Russell played in an era where there were fewer NBA teams—about 10. While some may argue that each team had more concentrated talent, the level of talent does not compare to that of today’s game.
Quick Answer, how many teams were in the NBA in 1946? On June 6, 1946, the BAA or the Basketball Association of America was born and 11 franchises comprised the new professional basketball league: Boston, Providence, New York, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Washington formed the East Division and Cleveland, Detroit, Toronto, Chicago and St. Louis the West Division.
Likewise, how was the NBA in the 60s? 1960s, Overall The NBA in the 1960s was rougher, tougher, smaller and less visible than just about every decade that followed. But it may have been the best basketball decade of them all. The Boston Celtics dominated. Wilt Chamberlain scored 100 points in a game.
Also know, how many NBA teams were there in 1950? 1950-51 season The NBA went from an unwieldy 17-team league to a more manageable 11 teams in two divisions, with Minneapolis, Rochester and Fort Wayne reverting to the Western Division.
