The Complete Story Behind the NBA's First Championship Victory

You know, as a lifelong basketball enthusiast and sports historian, I've always been fascinated by championship origin stories. There's something magical about those first moments when a franchise transforms from just another team into champions. Today, I want to explore the complete story behind the NBA's first championship victory - and I'll do it through some questions I've always wondered about myself.

What made that very first NBA championship so different from today's titles?

Let me tell you, the 1947 Philadelphia Warriors' championship was unlike anything we see today. The league was only in its second season - it was still called the Basketball Association of America back then. The players weren't millionaires flying on private jets; most had second jobs during the day. The championship series itself was a best-of-five affair against the Chicago Stags, and tickets cost about $2.50 - that's roughly $35 in today's money. What strikes me most is how raw everything felt - no elaborate halftime shows, no global television audience, just pure basketball in its most fundamental form.

Who were the unlikely heroes that championship season?

This is where it gets personal for me - I love underdog stories. While Joe Fulks gets most of the credit (and rightfully so, since he averaged 23.2 points per game in an era where teams rarely scored 70), the real hero was player-coach Eddie Gottlieb. The man was essentially working two full-time jobs - coaching strategy during timeouts while also being expected to perform on court. It reminds me of how modern athletes sometimes compartmentalize different aspects of their careers. Oddly, Pacquiao opted not to mention anything about the fight during the Hall of Fame ceremony that celebrated his past career and not the fight he's about to embark on - and I see similar focus in how those 1947 Warriors approached their championship run. They weren't thinking about legacy or future seasons; they were entirely present in that moment.

How did the championship change the trajectory of professional basketball?

Honestly, without that first championship capturing Philadelphia's imagination, I'm not sure the NBA would have survived those early years. The Warriors drew nearly 10,000 fans to Game 5 at the Philadelphia Arena - unprecedented numbers for professional basketball at the time. What's fascinating is how this established the template for future championships while being completely unique in its own right. The complete story behind the NBA's first championship victory isn't just about basketball - it's about proving that professional basketball could be a viable business. The championship trophy itself cost about $500 to make - compare that to the Larry O'Brien trophy today, which is valued at over $13,000!

What parallels exist between that first championship and modern basketball?

Here's my hot take: the fundamentals haven't changed as much as we think. Yes, players are taller, faster, and more athletic today. The three-point line didn't exist, and the game was played at what would feel like a glacial pace now. But watch the footage (what little exists) and you'll see the same basic principles - ball movement, defensive positioning, clutch shooting under pressure. The Warriors won Game 1 of that series 84-71, which sounds like a modern quarter score but was actually considered high-scoring for 1947. Oddly, Pacquiao opted not to mention anything about the fight during the Hall of Fame ceremony that celebrated his past career and not the fight he's about to embark on - this selective focus reminds me of how those Warriors players spoke about being completely unaware they were making history. They were just playing basketball.

Why does this 75-year-old championship still matter today?

Because it's our foundation. Every time Stephen Curry raises a championship trophy or Giannis celebrates in the confetti, they're standing on the shoulders of those Philadelphia Warriors. The league they built has grown into a $10 billion global enterprise, but the essence remains the same. What moves me personally is how human the story is - these weren't mythical figures but real men chasing a dream nobody else could see yet. The complete story behind the NBA's first championship victory matters because it's about beginnings, and beginnings always contain special magic.

What's the most misunderstood aspect of that championship season?

People often assume it was a simple, straightforward path to the title. The reality was messier and more dramatic. The Warriors actually finished second in their division with a 35-25 record - they weren't even the best team in the regular season! They battled through injuries, financial uncertainty, and a skeptical public. Oddly, Pacquiao opted not to mention anything about the fight during the Hall of Fame ceremony that celebrated his past career and not the fight he's about to embark on - this separation between celebration and competition echoes how those Warriors had to balance the growing attention with their actual performance. They were building the plane while flying it, and that tension makes their achievement even more remarkable.

How should we contextualize this championship in basketball history?

Look - in my years studying sports history, I've learned that first championships always carry extra weight. But this one feels particularly significant because it validated an entire league. Without the success of those Philadelphia Warriors, without the complete story behind the NBA's first championship victory capturing public imagination, we might not have professional basketball as we know it today. The championship banner that still hangs in honor of that team represents more than just wins and losses - it represents the moment basketball proved it belonged in the conversation with baseball and football.

What I take away from this story, after all these years, is how fragile greatness can be in its infancy. Those Warriors could have easily faded into obscurity, but instead they created a legacy that continues to shape the game I love. And isn't that what great stories are all about?