American Basketball Association

American Basketball Association
American Basketball Association · Public domain · source
League	American Basketball Association
Sport	Basketball
Founded	1967
Folded	1976
Country	United States
Champion	New York Nets

American Basketball Association was a professional basketball league that existed from 1967 to 1976, featuring teams such as the Pittsburgh Pipers, Minnesota Pipers, and Kentucky Colonels. The league was founded by George Mikan and was known for its red, white, and blue ball, as well as its introduction of the three-point shot and the slam dunk contest. The league also featured notable players like Julius Erving, George Gervin, and David Thompson, who played for teams like the Virginia Squires and the Denver Nuggets. The league's popularity grew over the years, with games being played in arenas like the Madison Square Garden and the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena.

● History

The American Basketball Association was founded in 1967 by George Mikan, with the goal of creating a professional basketball league that could compete with the National Basketball Association (NBA). The league's early years were marked by financial struggles, but it gained popularity in the early 1970s with the introduction of teams like the Utah Stars and the Indiana Pacers. The league also featured a number of notable players, including Rick Barry, who played for the Golden State Warriors and the Houston Rockets, and Dan Issel, who played for the Kentucky Colonels and the Denver Nuggets. The league's games were often played in front of large crowds, including those at the Boston Garden and the Chicago Stadium. The league also had a number of notable coaches, including Bill Sharman, who coached the Utah Stars and the Los Angeles Lakers, and Larry Brown, who coached the Carolina Cougars and the Denver Nuggets.

● Teams

The American Basketball Association featured a number of teams during its existence, including the Pittsburgh Pipers, Minnesota Pipers, Kentucky Colonels, Virginia Squires, and Denver Nuggets. Other teams that played in the league included the Utah Stars, Indiana Pacers, New York Nets, and San Antonio Spurs. The league also featured teams like the Dallas Chaparrals, Washington Caps, and Spirits of St. Louis, which played for a shorter period of time. The teams played in a number of arenas, including the Madison Square Garden, Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena, and the Boston Garden. The league's teams were owned by a number of notable individuals, including John Y. Brown Jr., who owned the Kentucky Colonels, and Angelo Drossos, who owned the Utah Stars.

● Season Structure

The American Basketball Association's season structure was similar to that of the National Basketball Association (NBA), with teams playing a regular season schedule followed by a playoff tournament. The league's regular season typically ran from October to March, with teams playing around 80 games. The playoffs featured a number of rounds, including the division semifinals, division finals, and the ABA Finals. The league also featured a number of notable events, including the ABA All-Star Game and the ABA Slam Dunk Contest. The league's games were often broadcast on television, with networks like ABC and CBS carrying games. The league's season structure was also influenced by the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship, with many of the league's players coming from colleges like University of Kentucky and University of California, Los Angeles.

● Notable Players

The American Basketball Association featured a number of notable players during its existence, including Julius Erving, George Gervin, and David Thompson. Other notable players included Rick Barry, Dan Issel, and Billy Cunningham, who played for teams like the Golden State Warriors and the Philadelphia 76ers. The league also featured players like Artis Gilmore, who played for the Kentucky Colonels and the Chicago Bulls, and James Silas, who played for the Dallas Chaparrals and the San Antonio Spurs. The league's players were often drafted from colleges like University of Louisville and University of Houston, and many went on to play in the National Basketball Association (NBA). The league's notable players were also influenced by coaches like Red Auerbach, who coached the Boston Celtics, and Tom Heinsohn, who coached the Boston Celtics.

● Legacy

The American Basketball Association's legacy can be seen in the many players and teams that joined the National Basketball Association (NBA) after the league merged in 1976. The league's introduction of the three-point shot and the slam dunk contest also had a lasting impact on the game of basketball. The league's notable players, including Julius Erving and George Gervin, are still remembered as some of the greatest players in basketball history. The league's influence can also be seen in the many basketball leagues that have been established around the world, including the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) and the NBA G League. The league's legacy is also celebrated by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, which has inducted many of the league's notable players and coaches.

● Merger with NBA

The American Basketball Association merged with the National Basketball Association (NBA) in 1976, with four teams from the ABA joining the NBA: the New York Nets, Denver Nuggets, Indiana Pacers, and San Antonio Spurs. The merger brought an end to the ABA, but it also marked a new era in professional basketball. The merger was negotiated by John Y. Brown Jr., who owned the Kentucky Colonels, and David Stern, who was the National Basketball Association's lawyer at the time. The merger also led to the creation of the NBA-ABA merger agreement, which allowed the ABA teams to join the NBA. The merger had a lasting impact on the game of basketball, with the introduction of the three-point shot and the slam dunk contest becoming a staple of the NBA. The merger is still remembered as one of the most significant events in basketball history, with many of the league's notable players and coaches going on to have successful careers in the NBA. Category:Defunct sports leagues