1963
J. Walter Kennedy becomes the NBA’s second commissioner, taking over from Maurice Podoloff. Kennedy had previously served as a high school coach and athletic director, and as publicity director for the Harlem Globetrotters, but was serving a term as mayor of Stamford, Connecticut when he accepted the commissionership. Podoloff had served as the de facto first commissioner of the league for 17 years.
1923
Frankie Brian is born in Zachary, Louisiana.
1959
Eddie A. Johnson is born in Chicago, Illinois.
1966
An expansion draft is held for the Chicago Bulls ahead of their inaugural season. Their most significant selection is Jerry Sloan, who becomes a cornerstone for the franchise.
1969
Billy Owens is born in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.
1971
Formerly known as Lew Alcindor, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar publicly announces his conversion to Islam and resultant name change.
1975
Austin Croshere is born in Los Angeles, California.
1977
The 76ers eliminate the defending champion Celtics with an 83-77 victory in the deciding game seven of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. World B. Free leads the Sixers with 23 points off the bench, while John Havlicek shoots just 4-of-19 from the field in his final NBA playoff game before retiring.
1980
The NBA officially awards an expansion franchise to Dallas, later named the Mavericks, set to begin play in the ’80-’81 season.
1987
Amir Johnson is born in Los Angeles, California.
1988
Michael Jordan becomes the first player in NBA history to score 50+ points in consecutive playoff games by dropping 55 for the Bulls in a 106-101 game two victory over the Cavaliers in a first round series. He also ties the postseason record for most field goals in a game, with 24.
1990
Reigning Rookie of the Year winner David Robinson dominates with 26 points and 16 rebounds as the Spurs defeat the Nuggets 131-120 in game three to sweep their Western Conference Quarterfinals series. It’s the first playoff series win for San Antonio in seven years.
1998
Spike Lee’s He Got Game is released in theaters. It features NBA star Ray Allen as a high school basketball phenom with Denzel Washington playing his father.
2002
Chet Holmgren is born in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
2006
For the first time since re-locating to California in 1978, the Clippers win a playoff series, clinching a Western Conference Quarterfinals upset over the Nuggets with a 101-83 victory in game five. Elton Brand leads the way for Los Angeles with 21 points and 13 rebounds.
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