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NBA History

By dtdav

  • BAA

    BAA
    There was 11 teams:
    East side: Boston Celtics, New York Knicks, Philadelphia Warriors, Providence Steamrollers, Toronto Huskies, Washington Capitols. West side: Chicago stats, Cleveland Rebels, Detroit Falcons, Pittsburgh Ironmen, St. Louis Bombers. Four of these teams fold after the season; Cleveland Rebels, Detroit Falcons, Pittsburgh Ironmen, and Toronto Huskies.

  • First BAA Game

    First BAA Game
    The first-ever BAA game took place at Maple Leaf Gardens on November 1, 1946, against the Toronto Huskies hosting the Knicks. In front of 7,090 fans, the Knicks won 68-66 against the Huskies.

  • BAA+NBL=NBA

    BAA+NBL=NBA
    National Basketball Association (NBA), professional basketball league formed in the United States in 1949 by the merger of two rival organizations, the National Basketball League and the Basketball Association of America

  • First Colored NBA Player

    First Colored NBA Player
    Oct. 31, 1950: Earl Lloyd, Chuck Cooper and Nat “Sweetwater” Clifton break the color barrier in the NBA as the league's first Black players. Lloyd is the first to make his debut in the NBA on Oct. 31, 1950 with the Washington Capitols. Cooper is the first Black player drafted by an NBA team as the 13th overall selection and Clifton was the first Black player to sign a contract.

  • First 100 points

    First 100 points
    Wilt Chamberlain scores 100 points in a single game, setting an NBA record.

  • Expansion

    Expansion
    The NBA expands by adding the San Diego Rockets, now the Houston Rockets

  • ABA merges with NBA

    ABA merges with NBA
    The NBA merges with the American Basketball Association (ABA), adding four teams: the Denver Nuggets, Indiana Pacers, New Jersey Nets, and San Antonio Spurs.

  • NBA Championship

    NBA Championship
    Magic Johnson leads the Los Angeles Lakers to the NBA Championship and wins Finals MVP.

  • Celtics vs. Lakers

    Celtics vs. Lakers
    The Boston Celtics, led by Larry Bird, defeat the Los Angeles Lakers in the Finals.

  • "Showtime" era

    "Showtime" era
    The Lakers win the Championship in the "Showtime" era, with Magic Johnson named Finals MVP.

  • Michael Jordan

    Michael Jordan
    Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls win their first Championship, starting a dynasty.

  • 1992 Olympics

    1992 Olympics
    The “Dream Team” (USA Men's Basketball team) wins gold at the Barcelona Olympics.

  • New Teams

    New Teams
    The NBA adds the Toronto Raptors and Vancouver Grizzlies (Now Memphis Grizzlies).

  • Lakers Championship

    Lakers Championship
    The Los Angeles Lakers win the Championship, starting a three-peat with Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant.

  • LeBron James

    LeBron James
    LeBron James is drafted first overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers. https://youtu.be/U_Q3ZzrCAeU

  • Pistons Win Championship

    Pistons Win Championship
    The Detroit Pistons win the Championship, defeating the Lakers in the finals.

  • 16th Championship Win

    16th Championship Win
    The Los Angeles Lakers win their 16th Championship with Kobe Bryant earning finals MVP.

  • Miami Heat Championship

    Miami Heat Championship
    LeBron James and the Miami Heat win the Championship, starting a two-year reign.

  • Toronto Raptors first Championship Win

    Toronto Raptors first Championship Win
    The Toronto Raptors, led by Kawhi Leonard, win their first Championship.

  • Denver Nuggets First Championship Win

    Denver Nuggets First Championship Win
    The Denver Nuggets win their First NBA Championship, led by Nikola Jokić. https://youtu.be/Qfjqgg5B4U0