There were originally 11 teams in the NBA. But after, a series of expansions, contractions, and relocations have resulted in the present roster of 30 teams spread around North America. Thirty teams play, although only one is based in Canada.
Basketball ranks among the most popular sports not just in the United States but worldwide. And the NBA is recognized as the premier basketball league in the world. This is one of the four most significant professional sports leagues in the United States and Canada.
Are you a die-hard basketball fan but don’t know how many teams are in the NBA? We got you, buddy! In this article, we are going to teach you all about NBA, how many teams are here, the teams list and their origin, and so on. So, keep reading this post until the end to learn more in detail.
Conference And Divisions
Currently, there are now two separate conferences within the NBA. These conferences are:
- Eastern Conference
- Western Conference
But here’s a catch. These conferences have been separated into three different divisions. These three divisions of the Eastern conference are:
- Atlantic
- Central
- Southeast
The three divisions of the Western conference are:
- Northwest
- Pacific
- Southwest
Each division has five NBA clubs.
This current divisional arrangement was initially used during the 2004-05 season. The majority of NBA basketball teams are located in the eastern side of the nation, with 13 teams in the Eastern time zone, 9 in the Central, 3 in the Mountain, and 5 in the Pacific.
Every NBA Teams By Division
The National Basketball Association (NBA) was established on June 6, 1946, at the Commodore hotel in New York City. When the NBA was founded, Maurice Podoloff was elected as its first president. In the first season of the league’s existence, 11 teams competed. Its initial moniker was the Basketball Association of America (BAA). But later, it was changed, I guess.
Now, let’s take a look at each and every NBA team by division:
Eastern Conference Atlanta Division Teams
Each of the three divisions in the Eastern Conference is made up of individual teams. There are five sides to each of them. We’re going to drop the names of those NBA teams below:
1. Boston Celtics
Team owner Walter Brown picked Celtics over whirlwinds, Olympians, and unicorns as the moniker for Boston’s Basketball Association of the American squad in 1946. As of that year, they were officially members of the NBA. Bradley Kent Stevens is the current head coach for the Boston Celtics.
2. Brooklyn Nets
In 1967, the team became a member of the NBA. These teams’ former names were the New York Nets and the New Jersey Nets. In 2012, they made Brooklyn Nets their permanent home. Kenny Atkinson is in charge as their coach.
3. New York Knicks
The word “knickerbocker” comes from a Dutch settler who rolled up his trousers to just below the knee in the 1600s. Having been awarded a franchise in the NBA in 1946, they began playing that season. Current head coach Mike Miller was hired recently.
4. Philadelphia 76ers
Syracuse Nationals became an NBA team in 1949. The original name of the franchise was changed to the 76ers. This is an authentic sign commemorating the 1776 Philadelphia Declaration of Independence. Brett Brown is their current head coach.
5. Toronto Raptors
The 1995 season saw the debut of the Toronto Raptors, a professional basketball club based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Their coach is Nick Nurse.
Eastern Conference Central Division Teams
The 5 Eastern Conference Central Division Teams are:
1. Chicago Bulls
Richard Klein, the team’s owner, desired a moniker that reflected Chicago’s reputation as the world’s meat capital. In 1966, they entered the NBA. The team is led by head coach Jim Boylen.
2. Cleveland Cavaliers
In 1970, a fan vote determined that the team would be called the Cavaliers. Later in the same year, they officially became part of the NBA. Its coach, John Beilein, is a big name in college athletics.
3. Detroit Pistons
Fort Wayne Pistons was the team’s name when they first entered the league in 1948. The team’s name was changed to the Detroit Pistons shortly after its 1957 relocation there. Dwayne Casey is their head coach.
4. Indiana Pacers
A nod to the state of Indiana’s storied past in harness and car racing inspired the moniker. The NBA’s Indiana Pacers debuted in 1976. Currently, Nathan Mcmillan serves as the team’s head coach.
5. Milwaukee Bucks
In 1968, the Milwaukee Bucks became an NBA team. Their coach, Mike Budenholzer, is in charge of the team.
Eastern Conference Southeast Division Teams
The 5 Eastern Conference Southeast Division Teams are:
1. Atlanta Hawks
They began playing in the NBA as the Tri-Cities Blackhawks in 1949. In time, they became known as the Milwaukee Hawks. As the St. Louis Hawks, they won the NBA championship in 1958. In 1968, at long last, Atlanta was liberated. Their coach, Lloyd Daniel Pierce, is in charge.
2. Charlotte Hornets
The NBA team Charlotte Hornets debuted that year, 1988. Their original name was the Charlotte Hornets, but in 2004, they changed to the Charlotte Bobcats. Their head coach is the talented James Borrego.
3. Miami Heat
The Miami Heat have won three NBA titles. They entered the NBA in 1988. Their coach, Erik Spoelstra, leads the team.
4. Orlando Magic
The city’s most popular tourist destination, Disney World, is responsible for the moniker. It was the year of their NBA debut, 1989. Steve Clifford himself is their head coach.
5. Washington Wizards
As of 1961, the Chicago Packers were an NBA team. Several monikers were used by the franchise until 1998 when “Washington Wizards” was officially adopted. They’ve also been known as the Baltimore Bullets, the Capital Bullets, and the Washington Bullets before settling on the current moniker. Head coach Scott William Brooks leads the team.
Western Conference Northwest Division Teams
The 5 Western Conference Northwest Division Teams are:
1. Denver Nuggets
The Rockets were the team’s ABA moniker. Nonetheless, they rebranded themselves as the Denver Nuggets and joined the NBA that same year. The team is led by Michael Malone, their coach.
2. Minnesota Timberwolves
They made their NBA finals debut that year. Their coach is Ryan Saunders.
3. Oklahoma City Thunder
The SuperSonics of Seattle left for Oklahoma City that year (2008). The squad had been known as the Seattle Supersonics for the previous 41 seasons. The current head coach is Billy Donovan.
4. Portland Trail Blazers
The year 1970 was Portland’s first season in the NBA. They’re led by Terry Stotts, who coaches the team.
5. New Orleans Jazz
In 1974, the New Orleans Jazz began playing in the National Basketball Association. In 1979, the franchise became known as the Utah Jazz. The team is led by coach Quin Snyder.
Western Conference Southwest Division Teams
The 5 Western Conference Southwest Division Teams are:
1. Dallas Mavericks
The Dallas Mavericks made their NBA debut in 1980. Thus far, they have only won one championship. Their head coach is Rick Carlisle.
2. Houston Rockets
Sand Diego Rockets debuted in the NBA that year, 1967. And then, they relocated to Houston in 1971. This group is now known as the Houston Rockets. Mike D’Antoni is the head coach.
3. Memphis Grizzlies
When they originally debuted in 1995, they were known as the Vancouver Grizzlies. The team officially changed its name to the Grizzlies in 2001. Current head coach Taylor Jenkins.
4. New Orleans Pelicans
In 2002, the New Orleans Hornets won the championship. As Tom Benson bought the New Orleans Hornets in 2012, they were known as the New Orleans Pelicans. Currently, Alvin Gentry serves as their head coach.
5. San Antonio Spurs
The Spurs of San Antonio first appeared in 1976. The team is led by Gregg Popovich.
Western Conference Pacific Division Teams
The 5 Western Conference Pacific Division Teams are:
1. Golden State Warriors
They played as the Philadelphia Warriors in 1946–47. After the 1961–62 season, they uprooted and headed for San Francisco. Their name changed to the current one, the Golden State Warriors, in 1971. They’re led by Steve Kerr, one of the best coaches in the NBA.
2. Los Angeles Clippers
After relocating to San Diego in 1978, the Buffalo Braves have become a clippers team. When Donald Sterling bought the team in 1984, he renamed it to honor his hometown of Los Angeles. “Doc” Rivers is the head coach.
3. Los Angeles Lakers
The franchise, once known as the Minneapolis Lakers, changed its name to the Los Angeles Lakers in 1960. Franklin Vogel is the head coach.
4. Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns were officially named by GM Jerry Colangelo in 1968. The team is led by head coach Monty Williams.
5. Sacramento Kings
The team’s name has been changed to the Sacramento Kings since 1985. Names like “Rochester Royal,” “Cincinnati Royals,” “Kansas City-Omaha Kings,” and “Kansas City Kings” have all been used in the past. Their coach is Luke Walton.
Fun Facts About NBA Teams and Arenas
- California has four NBA clubs, the most of any state.
- As a result of new sponsorship arrangements, NBA venue names regularly change.
- The only venue not named after a company in Madison Square Garden.
- Staples Center is the only NBA arena where two teams share a venue (the Lakers and Clippers).
- The Golden State Warriors are the only team without a city or state in their name.
- The Toronto Raptors are the only NBA franchise based outside of the United States. For the 2020-21 season, the Raptors will play their home games at the Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida.
- There are 28 states without an NBA franchise and four states with multiple NBA teams (New York, Texas, California, and Florida).
- The Chase Center in San Francisco is the newest venue in the league (2019), while Maddison Square Garden in New York City is the oldest (1968).
- The United Center in Chicago is the biggest NBA arena, having a seating capacity of 20,917. The Smoothie King Center in New Orleans is the smallest arena, with 16,867 seats.
- The offseason between the 2019-20 and 2020-21 NBA seasons was the shortest in the history of the major leagues.
FAQs
Who has the most championships among the teams?
Two NBA teams have won the most titles: the Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics. While almost two-thirds of NBA clubs have already won a title at least once, there are still 11 that have yet to do it.
Who has the most NBA teams in their home state?
California has the most teams of any state, with four altogether. The enormous population and economic potential of the state make it an attractive location for a large number of sports franchises.
How many US states do not have a collegiate basketball team?
28 US states do not have a collegiate basketball team.
Which team isn’t based in the United States?
The Toronto Raptors team isn’t based in the United States. It originates in Toronto, Canada.
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