Teams
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Olimpico
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Asociacion Mitre
Casla
Central Argentino Olimpico de Ceres
Villa Mitre de Bahia Blanca
Wikipedia - Liga Nacional de Básquetbol
The Liga Nacional de Básquetbol (abbreviated LNB, and literally in English, "National Basketball League"), also commonly referred to as "La Liga de Básquet" ("The Basketball League"), is the top-tier level of the Argentine basketball league system. The league is under the auspices of the Basketball Clubs' Association (in Spanish: Asociación de Clubes de Básquetbol). The LNB's predecessor league is the now defunct Campeonato Argentino de Clubes, which was organized by the Argentine Basketball Confederation.
The league was created through the efforts of basketball coach León Najnudel, and sports journalist Osvaldo Orcasitas, in the 1980s, to make Argentine men's club basketball more competitive, through the merging of the many existing local leagues. It is designed like the NBA, with a regular season, all-star game, and playoffs. However, unlike the NBA, the LNB has a promotion and relegation system, with the La Liga Argentina (LLA), the league level that is immediately below the LNB.
A tribute to Najnudel's vision, is the string of successes of the senior men's Argentine national basketball team, culminating with the team's Summer Olympic Games gold medal won at the 2004 Summer Olympics, and the international careers of many players who started in the league.
History
Creation
Before the league was established, the regular tournament was Campeonato Argentino de Clubes where teams from all the provinces took part. The league had a regional format and playoffs.
For the 1984 edition there was 64 teams. The association decided to retire 10 teams, moving them to "Primera Nacional A". Of those teams, 4 were from city of Buenos Aires, and the provinces of Buenos Aires, Córdoba and Santa Fe were represented by 2 teams each.
As a result, a number of 54 teams played the Argentino de clubes. At the end of the tournament, the six best placed team would promote to Primera A, and the rest of the clubs would be relegated to Primera B (second division).
First seasons
The first edition of Liga Nacional was played within 1985, with 16 teams participating although Independiente de Tucumán abandoned the championship for economic reasons. The first game was played on April 26, 1985, when San Lorenzo de Almagro faced Argentino de Firmat at Estadio Obras Sanitarias.
Ferro Carril Oeste was the first LNB champion after defeating Atenas de Córdoba in 3 games. The next season (1986), Ferro Carril Oeste won its second consecutive title, beating Olimpo de Bahía Blanca in 5 games (3-1 on aggregate). The Verdolaga played its third consecutive final series in 1987, but was finally defeated by Atenas, that won the first of 9 titles, being the most winning LNB team to date.
In 1988 Atenas won a second championship beating River Plate and the next year Ferro won another title, being the only title won by León Najnudel as coach.
The Liga Nacional is known for its fast-paced and intense style of play, with teams displaying exceptional skills, athleticism, and strategic gameplay. The tournament attracts a large and passionate fan base, with basketball enthusiasts filling stadiums to cheer for their favorite teams.
The tournament follows a regular season format, where teams compete against each other in a round-robin format to secure a spot in the playoffs. The top teams from the regular season advance to the playoffs, where they battle it out in a series of knockout matches to determine the champion.
The Argentina Liga Nacional has a rich history, dating back to its establishment in 1985. Over the years, it has produced numerous talented players who have gone on to achieve success both domestically and internationally. The tournament serves as a platform for players to showcase their skills and potentially attract attention from international scouts.
The Liga Nacional not only promotes basketball excellence but also fosters a sense of community and unity among fans. It is a cultural phenomenon in Argentina, with matches often becoming social events where families and friends gather to enjoy the thrilling action on the court.
Overall, the Argentina Liga Nacional is a highly regarded basketball tournament that showcases the best of Argentine basketball talent. It is a must-watch for basketball enthusiasts and offers an exciting and thrilling experience for both players and fans alike.