By Staff Writer: Jacob Mattox
The NBA Finals is known as the premier event for professional basketball. After a long 82-game season, the top 8 teams from both the Western and Eastern Conference play against each other in a tournament to find out which team will be crowned as champion.
The first NBA championship was played back in 1947 when the league was still known as the Basketball Association of America (BAA). It wasn’t until 1949 when the name was changed to the National Basketball Association (NBA). During this time the NBA was still in a developmental stage, but by the late 1950s, going into the ’60s professional basketball in America really started to gain traction and become increasingly popular as time went on.
During this rise in popularity, the Boston Celtics emerged as a dominant force in professional basketball. Between 1957 and 1969, the Celtics captured 11 NBA championships in 13 seasons, establishing a benchmark for success that has yet to be achieved.
The 1980s brought a fresh level of excitement to the NBA Finals. Highlighted by the rivalry between Magic Johnson of the Los Angeles Lakers and Larry Bird of the Boston Celtics. Magic and Bird met in the NBA Finals three times (1984, ’85, ’87). This rivalry between the two superstars helped drive the NBA into mainstream popularity.
In the 1990s, the NBA spotlight was dominated by Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls. Jordan led the Bulls to six NBA championships, and the team’s run of dominance proved to be a major piece in elevating the global reach of the NBA as a whole.
The Finals have continued to evolve in recent years, with stars like LeBron James dominating the spotlight. The Finals represent not just the conclusion of the season, but a continuation of a long history filled with iconic moments, legendary players, and unforgettable performances.