Many of today’s NBA stars were once members of the military. One of them, Marvin Barnes, was nicknamed ‘Bad News Marvin’ because of his off-court activities. The stories of his life sound like they belong to a Charlie Sheen movie, as he was known for doing cocaine at halftime and partying with hookers. Nevertheless, despite being one of the greatest players of his time, Barnes’ career was cut short by drugs.
The NBA began in 1946, and by the early 1970s, it had already become a major part of American pop culture. Its expansion into the United States had resulted in the emergence of the San Antonio Spurs, the Denver Nuggets, and the Indiana Pacers. The NBA also welcomed a team in New York, the Brooklyn Nets. This dynasty lasted 13 seasons and gave the league its first real dynasty. The NBA also faced competition from the ABA in the late 1960s, as players and referees started to poach from the ABA. The two leagues finally merged in 1976, when Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, and the Chicago Bulls became NBA teams.
The NBA’s roots are firmly in the east, where basketball has been played for nearly a century. In 1891, Springfield, Massachusetts was the first city to host a competitive basketball game. Over the next few decades, the league has grown into an international phenomenon. With the help of new players, teams, and a growing infrastructure, the NBA has become one of the most popular sports in the world. This year marks the 125th anniversary of the NBA, and there are currently a total of 30 teams competing for the title.
Playoff seeding is determined by the regular season games. The No. 8 seed in either conference will qualify for a play-in tournament. However, this will only happen if the No. 9 seed is at least four games behind in the standings. In this case, the current No. 8 seed will be in a good position to make the playoffs. However, in order to advance in the postseason, the team must defeat the current No. 9 seed once or twice.
A 24-second shot clock discourages stalling. If a team does not score a field goal in 24 seconds, play stops. Afterward, the team must make contact with the rim in order to score. Once the rim is in place, play resumes. Eventually, this new clock will become the new standard in basketball. But can it ever make the NBA the most popular sports in the world? Only time will tell.
Each NBA team has fifteen players. Twelve of them play for their respective teams during the regular season. The remaining eight play for playoff spots. They compete within their divisions as well as against each other. Eight teams make the playoffs, and one of them is crowned the NBA champion. After four rounds, the division winners earn a spot in the postseason. The rest can make the playoffs by becoming a wild card or joining an existing team.