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Today, the NBA is one of the most popular sports in America, but that wasn’t always the case. The National Basketball Association (NBA) was founded in 1949, a result of a merger of competing organizations Basketball Association of America (BAA) and National Basketball League (NBL). At that time, the new league was comprised of 17 teams, 11 from the BAA and six from the NBL. The games were slower than the ones we watch today, though. The addition of the 24-second clock in 1954 sped up the game, added additional points to the board and drew in a new audience as the NBA was struggling to retain fans and teams.

Today, the NBA is comprised of 30 teams, including 29 in the United States and the Toronto Raptors, divided into two conferences of three divisions each having five teams. The NBA didn’t implement a three-point line until 1979. Today, with superstar player Steph Curry holding the record for the most three-point shots in a season, it may be hard for young NBA fans to imagine a time when it wasn’t a major part of the game. The 80s and 90s saw the popularity of superstar players, most notably Larry Bird and Michael Jordan, and growing interest in the industry.

Stay up to date on news involving superstar players, rookies and coaches with FanBuzz. Our writers keep up with breaking news involving drafts, trades, injuries, schedules and interesting news off the court so that you’re in the know regarding your favorite teams (and rivals).

Kobe Bryant Gifted Wife Famous Dress from ‘The Notebook’ Before His Death NBA Kobe Bryant Gifted Wife Famous Dress from ‘The Notebook’ Before His Death , Commerce Writer, 1:31pm, February 25

It was heart-wrenching to watch Vanessa Bryant speak about Kobe Bryant and her daughter Gianna Bryant at their memorial. As…
Michael Jordan Remembers Kobe Bryant in Powerful Tribute NBA Michael Jordan Remembers Kobe Bryant in Powerful Tribute , 4:54pm, February 24

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Kobe Bryant's wife offered a poignant portrait of her NBA superstar husband and their daughter Monday…
Beauty Queen Wows Crowd in Jumbotron Dance-Off NBA Beauty Queen Wows Crowd in Jumbotron Dance-Off , Senior Writer 4:39pm, February 24

Watching fans dance on jumbotrons is nothing new. It’s a classic mid-game treat that has gone on forever. Although some…
Kobe Bryant’s Widow Sues Helicopter Operators for Deaths NBA Kobe Bryant’s Widow Sues Helicopter Operators for Deaths , 2:03pm, February 24

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Kobe Bryant's widow on Monday sued the owner of the helicopter that crashed in fog and…
Woman Fails Miserably at Trampoline Dunk Attempt NBA Woman Fails Miserably at Trampoline Dunk Attempt , Senior Writer 12:43pm, February 21

The Detroit Pistons are riding the struggle bus. The NBA franchise suffered a bad losing streak before the All-Star Game…
Charles Barkley’s Net Worth: Rebounding Machine Hauled in Millions NBA Charles Barkley’s Net Worth: Rebounding Machine Hauled in Millions , The League 3:15pm, February 20

Charles Barkley is one of the NBA's most outgoing personalities and has never been afraid to speak his mind. His…
Zion Williamson’s High School Highlights Are Terrifying High School Zion Williamson’s High School Highlights Are Terrifying , The League 3:45pm, February 19

South Carolina high school gyms transformed into stages when the Spartanburg Day School came to play. Fans packed the stands…
10 LeBron James Jerseys & T-Shirts for Every King James Fan NBA 10 LeBron James Jerseys & T-Shirts for Every King James Fan , Commerce Writer, 2:39pm, February 19

It wouldn't be a reach to say that LeBron James is the best basketball player in the NBA. LeBron James…
Learn Basketball’s Positions: A Simple Guide for Average Fans NBA Learn Basketball’s Positions: A Simple Guide for Average Fans , The League 10:31am, February 19

Basketball players come in all shapes and sizes. Some specialize in scoring, some in rebounding, and some in dribbling. That…
Dwyane Wade’s Net Worth: How ‘Flash’ Made His Millions NBA Dwyane Wade’s Net Worth: How ‘Flash’ Made His Millions , The League 4:57pm, February 17

Dwyane Wade is one of the greatest players of his generation. Born Dwyane Tyrone Wade Jr. to Jolinda and Dwyane…
Chaka Khan Butchers National Anthem Performance NBA Chaka Khan Butchers National Anthem Performance , Editor 2:26pm, February 17

The Star-Spangled Banner is the most recognizable song in the United States aside from, I guess, the Happy Birthday jingle.…
1988 Slam Dunk Contest: Jordan, Wilkins Reflect on Memorable Battle NBA 1988 Slam Dunk Contest: Jordan, Wilkins Reflect on Memorable Battle , 11:08am, February 15

CHICAGO (AP) — Michael Jordan and Dominique Wilkins have never talked to one another about the 1988 dunk contest. They…
Latrell Sprewell Choked His Coach and Stained His Reputation Forever NBA Latrell Sprewell Choked His Coach and Stained His Reputation Forever , The League 5:28pm, February 11

Two of the most famous chokes in NBA history happened within a two-year span from 1995-1997. First, Indiana Pacers forward…
Dwight Howard’s 2008 NBA Dunk Contest is Still Incredible to Watch NBA Dwight Howard’s 2008 NBA Dunk Contest is Still Incredible to Watch , The League 5:36pm, February 10

The NBA Slam Dunk Contest is the highlight of All-Star Weekend. The game's highest flyers congregate for a display of…
Luka Doncic’s Mom is The Real MVP of His Basketball Journey NBA Luka Doncic’s Mom is The Real MVP of His Basketball Journey , The League 11:18am, February 7

Kevin Durant had NBA fans racing to their phones to call their moms after delivering his 2014 MVP speech. The…
Michael Jordan’s Baseball Career Was a Treat to Watch NBA Michael Jordan’s Baseball Career Was a Treat to Watch , The League 12:28pm, February 6

The sports world stood still on October 6, 1993. Michael Jordan announced he was stepping away from the game of…
The Curious Case of Charlie Ward: What If He Chose the NFL? Florida State The Curious Case of Charlie Ward: What If He Chose the NFL? , The League 12:47pm, February 5

Every so often, a transcendent NCAA athlete has their choice of which sport they could play at the professional level.…
The NBA’s Shortest Players Measure Up to the Average Man NBA The NBA’s Shortest Players Measure Up to the Average Man , The League 2:19pm, February 4

The stature of professional athletes is one of the easiest things to point out, especially in professional basketball when there…
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Kobe Bryant’s Widow Sues Helicopter Operators for Deaths NBA Kobe Bryant’s Widow Sues Helicopter Operators for Deaths , 2:03pm, February 24

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Kobe Bryant's widow on Monday sued the owner of the helicopter that crashed in fog and…
LeBron James’ Net Worth: The King’s Wealth is Nearly Untouchable NBA LeBron James’ Net Worth: The King’s Wealth is Nearly Untouchable , The League 5:44pm, January 16

LeBron James is the greatest basketball player on the planet. Debate all you want about Michael Jordan being the greatest…
Zion Williamson Rookie Cards Are Now Worth Over $100,000 NBA Zion Williamson Rookie Cards Are Now Worth Over $100,000 , The League 3:30pm, January 23

Zion Williamson was arguably the most-hyped college basketball player ever while playing for the Duke Blue Devils. The consensus 2019…
Kobe Bryant Gifted Wife Famous Dress from ‘The Notebook’ Before His Death NBA Kobe Bryant Gifted Wife Famous Dress from ‘The Notebook’ Before His Death , Commerce Writer, 1:31pm, February 25

It was heart-wrenching to watch Vanessa Bryant speak about Kobe Bryant and her daughter Gianna Bryant at their memorial. As…
Michael Jordan Remembers Kobe Bryant in Powerful Tribute NBA Michael Jordan Remembers Kobe Bryant in Powerful Tribute , 4:54pm, February 24

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Kobe Bryant's wife offered a poignant portrait of her NBA superstar husband and their daughter Monday…
Charles Barkley’s Net Worth: Rebounding Machine Hauled in Millions NBA Charles Barkley’s Net Worth: Rebounding Machine Hauled in Millions , The League 3:15pm, February 20

Charles Barkley is one of the NBA's most outgoing personalities and has never been afraid to speak his mind. His…
With 17 Siblings, Steven Adams Was Born to Be the NBA’s Top Enforcer NBA With 17 Siblings, Steven Adams Was Born to Be the NBA’s Top Enforcer , Editor 5:00pm, January 16

The days of the NBA's powerful big men are slowly dwindling. Players like Detroit Pistons' enforcer Bill Laimbeer and the…
Woman Fails Miserably at Trampoline Dunk Attempt NBA Woman Fails Miserably at Trampoline Dunk Attempt , Senior Writer 12:43pm, February 21

The Detroit Pistons are riding the struggle bus. The NBA franchise suffered a bad losing streak before the All-Star Game…
Beauty Queen Wows Crowd in Jumbotron Dance-Off NBA Beauty Queen Wows Crowd in Jumbotron Dance-Off , Senior Writer 4:39pm, February 24

Watching fans dance on jumbotrons is nothing new. It’s a classic mid-game treat that has gone on forever. Although some…
Remember Kobe Bryant with Jerseys and T-Shirts to Cherish Forever NBA Remember Kobe Bryant with Jerseys and T-Shirts to Cherish Forever , Commerce Writer, 12:21pm, January 31

It's never easy saying goodbye to one of your favorite athletes. Kobe Bryant was legendary. I grew up yelling, "Kobe"…
The NBA’s Shortest Players Measure Up to the Average Man NBA The NBA’s Shortest Players Measure Up to the Average Man , The League 2:19pm, February 4

The stature of professional athletes is one of the easiest things to point out, especially in professional basketball when there…
Dwyane Wade’s Net Worth: How ‘Flash’ Made His Millions NBA Dwyane Wade’s Net Worth: How ‘Flash’ Made His Millions , The League 4:57pm, February 17

Dwyane Wade is one of the greatest players of his generation. Born Dwyane Tyrone Wade Jr. to Jolinda and Dwyane…
Magic Johnson’s Net Worth: The Showtime Laker With a Savvy Business Mind NBA Magic Johnson’s Net Worth: The Showtime Laker With a Savvy Business Mind , The League 12:40pm, January 28

Earvin "Magic" Johnson Jr. is one of the greatest players in NBA history. Among the pantheon of basketball legends, Johnson…
Latrell Sprewell Choked His Coach and Stained His Reputation Forever NBA Latrell Sprewell Choked His Coach and Stained His Reputation Forever , The League 5:28pm, February 11

Two of the most famous chokes in NBA history happened within a two-year span from 1995-1997. First, Indiana Pacers forward…
NBA Stars With the Longest Careers for Only 1 Team NBA NBA Stars With the Longest Careers for Only 1 Team , Senior Writer 4:46pm, January 27

On a calm Thursday night in Phoenix, Dirk Nowitzki left the scorer’s table and pulled to tie the drawstring in…
WNBA Raises Average Salary Over $100,000 in Landmark Agreement NBA WNBA Raises Average Salary Over $100,000 in Landmark Agreement , The League 12:06pm, January 14

Women have traditionally been paid far less than their male counterparts in professional sports. UFC fighter Paige VanZant has complained…
Chaka Khan Butchers National Anthem Performance NBA Chaka Khan Butchers National Anthem Performance , Editor 2:26pm, February 17

The Star-Spangled Banner is the most recognizable song in the United States aside from, I guess, the Happy Birthday jingle.…
Cop in Full Uniform Embarrasses High Schooler With Step-Back Move College Basketball Cop in Full Uniform Embarrasses High Schooler With Step-Back Move , Senior Writer 5:22pm, January 29

Once upon a time, a hard foul in a local pick-up basketball game somehow earned a 911 call. It was…