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Creation of the BAA
The Basketball Association of America, or BAA, is formed. The league began playing that year with teams in eleven cities in the United States and Canada. These teams were also formed into two divisons, Eastern and Western as is today's league. -
First Coloured Player
In the 1947-1948 BAA season Wataru Misaka became the first non-white player. Misaka was drafted by the New York Knicks, but only ended up playing three games, scoring a total of seven points during his tenure. -
Formation of the NBA
The BAA and NBL, another smaller professional league, join together to create the name we know today, the National Basketball Assocation. -
Shot Clock
The NBA introducted the shot clock in the 1954-1955 season. Before, teams would end up holding the ball and passing it around in order to maintain possession. After the rule went into place however, teams had 24 seconds to take a shot or else possession would be given to the other team. -
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Russell's Dominance
Center Bill Russell of the Boston Celtics wins nine of the ten championships during the the 1960s. Bill Russell finished his career with a total of 11 rings, which is the record. -
Scoring Record
Wilt Chamberlain breaks the record for most points scored in a game with 100 against the New York Knicks. To this day Chamberlain still holds the record. -
Naismith Memorial
Building for the Naismith Memoral is finished. Named after creator of basketball, James Naismith. The Basketball Hall of Fame began inducting members in 1959, but the building was not finished until 1968. The Naismith Hall of Fame honors important contributors to basketball, not just the NBA. -
The Logo
The NBA logo of today was created. The logo is the silhouette of Lakers' guard Jerry West. The logo was molded from an picture taken by Wen Roberts -
ABA Merger
After the 1976 NBA season the NBA mergered with rival American Basketball Association, or ABA. This merger netted the league four new teams. -
Three-point Shot
For the 1979-1980 season the NBA introduced the three-point line to space the floor and allow for a more entertaining game for the viewers. -
Commisioner David Stern
David Stern takes office as commissioner. He retired this year on February 1st and was replaced by Adam Silver. -
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The GOAT
Michael Jordan wins three titles from 1991-1993. In 1994 Jordan steps away from basketball. Jordan came back for the 1994-96 season and proceeded to win that year's championship along with the next two to finish his second three-peat. He is considered by many as the greatest of all time. -
Dream Team
In the 1992 Olympics the first United States Olympicbasketball team put together with NBA players played. Eleven out of the twelve members of the Dream Team were inducted in to the Naismith Hall of Fame.
