Why are the NBA champs called the WORLD champs?

the NBA does not play international. They play just within the U.S so what gives them the right to declare themselves world champs?

It makes no sense. U have to face other COUNTRIES not states or cities

Why are the NBA champs called the WORLD champs?nba power rankings

It's an old saying. Back when the NBA was pretty much the only professional basketball league in the world, people would call themselves "World Champion".

Today, obviously this is not the case, as there are hundreds of professional and national teams around the world.

So it's just an old saying that's stuck around.

Why are the NBA champs called the WORLD champs?nba ballers ,nba teams

Because out of all the basketball leagues overseas or in America, NBA has the biggest association, which makes the NBA Champ, World Champs.
Basketball started in the US and the most gifted players from all over the world play in the NBA.

Same with the World series. Baseball started here and if ur good they will bring u here to play in the majors
because the america has the best basketball players in the league...and the best of the best should be considered world champs
What about the toronto raptors. They aren't in the U.S. And plus you have all these players from europe playing in the nba.
Idk maybe cuz the NBA is the premire leauge of basketball
i noticed that also
Same thing with the World Series ....
Because after they win the ship they take it to the U.S.A team and win the GOLD peiece