The NBA is the world’s premier professional basketball league. It is made up of 30 teams, 29 of which are in the United States and 1 in Canada. Each team plays 82 games in the regular season. That means there are a total of 2,460 games played in a normal NBA season.
NBA Preseason
The preseason is a chance for teams to get ready for the regular season. It also gives players a chance to make an impression on the coaching staff and earn a spot on the team’s final roster. Preseason games are typically played in September and October, with each team playing between 4 and 8 games.
Draft picks and other rookies also use the preseason to get acclimated to the NBA game. Teams are only allowed to carry a maximum of 15 players on their roster, so the preseason is an important time for lesser-known players to prove they deserve a spot.
NBA G-League
The NBA G-League is the official minor league of the NBA. It is made up of 26 teams, all of which are owned or operated by an NBA team. The G-League is a great place for young players to get experience and develop their skills.
Each team in the G-League plays 50 games in the regular season. That means there are a total of 1,300 games played in a normal G-League season.
NBA Regular season
The NBA regular season typically starts at the end of October and ends in mid-April. Each team plays 82 games, 41 at home and 41 away. There are generally 4 games played per week, meaning that the season spans a period of 6 months.
It’s not unusual for teams to play back-to-back games on occasion, especially later in the season when there are fewer days off.
Often times players take breaks during the regular season to rest their bodies and avoid injuries. These planned rests usually happen during long road trips or when a team is playing multiple games over a few days.
In recent years, the NBA has tried to reduce the amount of resting by scheduling more nationally televised games on weekends and holiday periods.
The has been increased frustration at star players who rest during the regular season, as it takes away from the product on the court. In 2017, the NBA started fining teams when players rested during high-profile games.
The record for most wins in a single season is 73, set by the Golden State Warriors in 2015-16. Prior to that, the record was 72, set by the Michael Jordan-led Chicago Bulls in 1995-96. The Bulls went on to defeat the Seattle Super Sonics in the NBA Finals that year, winning 4 games to 2.
Some other NBA regular season records include:
– Most points in a game: Wilt Chamberlain, 100 points
– Most assists in a game: Scott Skiles, 30 assists
– Most three-pointers in a game: Stephen Curry, 13 three-pointers
– Most blocks in a game: Manute Bol, 11 blocks
– Most steals in a game: Alvin Robertson, 10 steals
NBA Playoffs
Once the regular season ends, the best 8 teams from each conference (Eastern and Western) qualify for the playoffs. The playoff format is a best-of-seven series, meaning the first team to win 4 games advances to the next round.
If a team loses the first two games of a series, they will have to win 4 straight games to win the series (this is called a “comeback”). The first round of the playoffs is usually played in April, with the Conference Finals and NBA Finals taking place in May.
The NBA Finals is the championship series in the NBA, and it is a best-of-seven format.
The Golden State Warriors won the 2021/2022 NBA championship, and are currently considered a dynasty thanks to their multiple titles in recent years.
The league has seen other dynasties in the past, including the Boston Celtics of the 1950s and 1960s, the Los Angeles Lakers of the 1980s and early 2000s, and the Chicago Bulls of the 1990s.
Boston has won the most NBA championships, with 17 titles. The Lakers are second with 16, while the Bulls have 6 championships. It should be noted that the Bulls won their 6 championships in an 8-year span, only missing out during a 2-year period in which Michael Jordan retired from basketball to pursue a career in baseball (see also our article on the home plate).
Total Games Played
Adding up all of the games played in the preseason, regular season, and playoffs, the total number of games played by each team in an NBA season is approximately 100-110.
This number can vary slightly from year to year, depending on how many games are played in the preseason and whether a team makes it all the way to the NBA Finals.
NBA Western Conference Teams
The Western Conference is made up of the following teams playing in three divisions:
Northwest Division:
Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves, Oklahoma City Thunder, Portland Trail Blazers, Utah Jazz
Pacific Division:
Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Phoenix Suns, Sacramento Kings
Southwest Division:
Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets, Memphis Grizzlies, New Orleans Pelicans, San Antonio Spurs
NBA Eastern Conference Teams
The Eastern Conference is made up of the following teams playing in three divisions:
Atlantic Division:
Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets, New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers, Toronto Raptors
Central Division:
Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Detroit Pistons, Indiana Pacers, Milwaukee Bucks
Southeast Division:
Atlanta Hawks, Charlotte Hornets, Miami Heat, Orlando Magic, Washington Wizards
NBA Team Expansion
It is rumored that the NBA will expand in the near future, with new teams potentially being added in Seattle, Kansas City, Louisville, Las Vegas, or Vancouver.
As the league continues to grow in popularity, it is likely that more teams will be added in the coming years. This usually results in two teams joining the league to keep an even number of teams across the NBA.
NBA franchise values have skyrocketed in recent years, with the average team now being worth over $1 billion. A record sale of the Houston Rockets for $2.2 billion occurred in 2017, and it is likely that other teams will be sold for similar or higher prices in the future.
The NBA is a global league, with games being televised in over 200 countries. The league has seen steady growth in recent years, and it is currently one of the most popular sports leagues in the world.
NBA Commissioners History
The NBA has had 5 commissioners in its history:
– Maurice Podoloff (1946-1963)
– Walter Kennedy (1963-1975)
– Larry O’Brien (1975-1984)
– David Stern (1984-2014)
– Adam Silver (2014-present)
NBA 2k Video Games
The NBA 2k series is one of the most popular video game franchises in the world, selling millions of copies each year.
The games are realistic simulations of the NBA experience, and they allow players to take control of their favorite teams and players.
Its first game in the series was released in 1999, and the most recent entry, NBA 2k22, was released in 2021.
Conclusion
As the NBA season tips off its 76th year in a few months, we can’t help but reflect on how far the game has come. It seems like just yesterday that Wilt Chamberlain was shattering records and Bill Russell was winning championships.
We are excited to see what this new season will bring, and we hope you are too. What do you think is going to happen in the upcoming NBA season? Let us know in the comments below!
What Size Is It started because of that passion, but I have also chosen to write about other size, weight, and value related topics that have interested me.
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