Brief History of the NBA
In the Philippines, NBA basketball occupies a special place in the hearts of Filipino sports fans. It’s the source of inspiration for many players, and many amateurs dream to be part of its story. The fascination with basketball, NBA, and its players is understandable, knowing the deep relations between the Philippines and the United States. The latter colonized the former, and some of its games and leisure activities became part of the lifestyle, NBA basketball included.
As a league, NBA is well-respected since it’s the professional league for both US and Canada. On June 6, 1946, the league was founded in New York and was formerly called the Basketball Association of America (BAA). Soon, it changed its name to NBA after it merged with the National Basketball League (NBL) in 1949. Another merger happened in 1976 that added four franchises to the league.
How the NBA became popular in the Philippines
The Filipinos’ passion for the sport dates to the late 19th century, way before the birth of NBA basketball. As part of the colonization, the American forces introduced the basketball game to the Filipinos. The aim was to revise and improve the public school system officially. Initially, the US soldiers pushed for baseball, but locals loved basketball more. As such, this sport was carried by the public school system. And after just 15 years, the Philippines earned the gold medal in the 1913 Far Eastern Games.
The NBA served as the country’s inspiration in setting up its professional league, the Philippine Basketball Association or PBA, in 1975. Initially, the game rules of the PBA were influenced by NBA basketball, but the rules changed to help players become more competitive. Basketball’s popularity in the country continued during the 1980s and 1990s with the entry of famous NBA players such as Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Larry Bird, Charles Barkley, and Karl Malone. In addition, the dominance of popular NBA teams such as the Chicago Bulls and LA Lakers also captured the imagination of many Filipinos and sports enthusiasts.
Top 3 NBA Teams in History
Throughout its history, enthusiasts and fans have argued about the best teams. This list is always debatable, and fans and watchers will always have their favorites. Also, a basketball team NBA club can have an excellent or average NBA season. Consistency in performance is an issue since players come and go, thanks to trades, the NBA drafts, or even retirements. But for this article, we’ll include three teams as the best: Chicago Bulls (1995-96), LA Lakers (1986-87), and Boston Celtics (1985-86).
For our list, the greatest is the Bulls team of 95-96, which scored a record of 72-10. 1995-96 is when the team achieved greatness, and Jordan made a surprise comeback. Our second-best team is the Lakers, with a 65-17 record during the 1985-86 season. It was the time when the Lakers reclaimed the title after losing to the Rockets in the Western Conference Finals. Finally, there’s the Celtics with a 67-15 during the 1985-86 season. The team beat the Bulls, Hawks, Bucks, and the Rockets to win the crown.
The NBA Season – When does it start, and how long is it?
The regular season starts with the team’s training in late September. This is the time when coaches and trainers scout players, look for standouts and prepare their teams for the next NBA games. It’s also when fans start receiving NBA news about players jumping into other teams.
After the training camp, NBA basketball proceeds to a series of preseason exhibition games. Also, there are preseason games held overseas. Finally, the NBA basketball regular-season starts in the last week of October.
During the regular season, each NBA team plays 82 games. A team plays 41 games on the home NBA basketball court and the rest away. Another exciting event of the league is the All-Star Break, a fan favorite, usually set during February. The regular season runs until the middle of April, which signals its end. From this point, the league announces the schedule of the championship and the post-season activities.
Are there any Filipino Players in the NBA?
NBA basketball is big in the Philippines, and amateur players dream of playing in the league. So, it isn’t surprising to know that successful Filipino players made it in the business. One notable Filipino name that made the line-up is Jordan Clarkson, part of the 2014 NBA basketball draft. First, as a Filipino-American, Clarkson was drafted by the LA Lakers. Soon, he joined Utah Jazz, where he found his game.
Another famous player who made it in NBA basketball is Jalen Green. When drafted, Green became the highest-drafted Asian-American player and the third player with Filipino blood. Before his stint with the NBA, Green was a team member that won three gold medals at the World Cup and the Americas Championship of FIBA. Green has played in the Philippines, too, as an NBTC Fil-Am Select Team player.
FAQ
1. Who is the #1 team in the NBA’s history?
In many experts’ lists and surveys, the Chicago Bulls of the 1995-96 season is considered the best team. It was the season when the Bulls notched a 72-10 record and the time when Jordan returned to play his favorite sport: basketball NBA games.
2. How many NBA basketball teams are there?
For the 2020-21 season, the NBA boasts 30 teams. The teams fall into two conferences- the Eastern and Western Conferences. And on each conference, teams belong to a division.
3. How many players are there on an NBA basketball team?
Each team can have up to 15 players in NBA basketball, and 13 teams can be active during each game. But during the actual game, only five players from each team can play and contribute to NBA scores.
4. What kind of basketball does the NBA use?
The NBA has partnered with different sports brands to deliver the basketball for use in the game. Since 1983, the league has used all from Spalding made from full-grain leather and meets strict quality requirements. But for the 2021-22 season, the teams will switch to Wilson.
