Not just in USA infact all over the world, basketball is one of the most popular sports. NBA is widely considered as the best basketball league in the world. In United States and Canada, this is one of the top four major professional sports leagues.
NBA is a men’s professional basketball league. What do you know more about NBA? How many teams are in the NBA?
The NBA was founded on June 6, 1946 at the Commodore hotel in New York City. The first ever president of NBA was Maurice Podoloff. The inaugural season saw 11 teams taking their part in the league. It was originally called the Basketball Association of America or BAA.
In that period, there were two other professional leagues in USA, American basketball League (ABL) and National Basketball League (NBL). After battling against each other to gain fans and players for their respective leagues finally BAA and NBL merged on August 3, 1949 and NBA was born.
Yeah NBA was originated with 11 teams. But after going through a sequence of team expansions, reductions and relocation the league currently has 30 teams across North America. However, the United States is home to 29 teams and remaining one in Canada.
Table of Contents
- Conference And Divisions
- All NBA Teams By Divisions
Conference And Divisions
The NBA league has divided into 2 conferences. These Are:
Each Conference has Divided in 3 Divisions. These Are:
The 3 Divisions of Eastern Conference:
The 3 Divisions of Western Conference:
Each division has got 5 number of NBA teams.
In 2004-05 season, this current divisional alignment was first introduced. You will see most of the NBA basketball teams are in the eastern half of the country: 13 teams are in the Eastern time zone, in Central there are 9, 3 in the Mountain and remaining 5 in the Pacific.
All NBA Teams By Divisions
Teams of Eastern Conference Atlanta Division
This Eastern conference has got three separate divisions. Each one of them has got five sides. We are mentioning those NBA team names here:
1. Boston Celtics
Team owner Walter Brown chose Celtics over whirlwinds, Olympians and unicorn as the name for Boston’s Basketball Association of the American team in 1946. They joined the NBA in that year. Current head coach of Boston Celtics is Bradley Kent Stevens.
2. Brooklyn Nets
They joined the American Basketball Association in 1967. New York Nets and New Jersey Nets were their previous two names. Finally, they settle into Brooklyn Nets in 2012. Their head coach is Kenny Atkinson.
3. New York Knicks
“Knickerbocker” means pants being rolled up just below the knee by Dutch Settler in 1600s. In 1946, they were granted a franchise in the basketball association of America. Mike Miller is their Current head coach.
4. Philadelphia 76ers
At 1949, they joined NBA as Syracuse Nationals. The team was renamed as 76ers. This is actually a sign for the declaration of independence of Philadelphia in 1776. Currently their head coach is Brett Brown.
5. Toronto Raptors
Toronto Raptors, the Canadian professional basketball team arrived in 1995. Nick Nurse is their coach.
Teams of Eastern Conference Central Division
1. Chicago Bulls
Team owner Richard Klein wanted a name that could portray Chicago’s status as the world's meat capital. They came into NBA in 1966. Jim Boylen is their head coach.
2. Cleveland Cavaliers
In 1970, fans voted Cavaliers as the nickname through a poll. They joined NBA later that year. John Beilein is their head coach.
3. Detroit Pistons
When they joined the league in 1948, they were known as Fort Wayne Pistons. Soon after the team was moved to Detroit in 1957, they renamed the team as Detroit Pistons. Head coach for them: Dwayne Casey.
4. Indiana Pacers
The name is a reference to Indiana’s rich harness and auto racing history. In 1976 Indiana Pacers came into NBA. Nate Mcmillan is their head coach right at this moment.
5. Milwaukee Bucks
Milwaukee Bucks joined NBA in 1968. Mike Budenholzer is their head coach.
Teams of Eastern Conference Southeast Division
1. Atlanta Hawks
They joined the NBA in 1949 as Tri-Cities Blackhawks. They later got the name Milwaukee Hawks. They won an NBA title in 1958 as St. Louis Hawks. Finally, they got Atlanta in 1968. Lloyd Daniel Pierce is their head coach.
2. Charlotte Hornets
Charlotte Hornet joined NBA in 1988. In 2004 they changed their name to charlotte Bobcats but in 2014 they got back to the charlotte Hornet again. James Borrego is their head coach.
3. Miami Heat
Miami heat is a 3-time NBA champion. They joined the NBA in 1988. Erik Spoelstra is their head coach.
4. Orlando Magic
The credit for the name goes to the tourism rich city’s main attraction, Disney world. In 1989 they came into the NBA. Their head coach is none other than Steve Clifford.
5. Washington Wizards
Chicago Packers entered into the NBA in 1961. After that they were so many nicknames for the team before finally being settled into Washington Wizards in 1998. In between, their previous nicknames were Chicago Packers, Chicago Zephyrs, Baltimore Bullets, Capital Bullets and Washington Bullets. Scott William Brooks is their head coach.
Teams of Western Conference Northwest Division
1. Denver Nuggets
Their ABA team was known as the Rockets. But they entered into NBA with a new nickname “Denver Nuggets” in 1976. Michael Malone is their head coach.
2. Minnesota Timberwolves
They first played into 1989 NBA championship. Ryan Saunders is their head coach.
3. Oklahoma City Thunder
Seattle Supersonics relocated to Oklahoma City in 2008. Before that, the team retained their original nickname Seattle Supersonics for 41 years. At present, Billy Donovan is the head coach.
4. Portland Trail Blazers
In 1970 Portland stepped their feet on the NBA court. Terry Stotts is their head coach.
5. New Orleans Jazz
New Orleans Jazz came into the NBA in 1974. They changed their name to Utah Jazz in 1979. Quin Snyder is their coach.
Teams of Western Conference Southwest Division
1. Dallas Mavericks
It was at 1980 when Dallas Maverick came into NBA. They have won one title so far. Rick Carlisle is their head coach.
2. Houston Rockets
They cam into NBA as Sand Diego Rockets in 1967. When they moved to Houston in 1971. They changed their name to Houston Rockets. Head coach: Mike D’Antoni.
3. Memphis Grizzlies
Their initial name was Vancouver Grizzlies when first arrived into the scene in 1995. Later in 2001, they got the new name “Memphis Grizzlies”. Taylor Jenkins is their current head coach.
4. New Orleans Pelicans
They came first as the New Orleans Hornets in 2002. After Tom Benson purchased New Orleans Hornet in 2012, they changed their name into New Orleans Pelicans. Alvin Gentry is their head coach.
5. San Antonio Spurs
In 1976 there came San Antonio Spurs. Gregg Popovich is their head coach.
Teams of Western Conference Pacific Division
1. Golden State Warriors
In 1946-47 they played as Philadelphia Warriors. They then moved to San Francisco after 1961-62 season. In 1971 the team was renamed Golden State Warriors. Their head coach is Steve Kerr.
2. Los Angeles Clippers
Buffalo Braves moved to San Diego in 1978 and they settle into clippers. After buying Clippers Donald Sterling renamed them according to his native, Los Angeles Clippers in 1984. Head coach: Doc Rivers.
3. Los Angeles Lakers
Originally named Minneapolis Lakers moved to Los Angeles Lakers in 1960. Head coach: Frank Vogel.
4. Phoenix Suns
General manager Jerry Colangelo settle on a name Phoenix Suns in 1968. The head coach is Monty Williams.
5. Sacramento Kings
Since 1985 this team is known as Sacramento Kings. The previous Nicknames were Rochester Royal, Cincinnati Royals, Kansas City-Omaha Kings, Kansas City Kings. Luke Walton is their head coach.
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