From
1967 to 1976, the
American Basketball Association delivered
wild, raw, above-the-rim hoops that few ever saw (lacking TV broadcasts). They introduced the 3-point shot and
slam-dunk contests (along with a red, white and blue ball, short shorts and
big afros), brought pro ball to the American South, and launched the careers of
Connie (the
Hawk)
Hawkins,
Bob Costas,
George Gervin,
Fly Williams,
David Thompson and
a guy named
Julius Erving. You know,
Doctor J.
[more inside]
posted by msalt
on May 19, 2011 -
16 comments
What might be the most profitable
team in professional sports hasn't played a game since 1976. That summer, as the
American Basketball Association was completing its merger with the NBA, only four of the six remaining teams were going to be able to join the league. It was the ABA's responsibility to figure out how to pay off the other 2 owners.
One owner accepted $3 million, which he eventually used to buy the Boston Celtics. The
other owners got a slightly better deal.
posted by empath
on Apr 1, 2010 -
23 comments
Basketball doesn't have baseball's numerous simmering controversies over Hall of Fame inductees, but the greatest basketball player denied enshrinement may be 11-time ABA and NBA All Star center
Artis Gilmore. At 7-foot-2 plus 4 inches for his
towering afro, they called him "The A-Train" for his
powerful but
unpretentious play, and today on his 60th birthday he still owns career records in the NCAA (22.7 rebounds per game) and NBA (59.9% field goal percentage). OK, I only posted this so I could link to
these three photos.
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posted by planetkyoto
on Sep 21, 2009 -
12 comments
In 1976 four ABA teams joined the NBA. This left 2 teams to be compensated. One team accepted a $3 million buyout. The other team, as per an agreement made 6 months earlier and thought up by the owner of the team, got 1/7 of the other 4 teams television money
forever. Has there ever been a better business deal/gamble?
posted by betaray
on Jan 24, 2002 -
15 comments
