Gone But Not Forgotten (NBA Edition) Quiz

St. Louis Bombers (1949-50)

The Bombers were one of the original teams in the Basketball Association of America (BAA), which formed in 1946 and then merged with the National Basketball League (NBL) to became the NBA (in 1949). Despite a promising start, the franchise struggled financially and folded in 1950 after just one year in the fledgling NBA. They did not make the playoffs.

In 1955, the city would regain an NBA franchise when the Milwaukee Hawks relocated, and the St. Louis Hawks would go on to win the 1958 NBA title before relocating to Atlanta in 1968.

Buffalo Braves (1970-78)

Buffalo's NBA experiment began with the Braves, a team that quickly found success thanks to star Bob McAdoo. They made the playoffs three consecutive times in the mid-1970s. However, internal ownership conflicts and poor attendance led to a franchise swap with the Celtics' owner. The team moved to San Diego in 1978 and became the Clippers.

Record & Achievements: 3 playoff appearances, no Championships.

Baltimore Bullets (1949-54)

The original Bullets franchise was a competitive team in the early NBA, coming into the newly merged league right after three years in the American Basketball League (ABL) and two in BAA, during which they won the 1948 Championship. Despite this success, the team faced mounting financial issues and folded during the 1954-55 season.

Record & Achievements: 1 playoff appearance, no Championship.

Baltimore would later host a different Bullets team, created when the Chicago Zephyrs relocated in 1963. Ten years later, this second incarnation of the Baltimore Bullets became the Washington Wizards.

Washington Capitols (1949-51)

The Capitols were a founding member of the BAA in 1946 and enjoyed early success, including a trip to the 1949 Finals. Coached by Red Auerbach, they were known for their disciplined play. However, declining attendance and financial instability led to their dissolution in 1951. In their two years with the newly-formed NBA, the Capitols made the playoffs once, and were ousted in the first round.

Of note, the team had two significant win streaks during their BAA years (those records were included with the merger into the NBA), which stood up for many years. Their 17-game win streak in 1946-47 would stand until 1969, and their 15-game win streak to start their 1948-49 season would remain a record until the Golden State Warriors beat it in 2015-16 with their 24-game winning streak to start the season.

San Diego Clippers (1978-84)

After relocating from Buffalo in 1978, the Clippers struggled to gain traction in San Diego. The team failed to make the playoffs and suffered from poor attendance and ownership issues. In 1984, the franchise was moved to Los Angeles. During their six years in San Diego, the Clippers did not have any playoff appearances.

Vancouver Grizzlies (1995-2001)

As part of the NBA's Canadian expansion, the Grizzlies were founded in Vancouver alongside the Toronto Raptors. Despite initial enthusiasm, the team never made the playoffs and consistently finished near the bottom of the standings. In 2001, they relocated to Memphis, where they eventually found more success.

Kansas City Kings (1975-85)

The Kings franchise began with the NBL in 1945 as the Rochester Royals before moving over to the BAA in 1948, just before both leagues merged into the NBA. The Royals continued in Rochester in the newly-formed league (winning the 1951 Championship) until 1957 when they were moved to Cincinnati (keeping the Royals moniker). In 1972, the franchise moved to Kansas City and Omaha (sharing time in both cities as the Kansas-City Omaha Kings), before settling solely in Kansas City in 1975. They made several playoff appearances and won a division title in 1979. However, financial challenges and arena issues led to their move to Sacramento in 1985.

Record & Achievements (1975-85): 4 playoff appearances, 1 division title (1979).

Minneapolis Lakers (1949-1960)

The Lakers got their start in the NBL as the Detroit Gems in 1946, but only spent one year in Detroit before relocating to Minneapolis and becoming the Lakers, spending one more year in the NBL, then moving over to the BAA for a year before the NBA merge.

The Lakers were the NBA's first dynasty, winning 1 BAA and 4 NBA Championships in Minneapolis behind star George Mikan. They only missed the playoffs once in their first 11 years in the NBA. Despite their dominance, the team struggled with attendance and revenue. In 1960, they relocated to Los Angeles, where they became one of the league's most iconic franchises.

Record & Achievements (1949-60): 4 Championships (1950, 1952-54), plus one more Finals appearance (1959).

Syracuse Nationals (1949-63)

The Nationals franchise was the first NBL expansion team in 1946, making the transition into the NBA in 1949. Syracuse was a strong team in the early NBA, winning the 1955 Championship and consistently making the playoffs. In 1963, they moved to Philadelphia and became the 76ers, continuing their legacy in a larger market.

Record & Achievements (1949-63): 14 consecutive playoff appearances, 3 Finals appearances, 1 Championship (1955).

New Jersey Nets (1977-2012)

The began their NBA journey in 1977 after relocating from Long Island, where they had played as the New York Nets (and one year as the New Jersey Americans) in nine years in the ABA. Their early years in New Jersey were marked by instability, both on the court and in management. The team played in various venues, including Rutgers University and later the Meadowlands, but struggled to build a consistent fan base or identity.

Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, the Nets experienced sporadic success, often overshadowed by larger-market teams. However, the franchise saw a dramatic turnaround in the early 2000s. Under head coach Byron Scott and led by All-Star point guard Jason Kidd, the Nets became a powerhouse in the Eastern Conference, reaching the NBA Finals in consecutive seasons (2002 and 2003), winning

Despite these achievements, the franchise continued to face challenges off the court. Attendance issues, outdated facilities, and ownership changes created uncertainty. Plans for a new arena in Brooklyn eventually materialized, and in 2012, the team relocated and rebranded as the Brooklyn Nets, closing the chapter on 35 years of basketball in New Jersey.

Record & Achievements (1977-2012): 2 Finals appearances, no Championships.

Indianapolis Olympians (1949-53)

Formed after a college scandal involving Kentucky players, the Olympians were competitive in their short existence, making the playoffs each year. However, financial issues and a lack of long-term viability led to their closure in 1953.

Record & Achievements: 4 playoff appearances, no Championships.

Indianapolis would regain an NBA franchise in 1976 after their American Basketball Association (ABA) Indiana Pacers team (which formed in 1967) joined the NBA with three other teams in a merger between the two leagues.

Fort Wayne Pistons (1949-57)

The Pistons began with the NBL as the Fort Wayne Zoller Pistons in 1942, playing seven strong years (4 Finals appearances with 2 Championships) before moving to the BAA for one year (and changing their name to just the Pistons) ahead of the NBA merger. After joining the NBA in 1949, the Pistons were a consistent playoff team and reached the NBA Finals twice. Seeking a larger market, they moved to Detroit in 1957, where they became a cornerstone franchise. Their early years laid the foundation for future success.

Record & Achievements (1949-57: 8 consecutive playoffs appearances, 2 Finals appearances, no Championships.

Chicago Stags (1949-50)

The Stags were one of the original BAA teams and reached the Finals in 1947. They made the playoffs every season, including their one year in the newly-formed NBA in 1949-50, but folded in 1950 due to financial losses. Chicago wouldn't host another NBA team until the Bulls were founded in 1966.

Seattle SuperSonics (1967-2008)

The Seattle SuperSonics were founded in 1967 and quickly became a beloved part of the city's sports culture. After early struggles, the team rose to prominence in the late 1970s, winning its only NBA championship in 1979 with a roster led by Dennis Johnson, Gus Williams, and Jack Sikma. The Sonics remained competitive through the 1980s and 1990s, highlighted by the dynamic duo of Gary Payton and Shawn Kemp, and a trip to the NBA Finals in 1996, where they fell to the Chicago Bulls.

Despite a rich history and loyal fan base, the franchise faced growing challenges in the 2000s, including ownership changes and disputes over funding for a new arena. In 2008, the team was relocated to Oklahoma City and rebranded as the Thunder, ending 41 years of NBA basketball in Seattle. Over their tenure, the Sonics made 22 playoff appearances, won six division titles, and left a lasting legacy in the league and the city.

Record & Achievements: 3 Finals appearances, 1 Championship (1979).

Philadelphia Warriors (1949-62)

The Warriors got a strong start with the BAA in 1946, winning the Championship in their first year and making the Finals in 1948. Their strong play continued with the NBA after the merger in 1949, and they won the Championship in 1956 before relocating to San Francisco. A change in ownership and the opportunity to tap into a larger, more lucrative market on the West Coast resulted in the transition to the Golden State Warriors, continuing their legacy as one of the league's most successful franchises.

Record & Achievements (1949-62): 1 Championships (1956).