The NBA in 1980

A look back at the NBA in 1980 and how it has changed since then.

The NBA in 1980- A Retrospective

The NBA in 1980 was full of Great players fierce rivalries, and intense competition. This was the year that Magic Johnson and Larry Bird entered the league, and the two would go on to dominate the sport for the next decade. The LA Lakers and Boston Celtics were the two best teams in the league, and they would meet in the Finals that year. The Lakers would win the championship, but it would be the first of many battles between these two great teams.

The NBA in 1980- The Stars of the Show

In the 1980s, the National Basketball Association saw some of its biggest stars ever. Among them were Magic Johnson and Larry Bird who helped lead the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics respectively, to multiple championships. Other Top Players of the decade included Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Julius Erving Moses Malone, and James Worthy

The NBA in 1980- The Championship Teams

In 1980, the National Basketball Association (NBA) was composed of 22 teams, which were grouped into two conferences of 11 teams each. The Eastern Conference had nine playoff teams and the Western Conference had eight playoff teams. The playoffs began on April 8, 1980 and ended with the NBA Finals on May 12, 1980. The Los Angeles Lakers won the NBA title beating the Philadelphia 76ers in the Finals.

The NBA in 1980- The Most Memorable Moments

The 1980 NBA season was one of the most exciting and unpredictable in recent memory. A lot of the credit for that goes to the star-studded rookie class that entered the league that year. It included future Hall of Famers Larry Bird Magic Johnson and Moses Malone. But it wasn’t just the newcomers who made noise in 1980. Some of the league’s most established stars also had memorable seasons. Here are some of the most memorable moments from the 1980 NBA season

The NBA in 1980- The Rivalries

In the 1980s, the NBA was often referred to as the “rivalry league”. This was because there were so many great rivalries between teams and players. Some of the most famous rivalries in NBA history happened during this decade.

The NBA in 1980- The Fashion

Back in the day, the fashion sense in the NBA was very different than it is today. For starters, most players had afros, and the short shorts were not as popular as they are now. The 80s was a decade known for its fashion, and the NBA was no different. Players such as Magic Johnson and Julius Erving were known for their flashy style on and off the court.

The NBA in 1980- The Music

The NBA in the 1980s was a time of great transition for the league. The game itself became faster and more physical, as players such as Larry Bird and Magic Johnson redefined what it meant to be an NBA Star But perhaps just as importantly, the 1980s also saw a dramatic change in the music that accompanied the game.

During the 1970s, the NBA’s theme song was “Channel One Suite,” a piece of instrumental funk music composed by Herbie Hancock. But by the early 1980s, the league was ready for something new. In 1983, they commissioned “Roundball Rock,” a catchy rock tune composed specifically for the NBA by John Tesh Tesh’s song quickly became iconic, and it remains one of the most recognizable pieces of sports music to this day.

The 1980s also saw the rise of hip-hop culture, and this had a significant impact on NBA music as well. In 1988, the league released its first official hip-hop song, “Jam On It” by Newcleus. This song was an instant classic, and it helped pave the way for subsequent hip-hop tracks like “Basketball” by Kurtis Blow and “I Believe I Can Fly” by R. Kelly.

The NBA in the 1980s was a time of great change, both on and off the court. The music of that era reflected this change, as new genres and styles began to take center stage. From Herbie Hancock’s funk classic to John Tesh’s rock anthem to Newcleus’ groundbreaking hip-hop track, the NBA’s musical landscape underwent a dramatic transformation during this decade.

The NBA in 1980- The End of an Era

The 1980’s were an eventful decade in the NBA. A lot of player movement, a changing of the guard in terms of who the best players in the league were, and expansion . . . lots and lots of expansion. But before we get to all that, let’s take a Step Back and examine what the NBA landscape looked like at the beginning of the decade.

The NBA in 1980- The Legacy

The NBA in the 1980s was a decade of transition for the National Basketball Association The decade featured a series of players who would go on to leave their mark on the league, as well as teams that would win championships and execute dynastic runs. It was a decade that also saw early glimpses of international talent making their way into the NBA. All in all, it was an eventful 10 years for the NBA.

The NBA in 1980- What If?

In 1980, the NBA was a very different league than it is today. The average player salary was $313,000, the three-point line had only just been introduced, and there were only 23 teams in the league. What if the league had stayed the same? How would things be different?

For one, the level of competition would be MUCH different. With only 23 teams, there would be far fewer “bad” teams, and far more parity overall. The bottom team in the league would still have a chance to make the playoffs, and even contend for a championship.

The style of play would also be different. Since there are fewer teams, each team would have more star players There would likely be more scoring and less focus on defense. This would make for a more exciting brand of basketball to watch.

Finally, player salaries would be very different. Without expansion and the corresponding increase in revenue, Player Salaries would likely be much lower than they are today. In fact, some players might not even make enough to live on and might have to supplement their income with other jobs.