The post reflects on memorable “respect moments” in basketball while also describing the early history of the National Basketball Association (NBA). The league was officially formed in 1949 after the merger of the Basketball Association of America (BAA) and the National Basketball League (NBL), and it recognizes the BAA’s earlier seasons as part of its history. In the first playoffs during 1947 and 1948, teams followed a unique format where runners-up also competed for a chance to reach the fina