Happy birthday to you! The NBA is 75! The 2021-22 season is upon us, and that means watching your favorite players and teams take the court for showtime. But what happens off the court in the NBA is often just as notable as what happens on it. The league will celebrate its milestone 75th anniversary with festivities that will last throughout the season. The landmark season will be commemorated as “NBA 75,” along with a special diamond logo and signature games to highlight the league's history. On Nov. 1, the New York Knicks and Toronto Raptors will face off, marking the 75th anniversary of the league’s first regular-season game, which was played between the Knicks and Toronto Huskies on Nov. 1, 1946. The league will also unveil its 75th-anniversary team, which will take place during the opening week of the regular season, which begins Oct. 19. The 75th-anniversary team was chosen by media members, current and former players, coaches, general managers and team executives. Nevertheless, it is impossible to reflect on 75 years of the NBA without honoring the exceptionally talented Black men who set the standard on the court. From Bill Russell to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to Michael Jordan to Kobe Bryant to LeBron James, these legends were the blueprint for the NBA’s success. Still, in 75 years of play, there has been more to basketball for Black athletes than just dunks and layups. An activist throughout his entire playing career, Abdul-Jabbar tackled many of America’s racial and social issues, from promoting cultural heritage while in high school in New York City to leading a wave of activism at UCLA that protested and demanded fair treatment of Black athletes and students to refusing to participate in the 1968 Olympics after the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. In honor of Abdul-Jabbar’s activism, the NBA announced the creation of the Social Justice Champion award in his honor in May, with 10-time NBA All-Star, entrepreneur and philanthropist Carmelo Anthony receiving the inaugural award. Walking in the tradition of Abdul-Jabbar and earlier hoops legends, players such as Anthony, Chris Paul and Stephen Curry are among the current group of stars who are speaking out about social injustice and critical justice reform while supporting Black Lives Matter and historically Black colleges and universities. As the NBA celebrates 75 years in the business and continues to evolve, one thing remains the same: Its best players continue to make strides with the Black community in mind.  — Cayla Sweazie