Pallacanestro · Curiosità
Capitolo 5: Equipaggiamento e tecnologia
10 test · 100 fatti · aggiornato il 24 ottobre 2026 · markdown
The kit and the tools: the ball's story, broken backboards, sneakers and uniforms, famous goggles and masks, the ice under the floor, replay and tracking, how players are measured, game wheelchairs and the companies behind the kit.
5.51The Ball's Story
Spalding, the orange ball, the leather, the signature, Wilson, Molten and the WNBA's two-tone ball.
Test 1the history of the ballFai un test
Naismith asked for a ball made for the new game.
Fonte: Spalding (spalding.com); Wilson (wilson.com); Molten (molten.co.jp); NBA (nba.com); WNBA (wnba.com) · richiamo
Each new commissioner's name replaces the last.
Fonte: Spalding (spalding.com); Wilson (wilson.com); Molten (molten.co.jp); NBA (nba.com); WNBA (wnba.com) · richiamo
Earlier balls were a darker brown.
Fonte: Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (hoophall.com) · richiamo
The same firm makes leather for American footballs.
Fonte: Spalding (spalding.com); Wilson (wilson.com); Molten (molten.co.jp); NBA (nba.com); WNBA (wnba.com) · richiamo
Spalding had made the NBA ball since 1983.
Fonte: Spalding (spalding.com); Wilson (wilson.com); Molten (molten.co.jp); NBA (nba.com); WNBA (wnba.com) · richiamo
The company is based in Hiroshima.
Fonte: Spalding (spalding.com); Wilson (wilson.com); Molten (molten.co.jp); NBA (nba.com); WNBA (wnba.com) · richiamo
From 1983 to 2021.
Fonte: Spalding (spalding.com); Wilson (wilson.com); Molten (molten.co.jp); NBA (nba.com); WNBA (wnba.com) · richiamo
The 1890s, the late 1950s, 2006 and 2021.
Fonte: Spalding (spalding.com); Wilson (wilson.com); Molten (molten.co.jp); NBA (nba.com); WNBA (wnba.com) · richiamo
1876, 1913 and 1958.
Fonte: Spalding (spalding.com); Wilson (wilson.com); Molten (molten.co.jp); NBA (nba.com); WNBA (wnba.com) · richiamo
The ball was meant to stand out for the new women's league.
Fonte: Spalding (spalding.com); Wilson (wilson.com); Molten (molten.co.jp); NBA (nba.com); WNBA (wnba.com) · richiamo
5.52Hoops, Nets and Shattered Backboards
Chuck Connors, Chocolate Thunder, Shaq in Phoenix and the spare basket.
Test 1broken backboards and basketsFai un test
He starred as The Rifleman.
Fonte: Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (hoophall.com) · richiamo
One of them was in Kansas City.
Fonte: NBA History and NBA.com (nba.com) · richiamo
He named his dunks too, with long rhyming titles.
Fonte: NBA History and NBA.com (nba.com) · richiamo
He said he practised dunks there.
Fonte: NBA History and NBA.com (nba.com) · richiamo
The 24-second clock on top came down with it.
Fonte: NBA History and NBA.com (nba.com) · richiamo
Every broken board stopped a game for a long time.
Fonte: NBA History and NBA.com (nba.com) · richiamo
Changing a broken unit can then take minutes rather than an hour.
Fonte: NBA History and NBA.com (nba.com) · richiamo
1946, 1979 and 1988.
Fonte: Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (hoophall.com) · richiamo
1975, 1979 and 1993.
Fonte: NBA History and NBA.com (nba.com) · richiamo
The broadcaster Bill Raftery shouted 'Send it in, Jerome!'
Fonte: University of Pittsburgh Athletics (pittsburghpanthers.com); ESPN (espn.com) · richiamo
5.53Sneakers Through Time
Converse, the shell toe, the Clyde, Air Force 1, the Pump and the $15 shoe.
Test 1the history of basketball shoesFai un test
It was a basketball shoe long before it became a fashion shoe.
Fonte: Converse (converse.com); adidas (adidas-group.com); Puma (about.puma.com); Nike (about.nike.com); Reebok (reebok.com) · richiamo
Many NBA players wore it in the 1970s.
Fonte: Converse (converse.com); adidas (adidas-group.com); Puma (about.puma.com); Nike (about.nike.com); Reebok (reebok.com) · richiamo
It was one of the first shoes named after an NBA player.
Fonte: Converse (converse.com); adidas (adidas-group.com); Puma (about.puma.com); Nike (about.nike.com); Reebok (reebok.com) · richiamo
It was designed by Bruce Kilgore.
Fonte: Converse (converse.com); adidas (adidas-group.com); Puma (about.puma.com); Nike (about.nike.com); Reebok (reebok.com) · richiamo
Dee Brown pumped his up before dunking in the 1991 contest.
Fonte: Converse (converse.com); adidas (adidas-group.com); Puma (about.puma.com); Nike (about.nike.com); Reebok (reebok.com) · richiamo
He trained as an architect before joining Nike.
Fonte: Converse (converse.com); adidas (adidas-group.com); Puma (about.puma.com); Nike (about.nike.com); Reebok (reebok.com) · richiamo
He wanted children to afford good basketball shoes.
Fonte: Converse (converse.com); adidas (adidas-group.com); Puma (about.puma.com); Nike (about.nike.com); Reebok (reebok.com) · richiamo
1917, 1969, 1982 and 1985.
Fonte: Converse (converse.com); adidas (adidas-group.com); Puma (about.puma.com); Nike (about.nike.com); Reebok (reebok.com) · richiamo
1973, 1985 and 2006.
Fonte: Converse (converse.com); adidas (adidas-group.com); Puma (about.puma.com); Nike (about.nike.com); Reebok (reebok.com) · richiamo
The deal was worth about $305 million.
Fonte: Converse (converse.com); adidas (adidas-group.com); Puma (about.puma.com); Nike (about.nike.com); Reebok (reebok.com) · richiamo
5.54Shorts, Jerseys and Uniforms
Baggy shorts, tear-aways, sleeves, editions, patches and short shorts.
Test 1uniforms through timeFai un test
Young players everywhere copied the look.
Fonte: NBA uniform histories (nba.com); University of Michigan Athletics (mgoblue.com) · richiamo
Snap buttons ran down each leg.
Fonte: NBA uniform histories (nba.com); University of Michigan Athletics (mgoblue.com) · richiamo
Some players were seen tugging at the sleeves during games.
Fonte: NBA uniform histories (nba.com); University of Michigan Athletics (mgoblue.com) · richiamo
The editions also include Association and Statement.
Fonte: NBA uniform histories (nba.com); University of Michigan Athletics (mgoblue.com) · richiamo
The patches appeared from the 2017-18 season.
Fonte: NBA uniform histories (nba.com); University of Michigan Athletics (mgoblue.com) · richiamo
He wore it with Boston for fourteen seasons.
Fonte: NBA uniform histories (nba.com); University of Michigan Athletics (mgoblue.com) · richiamo
His shorts became one of the NBA's jokes.
Fonte: NBA uniform histories (nba.com); University of Michigan Athletics (mgoblue.com) · richiamo
1992, 2013 and 2017.
Fonte: NBA uniform histories (nba.com); University of Michigan Athletics (mgoblue.com) · richiamo
From 2001, 2006 and 2017.
Fonte: NBA uniform histories (nba.com); University of Michigan Athletics (mgoblue.com) · richiamo
The kit had short sleeves, like a T-shirt.
Fonte: NBA uniform histories (nba.com); University of Michigan Athletics (mgoblue.com) · richiamo
5.55Goggles, Masks and Sleeves
Kareem, Rambis, Grant, Worthy, Kobe's black mask and Iverson's sleeve.
Test 1famous goggles, masks and sleevesFai un test
Opponents' fingers kept catching his eyes under the basket.
Fonte: NBA History (nba.com); team histories on the teams' official sites · richiamo
Fans called him Clark Kent.
Fonte: NBA History (nba.com); team histories on the teams' official sites · richiamo
He wore them through three title seasons.
Fonte: NBA History (nba.com); team histories on the teams' official sites · richiamo
He was Finals MVP in 1988.
Fonte: NBA History (nba.com); team histories on the teams' official sites · richiamo
He had broken his nose in the All-Star Game.
Fonte: NBA History (nba.com); team histories on the teams' official sites · richiamo
He had a detached retina.
Fonte: NBA History (nba.com); team histories on the teams' official sites · richiamo
It often hangs half out of his mouth.
Fonte: NBA History (nba.com); team histories on the teams' official sites · richiamo
The 1970s, 2001 and 2012.
Fonte: NBA History (nba.com); team histories on the teams' official sites · richiamo
2003, 2012 and 2014.
Fonte: NBA History (nba.com); team histories on the teams' official sites · richiamo
He first wore it because of a swollen elbow.
Fonte: NBA History (nba.com); team histories on the teams' official sites · richiamo
5.56Ice Under the Floor
Arenas shared with ice hockey and the changeover between games.
Test 1courts laid over iceFai un test
It opened in 2001.
Fonte: Arena operators' official sites (msg.com; cryptoarena.com; scotiabankarena.com; americanairlinescenter.com); NBA (nba.com) · richiamo
Arena crews can do it between an afternoon and an evening game.
Fonte: Arena operators' official sites (msg.com; cryptoarena.com; scotiabankarena.com; americanairlinescenter.com); NBA (nba.com) · richiamo
The panels lock together like a puzzle.
Fonte: Arena operators' official sites (msg.com; cryptoarena.com; scotiabankarena.com; americanairlinescenter.com); NBA (nba.com) · richiamo
The two teams sometimes play there on the same day.
Fonte: Arena operators' official sites (msg.com; cryptoarena.com; scotiabankarena.com; americanairlinescenter.com); NBA (nba.com) · richiamo
The arena opened in 1999.
Fonte: Arena operators' official sites (msg.com; cryptoarena.com; scotiabankarena.com; americanairlinescenter.com); NBA (nba.com) · richiamo
Insulated boards keep the cold away from the court.
Fonte: Arena operators' official sites (msg.com; cryptoarena.com; scotiabankarena.com; americanairlinescenter.com); NBA (nba.com) · richiamo
The ice itself stays frozen underneath.
Fonte: Arena operators' official sites (msg.com; cryptoarena.com; scotiabankarena.com; americanairlinescenter.com); NBA (nba.com) · richiamo
About 61 x 26 m, 28 x 15 m and 15 x 11 m.
Fonte: Arena operators' official sites (msg.com; cryptoarena.com; scotiabankarena.com; americanairlinescenter.com); NBA (nba.com) · richiamo
The court sits on insulated boards laid over the frozen rink.
Fonte: Arena operators' official sites (msg.com; cryptoarena.com; scotiabankarena.com; americanairlinescenter.com); NBA (nba.com) · richiamo
5.57Replay, Cameras and Tracking
Instant replay, the Replay Center, challenges and tracking cameras.
Test 1replay and trackingFai un test
Officials could check whether a last shot beat the clock.
Fonte: NBA Official, 'Replay Center' and 'Last Two Minute Reports' (official.nba.com); NBA (nba.com) · richiamo
Officials there review plays from every game.
Fonte: NBA Official, 'Replay Center' and 'Last Two Minute Reports' (official.nba.com); NBA (nba.com) · richiamo
A successful challenge is kept by the coach.
Fonte: NBA Official, 'Replay Center' and 'Last Two Minute Reports' (official.nba.com); NBA (nba.com) · richiamo
Second Spectrum took over in 2017.
Fonte: NBA Official, 'Replay Center' and 'Last Two Minute Reports' (official.nba.com); NBA (nba.com) · richiamo
They say which calls were right or wrong.
Fonte: NBA Official, 'Replay Center' and 'Last Two Minute Reports' (official.nba.com); NBA (nba.com) · richiamo
Hawk-Eye also checks line calls in tennis.
Fonte: NBA Official, 'Replay Center' and 'Last Two Minute Reports' (official.nba.com); NBA (nba.com) · richiamo
A starter covers more than 3 km in a typical game.
Fonte: NBA Official, 'Replay Center' and 'Last Two Minute Reports' (official.nba.com); NBA (nba.com) · richiamo
2002, 2013, 2014 and 2019.
Fonte: NBA Official, 'Replay Center' and 'Last Two Minute Reports' (official.nba.com); NBA (nba.com) · richiamo
From 2013, 2017 and 2023.
Fonte: NBA Official, 'Replay Center' and 'Last Two Minute Reports' (official.nba.com); NBA (nba.com) · richiamo
SportVU recorded 25 frames a second.
Fonte: NBA Official, 'Replay Center' and 'Last Two Minute Reports' (official.nba.com); NBA (nba.com) · richiamo
5.58Measuring Players
Barefoot heights, the Draft Combine, wingspan, reach and big hands.
Test 1how players are measuredFai un test
Listed heights had grown by an inch or two with shoes.
Fonte: NBA Draft Combine measurements (nba.com/stats/draft/combine) · richiamo
Prospects are measured and tested there before the draft.
Fonte: NBA Draft Combine measurements (nba.com/stats/draft/combine) · richiamo
Players shuffle, sprint and backpedal round the lane.
Fonte: NBA Draft Combine measurements (nba.com/stats/draft/combine) · richiamo
The rim is 3.05 m high.
Fonte: NBA Draft Combine measurements (nba.com/stats/draft/combine) · richiamo
They measured 9.75 inches long and 11.25 inches wide.
Fonte: NBA Draft Combine measurements (nba.com/stats/draft/combine) · richiamo
A long wingspan for one's height helps on defence.
Fonte: NBA Draft Combine measurements (nba.com/stats/draft/combine) · richiamo
He stood 2.31 m tall.
Fonte: NBA Draft Combine measurements (nba.com/stats/draft/combine) · richiamo
Reach adds the arm stretched up above the head.
Fonte: NBA Draft Combine measurements (nba.com/stats/draft/combine) · richiamo
About 2.31 m, 2.24 m and 2.06 m.
Fonte: NBA Draft Combine measurements (nba.com/stats/draft/combine) · richiamo
Many great defenders have a wingspan well beyond their height.
Fonte: NBA Draft Combine measurements (nba.com/stats/draft/combine) · richiamo
5.59Wheelchairs and Adaptive Basketball
How game chairs are built, the first teams and Special Olympics Unified play.
Test 1wheelchair and adaptive basketballFai un test
Veterans of the Second World War formed the first teams.
Fonte: International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (iwbf.org); International Paralympic Committee (paralympic.org); Special Olympics (specialolympics.org) · richiamo
A guard's chair is set up differently from a centre's.
Fonte: International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (iwbf.org); International Paralympic Committee (paralympic.org); Special Olympics (specialolympics.org) · richiamo
A light chair turns and speeds up faster.
Fonte: International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (iwbf.org); International Paralympic Committee (paralympic.org); Special Olympics (specialolympics.org) · richiamo
Straps let players tilt the chair to reach higher.
Fonte: International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (iwbf.org); International Paralympic Committee (paralympic.org); Special Olympics (specialolympics.org) · richiamo
He won three Paralympic golds with Canada.
Fonte: International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (iwbf.org); International Paralympic Committee (paralympic.org); Special Olympics (specialolympics.org) · richiamo
Teammates of mixed ability play side by side.
Fonte: International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (iwbf.org); International Paralympic Committee (paralympic.org); Special Olympics (specialolympics.org) · richiamo
The push rims are hard on bare skin.
Fonte: International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (iwbf.org); International Paralympic Committee (paralympic.org); Special Olympics (specialolympics.org) · richiamo
The mid-1940s, 1948 and 1960.
Fonte: International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (iwbf.org); International Paralympic Committee (paralympic.org); Special Olympics (specialolympics.org) · richiamo
The small wheel at the back stops the chair tipping over.
Fonte: International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (iwbf.org); International Paralympic Committee (paralympic.org); Special Olympics (specialolympics.org) · richiamo
Camber makes the chair steadier and quicker to turn.
Fonte: International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (iwbf.org); International Paralympic Committee (paralympic.org); Special Olympics (specialolympics.org) · richiamo
5.60The Companies Behind the Kit
Spalding, Wilson, adidas and Puma, Nike, Converse, Li-Ning and Under Armour.
Test 1the companies that make the kitFai un test
He opened his sporting goods shop in Chicago in 1876.
Fonte: The companies' own histories: Spalding, Converse, adidas, Puma, Nike, Molten, Li-Ning (lining.com), Under Armour (about.underarmour.com), Wilson · richiamo
It first made goods such as racket strings from by-products.
Fonte: The companies' own histories: Spalding, Converse, adidas, Puma, Nike, Molten, Li-Ning (lining.com), Under Armour (about.underarmour.com), Wilson · richiamo
Adi and Rudolf Dassler split their shoe firm in 1948.
Fonte: The companies' own histories: Spalding, Converse, adidas, Puma, Nike, Molten, Li-Ning (lining.com), Under Armour (about.underarmour.com), Wilson · richiamo
Phil Knight and his coach Bill Bowerman started it.
Fonte: The companies' own histories: Spalding, Converse, adidas, Puma, Nike, Molten, Li-Ning (lining.com), Under Armour (about.underarmour.com), Wilson · richiamo
Marquis Mills Converse started it in Malden.
Fonte: The companies' own histories: Spalding, Converse, adidas, Puma, Nike, Molten, Li-Ning (lining.com), Under Armour (about.underarmour.com), Wilson · richiamo
Li Ning won three golds at the 1984 Olympics.
Fonte: The companies' own histories: Spalding, Converse, adidas, Puma, Nike, Molten, Li-Ning (lining.com), Under Armour (about.underarmour.com), Wilson · richiamo
He played for the University of Maryland.
Fonte: The companies' own histories: Spalding, Converse, adidas, Puma, Nike, Molten, Li-Ning (lining.com), Under Armour (about.underarmour.com), Wilson · richiamo
1876, 1908, 1949 and 1964.
Fonte: The companies' own histories: Spalding, Converse, adidas, Puma, Nike, Molten, Li-Ning (lining.com), Under Armour (about.underarmour.com), Wilson · richiamo
1948, 1958 and 1990.
Fonte: The companies' own histories: Spalding, Converse, adidas, Puma, Nike, Molten, Li-Ning (lining.com), Under Armour (about.underarmour.com), Wilson · richiamo
Her name in Greek is Nike.
Fonte: The companies' own histories: Spalding, Converse, adidas, Puma, Nike, Molten, Li-Ning (lining.com), Under Armour (about.underarmour.com), Wilson · richiamo
Fonti
Primary/official sources only, no Wikipedia citations: the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, the NBA, FIBA, the EuroLeague, the NCAA, the WNBA, clubs' and universities' own histories, auction houses' published results and named reputable media.
- Converse (converse.com); adidas (adidas-group.com); Puma (about.puma.com); Nike (about.nike.com); Reebok (reebok.com)10
- NBA uniform histories (nba.com); University of Michigan Athletics (mgoblue.com)10
- NBA History (nba.com); team histories on the teams' official sites10
- Arena operators' official sites (msg.com; cryptoarena.com; scotiabankarena.com; americanairlinescenter.com); NBA (nba.com)10
- NBA Official, 'Replay Center' and 'Last Two Minute Reports' (official.nba.com); NBA (nba.com)10
- NBA Draft Combine measurements (nba.com/stats/draft/combine)10
- International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (iwbf.org); International Paralympic Committee (paralympic.org); Special Olympics (specialolympics.org)10
- The companies' own histories: Spalding, Converse, adidas, Puma, Nike, Molten, Li-Ning (lining.com), Under Armour (about.underarmour.com), Wilson10
- Spalding (spalding.com); Wilson (wilson.com); Molten (molten.co.jp); NBA (nba.com); WNBA (wnba.com)9
- NBA History and NBA.com (nba.com)7
- Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (hoophall.com)3
- University of Pittsburgh Athletics (pittsburghpanthers.com); ESPN (espn.com)1