Top NBA Franchises from the 1940's and 1950's
Best 3 NBA Franchises from 1946 to 1960
Professional basketball opened its premier league in 1946. Initially, the league was the Basketball Association of America (BAA). The BAA consisted of 11 teams divided into two conferences, Western and Eastern. The BAA merged with the National Basketball League (NBL) in 1949, thus the league became the National Basketball Association. The primitive days of the NBA were quite different in comparison to the modern NBA, but some interesting rivalries and dynasties developed. Below are the top NBA franchises from the 1940's and 1950's.
Minneapolis Lakers
The Lakers were perhaps the first bona fide dynasty in professional basketball. They claimed five NBA championships from 1948 to 1954. The first title in 1948-49 was the final BAA championship before the league became the NBA. In 1948-49, the Lakers defeated the Washington Capitols 4 games to 2 in the best of the seven-game championship series. A year later, they became repeat champions by defeating the Syracuse Nationals 4 games to 2. After winning the titles in 1951-51 and 1952-52, the Lakers became the first team to capture three consecutive NBA titles when they edged past the Nationals 4 games to 3. The Lakers had eight winning seasons and eleven playoff appearances from 1948-49 to 1959-60. The Lakers were led by center George Mikan for much of their remarkable run of triumph.
Boston Celtics
The Celtics are one of the original teams from the BAA. The franchise endured some problematic times early in their existence. They had losing seasons in each of the first four seasons. When legendary coach Red Auerbach took over the team in 1950, the team swiftly materialized into a contender. The Celtics won their first NBA championship in 1956-57 by defeating the St. Louis Hawks 4 games to 3. In 1958-59, the Celtics earned their second NBA title by sweeping the Lakers four games to zero. This was the first recorded championship series sweep in the league's history. They claimed their third championship in 1958-59 by beating the Hawks four games to three. Guard Bob Cousy, and center Bill Russell were huge catalysts in the Celtics early glory days.
Philadelphia Warriors
The Warriors are renowned for winning the first BAA championship. They defeated the Chicago Stags four games to one in the inaugural championship series. They appeared in the second championship series, but fell short of a repeat by losing to the Baltimore Bullets. They won their second championship in 1955-56 over the Fort Wayne Pistons. They had seven winning seasons from 1946-47 to 1959-60. The Warriors benefited from the excellent play of forwards Joe Fulks and Paul Arizin, who also played the guard position.
Honorable mentions include St. Louis/Milwaukee Hawks (also Tri-City Blackhawks from 1949 50 1951), Rochester/Cincinnati Royals; Syracuse Nationals; Baltimore Bullets
Resources:Pro Basketball Reference, NBA Finals
Minneapolis Lakers
The Lakers were perhaps the first bona fide dynasty in professional basketball. They claimed five NBA championships from 1948 to 1954. The first title in 1948-49 was the final BAA championship before the league became the NBA. In 1948-49, the Lakers defeated the Washington Capitols 4 games to 2 in the best of the seven-game championship series. A year later, they became repeat champions by defeating the Syracuse Nationals 4 games to 2. After winning the titles in 1951-51 and 1952-52, the Lakers became the first team to capture three consecutive NBA titles when they edged past the Nationals 4 games to 3. The Lakers had eight winning seasons and eleven playoff appearances from 1948-49 to 1959-60. The Lakers were led by center George Mikan for much of their remarkable run of triumph.
Boston Celtics
The Celtics are one of the original teams from the BAA. The franchise endured some problematic times early in their existence. They had losing seasons in each of the first four seasons. When legendary coach Red Auerbach took over the team in 1950, the team swiftly materialized into a contender. The Celtics won their first NBA championship in 1956-57 by defeating the St. Louis Hawks 4 games to 3. In 1958-59, the Celtics earned their second NBA title by sweeping the Lakers four games to zero. This was the first recorded championship series sweep in the league's history. They claimed their third championship in 1958-59 by beating the Hawks four games to three. Guard Bob Cousy, and center Bill Russell were huge catalysts in the Celtics early glory days.
Philadelphia Warriors
The Warriors are renowned for winning the first BAA championship. They defeated the Chicago Stags four games to one in the inaugural championship series. They appeared in the second championship series, but fell short of a repeat by losing to the Baltimore Bullets. They won their second championship in 1955-56 over the Fort Wayne Pistons. They had seven winning seasons from 1946-47 to 1959-60. The Warriors benefited from the excellent play of forwards Joe Fulks and Paul Arizin, who also played the guard position.
Honorable mentions include St. Louis/Milwaukee Hawks (also Tri-City Blackhawks from 1949 50 1951), Rochester/Cincinnati Royals; Syracuse Nationals; Baltimore Bullets
Resources:Pro Basketball Reference, NBA Finals
Published by Jeremy Dunn
Jeremy is a freelance writer. He is currently writing for the Atlanta Examiner, and also runs his own blog, NASCAR Racing Scene. He is the author of the book entitled 'Superstars of Pro Football- Ray Lewis'. View profile
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