now LeBron James.
- Golden State Warriors: A modern-day dynasty that set multiple records throughout the 2010s and 2022, winning four titles and reaching two more finals, led by revolutionary three-point guard Stephen Curry.
- Chicago Bulls: The only franchise to never lose an NBA Finals after winning multiple titles, capturing six championships in the 1990s with the Michael Jordan-led super team. From 1991-1993 and 1996-1998, the Bulls were unstoppable.
- San Antonio Spurs: With five titles over 15 years, the Spurs were a brutal force in the NBA with players such as Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili, and David Robinson all key names who played a key role in their success.
Major NBA Rivalries
Los Angeles Lakers vs Boston Celtics: The two most successful NBA franchises are facing off in a rivalry that has stood the test of time.
Golden State Warriors vs Cleveland Cavaliers: A rivalry that saw four consecutive NBA finals from 2015 to 2018, with Stephen Curry’s Warriors winning three to LeBron James’ famous homecoming in 2016.
Philadelphia 76ers vs Boston Celtics: These two have had the most meetings in the NBA playoffs, and their locality in the East makes it a fierce rivalry.
Los Angeles Lakers vs Golden State Warriors: South California’s biggest city takes on North California’s biggest city in a rivalry that will be remembered for generations.
Legendary NBA Players
- Michael Jordan: Widely considered the greatest of all time, Michael Jordan’s six NBA titles and unbeaten streak in finals cement him as one of the best basketball players ever.
- LeBron James: One of the best all-around players of all time, with the points record and placing high in assists and rebounds, LeBron James’ longevity and stats are second to none.
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: A former legendary figure who held the shooting record but won six NBA titles, and won a record six MVP (Most Valuable Player) awards.
- Kobe Bryant: Famed for the iconic “Mamba Mentality,” a fierce competitor who stayed loyal to the Los Angeles Lakers his whole career and won five NBA titles.
- Magic Johnson: A player who revolutionized his position as point guard, winning five NBA titles, three MVP’s and Finals MVP awards, leaving behind a lasting legacy
- Stephen Curry: Another point guard who transcended his era, setting numerous 3-point scoring records and making the Golden State Warriors one of the richest franchises ever.
The Future of the NBA
The NBA is always evolving, and the future looks bright. Here’s why:
- Rise of young talent: More and more generational stars have come through the leagues, including Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic, and, most recently, Victor Wembanyama.
- Analytics and technology: The implementation of sports science and fan experience technology has helped the NBA grow, allowing data-driven strategy to enhance the game.
- Global reach: The NBA’s investment in international players has seen the game expand to new markets and territories, leading to a global fanbase being produced.
A Brief History of the NBA
The NBA was founded on August 3, 1949, through the merger of the Basketball Association of America (BAA) and the National Basketball League (NBL). Since then, the league has evolved through many eras, shaping the modern NBA we know and love today.
Early years: After the founding and merger, the league started out as a small league with few teams before more teams decided to get involved. The Lakers, who were then in Minneapolis, dominated the 1950s before the Celtics ruled the league in the 1960s.
Golden age: What followed saw the golden age of basketball, seeing the intense rivalry of the Los Angeles Lakers vs the Boston Celtics. Magic Johnson vs Larry Bird was a key battle, followed by the Michael Jordan-led Chicago Bulls dynasty and the popularity in viewership due to the TV boom.
Modern era: From 2000 onwards, the sport has seen expansion with players from all over the world, becoming a global phenomenon as we know it today. The NBA has firmly established itself as the most competitive basketball league in the world, with seven different winners from the last seven years.