Who Was the First NBA Champion? The Untold Story of Basketball's Historic Win

2025-11-21 12:00

I still remember the first time I held a vintage basketball from the 1940s—the rough leather, the distinct smell of history, the weight of it in my hands. It got me thinking about where it all began, about that very first championship that set the stage for everything we love about the NBA today. The story of the first NBA champions isn't just about a trophy; it's about the foundation of modern basketball, and frankly, it's far more fascinating than most people realize.

When we talk about the inaugural NBA season in 1946-47, we're actually talking about the Basketball Association of America (BAA), which only became the NBA three years later after merging with the NBL. The Philadelphia Warriors, led by the legendary Joe Fulks, claimed that historic first title by defeating the Chicago Stags 4-1 in the finals. Fulks averaged 23.2 points per game that season—an astronomical number for that era when teams often didn't break 70 points total. What strikes me about that team isn't just their statistical achievements but how they approached the game fundamentally differently. They understood something crucial that resonates even today—the importance of veteran leadership setting the tone, much like what contemporary players discuss when they talk about team dynamics.

I recently came across a fascinating quote from modern basketball that perfectly illustrates this timeless principle: "Yun naman 'yung pinag-uusapan namin ni coach LA kasi alam naming na may plano sa amin especially sa amin na nagkaka-edad. Kaya naman ineencourage namin 'yung first group na kailangan maging consistent at set ng tone sila lagi sa game." This translates to discussions between veterans and coaches about having a specific plan, especially for aging players, and how the first group needs to be consistent in setting the tone. This philosophy was absolutely present in that 1947 Warriors team, though nobody articulated it in those terms back then. The Warriors' veteran players—what we'd call the "first group" today—understood their role in establishing game tempo and maintaining consistency throughout that grueling 60-game season followed by playoffs.

What many don't realize is how close we came to having a completely different first champion. The Chicago Stags took the Warriors to five games in that finals series, with Game 1 going into overtime before Philadelphia secured an 84-71 victory. The pivotal moment came in Game 5 when the Warriors' defensive adjustments—something coach Eddie Gottlieb had been working on all season—finally clicked perfectly, holding the Stags to just 75 points while putting up 83 themselves. I've always believed that game represented basketball's evolution from a pure scoring contest to a strategic battle, something we take for granted in today's analytics-driven NBA.

The financial aspect of that first championship often gets overlooked too. The entire Warriors roster split approximately $15,000 in prize money—compare that to today's championship shares exceeding $500,000 per player on the winning team. Joe Fulks, who I consider somewhat underrated in basketball's historical narrative, earned his $8,000 salary that season while revolutionizing the jump shot. His impact reminds me of today's veterans who adapt their games as they age—still contributing significantly while making space for younger talent to develop.

Looking at modern basketball through the lens of that first championship, I can't help but notice how the core principles remain unchanged. The discussion about veteran players understanding their role in the team's broader plan, about the starting unit setting the consistent tone—these aren't new concepts. They were present in 1947 just as they're present in 2023. The Warriors knew they had to establish dominance early in games, control the tempo, and rely on their experienced players during crucial moments. Sound familiar? It's the same blueprint championship teams use today, just with more sophisticated terminology and advanced statistics backing it up.

The legacy of that first NBA championship extends far beyond the record books. It established patterns we still see today—the importance of veteran leadership, the strategic battle between coaching staffs, the evolution of playing styles, and the financial ecosystem surrounding the sport. When I watch today's NBA finals, I still see echoes of that 1947 series in how teams approach the game mentally and strategically. The players are taller, faster, more athletic, and the three-point line has changed spacing dramatically, but the fundamental championship DNA remains remarkably consistent. That first Warriors team didn't just win a trophy—they created a template for success that would be studied, adapted, and refined for generations to come, proving that some aspects of basketball greatness truly are timeless.