Basketball Association of America

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Basketball Association of America
Sport
Minneapolis Lakers
Related
competitions		National Basketball Association

The Basketball Association of America (BAA) was a professional basketball league in North America, founded in 1946. Following its third season, 1948–49, the BAA absorbed most of National Basketball League (NBL) and rebranded as the National Basketball Association (NBA).[1]

The

Minneapolis Lakers in 1948 and 1949, respectively. Six teams from the BAA remain in operation in the NBA as of the 2021–22 season, three that co-founded the league in 1946 and three that joined it from the NBL in 1948 (below). The inaugural BAA season began with 11 teams, of which four dropped out before the second season. One ABL team joined to provide 8 teams for 1947–48 and four NBL teams joined to provide 12 for 1948–49. The records and statistics of the BAA and NBL prior to the merger in 1949 are considered in official NBA history only if a player, coach or team participated in the newly formed NBA after 1949 for one or more seasons.[2][3]

The NBA generally claims the BAA's history as its own. For example, at NBA History online its table of one-line "NBA Season Recaps" begins 1946–47 without comment.[4] It celebrated "NBA at 50" in 1996, with the announcement of its 50 Greatest Players among other things.[5]

History

An exterior view of a building. The building has a sign that says "Maple Leaf Gardens" on the front.
Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto hosted the first BAA game.

When the BAA was founded there were two established professional leagues in the United States: the

Frank Selke, Duquesne Gardens entertainment executive John Harris and Rhode Island Auditorium owner Louis Pieri. The already serving president of the American Hockey League (AHL) Maurice Podoloff was appointed president of the BAA, becoming the first person to simultaneously lead two professional leagues[7]—Joseph Carr had been president of the ABL from 1925 to 1928 while also overseeing the National Football League (NFL), although the NFL and ABL seasons did not overlap.[8]

The owners of the BAA, while experienced businessmen, had little experience owning basketball teams.

playoffs and the final series to determine the league winner.[7]

Although there had been earlier attempts at professional basketball leagues, including the

Minneapolis Lakers in 1949.[11][12]

1946–47 season

Further information:
1947 BAA Playoffs, and 1947 BAA Finals

The league started with 11 teams, which were divided into two divisions, the

playoffs. The two division winners received first-round byes and qualified directly to the semifinals, while the two second-place teams and two third-place teams competed in the best-of-3 quarterfinals, followed by the semifinals. The final series was also played in a best-of-7
format.

On November 1, 1946, at

Philadelphia Warriors who defeated the New York Knickerbockers in the other semifinal. The Warriors won the inaugural BAA championship by winning the series 4–1.[10][15][16]

The first year had many problems. In arenas shared with hockey teams, some arena owners simply put a wooden basketball floor over the ice. This caused some games to be cancelled due to puddles on the floor. In addition, some owners would not heat their buildings, leading fans to bring blankets to the games and players to wear gloves. Attendance averaged just 3,000 per game. Teams with large leads would stall by having players dribble the ball for long periods. The owners discussed trying a 60-minute game and even doing "innings" where each team would have the ball for a certain period of time.[17] In addition, the teams in the league were financially weak.[18] However, the BAA still had fans eager to see former college stars play.[19]

From the beginning, the league aspired to be a major league. The league also differed from its rival, the NBL. The BAA played a 48-minute game instead of a 40-minute game, and allowed players to play until they committed six fouls as opposed to five. The league formation did not alarm team owners in the NBL until some NBL players switched to the BAA.[20]

1947–48 season

Further information:
1948 BAA Playoffs, and 1948 BAA Finals

Before the season started, the

ABL, and were assigned to the Western Division along with the Washington Capitols to even the divisions. Prior to the start of the season, the league held its inaugural college draft on July 1, 1947.[21] Each team played 48 regular season games. The Eastern Division was won by the Philadelphia Warriors, the West by the St. Louis Bombers.[11]

The

St. Louis Bombers. In the finals, the Warriors were defeated by the Bullets 4–2.[11][22][23]

1948–49 season

Further information:
1949 BAA Playoffs, and 1949 BAA Finals

Prior to the start of the season, four teams from the

Rochester Royals, joined the BAA. This caused a surge in talent as players such as George Mikan were now playing in the BAA.[12] With twelve teams, the league was realigned into two six-team divisions. Each team played 60 regular season games. The Eastern Division was won by the Washington Capitols who had 38 wins, while the Western Division was dominated by the two new teams, the Royals and the Lakers who had 45 and 44 wins respectively.[24]

The

finals. The divisional semifinals and finals were played in a best-of-3 format while the final series were played in the best-of-7 format. The Lakers defeated the Royals to become the inaugural Western Division winner. In the other divisional final, the Capitols defeated the New York Knicks to become the inaugural Eastern Division winner. The Lakers then won the finals by defeating the Capitols 4–2.[12][24][25]

Absorption of NBL, and rebranding as NBA

Main article: National Basketball Association

On August 3, 1949, the BAA agreed to merge with the NBL, creating the National Basketball Association (NBA). Six remaining NBL teams joined with the ten BAA teams; the Indianapolis Jets and the Providence Steamrollers folded prior to the absorption. The Indianapolis Olympians, a planned expansion team for the NBL, also joined the newly formed league. In total, the new league had 17 teams located in a mix of large and small cities, as well as large arenas, smaller gymnasiums, and armories.[7][26] Prior to the merge, the league held the 1949 college draft on March 21, which was the last event held under the name BAA.[21]

The NBA claims the BAA's history as its own.[4][5] It reckons the 1949 deal as an expansion, not a merger, and does not recognize NBL records.

League championships

Main article:
List of BAA champions

The series was initially known as the BAA Finals prior to the 1949–50 season when the Basketball Association of America (BAA) absorbed the National Basketball League (NBL) and rebranded as NBA.

Teams

^ Denotes a franchise that is currently active, present day NBA
Team City Years
active 		Seasons
played 		Win–loss
record 		Win pct. Playoff
seasons 		Champion
seasons 		Ref.
BAA Buffalo Buffalo, New York Never Played 0 0–0 N/A 0 0 [27]
BAA Indianapolis
Indianapolis, Indiana
 Never Played 0 0–0 N/A 0 0 [27]
Baltimore Bullets[a]
Baltimore, Maryland
 1947–49 2 57–51 .528 2 1 [28]
Boston Celtics^
Boston, Massachusetts
 1946–49 3 67–101 .399 1 0 [29]
Chicago Stags Chicago, Illinois 1946–49 3 105–64 .621 3 0 [30]
Cleveland Rebels
Cleveland, Ohio
 1946–47 1 30–30 .500 1 0 [31]
Detroit Falcons Detroit, Michigan 1946–47 1 20–40 .333 0 0 [32]
Fort Wayne Pistons^[b]
 Fort Wayne, Indiana 1948–49 1 22–38 .367 0 0 [33]
Indianapolis Jets[g] 
Indianapolis, Indiana
 1948–49 1 18–42 .300 0 0 [34]
Minneapolis Lakers^[c]
Minneapolis, Minnesota
 1948–49 1 44–16 .733 1 1 [35]
New York Knickerbockers^ 
New York City, New York
 1946–49 3 91–77 .542 3 0 [36]
Philadelphia Warriors^[d]
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
 1946–49 3 90–78 .536 3 1 [37]
Pittsburgh Ironmen
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
 1946–47 1 15–45 .250 0 0 [38]
Providence Steamrollers Providence, Rhode Island 1946–49 3 46–122 .274 0 0 [39]
Rochester Royals^[e]
 Rochester, New York 1948–49 1 45–15 .750 1 0 [40]
St. Louis Bombers
St. Louis, Missouri
 1946–49 3 96–73 .568 3 0 [41]
Toronto Huskies
Toronto, Ontario
 1946–47 1 22–38 .367 0 0 [42]
Washington Capitols[f] Washington, D.C. 1946–49 3 115–53 .685 3 0 [43]
  • a Not affiliated with the present-day Washington Wizards, which were known as the Baltimore Bullets from 1963 to 1973, Baltimore moved from the NBL to the BAA in 1947.
  • b Known as the Detroit Pistons since 1957, Fort Wayne moved from the NBL to the BAA in 1948.
  • c Known as the Los Angeles Lakers since 1960, Minneapolis moved from the NBL to the BAA in 1948.
  • d Known as the Golden State Warriors since 1971, Philadelphia relocated to San Francisco in 1962.
  • e Known as the Sacramento Kings since 1985, Rochester moved from the NBL to the BAA in 1948 (and relocated three times).
  • f Not affiliated with National Hockey League Washington Capitals
  • g Indianapolis moved from the NBL to the BAA in 1948, along with three other teams that remain in operation.

Annual standings

1946–47

Eastern Division[10]
Team W L Pct. GB
Washington Capitols 49 11 .817 –
Philadelphia Warriors
 35 25 .583 14
New York Knicks 33 27 .550 16
Providence Steamrollers 28 32 .467 21
Boston Celtics 22 38 .367 27
Toronto Huskies 22 38 .367 27
Western Division[10]
Team W L Pct. GB
Chicago Stags 39 22 .639 –
St. Louis Bombers
 38 23 .623 1
Cleveland Rebels 30 30 .500 8½
Detroit Falcons 20 40 .333 18½
Pittsburgh Ironmen 15 45 .250 23½

1947–48

Eastern Division[11]
Team W L Pct. GB
Philadelphia Warriors
 27 21 .563 –
New York Knicks 26 22 .542 1
Boston Celtics 20 28 .417 7
Providence Steamrollers 6 42 .125 21
Western Division[11]
Team W L Pct. GB
St. Louis Bombers
 29 19 .604 –
Baltimore Bullets
 28 20 .583 1
Chicago Stags 28 20 .583 1
Washington Capitols 28 20 .583 1

1948–49

Eastern Division[12]
Team W L Pct. GB
Washington Capitols 38 22 .633 –
New York Knicks 32 28 .533 6
Baltimore Bullets
 29 31 .483 9
Philadelphia Warriors
 28 32 .467 10
Boston Celtics 25 35 .417 13
Providence Steamrollers 12 48 .200 26
Western Division[12]
Team W L Pct. GB
Rochester Royals
 45 15 .750 –
Minneapolis Lakers
 44 16 .733 1
Chicago Stags 38 22 .633 7
St. Louis Bombers
 29 31 .483 16
Fort Wayne Pistons
 22 38 .367 23
Indianapolis Jets 18 42 .300 27

Awards

Main article: All-NBA Team

The All-BAA Team was an annual BAA honor bestowed on the best players in the league following every season. The All-BAA Team was composed of two five-man lineups—a first and second team, comprising a total of 10 roster spots. The players were selected without regard to

position.[44]

* Denotes a Hall of Fame player
Player (X) Denotes the number of times the player has been selected
All-BAA Team[44]
Season First team Second team
Players Teams Players Teams
1946–47 Joe Fulks*
Philadelphia Warriors
 Ernie Calverley Providence Steamrollers
Bob Feerick Washington Capitols Frank Baumholtz Cleveland Rebels
Stan Miasek Detroit Falcons Johnny Logan
St. Louis Bombers
Bones McKinney Washington Capitols Chick Halbert Chicago Stags
Max Zaslofsky Chicago Stags Fred Scolari Washington Capitols
1947–48 Joe Fulks* (2)
Philadelphia Warriors
 Johnny Logan (2)
St. Louis Bombers
Max Zaslofsky (2) Chicago Stags Carl Braun New York Knicks
Ed Sadowski Boston Celtics Stan Miasek (2) Chicago Stags
Howie Dallmar
Philadelphia Warriors
 Fred Scolari (2) Washington Capitols
Bob Feerick (2) Washington Capitols Buddy Jeannette*
Baltimore Bullets
1948–49 George Mikan*
Minneapolis Lakers
 Arnie Risen*
Rochester Royals
Joe Fulks* (3)
Philadelphia Warriors
 Bob Feerick (3) Washington Capitols
Bob Davies*
Rochester Royals
 Bones McKinney Washington Capitols
Max Zaslofsky (3) Chicago Stags Ken Sailors Providence Steamrollers
Jim Pollard*
Minneapolis Lakers
 Johnny Logan (3)
St. Louis Bombers

References

  1. ^ "AUG 03: Sports: 1949: NBA is born" Archived March 7, 2010, at the Wayback Machine. This Day in History. History.com. Retrieved 2015-03-02.
  2. ^ "Basketball Association of America League Minutes 1946–1949" Archived April 22, 2011, at the Wayback Machine. The Association for Professional Basketball Research. APBR.org. Retrieved 2015-03-02.
  3. ^ 2012–13 Official National Basketball Association Register Archived March 4, 2014, at the Wayback Machine. NBA.com.
  4. ^ a b "NBA Season Recaps" Archived July 17, 2013, at the Wayback Machine. NBA History (nba.com/history). July 1, 2014. Retrieved 2015-03-02.
  5. ^ a b "NBA at 50 celebrates legends of league" Archived May 22, 2012, at the Wayback Machine. Announced October 29, 1996. NBA History (nba.com/history). August 26, 2011. Retrieved 2015-03-02.
  6. ISBN 978-0-8166-5675-2
    . Retrieved December 13, 2009.
  7. ^ a b c Berger, Phil. "First Season". AmericanHeritage.com. American Heritage Publishing. Archived from the original on June 26, 2009. Retrieved August 15, 2009.
  8. ^ "Joe Carr" (PDF). www.profootballresearchers.org. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 27, 2010.
  9. ISBN 978-0-8156-2754-8
    . Retrieved January 16, 2010.
  10. ^ a b c d "Fulks' Warriors Star in League's First Season". NBA/Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Archived from the original on April 14, 2012. Retrieved August 15, 2009.
  11. ^ a b c d e "New Team in Baltimore Grabs Crown". NBA/Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Archived from the original on April 14, 2012. Retrieved August 15, 2009.
  12. ^ a b c d e "The Mikan Era Arrives". NBA/Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Archived from the original on April 14, 2012. Retrieved August 15, 2009.
  13. ^ "History of Basketball in Canada". NBA/Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. March 8, 2002. Archived from the original on April 19, 2007. Retrieved April 13, 2007.
  14. ^ Goldaper, Sam. "The First Game". NBA. Archived from the original on September 7, 2012. Retrieved August 15, 2009.
  15. ^ "1946–47 BAA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on February 23, 2011. Retrieved November 7, 2009.
  16. ^ "Warriors Win Inaugural Finals". NBA/Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Archived from the original on December 1, 2009. Retrieved November 7, 2009.
  17. ISBN 978-0-8032-8766-2
    . Retrieved January 16, 2010.
  18. ISBN 978-0-253-21199-6
    . Retrieved February 27, 2010.
  19. ISBN 978-0-312-37659-8. Retrieved February 26, 2010. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link
    )
  20. ^ Gould, Todd (1998). Pioneers of the Hardwood: Indiana and the Birth of Professional Basketball. Indiana University Press. p. 136. Retrieved February 27, 2010. Basketball Association of America.
  21. ^ a b "1947–1948 BAA Drafts, 1949–1951 NBA Drafts". The Association for Professional Basketball Research. Archived from the original on July 4, 2010. Retrieved September 11, 2009.
  22. ^ "1947–48 BAA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on August 20, 2011. Retrieved November 6, 2009.
  23. ^ "Baltimore Bursts Into Big Leagues". NBA/Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Archived from the original on December 1, 2009. Retrieved November 7, 2009.
  24. ^ a b "1948–49 BAA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on August 20, 2011. Retrieved November 7, 2009.
  25. ^ "Mikan, Lakers Begin Championship Run". NBA/Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Archived from the original on December 1, 2009. Retrieved November 7, 2009.
  26. ^ "Powerful Lakers Repeat". NBA/Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Archived from the original on April 14, 2012. Retrieved August 15, 2009.
  27. ^ a b Bradley, Robert. "BAA League Minutes". APBR. Archived from the original on April 22, 2011. Retrieved January 16, 2010.
  28. ^ "Baltimore Bullets Franchise Index". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on August 20, 2011. Retrieved August 15, 2009.
  29. ^ "Boston Celtics Franchise Index". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on December 8, 2006. Retrieved August 15, 2009.
  30. ^ "Chicago Stags Franchise Index". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on August 20, 2011. Retrieved August 15, 2009.
  31. ^ "Cleveland Rebels Franchise Index". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on August 20, 2011. Retrieved August 15, 2009.
  32. ^ "Detroit Falcons Franchise Index". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on August 20, 2011. Retrieved August 15, 2009.
  33. ^ "Detroit Pistons Franchise Index". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on April 15, 2009. Retrieved August 15, 2009.
  34. ^ "Indianapolis Jets Franchise Index". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on August 20, 2011. Retrieved August 15, 2009.
  35. ^ "Los Angeles Lakers Franchise Index". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on April 15, 2009. Retrieved August 15, 2009.
  36. ^ "New York Knickerbockers Franchise Index". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on April 24, 2010. Retrieved August 15, 2009.
  37. ^ "Golden State Warriors Franchise Index". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on April 17, 2009. Retrieved August 15, 2009.
  38. ^ "Pittsburgh Ironmen Franchise Index". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on August 20, 2011. Retrieved August 15, 2009.
  39. ^ "Providence Steamrollers Franchise Index". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on August 20, 2011. Retrieved July 4, 2009.
  40. ^ "Sacramento Kings Franchise Index". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on April 16, 2009. Retrieved July 4, 2009.
  41. ^ "St. Louis Bombers Franchise Index". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on August 20, 2011. Retrieved August 15, 2009.
  42. ^ "Toronto Huskies Franchise Index". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on August 20, 2011. Retrieved August 15, 2009.
  43. ^ "Washington Capitols Franchise Index". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on August 20, 2011. Retrieved August 15, 2009.
  44. ^ a b "All-NBA Teams". NBA/Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Archived from the original on September 17, 2008. Retrieved August 15, 2009.

External links

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