A Complete Guide: All About NBA History, Teams and Players Explained
2025-11-20 11:01
Let me take you on a journey through the NBA's incredible evolution, because honestly, I've spent more hours than I'd care to admit watching basketball evolve from those classic Celtics-Lakers rivalries to today's three-point revolution. The National Basketball Association's transformation from its 1946 founding as the Basketball Association of America to the global phenomenon it is today represents one of sports' most remarkable success stories. What started with eleven teams has exploded into a thirty-franchise league that generates approximately $10 billion annually in revenue—though I should note these figures shift faster than Stephen Curry coming off a screen.
Having followed basketball religiously since my teenage years, I've witnessed how team dynamics create lasting legacies. The Boston Celtics' seventeen championships didn't happen by accident—they built cultures of excellence. The Lakers' sixteen titles spanning Minneapolis to Los Angeles demonstrate organizational vision. And as a longtime admirer of small-market success stories, I've always had soft spot for franchises like the San Antonio Spurs, who've shown that strategic consistency matters more than market size. The league's expansion from its original Northeastern footprint to include teams from Miami to Portland reflects America's growing love affair with the game, though personally I believe the 1990s Chicago Bulls created the template for modern global fandom.
When we talk about legendary players, my bias toward complete two-way players probably shows. Michael Jordan's six championships and five MVP awards only tell half the story—his defensive intensity revolutionized what greatness looks like. LeBron James breaking Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's scoring record while simultaneously ranking fourth all-time in assists? That's the kind of all-around excellence I admire most. The statistical evolution fascinates me—Wilt Chamberlain's 100-point game would translate to about 85 points in today's pace-adjusted metrics, while modern stars like Nikola Jokić are redefining what centers can do offensively. I'll confess I never fully appreciated Bill Russell's eleven championships until I studied how his defensive timing anticipated modern switching schemes.
The international influx has been breathtaking to witness firsthand. Remember when the 1992 Dream Team supposedly just introduced basketball to the world? Well, that world has caught up dramatically. Today, approximately 25% of NBA players are international, with Luka Dončić and Giannis Antetokounmpo dominating in ways we never imagined possible twenty years ago. Having attended games across three decades, the skill level improvement among role players particularly stands out—the average three-point percentage has jumped from 27% in 1980 to around 36% today, completely transforming spacing and offensive schemes.
Which brings me to why that PBA reference caught my eye—the Philippine Basketball Association's current Commissioner's Cup, where Rain or Shine faces Converge in their own do-or-die Game Three this Sunday. It's fascinating how these high-stakes elimination scenarios translate across basketball cultures worldwide. The pressure Rain or Shine experiences mirrors what NBA teams face during playoff elimination games—that unique combination of strategic adjustment and raw willpower that separates champions from the rest. Having analyzed countless clutch performances, I've noticed how elimination games tend to reveal a team's true character, whether in Manila or Miami.
The business side deserves more attention than it typically gets. The NBA's current media rights deal worth $24 billion over nine years seems astronomical until you realize the next negotiation might double that figure. Salary cap mechanics have become their own science—the $136 million cap for 2023-24 allows for fascinating roster construction, though I've always thought the luxury tax system unfairly penalizes teams willing to spend. The league's embrace of advanced analytics has been revolutionary; teams now employ entire departments dedicated to data that would have been unimaginable when I first started following the sport.
Looking forward, I'm particularly excited about the in-season tournament adding meaningful games to the calendar, though part of me worries about player workload in an already grueling 82-game season. The next decade will likely see expansion to cities like Seattle and Las Vegas, which I fully support as someone who believes great basketball markets deserve teams. The international growth potential remains enormous—imagine regular-season games in Paris or Manila becoming routine rather than special events.
Ultimately, what makes the NBA's story so compelling isn't just the statistics or business achievements, but how the game continues evolving while maintaining its core appeal. From the shot clock introduction in 1954 to the recent play-in tournament, the league has consistently innovated while honoring its history. That Rain or Shine elimination game in the PBA? It's the same fundamental drama that plays out in NBA arenas—the human competition that transcends leagues and continents. Having spent decades immersed in this world, I remain convinced that basketball's ability to reinvent itself while staying true to its essence explains why after seventy-eight seasons, the NBA's story feels like it's just getting started.
Heather Bolton Suber ’02
Leah Schnell ’01
Sarah Grimes Wiggins ’93
Dr. Ralph Swearngin
Point University will induct four members into the Athletics Hall of Fame during a luncheon on Friday, October 24, during Homecoming weekend.
The class of 2025 includes Leah Schnell ’01, Heather Bolton Suber ’02, Dr. Ralph Swearngin and Sarah Grimes Wiggins ’93. The Athletics Hall of Fame was launched in May 2024, when six inaugural members were inducted.
“We look forward to honoring the second Hall of Fame class during Homecoming,” said Jaunelle White, vice president of intercollegiate athletics and chief student development officer. “It’s always a great feeling to have our alumni back on campus mingling with our current student-athletes and coaches. These individuals were elite during their time at Atlanta Christian College and deserve to be recognized.”
Schnell attended Atlanta Christian College from 1998 to 2001, where she earned a degree in business while competing in both basketball and volleyball. On the basketball court, she earned First Team All-Conference, Scholar Athlete, and First Team All-American honors for three consecutive years. Schnell also held the title of all-time leading scorer from 1998-2001. She now thrives as a commercial construction project manager at Barnsley Construction Group and as an entrepreneur.
Suber, from Havana, Florida, attended ACC from 1998 to 2002. A dedicated two-sport athlete, she earned numerous accolades, including First Team All-Conference, Second Team All-Conference, Honorable Mention and First Team All-American. One of her most memorable achievements came when she made eleven three-pointers in a single game. Suber graduated with a degree in early childhood education and went on to earn a master’s degree in education and a specialist degree in instructional technology. For over 23 years, she has served as an educator.
Swearngin has had a distinguished career in education, athletics and ministry spanning several decades, including 20 years at ACC in roles such as professor, dean of students, athletics director and coach. He held national leadership positions with the NCCAA, served as a trustee of Point University for over 10 years, and worked extensively in ministry and education in California, earning degrees from Whittier College and Georgia State University. His athletic involvement includes 23 years as a high school football official in California and Georgia, 22 years with the Georgia High School Association — retiring as executive director in 2014 — and service on national football and softball rules committees. Honored with multiple Hall of Fame inductions and the Atlanta Falcons Lifetime Achievement Award, Swearngin has authored two books and remains active in retirement through preaching and leading Bible studies, alongside his wife of 58 years, Evelyn.
Wiggins grew up in Roswell, Georgia, where she began playing basketball at the age of ten. After two years at Florida State University, she transferred to ACC in 1990. While at ACC, Wiggins was named to the All-American team in both 1991 and 1992. In her final year, she led her team in scoring, helping them finish second in the nation, and was named national MVP in 1992. She earned a bachelor of science in elementary education in 1993 and later received a master’s degree in technology and media sciences from Georgia Southern University in 2009. For the past 33 years, Wiggins has worked as a dedicated educator. In 1997, she married Todd Wiggins. Together, they have two children, Preston, 26, and Logan, 22.
