NBA: how the most popular basketball league is organised

The NBA is not just a league, it’s a whole universe where sport, business and culture intertwine into one grand show. Millions of fans around the world watch every game, discuss transfers and admire the incredible shots of the stars. The league’s ability to combine athletic excellence with high-level entertainment is similar to how other industries captivate their audiences — whether it’s through blockbuster films, viral content, or even immersive online experiences like those highlighted in a detailed Slotozen casino review, which showcases how platforms blend gameplay, bonuses, and design to keep users engaged.

But how does this huge machine called the NBA work? Who makes it so successful? And why has it become the benchmark for other sports leagues? Let’s get to the bottom of it!

History of the NBA: from humble beginnings to worldwide popularity

Founding of the BAA: 1946

The NBA was founded on 6 June 1946 as the Basketball Association of America (BAA). The league was initiated by Walter Brown, owner of the Boston Bruins hockey team, who wanted to fill empty arenas on days when there were no hockey games.

The league originally had 11 teams, including the Boston Celtics, New York Knicks, and Philadelphia Warriors. However, the early years were challenging, with matches attracting few spectators and players receiving modest salaries. For example, the average player’s salary in the 1940s was about $5,000 a year.

Merger with the NBL: the birth of the NBA

In 1949, the BAA merged with the National Basketball League (NBL), and thus the National Basketball Association (NBA) was born. This merger allowed the league to become stronger and attract more talented players.

1950s: the first stars

The 1950s was the time when the first NBA stars began to emerge and began to catch the public’s attention.

• George Maiken is the first true NBA superstar. Playing for the Minneapolis Lakers, he won 5 championships and became a symbol of dominance in the league. His height (208 cm) and skills made him unbeatable in his era.
• Bob Cousy is a legendary Boston Celtics point guard who changed the perception of the role of a playmaker. His precise passes and court vision became the benchmark for generations to come.

In 1954, the NBA introduced the 24-second rule, which sped up the game and made it more entertaining. It became a key moment in the league’s development.

1960s: the era of Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain

The 1960s was a time of legendary rivalry between Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain.

• Bill Russell was a Boston Celtics player who won 11 championships in a 13-year career. He has become a symbol of team spirit and defence.
• Wilt Chamberlain – ‘Big Wilt’ who set records that are still unrivalled today. In 1962, he scored 100 points in a single game, an achievement that is still considered legendary.

Their matches drew huge audiences and took the NBA’s popularity to a new level.

The 1970s: The Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Era

The 1970s was the era of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who became one of the most dominant centres in NBA history. His signature ‘sky hook’ shot was virtually unstoppable.

Kareem won 6 NBA championships and became the highest scoring player in league history (a record that was only broken in 2023 by LeBron James).

1980s: Bird vs Johnson

The 1980s was the heyday of the NBA. Two legends entered the arena during this time, Larry Bird and Magic Johnson.

• Larry Bird was a Boston Celtics player known for his incredible shot and ability to read the game.
• Magic Johnson is a Los Angeles Lakers point guard who has changed the perception of the role of a playmaker.

Their rivalry, known as Bird vs Johnson, has taken NBA popularity to a new level. Matches between the Celtics and Lakers became a major event in the sports world.

1990s: the Michael Jordan era

But the real icon of the NBA was Michael Jordan. His career with the Chicago Bulls in the 1990s turned basketball into a global phenomenon.

• Jordan won 6 NBA championships and was the Finals MVP on all six occasions.
• His style of play, charisma and will to win made him the face of world sports.

Jordan not only dominated on the court, but he became a cultural phenomenon. His Air Jordan trainers became a symbol of style and success.

The 2000s: new stars and globalisation

In the 2000s, the NBA continued to evolve. New stars such as Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan and Shaquille O’Neal entered the arena.

The league also began to aggressively expand its presence outside of the United States. NBA games began to be televised around the world, and players from other countries, such as Dirk Nowitzki of Germany and Yao Ming of China, became stars of the league.

2010s: the era of LeBron James and Stephen Curry

The 2010s were the era of LeBron James and Stephen Curry.

• LeBron James is a four-time NBA champion who continues to dominate even at the end of his career.
• Stephen Curry is the best sharpshooter in history who changed the perception of basketball with his long-range shots.

The 2020s: globalisation and new stars

Today, the NBA is a global brand with millions of fans around the world. Players from all over the world, such as Luka Doncic (Slovenia), Yannis Adetokunbo (Greece) and Nikola Jokic (Serbia), prove that basketball is a game without borders.

NBA structure: how it works

The NBA is a complex and elaborate system that includes the regular season, playoffs, draft and many other elements. Let’s break down each of them in more detail.

Teams and Divisions

The NBA consists of 30 teams, which are divided into two conferences: Eastern and Western. Each conference, in turn, is divided into three divisions.

Eastern Conference

Atlantic Division:

• Boston Celtics
• Brooklyn Nets
• New York Knicks
• Philadelphia 76ers
• Toronto Raptors

Central Division:

• Chicago Bulls
• Cleveland Cavaliers
• Detroit Pistons
• Indiana Pacers
• Milwaukee Bucks

Southeast Division:

• Atlanta Hawks
• Charlotte Hornets
• Miami Heat
• Orlando Magic
• Washington Wizards

Western Conference

Northwest Division:

• Denver Nuggets
• Minnesota Timberwolves
• Oklahoma City Thunder
• Portland Trail Blazers
• Utah Jazz

Pacific Division:

• Golden State Warriors
• Los Angeles Clippers
• Los Angeles Lakers
• Phoenix Suns
• Sacramento Kings

Southwest Division:

• Dallas Mavericks
• Houston Rockets
• Memphis Grizzlies
• New Orleans Pelicans
• San Antonio Spurs

Regular season: 82 games

Each team plays 82 games in the regular season. The schedule is structured so that teams play:

• 4 games against teams from their division (16 games).
• 3-4 games against teams from their conference but from a different division (36 games).
• 2 games against teams from another conference (30 games).

The regular season runs from October to April. At the end of the regular season, the teams that qualify for the playoffs are determined.

Playoffs: the path to the championship

The playoffs are the most exciting time in the NBA. There are 16 teams in the playoffs: 8 from each conference.

Playoff format

1. First Round (1/8 Finals):
2. Series is played to 4 wins (best-of-7 format).Higher ranked teams get home court advantage.
3. Conference Semifinals:
4. First round winners compete to advance to the conference finals.
5. Conference Finals:
6. Winners of the semifinals compete for the conference title.
7. NBA Finals:
8. The Eastern and Western Conference champions meet in the Finals to determine the NBA champion.

Legendary playoff moments

• Michael Jordan: His 1989 ‘The Shot’ against Cleveland was one of the most iconic moments in history.
• LeBron James: In 2016, he led the Cleveland Cavaliers to a championship, becoming the first to do so in team history.
• Stephen Curry: His long-range three-point shots in the playoffs changed the way basketball was viewed.

The draft: How new stars emerge

The NBA Draft is the event that determines the future of the league. It takes place every year in June and allows teams to select young talent from colleges, international leagues and other sources.

How does the draft work?

1. Draft Lottery:
2. Teams that did not make the playoffs participate in a lottery to determine the order of picks.The worse a team’s record during the season, the better its chances of getting the first pick.
3. Draft Rounds:
4. The draft consists of two rounds, with 30 players selected in each round.The first picks often become future stars.

Legendary draft picks

• 1984: Michael Jordan (3rd pick).
• 2003: LeBron James (1st pick).
• 2009: Stephen Curry (7th pick).

Conclusion

The NBA is more than just a sports league — it’s a finely-tuned ecosystem where competition, talent development, and entertainment intersect seamlessly. From its modest beginnings in the 1940s to the global powerhouse it is today, the NBA has continually evolved through innovation, strategic expansion, and unforgettable personalities. Its structure — built on divisions, conferences, a carefully balanced regular season, high-stakes playoffs, and a transformative draft system — ensures constant excitement and renewal, season after season.

Whether you’re a fan of the intensity of the playoffs, the drama of trade season, or the fresh hope brought by the NBA Draft, there’s always something to follow. The league’s ability to produce global superstars while maintaining fierce team rivalries keeps millions engaged across every continent. It’s a living, breathing showcase of athleticism, storytelling, and strategy — and that’s what makes the NBA not just a game, but a worldwide phenomenon.