Basketball is one of the most popular sports in the United States and other parts of the world.
篮球是美国和世界其他地方最受欢迎的运动之一。
It has a history of over a century.
它已有一百多年的历史。
The inventor of basketball, James Naismith, came from Canada.
篮球的发明人詹姆斯·奈史密斯来自加拿大。
He invented basketball for his students in 1891.
他在1891年为自己的学生们发明了篮球。
At first, it was an indoor game so that students could play in bad weather.
起初，它是一项室内活动，这样天气不好的时候，学生们就能在室内玩。
Basketball soon became very popular.
篮球很快就变得大受欢迎。
In 1946 the National Basketball Association(NBA) came into being.
1946年国家篮球协会（NBA）成立。
There were many great basketbll stars in the NBA.
NBA里有许多篮球明星。
For many years they were all Americans.
很多年来他们都是美国人。
But now many good players come from other countries.
但是现在有许多优秀的运动员来自其他国家。
Basketball is both an indoor and outdoor game.
篮球既是室内活动也是室外活动。
It is a team sport with two teams of five players each.
它是一项团队运动，共有两队，每队五人。
The goal is to throw the ball through the other side's basket, and to stop the other team from doing so.
目标是把球投进对方的球篮，并且阻止对方将球投进自己的球篮。
You can throw it from any part of the court with one hand or both hands.
你可以站在场上的任何位置用单手或双手投篮。
You can also pass the ball to your teammates.
你也可以把球传给自己的队友。
But you must follow the rules.
但是必须得遵守规则。
For example, you can't hold the ball and run with it.
例如，你不能拿着球在场上奔跑。
To win basketball games, you should have good skills.
想要赢得篮球比赛，你必须掌握良好的技能。
But it is more important for you and the other players to play as a team.
但是更重要的是你要和其他队员进行团队合作。
You are sure to enjoy playing this popular sport.
你一定会喜欢这项广受欢迎的运动。
