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1896 The First known Perfessional basketball game is played in Trenton, New Jersey June 6, 1946 The Basketball Association of America (BAA) is founded Maurice Podoloff is named leagues president November 1,1946 The BAA begins play as the New York Knicks take on the Toronto Huskies in Toronto. any fan taller then 6'8" got in free January 11,1947 The BAA outlaws zone defense April 22,1947 The Philadelphia Warriors beat the Chicago Stags 4 games to 1, to win the first BAA championship August 3, 1949 Six teams from the NBL join the BAA. the resulting 17 teams form the National Basketball Association(NBA). and name Maurice Podloff as President April 23,1950 The Minneaopolis Lakers become the first team to win back-to-back championships November 22,1950 The Fort Wayne Pistons beat the Minneapolis Lakers 19-18 in the lowest scoring game in NBA history March 2,1951 The East defeats the West 111-94 in the first ever all-star game 1952 The NBA widens the foul lane from 6-12 feet April 12, 1954 Minneapolis Lakers become the first team to win three consecutive Championships 1954-1955 NBA adds the shot clock, and awards a free throw after a teams 5th foul April 9,1959 Boston Celtics win the first of their 8 concecutive titles January 25,1960 Philadelphia's Wilt Chamberling grabs a NBA record 55 rebounds 1961 The Chicago Packers enter the NBA as the first expansion team. March 2, 1962-Wilt Chamberlin scores a NBA record 100 Points in a game vs New York March 10,1962- Oscar Robertson of Cincinatti finishes the Season with an average of 30.8ppg,12.5 rpg, and 11.4 assist a game. to become the first and only player to average a triple double over a season 1964 NBA widens foul lane from 12-16 feet April 28,1966 Boston wins its 8th Title in a row. The longest streak in league history 1966 The NBA awards Chicago with its third team (the previous two had either moved, or disbanded) the Bulls February 1, 1967 The American Basketball Association is formed (ABA) with George Miken as President 1967 The NBA gives teams to San Diego (Rockets), and Seattle (Supersonics) October 13, 1967 The ABA opens its first game as the Oakland Oaks beat the Anaheim Amigos 134-129 February 17, 1968 The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Opens in Springfield Mass. 1968 The NBA Expands to 14 teams with the addition of the Milwaukee Bucks, and the Phoenix Suns. May 5, 1969 Bill Russell and the Celtics end their run of 11 rings in 13 season. 1970 The NBA Expands to 17, with the addition of Buffalo Braves, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Portland Trailblazers January 7,1972 The Los Angeles Lakers beat the Atlanta Hawks 134-90 for their NBA record 33 straight wins 1974 ABA/USA Officially forms together to become the United States Representative in FIBA. the International Basketball Federation March 7, 1974 The NBA expands to 18 when they add the New Orleans Jazz. August 1974 Moses Malone signs with the Utah Stars of the ABA to be the first professional Basketball player right from High School April 30,1975 Larry O'Brien is named Commisioner succeeding Walter Kennedy June 17, 1976 Four former ABA teams-San Antonio, Dallas, Denver, and New York Nets join the NBA. the ABA folds July 7, 1978 The NBA approves a franchise swap as John Y. Brown, and Harry Mangurian acquire the Celtics, and Irv Levin Acquires the Braves. he soon moves the Braves to San Diego and become the Clippers. 1978-79 The NBA Adds a third referee 1979-80 The NBA Adopts a three point line October 12,1979 Celtics gaurd Chris Ford hits the NBA's first three pointer. May 1, 1980 the NBA Admits the Dallas Mavericks brining the NBA to 23 teams December 13,1983 The Detroits Pistons defeat the Denver Nuggets 186-184 in the highest scoring game in NBA History February 1,1984 David J. Stern Becomes the 4th Commisioner succeeding Larry O'Brian April 5,1984 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar becomes the NBA's Alltime leader in points scored against the Utah Jazz in Las Vegas Neveda May 12, 1985 The New York Knicks win the first ever NBA lottery pick. and select Patrick Ewing June 18,1985 The NBA Draft goes from 10 rounds to 7 April 13,1986 The Celtics go 40-1 at home for the best home record in NBA history April 20, 1986 Micheal Jordan scores a playoff high 63 points in a loss to the Celtics April 22,1987 The NBA Grants Expansion teams to Charlotte, Miami, Minnesota, and Orlando October 23-25, 1987 The First McDonalds Championship is played in Milwaukee involving the NBA's Milwaukee Bucks, the Soviet National team, the Itilian national team. this is the first tournament between the NBA and FIBA. April 26, 1988 The NBA Permanently adds a third ref. the NBA Experimented with a third ref in 1978-79 July 25, 1988 The Atlanta Hawks become the First NBA team to play in the Soviet Union as they defeat the Soviet team 85-84 April 8,1989 IBA allows the NBA to send NBA players to the Olympics November 9, 1989 Dale Ellis of Seattle plays 69 of 73 minuest in a 5 overtime game vs Milwaukee November 2, 1990 The Phoenix Suns defeat the Utah Jazz at Tokoyo, Japan in the first Major sports event to be played outside of North America, by any Major American Sports League December 30 1990 Scott Skiles of Orlando Dishes out a NBA record 30 assist vs Denver August 8, 1992 The Dream Team begins play in Barcelona Spain. they eventually win the Gold Medal for the USA March 24,1993 Micheal Williams of Minnesota makes an NBA record 97 free throws in a row. November 4, 1993 The NBA agrees to expand to Toronto. April 27,1994 The NBA Agrees to Expand to Vancouver Canada. both Toronto and Vancouver will begin play in 95-96. February 1,1995 Utah Jazz guard John Stockton becomes the NBA's all-time Assist leader. February 20, 1996 Jazz guard John Stockton becomes the NBA's all time Steals leader April 21, 1996 The Chicago Bulls defeat the Washington Wizards to finish the season 72-10. the best record ever. April 24, 1996 The NBA Agrees to start a Womens Nation Basketball Association (WNBA) February 9, 1997 The NBA announces its 50 greatest players. October 31, 1997 Violet becomes the first woman to referee a major sporting event. She is soon joined by Dee Kanter. 1998-99 A Lockout by the Owners, and players union shorten the NBA season by 32 games. June 18, 2001 The Washington Wizards draft Kwame Brown as the first ever high schooler to be drafted #1 overall in the NBA June 26, 2002 the Houston Rockets Draft Yao Ming to be the first #1 overall pick to never play College ball in the US. Januaray 10, 2003 The NBA Agrees to Expand to Charlotte once again. bringing the number of teams to 30. |
