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Newsweek
2 days ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
Christian Roots of the NBA—From Naismith to This Year's 79th NBA Finals
Faith and sports go hand in hand. Quarterbacks quote Bible verses in interviews, and today's top NBA players, from Golden State Warrior star Stephen Curry (verses of scripture adorn his sneakers) to Indiana Pacers sensation Tyrese Halliburton (he cites church as "a big part of my success and my sanity"), count themselves among the 62 percent of Americans who call ourselves Christians. As sports fans nationwide watch the drama of the 79thth NBA Finals unfold, it's worth telling the story of basketball's Christian roots. Indeed, Christianity was the driving force behind the game's origin story. "I want to take you back to the first game of basketball in Springfield, Massachusetts in 1891," Paul Putz, author of The Spirit of the Game: American Christianity and Big-Time Sports, told Our American Stories. "Eighteen grown men, most in their mid-20s, walked into the gym at the International Young Men's Christian Association Training School, where they were students. There were two peach baskets tacked to banisters on opposite sides of the gym, 10 feet off the ground. There was a soccer ball, too, and 13 rules for a new game their instructor, James Naismith, explained to them." Putz described that first game: "They divided into two teams of nine: No dribbling, no jump shots, no dunking. Instead, they passed the soccer ball back and forth, trying to keep it away from their opponents while angling for a chance to throw it into the basket." The inventor of basketball, Dr. James Naismith, stands in a field carrying a ball and a basket. The inventor of basketball, Dr. James Naismith, stands in a field carrying a ball and a basket. There was no template for what a shot might look like, Putz explained. As the players positioned the ball at the top of their heads to toss it toward the basket, a defender would swoop in and grab it away. "If you've ever tried to coach second-graders, it was probably a scene like that—except with big players and beards," Putz said. When the game ended, just one person made a shot. The final score: 1 to 0. To the students—and Naismith—it was a success. The students loved the challenge and possibilities of the game. Naismith loved those things, too. But he loved what the game represented, and why he was at the YMCA Training School in the first place. On his application, he was asked to describe the role for which he was training, and wrote: "To win men for the Master through the gym." Naismith's idea was simple but revolutionary: He believed sports could shape Christian character in ways mere study could not. So who was this man who created one of America's great homegrown sports? "He grew up in rural Canada," Putz said. "His parents died of illness when he was 9, and his uncle, a deeply religious man, took him in. When Naismith was 15, he dropped out of school, working as a lumberjack, but returned to high school at the age of 20 and entered college with the goal of becoming a minister." Most Christians in Naismith's day viewed sports as, at best, a distraction; others saw sports as a tool of the devil. "But Naismith was coming of age during the rise of a new movement called 'Muscular Christianity,'" Putz said. "It pushed back against the dualism that separated the spiritual and physical," Putz explained. "The body itself had sacred value, they believed, and human beings should be understood holistically—mind, body and soul intertwined." For Naismith, this idea came home in an epiphany playing football as a seminary student. During a game, a teammate lost his temper and let out a stream of curse words. During a break, he turned to Naismith and said sheepishly, "I beg your pardon, I forgot you were there." Naismith never spoke out against profanity, but his teammate felt compelled to apologize because, in Naismith's words, "I played the game with all my might yet held myself under control." His teammate was responding to Naismith's character on and off the field. Soon after that encounter, Naismith heard about the YMCA Training School in Springfield, a new college dedicated to connecting physical activity and Christian formation. And away he went to America to invent the game we know and love. "Naismith believed strongly in individual expression, and wanted basketball players to have space to create," Putz explained. "He celebrated inventive moves—like the dribble and the hook shot—and expressed awe as players pushed the limits of what was possible." But Naismith also understood that with freedom came constraints. "Basketball is personal combat without personal contact," Naismith would often say. Players can move anywhere at any time, and get close to their opponents, but can't overpower them physically, Putz explained. The only way to make the game work is consistently applying the rules. Which is why Naismith's favorite role wasn't player or coach but referee. Naismith would become a pioneer on more than one front. In the 1930s, while a professor at the University of Kansas, a young African American student named John McLendon enrolled, Putz explained. "He wanted to join the basketball team—but Kansas didn't allow Black players." Naismith took the young man under his wing, and McLendon would later become one of the most important basketball coaches of the 20th century. Basketball was influenced by Americans of all stripes. "In 1892, Senda Berenson, a Jewish instructor at a women's college, saw basketball as a rare opportunity for women to participate in sports," Putz said. "She adapted the rules and helped make it the most important women's team sport of the 20th century." The Jewish community embraced the game early, producing many of its first stars and innovators. So did Catholics and Latter-day Saints. Basketball also crossed racial and ethnic lines. Though the YMCA was segregated, Black Americans created their own spaces—often through churches—and built thriving basketball cultures, especially in cities like New York and Washington, D.C. It didn't take long for Naismith's creation to became a pluralistic and collaborative force—a gift to the world, developed and shaped by many hands, Putz added. "One of my favorite Naismith stories comes from the 1920s," Putz concluded. "He dropped by a small-college gym in Iowa, and a pickup game was about to begin. The players needed a referee and spotted the old man in the bleachers. One ran over to ask if he'd officiate—but before Naismith could respond, another player interrupted: 'That old man? He doesn't know anything about basketball.' The players walked off to find someone else. Naismith just smiled." The fact is, basketball would not be the game we know and love today if it hadn't been for Naismith's Christian vision. "I'm sure," Naismith wrote near the end of his life, "that no man can derive more pleasure from money or power than I do from seeing a pair of basketball goals in some out of the way place—deep in the Wisconsin woods an old barrel hoop nailed to a tree, or a weather-beaten shed on the Mexican border with a rusty iron hoop nailed to one end." Naismith's story is worth celebrating as we watch the Thunder and Pacers battle for the 79th NBA title.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Curry ruled out for a week in NBA playoff blow to Warriors
Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors has been ruled out for at least a week with a hamstring injury. (EZRA SHAW) Golden State Warrior star Stephen Curry has been ruled out for at least a week with a hamstring injury, the NBA team said on Wednesday in a blow to the club's playoff hopes. The 11-time All-Star suffered the injury during Golden State's 99-88 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday, limping out of action in the second quarter of the best-of-seven Western Conference semifinal opener. Advertisement The Warriors said in a statement that Curry underwent an MRI on Wednesday morning and the test confirmed the injury as a grade one hamstring strain. "Curry will be re-evaluated in one week," the team added. Game two will be held in Minnesota on Thursday with game three on Saturday and game four on Monday both in San Francisco. "I think we all want (number) 30 back, that is for sure," teammate Jimmy Butler said Tuesday. "But we want him to do his best for himself, best for our group. Until then, we can hold down the fort. I know we can." sev/js
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
The Heat gave Jimmy Butler a tribute in his return to Miami. He gave them nothing in return
MIAMI — Jimmy Butler didn't bother to take one look back in the direction of his old bench, his old mates, or that old floor that he set afire for many a spring night. The emotion of Tuesday night, his return to Miami after an electric and combustible five-and-a-half-year run, was more muted than overwhelming. It wasn't even smoldering. 'It was behind me a long time ago,' Butler said. 'As soon as I ended up a Golden State Warrior, everything that went on was dead.' There was life somewhere, and the Miami Heat found it — the game meant more to them than it seemed to Butler, as the two franchises have gone in opposite directions since the shocking deal was made over a month ago. The Warriors have been injected with new life since adding Butler, no longer feeling like fodder for the top of the West, and despite this modest two-game losing streak they believe they are as much of a contender as anyone this side of Oklahoma City. Miami has been in a tailspin since giving Butler the trade he first requested, then essentially demanded — hence why the warm and fuzzies weren't even on display in the short tribute video the franchise delivered upon his introduction. Butler had no words for any of his former mates except Kevin Love in the pregame, and a dap to Alec Burks seconds before the opening tip. Nothing toward Erik Spoelstra, who would only go so far down memory lane in the pregame — no emotional hug or grab of the shoulders. Nothing for Bam Adebayo or Tyler Herro, although there was some extra physicality in their matchups as it seemed Adebayo wanted to guard Butler, starting out on him and trailing him through the night. He certainly had nothing for Pat Riley, the Heat czar who brought him to Miami in 2019, the man whose words at the end of last season stung Butler to the core, the man who refused to give Butler the contract extension he desired. 'I got a lot of love for the city, the fan base here,' Butler said. 'The video was nice. I won't say there's a lot of emotions. I came into this thing levelheaded.' Butler did thank his current teammates before the game and after for the support, knowing what the game meant to him, perhaps even more than what it means for the Warriors in the standings of the crowded Western Conference with less than 10 games remaining. The crowd at the Kaseya Center lived up to its reputation of being a bit on the laissez-faire side, a late arriving crowd that usually saves whatever it can for late May and early June. 'Miami is a great place to live, and some people don't ever seem too amped up around here, and they're living a good life,' Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. 'So it really wasn't that rabid of an environment. It was typical Miami.' Butler was booed, but when you see the rosters he carried in Miami, he should've been given a standing ovation. It also isn't particularly new for him, given his nomadic nature. Butler didn't have it, and neither did his teammates. Even without Stephen Curry, who won't be back until Friday in New Orleans, it was a bit shocking to see every Warriors starter with just two points each at the half. The Heat would go on to win 112-86. '(Erik Spoelstra) had 'em ready, as we would expect given the circumstances with Jimmy coming back,' Kerr said. 'They knocked everything down early, and we missed everything. They took it to us tonight.' If there is a such thing as Heat Culture, perhaps it was on display for the first time in eons. The Heat played with verve and purpose, every bounce went their way but they were far more intentional about their desires than the team that has spent the last week in Atlanta and Miami — two cities that never lose when it comes to extracurricular activities. How else could the team that can't shoot straight for weeks suddenly hit 68 percent on 25 triples, some of the leaning, fading variety? Perhaps it was the extra energy they've had in reserve since the Butler deal, and they were waiting to unleash it. The endless, exhausting saga had to wear on everyone involved. This wasn't his last two tumultuous exits, where he clashed with Karl-Anthony Towns in Minnesota in 2018 or in Philadelphia, where the organization couldn't decide between Butler and Tobias Harris — both free agents in the summer of 2019. But this is where history repeats itself in a positive way for Butler, and at least gives the Warriors the best chance at maximizing this window with Butler, Curry and Draymond Green. In the locker rooms Butler has been in as a full grown NBA man, he's been the most accomplished, the most veteran, the most alpha — except for one time. He played one year with Dwyane Wade in Chicago, and although Wade was on the back end of a great career and the Bulls limped to a 41-41 finish, Butler ceded space to his vet. He respected Wade and you could tell there was reverence. Perhaps there's a sigh of relief in walking into this Warriors locker room. Curry is as respected as any leader in the NBA, while he and Green speak the same language on a number of levels. That wasn't the case playing with Joel Embiid at the time or Towns or Bam Adebayo. 'You know, you come into a situation where Steph is a two-time MVP, we've both won four championships. It definitely is a little different,' Green told Yahoo Sports. 'But I think the most important thing is we will never approach him like we're four time champions and we're nothing. He has the utmost respect from us. His word carries just as much weight, if not more than us. 'And that's how you make somebody comfortable coming into your situation This ain't, 'We won. You didn't. Fall in line.' We know what he's done. It's hard to win a championship in the NBA. He got there twice. It's very hard. You need a lot of things to go your way.' Green said the bounces have to go your way and Butler's been on the business end of that — bounces that didn't and one that did, the Kawhi Leonard shot in 2019 that thwarted the most talented team Butler played on, the 2019 Philadelphia 76ers. For what it's worth, the Chicago Bulls are still picking themselves off the mat after trading him in 2017. The Timberwolves had real success last year, but are in the play-in field now. The 76ers? Haven't come close to being close, squandering opportunity after opportunity and now that window is slammed shut. These Miami Heat are figuring out culture is only worth something when there's supernovas leading the way, having gone 6-17 since trading Butler and you wonder how this proud organization will pull itself from this muck. 'That guy's a winner. He's won everywhere he's gone,' Green told Yahoo Sports, also referencing his one year playing with Chris Paul. "Those guys are winners. You need a lot of s*** to fall your way in order to actually win a championship. And he's done everything in his power to get his team there, and almost delivered a couple times.' Those times were with Miami, carrying the Heat to the Finals in the Orlando Bubble, coming within a whisker of doing it in 2022 before coming back and knocking off the Boston Celtics in a Game 7 on the road to advance to the NBA Finals. Playoff Jimmy averaged 27.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.9 steals over the last two playoffs he played with the Heat. The structure of the franchise and Spoelstra's genius helped round out his game, and for awhile, the two sides were a perfect match. 'I see it for what it is,' Butler said. 'A chapter has ended, a new one has begun. I'm very appreciative for my time here, the bonds I've built here. When you look down the road it's a huge part of my career. I ain't spiteful toward nobody. I'm grateful for the opportunity. It's not at all bad.' The hurt feelings may turn into scabs one day. Other players like Alonzo Mourning or Tim Hardaway or Udonis Haslem may be more beloved by the fans and organization but ultimately only LeBron James and Wade have been better than Butler — and hopefully his jersey goes into the rafters with the other Heat luminaries. One day when he's done, Butler will be enshrined into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame and even though it's not like baseball where players decide which hat goes onto their bust, it feels very likely Butler will go in as a Miami Heat. Perhaps the wounds are too fresh to even consider what that looks like, too much mud being slung both ways to see anything clearly. But for now, the Heat are headed into one uncertain future while Butler does the same — it just feels different and everyone knows why.
