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).
What are we talking about? That's right, practice. The iconic Allen Iverson practice rant turns 19 this year, and we're…
Anyway you slice it, Michael Jordan is the greatest. You can start with the six NBA championships, five MVP awards…
Keeping larger-than-life personalities Shaquille O'Neal and Charles Barkley at bay is no easy task. Ernie Johnson Jr. and Kenny Smith…
Spike Lee might be a matchmaker. In 1998, Lee recruited young NBA star Ray Allen to play Jesus Shuttlesworth opposite Denzel…
Popular guy notices girl with glasses. Girl gets a makeover, takes off glasses and *gasp* she's beautiful. Guy asks girl…
NBA games on TNT are filler in between must-watch TV. Pregame, halftime, and postgame are where the guys on Inside…
Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen. Isiah Thomas and Joe Dumars. Shaquille O'Neal and Penny Hardaway.…
A million dollars isn't cool. You know what's cool? A billion dollars. Yes, I watched The Social Network again this…
I'm currently listening to the audiobook of Three Ring Circus by Jeff Pearlman. The book documents the Los Angeles Lakers…
Alex Caruso’s hops are deceiving. They always have been and will continue to be until defenders finally learn not to…
Zach LaVine and LeBron James have something in common. They are both Slam Dunk Contest legends; LaVine for winning two and…
Dwyane Wade is one of the greatest players of his generation. D-Wade's decorated NBA career is only part of his…
The Golden State Warriors needed a jolt of energy coming out of halftime. Up 56-51 on the Sacramento Kings, they…
The heavens open up. An infectious beat fills the air. I feel like I'm at the beginning of A Knight's…
The first meeting between former Los Angeles Clippers head coach Doc Rivers and Paul George had to be awkward. Rivers…
The list of the richest players in NBA history is topped by the usual suspects. Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Kobe…
Charles Barkley is one of the NBA's most outgoing personalities and has never been afraid to speak his mind. His…
The shorts were three three sizes too big. The jersey added 15 pounds to his frame. Superstar forward Kevin Durant…
Anyway you slice it, Michael Jordan is the greatest. You can start with the six NBA championships, five MVP awards…
Basketball is a game filled with all sorts of lingo and slang. Analysts can throw around terms that may sound…
Former NBA star Chris “Birdman” Andersen earned his nickname through a spiked mohawk, dunks, tattoos, and a lengthy wingspan. In…
Allen Iverson is one of the most dynamic players in National Basketball Association history. His ball-handling skills put defenders on skates,…
The Garfield High School boys basketball team meets in the locker room for the pregame rundown. They go over matchups…
Charles Barkley is one of the NBA's most outgoing personalities and has never been afraid to speak his mind. His…
Popular guy notices girl with glasses. Girl gets a makeover, takes off glasses and *gasp* she's beautiful. Guy asks girl…
Dwyane Wade is one of the greatest players of his generation. D-Wade's decorated NBA career is only part of his…
The Black Mamba struck a final time on April 13, 2016. With five NBA Championships, two Finals MVPs, one regular-season…
College basketball is volatile. It's the sport that lends itself the most to "anything can happen." Whether that be huge…
What are we talking about? That's right, practice. The iconic Allen Iverson practice rant turns 19 this year, and we're…
Earvin “Magic” Johnson Jr. is one of the greatest players in NBA history. Among the pantheon of basketball legends, Johnson…