The best basketball league in the world that we know and love today used to be much different. From its early stages and throughout the decades, it changed, adapted, and opened up, all to promote the game and be the best it can for the teams, players, and most importantly, the fans. The National Basketball Association has roots in the 1940s, when the world was far different from today. With modern fans focusing mostly on the present and enjoying the performances of contemporary stars, they forget to think and explore the vast history of the top-tier basketball competition. As a student of the game and an avid enthusiast, it is important to learn what came before since it helps to better understand the current situation.
With all of that in mind, this guide aims to tell the complete history of the NBA, from its humble beginnings in the 1940s and 1950s to the 21st-century juggernaut of a league that reaches all corners of the world. With more international players every year, bigger sponsorship and TV deals, and an effort to make a wider league, the NBA has truly succeeded in its original mission, which was to take the game global and promote all the values that sports come with. And with a plethora of young stars in the making, the future sure looks bright. So let us go back in time and, decade by decade, dissect what made each era special and how it came to be the league we have in 2025. After all, NBA betting is huge these days, and knowing more about it can help you make better wagering decisions.
Humble Beginnings (1940s – 1950s)
The National Basketball Association (NBA) was founded in 1946 under the name Basketball Association of America (BAA). Its goal was to bring professional sports to larger arenas in major cities. Another league, the National Basketball League (NBL), also existed, but the two merged in 1949. At first, everything was modest with limited national attention and finances. Most teams were in the Northeast and Midwest, with games played in smaller venues and limited fan attendance. Still, foundational players like George Mikan of the Minneapolis Lakers started to emerge and help legitimize the sport and draw public interest.
Two Leagues and First Stars (1960s-1970s)
Things were largely the same at first, until the ‘60s rolled around and started transforming the league into the ‘70s. The growing popularity of the sport and the league could be felt, and the first famous players appeared. This era saw stars that would become legends, mainly Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, and Jerry West. Their performances, feats, and rivalries, as well as records that still stand today, elevated the game and made the sport huge. An upstart league, the American Basketball Association (ABA), appeared during this time, with the three-point line and a flashier style, with some different rules. It also expanded the game by integrating more African American talent, opening the game to more players. In 1976, the two leagues merged as several ABA teams, and stars like “Dr. J” Julius Erving came to the NBA. With basketball united (again), a new era was on the horizon.
The Era of Superstars (1980s)
The 1980s are usually referred to as the golden age of the NBA due to the first true superstars that transcended the league and the sport and entered popular media. A surge in popularity, intense rivalries, and the rise of these global superstars ushered in a new era that helped the league like nothing before it. The decade was defined by two players who were rivals from day one. Ervin “Magic” Johnson played for the Los Angeles Lakers, and Larry Bird played for the Boston Celtics. Their battles began in college, but reached their peak in the NBA.
It had all the marketable potential, and it met all the expectations, and then some. Their battles in the NBA Finals invigorated the league and boosted ratings across the board. Then came Michael Jordan in 1984, and with the three of them, the late ‘80s were peak basketball in so many ways. Commissioner David Stern played a huge role as he expanded the league brand, promoted stars, and embraced TV and sponsorship opportunities.
The Game Goes Global (1990s)
The true moment of the league going global happened during the 1990s, and the dominance of the Chicago Bulls, led by Michael Jordan. After struggling to make it in the ‘80s despite being the best player in the league even then, the old guard was done. The Celtics, Lakers, and Detroit Pistons were no longer a threat. The Bulls won two three-peats and marked the whole decade. They won between 1991-1993 and 1996-1998, only leaving two titles to the Houston Rockets in 1994 and 1995 when Jordan was retired. Everyone knew Michael, everyone wanted to “be like Mike” and wear his Air Jordan sneakers.
This was exactly what Stern and the NBA hoped for, and the NBA was everywhere. Almost every team had a superstar, which was another big deal. Charles Barkley, Patrick Ewing, Reggie Miller, Clyde Drexler, Shaquille O’Neal, David Robinson, Karl Malone, Hakeem Olajuwon, Dikembe Mutombo. All of these legends played mostly in the ‘90s, and they were the reason the game was so popular and why everyone was wearing player jerseys to school. This culminated in 1992 and 1996 with the USA Dream Teams that won gold medals at the Summer Olympics. Media coverage was insane, and the fans could not get enough.
Dynasties and Internationals (2000s)
As the Bulls’ era dwindled and the San Antonio Spurs won the 1999 title, led by Robinson and the young star Tim Duncan, everyone knew the new era was starting. It was a lockout season, too, with new collective bargaining agreements and TV rights brining more money in. New talent and further internationalization of the NBA happened, and after Jordan retired for the second time, new faces emerged, and quickly. Led by Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan, Allen Iverson, and, a few years later, LeBron James, the decade was ultimately defined by dynasties. The start of the decade saw another three-peat when the Lakers won three titles from 2000 to 2002. San Antonio Spurs, after winning in ‘99, won in 2002, 2005, and 2007. When the Lakers were not winning, the Spurs were. It was also a league of famous coaches, with Phil Jackson and Greg Popovich leading the way due to these wins. International stars like Dirk Nowitzki, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili, Yao Ming, and Pau Gasol defined how overseas players can influence the game. Digital media and tech advancements improved coverage and connected fans like never before, and the NBA was more accessible.
The Era of Superteams (2010s)
Superteams, usually dubbed Big Threes, and player empowerment dominated the 2010s, for better or worse. After losing in the finals to the Spurs in 2007 (Dunan, Ginobili, Tony Parker) and in 2008 to the first Big Three ever in the form of Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, and Paul Pierce of the Boston Celtics, James made a decision that would define not only his legacy, but the history of the league. He joined forces with Chris Bosh and went to Dwyane Wade to the Miami Heat and formed the iconic Big Three, a first true superteam. Star players like them decided to take greater control of their careers and destinies and joined forces by planning together. This resulted in two titles in 2012 and 2013, but they lost in 2011 and 2014 (the Spurs again).
The “damage” was done, and the snowball effect took place. The Golden State Warriors, after winning in 2015, lost in 2016 to LeBron’s second superteam back with the Cleveland Cavaliers when he joined with Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving. So what did GSW do? They made a superteam, of course, pairing Kevin Durant from the Oklahoma City Thunder with their Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green trio. This was a cheat code and a superteam to beat all other superteams. And they did, winning in 2017 and 2018. Durant’s coming over happened because he lost to the Heat Big Three in the 2012 finals, and then struggled against the Spurs and Warriors from 2013 to 2016. With all of these machinations, the era was defined by superstars joining forces, but in 2019, when GSW was finally spent, it all came crashing down.
Increased Competition and One-Time Winners (2020- Now)
The 2020s are an interesting phenomenon in the NBA. The ongoing playoffs, which you can see the latest odds and predictions for on Stake, are extremely exciting and unexpected. They confirm what has been happening in the last 5 seasons, as no team has yet managed to repeat. None of them even made the finals two years in a row after the Golden State Warriors lost to the Toronto Raptors in 2019. The 2020 season was strange because of the pandemic and the eventual “Bubble” playoffs in Disney World Orlando. The Lakers won it, and then in 2021, it was the Milwaukee Bucks. In 2022, it was the Golden State. In 2023, the Denver Nuggets, and in 2024, the Boston Celtics. None of the teams in these finals made it there in back-to-back years. In 2022, the Miami Heat lost. In 2021, the Phoenix Suns lost. In 2022, the Boston Celtics lost. In 2023, the Miami Heat lost. In 2024, the Dallas Mavericks lost.
This is an unprecedented development in the league and something Commissioner Adam Silver secretly hoped for. And considering the teams left in the 2025 playoffs, there will not only be a new champion, but each of the two finalists will again be new, not seen in previous years. Competition is harsh, and it can be seen why. All of the winners had a clear top player in the league. Starting from 2019, it was Kawhi Leonard of the Raptors, who won Finals MVP. Onwards, it was LeBron James in 2020, Giannis Antetokounmpo in 2021, Stephen Curry in 2022, Nikola Jokic in 2023, and Jaylen Brown in 2024. LeBron had Anthony Davis, and Brown had Jason Tatum, who is arguably better than him. But none of the teams have three stars, clearly showing superteams are a thing of the past. Not only that, but only two of the five teams have a second star.
This is good and healthy for the league. Competition is at an all-time high, and if we take a look at the current playoff picture, it is more of the same. The Minnesota Timberwolves are led by Anthony Edwards. The Indiana Pacers are led by Tyrese Haliburton. The Oklahoma City Thunder have their MVP, Shai-Gilgeous Alexander. The Denver Nuggets are still rolling with Nikola Jokic as their only all-star. And the New York Knicks, despite having Karl-Anthony Towns, are Jaylen Brunson’s team. A clear superstar leader and a top player in each, leading role players, and perhaps another all-star. That is the 2020s NBA basketball, and it is amazing to behold. It will only add to the success of a team that manages to repeat as champs and win the first back-to-back since the 2017 and 2018 Warriors. This is also more fun for sports betting fans as it is more exciting and involves being a fan of the game on a deeper level. The league is in great hands, and it seems that Adam Silver, the owners, the teams, the players, and the fans are finally on the same page again.
NBA FAQs
Who is the all-time leading scorer in NBA history?
LeBron James holds the record for the most points scored in NBA history with 42184 points and counting.
Why are NBA quarters 12 minutes long?
The quarter format was adopted to allow for more scoring, better fit the commercial nature of the NBA, and separate the physicality and stamina levels from other basketball leagues.
Has an 8th-seeded team ever won the NBA Championship?
No 8th seed has won the title. The 1999 New York Knicks and the 2023 Miami Heat made it to the NBA Finals, though.
Why do NBA players wear different sneakers every game?
Many players have sponsorship deals and choose performance-specific shoes. Some wear a new pair every game for comfort, performance, or style.
What is the highest-scoring NBA game of all time?
The highest-scoring game was between the Detroit Pistons and the Denver Nuggets on December 13, 1983. The final score was 186–184 in triple overtime.
Who has the most NBA championships as a player?
Bill Russell holds the record with 11 championships, all with the Boston Celtics between 1957 and 1969.
How does the NBA Draft Lottery work?
The lottery determines the draft order for the 14 teams that did not make the playoffs. Teams with worse records have better odds, but no guarantee, of getting the top pick.
Has a player ever recorded a quintuple-double?
Officially, no. Double digits in five stats have not happened in the NBA. Wilt Chamberlain reportedly came close before full stat tracking began.
Why do some teams retire jersey numbers?
To honor a player’s legacy and impact on the franchise. No future player on that team can wear that number.
