25th Anniversary

On November 1,1946, In Toronto, Canada, the Basketball Association of America became an on court reality. This was the first game of the new league and featured the New York Knicks and the Toronto Huskies.

During the years that followed, a dynamic league evolved led by dynamic men. Like a growing child, the NBA was not without its problems—but the dedication and determination of the owners and players alike saw to it that the problems were overcome.

The growing pains of adolescence were conquered and a vital youth emerged. Now, in its 25th year, the NBA prepares for a healthy and virile manhood.

Gone are the days of the Green Parrot Cafe when players jumped off a train in the middle of nowhere at 5 A.M. and wearily made their way through the bitter cold winter mornings, hoping to get a ride to the arena where they would play that I night.

Enter the jet era and a large supply of superstars... Giants of men with unlimited talents and endless amounts of energy... brilliant in their execution of basketball manipulation and masterful in the art of ballet.

This is the NBA... and in this anniversary album, all of the nostalgic reminiscences of the years are here voiced by the men who lived them. So, too, is the dramatic play-by-play action of Mikan. Schaycs, Russell. Cousy. Chamberlain. And who can forget the Aight that "Havlicek Stole the Ball!?"