I still remember the first time I watched archival footage of that historic NBA game from November 1, 1946. As a basketball historian, I've always been fascinated by beginnings, and what could be more significant than the very first official NBA game between the New York Knicks and Toronto Huskies? The final score was 68-66 in favor of the Knicks, but the numbers barely scratch the surface of what really happened that night.
When I dug deeper into the archives, I discovered something that reminded me of that Filipino basketball quote I once came across - the one about "changing of the guards" and veterans guiding younger players. That's exactly what was happening in that first NBA game, though nobody called it that back then. The Knicks' roster featured players like Leo Gottlieb, who scored 14 points that night, alongside Ossie Schectman who made the first basket in NBA history. These were the veterans of their time, the pioneers establishing what would become the most prestigious basketball league in the world.
What many people don't realize is how different that first NBA game looked compared to today's high-flying spectacle. The players wore leather shoes that offered minimal support, the courts were often shared with hockey games, and the three-point line wouldn't exist for another 33 years. Yet the fundamental beauty of basketball was already there - the crisp passing, the strategic positioning, the raw athleticism that would eventually evolve into the game we know today. I've always believed that understanding these origins helps us appreciate modern basketball more deeply.
The historic impact of that inaugural game extends far beyond the scoreboard. It established professional basketball as a viable spectator sport in North America, setting in motion what would become a global phenomenon. From that single game involving 18 players (9 per team, though rosters were larger), the NBA has grown to feature 450 active players across 30 teams today. That's what I find most remarkable - how something so modest could spark such tremendous growth.
Thinking about that Filipino quote again - "Very thankful ako kila Boss Al, kila Boss Robert na dito ako nilagay sa San Miguel. Sobrang bait ng mga players and I have great vets" - it strikes me how similar sentiments must have been felt by those early NBA players. They were grateful for their opportunities, learning from each other, building something greater than themselves. The veterans of that era, though their names aren't as widely remembered today, were laying foundations for future legends.
I've spent countless hours researching that first NBA season, and what continues to surprise me is how many elements of modern basketball were present from day one. The fast breaks, the strategic timeouts, even the media coverage - though obviously on a much smaller scale. The New York Times gave the game a modest 4-inch column on page 27, while today NBA finals games receive front-page coverage globally. That growth trajectory is nothing short of extraordinary.
When I consider the untold story of that first NBA game, I'm always drawn to the human elements - the players who had day jobs, the coaches who diagrammed plays on napkins, the owners who risked financial stability for a sport they believed in. These aren't just historical footnotes to me; they're the heart of basketball's origin story. The league's $8.3 billion annual revenue today stands in stark contrast to those humble beginnings, yet the spirit remains the same.
The evolution from that first game to today's global spectacle represents one of the most remarkable success stories in sports history. Every time I watch a modern NBA game with its drone cameras and instant replay and global streaming, I think back to that cold November night in 1946 when 7,090 spectators witnessed something special without fully realizing they were watching history unfold. That's the magic of beginnings - you never know where they might lead.
Personally, I find myself drawn to these origin stories because they reveal the essential character of the sport I love. Basketball wasn't born fully formed with slam dunk contests and signature shoes. It grew from humble roots, from players supporting each other much like that Filipino quote describes - veterans guiding newcomers, everyone contributing to something larger than themselves. That first NBA game wasn't just about basketball; it was about building community through sport.
As I reflect on the historic impact of that inaugural NBA game, I'm struck by how much has changed yet how much remains the same. The fundamental joy of watching athletes push human potential, the strategic chess match between coaches, the collective gasp of a crowd witnessing something extraordinary - these were present in 1946 just as they are today. The untold story isn't just about what happened on the court that night, but about the countless lives that would be touched by the legacy those players began.
