James Naismith: The National Basketball Association

In the year of 1891, a Canadian American by the name of James Naismith, gave the world one of the best, most influential sports of all time; he gave us basketball. Possibly known as the most popular sport in the world, basketball gave many people from countries in poverty a chance at a better life in America, home of the National Basketball Association or the N.B.A.

On August 3, 1949, The Basketball Association of America (BAA) and the National Basketball League (NBL) merged to become the National Basketball Association. Later that year, George Mikan and the Minneapolis Lakers (now known as the Los Angeles Lakers) led his to team to a stunning 6-game N.B.A. Finals matchup against the Washington Capitols to achieve the first ever Larry O’Brien

Draft will never be forgotten, as it contained two extremely notable legends that everyone knows...those two were Earvin “Magic” Johnson and Larry Bird (ak.a. Larry Legend). That same year the 3-point line was added to the game and Magic Johnson won his first championship with the Lakers as a rookie. Julius Erving called it a career in 1983 after winning his only ring with the Philadelphia 76ers along with Moses Malone. Eventually in 1984, the Magic-Bird Finals matchup was a reality and Bird took the first round as the Celtics defeated the Lakers in an exciting 7-game series. The very next year, the best player in N.B.A. history was drafted in the 1985 N.B.A. Draft; his name was Michael Jordan. He became the 1985 N.B.A. Rookie Of The Year. Although he was not overlooked, the main headlines of the N.B.A. was the Magic-Bird, whom went back to the Finals for a round two matchup, in which Magic evened the playing field as the Lakers beat the Celtics 4-2. The very next year, Michael Jordan led the Chicago Bulls into the playoffs to eventually play the Boston Celtics. Larry cited a quote on Michael Jordan breaking an N.B.A. Playoff single game scoring record by scoring 63 points;”God disguised as Michael Jordan.”~Larry Bird. In 1987, the final matchup of Magic-Bird ended with Magic getting the best of Bird. The Lakers would eventually win The Finals the very next year, as Pat Riley promised the organization about becoming back-to-back champions. The Detroit