Tracing back to the early days of the NBA and basketball in general, it’s humbling to note just how much the game of ball has changed. Founded in 1946 as the Basketball Association of America (BAA), before it eventually merged into the NBA in 1949, the league’s first years were dominated by relentless, fast-paced action carried out in smaller arenas with small-time fanfare. We’ll look at some photos that can capture the game’s humble start, into the iconic moments that went on to define the actual NBA as we see it today.
1. Paul Westphal doing his thing out there.
Paul was out there getting it done.
2. Jerry West walking off the court of his legendary 1969 game 7 finals loss.
Just imagine how upset he was in that moment.
3. Oscar Schmidt, a tremendous talent, never actually played in the NBA, but he did manage to average 42 points a game in the 1988 Olympics.
That’s not an easy average to come by.
4. Bearded Bird spotted.
Bearded Bird was a whole mood and a half.
5. Hal Greer with the iconic layup.
Hal knew how to launch off.
6. Gar Heard wasn’t to be messed around with.
Gar was all focus.
7. George Yardley getting up there.
George had to mind his head with that backboard.
8. Burdie Haldorson had some reach.
Seriously, Burdie’s reach was otherworldly.
9. Don Buse made vast improvements in such a short amount of time.
Don never stopped learning.
10. Tiny Archibald could really ball.
Tiny was a legend in his own right.
11. Fred Brown doing his thing for the Sonics.
Oh, Sonics, why’d you have to leave?
12. Larry Drew just looking unfazed by all of it.
Larry probably practiced that move a few times.
13. George McGinnis could really launch off.
George was just having a great time.
14. Lloyd Free was on a different level.
Those sneakers are something else.
15. Bob Love with the game face on.
That’s the kind of expression you might see before someone goes fully in the zone.
16. Danny Ainge made consistent improvements throughout his career.
Danny never stopped striving to be better.
17. Bill Russell just taking the victory celebrations all in.
It’s important to enjoy those hard-earned moments.
18. That Knicks player is not having a good time.
Sometimes it’s the best move to just look the other way.
19. Archie Clark putting on a show for the Lakers.
The guy trying to defend him wasn’t even close.
20. Hakeem Olajuwon vs Patrick Ewing in the 1994 NBA Finals.
Talk about a legendary matchup.
21. Before their classic NBA Rivalry Magic Johnson and Larry Bird met in the 1979 NCAA Finals.
These guys just couldn’t stay out of each other’s way.
22. Michael Jordan wins his first NBA Championship (1991).
That’s a look of pure bliss indeed.
23. Darvin Ham Breaking the Backboard in 1996.
Breaking the backboard is a guilty pleasure reserved for some of the greats.
24. The 2002-2003 New Jersey Nets.
They were the team to beat at one point.
25. The Chicago Bulls with the 1991 NBA Championship.
Nice stache holding it down in there too.
26. 1996 NBA draft class. Many have said it is the best draft class of all time.
Seriously, what a class.
27. Who remembers the 1996 Seattle SuperSonics?
And then they had to peace out for a while.
28. Walter Looss shot of a Celtics-Lakers NBA Finals game, 1966.
These angled shots are magical, indeed.
29. Wilt Chamberlain demonstrates his reach to Muhammad Ali.
Yeah, that’s some serious reach.
30. Manute Bol and Spud Webb as teammates on the USBL’s Rhode Island Gulls in 1985.
Just imagine if he jumped a bit.
31. San Antonio Spurs playing Starcraft after winning the 1999 NBA Finals.
Can’t sleep on the Starcraft hours. It’s crucial.
32. Overheard view of American basketball coach Red Auerbach, of the Boston Celtics, as he talks to his players on the court (1960s).
Feels like you’re right there in the huddle.
33.Shaquille O’Neal with his high school basketball team in San Antonio (Texas, 1989)
Shaq has been towering over folks since before anyone can remember.
34. Jesse Jackson and Marvin Gaye playing basketball in the 1970’s.
Putting the work in.
35. Doc Rivers and Michael Jordan in the tunnel after the 1988 NBA All-Star game.
These are special moments to share, indeed.
