On this date. . .

Posted on 03. Aug, 2012 by in Interesting News

On August 3, 1949, the NBA was created thanks to a merger of the Basketball Association of America and the National Basketball League. By combining the two leagues, the NBA unified its star players (like Lakers legend and apparently Clark Kent look-a-like, George Mikan) and strengthened its fan base. The league now stood at 17 teams, but would be trimmed down to 11 just one year later.

© Everett / Glow Images.

Here are the original 17:

  • Boston Celtics
  • Chicago Stags
  • Cleveland Rebels
  • Detroit Falcons
  • New York Knickerbockers
  • Philadelphia Warriors
  • Pittsburgh Ironmen
  • Providence Steamrollers
  • St. Louis Bombers
  • Toronto Huskies
  • Washington Capitols
  • Ft. Wayne Pistons
  • Minneapolis Lakers
  • Rochester Royals
  • Tri-City Blackhawks
  • Syracuse Nationals
  • Baltimore Bullets

The NBA hit hard times in the 1950′s, but the advent of the 24-second shot clock brought back fans in the 1960′s and it has grown to the behemoth it is today.

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