I still remember the first time I walked into Madison Square Garden back in 2015—the energy was electric, the history palpable. But it got me wondering: when did this incredible league actually begin? The story of discovering the NBA's origins is more fascinating than most fans realize, tracing back to June 6, 1946, when the Basketball Association of America was formed with just 11 teams. That's right—the NBA didn't even start as the NBA. It took three years until 1949, when the BAA merged with the National Basketball League, that the National Basketball Association we know today was officially born.

The early days were nothing like the global spectacle we see now. Teams traveled by train, players had day jobs, and the game was played in venues that doubled as hockey rinks. I've always been fascinated by how the league survived those rocky first decades. The shot clock introduction in 1954 literally saved the game from boring, low-scoring affairs. Then came the Magic-Bird rivalry in the 80s that captured national attention, followed by Jordan's era that truly globalized the sport. Each era built upon the last, creating this incredible evolution that brings us to today's game.

What strikes me most about discovering the NBA's origins is how the league's survival wasn't guaranteed. Several original franchises folded within the first few years. The Washington Capitols? Gone by 1951. The Toronto Huskies? Lasted just one season. It makes you appreciate how far we've come when you see franchises like the Warriors—who started in Philadelphia, of all places—now valued at over $7 billion. The growth has been absolutely astronomical.

I was reminded of this evolutionary journey recently when reading comments from professional athletes in other sports. Dutch field hockey player Jeroen Hertzberger's perspective particularly resonated: "I think we fought back as a team, getting the 2-1 back to put us back to getting into extra time. This is unfortunate that you have to end the tournament. But it could have went both ways. They had chances. We had chances. It was a fair game." That sentiment captures exactly what makes team sports so compelling—the back-and-forth, the narrow margins, the collective effort. It's the same spirit that carried the NBA through its early struggles.

The merger with the ABA in 1976 was another turning point that doesn't get enough attention. That's when we got the three-point shot, the slam dunk contest, and iconic players like Julius Erving bringing a new flair to the game. I'd argue that merger injected the creativity and showmanship that defines modern basketball. Without it, we might still be watching a much more conservative version of the sport.

When you really dive into discovering the NBA's origins, you start seeing patterns that explain today's league. The emphasis on star power began with George Mikan in the 50s, continued with Wilt and Russell, and evolved into today's player-driven league. The international expansion that brought us Giannis and Jokić? That started with the first international player—Italian Hank Biasatti in 1946. The threads connect in ways most fans never consider.

The television revolution of the 80s changed everything. I can still recall watching Magic and Bird on CBS—the limited national broadcasts made each game feel like an event. Now we have League Pass and can watch any game anytime. The access is incredible, but something about those special broadcast moments created a shared experience that's harder to find today.

Looking at today's NBA with its 30 teams, massive international following, and billion-dollar media deals, it's almost unbelievable to think it started with that meeting in New York's Commodore Hotel back in 1946. The founders probably never imagined what they were building. Yet here we are, watching a global phenomenon that continues to evolve. The journey of discovering the NBA's origins isn't just about dates and mergers—it's about understanding how vision, adaptation, and pure love for the game built something enduring. And honestly, I can't wait to see where it goes next.