History of basketball: 10 quirky facts you probably didn't know about the NBA

The offseason marks the peak of boredom for diehard NBA fans like me. But it also a time to think about all the great experiences the league has had in store for basketball fans ever since its inception, and especially the times from when the Bird-Magic rivalry took the league to a whole other level of popularity it hadn't experienced beforehand.

What you're about to dive into is an assortment of trivia questions that your average weekend quizmaster wouldn't be asking you about - but is definitely something you can tell your friends about. These facts are not ranked in any order except the one in which they popped into my head.

#1 The Miami Heat retired their own #23 jersey in honour of Michael Jordan, even though he never played for them

That the greatest basketball player of all time would have his jersey retired by the teams he played for is obvious. After all, who else could do justice to MJ's iconic #23 jersey in a Chicago Bulls uniform?

What is not obvious, however, is that a team he never played for, and routinely beat in the playoffs in the latter part of his career, had enough respect for him to retire his jersey. The Miami Heat organization was unable to give LeBron James his favoured #23 jersey which he wore in Cleveland because they'd already retired it for MJ.

Thus, LeBron wore the #6 jersey for 4 seasons after taking his talents to South Beach.

The Heat have retired four numbers, although only three of the players played for the franchise. Michael Jordan was the first player to be honored despite not having played for the Heat. Pat Riley retired Jordan's signature No. 23 before his final game in Miami during the 2002-03 season as a tribute to his career.

The Heat have also announced plans to retire the #1 number worn by Chris Bosh from 2010 to 2016, but have not yet set a date for the formal ceremony.

#2 The Washington Wizards have been renamed 5 times and moved twice

Cleveland Cavaliers v Washington Wizards

The Wizards' franchise was established in 1961 as the Chicago Packers in the same Illinois city where the Stags were once located. In 1962, they were renamed to become known as the Chicago Zephyrs for 1962-63 season.

Chicago was once again deprived of a franchise, as the Zephyrs relocated to Baltimore and were reanimated as the Baltimore Bullets - replacing the Bullets franchise that was earlier based in the same city.

The Bullets moved to Washington, DC, in 1973; this led to the 3rd name change for the franchise and they called themselves the Capital Bullets. This new name lasted, once again, for just one season before a rebranding as the Washington Bullets took place.

The Bullets was the longest-held franchise name for this franchise

#3 2013-14 is the only season the Lakers, Celtics and Knicks all missed the playoffs

Marcus Smart addresses the press after being picked by the Celtics

The Boston Celtics' Big Three era came to an end with the departure of Ray Allen to the Miami Heat as a free agent in 2012. They held on gamely for another season and made the playoffs once more in 2013, but Danny Ainge had set his sights on rebuilding for the future. He traded aged Jason Terry, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for a motley crew of journeymen and 3 precious draft picks (unprotected) in one of the most lopsided trades of this century.

While the Lakers and the Celtics tanked intentionally in the 13-14 season, the New York Knicks had made the Conference Semifinals after finishing with a 54-28 record in 2012-13. But trading for Andrea Bargnani proved to be a disastrous move, and they finished with a 37-45 record and out of the playoff berths.

This marked the only time all 3 of these franchises missed the playoffs in the 71-year history of the NBA.

#4 More 3-pointers were scored in 2017-18 than in the 80s decade

Houston Rockets v Golden State Warriors - Game Four

Ever since the introduction of analytics in modern basketball, teams have made a conscious effort to add 3-point shooters to their rosters while attempting more 3-pointers than ever. Centers and power forwards who were earlier instructed to bang down in the low post are now being asked to shoot 3-pointers on a number of NBA teams.

This has led to teams like the Houston Rockets and the Brooklyn Nets attempting over 35 3-pointers a game (the Rockets attempt a staggering 42+ per game, right in line with the recommendations of the analytics).

However, the mid-range game that would enthral old-timers has suffered a heavy decrease in shot volume by players, although teams like the Indiana Pacers still follow the philosophy of shooting on the first good look they get within a possession (which is generally in the same range). Still, it's staggering that 3-pointers were put to such little use in the past given that there's a 50% points bonus associated with them.

#5 Manute Bol once killed a lion with a spear

The tallest listed player in NBA history at the time of the 1985 NBA draft, Manute Bol was selected by the Washington Bullets with the 31st overall pick. He was deemed to be too raw a prospect for the NBA at the time by scouts, but he decided to declare for the draft anyway because he needed the money to bring his sister out of his native country Sudan, which was in a state of political unrest at the time.

Often in press interviews, he was asked about a story, the likes of which you will never hear again from an NBA player. At the age of 15, while tending to the cattle belonging to his family, Manute was tasked with killing a lion with a spear. The fact that the lion was asleep made the feat easier for him, but I'll be damned if there's another player who's ever done this before entering the league.

#6 Hassan Whiteside has attempted and made 2 3-pointers so far

Hassan Whiteside uploaded a video this summer after a terrible playoff performance against the Philadelphia 76ers, who beat the Heat in 5 games in the first round. He was literally unplayable for long stretches, as he picked up early fouls in every one of their five games and was consigned to the bench for the first halves of these games.

He posted the aforementioned video later on in the summer showcasing his range. To be frank, this video wasn't the only time when he splashed from deep, as he's attempted and made 2 3-pointers in his career so far.

Perhaps he could play a stretch-5 role, after all.

#7 The Golden State Warriors are the only team to field a starting lineup of 5 rookies in the modern NBA

Golden State Warriors v Sacramento Kings

The Golden State Warriors became the first NBA team in modern history to start five rookies in one game for their 2011-12 season finale against the San Antonio Spurs on 26th April 2012. With a roster decimated by injuries, coach Mark Jackson fielded a unit of guards Klay Thompson and Charles Jenkins, forwards Chris Wright and Jeremy Tyler, and Mickell Gladness at center.

Thompson, Jenkins and Tyler are all Warriors draft picks, Wright was a training camp invitee and Gladness joined the team after signing a 10-day contract earlier this month.

The only player from this lineup to stick around for their All-Star starting five this season would be Klay Thompson, with Steph, Draymond, Durant and Cousins slated to kick off their postseason games as starters. How times change.

#8 Isiah Thomas lost a game after scoring 16 points in 94 seconds

Isiah Thomas is one of the greatest players ever to step on the hardwood. His offensive prowess powered the Pistons to 3 straight NBA Finals from 1988 to 1990. He won in 1989 and 1990, and could plausibly have won in 1988 as well if he hadn't gotten himself injured in Game 6 of the 1988 Finals against the Lakers. While hobbling and in obvious pain, Thomas scored 25 points in a single quarter - an NBA Finals record - in the same game.

His Detroit Pistons were facing the New York Knicks in the fifth, deciding game of the first round of the 1984 playoffs. His exploits led to the Pistons forcing overtime in this game, but the Knicks held their ground and went on to win as Thomas fouled out.

#9 The Phoenix Suns had 10-game winning and losing streaks in the same season

In the 1996-1997 season, when the Suns lost 13 straight games at the start of the season. They then acquired Jason Kidd from the Dallas Mavericks, and he got injured in his first game with the team.

His comeback led to the Suns going on an inspiring run, as they won 10 straight games later on in the season. They made the playoffs with a credible #7 seed in the Western Conference, although they couldn't progress too far when matched up with the second-seeded Sonics, who beat them in a well-contested 5-game series en route to a Conference Finals loss against the Jazz.

#10 Elgin Baylor averaged 38 points and 18 rebounds while serving in the military

A United States Army Reservist, Baylor was called to active duty during the 1961–62 season. Stationed in Washington state, he could play for the Los Angeles Lakers only when on a weekend pass.

Through 48 games of the season, with no time to practice with his teammates, Baylor ended up averaging 38.3 points,18.6 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game while playing 44.4 minutes per game. His shooting splits of 42.8% from the field and 75.4% on free throws were above average for the time.

Baylor finished 4th in MVP voting that same season.

Edited by Yash Matange