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Basketball was invented in 1891 in Springfield, Massachusetts, by Canadian physical education instructor James Naismith. The sport quickly gained popularity as the 20th century progressed, first in America and then worldwide. The 1970s were a pivotal decade for basketball, with the NBA undergoing significant changes that shaped the modern game we know today. This era witnessed the emergence of slam dunks, three-point shots, salary escalations, and the arrival of free agency. The NBA also faced competition from the ABA, which showcased the showmanship of stars like Dr. J Julius Erving and Skywalker David Thompson. The game evolved with an increasing number of Black players, who brought their struggles against racism and police brutality to the forefront, setting a template for the league's progressive stance today. While some consider the 1970s a dark age for the NBA due to declining TV ratings and attendance, others argue it was a creative and transformative period that laid the foundation for the league's future success.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Popularity of NBA | The NBA was considered to be in a state of "decline" in the 1970s with low attendance and TV ratings. |
| Player demographics | By the mid-1970s, the league was 75% Black. |
| Player activism | Black players used their platforms to speak out against police brutality and racial injustice. |
| Player behaviour | Players were perceived as selfish, frequently getting into trouble on and off the court, with drug use and fighting. |
| Rival leagues | The NBA faced competition from the American Basketball Association (ABA), which celebrated the showmanship of stars like "Dr. J" Julius Erving and "Skywalker" David Thompson. |
| On-court style | Basketball in the 1970s was described as more free-flowing, with players expressing themselves through dunks, dazzling dribbles, and three-point shots. |
| Salaries | The 1970s saw an escalation in player salaries. |
| Free agency | The concept of free agency emerged in the 1970s, impacting the league dynamics. |
| Best players | Notable players of the era include Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Wilt Chamberlain, Jerry West, Rick Barry, Nate Thurmond, and John Havlicek. |
| Best teams | The Knicks and the Celtics each won two titles in the 1970s. The 1972 Lakers team is also considered one of the best in NBA history. |
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What You'll Learn
The NBA's 'dark era'
The NBA's dark era, also known as the "Dark Age Theory", refers to the period in the late 1970s when the league faced significant challenges and a decline in popularity. Here are some key factors that contributed to this era:
Competition from the ABA and the Loss of Talent: During the 1970s, the NBA faced competition from the rival league, the American Basketball Association (ABA). The ABA attracted top stars and prospective talents with its celebration of showmanship and high-flying dunks. The rivalry between the two leagues resulted in a dilution of talent across both leagues, with the NBA struggling to find stars who could become the face of the league.
Drug Abuse and Fighting: The late 1970s NBA was plagued by rampant drug abuse, particularly cocaine, and a culture of fighting, even during finals games. The combination of these issues damaged the league's reputation and affected the perception of the game.
Decline in Popularity and Attendance: The NBA's popularity took a hit during this period, with a decline in attendance and television ratings. The 1979-1980 season saw an 18% decline in the NBA's TV audience. The league struggled with ill-timed season scheduling, with the NBA finals taking place during the May ratings sweeps, which further impacted viewership.
Lack of Dominant Teams and Stars: The late 1970s are often considered a forgotten era in the NBA, with fewer widely recognized stars and dominant teams. While the main player associated with this period is KAJ (Kareem Abdul-Jabbar), there was a perceived lack of teams and players that left a lasting legacy.
Merger with the ABA: The NBA and ABA eventually merged in 1976, which brought an influx of talent and a much-needed change to the league. Stars from the ABA, such as Julius Erving, brought a flashy and fast-paced style that reinvigorated the NBA's on-court product. However, the merger also faced challenges, as some believed that the ratings and popularity declined further after the merger, especially during the first championships of Magic Johnson and Larry Bird.
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The arrival of free agency
Basketball was invented in 1891 in Springfield, Massachusetts, by Canadian physical education instructor James Naismith. The sport quickly gained popularity as the 20th century progressed, first in America and then worldwide. The National Basketball Association (NBA), established in 1946, became a multibillion-dollar enterprise by the end of the century, and basketball became an integral part of American culture.
The 1970s were a transformative decade for the NBA, with several significant changes that rocked the league's foundation. One of the most notable shifts was the arrival of free agency, which gave players more freedom and flexibility in their careers.
Before the 1970s, the NBA players were bound by a restrictive reserve clause, similar to the one in Major League Baseball. This clause tied players to their respective teams, limiting their movement and negotiating power. Players could be traded, but they couldn't wait for their contract to expire and choose another team freely. This lack of free agency prevented healthy competition and often resulted in lower salaries for the players.
However, the tide began to turn in 1970 when NBA player Oscar Robertson filed an antitrust lawsuit against the league. Robertson challenged the NBA's merger with the rival league, the American Basketball Association (ABA), and sought to end the draft and pave the way for free agency. Although his lawsuit didn't achieve all its goals, it did delay the merger and forced the NBA to restructure contracts, introducing free agency in 1976.
Initially, free agency was restricted, and teams had to provide compensation, such as players, draft choices, or money, when signing a player from another team. Despite these limitations, the arrival of free agency marked a significant shift in power dynamics within the NBA, giving players more leverage and freedom of movement. It also contributed to the escalation of salaries, as players could now command higher pay due to increased competition between the NBA and ABA.
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The slam dunk
Basketball was invented in 1891 in Springfield, Massachusetts, by Canadian physical education instructor James Naismith. The sport grew popular in the 20th century, first in America and then worldwide. The National Basketball Association (NBA) was established in 1946 and became a multibillion-dollar enterprise by the end of the century, with basketball becoming an integral part of American culture.
The 1970s were a significant decade for the NBA, with several changes and developments that rocked the foundation of the league. One notable aspect was the embrace of the slam dunk. The American Basketball Association (ABA), a rival league to the NBA, celebrated the showmanship of its stars, including "Dr. J" Julius Erving and "Skywalker" David Thompson, who headlined the league's first slam dunk contest in 1976. The NBA followed suit, introducing its own dunk contest in 1977, won by "Dr. Dunk" Darnell Hillman. The popularity of the dunk continued to grow, with players like Dominique Wilkins and Michael "Air" Jordan thrilling fans with their powerful dunks in the 1980s.
The emergence of the slam dunk as a showcase of athletic ability and entertainment value transformed the NBA. No longer dominated by just gargantuan centers, the 1970s saw players of various positions incorporating the dunk into their gameplay. The slam dunk added a new dimension to the league, appealing to fans and showcasing the skill and agility of the players.
The 1970s also witnessed the rise of notable players and teams. The decade produced stars like Rick Barry, Nate Thurmond, Jeff Mullins, and the aforementioned dunkers. The 1972 Lakers, featuring Wilt Chamberlain and Jerry West, are considered one of the best teams in NBA history, winning 69 games in the regular season. The decade also saw the Washington Bullets become a powerhouse, the emergence of the underdog '77 Portland Trail Blazers, and the success of the Golden State Warriors and Seattle SuperSonics.
While the NBA faced competition from the ABA and a decline in attendance and television ratings in the late 1970s, the league's popularity endured. The slam dunk, along with other factors like the three-point shot, salary escalation, and the arrival of free agency, contributed to the evolution and modernization of the NBA during this period. The 1970s laid the foundation for the league's continued growth and success in the following decades, shaping the NBA into the global phenomenon it is today.
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The three-point shot
Basketball was already a popular sport by the 1970s, having been invented in 1891 and growing in popularity throughout the 20th century. By the 1970s, the NBA was facing a decline in attendance and television ratings, with an 18% decline in its TV audience in 1979. However, the NBA was also undergoing significant changes during this decade, arguably entering a modern age. One of the major changes was the introduction of the three-point shot.
In the 1970s, the NBA acquired the ABA but did not immediately adopt the three-point shot. Finally, in the 1979-1980 season, the NBA introduced the three-point line on a one-year trial basis. This decision was made to spread out players, who were mostly playing underneath the basket, and to add a degree of difficulty to the game. Chris Ford of the Boston Celtics made the first three-point shot in NBA history on October 12, 1979. During the inaugural season, NBA teams averaged less than three three-point shots per game.
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The emergence of Black players
The 1970s were a pivotal time for basketball, with the NBA entering a modern age. This decade saw the arrival of the slam dunk and three-point shot, salary escalation, and the advent of free agency. The NBA also faced a crisis, with a decline in attendance and television ratings, as well as a struggle with racial politics.
Black players in the NBA during the 1970s faced backlash and negative perceptions from management, fans, and the media. The league was criticised for being violent, criminal, and out of control, with a focus on negative stereotypes of young Black men. The NBA also faced a drug-related public relations crisis, with players' use of cocaine, a drug popular among individuals with disposable income during this time, causing panic and outrage. This panic has been interpreted as a racialised narrative, with the media and league enraging over the use of drugs by rich Black players.
Despite the challenges and criticism they faced, Black players in the 1970s made significant contributions to the growth and transformation of the NBA. They infused the game with the aesthetics and ethics of Black streetball, emphasising individual athleticism, creative deception, and stylish improvisation. Their on-court performances and off-court activism laid the groundwork for the rise of the modern NBA as a global profit machine and cultural force. Black players, such as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, advocated for equality, social justice, and labour protections, challenging the interlocking monopolies of the white basketball establishment and shaping the league's template for addressing social justice issues today.
The struggles and successes of Black players in the 1970s NBA have been documented by historian Theresa Runstedtler in her book, "Black Ball: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Spencer Haywood, and the Generation that Saved the Soul of the NBA." Runstedtler highlights how the 1970s were a pivotal but often overlooked era, referred to as the "'dark ages' of the NBA." She reframes this period, recognising the impact of broader racial politics and the ways in which Black players changed the league and paved the way for future generations of NBA stars.
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Frequently asked questions
Basketball was already popular before the 70s, with the sport being invented in 1891 and growing in popularity as the 20th century progressed. However, the 70s are considered by some to be the "dark ages" of the NBA, with low attendance, declining TV ratings, and a perception of the league being "in decline".
The 70s were a tumultuous time for the NBA, with the league dealing with issues such as player misconduct, drug use, and racial politics. The league was also facing competition from the rival ABA, which was known for its flashy and showy style of play.
The 70s saw the emergence of the slam dunk and the three-point shot, which added excitement and changed the style of play. The NBA also embraced free agency and salary escalation, leading to salary inflation.
