Historical Facts Don’t Support 2021 As NBA’s 75th Anniversary
By Claude Johnson
(NOTE: This is a version of the original text that was emailed to our opt-in mailing list. The strikethrough format has been added to lessen the tone of the original.)
Let’s have a discussion. For whatever reason, the National Basketball Association keeps falsely insisting that it was formed in 1946, to make this upcoming season its 75th anniversary. In reality, the NBA was formed in 1949 by a merger of the National Basketball League (NBL) and the Basketball Association of America (BAA).
In terms of math, 2021-1949 = 72 (not 75)
We’re not sure why the league is distorting altering this history, but the historical facts that are contrary to their version speak for themselves. Let’s get right into it, with basic research. Here is one of the hundreds of articles about the merger that were published at the time (1949).
The league did the same thing in 1996 for their “50th” anniversary, but fewer people were paying attention then, including me, and I was working there at the time, at NBA Properties, their consumer products division.
The NBA knows exactly what really happened, but their powerful influence over the NBA media ecosystem enormous reach has allowed their fraudulent narrative to be copied and pasted without scrutiny. It goes something like, “the BAA absorbed the NBL.” Or, “the BAA, later known as the NBA.”
What makes this worse is that supposedly bona fide journalists, writers, columnists, and hosts justify getting it wrong with, “that’s what the league says.” Or worse, “it’s on Wikipedia.” Is it just that their paychecks are at stake? Rearranging the truth, for money? The way I was raised and taught, this was called “selling out.” Actually, it was called “lying,” “fibbing,” although I wouldn’t go that far since many of the personnel involved in this scheme have no idea, “just following orders. (If you’re reading this, you can no longer say you didn’t know.)
But you don’t have to take my word for it. Just look up the actual contemporary newspaper accounts of what went down, like the article above, or these below.
It’s easy to see that if the NBA narrative were true, then the headlines would have read, “BAA Absorbs NBL” or something like that.
You could also read the definitive history of the NBL, “The National Basketball League: A History, 1935-1949,” by historian, retired Penn State professor, and good mensch Dr. Murry R. Nelson.
Or you could check out this recent article, “NBA Announces Plans for 75 Greatest Players List for Its (Not Really) 75th Anniversary Season” by NBA writer Phil Watson.
One of the unfortunate outcomes of the NBA’s fraud parade take on this topic, if they had their way, is that Earl Lloyd, Nat Clifton, Chuck Cooper, and Hank DeZonie would no longer be considered the first non-White athletes to play in the league, robbing those pioneers of an important hard-earned distinction.
We have nothing but respect and admiration for Japanese-American pro basketball pioneer Wataru “Wat” Misaka, who overcame unimaginable obstacles to be selected in the BAA Draft in 1947 by the New York Knicks, making him the first non-White player in the BAA. The BAA. But trying to insist that he played in the NBA before it existed, is disingenuous and wrong incorrect. It’s also, in our opinion, disrespectful to clouding Mr. Misaka’s legacy.
To me, it would make more sense for the NBA to claim that the NBL absorbed the BAA, not the other way around. Because at least then, the modern reputedly socially conscious NBA could take credit for signing ten African American players all the way back in 1941, years before Major League Baseball finally allowed a Black player, Jackie Robinson, in 1947. Yes, TEN! (Eight of these pioneers were from Ohio, by the way … LeBron/Steph if you’re reading this.)
Instead, the league’s false narrative raises the embarrassing question, why did it take the “NBA” sooo long, four whole years (after its supposed self-claimed 1946 inception), to finally sign Black players in 1950, three years after Jackie?
I’m not saying we’re perfect. No one is. But as a history-based organization, we pride ourselves on being accurate with history. That’s why our trademarked slogan is “Make History Now.” It’s as much about making history relevant as it is about making the right choices today, at this moment. Like deciding to tell the actual truth, not a fabricated version of it.
Is the NBA’s slogan, “Fudge Estimate History Now”?
We don’t manipulate ignore historical facts. Neither do historians, archivists, curators, historical societies, history museums, history teachers, history professors, history authors, and so on … you get the idea. We don’t know why the NBA would do that.
But there’s one thing we do know. History never changes, only what we do with it. What one does, is telling. Therefore, we try real hard to get it right, because people care. Kids care. What do we say to them or their schoolteachers when the NBA fudges overlooks history?
We have a comparatively humble footprint. But yet, if we can (and should) be accurate and truthful, then why can’t a colossal organization with gigantic resources that prides itself on integrity? Is you is, or is you ain’t?
To the NBA, we would say, “Do a replay!” Take another look. Or, maybe look in the mirror? Honesty and truth are Accuracy is already hard to come by. Why make it harder?
To our dear readers, including those in the NBA and its “ecosystem” (if you haven’t unsubscribed by now), does any of this matter? What’s your take? Please let us know.
(NOTE: Remember, this is a discussion. Don’t get all twisted about the tone. We are passionate about lots of topics, not just this one. If you feel a certain way, please comment with your thoughts and views. Thanks.)