What’s true in sports?

Matt Hoh

True or false:1. James Naismith, a teacher at a YMCA in Springfield, Mass., is credited with inventing basketball in 1891.
2. The first hoopster to win eight NBA scoring titles was Larry Bird.
3. Current Atlanta Hawks coach Lenny Wilkens has won more basketball games than any other coach.
4. Michael Jordan, who retired in January 1999 but returned to the league in 2001, has scored more than 6,000 career playoff points.
5. Michael Jordan made $36 million dollars playing basketball in 1993.

1. True: While an instructor of physical education at the International YMCA Training School, he originated basketball as a gymnasium sport. The game was originally played with a soccer ball and two peach bushel baskets, from which the game took its name. Twelve of the thirteen rules Naismith created are still basic rules of the game.
2. False: It was actually Michael Jordan.
3. True: He has a career record of 1372-1208 including playoffs.
4. False: He was a few short with 5,987 points in the playoffs – more than any other player.
5. False: He did make $36 million in 1993 but $32 million came from endorsements.