NBA 75: A Milestone Season Forever Etched In History
The 93-day wait for basketball fans all over the world has come to an end as the NBA will celebrate its 75th anniversary year commemorating some of the best past and present stars in NBA history. There are eighty-two games of passionate basketball being played among 30 teams all over the league. From October 19th to October 21st, all teams loaded with talented young stars and battle tested veterans returned to the court for nothing but four quarters of entertaining basketball. For the first time in 590 days, arenas were sold out, no chair was left empty. These spectators saw some early “Game Of The Season” matchups within the first few days. NBA 75 pays homage to the exceptional talents and unforgettable moments which all celebrate 75 years of greatness.
The inaugural NBA season began on November 1, 1946, between the New York Knicks and the Toronto Huskies at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto. The Knicks defeated the Huskies 68-66 with New York’s Ossie Schetman scoring the first basket. That was just the beginning. Now 75 years in, the NBA has had some lasting memories that will never be forgotten which is why commissioner Adam Silver developed a plan to make sure those memories would forever be remembered.
On October 19th, opening night for the 2021-22 season has finally tipped off. The newly formed Brooklyn Nets were set to face off in a showdown against the reigning champion Milwaukee Bucks. More than 17,000 fans were on hand to see the “Greek Freak” Giannis Antetokounmpo take on Kevin Durant and his red hot Brooklyn Nets. In Giannis’s home opener, he proved why he was called the Greek Freak as he dropped 32 points along with 14 rebounds, and seven assists, while giving up 0 turnovers throughout the game. The Bucks got their first win of the season by defeating the Nets 127-104, but that was only the beginning to NBA 75. The night wasn’t over as game two on opening night was a throwdown in Hollywood as Lebron James and his revamped Los Angeles Lakers were set to take on Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors. Two of the greatest NBA players of all time were set to clash for the first time in 2021. Even with stars Lebron James and Anthony Davis posting a combined 67 points, it wasn’t enough to dethrone the master of three point scoring in Stephen Curry, as the Warriors went back to San Francisco with a road win.
Fans of the other 26 teams only had to wait 24 hours for their teams to tip off for 13 total matchups across two nights. Fans were thrilled to see the incoming rookie class led by the third overall pick Evan Mobley and the second overall pick Jalen Green who both shined in their NBA debuts. Former MVP Nikola Jokic took on the tough on a Phoniex Suns team who came up just short of winning the 2021 NBA finals back in June. Not to mention an overtime thriller in Manhattan as the New York Knicks managed to defeat the Boston Celtics 138-134. Some teams picked up where they left off a season ago, while others crumbled in their openers. The 2021 NBA draft class was loaded with talent all across the board, from Oklahoma State’s Cade Cunningham to Gonzaga’s Jalen Suggs. These rookies made impacts on their new teams on opening night.
The NBA had announced prior that in honor of the 75th anniversary, they would be honoring the 75 best players to ever grace the court. From one of the greatest basketball players of all time Michael Jordan, to current players destined for the Hall of Fame, such as James Harden. The list consisted of some of the most passionate and resilient players that won championships, and have had lasting impacts on communities all over the world. In the NBA’s first 75 regular seasons, there were more than 62,000 games played, more than 4,500 players who played in a game, and more than 12.8 million points scored. It’s been nearly 60 years since one of the best big men of all time Wilt Chamberlain, shattered the NBA record for most points scored in a single game posting an astonishing 100 points. Wilt’s record to this day, has yet to be broken. In 2006, Lakers and NBA legend Kobe Bryant fell 19 points short of tying Chamberlain’s record with posting 81 points.
Seventy-five years later, new inventions such as the scoreboard, and jumbotron would later be introduced to the game of basketball. Along came the three-point- line, which was introduced in 1979. Celtics Forward Chris Ford became the first ever NBA player to hit a three point shot. As far as most three pointers in a season, the bar was set high by Clippers guard Brian Taylor who set an NBA high 90 three pointers in a single season. Thirty-six years later, that record was nearly quadrupled with an exceptional 402 three pointers made in a single season by Warriors legend Stephen Curry.
With the NBA’s 75th season, came huge offseason trades and new signings. Former Washington Wizards point guard Russell Westbrook signed a whopping five year, 206 million dollar contract with the L.A. Lakers. This made him team up with stars including Lebron James and Anthony Davis. Also, former San Antonio Spurs forward Demar Derozan was dealt to the Chicago Bulls via sign in trade for a three year, 85 million dollar contract. This would allow him to team up with 1 time all star and slam dunk champion Zach Lavine.
Coming into NBA 75, there have been major news headlines regarding NBA all stars Kyrie Irving and Ben Simmons. In the state of New York, it is required for all athletes to require a Covid-19 vaccine in order to participate in team activities. There are some athletes who refuse to get the vaccine, for example Nets point guard Kyrie Irving. Irving is refusing to get the vaccine, which means he is not allowed to participate in team activities whatsoever. On October 13th, the Nets reportedly were ready to offer Irving an $186 million contract extension, but then refused due to his Covid-19 holdout.
Another all star holding out is 76ers guard Ben Simmons. Simmons is not holding out due the Covid-19 vaccine, however, he is holding out for personal reasons. According to ESPN, Ben Simmons just refuses to show up. On September 29th, NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski sat down with Ben to find out why he is refusing to show up for team activities. "It's not even about, 'I'm unhappy. Get me out of here,” Simmons said. “I’m not showing up and I don't want [to be] in front of those fans.'" These holdout issues have yet to be resolved.
With NBA 75 came new partnerships that would be introduced as the season progresses. On October 20th, the NBA and Formula 1 announced a content and promotion partnership to celebrate the NBA’s 75th Anniversary season and the United States Grand Prix. To commemorate the US Grand Prix and the NBA’s 75th Anniversary season, exclusive imagery featuring F1 cars with custom design representing all 30 NBA teams will be dropped on NBA and F1 social channels around the world.
On February 20, 2022, the NBA and its players will come together to celebrate the 71st annual NBA All Star weekend, live from Cleveland, Ohio. There will be four events fans are always thrilled to witness. The Mountain Dew Rising Stars Game consisting of some of the youngest and brightest stars in the league in a traditional five on five game. The Taco Bell Skills Challenge consisting of current up and coming players proving to the basketball world they have what it takes to compete. The 71st five on five all star game consists of two captains that represent their respective side. These captains are two of the best players in the league choosing the all star caliber players from both the east and west conferences. Finally, what some might consider the main event is at the halftime show of the all star game. The 46th annual AT&T Slam Dunk Contest. The four chosen stars are some of the most strong, athletic players that all have one thing in common. They all are the best dunkers in the league. It is always a mystery when it comes to all star weekend. However, it is truly an experience of a lifetime.
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a negative lasting impact on the world and especially the sports world. For the past year and a half there were little to no fans allowed at NBA venues whatsoever. Fake noises were not going to cut it in all 30 arenas, which is why NBA 75 is bouncing back from this tragedy and now are allowing those passionate, iconic fans back. Masks might still be required but that doesn’t stop letting fans experience the sport they love most.
As far as the players, depending on the state, vaccines are required for team participation. If players are not fully vaccinated, they must show a negative covid test in order to participate. “I think we won’t know until we can look back,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver said. “When this pandemic is truly over how we can grade ourselves relative to how other businesses have done. I’ll just say that I’m really thrilled that we’re back to something that looks closer to normal this year.”
From rookie debuts to sensational comebacks and teams making statements, fans saw every aspect of what a great basketball game should be. The 15 games on opening night were just the building blocks of how remarkable the 75th season will turn out. Any team can win on any given night. One things for sure, one team will come out victorious and hoist the Larry O’Brien trophy in June, and right now it could be any of the 30 NBA teams.
"In basketball - as in life - true joy comes from being fully present in each and every moment, not just when things are going your way." - Phil Jackson.
