History of the Basketball Association of America
The Basketball Association of America was founded in
1946 as a new professional basketball league built around major arenas
in large American and Canadian cities. Unlike many earlier professional
basketball leagues that operated in smaller gymnasiums and industrial
markets, the BAA was designed to place professional basketball in
prominent buildings such as Madison Square Garden, Boston Garden and
Maple Leaf Gardens.
The first BAA season began in 1946-47 with 11 teams. The first game in
league history was played on November 1, 1946, when the New York
Knickerbockers defeated the Toronto Huskies 68-66 at Maple Leaf Gardens
in Toronto. Because the NBA recognizes BAA games as part of its official
history, that contest is also recognized as the first game in NBA
history.
The BAA operated for three seasons. Four teams disappeared after the
inaugural season, while the Baltimore Bullets joined the league for
1947-48. Before the 1948-49 season, four established National Basketball
League franchises moved into the BAA: the Fort Wayne Pistons,
Indianapolis Jets, Minneapolis Lakers and Rochester Royals.
In 1949, the BAA and the remaining NBL organizations were brought
together under the name National Basketball Association.
The modern NBA considers the BAA's three seasons part of its official
history, which is why NBA historical records begin with the 1946-47
BAA season.
BAA Quick Facts
| Category |
Total |
| BAA Seasons |
3 |
| Years of Operation |
1946-1949 |
| Players |
295 |
| Teams That Played in the BAA |
16 |
| BAA Franchises Still in the NBA |
6 |
| Original Teams in 1946-47 |
11 |
BAA Champions
The BAA crowned three champions during its three seasons. The
Philadelphia Warriors won the inaugural championship in 1947, the
Baltimore Bullets won in 1948 and the Minneapolis Lakers won the final
BAA championship in 1949.
View the complete BAA Champions list »
Basketball Association of America Teams
| Team |
BAA Seasons |
What Happened to the Franchise? |
|
Boston Celtics
|
1946-49 |
Joined the NBA in 1949 and remain in Boston. The Celtics have won
18 NBA championships.
|
|
Chicago Stags
|
1946-49 |
Joined the NBA in 1949 and disbanded in 1950.
|
|
Cleveland Rebels
|
1946-47 |
Played one BAA season and folded after the league's inaugural year.
|
|
Detroit Falcons
|
1946-47 |
Played one BAA season before folding in 1947.
|
|
New York Knickerbockers
|
1946-49 |
Joined the NBA in 1949 and remain one of the league's original
continuous franchises. New York has won two NBA championships.
|
|
Philadelphia Warriors
|
1946-49 |
Won the first BAA championship in 1947. The franchise later became
the Golden State Warriors and has won seven championships in
BAA/NBA history.
|
|
Pittsburgh Ironmen
|
1946-47 |
Played one BAA season and folded in 1947.
|
|
Providence Steamrollers
|
1946-49 |
Played all three BAA seasons before folding in 1949.
|
|
St. Louis Bombers
|
1946-49 |
Joined the NBA in 1949 and disbanded following the 1949-50 season.
|
|
Toronto Huskies
|
1946-47 |
Played in the first game in BAA/NBA history and folded after one
season.
|
|
Washington Capitols
|
1946-49 |
Joined the NBA in 1949. The franchise folded during the 1950-51
season.
|
|
Baltimore Bullets
|
1947-49 |
Joined the BAA from the ABL, won the 1948 BAA championship and
continued into the NBA before folding in 1954.
|
| Fort Wayne Pistons |
1948-49 |
Joined the BAA from the NBL in 1948 and entered the NBA in 1949.
The franchise moved to Detroit in 1957 and has won three NBA
championships.
|
|
Indianapolis Jets
|
1948-49 |
Joined the BAA from the NBL for its final season and folded in 1949.
|
|
Minneapolis Lakers
|
1948-49 |
Joined the BAA from the NBL, won the 1949 BAA championship and
later moved to Los Angeles. The Lakers have won 17 NBA/BAA
championships.
|
|
Rochester Royals
|
1948-49 |
Joined the BAA from the NBL and entered the NBA in 1949. The
franchise later became the Sacramento Kings.
|
Six BAA Franchises Still in the NBA
Six franchises that participated in the BAA remain active in the NBA:
the Boston Celtics, New York Knicks, Golden State Warriors,
Detroit Pistons, Los Angeles Lakers and Sacramento Kings.
Boston, New York and Philadelphia were founding BAA franchises in
1946. Fort Wayne, Minneapolis and Rochester entered from the NBL for
the BAA's final season in 1948-49 before becoming part of the NBA.
The BAA's Place in NBA History
Although the league operated under the BAA name for only three
seasons, its history forms the beginning of the official NBA record
book. The NBA's first season is recognized as 1946-47, its first
champion as the Philadelphia Warriors, and its first official game as
the November 1, 1946 meeting between New York and Toronto.
The BAA also established the major-market arena model that helped
professional basketball develop into a national league. The arrival
of powerful NBL franchises such as Minneapolis, Rochester and Fort
Wayne strengthened the competition before the league was reorganized
as the NBA in 1949.
