The National Basketball Association (NBA) is a professional basketball league in North America, consisting of 30 teams. Founded in 1946, the NBA is one of the major sports leagues in the United States and Canada. The league is divided into two conferences: the Eastern Conference and the Western Conference, each containing three divisions. NBA teams compete in an 82-game regular season, followed by playoffs to determine the league champion. The NBA is known for its high level of athleticism and skill, featuring many famous players, such as Michael Jordan, LeBron James, and Kobe Bryant.