BAA : Basketball Association of America.
The BAA merged with the National Basketball League (NBL) to form the NBA. The BAA years are officially considered the first years of the NBA.
The Sonics drafted Kevin Durant before relocating to OKC. They also drafted Gary Payton, Dennis Johnson and Shawn Kemp
Jets (BAA) - Olympians (NBA) - Pacers (ABA - NBA)
Led by Mel Daniels, the Pacers won 3 ABA Championships in 4 years. Daniels never played in the NBA. He'll be enshrined this year
Lakers (NBA) - Stars (ABA) - Clippers (NBA)
Elmore Smith holds the Lakers team record for blocks in a game (17)
Royals (NBA)
1955 ROY Maurice Stokes played in the All-Star Game all three years of his career. He suffered a head injury in the last game of the 57-58 season, the first in the Royals new City. The injury aggravated during the flight back after the first playoff game, and Stokes fell into a coma
Cougars (ABA)
A 'regional team', based in 4 different cities, but primarily in this one
Colonels (ABA)
The Colonels were a member of the ABA for all of the league's nine years
Chaparrals (ABA)
One of the three home cities of the Texas Chaparrals
Mavericks (ABA) - Rockets (NBA)
The Mavericks, unrelated to the NBA team, were a charter member of the ABA
Steam Rollers (BAA)
The Steamrollers remain the last pro sports franchise from one of the Big Four leagues to be based in this city's state
Oaks (ABA) - Warriors (NBA)
After a contract dispute with the Warriors, Rick Barry joined the Oaks in 68 and led them to the ABA title in 69
Cougars (ABA)
A 'regional team', based in 4 different cities
Stars (ABA) - Jazz (NBA)
The Jazz relocated there in 1979
Cougars (ABA) - Hornets (NBA) - Bobcats (NBA)
Primos Brezec scored the Bobcats first two points. Jason Kapono recorded their first block
Americans (ABA) - Nets (NBA)
The Nets have had two ROY in their history : Buck Williams and Derrick Coleman
Chaparrals (ABA)
One of the three home cities of the Texas Chaparrals
Trail Blazers (NBA)
The Trail Blazers entered the NBA in 1970 as an expansion team. They quickly mastered the draft : Geoffe Petrie won ROY in 71, Sydney Wicks in 72
Floridians (ABA)
For one year, the Floridians were a 'regional team', thus based in 4 cities
Thunder (NBA)
Earl Watson scored the franchise first two points
Grizzlies (NBA)
Original location of the Grizzlies franchise. Shareef Abdur-Rahim is the franchise leader in points per game
Hawks (NBA)
These Hawks drafted Pete Maravich and Boris Diaw
Blackhawks (NBA)
Under the leadership of coach Red Auerback, the Blackhawks reached the playoffs in the NBA inaugural year
The Stags star player was Max Zaslofsky. He was an All-NBA first Team in the Stags 4 years of existence. At 21, he remained the youngest first team All-NBA for 60 years, until he was surpassed by Lebron James in 2006
Floridians (ABA) - Heat (NBA)
The Heat first draft pick was Rony Seikaly
Warriors (NBA)
The first player drafted by the Warriors after their relocation was Hall of Famer Nate Thurmond (#3)
Red Skins (NBA)
The Red Skins were a charter member of the NBA, and the NBA all-time smallest arena and market
The Capitols were founded in 1946 as a charter BAA team; it became a charter NBA team in 1949. The Capitols were the first professional team coached by Red Auerbach
Falcons (BAA) - Pistons (NBA)
Six players of the Pistons made it to the All-NBA first team at least once : Larry Foust, George Yardley, Gene Shue, Dave Bing, Isiah Thomas and Grant Hill
Kings (NBA)
The Royals relocated and became the Kings, which played in two cities. This one is in Kansas
Royals (BAA - NBA)
With Bob Davies and Bobby Wanzer, the Royals had the best backcourt duo of the NBA's early years. Davies is the first NBA player to record 20 assists in a game
Hawks (NBA)
The Hawks remain the only sports franchise ever based in Iowa from any of the Big Four Leagues
Huskies (BAA) - Raptors (NBA)
At the creation of the Raptors, initial sentiment was in favour of reviving the Huskies nickname, but team management realized it would be nearly impossible to design a logo that did not substantially resemble that of the Timberwolves
Squires (ABA)
A 'regional team', based in 4 different cities, but primarily in this one. The Squires drafted Dr J.
Warriors (BAA - NBA) - 76ers (NBA)
Led by Joe Fulks, the first of the high scoring forwards, the Warriors won the inaugural BAA championship by defeating the Stags 4 games to 1
Knickerbockers (BAA - NBA) - Nets (ABA)
The Knicks are one of only two teams of the original National Basketball Association still located in its original city (the other being the Celtics)
Squires (ABA)
A 'regional team', based in 4 different cities. The Squires drafted Dr J.
Ironmen (BAA) - Pipers (ABA) - Condors (ABA)
Led by MVP and future Hall of Famer Connie Hawkins, the Pipers won the first ABA championship
Bombers (BAA - NBA) - Hawks (NBA) - Spirits (ABA)
Along the Colonels, the Spirits were the only active ABA team to not join the NBA after the merger. That has made then owners Ozzie and Daniel Silna very rich men, thanks to the amazing deal they signed 35 years ago
Kings (NBA)
The Kings moved to their current home in the 1985-86 season
Spurs (ABA) - Spurs (NBA)
The Chaparrals relocated and became the Spurs in 1976
Nationals (NBA)
Led by Dolph Schayes, the Nationals won the 1955 NBA Chapionship
Bullets (BAA - NBA) - Bullets (NBA) - Claws (ABA)
The Claws only played three preseason games before collapsing in 1976, the ABA last year of existence. Since then, this city is still awaiting professional basketball
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