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Reading: Dr. James Naismith Described The First Basketball Game Ever: “The Boys Began Tackling, Kicking, And Punching In The Clinches.”
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Home > NBA News & Analysis > Dr. James Naismith Described The First Basketball Game Ever: “The Boys Began Tackling, Kicking, And Punching In The Clinches.”

Dr. James Naismith Described The First Basketball Game Ever: “The Boys Began Tackling, Kicking, And Punching In The Clinches.”

The founder of basketball, Dr. James Naismith once described the first-ever game of basketball as a brutally violent affair.

Ishaan Bhattacharya
Jan 27, 2023
3 Min Read
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Credit: Fadeaway World

The game of basketball is one that brings millions around the world incredible joy. Out of all the people who are reading this, 95% or more are here because they love the game and want to read more about it. However, it has been a century-long process to get to the game we know and love today.

Dr. James Naismith was the founder of the game. The rules he set out for basketball have heavily evolved over the years and aren’t similar to what we see in today’s game. But what would it be like to play a sport with no idea of what it’s supposed to be and without any rules? Well, that was how the first ever game of basketball was ever played, and Naismith described it as an incredibly brutal affair.

“I blow a whistle, and the first game of basketball began. I didn’t have enough (rules of the game) and that’s where I made my big mistake. The boys began tackling, kicking, and punching in the clinches. They ended up in a free-for-all in the middle of the gym floor. Before I could pull them apart, one boy was knocked out, several had black eyes, and one had a dislocated shoulder. It certainly was murder.”

Given how the modern NBA doesn’t even allow you to stand in the landing space of a shooter, that era of basketball really wouldn’t be easy for them. However, harder and more violent doesn’t mean it’s better. Changing the rules over the years has created the game we know today and made the game into a multi-billion dollar sport.


Dr. James Naismith Changed The World By Inventing Basketball

Basketball is a truly international spot. While the NBA is a North American league, basketball is being played all over the world in different corners. Naismith never would’ve envisioned his impact on organized sports in general, as basketball is one of the most watched sports in the world. Not every game can be traced back to a single originator, but the annals of organized basketball usually always link back to James Naismith.

While we argue about eras in the game nowadays, no players from the ’80s or the 2000s would want to play in the era when Naismith was just figuring out how the game was to be played. Thank God that he did this because he changed the lives of more people than anyone can count.

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ByIshaan Bhattacharya
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Ishaan Bhattacharya is a content manager for Fadeaway World from New Delhi, India. With his expertise in NBA content creation, Ishaan brings a wealth of experience to his role, contributing to the site's authority and reach within the basketball community. Over the last year, Ishaan has interviewed Ray Allen and Mark Tatum, while also covering the 2023 NBA Abu Dhabi Games which saw the Dallas Mavericks take on the Minnesota Timberwolves.Since joining Fadeaway World in March 2022, Ishaan Bhattacharya has become known for his unique perspective on the NBA. He consistently delivers this insight through his daily news coverage and detailed opinion pieces on the most significant topics in the league.Before his tenure at Fadeaway World, Ishaan worked in corporate communications, where he serviced prominent sports brands, including NBA India, Sports18, Amazon Prime Sports, and Royal Challengers Bangalore. This experience in strategic communications for leading sports entities has enhanced his ability to craft impactful narratives and connect with a global audience.A true MFFLer (Mavs Fan for Life, for the uninitiated), Ishaan is a massive fan of the Dallas Mavericks. When he is not upset about Jalen Brunson walking in free agency, you can see Ishaan as an avid gamer and content creator. His passion for basketball extends beyond the Mavericks, as evidenced by his thoughtfully curated NBA Mount Rushmore, featuring LeBron James, Michael Jordan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Bill Russell—each representing distinct eras and bringing their unique qualities to the game.Featured On: ESPN, Sports Illustrated, Bleacher Report, Yahoo Sports, NBA, Fox Sports, The Spun
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