List of National Basketball Association seasons
The National Basketball Association (NBA) is major professional basketball league in North America. The league was founded in 1946 as the Basketball Association of America (BAA).[1] The league adopted its current name at the start of 1949–1950 season when it merged with the National Basketball League (NBL).[2] The league currently consists of thirty teams, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada. Each team plays 82 games in the regular season. Eight teams from each of the league's two conferences qualify for the playoffs. The winners of the Conference Finals advance to the finals to determine the NBA champions.
The Boston Celtics have had or tied for the best regular season record for a record 18 times. They won the Eastern Conference (known as the Eastern Division until 1970) for a record 21 times, while the Los Angeles Lakers won the Western Conference (known as the Western Division until 1970) for a record 31 times. The Celtics won 17 NBA championships, the most in NBA history. The Lakers followed them with 16 titles from their 31 Finals appearances. The Celtics and the Lakers had played each other in the Finals for a record 12 times. The Celtics won 9 of their matchups while the Lakers have only won 3.
The best single regular season record was recorded by the Chicago Bulls in the 1995–1996 season. In that season, the Bulls recorded 72 wins and 10 losses with a winning percentage of .878. The Bulls then went on to win the Eastern Conference and the NBA championship. The Bulls are the only team to win at least 70 games in a single season.[3] In that season, the Bulls achieved several awards and honors: Michael Jordan won the scoring title, the regular season Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award, the All-Star Game MVP Award and the Finals MVP Award; Dennis Rodman won the rebounding title; Toni Kukoč won the Sixth Man of the Year Award; Jordan and Scottie Pippen were named in the All-NBA First Team; Jordan, Pippen and Rodman were named in the All-Defensive First Team; and coach Phil Jackson won the Coach of the Year Award.[4]
The Eastern champions have won 35 championships while the Western champions have won 28 championships. The defunct Central Division won one championship in 1950. Of the 65 championships, 31 of them were won by the teams who had or tied for the best regular season record. In 9 other occurrences, the teams who had or tied for the best regular season record, lost the Finals. Six teams that had the best regular season record and won the championships in the same season, were named to the list of Top 10 Teams in NBA History announced at the league's 50th anniversary in 1996. The Celtics, the Bulls, the Lakers and the Philadelphia 76ers each had two teams selected, while the Detroit Pistons and the New York Knicks each had one team selected.[5]
List
Notes
- a Each year is linked to an article about that particular BAA/NBA season.
- b Each year is linked to an article about the BAA/NBA Playoffs in that year.
- c Each year is linked to an article about the BAA/NBA Finals in that year.
- d Number of teams participated in that particular season, including any teams that folded during the season.
- e Number of regular season games played by each team.
- f All team additions and subtractions occurred before the start of the season unless stated otherwise.
- g Prior to 1949, there were no Eastern and Western Division champions, because the playoffs were instituted with a three-stage tournament where the Eastern and Western Division teams had played each other before the finals.
- h The original Baltimore Bullets, who folded in 1954,[78] are not affiliated with the present-day Washington Wizards, who were known as the Baltimore/Capital/Washington Bullets from 1963 to 1997.[79]
- i The Anderson Packers, who folded in 1950,[80] are not affiliated with the present-day Washington Wizards, who were known as the Chicago Packers from 1961 to 1962.[79]
- j Due to the NBA's realignment into three divisions, the division champion with the best regular season record qualified automatically for the NBA Finals while the other two division champions faced off in the NBA semifinals to determine the other finalist. Eastern Division champion Syracuse had the best regular season record among the division champions, causing Central Division (no relation to the current Central Division) champion Minneapolis Lakers to face Western Division champion Anderson Packers in the NBA semifinals. The Lakers defeated the Packers to go to the Finals.
- k There was no tiebreaker. Two teams with the best record received a first-round bye in the playoffs.[81][82]
- l Despite having the same record as the Washington Bullets, the Boston Celtics clinched top seed by winning the tiebreaker.[83]
- m Despite having the same record as the Philadelphia 76ers, the Boston Celtics clinched top seed by winning the tiebreaker.[84]
- n Despite having the same record as the Chicago Bulls, the Utah Jazz clinched top seed by virtue of winning their regular season series 2–0.[85]
- o Despite having the same record as the Utah Jazz, the San Antonio Spurs clinched top seed by virtue of winning their regular season series 2–1.[86]
- p Despite having the same record as the Dallas Mavericks, the San Antonio Spurs clinched top seed by virtue of having a better conference record (36–16[87] vs. Dallas's 34–18[88]). The teams split their regular season series 2–2.[87]
- q Despite having the same record as the San Antonio Spurs, the Chicago Bulls clinched top seed by virtue of their only regular season meeting between them, a 96–89 victory by the Bulls on February 29, 2012.[89]
References
- General
- "NBA & ABA League Index". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 4, 2010.
- Specific
- ↑ Goldaper, Sam. "The First Game". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved August 5, 2010.
- ↑ "1949–50 Season Overview: Powerful Lakers Repeat". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved August 5, 2010.
- ↑ "The 72-Win Bulls: The Best Ever?". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. March 30, 2007. Retrieved August 5, 2010.
- ↑ "72-10: The Bulls Dominate". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved August 5, 2010.
- ↑ "Top 10 Teams in NBA History". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved August 8, 2010.
- ↑ "1946–47 BAA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 4, 2010.
- ↑ "1947–48 BAA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 4, 2010.
- ↑ "1948–49 BAA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 4, 2010.
- ↑ "1949–50 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 4, 2010.
- ↑ "1950–51 Standings". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved August 4, 2010.
- ↑ "1950–51 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 4, 2010.
- ↑ "1951–52 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 4, 2010.
- ↑ "1952–53 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 4, 2010.
- ↑ "1953–54 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 4, 2010.
- ↑ "1954–55 Standings". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved August 4, 2010.
- ↑ "1954–55 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 4, 2010.
- ↑ "1955–56 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 4, 2010.
- ↑ "1956–57 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 4, 2010.
- ↑ "1957–58 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 4, 2010.
- ↑ "1958–59 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 4, 2010.
- ↑ "1959–60 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 4, 2010.
- ↑ "1960–61 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 4, 2010.
- ↑ "1961–62 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 5, 2010.
- ↑ "1962–63 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 5, 2010.
- ↑ "1963–64 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 5, 2010.
- ↑ "1964–65 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 5, 2010.
- ↑ "1965–66 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 5, 2010.
- ↑ "1966–67 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 5, 2010.
- ↑ "1967–68 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 5, 2010.
- ↑ "1968–69 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 5, 2010.
- ↑ "1969–70 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 5, 2010.
- ↑ "1970–71 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 5, 2010.
- ↑ "1971–72 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 5, 2010.
- ↑ "1972–73 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 5, 2010.
- ↑ "1973–74 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 5, 2010.
- ↑ "1974–75 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 5, 2010.
- ↑ "1975–76 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 5, 2010.
- ↑ "1976–77 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 5, 2010.
- ↑ "1977–78 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 5, 2010.
- ↑ "1978–79 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 5, 2010.
- ↑ "1979–80 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 5, 2010.
- ↑ "1980–81 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 5, 2010.
- ↑ "1981–82 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 5, 2010.
- ↑ "1982–83 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 5, 2010.
- ↑ "1983–84 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 5, 2010.
- ↑ "1984–85 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 5, 2010.
- ↑ "1985–86 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 5, 2010.
- ↑ "1986–87 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 5, 2010.
- ↑ "1987–88 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 5, 2010.
- ↑ "1988–89 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 5, 2010.
- ↑ "1989–90 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 5, 2010.
- ↑ "1990–91 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 5, 2010.
- ↑ "1991–92 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 5, 2010.
- ↑ "1992–93 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 5, 2010.
- ↑ "1993–94 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 5, 2010.
- ↑ "1994–95 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 5, 2010.
- ↑ "1995–96 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 5, 2010.
- ↑ "1996–97 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 5, 2010.
- ↑ "1997–98 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 5, 2010.
- ↑ Beck, Howard (February 14, 2009). "N.B.A. and Union Are Discussing New Labor Deal". The New York Times. The New York Times Company. Retrieved February 22, 2009.
- ↑ "1998–99 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 5, 2010.
- ↑ "1999–00 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 5, 2010.
- ↑ "2000–01 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 5, 2010.
- ↑ "2001–02 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 5, 2010.
- ↑ "2002–03 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 5, 2010.
- ↑ "2003–04 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 5, 2010.
- ↑ "2004–05 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 5, 2010.
- ↑ "2005–06 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 5, 2010.
- ↑ "2006–07 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 5, 2010.
- ↑ "2007–08 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 5, 2010.
- ↑ "2008–09 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 5, 2010.
- ↑ "2009–10 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 5, 2010.
- ↑ "2010–11 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved February 5, 2012.
- ↑ "Players, owners approve agreement". ESPN.com. ESPN Internet Ventures. December 8, 2011. Retrieved February 5, 2012.
- ↑ "2011–12 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved February 5, 2012.
- ↑ "2012–13 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 10, 2013.
- ↑ "2013–14 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 25, 2013.
- ↑ "Baltimore Bullets Franchise Index". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 4, 2010.
- 1 2 "Washington Wizards Franchise Index". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 4, 2010.
- ↑ "Anderson Packers Franchise Index". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 5, 2010.
- ↑ "1954–55 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 11, 2011.
- ↑ "1955 NBA Playoff Summary". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 11, 2011.
- ↑ "1974–75 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 11, 2011.
- ↑ "1980–81 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 11, 2011.
- ↑ "1997–98 Utah Jazz Team Splits". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 10, 2011.
- ↑ "1998–99 San Antonio Spurs Team Splits". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 10, 2011.
- 1 2 "2002–03 San Antonio Spurs Team Splits". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 10, 2011.
- ↑ "2002–03 Dallas Mavericks Team Splits". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 10, 2011.
- ↑ "Chicago Bulls at San Antonio Spurs Box Score, February 29, 2012". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 28, 2012.
External links
Media related to NBA seasons at Wikimedia Commons
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