Once, the NBA was a minor footnote in the basketball world. But, with its expansion and consistency, it soon became a major force in American society. The league was created in 1946 as a way for NHL owners to make money when their teams were not playing. The league was the first to integrate teams from different cities into one roster. The first NBA team was based in Detroit, where the team’s name is a nod to the city’s basketball history.
When the NBA began the 1949 season, it had a number of shaky teams. The Western Division was particularly rife with trouble. Five teams faced serious financial problems, and rumors of relocation were rampant. The league looked into moving to new markets and finding other ways to attract new fans. After all, they had some great talent. In the end, the league was saved from bankruptcy. In the years that followed, the NBA grew into a multibillion-dollar business.
The NBA has a long history of TV partnerships. In the 1953-54 season, the league signed a deal with the DuMont Television Network to broadcast the NBA. From that season until April 7, 1962, NBC acquired the rights to the games. The league currently has contracts with ABC, ESPN, TNT, and TNT through the 2024-25 season. These agreements have been beneficial for the league as it has enabled the league to attract more viewers around the world.
The NBA playoffs begin in April, with the top eight teams competing for the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy. All eight conferences have three representatives in the playoffs, and the top vote-getters in each conference choose one of those two to serve as captains. The remaining fourteen All-Stars are selected by coaches. The winner of the game receives the MVP award, and the game’s best player is awarded the trophy.
The NBA faces teams from other leagues in exhibition matches since 2006 and 2009. In addition to playing against EuroLeague teams, the NBA has played with EuroLeague teams. Players born in the U.S. are considered international, though some players have dual citizenship. Kosta Koufos and Joakim Noah are examples of such players. These players are often referred to as internationals. Nonetheless, they are still players, and therefore have no problem playing in Europe.
NBA games are broadcast nationally through ESPN and Bleacher Report. Local television networks will also carry a few games nationally. In most cases, though, you will need to pay for a local TV subscription to watch a live game. However, some regional games are only available for viewing through local TV. Depending on the region you live in, you can also choose a regional team to watch on television. It is best to subscribe to NBA TV and League Pass to watch your local games.
The NBA playoffs have been dominated by teams in a given decade. From 1948 to 1968, the Boston Celtics won six NBA titles, while the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers combined for 11 NBA championships. The Golden State Warriors won three titles during this decade. During that time, the NBA field consisted of eight to fourteen teams. This lack of diversity led to the NBA being dominated by teams from California, Texas, and New York.