Unbelievable Facts About the NBA That You Didn’t Know

Elmira | 10 - 10 - 2021
facts about the NBA

The NBA turns 75 years old. The National Basketball Association (NBA), also known as the most impressive sporting league, was founded on June 6, 1946. It has been witnessing many events, players, games, and awards. NBA fans are always curious about their favorite players or teams. We have put together the most fascinating NBA facts that will entertain and increase your knowledge. Many dedicated fans have known the champions of past and present years but what has happened throughout the league’s history including battling games and the highest score, several interesting NBA history facts may be unknown to you. Here are some of the engaging NBA playoff facts that leave you in surprise. If you think you are a true NBA expert, then our latest basketball facts quiz is for you.

Intriguing Facts About the NBA

How much do you know about your favorite team or player from basketball? Scroll down to learn these fun facts about the NBA to see which are new to you.

How Many Teams Are in the NBA?
  • A. 20
  • B. 30
  • C. 35
  • D. 40
  • One of the best all-time NBA players, Shaquille O’Neal had secured only one three-point shot throughout his NBA career. 
  • Air Jordan was prohibited from the NBA as he paired different shoes with his uniform. Stern fined Michael Jordan $5000 for each game as he paired his personal shoes.
  • Kobe Bryant’s first NBA contract was not signed by him. His parents also co-signed in the 1996 NBA draft as he was a minor.
  • Another interesting fact is, the NBA’s shortest player (Muggsy Bogues (5′ 3″)) and tallest player (Manute Bol (7′ 7″)) played once in the same team in the 1987-1988 season.
  • Four NBA teams don’t have any players with Finals experience. It includes Sacramento Kings, Portland Trail Blazers, and ironically, Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics.
  • Nat Hickey is considered the oldest player in the NBA whose age is 45 years.
  • Michale Jordan is still famous. He averaged 20 points, 4 assists, and 6 rebounds in the final NBA season. Like him, only eight players averaged the stats last season, including Jimmy Butler, James Harden, LeBron James, Russell Westbrook, Kevin Durant, Blake Griffin, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and DeMarcus Cousins.
  • Wilt Chamberlain still holds the record of the highest single-season scoring average with a whopping 50.36 points per game in the 1961-1962 NBA season. The closest player was Kobe Bryant with 35.4 points each game from 2005 to 2006 in the last 25 years.
  • Most retired NBA players (60%) broke within five years of retirement.
  • Currently, Rasheed Wallace is well-known for the most technical fouls in the season with his 317 technical fouls in his career.
  • Michael Jordan has done the highest divorce settlement of all time with a whopping $168 million.
  • Shaquille O’Neal has the largest shoe size, i.e 24-EEE.
  • Larry Owens from the Washington Wizards was paid the lowest wage. He only earned $21,049!
  • Kevin Garnett holds the record of earning the highest salary in NBA history. He made $28,000,000.
  • Michael Jordan is regarded as the NBA’s greatest all-time player, but he couldn’t make it in the first round in the 1984 NBA. It was passed over by the Portland Trail Blazers and the Houston Rockets.
  •  Oscar Robertson is recognized as the only NBA player who averaged a triple-double throughout a whole season. Due to some reason, he never received MVP.
  • After the 1995 NBA Finals, Shaquille O’Neal asked Hakeem Olajuwon for a one-one match as Hakeem had just defeated him for four straight games.
  • LeBron James, also known as one of the most dominant players on the planet, eats and writes with his left hand.
  • Don’t judge a person with his appearance. The shortest NBA player Tyrone “Muggsy” Bogues has stopped 39 shots throughout his career.
  • The Oklahoma Hornets Valentine Day jersey is the most expensive as it earned $22,000 for charity.
  • Kobe Bryant has the record for the most missed shots in his NBA career.

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