Era uma vez na América

A NBA é a maior e melhor liga de basquetebol do mundo. Lá encontramos os melhores jogadores, as melhores equipas e os melhores pavilhões. Cresceu desde uma modesta liga americana com 11 equipas, nos anos 40, até à referência desportiva e cultural global que é na actualidade. Mas, como sabemos, nada disso seria uma realidade se antes não tivesse existido o Dr. James Naismith.

Naismith, canadiano, professor de Educação Física no International Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA), em Springfield, Massachussets, recebeu, num chuvoso Dezembro de 1891, um ultimato do director do colégio: tinha duas semanas para inventar um jogo que pudesse ser realizado no interior do ginásio, para manter os irrequietos alunos ocupados durante os longos invernos do estado de New England.

Inspirado pelo jogo infantil Duck on a Rock, pregou dois cestos de fruta em paredes opostas do ginásio e escreveu as 13 regras originais do novo jogo. Seguindo a sugestão de um aluno, chamou-lhe Basket Ball.

("First draft of Basket Ball rules. Hung in the Gym that the boys might learn the rules. 1892")

AS 13 REGRAS ORIGINAIS DO DR. NAISMITH:

1. The ball may be thrown in any direction with one or both hands.

2. The ball may be batted in any direction with one or both hands (never with the fist).

3. A player cannot run with the ball. The player must throw it from the spot on which he catches it, allowance to be made for a man who catches the ball when running at a good speed if he tries to stop.

4. The ball must be held in or between the hands; the arms or body must not be used for holding it.

5. No shouldering, holding, pushing, tripping, or striking in any way the person of an opponent shall be allowed; the first infringement of this rule by any player shall count as a foul, the second shall disqualify him until the next goal is made, or, if there was evident intent to injure the person, for the whole of the game, no substitute allowed.

6. A foul is striking at the ball with the fist, violation of Rules 3,4, and such as described in Rule 5.

7. If either side makes three consecutive fouls, it shall count a goal for the opponents (consecutive means without the opponents in the mean time making a foul).

8. A goal shall be made when the ball is thrown or batted from the grounds into the basket and stays there, providing those defending the goal do not touch or disturb the goal. If the ball rests on the edges, and the opponent moves the basket, it shall count as a goal.

9. When the ball goes out of bounds, it shall be thrown into the field of play by the person first touching it. In case of a dispute, the umpire shall throw it straight into the field. The thrower-in is allowed five seconds; if he holds it longer, it shall go to the opponent. If any side persists in delaying the game, the umpire shall call a foul on that side.

10. The umpire shall be judge of the men and shall note the fouls and notify the referee when three consecutive fouls have been made. He shall have power to disqualify men according to Rule 5.

11. The referee shall be judge of the ball and shall decide when the ball is in play, in bounds, to which side it belongs, and shall keep the time. He shall decide when a goal has been made, and keep account of the goals with any other duties that are usually performed by a referee.

12. The time shall be two 15-minute halves, with five minutes' rest between.

13. The side making the most goals in that time shall be declared the winner. In case of a draw, the game may, by agreement of the captains, be continued until another goal is made.