The Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) is the premier professional basketball league in China. It was founded in 1995 and is currently composed of 20 teams that compete for the CBA Championship each season. The CBA is one of the most popular sports leagues in China and is second only to the Chinese Super League in terms of attendance.
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History of the Chinese Basketball Association
The Chinese Basketball Association was founded in 1995 as the successor to the Chinese National Basketball League. The CNBL was the first professional basketball league in China and was founded in 1956. It was the country’s only basketball league for the next 40 years until the CBA was founded. The CBA started with 12 teams but has since expanded to 20 teams.
The CBA was initially modeled after the NBA, with the same four-division structure and many of the same rules. However, the CBA has since developed its own unique style of basketball. The league has become known for its fast-paced, physical style of play, as well as its unique rule changes.
Teams in the Chinese Basketball Association
The CBA currently consists of 20 teams divided into two divisions. The teams are located all over China, from the northernmost city of Harbin to the southernmost city of Guangzhou. The teams are as follows:
Eastern Division
Beijing Ducks
Beijing Shougang
Chongqing Flying Dragons
Fujian Sturgeons
Guangdong Southern Tigers
Guangzhou Long Lions
Jiangsu Dragons
Jilin Northeast Tigers
Nanjing Monkey King
Shanghai Sharks
Sichuan Blue Whales
Western Division
Bayi Rockets
Beikong Fly Dragons
Guizhou White Tigers
Henan Eagles
Liaoning Flying Leopards
Shandong Golden Stars
Shanxi Brave Dragons
Tianjin Pioneers
Tibet Stars
Xinjiang Flying Tigers
Competition Format
The CBA follows a double round-robin format, meaning each team plays every other team twice during the regular season. The two divisions are divided into three groups, with the best four teams from each group advancing to the playoffs. The playoffs consist of a best-of-seven series, with the team that wins four games advancing to the next round. The CBA Finals is a best-of-seven series as well. The winner of the CBA Finals is crowned the CBA Champion for that season.
CBA Championships
The Beijing Ducks have been the most successful team in the CBA, having won a total of four championships. The Guangdong Southern Tigers are the second most successful team, having won three championships. The Shanghai Sharks, Shandong Golden Stars, and Xinjiang Flying Tigers have all won two championships. The other teams have all won one championship each.
Conclusion
The Chinese Basketball Association is one of the most popular sports leagues in China. It is currently composed of 20 teams that compete for the CBA Championship each season. The league has its own unique style of basketball and follows a double round-robin format for the regular season and playoffs. The Beijing Ducks are the most successful team in the CBA, having won four championships, followed by the Guangdong Southern Tigers with three championships.