The NBA was founded in New York City on June 6, 1946, as the Basketball
Association of America (BAA). In 1949, the National Basketball
Association name was officially adopted when the BAA merged with the
rival National Basketball League. Regarded by the league as the first
official game in its history was a November 1, 1946, contest between the
Toronto Huskies and the New York Knickerbockers at Maple Leaf Garden in
Toronto. The first league champion was the Philadelphia Warriors
(1947). The league had 17 franchises in 1949, but that number dwindled
to eight by the 1953-54 season. Between 1966 and 1968, the NBA expanded
from nine to 14 teams, including the addition of the Chicago Bulls,
Milwaukee Bucks and Phoenix Suns. Following the 1976 season, the NBA and
the rival American Basketball Association (ABA) reached a settlement in
which four ABA teams -- San Antonio Spurs, Denver Nuggets, Indiana
Pacers and New York Nets -- joined the NBA. The league expanded into
Canada in 1995 with the addition of the Vancouver Grizzlies and Toronto
Raptors. Many NBA teams have enjoyed successful eras through the
decades. The Minneapolis Lakers won the NBA title five times during a
six-year span (1949-54) to establish themselves as the league's first
dynasty. The Boston Celtics earned 11 NBA championships in 13 seasons
(1957-69), including eight in a row from 1959 to 1966; the Chicago Bulls
claimed six titles in an eight-year period (1991-98); and the Los
Angeles Lakers captured five crowns in nine years (1980-88) and another
five titles in 11 years (2000-10). Among the significant rule changes
that have occurred through the years were the 24-second clock being
instituted in 1954 and the three-point shot being established in 1979.
The NBA now includes 30 teams. The Highland Mint produces a wide variety
of products licensed by the NBA for all 30 teams. Among them are
PhotoMints, Coins, Coin Cards, Etched Acrylics, Ornaments and
Keychains.
No comments:
Post a Comment