This Day In NBA Sports History: June 18, 1924-2013
The best of this day in NBA sports history. June 18. Ray Allen sends the NBA Finals to overtime, FIBA is founded, and “Mr. Basketball.” What happened on this day in NBA history?
Ray Allen Sends It To Overtime
In the 2013 Finals, already considered one of the greatest Finals of all time, Ray Allen hit the tying three-pointer at the end of regulation to send Game 6 between the Miami Heat and the San Antonio Spurs to overtime. The Heat went on to win 103-100.
Miami, with its 66-16 regular season record, had home-court advantage. From that point on, the series went back and forth, until the 6th and 7th games, when the Heat repeated their victory and took the championship.
FIBA Is founded
The Federation Internationale de Basketball Amateur (FIBA), the world governing body for basketball, was founded in Geneva, Switzerland, in 1932, two years after the OCI officially recognized the sport.
The eight national federations that are founding members of FIBA ​​​​​​​​​​are: the Argentine Basketball Federation, Czechoslovak Basketball Federation, Greek Basketball Federation, Italian Basketball Federation, Latvian Basketball Federation, Portuguese Basketball Federation, Romanian Basketball Federation, and Swiss Basketball Federation.
Mr. Basketball
George Mikan was born in Joliet, Illinois. Nicknamed “Mr. Basketball,” he was a professional basketball player for the Chicago American Gears, still part of the National Basketball League. He was one of the pioneers of professional basketball, winning seven NBL, BAA, and one NBA championship in nine seasons, as well as an NBA All-Star Game MVP and three scoring titles. He is credited with inventing several rules, such as the goaltending rule and the creation of the shot clock.
Final Thoughts: This Day In NBA Sports History
Today, we went to the beginning, getting to know some of the key players who gave life to the league and the former sports stars who inspired the next generations.
FIBA began its era in Switzerland with eight founding members. Allen forced overtime and led to the subsequent victory. The shot is remembered as one of the most iconic moments in recent basketball history, thanks to the excitement and drama the series represented.
If you missed the last article entitled This Day In NBA Sports History, read about it here on June 17.
