Who All Play in the NBA Today?

Today, the National Basketball Association (NBA) is composed of 30 teams. 29 of the 30 teams are located in the United States while 1 team is located in Canada.

The teams

The teams that are in the NBA today are the Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets, Charlotte Hornets, Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons, Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, Indiana Pacers, LA Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Memphis Grizzlies, Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks, Minnesota Timberwolves, New Orleans Pelicans, New York Knicks, Oklahoma City Thunder, Orlando Magic, Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns, Portland Trail Blazers, Sacramento Kings, San Antonio Spurs, Toronto Raptors, Utah Jazz, and the Washington Wizards.

The Eastern Conference

In the Eastern Conference, there are currently 15 teams divided into three divisions. They are:

The Atlantic Division:
-Boston Celtics
-Brooklyn Nets
-New York Knicks
-Philadelphia 76ers
-Toronto Raptors

The Central Division:
-Chicago Bulls
-Cleveland Cavaliers
-Detroit Pistons
-Indiana Pacers
-Milwaukee Bucks

The Southeast Division:
-Atlanta Hawks
-Charlotte Hornets
-Miami Heat Orlando Magic Washington Wizards

The Western Conference

#The Western Conference
The Western Conference of the National Basketball Association (NBA) is one of two conferences that makes up the league, the other being the Eastern Conference. Like the Eastern Conference, the Western Conference is made up of 15 teams, organized in three divisions.

The divisions are:
-the Pacific Division,
-the Southwest Division, and
-the Northwest Division.

As of the 2020-2021 NBA season, these are the teams that make up the Western Conference:

##Los Angeles Lakers

Located in Los Angeles, California, the Lakers compete in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference. The team was founded in 1947 and has won a total of 17 NBA championships, 16 of which were won while they were based in Minneapolis (1949-1959). The Lakers hold several NBA records, including having played in more NBA Finals than any other team (32 times) and having won more conference titles than any other team (34 times). Some of the team’s most well-known players include Kobe Bryant, Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Shaquille O’Neal, and LeBron James.

##Los Angeles Clippers

Also located in Los Angeles, California, the Clippers compete in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference. The team was founded in 1970 and has never won an NBA championship. However, they have qualified for the playoffs 18 times since moving to Los Angeles in 1984. As of 2020-2021, they have made 9 playoff appearances in a row. The Clippers hold several distinctions including being one of only two teams to never have lost 60 games in a single season (since joining the NBA), as well as being one 0f only three teams to have never won an NBA championship despite never having lost more than 50 games in a single season. Some of their most well-known players include Kawhi Leonard and Paul George.

##Golden State Warriors

Based out of San Francisco, California, but currently playing their home games out of San Jose while their new arena is being built; the Warriors compete in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference. They were founded way back in 1946 as part of the Basketball Association of America before eventually joining the NBA when it was formed via merger with another league--the National Basketball League--in 1949. The Warriors hold several distinctions including being one 0f only 3 teams to win at least 70 games in a single season (73), as well as becoming first team ever to start 15-0 en route to setting an NBA record with 24 straight wins to begin a season (2015-2016). Some notable former and current players on their roster include Wilt Chamberlain (’59-’60 season), Stephen Curry (’14-’15 & ’15-’16 seasons), Kevin Durant (’16-’17 season), and Klay Thompson (’14-’15 & ’15-’16 seasons).

##Denver Nuggets

Based out of Denver Colorado; The Nuggets compete within Southwest Division of teh Western Confernece. They were founded back 1968 as on eof four charter franchises for teh ABA’s inaugural seasn before joining teh NBA after just nine years when teh leagues merged together (1976). They have never reached an NBA Finals series but have made it as far as teh conference finals four tiem sinc ejoining teh league--last appearing there i n2009 where they wree defeated 4-2 by teh Los Angeles kakers who would go on o beat Orland oMagic 4--1 that same year for tehlake rs 15th champiosnhip title overall.. notalbe player frm thir franchise include Alex Enlgish , Dikembe Mutombo , Carmelo Anthony . AS if 2020 thye r one five franchises yet hto wna nNBA championhsip trophhy .

##Portland Trail Blazers

Based out 0f Portland Oregon they compete i nthe Northwest Divsion fo tehw estern conference . THey wer efounded back 1970 an dhave appered iin tehnba playoff s 31 time sonce thne ; advancing t otehnba finasls thr ee time sinced their inception bu thave neever bwon anba championship trophy — coming closest i 2000 whnen they defeaeted phoenxi suns 4 games 2 none befoer losing t0 eventual champs laeke rs( who defened san antonio spurs 4 games 1 tha same year ) . Notable plyers from their repitoire consist if Bill Walton . Damian Lillard , Clyde Drexler , Terry Porter amongest others . As if 2020 ;head coach is Terry Stotts alsongwith GM Neil Olshey

The players

The NBA, also known as the National Basketball Association, is a professional basketball league in North America. The NBA is made up of 30 teams, 29 of which are located in the United States and 1 in Canada. The NBA is a very popular league with players from all around the world.

The superstars

There are many superstars in the NBA today. Some of the most popular players include LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant. These players are some of the best in the league and always put on a show. crowds come to see them play and they always seem to deliver. Other popular players include James Harden, Russell Westbrook, and Kyrie Irving. These players are all very talented and have led their teams to success in recent years.

The role players

Each season, a number of players join the NBA as rookies or return to the league after playing for other professional teams overseas. Other players leave the NBA to play in different leagues around the world. The result is that every season, there are many new faces in the NBA. Some of these players will have a big impact on their teams and become stars. Others will ride the bench and barely see any playing time.

The vast majority of players will fall somewhere in between these two extremes. These are the role players. They are not usually the best players on their team, but they are still very good at what they do. They play an important role in helping their team win games and make a deep run in the playoffs.

Role players come in all shapes and sizes. Some are tall and skinny, some are short and stocky. Some are white, some are black, some are Latino. What they all have in common is that they know how to play basketball and they know how to play it well.

If you want to know who the best role players in the NBA are today, look no further than this list:

1. JJ Redick, Philadelphia 76ers
2. Marcus Morris, Boston Celtics
3. Ersan Ilyasova, Milwaukee Bucks
4. Taj Gibson, Minnesota Timberwolves
5. Kyle Korver, Cleveland Cavaliers

The new kids

The 2020 NBA draft class is looking very promising with a lot of young, talented players. This year’s class is loaded with players who can score, shoot, and defend. Some of the standout players from this year’s class are LaMelo Ball, Anthony Edwards, and James Wiseman. Let’s take a closer look at some of these players.

The rookies

The National Basketball Association (NBA) draft is an annual event dating back to 1947 in which the teams from the league select new players to join their roster. The draft lottery took place on May 14, 2019, and the draft itself was held on June 20.

This year, Zion Williamson from Duke University was selected as the first overall pick by the New Orleans Pelicans. Ja Morant from Murray State University was picked second overall by the Memphis Grizzlies. And R.J. Barrett from Duke University was drafted third overall by the New York Knicks.

Other notable rookies include:
-- Coby White, drafted seventh overall by the Chicago Bulls;
-- De’Andre Hunter, drafted fourth overall by the Los Angeles Lakers;
-- Nassir Little, drafted 25th overall by the Portland Trail Blazers;
-- Ty Jerome, drafted 24th overall by the Philadelphia 76ers; and
-- Goga Bitadze, drafted 18th overall by the Indiana Pacers.

The sophomores

This year’s sophomores include:

Zion Williamson- New Orleans Pelicans
RJ Barrett- New York Knicks
Ja Morant- Memphis Grizzlies
Kendrick Nunn- Miami Heat
Tyler Herro- Miami Heat
Coby White- Chicago Bulls
Eric Paschall- Golden State Warriors

All of these players have made huge impacts on their teams this season and have been a big part of the reason why their teams are where they are today. Be sure to keep an eye out for them as the season continues!

The ones to watch

Out of the 500 plus players who are in the NBA today, there are a few who definitely stand out. These are the players who are putting up some serious points, assists, rebounds, or a combination of all three, and who are playing for teams that are contending for the playoffs or even the championship.

The up-and-comers

It’s no secret that the NBA is a superstar-driven league. The league’s most marketable and popular players are usually its best, and those players tend to stay at the top of the NBA for years at a time.

However, every superstar has to start somewhere. Before they were MVPs and All-Stars, they were young up-and-comers trying to make a name for themselves in the league.

Today, there are a number of young players who have the potential to be the next great NBA superstar. Here are a few of the up-and-comers who you should keep an eye on in the coming years.

Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans
Zion Williamson was the first overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, and he immediately lived up to the hype during his rookie season. In just 24 minutes per game, Williamson averaged 22.5 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.1 assists while shooting 58 percent from the field and 64 percent from three-point range. He also became just the third rookie in NBA history to average at least 20 points per game while shooting better than 58 percent from the field.

At 6’6” and 280 pounds, Williamson has rare size and strength for someone his age. He also has an incredible wingspan (7’3”) which helps him make up for his lack of height at the guard position. Additionally, Williamson is an elite athlete with quickness, agility and leaping ability that is off the charts. His combination of size, strength, athleticism and skill makes him one of the most unique players in NBA history, and he has All-Star potential written all over him.

Luka Dončić , Dallas Mavericks
Luka Dončić enters his third season in the NBA as one of its brightest young stars. The 21-year old Slovenian guard was drafted third overall by the Atlanta Hawks in 2018 but was immediately traded to Dallas on draft night.

In his first season with Dallas, Dončić won Rookie of the Year after averaging 21 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists per game while shooting 43 percent from three-point range. He followed that up with an even better sophomore season in which he averaged 28 points, 9 rebounds and 8 assists per game while leading Dallas to their first playoff appearance since 2016.

Dončić has already established himself as one of the best shooters and playmakers in the league. He is deadly from both inside and outside the arc (he shot nearly 50 percent from three-point range last season), and he has great vision and passing ability for someone his age. With two seasons already under his belt, Dončić looks poised to take another step forward in 2020-21 and solidify himself as one of the best players in the league for years to come

The veterans

The NBA is made up of some of the most talented athletes in the world. While many young players enter the league with great fanfare, it’s the experienced veterans who usually prove to be the most successful. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the top players in the NBA today, regardless of age.

The underdogs

In the NBA today, there are a lot of underdogs. These are players that not a lot of people expected to make it to the NBA, but they proved everyone wrong. These players have worked hard to get to where they are today, and they continue to work hard to stay in the NBA. Who are some of these underdogs?

The dark horses

Dark horse teams are the often overlooked and underestimated teams in the NBA that could make a run at the title. These are the teams that no one is really talking about but could be dangerous come playoff time. Here are a few of the dark horse teams in the NBA today.

The Milwaukee Bucks are one of the best defensive teams in the league and have a superstar in Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Bucks also have a deep bench and good role players. They could be a tough out come playoff time.

The Utah Jazz are another team that no one is really talking about but could make some noise come playoff time. The Jazz have one of the best defenses in the league and Rudy Gobert is a force in the paint. They also have a good mix of young talent and veteran leadership.

The Toronto Raptors are the defending champions and while they may not be considered a dark horse, they are still being overlooked by many. The Raptors lost Leonard but still have a solid core with Lowry, Siakam, and Gasol. They also have a very deep bench. Don’t sleep on the Raptors come playoff time.

The long shots

In every sport, there are always a handful of teams that nobody thought would amount to much this season but they have proven the doubters wrong. Here are five of those NBA teams.

The Washington Wizards weren’t expected to do much this season after losing all-star point guard John Wall to a ruptured Achilles tendon. But they have retooled their lineup and are currently fifth in the Eastern Conference with a record of 20-22.

The Sacramento Kings were expected to be one of the worst teams in the league after trading away star center DeMarcus Cousins last season. But they have Surprise! They have been one of the most fun teams to watch this season and are currently tenth in the Western Conference with a record of 23-21.

The Chicago Bulls were supposed to be tanking this season but they have been surprisingly competitive. They are currently 11th in the Eastern Conference with a record of 15-27.

The New York Knicks were also supposed to be tanking this season but they have been surprisingly competitive as well. They are currently ninth in the Eastern Conference with a record of 19-23.

The Los Angeles Lakers were not expected to do much this season after losing all-star forward LeBron James to injury and trading away several key players during the offseason. But they have exceeded expectations and are currently seventh in the Western Conference with a record of 23-19.