| The first official basketball history would | | | | In the 80s, basketball was dominated by the |
| be at YMCA in Trenton, New Jersey, in 1896. | | | | Detroit Pistons with Isiah Thomas and Dennis |
| It was the fallout of a dispute between | | | | Rodman. |
| members of the YMCA team and a YMCA official, | | | | |
| resulting in a professional team, playing for | | | | And most recently, Michael Jordan and the |
| money. 2 years later, the National Basketball | | | | Chicago Bulls are the highlights of the 90s, |
| League was founded. | | | | with the Bulls winning 6 NBA titles. Star |
| | | | players in this period were Hakeem Olajuwon, |
| In the 2oth century, the top professional | | | | Scottie Pippen, Charles Barkley, David |
| teams were the Buffalo Germans and the | | | | Robinson, Karl Malone, John Stockton, and |
| Original Celtics. The first major national | | | | Shaquille O'Neal. And the women star players |
| professional league was the American | | | | were Cynthia Cooper, Sheryl Swoopes, Teresa |
| Basketball League. | | | | Edwards, Lisa Leslie, and Jennifer Azzi. |
| | | | |
| In the 30s, the most successful teams were | | | | Women basketball has also undergone some |
| the New York Renaissance and Harlem | | | | changes throughout the years. In 1966, |
| Globetrotters. Both of these teams consisted | | | | dribbling was legalized in play. 3 years |
| of all-black players. | | | | later, a 5-player full court format was |
| | | | introduced. In 1984, women officials |
| In the 40s, the game was monopolized by the | | | | (coaches, players) were admitted in the |
| Minneapolis Lakers, led by George Mikan and | | | | basketball hall-of-fame. Some of these famous |
| coached by John Kundla. This team won 5 NBA | | | | women who obtained recognition for their |
| championships in the decade. | | | | skills and expertise were Ann Meyers, Carol |
| | | | Blazejowski, Cheryl Miller; Anne Donovan and |
| Come the 50s, guard Bob Cousy and forward Bob | | | | Nancy Lieberman-Cline. |
| Pettit were celebrated players. From 1957 to | | | | |
| 1969, The Celtics won 11 NBA titles, 6 of | | | | The NBA's rival was the American Basketball |
| them led by Bill Russell. | | | | Association (ABA) and its trademark red, |
| | | | white, and blue basketballs. The best player |
| From 1963 to 1975, the UCLA team won ten | | | | for ABA was Julius Erving. ABA was dissolved |
| national championships. Star players during | | | | in 1976. |
| this period were center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, | | | | |
| center Bill Walton, guard Gail Goodrich, | | | | The passing of years have seen the rise and |
| forward Jamaal Wilkes, and forward Marques | | | | fall of many teams and players. Without a |
| Johnson. Abdul-Jabbar made history by | | | | doubt, all the players strive to do their |
| becoming the leading scorer with 38,387 | | | | best to be immortalized as the champions of |
| points in his career. | | | | the decade. |
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