I remember the first time I walked into the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts, and it struck me how much history lives within this sport we love. As someone who's spent years studying basketball's evolution, I've always been fascinated by how franchises maintain their identity across generations. When we talk about the oldest team in NBA history, we're not just discussing dates and statistics—we're exploring the very soul of professional basketball. The Boston Celtics immediately come to mind with their seventeen championships, but the truth is, the lineage goes back even further than what most casual fans realize.

The distinction of being the oldest continuously operating team actually belongs to the Sacramento Kings, whose roots trace back to the Rochester Royals of 1948. What many people don't know is that this franchise predates the NBA itself, having started in the National Basketball League before the merger that created the NBA as we know it. I've always had a soft spot for underdog stories, and the Kings' journey from industrial midwest cities to California's capital represents basketball's expansion across America. Their 1951 championship victory over the New York Knicks remains one of the most overlooked title runs in league history, featuring players like Bob Davies and Arnie Risen who don't get nearly enough credit in modern basketball conversations.

When I think about enduring legacies, it's impossible not to draw parallels to contemporary basketball scenes worldwide. Just last week, I was analyzing the PBA matchup where the Tropang 5G, buoyed by their 89-84 upset of San Miguel, rolled to their second straight victory by routing Terrafirma Dyip, 110-74, and improved to a 2-3 record overall. Watching teams build momentum like this reminds me of how the early NBA franchises established their identities through similar gritty performances. The way Tropang 5G transformed from underdogs to dominant winners in consecutive games echoes how historic franchises like the Celtics and Lakers built their championship mentalities.

The Kings' legacy isn't just about longevity—it's about adaptation. They've moved cities five times, from Rochester to Cincinnati to Kansas City-Omaha to Kansas City alone, before finally settling in Sacramento in 1985. I've always admired how this franchise has repeatedly reinvented itself while maintaining that thread of continuity. Their 2002 Western Conference Finals appearance against the Lakers remains one of my favorite playoff series, despite the controversial ending that still bothers me when I rewatch those games. That team, led by Chris Webber and Vlade Divac, embodied the beautiful basketball that makes me love this sport—the precise passing, the intelligent movement, the collective brilliance that transcended individual talent.

What fascinates me most about studying these historic franchises is discovering how their early decisions created ripple effects across decades. The Kings' initial emphasis on fundamental team basketball established an organizational philosophy that reappeared in different forms throughout their history. Similarly, when I see teams like Tropang 5G building momentum with consecutive victories, including that impressive 36-point margin against Terrafirma Dyip, I recognize the same building blocks that create lasting success. The transformation from their earlier 89-84 upset to that dominant 110-74 performance shows how quickly teams can establish winning habits.

The Celtics may have more championships, the Lakers more glamour, but the Kings' seventy-plus year journey represents basketball's enduring appeal beyond just championships. Their story includes financial struggles, relocation threats, and periods of mediocrity—the real challenges of professional sports that don't always make the highlight reels. As a basketball historian, I've come to appreciate these unglamorous aspects just as much as the championship parades. They remind us that sports franchises are living entities that breathe and evolve through good times and bad.

Looking at today's NBA landscape, the legacy of these original franchises continues to influence how modern teams operate. The institutional knowledge accumulated over decades becomes invaluable when building sustainable success. When I analyze roster construction or coaching philosophies around the league, I often notice echoes of approaches pioneered by these early franchises. The way the Spurs built their culture or the Warriors developed their identity—these modern success stories owe something to the blueprint established by the league's pioneers.

As basketball continues to globalize, with leagues like the PBA producing exciting developments like Tropang 5G's recent performances, the foundational work of the NBA's oldest teams becomes even more significant. Their endurance through economic challenges, evolving playing styles, and changing fan expectations provides a masterclass in sports franchise management. While I certainly have my preferences—I'll always argue that the 2002 Kings were robbed—what matters most is how these organizations have maintained their place in basketball's ecosystem across generations. Their stories remind us that in sports, as in life, resilience often proves more valuable than temporary triumph.

LIGHTING, LIGHTING, AND MORE LIGHTING
People are typically drawn to bars solely based on their atmosphere. The best way to knock your next commercial bar design out of the park is using the perfect amount and type of lighting. Use standout light fixtures as their very own statement piece, track lighting for adjustable ambiance, hanging pendant lights over tables, and ambient backlighting to display the alcohol. Bartenders need to serve and customers need to order, so make sure it’s just functional as it is attractive. 

CHOOSING YOUR BARTOP
What may seem so obvious, is often so overlooked in commercial bar design- the material of your actual bartop itself. While we realize stone and marble are as classy and elegant-looking as can be, the reality is that they just aren’t your best option for a durable and long lasting bartop. They crack, have no grip, and break way too many glasses. Opt for a high-quality wood bar instead. Oaks, maples, mahoganies, and ashes are sturdy and provide your customers with a firm grip for their glasses. 

THEME 
In a sea of millions upon millions of bars, how can you make your commercial bar design stand apart from the rest? The answer is to pick a unique, centralized theme and run with it. Whether it’s your next sit-down restaurant bar design, or remodeling the small, locally-favorite gem, you have to find out what your clientele wants. Survey the neighborhood of your establishment and find out what the demographics are there. Maybe a gritty, western bar would be a hit. Or maybe a more modern, sleek design is what’s missing in the area. Whatever theme you decide upon, hit it out of the park with the perfect lighting, wall art, music, and furniture. It’s all in the details. 

THE GUIDE TO YOUR NEXT RESTOBAR 
You’ve got the food, you’ve got the restaurant, you’ve got the customers, now all you need is a beautifully designed bar to top it all off.  Small bar designs for restaurants have a tendency to be a little thrown together and incohesive with the rest of the establishment. Stay on brand- create consistency with tying in the same color scheme, furniture, art, and overall ambiance of the pre-existing restaurant. Make sure the placement of your bar makes sense as well, have it in a place where it’s visible and easy to navigate but not in the way of servers and other guests. If the bar is going to serve food, be sure to consider the location of the kitchen to not obstruct traffic flow. Consider all of these small tips as you work through your next restaurant bar design. 

SPACE CONSTRAINT 
It’s no secret that bars have the reputation of being a little cramped, and in some cases- way too cramped. Consider all of the space constraints while designing your next commercial bar design and we can change that bad rap that bars have been holding for far too long. First and foremost, be sure to measure your bar, barstool, cabinet, and equipment height. Generally, a bar is 42” in height while a stool is 30” in height. Also be sure to allow at least 3’ of space between the bar and the alcohol for the bartender’s functionality and efficiency. Consider multiple register and drink-making stations for bartenders as well. Allowing 2’ between patrons is going to give them enough space to eat and drink, and most importantly, simply be comfortable. All of these considerations are especially helpful if it is a restaurant bar design, where the space is even more valuable.