THE NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION (NBA) IS THE PREMIER PROFESSIONAL BASKETBALL LEAGUE IN THE WORLD, FEATURING THE BEST PLAYERS AND MOST COMPETITIVE TEAMS. FOUNDED IN 1946, THE NBA HAS GROWN INTO A GLOBAL SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT POWERHOUSE, KNOWN FOR ITS HIGH-FLYING ACTION, STAR PLAYERS, AND THRILLING GAMES. THE LEAGUE CONSISTS OF 30 TEAMS—29 IN THE UNITED STATES AND 1 IN CANADA—DIVIDED INTO THE EASTERN CONFERENCE AND WESTERN CONFERENCE. THE NBA SEASON INCLUDES THE REGULAR SEASON, PLAYOFFS, AND NBA FINALS, WHERE THE CHAMPION IS CROWNED. THE NBA IS ALSO A CULTURAL PHENOMENON, INFLUENCING FASHION, MUSIC, AND SOCIAL MOVEMENTS. WITH LEGENDS LIKE MICHAEL JORDAN, LEBRON JAMES, AND STEPHEN CURRY, THE LEAGUE CONTINUES TO INSPIRE MILLIONS OF FANS WORLDWIDE. KEY FACTS: FOUNDED: 1946 (ORIGINALLY BAA, MERGED WITH NBL IN 1949 TO FORM NBA) HEADQUARTERS: NEW YORK CITY, USA CURRENT CHAMPION: [MOST RECENT WINNER] ...