The athletes of the NBA bring thrills and entertainment for the whole family to an arena near you.

One of the top drawing sports in the United States, the 30 member clubs of the NBA are frequently lauded as one of the premier sports attractions in the world today. As one of the four major sporting leagues in America, NBA players are the highest paid athletes in the world (based on the average annual salary of the players in the league).

The NBA got its start in 1946 as the Basketball Association of America, adopting the National Basketball Association moniker after merging with the National Basketball League in 1949.

In 1957, Bill Russell joined the Boston Celtics and went on to win eleven championships in 13 short years. 1959 saw the emergence of Wilt Chamberlain, and by the 1960s, he had become one of the most dominant individuals of the era. Russell and Chamberlain’s rivalry would go down in history as one of the greatest rivalries in American sports.

By 1967, however, the NBA had a threat to its dominance: the newly formed American Basketball Association. The ABA managed to grab some good talent from the midst of the NBA, including referees and coaching staff, but their time in the spotlight was destined to be limited, and soon the NBA was unrivalled in the world of American professional basketball.

By 1984, the NBA’s popularity was again surging, and with stars like Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, and Magic Johnson, the league was rushing towards records in both attendance and TV ratings. Jordan’s Chicago Bulls would go on to be one of the most dominant teams of this era, with the Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers often competing for second place in the popularity department.

The modern era has seen a different style of powerhouse team emerge, one based not on the individual superstar, but one of exacting and flawless teamwork, exemplified by teams like Dallas Mavericks and San Antonia Spurs.

If you want to enjoy a great sporting event with family or friends, grab tickets for an NBA game. With exciting action and non-stop fun, the NBA will provide you with the thrills and spills of professional sports, at a price you can afford!