The History of the NBA
The National Basketball Association (NBA) was founded in 1946 as the Basketball Association of America (BAA). Initially, the league was comprised of 11 teams, and the first official game was played on November 1, 1946.
The BAA merged with the National Basketball League (NBL) in 1949 – thus forming the NBA. Over time, the amount of teams in the league has grown substantially, allowing the NBA to become one of the most successful professional sports leagues.
Advertisement that appeared in the Toronto Daily Star on October 30, 1946, for the first NBA game. Played between the the Toronto Huskies and New York Knickerbockers at Maple Leaf Gardens. No one received free admission for their height. (Retrieved from The Canadian Encyclopedia)
In the league's early years, the Boston Celtics dominated, winning 11 championships out of the 13 seasons from 1957-69. The 1960s also saw the emergence of some of the greatest players in NBA history, including Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, and Oscar Robertson.
Expansion continued into the 1970s, with new franchises established in cities like Buffalo, Cleveland, and Portland. The dominance of the Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics erupted, with the two teams winning eight of the ten championships in the decade.
The 1980s saw the arrival of some of the greatest players of all time, including Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, and Michael Jordan. The Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers continued to be dominant teams, but the arrival of Jordan and the Chicago Bulls in the late 80s changed the league forever. The 90s belonged to the Chicago Bulls and Jordan, winning six championships in eight years.
Michael Jordan (23) of the Chicago Bulls dunks over Jeff Malone (24) of the Washington Bullets. 1990 at the Capital Center in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Jerry Wachter/NBAE via Getty Images)
The new millennium brought a rise of new superstars like LeBron James, Shaquille O'Neal, Tim Duncan, and Kobe Bryant. There was also the league's expansion to Charlotte and Memphis and the arrival of new franchises in Toronto, Vancouver, and New Orleans.
Kobe Bryant (8) and Shaquille O’Neal (34) talk during the 4th quarter of game one of the NBA Western Conference between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Portland Trail Blazers at the Staples Center on April 22, 2001. (Photo by Vince Bucci/AFP via Getty Images)
In the 2010s, the NBA saw a new era of superstars rise to prominence, including Stephen Curry, James Harden, and Kevin Durant. The decade also saw the return of dynasties, with the Golden State Warriors winning three championships and the San Antonio Spurs and Miami Heat winning multiple times. The 2010s also saw the arrival of a new generation of superstars, including Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kawhi Leonard, and Anthony Davis.
While star players dictate which teams reign dominant, the rules decide the speed of the game itself. As a result, significant rule changes have made the game into what it is today, including the implementation of a shot clock in 1954, the introduction of the three-point shot in 1979, and the introduction of a defensive three-seconds rule in 2001.
All these changes have become a crucial part of the game and have led to a more open and fast-paced style of play.
Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors shoots a three-pointer against LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers in the third game of the NBA Finals on June 7, 2017, at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
In terms of social impact, the NBA has been a leader among professional sports leagues in addressing social issues, with players and teams taking part in various initiatives to promote racial equality and social justice.
The league has also expanded internationally with the creation of the NBA Global Academy in 2016, which aims to develop elite basketball players from around the world, and the launch of the NBA Africa League in 2020, the first professional league to be operated by a North American sports league outside of the US and Canada.
Overall, the NBA has a rich history, filled with memorable moments, iconic players, and cultural impact. From its early days to today, the league has evolved and become one of the most popular and successful professional sports leagues worldwide.
