There is no doubt that the NBA is one of the most popular sports leagues in the world. With superstars like LeBron James and Stephen Curry, it’s easy to see why. But what do you really know about these players? In this blog post, we will discuss eight interesting facts about one of the biggest sports competitions in the world. You may be surprised by some of the things we have to say!
1) Racial Diversity in the NBA Continues to Expand
The NBA has always been a league that was ahead of its time when it came to racial diversity. In fact, the first all-black professional basketball team was formed in Harlem, New York in 1923. And over the years, the NBA has continued to break down barriers and become more and more diverse. Today, nearly one-third of all NBA players are people of color, and the league is proud to have such a richly diverse representation both on and off the court. In addition, there are more and more Asian NBA superstars, which further shows the league’s commitment to inclusion. From the first black players to the cultural diversity of today, the NBA continues to demonstrate its commitment to racial equality.
2) NBA Players Come From All Over The Globe
The NBA is a truly international phenomenon, with players from all over the globe competing in the top professional basketball league in the world. There are players from almost every continent, including Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, and South America, making it the most diverse sports league in the world. Many of these players have gone on to become superstars and Hall of Fame inductees, such as Yao Ming from China, Dirk Nowitzki from Germany, Tony Parker from France, Manu Ginobili from Argentina, and many more.
3) This Year’s MVP has a Passion for Horses
In any sport, there are certain players who stand out above the rest. In the NBA, one of those players is Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets. This year, he was named MVP, for the second time in a row, and has been dominating the court with his incredible skills. But what you may not know about Jokic is that he has a passion for horses.
Growing up in Serbia, Jokic always loved spending time around horses. He would often go to the stables and help care for the animals, and he dreamed of one day owning his own horse. When he moved to the United States to play in the NBA, Jokic finally got his chance to purchase a horse.
Jokic isn’t just a casual horse lover; he is actually quite skilled at riding them. He often competes in Serbian equestrian competitions and has even won several awards. Jokic is a well-rounded individual with many interests outside of basketball, which makes him an even more fascinating player to watch on the court.
4) Kobe Bryant Holds the Record for the Most Missed Shots
Did you know that Kobe Bryant holds the record for the most missed shots in NBA history? That’s right, he holds the record for a whopping many missed shots over his entire career. Despite missing so many shots, Bryant was still one of the greatest players to ever step foot on the court and he will forever be remembered as an all-time great.
5) Seven-Footers are Rare, But Not Unheard of
Most people think that seven-footers in the NBA are a rare occurrence, but there have actually been quite a few over the years. The tallest player ever to play in the NBA was Gheorghe Muresan from Romania who stood at an impressive 7-foot-7. Other notable seven-footers include Yao Ming, Ralph Sampson, and Shawn Bradley who all had successful careers in the NBA.
However, despite the impressive height of these players, it is still rare for anyone to be taller than seven feet in the NBA.
7) The Average Player’s Salary is Over $7 Million
The average salary for an NBA player is over $7 million per year, making them some of the highest-paid athletes in the world. That number is even higher for superstars like LeBron James and Stephen Curry who both make well over $40 million a season. The NBA has one of the most lucrative salary structures among all sports leagues, which is why so many players dream of playing in the NBA.
8) Jokic Started Playing Basketball Late
Nikola Jokic is one of the best players in the NBA. He has an incredible basketball IQ and can do things on the court that other players can only dream of. But what most people don’t know about Jokic is that he didn’t start playing basketball until he was 15 years old. In fact, it wasn’t until his friends convinced him to try out for the basketball team at school that he fell in love with the sport and decided to pursue it professionally.
Jokic had a natural talent for basketball and quickly developed into one of the best players on his team. The Denver Nuggets saw potential in him and drafted him in 2014 with the 41st overall pick. Jokic has been a starter for the Nuggets ever since and has become one of the best players in the league. His late start in basketball serves as an inspiration to all aspiring athletes who don’t think they have what it takes to make it in the sport.
As you can see, there are many interesting facts about NBA players that you may not know. These players are some of the best athletes in the world and have fascinating lives outside of basketball. Kobe Bryant is one of the most successful players in NBA history, but what most people don’t know about him is that he holds the record for the most missed shots. Seven-footers are a rare occurrence in the NBA, but there have been quite a few over the years. The average salary for an NBA player is over $7 million per year, making them some of the highest-paid athletes in the world. Nikola Jokic started playing basketball late, but he quickly developed into one of the best players on his team. In addition to basketball, he’s also a true fan of horses and horse racing, making him an all-around interesting person. Knowing these facts can help you gain a better appreciation of the incredible athletes that make up the NBA.
