You’re the unofficial basketball ref of your friend group. You know even the most obscure rules by heart. When a pal’s curious about a player, you rattle off stats like you’re an ESPN commentator. There’s no question, you know your stuff. But are you an NBA trivia MVP?
Click “Start Quiz” for the tip-off. It’s time to put your NBA knowledge to the test!
Questions Overview
- Detroit Pistons
- Chicago Bulls
- LA Lakers
- LA Lakers & Boston Celtics (tied)
- Shaquille O’Neal
- Magic Johnson
- Michael Jordan
- Bill Russel
- 40
- 25
- 29
- 30
- Kevin Durant
- LeBron James
- Michael Jordan
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
- Bill Russel
- Damian Lillard
- Reggie Miller
- Steph Curry
- 3
- 8
- 5
- 6
- Charlotte Hornets vs. Miami Heat
- LA Lakers vs. Atlanta Hawks
- New York Knicks vs. Boston Celtics
- New York Knicks vs. Toronto Huskies
- LeBron James
- Steph Curry
- Giannis Antetokounmpo
- James Harden
- 5’10”
- 5’8”
- 5’5”
- 5’3”
- 4 & 30
- 4 & 20
- 5 & 18
- 5 & 15
- Rick Carlisle
- Larry Brown
- Don Nelson
- Gregg Popovich
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
More Quizzes
NBA: The Basics, Unpacked
The NBA currently has 30 teams. Although expansion is always a possibility, as of 2023, the league consists of:
Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets, New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers, Toronto Raptors, Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Detroit Pistons, Indiana Pacers, Milwaukee Bucks, Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves, Oklahoma City Thunder, Portland Trail Blazers, Utah Jazz, Golden State Warriors, LA Clippers, LA Lakers, Phoenix Suns, Sacramento Kings, Atlanta Hawks, Charlotte Hornets, Miami Heat, Orlando Magic, Washington Wizards, Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets, Memphis Grizzlies, New Orleans Pelicans, San Antonio Spurs
Positions: 5 players are allowed on the court at once, and 8 in total throughout the game. All 5 players have unique responsibilities—and they’re all crucial to a team’s synergy and success. They are:
Point Guard - PG: Usually the smallest player on the court and the lead offensive player. Seen as the “playmaker” of the team, meaning that they initiate plays by finding open teammates.
- Famous Point Guards: Magic Johnson, Steph Curry, Steve Nash
Shooting Guard - SG: Typically, the team player who’s most comfortable handling outside shooting. Though, SG should be capable of shooting just about anywhere on the court.
- Famous Shooting Guards: Kobe Bryant, Allen Iverson, Michael Jordan
Small Forward - SF: On the smaller side physically, and a jack of all trades on the court. Skilled in rebounding, passing, and leading defense, too.
- Famous Small Forwards: Kevin, Durant, Larry Bird, LeBron James, Scottie Pippen
Power Forward - PF: Crucial to recovering the ball through rebounds and returning it to the other end of the court. Another key defensive player.
- Famous Power Forwards: Tim Duncan, Charles Barkley, Blake Griffin
Center - C: Usually the largest player on the court. Responsible for setting screens (meaning, blocking the other team’s defense to free up their own team’s offensive players) and scoring inside. Like PF, important for winning rebounds.
- Famous Centers: Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russel, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Shaquille O’Neal
Points: The goal of basketball is simple: score more points than the other team! No surprise there. But how exactly are points scored? Players can earn 1 point, 2 points, or 3 points at a time. Here’s how:
- 1 Point: If a player is fouled, their team is awarded 2 free throws from the baseline. Each successful free throw scores 1 point. So a player can earn 0, 1, or 2 points.
- 2 Points: For any shots made within the 3-pointer line, a player will earn 2 points.
- 3 Points: If a player makes a shot outside of the 3-pointer line, they earn 3 points rather than 2. Because they’re farther from the basket, these shots are harder to make (which is why they rake in the additional points!).
Want to learn more?
For more information about the NBA, check out these in-depth guides below.
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