This Day In Basketball History
1954 - The advent of the 24-second shot clock
In an effort to speed up play, the NBA adopts the 24-second shot clock and limits teams to six fouls per quarter.
1981 - Isiah Thomas debuts for the Pistons
The Pistons start a new, exciting era of Detroit basketball as prized rookie Isiah Thomas debuts in a 118-113 season opening victory over the Milwaukee Bucks.
The No. 2 overall pick scores 31 points in his NBA debut and goes on to enjoy a 13-year, Hall of Fame career that sees him lead the Pistons to back-to-back championships in 1989 and 1990.
1981 - Chuck Daly coaches his first NBA game
While Thomas debuts in Detroit, his future championship-winning coach, Chuck Daly, makes his NBA coaching debut for the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Cavs are blown out by the 76ers, 128-104, and Daly is fired after a disastrous 9-32 start. That's the last time he finishes a season with a losing record, as two decades and two championships later, Daly is a Hall of Famer.