I still remember the first time I watched an NBA Finals game as a kid, completely mesmerized by the intensity and athleticism on display. That experience sparked my lifelong fascination with basketball history, particularly the origins of the league and that very first championship team. Most casual fans today might assume the Lakers or Celtics were there from the beginning, but the real story begins much earlier, in a completely different basketball era that would be almost unrecognizable to modern viewers.
The journey to crown the first NBA champion actually starts before the NBA even existed. Back in 1946, when the league was founded as the Basketball Association of America (BAA), the game was fundamentally different from what we see today. There were no three-point lines, no shot clocks, and players often held day jobs because the salaries were barely enough to live on. The Philadelphia Warriors emerged as that inaugural champion in 1947, led by player-coach Joe Fulks who revolutionized scoring with his deadly jump shot. What's fascinating to me is how these pioneers played through conditions that would make today's athletes balk. I've spent countless hours in basketball archives, and the more I learn about those early days, the more I appreciate the sheer toughness required. They played back-to-back games frequently, traveled by train and bus for hours, and yet managed to put on shows that captivated early basketball enthusiasts.
Thinking about those early challenges reminds me of a quote from a veteran coach I once interviewed, who perfectly captured the essence of tournament basketball versus regular season grind: "It's not like the local tournaments we play where you can stick to a specific seven and then get to rest 4-5 days before the next game. Here, every game you play and you're expected to play with anyone who is put inside the court." This philosophy perfectly describes what those first NBA champions faced - a relentless schedule where adaptability and depth mattered as much as star power. The Warriors' roster depth proved crucial throughout that 1947 playoffs, especially when they faced the Chicago Stags in the finals. What many don't realize is that the entire championship series was decided in just five games, with the Warriors clinching the title 4-1 in a format that would seem incredibly condensed by today's standards.
The statistical differences between that first championship and modern titles are staggering. The Warriors averaged about 68 points per game during their championship run - a number that would represent a bad quarter for many contemporary teams. Joe Fulks, the league's first scoring champion, averaged 23.2 points that season, which was considered astronomical at the time. The game was slower, more methodical, with teams averaging roughly 80 shot attempts per game compared to today's 90+. I've always been drawn to these statistical anomalies because they highlight how much the game has evolved. The basketball they played was fundamentally different - more focused on set shots, two-handed chest passes, and a physical style that would probably draw technical fouls today.
What truly astonishes me about that first championship team isn't just their victory, but how they set the template for future NBA success. Their coach, Eddie Gottlieb, was a master strategist who understood the importance of conditioning and roster flexibility long before these became league-wide priorities. The Warriors could adapt their style depending on opponents, sometimes playing uptempo while other times slowing the game to a crawl. This versatility became their trademark throughout the playoffs. Having studied championship patterns across decades, I've noticed that the greatest teams always share this adaptability trait, and it's remarkable how the very first champions already embodied this championship DNA.
The legacy of that 1947 Philadelphia Warriors team extends far beyond their championship banner. They proved professional basketball could thrive as a spectator sport, drawing nearly 10,000 fans to some of their playoff games - impressive numbers for the postwar era. Their success helped stabilize the fledgling league during its most vulnerable period, ensuring there would be a second season and beyond. As someone who's witnessed countless championship moments, I've always felt this first title deserves more recognition in the basketball consciousness. These pioneers didn't have the luxury of extended rest between series or the medical support modern players enjoy. They played through injuries, traveled exhaustively, and yet delivered a product that laid the foundation for today's global phenomenon.
Looking back at that first championship through the lens of modern basketball, I'm struck by both how much has changed and how much remains the same. The core elements - teamwork, strategic innovation, and mental toughness - were just as crucial then as they are now. While today's players might struggle to adapt to 1947 conditions, those original champions would likely thrive in any era because they understood the fundamental truth of basketball: it's ultimately about outthinking your opponent as much as outplaying them. The Philadelphia Warriors' triumph represents more than just the first entry in the record books - it's the origin story of everything we love about NBA basketball today.
