FREE! Click here to Join FunTrivia. Thousands of games, quizzes, and lots more!

Quiz about Origins of NBA Franchises Pt 1

Origins of NBA Franchises: Pt. 1 Quiz

I'll give you an NBA team name, you answer the question about its origins. Be forewarned, some of the original franchises pre-date the formation of the NBA.

A multiple-choice quiz by ashlybug. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
ashlybug

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
105,896

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
15

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
9 / 15

Plays
1061

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 15

1. Where did the Atlanta Hawks franchise begin playing? Hint

St. Louis, Missouri

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Buffalo, New York

Atlanta, Georgia

NEXT>

Question 2 of 15

2. Which league did the Boston Celtics franchise start playing in? Hint

National Basketball League

Basketball Association of America

Eastern Basketball League

National Basketball Association

NEXT>

Question 3 of 15

3. What was the original name of the Detroit Pistons? Hint

Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons

Detroit Pistons

Fort Wayne Pistons

Detroit Wheels

NEXT>

Question 4 of 15

4. In what city did the Houston Rockets start playing? Hint

Beaumont, Texas

Dallas, Texas

San Diego, California

Houston, Texas

NEXT>

Question 5 of 15

5. What was the original name of the Los Angeles Clippers franchise? Hint

Cincinatti Royals

Los Angeles Clippers

San Diego Clippers

Buffalo Braves

NEXT>

Question 6 of 15

6. Which league did the Los Angeles Lakers franchise start playing in? Hint

Basketball Association of America

National Basketball League

Pacific Basketball League

National Basketball Association

NEXT>

Question 7 of 15

7. Have the Milwaukee Bucks always been named the Bucks?

Yes

NEXT>

Question 8 of 15

8. What was the original name of the New Jersey Nets franchise? Hint

New Jersey Americans

Jersey City Comets

New York Nets

New Jersey Nets

NEXT>

Question 9 of 15

9. Have the New York Knickerbockers played in any league other than the NBA?

Yes

NEXT>

Question 10 of 15

10. Where did the Orlando Magic franchise start playing? Hint

Tampa Bay, Florida

Buffalo, New York

Charlotte, North Carolina

Orlando, Florida

NEXT>

Question 11 of 15

11. What was the original name of the Phoenix Suns franchise? Hint

Phoenix Wranglers

Arizona Cattlemen

Phoenix Suns

Tempe Wranglers

NEXT>

Question 12 of 15

12. Has the Seattle Supersonics franchise ever played in a league other than the NBA?

Yes

NEXT>

Question 13 of 15

13. What was the first league the Portland Trailblazers franchise played in? Hint

Pacific Basketball League

American Basketball League

American Basketball Association

National Basketball Association

NEXT>

Question 14 of 15

14. Where did the Memphis Grizzlies franchise begin playing? Hint

Knoxville, Tennessee

Memphis, Tennessee

Vancouver, British Columbia

Nashville, Tennessee

NEXT>

Question 15 of 15

15. What was the original name of the NBA franchise in Toronto? Hint

Toronto Blue Jays

Toronto Maple Leafs

Toronto Huskies

Toronto Argonauts

(Optional) Create a Free FunTrivia ID to save the points you are about to earn:

Select a User ID:

Choose a Password:

Your Email:

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Where did the Atlanta Hawks franchise begin playing?

Answer: Buffalo, New York

The Hawks began play as the Buffalo Bisons of the old National Basketball League in 1946. They became the Blackhawks when the team moved to Tri-Cities. It was shortened to Hawks when they moved to Milwaukee in 1951. The team moved to St Louis in 1955 and then to Atlanta in 1968.

2. Which league did the Boston Celtics franchise start playing in?

Answer: Basketball Association of America

The Boston Celtics played three years in the Basketball Association of America before the NBA was formed. The name Celtics was chosen by owner Walter Brown because of Boston's Irish heritage.

3. What was the original name of the Detroit Pistons?

Answer: Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons

Fred Zollner owned the Zollner machine works outside of Fort Wayne. The company produced pistons for major automobile makers, so when he entered a team in the NBL, he called it the Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons. The team joined the NBA in 1949, and moved to Detroit in 1957.

4. In what city did the Houston Rockets start playing?

Answer: San Diego, California

The Rockets played four years in San Diego before moving to Houston in 1971. The team was named as a result of a 'name the team' contest in San Diego. When the franchise moved to Houston, the name was kept and it fit perfectly because Houston is the home of NASA.

5. What was the original name of the Los Angeles Clippers franchise?

Answer: Buffalo Braves

The Clippers began play in the NBA as the Buffalo Braves in 1970. The name was changed when the team moved to San Diego in 1978. A 'name the team' contest picked Clippers, after Clipper Ships, to reflect San Diego's seaside location.

6. Which league did the Los Angeles Lakers franchise start playing in?

Answer: National Basketball League

The NBL's Minneapolis Lakers began play in 1947. They were called the Lakers because Minnesota is 'The Land of 10,000 Lakes'. The franchise moved to Los Angeles in 1960.

7. Have the Milwaukee Bucks always been named the Bucks?

Answer: Yes

The Milwaukee Bucks have always been the Milwaukee Bucks. The name was selected in a fan contest before the 1968 season.

8. What was the original name of the New Jersey Nets franchise?

Answer: New Jersey Americans

The ABA's New Jersey Americans started play in 1967. When the franchise moved to Long Island, NY, a year later the name was changed to Nets. It was picked because nets are an integral part of basketball and the name also fit well with other NY pro teams, the Jets and Mets. The team returned to New Jersey in 1977.

9. Have the New York Knickerbockers played in any league other than the NBA?

Answer: Yes

The Knicks spent three years in the Basketball Association of America before the NBA was formed. Owner Ned Irish chose the name Knickerbockers. It refers to the early Dutch settlers of New York City.

10. Where did the Orlando Magic franchise start playing?

Answer: Orlando, Florida

The Magic had their name chosen in a contest. The fans top two choices were Magic and Juice. A panel of business and community leaders made the final choice.

11. What was the original name of the Phoenix Suns franchise?

Answer: Phoenix Suns

The Suns joined the NBA in 1968. The name was the top vote-getter among the 78,000 votes, cast in the 'Arizona Republic' fan contest.

12. Has the Seattle Supersonics franchise ever played in a league other than the NBA?

Answer: No

The Sonics joined the NBA in 1967. The name came from a 'name the team' contest.

13. What was the first league the Portland Trailblazers franchise played in?

Answer: National Basketball Association

The Trailblazers came into being in 1970, and have only played in the NBA. Over 10,000 entries were received in a 'name the team' contest.

14. Where did the Memphis Grizzlies franchise begin playing?

Answer: Vancouver, British Columbia

The Grizzlies began play in Vancouver, B.C. and moved to Memphis because of the lack of fan support in Canada.

15. What was the original name of the NBA franchise in Toronto?

Answer: Toronto Huskies

The 2003 Raptors were once the Huskies in 1947.

Source: Author ashlybug

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Nightmare before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.