1.National Basketball Association 2.On August 3, 1949, after a damaging three-year battle to win both players and fans, the rival Basketball Association of America (BAA) and National Basketball League (NBL) merge to form the National Basketball Association (NBA). 3. June 6, 1946, New York, NY. 430 teams. 5. With this latest success the Lakers now have 17 NBA titles, tying with the Boston Celtics for the most in league history.