love basketball

Love Basketball
Do you like sports? Do you like basketball? Have you ever had any interest in basketball other than simply watching the NBA games or championships? Have you ever played or tried to, at the least? Well I think that you should - because basketball is one of my favorite sports and I am going to tell you why I think that you should play it, or at least give it a try. There are many reasons why you should play basketball, but mine include the fact that it is a well-known sport that a lot of people play and it is good for your health in terms of exercise and cardio.
Basketball has been around for ages. The sport came about in 1891, and was invented by a man named James Naismith, a physical education instructor, who was pressured within the time limit of fourteen days to invent a game that would “provide ‘athletic distraction’ for a rowdy class through the brutal New England winter.” (Bellis, M.) But Naismith isn’t the name you usually associate with basketball.
As I’ve mentioned before, many people play this well-known sport all around the world but the names most people usually associate with this game are the NBA stars like Jordan, Nash, Bryant, Iverson, Carmello, Howard, Fisher, Metaworldpeace, Shaq, Lebron, and so many, many more. And those are just a few of the people in the world who have played basketball- which sums up to about “250 million people worldwide” as of 2007. (factmonster) Don’t get me wrong; it’s not just famous, rich people that play. People of all age and size could and do play whether it is in a league, at the park, or even just outside your house.
Now, you could argue that playing basketball requires a type of skill and height advantage, but that isn’t necessarily the case. Whether you’re in the NBA, on a school’s basketball team, or just playing in the park for the first time, you always, always, start at the bottom - start with practice. You can acquire the skill you say you “need” to play the sport, by working at it. Then there’s height. Sure, like almost all pro-ballers, being tall is advantageous in the sense that you get to be closer to the rim, and therefore have an easier time getting the ball in (some would say). But what some lack in height, they make up for in agility. Shorter players are naturally quicker on their feet. “While taller players usually set up close to the basket for easier points… short players have an easier time handling the basketball and taking shots from longer range.” (Amato, S.) So I mean what I say when I say people of all sizes play.
Another reason basketball deems worthy of so much attention, is that it is good for your health! Now that’s just common sense. Playing basketball is a good cardio workout as you run up and down the court, defend against opposing teams, and attempt to score points. The sport also allows you to practice your hand-eye coordination as you shoot for the basket. Basketball is “a great workout that can help you: burn calories (an hour of basketball can burn 630–750 calories), build endurance, improve balance and coordination, develop concentration and self-discipline and build up muscle.” (Betterhealth)
I suppose you could argue that you can get this type of exercise by running, relaying, or playing other sports, but really, what other sport can you say touches all of the components I’ve mentioned. Basketball can be played alone, with one friend, or with several! What better way to exercise and workout than to have the option to do so by yourself or with others. Whatever the case, basketball is or can be so much fun.
Now you see why basketball is, without a doubt, my favorite sport. I enjoy watching it, I enjoy learning about it, I enjoy shooting around alone, and I enjoy playing a game or two with friends. I enjoy benefiting from its physical advantages to keep me in shape. You don’t have to be great at it, or be the best at it, it’s all about having fun and enjoying the sport. I believe you should definitely consider it, or at least give it a try - that is if you haven’t already, in which case you should…now!

Resources
1)http://inventors.about.com/library/inventors/blbasketball.htm
2)http://www.livestrong.com/article/555710-how-to-use-shortness-to-your-advantage-in-basketball/
3)http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Basketball_health_benefits