The NBA is a global community of players, fans, teams and organizations that share a passion for the game of basketball. The league is rooted in innovation, and its legacy of groundbreaking moments on the court, team dynasties and personal sagas continues to inspire new generations. NBA games are played in more than 200 countries and territories and broadcast in 50 languages.
NBA history
The 77-year-old league was born of innovation in June 1946 in New York City, when Boston Garden owner Walter Brown realized that major ice hockey arenas were empty most nights and could host basketball games instead. Brown’s vision led to the formation of the Basketball Association of America, which in 1949 merged with the National Basketball League to form the National Basketball Association.
Today, the NBA is comprised of 30 teams across two conferences (East and West) who play 82 regular season games. The top eight teams in each conference make the playoffs, where they are seeded according to their records (1 vs. 8, 2 vs. 7 and so on). The first team to win four games advances, and then the winners of each conference face each other in the NBA Finals.
Each year, the NBA holds an annual event called Draft night where teams take turns selecting new players. This allows them to add fresh talent to their rosters and fill out their rosters to a minimum of 15 active players. The NBA’s prestigious Draft is not limited to people with prior basketball experience or high school/collegiate level playing time, and anyone who is 19 years old or older can submit an application.
NBA players
The best players in the NBA are some of the most talented athletes in the world, and the league has a rich tradition of history-making moments. From storied rivalries and personal sagas to the achievements of legendary coaches and dynasties, there is a lot to explore when it comes to the NBA’s rich heritage.
While most of the top players are Americans, there is a growing number of international stars who have made their mark on the league, including Canada’s Kawhi Leonard and France’s Nicolas Batum. This growing diversity is a testament to the global appeal of NBA basketball.
NBA games
The regular season is grueling for the players, with 82 games played over six months. This can lead to star players missing a significant amount of games, and the result is that playoff outcomes feel increasingly detached from regular season results. The NBA In-Season Tournament helps to bridge this gap and gives fans something to watch during a period of the year when fan attention is easily siphoned off by the NFL and college football.
In addition to the regular season, the NBA has a summer tournament that features six groups of five teams competing in a round-robin format. The winners of each group advance to the knockout rounds, where they will be joined by the two nongroup-winning teams with the best record from each conference.