The history of the NBA

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It was founded on June 6, 1946, as the Basketball Association of America (BAA). In 1949, the BAA merged with its rival, the National Basketball League (NBL), forming the NBA.

In its early years, the NBA struggled to attract large audiences. The league was dominated by teams like the Minneapolis Lakers, led by George Mikan, the first true superstar. In 1954, the league introduced the 24-second shot clock, which sped up the game and made it more exciting. There is a great platform for online betting at 1xBet, where plenty of sports, including basketball, are featured.

The rise of superstars

The 1960s saw the emergence of legendary players like Bill Russell, who led the Boston Celtics to 11 championships, and Wilt Chamberlain, known for scoring 100 points in a single game. The 1970s brought more parity to the league, with teams like the New York Knicks and Portland Trail Blazers winning championships. The ABA, a rival league, merged with the NBA in 1976, introducing the 3-point line. Now, you can check best sports betting line from the 1xBet platform to wager on whether someone will score 3 points too.

The rivalry between Magic Johnson of the Los Angeles Lakers and Larry Bird of the Boston Celtics revitalized the NBA. Their battles in the NBA Finals boosted TV ratings and made the league more popular worldwide. A great reason to check the best sports betting line offered to you by 1xBet is because it also allows you to wager on the best NBA players and teams too.

The 1990s and beyond

The 1990s were dominated by Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls, who won 6 championships. Jordan’s influence helped globalize the NBA, making basketball a worldwide sport. By registering at www.1xbet.com/en/line/basketball you can place your wagers on your favorite NBA squads too.

The 2000s were led by stars like:

• Kobe Bryant;
• Shaquille O’Neal;
• and later, LeBron James.

The San Antonio Spurs also became a dynasty under Tim Duncan during this period. Now, regarding the modern NBA, the rise of Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors revolutionized the game with three-point shooting. Today, the NBA is more global than ever, with stars from all over the world, such as Giannis Antetokounmpo and Luka Dončić.

From its humble beginnings, the NBA has grown into a multi-billion-dollar league with a worldwide fanbase, shaping basketball culture across the globe. This incredible competition is also one of the best tournaments to place all your wagers at the 1xBet platform.