Basketball is a sport that is played at the elite level and is dominated by star players. The league is known for its fast-paced game and has produced some of the biggest names in sports history, including Michael Jordan, LeBron James, and Kobe Bryant. The NBA also has a strong social impact, with many of its teams and players engaging in initiatives to promote equality and justice.
The NBA season runs from October to April, with each team playing 82 games. The playoffs are best-of-seven series, with the top seeds receiving home-court advantage in each round. The top six teams in each conference qualify for the playoffs automatically, and the remaining four spots are determined by standard NBA tiebreaker rules.
Each year, the NBA recognizes the top performers in several categories, including Most Valuable Player (MVP), Defensive Player of the Year, and the Rookie of the Year. The NBA has also instituted a number of rules designed to improve the game, such as the introduction of the shot clock in 1954 and the defensive three-seconds rule in 1979. These changes have helped to create a more open and faster-paced style of play.
There are 30 teams in the NBA, split into two 15-team conferences with three divisions each. Each team plays all other teams in the same conference twice during the regular season. The NBA finals are a best-of-seven matchup between the winners of each conference.
In addition to the on-court action, the NBA is renowned for its off-court activity and has long been one of the most progressive professional sports leagues in terms of social justice and diversity initiatives. Several of its players, coaches, and owners have taken part in efforts to address issues such as race and gender equality.
Teams begin the season with training camps in September, which allow them to observe their players and evaluate their talent. During this time, some players are cut and others join the roster. The final roster size varies from team to team, but the maximum is 15. Each team is allowed five non-active roster spots, which are used for injured players or role players.
A good strategy is to build a depth chart that allows for flexibility during the regular season. The most successful teams have a core of talented players and a versatile bench that can fill in for injuries or substitutions. The Philadelphia 76ers, Denver Nuggets, and Dallas Mavericks are examples of well-rounded teams that have excelled this season.
The NBA’s salary cap is an important factor in the competitiveness of the league. Although the cap has been broken by several teams, it does help to limit super-teams by forcing them to spend their resources wisely and to focus on building a roster that can win championships. The cap is enforced by a combination of monetary restrictions and the threat of hefty fines. However, the monetary limits are often exceeded, with some teams attempting to compensate for their high spending by signing local talent or adding veteran players who can contribute to the team’s winning culture.