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  • National Basketball League (NBL) Phase I

    by admin in Basketball Leagues | Comments Off on National Basketball League (NBL) Phase I

    NBL was the first professional basketball league, formed in 1898, seven years after the invention of the game. Six teams participated in the first season, three from Philadelphia (Germantown Nationals, Clover Wheelman and Hancock Athletic Association) and three from New Jersey (Camden Electrics, Trenton Nationals and Millville Glass Blowers). The first game was played on December, 1 1898 between Trenton Nationals and Hancock Athletic Association. At the end of the inaugural season, Trenton Nationals turned out to be the first champions of NBL.

    1898-99 SEASON
    Teams Wins Loses Ties
    Trenton Nationals 18 2 1
    Millville Glass Blowers 14 6 2
    Camden Electrics 7 13 1
    Clover Wheelman 5 14 1
    Germantown Nationals 1 4 0
    Hancock Athletic Association 0 6 1

    In the second season, only two teams from preceding season participated in the league, Trenton Nationals and Camden Electrics. Four teams New York Wanderers, Pennsylvania Bicycle Club, Bristol Pile Drivers and Chester appeared in the league for the first time. Team Chester could not complete the season and dropped out at the half way stage.

     

    1899-00 SEASON
    FIRST HALF
    Teams Win Loses Ties
    Trenton Nationals 8 0 0
    New York Wanderers 3 2 0
    Camden Electrics 4 4 0
    Pennsylvania Bicycle Club 4 4 0
    Bristol Pile Drivers 3 6 0
    Chester 0 6 0

    Millville Glass Blowers joined the league at the second half of the season. Trenton Nationals once again became the champion by winning both the halves with relative ease.

    SECOND HALF
    Team Wins Loses Ties
    Trenton Nationals 14 4 1
    Millville Glass Blowers 14 4 1
    New York Wanderers 13 7 1
    Camden Electrics 11 9 0
    Bristol Pile Drivers 6 14 1
    Pennsylvania Bicycle Club 0 20 0

     

    In third season, the schedule was expanded to 32 games (each team). With the entry of Burlington, first time seven teams competed in the league but Burlington was dropped out before the season ends. New York Wanderers emerged as the winner of the season.

    1900-01 SEASON
    Teams Wins Loses
    New York Wanderers 23 9
    Trenton Nationals 20 12
    Millville Glass Blowers 18 14
    Bristol Pile Drivers 17 15
    Camden Skeeters 16 16
    Pennsylvania Bicycle Club 8 24
    Burlington 0 12

     

    The 1901-02 season was a very progressive season of the NBL. A new team Philadelphia Phillies was introduced in the league, each team played 40 games in the league and all the teams completed the season.

    1901-02 SEASON
    Teams Wins Loses
    Bristol Pile Drivers 28 12
    Camden Electrics 25 15
    Trenton Nationals 23 17
    Millville Glass Blowers 21 19
    New York Wanderers 18 21
    Philadelphia Phillies 4 35

     

    Although some new teams were added in the league but gradually the league started to show the signs of decline.

    1902-03 SEASON
    FIRST HALF
    Teams Wins Loses
    Camden Electrics 15 2
    New York Wanderers 11 2
    Bristol Pile Drivers 12 5
    Philadelphia Phillies 10 7
    Trenton Potters 6 9
    Conshohocken 4 11
    Burlington Shoe Pegs 2 12
    Wilmington 2 14

     Two teams Bristol Pile Drivers and Philadelphia Phillies were dropped out before second half. Camden Electrics won the championship by winning both the halves.

    SECOND HALF
    Teams Wins Loses
    Camden Electrics 21 7
    Burlington Shoe Pegs 16 11
    Wilmington 14 12
    Trenton Potters 14 15
    New York Wanderers 11 14
    Conshohocken 4 21

     

     In last season, only five teams were qualified for the league. Due to controversies and internal issues the league was dissolved in January 4, 1904. 

    1903-04 SEASON
    Teams Wins Loses
    Camden Electrics 10 4
    Conshohocken 8 4
    Trenton Potters 8 5
    Millville Glass Blowers 6 9
    St. Bridget’s Biddies 2 12

     

     Though, the league lasted only for six seasons but its impact was proved long lasting. NBL not only made a significant contribution to the success and development of professional basketball but also paved the way for emerging basketball leagues.




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