8 Fun Facts about the NBA

8 Fun Facts about the NBA Photo Credita: DALL·E

[{"selector":"#anim-e32d0d0d-3683-45a5-a9b6-91665151d841 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-12.514648210040342%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-cd51d799-3cda-4060-9ada-83056f10dc77","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Believe it or not, the NBA wasn't always so huge. Back in 1946, it started with only 11 teams, all squeezed into the Eastern and Midwestern parts of the US! Photo Credita: Wikimedia Commons

[{"selector":"#anim-657d75f0-0218-4b34-acee-45da87349f34 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-12.514648210040342%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b8fab18a-d667-46c5-9d12-711b736a51b1","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] In 1949, the NBA got a major boost. It merged with another league, bringing in famous teams like the Los Angeles Lakers and the New York Knicks. This was a game-changer! Photo Credita: Wikimedia Commons

[{"selector":"#anim-dd7c0498-7cf7-4dd8-8987-7a3f37e8be53 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f4953d15-b05e-48b9-b3db-821b5c37b65c","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] This one is hard to believe! In 1962, Wilt Chamberlain scored a mind-blowing 100 points in a single game! first occurrence in the USA Photo Credita: Wikimedia Commons

[{"selector":"#anim-1a1a08f7-a525-4f14-b66d-0733e480f684 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-12.514648210040342%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-eac4a0e6-de7f-4a51-8b98-aa49119f2e9d","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Dunking wasn't always encouraged, but then players like Dr. J soared through the air and fans loved it! The NBA merged with another league in 1976, bringing in teams known for amazing dunks, making them a permanent part of the game. Photo Credita: PxHere

[{"selector":"#anim-d268ed5d-0706-4080-aeda-9d207199e47c [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d0a1080c-bb94-495c-a85a-1e0c120de440","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] The 1980s were all about the competition between Larry Bird (Boston Celtics) and Magic Johnson (LA Lakers). Their different styles and fierce battles made the NBA super popular. Photo Credita: Wikimedia Commons

[{"selector":"#anim-80f59f45-a0c6-4d43-adf5-234f63a7c687 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-12.514648210040342%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d1a0363f-8385-4773-8cfb-7ca392638d48","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] In the 1980s, amazing players from other countries started joining the NBA. Today, stars from all over the world showcase their talent, making basketball a truly international sport. Photo Credita: Wikimedia Commons

[{"selector":"#anim-f206b306-3175-49cd-a641-3a4ab2e6f3fa [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-12.514648210040342%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-56be8eac-b6d3-4f93-bae1-4e809b82853d","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] The 1992 US Olympic basketball team had superstars like Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson. They crushed the competition and showed the world just how dominant the NBA was. Photo Credita: flickr

[{"selector":"#anim-b91a9e0a-d6f2-4ded-90cb-4efe6289a7c0 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-12.514648210040342%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-83ad18d6-2051-48dc-93de-e32f37be5e8c","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] In 1979, a new line was added to the court – the three-point line! This totally changed the game, making it faster and more exciting to watch. Photo Credita: flickr