Pedia View . com

Open Source Encyclopedia

Basketball Association of America

Basketball Association of America
Sport Basketball
Founded 1946
No. of teams 16
Country(ies)  United States
 Canada
Ceased 1949
Last champion(s) Minneapolis Lakers
Related competitions National Basketball Association

The Basketball Association of America (BAA) was a professional basketball league in North America, founded in 1946. The league absorbed teams from the National Basketball League (NBL) in 1949, and formed the National Basketball Association (NBA). The Philadelphia Warriors won the inaugural BAA championship in 1947, followed by the Baltimore Bullets and the Minneapolis Lakers in 1948 and 1949 respectively. Six teams from the BAA are still active in the NBA as of the 2012–13 season. The inaugural BAA season began with 11 teams; the league contracted to 8 teams in 1947–48, then expanded to 12 for 1948–49. Only the records and statistics of the BAA are considered valid in official NBA totals for records and statistics, unlike the invalid records and statistics of the rival NBL.

Contents

History []

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

Walter Brown, owner of the Boston Garden, believed that major ice hockey arenas, which sat empty on many nights, could be put to profitable use hosting basketball games when there were no ice hockey games to be played.[1] To put this theory into practice, the BAA was founded in New York City on June 6, 1946. Maurice Podoloff, who was already serving as president of the American Hockey League, was appointed president of the BAA, becoming the first person to simultaneously lead two professional leagues[2] (Joseph Carr had been president of the American Basketball League from 1925 to 1928 while also overseeing the National Football League, although the NFL and ABL seasons did not overlap). [1]

The owners of the BAA, while experienced businessmen, had little practice at owning basketball teams.[3] The league started with 11 teams, which played a 60-game regular season. This was followed by the playoffs and the final series to determine the league winner.[2] Similar to Major League Baseball, nobody expected signing or drafting black players.[4]

Although there had been earlier, unsuccessful attempts at professional basketball leagues, including the American Basketball League (ABL) and the NBL, the BAA was the first league that attempted to play primarily in large arenas in major cities, such as Madison Square Garden and Boston Garden.[5] At its inception, the quality of play in the BAA was not significantly better than in competing leagues, or among leading independent clubs such as the Harlem Globetrotters. For instance, both the 1948 and 1949 titles were won by teams that had played in other leagues during the previous year, the Baltimore Bullets in 1948 and the Minneapolis Lakers in 1949 respectively.[6][7]

1946–47 season []

Further information: 1946–47 BAA season, 1947 BAA Playoffs, and 1947 BAA Finals

The league started with 11 teams, which were divided into two divisions, the Eastern Division and the Western Division. Each team played 60 or 61 regular season games. The best three teams from each division advanced to the playoffs. The two division winners received first round byes and qualified directly to the semifinals while the two second-placed teams and two third-placed teams contest a best-of-3 quarterfinal and semifinal. The final series was also played in a best-of-7 format.

On November 1, 1946, at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto, the Toronto Huskies hosted the New York Knickerbockers, which the NBA now regards as the league's first official game.[8] In the opening game of the BAA, Ossie Schectman scored the opening basket for the Knickerbockers.[9] The Eastern Division winner, the Washington Capitols, who had the best record with 49 wins, were defeated in the best-of-7 semifinal by the Western Division winner, the Chicago Stags. The Stags advanced to the finals along with the 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.[5][10][11]

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.[12] In addition, the teams in the league were financially weak.[13] However, the BAA still had fans eager to see former college stars play.[14]

From the beginning, the league aspired to be a major league. The league also differed from its rival, the National Basketball League. 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. They were not interested in war with the BAA and thought that the two leagues could operate in harmony. However, some NBL players did switch to the BAA.[15]

1947–48 season []

Further information: 1947 BAA Draft, 1947–48 BAA season, 1948 BAA Playoffs, and 1948 BAA Finals

Before the season started, the Cleveland Rebels, Detroit Falcons, Pittsburgh Ironmen and Toronto Huskies folded, leaving the BAA with only seven teams. The Baltimore Bullets joined the league from 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.[16] Each team played 48 regular season games. The Eastern Division was won by the Philadelphia Warriors, the West by the St. Louis Bombers.[6]

The 1948 Playoffs followed the same format as the previous year. The Eastern Division winner, the Philadelphia Warriors defeated the Western Division winner, St. Louis Bombers. In the finals, the Warriors were defeated by the Bullets 4–2.[6][17][18]

1948–49 season []

Further information: 1948 BAA Draft, 1948–49 BAA season, 1949 BAA Playoffs, and 1949 BAA Finals

Prior to the start of the season, four teams from the NBL, the Fort Wayne Pistons, Indianapolis Jets, Minneapolis Lakers and the Rochester Royals, joined the BAA. This caused a surge in talent as players such as George Mikan were now playing in the BAA.[7] With twelve teams, the league was realigned into a 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.[19]

The 1949 Playoffs were expanded to include eight teams. The four best teams from each division contested in divisional semifinals and divisional finals to find each division winners. The two division winners then advanced to 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 became the inaugural Western Division winner. In the other divisional final, the Capitols defeated the New York Knicks to became the inaugural Eastern Division winner. The Lakers then won the finals by defeating the Capitols 4–2.[7][19][20]

The end of the BAA []

Main article: National Basketball Association

On August 3, 1949, the BAA agreed to absorb the NBL, creating the National Basketball Association (NBA). The six remaining NBL teams were absorbed into the BAA, which then had ten teams after 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.[2][21] Prior to the merge, the league held the 1949 College Draft on March 21, which was the last event held under the name BAA.[16]

League champions []

Year Finalist Result Finalist Reference
1947 Philadelphia Warriors 4–1 Chicago Stags [5]
1948 Baltimore Bullets[a] 4–2 Philadelphia Warriors [6]
1949 Minneapolis Lakers 4–2 Washington Capitols [7]

Teams []

^ Denotes a franchise that currently playing in the NBA
Team City Years
active		 Seasons
played		 Win–loss
record		 Winning
percentage		 Playoffs
appearances		 Championship
wins		 Reference
BAA Buffalo Buffalo, New York Never Played 0 0–0 N/A 0 0 [22]
BAA Indianapolis Indianapolis, Indiana Never Played 0 0–0 N/A 0 0 [22]
Baltimore Bullets[a] Baltimore, Maryland 1947–49 2 57–51 .528 2 1 [23]
Boston Celtics^ Boston, Massachusetts 1946–49 3 67–101 .399 1 0 [24]
Chicago Stags Chicago, Illinois 1946–49 3 105–64 .621 3 0 [25]
Cleveland Rebels Cleveland, Ohio 1946–47 1 30–30 .500 1 0 [26]
Detroit Falcons Detroit, Michigan 1946–47 1 20–40 .333 0 0 [27]
Fort Wayne Pistons^[b] Fort Wayne, Indiana 1948–49 1 22–38 .367 0 0 [28]
Indianapolis Jets Indianapolis, Indiana 1948–49 1 18–42 .300 0 0 [29]
Minneapolis Lakers^[c] Minneapolis, Minnesota 1948–49 1 44–16 .733 1 1 [30]
New York Knickerbockers^ New York City 1946–49 3 91–77 .542 3 0 [31]
Philadelphia Warriors^[d] Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 1946–49 3 90–78 .536 3 1 [32]
Pittsburgh Ironmen Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 1946–47 1 15–45 .250 0 0 [33]
Providence Steamrollers Providence, Rhode Island 1946–49 3 46–122 .274 0 0 [34]
Rochester Royals^[e] Rochester, New York 1948–49 1 45–15 .750 1 0 [35]
St. Louis Bombers St. Louis, Missouri 1946–49 3 96–73 .568 3 0 [36]
Toronto Huskies Toronto, Ontario 1946–47 1 22–38 .367 0 0 [37]
Washington Capitols Washington, D.C. 1946–49 3 115–53 .685 3 0 [38]
  • a Not affiliated with the present-day Washington Wizards, which were known as the Baltimore Bullets from 1963 to 1973
  • b Known as the Detroit Pistons since 1957
  • c Known as the Los Angeles Lakers since 1960
  • d Known as the Golden State Warriors since 1971
  • e Known as the Sacramento Kings since 1985

Year-by-Year standings []

1946–47 season []

Eastern Division []

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 []

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

[5]

1947–48 season []

Eastern Division []

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 []

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

[6]

1948–49 season []

Eastern Division []

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 []

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

[7]

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 regardless to position.[39]

* Denotes player who has been inducted to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
Player (X) Denotes the number of times the player has been selected
All-BAA Team
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) Detroit Falcons
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

[39]

References []

  1. ^ Schumacher, Michael (2007). Mr. Basketball: George Mikan. University of Minnesota Press. pp. 71–72. ISBN 0-8166-5675-4 [Amazon-US | Amazon-UK]. Retrieved December 13, 2009.
  2. ^ a b c Berger, Phil. "First Season". AmericanHeritage.com. American Heritage Publishing. Retrieved August 15, 2009.
  3. ^ Riess, Steven A. (1998). Sports and the American Jew. Syracuse: Syracuse University press. ISBN 978-0-8156-2754-8 [Amazon-US | Amazon-UK]. Retrieved January 16, 2010.
  4. ^ Thomas, Ron (2002). They cleared the lane; the NBA. First Nebraska Paperback pringting. ISBN 978-0-8032-9454-7 [Amazon-US | Amazon-UK]. Retrieved January 16, 2010.
  5. ^ a b c d "Fulks' Warriors Star in League's First Season". NBA/Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved August 15, 2009.
  6. ^ a b c d e "New Team in Baltimore Grabs Crown". NBA/Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved August 15, 2009.
  7. ^ a b c d e "The Mikan Era Arrives". NBA/Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved August 15, 2009.
  8. ^ "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.
  9. ^ Goldaper, Sam. "The First Game". NBA. Retrieved August 15, 2009.
  10. ^ "1946–47 BAA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved November 7, 2009.
  11. ^ "Warriors Win Inaugural Finals". NBA/Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Archived from the original on December 01 2009. Retrieved November 7, 2009.
  12. ^ Pluto, Terry (1992). Tale Tales: The Glory Days of the NBA. Simon & Schuster, Inc. p. 18. ISBN 978-0-8032-8766-2 [Amazon-US | Amazon-UK]. Retrieved January 16, 2010.
  13. ^ Gould, Todd (1989). Winning is the Only Thing in Sports. Jonh Hopkins University press. ISBN 978-0-253-21199-6 [Amazon-US | Amazon-UK]. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
  14. ^ "Guide to Essential Knowledge". New York Times (752 Fifth Ave. New York City, New York: New York Times Company). 2007. ISBN 978-0-312-37659-8 [Amazon-US | Amazon-UK]. Retrieved February 26, 2010.
  15. ^ Gould, Todd (1998). Pioneers of the Hardwood; Indina. Indiana University Press. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
  16. ^ a b "1947–1948 BAA Drafts, 1949–1951 NBA Drafts". The Association for Professional Basketball Research. Retrieved September 11, 2009.
  17. ^ "1947–48 BAA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved November 6, 2009.
  18. ^ "Baltimore Bursts Into Big Leagues". NBA/Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Archived from the original on December 01 2009. Retrieved November 7, 2009.
  19. ^ a b "1948–49 BAA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved November 7, 2009.
  20. ^ "Mikan, Lakers Begin Championship Run". NBA/Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Archived from the original on December 01 2009. Retrieved November 7, 2009.
  21. ^ "Powerful Lakers Repeat". NBA/Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved August 15, 2009.
  22. ^ a b Bradley, Robert. "BAA League Minutes". APBR. Retrieved January 16, 2010.
  23. ^ "Baltimore Bullets Franchise Index". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 15, 2009.
  24. ^ "Boston Celtics Franchise Index". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 15, 2009.
  25. ^ "Chicago Stags Franchise Index". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 15, 2009.
  26. ^ "Cleveland Rebels Franchise Index". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 15, 2009.
  27. ^ "Detroit Falcons Franchise Index". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 15, 2009.
  28. ^ "Detroit Pistons Franchise Index". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 15, 2009.
  29. ^ "Indianapolis Jets Franchise Index". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 15, 2009.
  30. ^ "Los Angeles Lakers Franchise Index". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 15, 2009.
  31. ^ "New York Knickerbockers Franchise Index". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 15, 2009.
  32. ^ "Golden State Warriors Franchise Index". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 15, 2009.
  33. ^ "Pittsburgh Ironmen Franchise Index". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 15, 2009.
  34. ^ "Providence Steamrollers Franchise Index". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved July 4, 2009.
  35. ^ "Sacramento Kings Franchise Index". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved July 4, 2009.
  36. ^ "St. Louis Bombers Franchise Index". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 15, 2009.
  37. ^ "Toronto Huskies Franchise Index". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 15, 2009.
  38. ^ "Washington Capitols Franchise Index". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 15, 2009.
  39. ^ a b "All-NBA Teams". NBA/Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved August 15, 2009.

External links []

Source

Content is authored by an open community of volunteers and is not produced by or in any way affiliated with ore reviewed by PediaView.com. Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License, using material from the Wikipedia article on "Basketball Association of America", which is available in its original form here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Basketball_Association_of_America