National Basketball Association (NBA), is the major men's professional basketball league formed in the United States in 1949 by the consolidation of two rival organizations, the National Basketball League and the Basketball Association of America. NBA is commonly considered to be the best men's professional basketball league in the world. NBA players are the world's highest paid athletes by average annual salary per player. Aggressive marketing introduced NBA star players such as Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Bill Russell and, especially, Michael Jordan. NBA has 30 teams: Eastern Conference: Atlantic Division: Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets, New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers, Toronto Raptors Central Division: Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Detroit Pistons, Indiana Pacers, Milwaukee Bucks Southeast Division: Atlanta Hawks, Charlotte Hornets, Miami Heat, Orlando Magic, Washington Wizards Western Conference: Southwest Division: Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets, Memphis Grizzlies, New Orleans Pelicans, San Antonio Spurs Northwest Division: Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves, Oklahoma City Thunder, Portland Trail Blazers, Utah Jazz Pacific Division: Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Phoenix Suns, Sacramento Kings