In the 1960s as the NBA was going through a development spurt by including new teams, a rival spring up to challenge it in the ABA. The ABA has dominated from 1967 until 1976 when it finally merged with the NBA.
The 1980s is the period that the league and the game of basketball grew tremendously and a lot of that had the rivalry of Magic Johnson and Larry Bird to thank for. This two players have become the definition of what a rivalry is supposed to be like and their teams have dominated the game for the whole decade. Because of this rivalry a lot of interest has grown in the America about the NBA and the first major TV deals began to be signed as well as another wave of expansion that has yet shown sign of ceasing.
The 1990s was the age of Jordan. No person in team sports has had such a tremendous impact that extended outside of the game like he was. Jordan became the symbol of the NBA and perhaps even bigger than the reputation of league itself. Had it not been for a two year retirement, Jordan may have got many more NBA championship titles.
The post Jordan NBA witnessed a tremendous increase in international players joining the NBA. The 2000s were truly an incredible time for international league as players from every corner of the world began joining the NBA and many of them, such as Dirk Nowitzki, began to find success in the league.
The past decade was a bit slow time, first by parity with 5 teams winning the championship titles in six seasons, but than seen the increase of one of the most dominant teams ever in the Golden State Warriors. The Warriors would make into five consecutive NBA finals and win 3 championship titles during that span.