Liga Española de Baloncesto (1957–1983) explained

Spanish Basketball League
Liga Española de Baloncesto
Sport:Basketball
Teams:14
Levels:1st tier
Pyramid:Spanish basketball league system
Founded:1957
Folded:1982–83 season
(renamed as Liga ACB)
Inaugural:1957
Continent: FIBA Europe (Europe)
Most Champs:Real Madrid (22 titles)
Tv:TVE
Related Comps:Spanish King's Cup

The Liga Española de Baloncesto (English: Spanish Basketball League), whose top division was known as Primera División (English: First Division), was the old 1st Tier level basketball league in Spain, from 1957 to the 1982–83 season. It was organized by the Spanish Basketball Federation, and it was contested by the best clubs of the country. In 1983, the clubs decided to create the Basketball Clubs Association, and transformed the top division into the new Liga ACB, although that league was also named Primera División until 1988.

Format

The league was played in a double round-robin format without playoffs. Two points were conceded for a winning game, one for a draw, and no points for the loser. The worst teams of each season were relegated to the second division (Segunda División, called Primera División B since 1978). The winner of the league qualified for the FIBA European Champions Cup (now called EuroLeague).

History

The league was created in 1957 with the aim of publicising the basketball in Spain. In its first edition composed by six teams, two from Madrid (Real Madrid and Estudiantes) and four from the province of Barcelona (Barcelona, Joventut Badalona, Aismalíbar from Montcada i Reixac and Orillo Verde from Sabadell), and played with a double round-robin format. The league was played in 49 days at only two venues: Frontón Vista Alegre in Madrid and Palacio de Deportes de Montjuic in Barcelona.[1]

Two years later, teams from other regions first entered in the league.

Winners

Season Champion Runner-up
Real Madrid FC Barcelona
Real Madrid Joventut
FC Barcelona Real Madrid
Real Madrid Joventut
Real Madrid Orillo Verde
Real Madrid Joventut
Real Madrid Estudiantes
Real Madrid Picadero JC
Real Madrid Picadero JC
Real Madrid Picadero JC
Joventut Real Madrid
Real Madrid Estudiantes
Real Madrid Joventut
Real Madrid Picadero JC
Season Champion Runner-up
Real Madrid Joventut
Real Madrid FC Barcelona
Real Madrid Joventut
Real Madrid FC Barcelona
Real Madrid FC Barcelona
Real Madrid FC Barcelona
Real Madrid FC Barcelona
Joventut Real Madrid
Real Madrid FC Barcelona
Real Madrid FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona Estudiantes
Real Madrid FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona Real Madrid
Source[2]

Liga Nacional Primera División Top Scorers by season

See main article: ACB statistical leaders.

SeasonTop ScorerClubScoring Average / Total Points
18.0
Alfonso Martínez (2) 17.2
19.9
Alfonso Martínez (average) (3)
Johnny Báez (total points) (2)
20.2
439 points
20.4
19.7
19.9
Emiliano Rodríguez (2) 22.7
24.2
23.9
Alfonso Martínez (4) 22.1
24.3
25.6
Charles Thomas (2) 24.1
27.1
21.6
Alfredo Pérez Gómez (2) 23.2
31.7
32.2
Walter Szczerbiak (average)
Bob Fullarton (total points)
30.9
968 points
32.0
41.0
Nate Davis (average)
Webb Williams (total points)
34.5
730 points
Nate Davis (2) 29.7
27.4
34.4
30.6

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Un paseo por la primera liga. ACB.com. es. 30 March 2017. 31 March 2017.
  2. http://acb.com/historicosln.php Históricos Liga Nacional