NBA is an acronym for National Basketball Association. It is played on an indoor court with a basket hoop ten feet in the air. The aim of the game is to shoot a ball through the hoop of the opposing team to gain points. If the shooter is within the semicircle and lines on the floor around the basket, he makes two points. If he is outside the lines, he makes three points. NBA regulations call for five players within each team. One of the NBA teams in California is the Los Angeles Lakers. Phil Jackson is the head coach for the Los Angeles Lakers. Assistant coaches include Frank Hamblen, Brian Shaw and Jim Cleamons. The player who helps the coaches the most is the team leader. He is the one who is the most strategic. He can think on his feet, making quick decisions. That person is Kobe Bryant. He plays point guard. He makes sure everyone is in position and makes the right moves. Both guards must be good shooters. The center is usually the tallest player on the team. Andrew Bynum is center for the Los Angeles Lakers. He must be good at taking the ball away from the opposing team to make baskets close to the hoop. Ron Artest plays small forward guard. That position requires a person who is quick. He must be able to maneuver close to the basket, or he must be able to shoot well from the three point zone. Shannon Brown is another forward. He must pass well. Brown also shoots well. Pau Gasol plays forward or center because he can score baskets from all areas of the court. He is not a starter, but still plays a lot because of his talent. The Los Angeles Lakers have won the NBA championship for two consecutive years.
