The NBA's 75th anniversary season marked a return to normalcy
In short: After two years of pandemic-shortened schedules, the 2021–22 NBA season restored the traditional October to April rhythm. It was a landmark year of celebration, featuring a diamond jubilee for the league's 75th anniversary and the introduction of new awards honoring legendary figures like Magic Johnson and Larry Bird.
The 2021–22 season served as the 76th edition of the league, characterized by a significant return to the standard regular season schedule that runs from October 19, 2021, to April 10, 2022. This followed two seasons that had been shortened due to the COVID-19 pandemic. To celebrate the league's 75th anniversary, the NBA introduced a diamond jubilee logo and honored a special 75th-anniversary team, selected by a panel of players, coaches, and executives.
The league also used the season to rebrand several honors. New awards were established for division and conference championship winners, naming divisions after figures such as Nat "Sweetwater" Clifton and Sam Jones. Conference championship trophies were rebranded for Bob Cousy and Oscar Robertson, while the top performers of the conference finals received awards named after Larry Bird and Magic Johnson. Even the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy underwent a redesign, featuring engravings for the first 75 champions.
The NBA Finals concluded on June 16, 2022, as the Boston Celtics were defeated by the Golden State Warriors. The postseason included a play-in tournament held between April 12 and April 15, 2022. Off the court, the year saw significant movement, including the retirement of several long-term players like Pau Gasol and Jamal Crawford, and high-profile free agency deals, such as Kevin Durant's four-year, $198 million extension with the Brooklyn Nets.
Uniformity also saw a shift through the City edition program. While 27 of the 30 teams wore designs incorporating various historical decades, the Phoenix Suns and Utah Jazz opted to wear their previous year's City uniforms, and the New Orleans Pelicans utilized a standard City uniform as a tribute to their city.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: 2021–22 NBA season
- Also: Wikidata — 2021–22 NBA season · CC0
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/sport-2021-22-nba-season.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Basketball · More in Sport & Games · Latest · A–Z · All topics
