The Evolution Of the NBA

Basketball in the Early 1900s: The NBL and the ABL and the birth of the NBA

The first organized basketball league, the National Basketball League (NBL), was established in 1898 but lasted only six years due to financial instability. However, its formation set the stage for future leagues. The American Basketball League (ABL), created in 1925, introduced the concept of professional contracts and team management, marking a turning point in the sport’s development​

In 1949, the Basketball Association of America (BAA), founded in 1946, merged with the NBL (now reinstated) to form the NBA. This merger led to the establishment of iconic franchises like the Boston Celtics, New York Knicks, and Los Angeles Lakers (then the Minneapolis Lakers).

The 1950s and 60s saw the emergence of legends like Bill Russell, whose defensive skills helped the Celtics win 11 championships in 13 seasons, Wilt Chamberlain, one of the greatest scorers of all time, his most famous feat: scoring 100 points in a game, and Oscar Robertson.

The 50s also had one of the most important inventions in the history of the sport: The Shot Clock, a 24 second clock that requires the offence to put up a shot within 24 seconds of gaining the ball, or risk turning it over. Without it, teams were just content to just hold the ball and let the clock run down, stagnating the pace of the game. The most egregious example? A game between the Fort Wayne Pistons (now in Detroit) and the Minneapolis Lakers (now in Los Angeles) which ended at the score: 19 - 18. With a score like that, who cares about who won?

The Wandering Nomads: Sacramento Kings.

To give you an example of all the struggles that NBA teams faced in the 1900s, let us take an case study of the Sacramento Kings, the oldest team in the NBA. They began as the Rochester Seagrams from Rochester, New York, that formed in 1923 and hosted a number of teams there over the next 20 years. They joined the NBL in 1945 as the renamed Rochester Royals, winning that league's championship in their first season, 1945–46. In 1948 they jumped with three other NBL teams to the Basketball Association of America, that later merged with the NBL to form the NBA. As the Royals, the team was often successful on the court, winning the NBA championship in 1951. The team, however, found it increasingly difficult to turn a profit in the comparatively small market of Rochester and relocated to Cincinnati in 1957, becoming the Cincinnati Royals.

In 1972, the team relocated again, this time to Kansas City, Missouri, and renamed the Kansas City–Omaha Kings because it initially split its home games between Kansas City and Omaha, Nebraska; the nickname was changed to avoid confusion with the baseball team dubbed the Kansas City Royals. After three seasons, the team truncated to Kansas City Kings, but continued to play several home games per season in Omaha, through March 1978.

The franchise again failed to find success in its market and moved after the 1984–85 season to Sacramento. Even after all of this, we can still consider the Kings one of the lucky franchises, as there were so many franchises that just folded, some even just after half a year.

Despite rising star players like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the NBA struggled in the 1970s due to issues like declining attendance, drug scandals, and financial instability. Many games were not televised live, and the league’s future seemed uncertain. It didn't help that the NBA found itself in competition with a new league, the flashy American Basketball Association (ABA), founded in 1967, challenged the NBA with its exciting style, three-point shots, and dunk contests. The stark contrast between the NBA and ABA could be seen symbolically through the difference in each leagues best stars: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Julius "Dr J" Erving. Kareem was known mostly for his famous weapon, a hook-shot that he shot from way over his head, named the "Skyhook". While it was often very effective, dubbed "The surest two points in NBA history", the skyhook was seen as boring and repetitive. Meanwhile, Erving was known for his move, the "Slam Dunk", which was seen as creative and exciting. On the map, I have marked all the basketball franchises in the US in 1976. The ones on the left map are all NBA teams, while the ones on the right are ABA teams.

Despite the ABAs popularity, it also had its own fair share of problems. The league found it very hard to keep its head afloat due to no . It also didn't help that there were many teams that just used to go bankrupt and end up having to shut their doors. Because of the problems plaguing them, the two leagues merged in 1976, bringing key teams like the Spurs, Nets, Pacers, and Nuggets into the NBA. The merger helped boost the league’s popularity by blending talent and innovation.

On the map, you can see that only 4 of the ABA teams from the previous season survived the NBA-ABA Merger: San Antonio, Denver, Indiana, and the Nets.

The rivalry between Earvin "Magic" Johnson and Larry Bird defined the NBA’s revival in the 1980s.

Johnson and Bird first played against each other in college in 1979 NCAA Championship Game, with Johnson's Michigan State Spartans beating Brid's Indiana State Sycamores. This game is considered the highest rated college basketball game of all time. After the game, they both headed to the NBA to play for rival teams, Johnson for the Lakers (now in Los Angeles) and Bird for the Celtics (in Boston).

Their clashes, especially in the NBA Finals, brought the league widespread attention and made basketball a cultural sensation. Their fierce competition also helped secure lucrative television deals and elevated the sport globally.

Michael Jordan’s rise to prominence in the 1990s transformed the sports world and popular culture. As the centerpiece of the Chicago Bulls dynasty, Jordan led the team to six NBA championships. His extraordinary skills, including unmatched scoring ability, clutch performances, and defensive excellence, redefined what it meant to be a basketball superstar. His iconic moments, like the "Flu Game" and "The Shot" against the Utah Jazz to win his sixth Championship, became legendary in sports history.

Jordan’s appeal went far beyond the court. His partnership with Nike revolutionized sports marketing, giving rise to the globally recognized Air Jordan brand. The release of his signature sneakers created a cultural phenomenon that endures decades later. His marketing prowess extended to partnerships with brands like Gatorade, Hanes, and McDonald’s, establishing a blueprint for athlete endorsements.

His global fame helped popularize the NBA internationally, making basketball a worldwide sport. The 1992 "Dream Team," featuring Jordan, showcased American basketball dominance on a global stage during the Barcelona Olympics, further solidifying his status as a global icon.

His style, charisma, and competitive drive inspired future NBA stars like Kobe Bryant and LeBron James, influencing the league's next generation.

The 2000s featured basketball’s continued global expansion, with stars like Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan, and LeBron James dominating the league. International players such as Dirk Nowitzki and Yao Ming also became global icons, helping the NBA expand its fan base in Europe and Asia. Domestically, the league saw the dominance of players like Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan, and LeBron James, whose achievements reshaped the sport. Simultaneously, international players such as Dirk Nowitzki, Yao Ming, and Pau Gasol emerged as global superstars, broadening the NBA’s appeal beyond North America.

Basketball's journey from a North American pastime to a global sport began soon after its invention. The YMCA played a key role in spreading the game internationally, organizing exhibitions and games across Europe, Asia, and Latin America as early as the 1890s​.

The sport's inclusion in the 1936 Berlin Olympics solidified its global presence, with 21 countries participating in the first Olympic basketball tournament​

The 1992 Barcelona Olympics marked a historic moment when professional NBA players were allowed to compete. The U.S. “Dream Team,” featuring legends like Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, and Larry Bird, captivated global audiences and inspired countless young players worldwide

Today, international stars like Giannis Antetokounmpo (Greece), Luka Dončić (Slovenia), and Joel Embiid (Cameroon) continue basketball's international legacy, ensuring its enduring global appeal​.