Rules, teams and the NBA — explained in plain English, no jargon.
Five players a side. Throw the ball through a hoop 10 feet up. Most points wins. That's the whole sport.
Inside the arc = 2 points. Beyond the arc = 3. Free throw = 1. NBA games usually end 100–130.
Point guard runs the show. Shooting guard scores. Small forward does a bit of everything. Power forward battles inside. Center guards the rim.
Foul = illegal contact. Traveling = too many steps. Shot clock = 24 seconds to shoot. Learn these five calls and you get 90% of stoppages.
The 24-second clock keeps the game moving. When it hits single digits, something exciting is about to happen.
A 110–105 game is not a shootout — it's a normal Tuesday. High scores are basketball's default.
30 teams, East vs West. 82 games each from autumn to spring. Then best-of-seven playoffs, ending in the Finals.
Pick a team, watch one full game, and just follow the ball. The rules will click faster than you think.
Read the full guide — rules, positions and the NBA, step by step.