5 NBA teams who have never changed their name feat. Boston Celtics
The NBA is constantly changing with new formats, new regulations and new teams. In the 1979-80 season, there were only 22 teams in the league. By 2004, that number had jumped to 30.
Over the course of the league's history, franchises have moved around and plenty of teams have rebranded with different names and jazzy new logos.
Some of the league's biggest teams have changed cities or their names. For example, the Los Angeles Lakers franchise started in Minneapolis in 1947. In 2008, the Seattle Supersonics officially relocated the team to Oklahoma City and renamed it the Thunder. Only a handful of teams have kept their original city and name.
We take a look at five NBA Teams who have never changed their name.
5 NBA teams who have never changed their name
Indiana Pacers
Founded in 1967 in a state that is fanatical about basketball, the Indiana Pacers played the first nine seasons of the franchise's history in the American Basketball Association (ABA). They were extremely successful, winning three championships, before the ABA merger in 1976. The Indiana Pacers chose to keep their original name even after joining the NBA.
Orlando Magic
The NBA chose to expand the league in 1989 with the addition of the Orlando Magic and Minnesota Timberwolves. The Magic became the first major sports franchise in the Orlando area at the time.
The organization had early success due to some top draft picks early in their history, most notably Shaquille O'Neal and Anfernee Hardaway. They have reached the finals on two occasions (1995, 2009) but are yet to win their first title. They too have never changed their name.
Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls seem to have struck gold with their name and logo. The team was founded in 1966 and has never moved or changed their name. They are also the only team in the league that has never changed their logo.
After the success the team experienced in the 1990s with Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman, the Bulls have a die-hard following around the globe. It seems highly unlikely that the organization will be making any adjustments in the near future to what has become one of the most iconic sports logos on the planet.
Boston Celtics
The Sacramento Kings and Detroit Pistons may be the two oldest franchises in the league, but no team has experienced the success that the Boston Celtics have in their history.
The Celtics were founded in Boston in 1946. The organization won their first league championship in 1957 and never looked back. Over the last 68 years, they have won a whopping 18 championships.
The team's recent 4-1 victory over the Dallas Mavericks means that they have now surpassed the Los Angeles Lakers as the NBA team with the most titles.
New York Knicks
Along with the Boston Celtics, the New York Knicks are the only remaining franchise from the inaugural NBA season with their original name. The New York Knicks were formed in 1946 but competed alongside the Celtics and nine other teams in the first NBA season in 1949.
The Knicks have retained the team's name and with a loyal fanbase that has been with them through the highs and lows, they will likely remain in the Big Apple for the foreseeable future.