1948–49 BAA season

(Redirected from 1948-49 BAA season)

The 1948–49 BAA season was the third and final season of the Basketball Association of America. The 1949 BAA Playoffs ended with the Minneapolis Lakers winning the BAA Championship, beating the Washington Capitols in six games in the BAA Finals.

1948–49 BAA season
LeagueBasketball Association of America
SportBasketball
Duration
  • November 1, 1948 – March 20, 1949
  • March 22 – April 2, 1949 (Playoffs)
  • April 4–13, 1949 (Finals)
Number of games60
Number of teams12
Draft
Top draft pickAndy Tonkovich
Picked byProvidence Steamrollers
Regular season
Top seedRochester Royals
Top scorerGeorge Mikan (Minneapolis)
Playoffs
Eastern championsWashington Capitols
  Eastern runners-upNew York Knicks
Western championsMinneapolis Lakers
  Western runners-upRochester Royals
Finals
ChampionsMinneapolis Lakers
  Runners-upWashington Capitols
BAA/NBA seasons

The NBA recognizes the three BAA seasons as part of its own history so the 1948–49 BAA season is considered the third NBA season.[1] Following the season, the BAA and National Basketball League merged to create the National Basketball Association or NBA.[2]

Notable occurrences

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Four National Basketball League teams (Fort Wayne, Indianapolis, Minneapolis and Rochester) joined the BAA for the 1948–49 season.

Coaching changes
Offseason
Team 1947–48 coach 1948–49 coach
Boston Celtics Honey Russell Doggie Julian
Providence Steamrollers Nat Hickey Ken Loeffler
St. Louis Bombers Ken Loeffler Grady Lewis
In-season
Team Outgoing coach Incoming coach
Chicago Stags Harold Olsen Philip Brownstein

Teams

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1948-49 Basketball Association of America
Division Team City Arena Capacity
Eastern Baltimore Bullets Baltimore, Maryland Baltimore Coliseum 4,500
Boston Celtics Boston, Massachusetts Boston Garden 13,909
New York Knicks New York, New York Madison Square Garden 18,496
Philadelphia Warriors Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Philadelphia Arena 5,526
Providence Steamrollers Providence, Rhode Island Rhode Island Auditorium 5,300
Washington Capitols Washington, D.C. Uline Arena 8,000
Western Chicago Stags Chicago, Illinois Chicago Stadium 17,000
Fort Wayne Pistons * Fort Wayne, Indiana North Side High School Gym 3,000
Indianapolis Jets * Indianapolis, Indiana Hinkle Fieldhouse 15,000
Minneapolis Lakers * Minneapolis, Minnesota Minneapolis Auditorium 10,000
Rochester Royals * Rochester, New York Edgerton Park Arena 4,200
St. Louis Bombers St. Louis, Missouri St. Louis Arena 15,000
NBL teams joining BAA *

Map of teams

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  Eastern Division   Western Division

Final standings

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Eastern Division

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Western Division

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Playoffs

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Division Semifinals Division Finals BAA Finals
         
E1 Washington* 2
E4 Philadelphia 0
E1 Washington* 2
Eastern Division
E2 New York 1
E2 New York 2
E3 Baltimore 1
E1 Washington* 2
W2 Minneapolis 4
W1 Rochester* 2
W4 St. Louis 0
W1 Rochester* 0
Western Division
W2 Minneapolis 2
W2 Minneapolis 2
W3 Chicago 0
  • * Division winner
  • Bold Series winner

Statistics leaders

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Category Player Team Stat
Points George Mikan Minneapolis Lakers 1,698
Assists Bob Davies Rochester Royals 321
FG% Arnie Risen Rochester Royals .423
FT% Bob Feerick Washington Capitols .859

Note: Prior to the 1969–70 season, league leaders in points and assists were determined by totals rather than averages.

BAA awards

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "NBA Season Recaps: 1946–2019". NBA.com. July 24, 2019. Retrieved September 17, 2020.
  2. ^ "NBA is born". History. November 16, 2009. Retrieved September 17, 2020.