The National Basketball Association is one of the most important professional sports leagues in the world. It was formed in 1946 with eleven teams. Since then it has expanded to 30 teams and has become a major international player in the sports world. A large portion of NBA revenue is generated through merchandising, television, and sponsorship. In addition, the league is a social force and engages in social issues such as youth and family development, health and wellness, and education.
In a regular season, each team plays eighty-two games. Each team competes against other teams within their division and against teams from other conferences. The top eight teams qualify for the playoffs. They then play a best-of-seven series to determine the champion.
The NBA Draft is held in two rounds. In the first round, the top vote-getter in each conference earns a pick. The second pick is determined by lottery results. The remaining picks are selected in the reverse order of the previous season. This system is called the 2-2-1-1-1 format. In this format, the higher seeded team plays the lower seeded team. For instance, the San Antonio Spurs defeated the Brooklyn Nets in the 2003 finals.
The regular season begins in mid-October and ends in early April. During this period, teams hold training camps, which are a chance for coaches to evaluate their players and see which ones have improved and which haven’t. Teams are then assigned a 12-man active roster and three inactive players.
During the playoffs, the best teams are selected for the best-of-seven series. First, second, and seventh seeds are played in the first round. If a team wins their series, it’s awarded a championship trophy. However, if it loses, it’s eliminated.
Besides the regular season, the NBA also has the All-Star Game. Every year, the top vote-getters are named captains of their respective conferences. From there, the rest of the starters are decided. Some of the biggest names in the game include Larry Bird, Artis Gilmore, Elvin Hayes, and Moses Malone. Other stars include Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Michael Jordan, Allen Iverson, and Karl Malone.
In addition to the playoffs, the NBA also hosts the NBA Finals. These best-of-seven series feature teams from both conferences, and the winner receives the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy. In 2004, the Los Angeles Lakers lost the Finals to the Detroit Pistons. Another team that reached the finals in the past few years was the Miami Heat. Despite their losses, the Heat has won back-to-back titles in 2012 and 2013.
Before the NBA was founded, there were several other professional sports leagues in the United States. Nevertheless, the NBA has stayed ahead of the game and continues to be a major force in the world of basketball. With over 2.1 billion followers worldwide, the NBA is an excellent example of how popular sports can attract fans. Whether you watch the game live or on TV, the NBA is a must-watch. Whether you’re a fan of the NBA, or just enjoy a good sports movie, make sure to follow the league.