japanese-american wataru misaka broke the nba color barrier in 1947–48. he played for the new york knicks. but 1950 is recognized as when the nba integrated. african americans joined several teams. those players included chuck cooper, nathaniel "sweetwater" clifton, and earl lloyd. they joined three different teams. during the 1950s, the minneapolis lakers won five nba championships. george mikan was their leader. he played the center position. the lakers were the league's first dynasty. in 1954, the league introduced the 24-second shot clock. a team must try a shot in 24 seconds. if they cannot, the other team gets the ball.