The National Basketball Association (NBA) is one of the professional sports leagues in the United States and Canada. It is the premier men’s basketball league in the world. There are currently 30 teams in the NBA. The league has the highest-paid players in professional sports, making it a lucrative investment. It also attracts many fans. Regardless of where you live, you can enjoy watching NBA games live. But before you watch the games, know some basics about NBA.
NBA teams aren’t immune to losing. Some teams lose more often than others and become synonymous with losing. In the case of the Los Angeles Clippers, this has led to a number of jokes. However, the team has regained its reputation in recent years. Its resurgence has helped the organization find new markets to play in. A few teams are expected to make the playoffs this season. If your team isn’t there, it’s likely that the NBA will try something different.
NBA players are free to make political statements. Since 2006, the NBA has faced teams from the EuroLeague in exhibition matches. Moreover, players born in U.S. possessions (e.g., the Virgin Islands) are considered to be international. This includes Tim Duncan, who was born in the USVI. But players born in the United States aren’t considered to be international. Unlike other sports, they’re allowed to criticize each other.
The NBA season starts in mid-October and ends in early April. Each team plays 82 games during this time. They play each other within and outside of their division to reach the playoffs. Eight teams make the playoffs and one is crowned as the champion after four rounds of play. Division champions receive an automatic bid to the postseason and other teams can enter the postseason as wildcards. As the playoffs are more competitive, the stakes are much higher than the regular season.
The NBA had its highs and lows during this decade. During this period, the league was plagued by money-losing franchises and declining television ratings. It also had a limited national appeal. However, under the leadership of David Stern, the league bounced back and developed into a booming international entertainment business. It was able to do this by implementing strict salary limitations for players. The league also expanded its All-Star Game celebrations.
The NBA has grown a lot since its beginning. In the 1950s, the league had seventeen teams, but a year later, the NBA was consolidated to eleven. In the following decade, there were eight new teams. Three of these teams were relocated and two were added. In 1966, the Chicago Bulls joined the NBA. The Chicago Bulls are considered to be the first expansion team in the NBA. The expansion boom lasted until 2004.
After the regular season ends, the league will select its honorary post-season teams. Voting will determine which teams will represent the conference at the All-Star Game. Each conference will have captains who will lead their teams. The top vote-getters will also select the rest of the All-Star starters. The remaining fourteen All-Stars will be chosen by coaches. The winner of each conference’s votes will have the first pick of the league.