NBA - INSTITUTION

BY DAYVON DANIELS
HISTORY OF NBA

• Formed as a result of the merger between the two rival leagues, Basketball Association of America (BAA) and
National Basketball League (NBL) in 1946

• BAA was formed on June 6 1946, and primarily played in big cities and large market arenas

• NBL was formed in 1940 but they played in primarily small midwestern cities in small gymnasiums and would
lose four of its teams including its biggest star, from both leagues, George Mikan to the BAA

• To avoid legal complications the name was changed to the National Basketball Association (NBA), but does not
recognize any NBL history, considering the start of the BAA up until the merger and everything after the
merger NBA history

• The new league was formed with 17 teams located in both small and large cities and was played in both large
and small gymnasiums to accommodate fans from both market shares
CONFLICT PERSPECTIVE

• Big market teams like the lakers and Knicks have resources that small market teams don’t like media coverage, if the lakers are
bad or good they will he talked about, only if the honest are good or are embroiled it n controversy will they be talked about.
Big market teams get better TV deals and are shown on national TV a lot more on average. Historic teams like the Lakers get
preferential scheduling usually always playing on marquee days like Christmas.
• Superstars like LeBron can get away with more mischief due to his talent level and revenue they bring into the city
• Star players hold franchise hostage with their demands and win now mentality
• Owners will get their way because they hold all the financial wealth so when it come time to collectively bargain for a new deal
the owners can strong arm the meeting to benefit more of their views as opposed to the players in conjunction with the
Player’s Association
• Fans and front offices in disagreement about the direction of team due to fans believing management is more concerned with
finances than they are winning
FUNCTIONALIST PERSPECTIVE

• The hierarchy allows for the system to flourish. The commissioner keeps check of the
ownership they keep check of the President of Basketball Operations who oversees the team
staff who oversee the players. They all in tandem work to promote the brand of their team
and NBA collectively.
• Superstar players make it easier for role player to do their job which in turn makes the coach
look great and get him paid.
• The cleaner the NBA image is the more marketable it becomes thus allowing for a broader
reach into more niche markets
• Revenue sharing between teams allows for a more even distribution of wealth considering
teams in large markets like Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, and Philadelphia.
MAJOR PARTICIPANTS

• Commissioner – President/Chief Executive Officer of the NBA, and is responsible for the
administration of the NBA as an organization
• Team Owners – own one of the 30 NBA franchises, provide operating capital to start team,
and oversee all operations of the team, typically isn’t their only job
• President of Basketball Operations/General Mangers – responsible for overseeing all player
personnel decisions and managing day to day operations, sometimes these jobs are split
between two people others the titles are held in tandem by one . When titles are split the
President has seniority, usually only reporting to the team owner
• Superstars – Best players in the NBA. They are the most marketable players in the NBA,
usually known outside of basketball, get away with more stuff than a normal player on the
roster would
COMMISSIONERS ROLE

Adam Silver, NBA Commissioner • Responsible for bargaining contracts for game broadcasts, sponsorships, and
franchise ownership or participation

• Follow the contract agreement to discipline erring players for the violation of
league rules, including personal conduct policy and misbehavior in games

• Responsible for the appraisal of suspended players

• Responsible for the provision of guidelines, recommendations, and other

assistance to owners in connection with making rules, including on draft
eligibility and conduct of games

• Grant media interviews as needed

• Responsible for employing league front office personnel

• Take action for lawsuits against the league and also instigate lawsuits by the
league as necessary

• Provide direction over the draft of NBA prospects

 OWNERS ROLE

• Own the team, provide operating capital, Steve Balmer Michael Jordan
Clippers Owner Hornets Owner
and oversee all operations of team
• Pay for arena, arena staff, players
paychecks and team staff, front office
staff
• Represent the team at owners’ meeting,
where discussions are held about the
state of the league and what could be
improved
PRESIDENT OF BASKETBALL OPERATION/
GENERAL MANAGER ROLE
Daryl Morey - Rockets General Manager
• Responsible for overseeing all of the
business and financial decisions
• Play a significant role in Public Relations as
one of the public faces of the team
• Usually have final say on personnel
decisions like drafting a prospect, sighting a
free agent, and re-signing a player and
determining how much a player is worth
• Hire coaching staff and oversee the
operations of said staff
SUPERSTAR ROLE

• Best players in the NBA

• Grow the brand by conducting themselves in a
professional manner
• Speak up for the smaller players
• Bear the burdens of losses and joys of triumph
• Deliver the team a championship
• Be the leader of their team
• Show up in the clutch
• Face of the Franchise
• Sell Jersey
SOCIETY’S PERCEPTION OF NBA

• Media pundits critic and praise various aspects, ventures, and members involved with the NBA
• More and more people actively engage in various social media platforms to discuss the NBA
as well as catch sound bites of players and coaches
• Myriads of memes have been produced detailing the triumphs of a team but more often than
not the failure of a particular team
• The NBA is a growing business globally with more and more audience members tuning in
each year
• Teenagers and adults alike get to play as their favorite players in NBA 2K franchise allowing
for a deeper connection to the NBA stars
SOCIETY’S PERCEPTION OF NBA

• With no clear favorite team to win-it-all this year fans

are excited for a new NBA season
• Last few season has not been suspenseful due to Kevin
Durant a top 2 player in the NBA switching to a
powerhouse in the Golden State Warriors, eliminating
all hopes of a competitive finals. In 2016 the finals
preceding Durant’s decision the Cleveland Cavaliers
led by LeBron James became the first team to
overcome a 3-1 finals deficit to win an NBA
championship
• This is the league every elite basketball player wants to
join because of the money and popularity it can bring
MEMBERS OF NBA PERCEPTION OF NBA

• They have changed the title of owners to Board of Governors because they thought it
was to toxic a label i this environment, especially with owners being predominantly white
males and players being predominantly black
• They believe the NBA should protects its menses more with better retirement packages
for older players
• Owners, management and even the commissioner think players are gaining too much
control especially considering this last NBA season were multiple stars forced their way
off of teams.
CHANGES IN NBA
Significant Rule Changes
• 1951 — Lane widened from 6 feet to 12 feet
• 1954 — 24-second clock is introduced
• 1964 — Lane widened from 12 to 18 feet
• 1972 — No foul shots are attempted, except
shooting fouls, until fifth team foul of period
• 1977 — Force-out rule is eliminated
• 1978 — Number of referees increased from
two to three
• 1979 — 3-point line established 22 feet in the corners
extending to 23 feet, 9 inches at top of key1979
• 1979 — Referees reduced from three to two
• 1981 — “3 to make 2” and “2 to make 1” free throw
rules eliminated
• 1984 — The 2-3-2 Finals format adopted, changing
from 2-2-1-1-1 format
• 1988 — Number of referees permanently increased
from two to three
• 1992 — Shot clock is reset only when ball hits the rim
(previously it was reset if ball hit either the rim or
backboard)
CHANGES IN NBA
• 1994 — Three shots awarded for foul on 3-
point attempt
• 1994 — 3-point line shortened to a uniform 22
feet around the basket
• 1997 — 3-point line lengthened to original 23
feet, 9 inches, except in the corners where the
distance remained at 22 feet
• 1997 — A “no-charge” area established with a
half circle with a 4-foot radius measured from
middle of goal
• 2000 — Timeouts increased from six to seven,
fourth-period timeouts increased from three to
four
• 2001 — Illegal defense eliminated and zone
defense allowed. Defensive 3-second rule
prohibits defensive player from being in lane
without guarding offensive player
• 2001 — The time to advance ball past midcourt
reduced from 10 seconds to 8 seconds
• 2002 — Instant replay implemented for review
of certain last-second plays
CHANGES IN NBA

• 2007-15 — Expansion of instant replay every

year except
• 2017 — Timeouts reduced from nine to
seven per team per game with no more than
two after the 3-minute mark of the fourth
quarter

• 2018 — Shot clock reset to 14 after an

offensive rebound rather than 24
CHANGES IN NBA

• There has been other changes in the

NBA like in 2005 the NBA implemented
a dress code to help distance itself from
rap/hood culture and to promote a
better image going forward
CHANGES IN NBA (DRESS CODE)

• Sleeveless shirts • Chains, pendants, or medallions worn over the

player’s clothes
• Shorts,T-shirts, jerseys, or sports apparel (unless
appropriate for the event (e.g., a basketball clinic), team- • Sunglasses while indoors
identified, and approved by the team)
• Headphones (other than on the team bus or plane,
• Headgear of any kind while a player is sitting on the or in the team locker room)
bench or in the stands at a game, during media
interviews, or during a team or league event or
appearance (unless appropriate for the event or
appearance, team-identified, and approved by the teams
CHANGES IN NBA

• Other changes include the game shifting from a primarily inside out game to an outside-in
game meaning instead of the center being the primary focus in a slow tempo beat-em-up to a
faster pace, open floor, longer range game where wings and guards are emphasized and
scoring is higher
• Allowed NBA players to play in Olympics in 1992
• Market to a global audience, and the awards show presentation, the number of teams
• Nike is the new uniform provider with teams having more uniforms to choose from with
editions like Earned, Statement, Classic, City, Home, Away, Alternate etc.
• The addition of free agency and gradual tracking of player statistics, addition of development
league (G-League) and offer high school players a chance to play in front of NBA scouts
CAUSES FOR
CHANGES IN POLICY
League almost failed due to players being on drugs in the
1970s

NBA and it’s players are advocating gang culture with the
hoodies and baggy clothes

Declining ratings due to slow paced offense and low scoring

Brawls between teams painted the league in an ugly light

Distrust and apathy towards NCAA and amateur athletics

NBA FIGHTS
These are the kind of instances the
NBA was trying to steer clear of. In the
top video Kermit punches Rudy and
effectively ends both of their careers
while the bottom is more recent
between the pistons and pacers a brawl
which spilled over into the crowd and
had players attacking fans physically
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgq
UZ1IAA_8&app=desktop – Kermit
Washington punch in Rudy Tomjanovich
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Udy
qIh4nJ3Y&app=desktop – malice at the
palace
STABLE FEATURES OF NBA

• MVP Award - awarding the best player of the regular season with the MVP trophy
• NBA Championship – crowning an NBA champion every season
• Rookie of the Year – awarding the best rookie of the regular season with the ROTY trophy
• Commissioner – there has always been a commissioner to help oversee the operations of the
league and ensure there is a future for the league
• Win Games – you can’t tie, games ending in tie in regulation will go to overtime where a
winner shall be crowned
• No Drug Use – players are randomly tested and can be banned from league for violating drug
policy
IMPROVEMENTS TO NBA

• Eliminate the age requirement for the NBA Draft, you currently have to be 19 or be one
year removed from your graduating class. This hampers and prolongs players opportunity
to make the NBA because of injuries sustained in college or other instances. This should
force teams to be more competent with their drafting strategies and hire better scouts
to potentially have a star player on your roster earlier to aid in the development process
• Eliminate the need for tanking by implementing better lottery strategies they have
improved it this last year but it could still use work. When teams are actively tanking it
hurts everyone involved including the fans, players, and coaches.
BETTER FOR SOME?
For those living in lower incomes area it’s a way
for them to feed their families and create
generational wealth for their future family

For those in charge it offers numerous monetary

benefits and a way to diversify your portfolio

For superstar players it slows for them to having

a bigger platform to voice their opinions and it
affords them opportunities for great
endorsement deals and a way to grow their brand
internationally
CITATIONS

• https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/nba-is-born
• https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_basketball#Early_professional_leagues,_teams
,_and_organizations
• https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association
• https://www.quora.com/What-do-NBA-owners-do
• https://jobdescriptionandresumeexamples.com/nba-commissioner-job-description-key-
duties-and-responsibilities/
• https://work.chron.com/job-experience-required-general-manager-nba-25602.html
CITATIONS (CONT.)

• https://www.deseret.com/2019/2/21/20666425/nba-rules-have-adapted-over-the-years-to-
make-the-game-more-fun-for-players-fans
• http://ballislife.com/remembering-when-the-nba-created-a-dress-code-in-2005-was-it-
racist/
• https://mobile.twitter.com/maldenovercomes/status/1086761647551758336