@greaterroc: In honor of NBA opening night, meet New York State’s first NBA champions: the 1950–51 Rochester Royals! 🏆 That’s right. Long before the Knicks claimed last season’s title, Greater ROC brought home the state’s first NBA championship. Led by stars like Bob Davies and Arnie Risen, the Royals defeated the Knicks in a thrilling seven-game series to win the 1951 NBA Finals. The franchise also helped break barriers in professional basketball. In 1946, the Royals signed William “Dolly” King and William “Pop” Gates, becoming one of the first integrated teams in the sport. This happened a year before Jackie Robinson made his debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers. The franchise is still playing today, only now as the Sacramento Kings. The Knicks may be the reigning champions, but Greater ROC did it first. ( Photo credit to the Monroe County Public Library and The Black Fives Foundation) #nba #rochesterny #iconic

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Tuesday 20 October 2026 17:14:28 GMT