FanHouse MattGuokas

Tip-Off Timer counts down the days until the first game of the 2009-10 season. On Friday, there are 46 days remaining.

So you think all this NBA promotion mania is the product of David Stern's 25-plus years as commissioner? Think again.

When the NBA opened its doors for business on Nov. 1, 1946, the homestanding Toronto Huskies had a promotion in which any fan taller than Toronto's tallest player, 6-foot-8 George Nostrand, received free admission.

When the game got underway, though, it was 6-foot Oscar "Ossie'' Schectman who struck first. He scored the first basket in NBA history for the New York Knickerbockers.

TEQUESTA, Fla. -- This looked like a Bad Boys reunion.

The NBA came from around the country Wednesday to celebrate the life and mourn the death of Chuck Daly, but nothing was more impressive than his collection of pallbearers.

It was the nucleus of his two championship teams in Detroit, the ones that transformed him from just another coaching lifer into a Hall of Famer and Olympic Gold Medalist revered by all.

Isiah Thomas, Joe Dumars, Vinnie Johnson, Rick Mahorn and Bill Laimbeer were at his side. The Bad Boy Pistons and their leader one final time.

"I think when you go through the things we did together, there is a bond that never breaks,'' said Laimbeer. "This was a sad time, but a time to celebrate who he was, and what he did, and how loved he was.''