ABA All-Time Team

Last updated
Julius Erving performing a slam dunk against the Spirit of St. Louis on November 6, 1974, at the St. Louis Arena, St. Louis, Missouri Julius Erving Nets (3).jpeg
Julius Erving performing a slam dunk against the Spirit of St. Louis on November 6, 1974, at the St. Louis Arena, St. Louis, Missouri

The ABA All-Time Team were chosen in 1997 on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the founding of the American Basketball Association (ABA). It comprised the 30 best and most influential players of the ABA during its ten years and nine full regular seasons of operation, with respect not only to performance at the professional level but in consideration of sportsmanship, team leadership, and contributions to the growth of the league basketball, and irrespective of positions played. Only players to have played at least a portion of their careers in the ABA were eligible for selection, although performance in other leagues, most notably the National Basketball Association was ostensibly considered. Selected and announced beside the all-time team were a most valuable player and top head coach.

Contents

The team, announced in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States, on August 23, 1997, in conjunction with an ABA reunion, was compiled based upon unranked voting undertaken by 50 selected panelists, amongst whom were members of the print and broadcast news media to have reported on and announced games for the ABA, former referees (ten), former team owners (six), former league executives (including two former commissioners), and selected fans and statisticians; former players, even those to have held other positions within the league, were proscribed from voting.

Players

Team

First team

*Elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a player

Of the 30 players elected to the first team, three served primarily as point guards during their ABA service, eight as shooting guards, five as small forwards, eight as power forwards, and six as centers. The franchises most represented were the Virginia Squires (having also competed as the Washington Capitals and Oakland Oaks), with eleven first team players' having played at least one game for one or more iterations of the franchise; Utah Stars (having also completed as the Los Angeles Stars and Anaheim Amigos), eight players; Indiana Pacers, seven players; San Antonio Spurs (having also competed as the Texas and Dallas Chaparrals), six players; Denver Nuggets (having also competed as the Denver Rockets), five players; and Spirits of St. Louis (having also competed as the Carolina Cougars and Houston Mavericks), five players.

Five players elected to the first team—Rick Barry, Billy Cunningham, Julius Erving, George Gervin, and Moses Malone—were named one year earlier to the NBA's 50 Greatest Players list.

Name Position Team(s) played for (years) Championships won Award(s) won [1] Year of
Hall of Fame
induction
as player		Votes [2] Ref.
Marvin Barnes F/C Spirits of St. Louis (1974–1976)None ABA Rookie of the Year (1975)
All-Rookie First Team (1975)
All-ABA Second Team (1975)		None23 [3]
Rick Barry F Oakland Oaks (1968–1969)
Washington Capitals (1969–1970)
New York Nets (1970–1972)		 1969 All-ABA First Team (1969–1972)198739 [4]
Zelmo Beaty C Utah Stars (1970–1974) 1971 ABA Playoffs Most Valuable Player Award (1971)
All-ABA Second Team (1971–1972)		201642 [5]
Ron Boone G/F Dallas Chaparrals (1968–1971 [6] )
Utah Stars (1970 [7] –1976)
Spirits of St. Louis (1976 [8] )		 1971 All-ABA First Team (1975)
All-ABA Second Team (1974)		None35 [9]
Roger Brown F/G Indiana Pacers (1967–1975)
Memphis Sounds (1974–1975 [10] )
Utah Stars (1974–1975) [10] 		1970, 1972, 1973 ABA Playoffs Most Valuable Player Award (1970)
All-ABA First Team (1971)
All-ABA Second Team (1968, 1970)		201350 [11]
Mack Calvin G Los Angeles Stars (1969–1970)
The Floridians (1970–1972)
Carolina Cougars (1972–1974)
Denver Nuggets (1974–1975)
Virginia Squires (1975–1976)		NoneAll-Rookie First Team (1970)
All-ABA First Team (1971, 1974–1975)
All-ABA Second Team (1973)		None41 [12]
Darel Carrier G Kentucky Colonels (1967–1972)
Memphis Tams (1972–1973)		NoneNoneNone24 [13]
Billy Cunningham F/C Carolina Cougars (1972–1974)None ABA Most Valuable Player Award (1973)
All-ABA First Team (1973)		198636 [14]
Louie Dampier G Kentucky Colonels (1967–1976) 1975 All-Rookie First Team (1968)
All-ABA Second Team (1967–1970, 1974)		201550 [15]
Mel Daniels C Minnesota Muskies (1967–1968)
Indiana Pacers (1968–1974)
Memphis Sounds (1974–1975)		 1970, 1972, 1973 ABA Rookie of the Year (1968)
ABA Most Valuable Player Award (1969, 1971)
All-ABA First Team (1968–1971)
All-ABA Second Team (1973)		201250 [16]
Julius Erving F/G Virginia Squires (1971–1973)
New York Nets (1973–1976)		 1974, 1976 ABA Most Valuable Player Award (1974–1976)
ABA Playoffs Most Valuable Player Award (1974, (1976)
All-ABA First Team (1973–1976)
All-ABA Second Team (1972)
All-Rookie First Team (1972)
All-Defensive First Team (1976)		199350 [17]
Donnie Freeman G Minnesota Muskies (1967–1968)
Miami Floridians (1968–1970)
Utah Stars (1970–1971)
Texas Chaparrals (1970 [18] –1972 [6] )
Indiana Pacers (1972–1974)
San Antonio Spurs (1974–1975)		 1973 All-ABA First Team (1972)
All-ABA Second Team (1969–1971)		None30 [19]
George Gervin G/F Virginia Squires (1972–1974)
San Antonio Spurs (1973 [20] –1976)		NoneAll-ABA Second Team (1975–1976)199650 [21]
Artis Gilmore C Kentucky Colonels (1971–1976) 1975 Rookie of the Year (1972)
ABA Most Valuable Player Award (1972)
All-ABA First Team (1972–1976)
All-Defensive First Team (1973–1976)
All-Rookie First Team (1972)
ABA Playoffs Most Valuable Player Award (1975)		201150 [22]
Connie Hawkins Forward Pittsburgh Pipers (1967–1969 [23] ) 1968 1968 Most Valuable Player Award
ABA Playoffs Most Valuable Player Award (1968)
First team: 1967–68, 1968–69
Second team: None		199240
Spencer Haywood C Denver Rockets (1969–1970)None1970 ABA Most Valuable Player Award
1969–70 ABA Rookie of the Year
1970 ABA All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award
First team: 1969–70
Second team: None		201534
Dan Issel F Kentucky Colonels (1970–1975)
Denver Nuggets (1975–1976)		 1975 1970–71 ABA Rookie of the Year
ABA All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award (1972)
First team: 1971–72
Second team: 1970–71, 1972–73, 1973–74, 1974–75 		199350
Warren Jabali G Oakland Oaks (1968–1969)
Washington Capitals (1969–1970)
Indiana Pacers (1970–1971)
The Floridians (1971–1972)
Denver Rockets (1972–1974)
San Diego Conquistadors (1974–1975)		 1969 ABA Playoffs Most Valuable Player Award (1969)
1968–69 ABA Rookie of the Year
1972–73 All-Star Game Most Valuable Player
First team: 1972–73
Second team: None		None24
Jimmy Jones G New Orleans Buccaneers (1967–1970)
Memphis Pros (1970–1971)
Utah Stars (1971–1974)		NoneFirst team: 1968–69, 1972–73, 1973–74
Second team: None		None27
Freddie Lewis G Indiana Pacers (1967–1974)
Memphis Sounds (1974–1975)
Spirits of St. Louis (1975–1976 [24] )		 1970, 1972, 1973 1971–72 ABA Playoffs Most Valuable Player
1975 ABA All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award 		None38
Maurice Lucas F Spirits of St. Louis (1974–1976)
Kentucky Colonels (1975–1976 [25] )		NoneNoneNone26
Moses Malone C Utah Stars (1974–1975)
Spirits of St. Louis (1975–1976)		NoneNone200130
George McGinnis F Indiana Pacers (1971–1975) 1972, 1973 ABA Playoffs Most Valuable Player Award (1973)
1974–75 ABA Most Valuable Player Award
First team: 1973–74, 1974–75
Second team: 1972–73 		201744
Doug Moe F New Orleans Buccaneers (1967–1968)
Oakland Oaks (1968–1969)
Carolina Cougars (1969–1970)
Virginia Squires (1970–1972)		 1969 First team: 1967–68
Second team: 1968–69 		None35
Bob Netolicky F Indiana Pacers (1967–1972, 1973 [26] –1976)
Dallas Chaparrals (1972–1973)
San Antonio Spurs (1973–1974)		 1970, 1972 First team: None
Second team: 1969–70 		None35
Billy Paultz C New York Nets (1970–1975)
San Antonio Spurs (1975–1976)		 1974 NoneNone30
Charlie Scott G Virginia Squires (1970–1972)None 1970–71 ABA Rookie of the Year
First team: 1970–71
Second team: 1971–72 		201829
James Silas G Dallas Chaparrals (1972–1973)
San Antonio Spurs (1973–1976)		NoneFirst team: 1975–76
Second team: 1974–75 		None30
David Thompson G Denver Nuggets (1975–1976)None ABA All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award (1976)
1975–76 ABA Rookie of the Year
First team: None
Second team: 1975–76 		199628
Willie Wise F Los Angeles Stars (1969–1970)
Utah Stars (1970–1974)
Virginia Squires (1974–1976)		 1971 First team: None
Second team: 1971–72, 1973–74
Defensive team: 1971–72, 1973–74 		None32

Others receiving votes

Ninety-nine players received at least one vote. In addition to those who were selected, 13 players earned votes from at least 25 percent (12.5) of voters:

Player Position primarily played ABA team(s) played forAll-ABA honors won [1] Year of Hall of Fame induction as player Votes accrued [2]
Billy Keller PG Indiana Pacers (1969–70—1975–76)NoneNone21
Larry Brown PG New Orleans Buccaneers (1967–68)
Oakland Oaks (1968–69)
Washington Capitals (1969–70)
Denver Rockets (1970–71)
Virginia Squires (1970–71 [27] —1971–1972)		First team: None
Second team: 1967–68		None19
Bobby Jones PF Denver Nuggets (1974–75—1975–76)First team: None
Second team: 1975–76
Defensive team: 1974–75, 1975–76		201919
John Williamson SG New York Nets (1973–74—1975–76)NoneNone19
Red Robbins C New Orleans Buccaneers (1967–68—1969–70)
Utah Stars (1970–71—1971–72)
San Diego Conquistadors (1972–73—1973–74)
Kentucky Colonels (1973–74—1974–75)
Virginia Squires (1974–75)		Second team: 1968–69, 1969–70 None18
Steve Jones SF Oakland Oaks (1967–68)
New Orleans Buccaneers (1968–69—1969–70)
Memphis Pros (1970–71)
Dallas Chaparrals (1971–72—1972–73)
Carolina Cougars (1972–73 [28] —1973–1974)
Denver Rockets (1973–74 [29] )
Spirits of St. Louis (1974–1975)		NoneNone18
Larry Kenon PF New York Nets (1973–74—1974–75)
San Antonio Spurs (1975–76)		NoneNone17
Ralph Simpson SG Denver Nuggets (1970–71—1975–76)First team: 1975–76
Second team: 1971–72, 1972–73 		None17
John Brisker SF Pittsburgh Pipers (1969–70—1971–72 [30] )First team: None
Second team: 1970–71 		None16
Joe Caldwell SG Carolina Cougars (1970–71—1973–74)
Spirits of St. Louis (1974–75)		First team: None
Second team: 1970–71
Defensive team: 1972–73 		None16
Billy Knight SF Indiana Pacers (1974–75—1975–76)First team: 1975–76
Second team: None		None16
Caldwell Jones C San Diego Conquistadors (1973–74—1975–76 [31] )
Kentucky Colonels (1975–76 [32] )
Spirits of St. Louis {1975–76 [32] )		NoneNone14
Larry Jones SG Denver Rockets (1967–1968—1969–70)
The Floridians (1970–71—1971–72)
Dallas Chaparrals (1972–73)
Utah Stars (1972–73 [33] )		First team: 1967–68, 1968–69, 1969–70None13

Most valuable player

Only four players received votes from the 50 panelists as the league's all-time most valuable player; small forward Julius Erving was the clear winner of the award.

PlayerABA team(s) played for Votes accrued [34]
Julius Erving Virginia Squires (1971–72—1972–73)
New York Nets (1973–74—1975–76)		46
Mel Daniels Minnesota Muskies (1967–68, 1974–75)
Indiana Pacers (1968–69—1973–74)		2
Artis Gilmore Kentucky Colonels (1971–72—1975–76)1
Connie Hawkins Pittsburgh Pipers (1967–68—1968–69 [23] )1

Coaches

Seven coaches received votes from at least one of the 50 panelists; having claimed 34 of the available votes, Bobby "Slick" Leonard was the clear winner of the all-time best head coach award. Larry Brown, having received 16 votes for the players team, also received six votes in view of his coaching.

Each of four franchises was represented by two coaches: the Denver Nuggets (having also competed as the Denver Rockets), the Kentucky Colonels, the Memphis Sounds (having also competed as the Memphis Tams, Memphis Pros, and New Orleans Buccaneers), and the San Antonio Spurs (having also competed as the Texas and Dallas Chaparrals).

*Elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
CoachABA team(s) coachedOverall ABA regular season coaching record (winning percentage in parentheses) League championships won as coach League award(s) won as coachYear of Hall of Fame induction as coach Votes accrued [35]
Bobby "Slick" Leonard Indiana Pacers (1968–1976)387 wins-270 losses (.589) 1970, 1972, 1973 None 2014 34
Larry Brown Carolina Cougars (1972–73–1973–74)
Denver Nuggets (1974–1976)		229 wins-107 losses (.682)None 1973, 1975, 1976 ABA Coach of the Year Awards 2002 6
Hubie Brown Kentucky Colonels (1974–1976)104 wins-64 losses (.619) 1975 NoneNone [36] 4
Babe McCarthy New Orleans Buccaneers (1967–68–1969–70)
Memphis Pros (1970–71–1971–72)
Dallas Chaparrals (1972–73)
Kentucky Colonels (1973–74)		280 wins-284 losses (.496)None 1974 ABA Coach of the Year Award None2
Bill Sharman Los Angeles/Utah Stars (1968–1971 [37] )133 wins-113 losses (.541) 1971 1970 ABA Coach of the Year Award 2004 [38] 2
Al Bianchi Washington Caps (1969–70)
Virginia Squires (1970–71–1975–76)		230 wins-281 losses (.450)None 1971 ABA Coach of the Year Award None1
Bob Bass Denver Rockets (1967–1969)
The Floridians (1970–71–1971–72)
Memphis Tams (1972–73)
San Antonio Spurs (1974–1976)		251 wins-249 losses (.502)NoneNoneNone1

Notes

  1. 1 2 Voting undertaken by news media covering the ABA was used to compile, after each season, two teams, each comprising two forwards, two guards, and one center, with the first to be composed at the best players at their respective positions and the second to be composed of the next best players.
  2. 1 2 Inasmuch as the selection panel comprised fifty individuals, each of whom was permitted to select, at most, thirty former players, each player was eligible to receive as many as fifty votes; Brown, Dampier, Daniels, Erving, Gervin, Gilmore, and Issel, then, were unanimous selections.
  3. ↑ "Marvin Barnes". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 10 September 2010. Retrieved October 22, 2010.
  4. ↑ "Rick Barry". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 15 September 2010. Retrieved October 22, 2010.
  5. ↑ "Zelmo Beaty". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved October 22, 2010.
  6. 1 2 The Chaparrals franchise played as the Texas Chaparrals during the 1970–71 season and as the Dallas Chaparrals therebefore and thereafter.
  7. ↑ Boone was traded during the 1970–71 season; he played 42 regular season games for the Chaparrals and 44 for the Stars.
  8. ↑ Boone was traded during the 1976–77 season; he played 16 regular season games for the Stars and 62 for the Spirits
  9. ↑ "Ron Boone". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved October 22, 2010.
  10. 1 2 Brown was twice traded during the 1974–75 season; he played 10 regular season games for the Pacers, seven games for the Sounds, and finally 39 for the Stars.
  11. ↑ "Roger Brown". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 15 November 2010. Retrieved October 22, 2010.
  12. ↑ "Mack Calvin". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved October 22, 2010.
  13. ↑ "Darel Carrier". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved October 22, 2010.
  14. ↑ "Billy Cunningham". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 15 November 2010. Retrieved October 22, 2010.
  15. ↑ "Louie Dampier". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved October 22, 2010.
  16. ↑ "Mel Daniels". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 25 September 2010. Retrieved October 22, 2010.
  17. ↑ "Julius Erving". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 27 September 2010. Retrieved October 22, 2010.
  18. ↑ Freeman was traded during the 1970–71 season; he played 42 regular season games for the Chaparrals and 24 for the Stars.
  19. ↑ "Donnie Freeman". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved October 22, 2010.
  20. ↑ Gervin was traded during the 1973–74 season; he played 49 regular season games for the Squires and 25 for the Spurs.
  21. ↑ "George Gervin". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved October 22, 2010.
  22. ↑ "Artis Gilmore". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 25 September 2010. Retrieved October 22, 2010.
  23. 1 2 The Pipers franchise played as the Minnesota Pipers after the 1967–68 season.
  24. ↑ Lewis was traded during the 1974–75 season; he played six regular season games for the Sounds and then 63 for the Spirits.
  25. ↑ Lucas was traded during the 1975–76 season; he played 28 regular season games for the Spirits and then 58 for the Colonels.
  26. ↑ Netolicky was traded during the 1973–74 season; he played 19 regular season games for the Spurs and 56 games for the Pacers.
  27. ↑ Brown was traded during the 1970–71 season; he played 29 regular season games for the Squires and 34 for the Rockets.
  28. ↑ Jones was traded during the 1972–73 season; he played 13 regular season games for the Chaparrals and 67 for the Cougars.
  29. ↑ Jones was traded during the 1973–74 season; he played 44 regular season games for the Cougars and 42 for the Rockets.
  30. ↑ The Pipers franchise operated as the Pittsburgh Condors after the 1969–70 season.
  31. ↑ The Conquistadors sports franchise operated after the 1975–76 season as the San Diego Sails.
  32. 1 2 Jones was traded twice during the 1975–76 season; he played 10 games for the Conquistadors/Sails, 15 games for the Colonels, and finally 51 games for the Spirits.
  33. ↑ Jones was traded during the 1972–73 season; he played 53 games for the Chaparrals and 53 for the Stars.
  34. ↑ Inasmuch as the selection panel comprised fifty individuals, each of whom was given one vote for the league's all-time most valuable player, a player earning unanimous approval would have received 50 votes.
  35. ↑ Inasmuch as the selection panel comprised fifty individuals, each of whom was given one vote for the league's all-time best head coach, a coach earning unanimous approval would have received 50 votes.
  36. ↑ Brown was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2005 as a contributor.
  37. ↑ The Stars franchise operated as the Utah Stars after the 1969–70 season.
  38. ↑ Sharman was also inducted into the Naismith Hall in 1976 as a player for his NBA career.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">American Basketball Association</span> Professional basketball league (1967–1976)

The American Basketball Association (ABA) was a men's professional basketball major league from 1967 to 1976. The ABA merged into the National Basketball Association (NBA) in 1976, resulting in four ABA teams joining the NBA and the introduction of the NBA 3-point shot in 1979.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">San Antonio Spurs</span> National Basketball Association team in San Antonio

The San Antonio Spurs are an American professional basketball team based in San Antonio. The Spurs compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference. The team plays its home games at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Utah Stars</span> Basketball team in Salt Lake City, Utah

The Utah Stars were an American Basketball Association (ABA) team based in Salt Lake City, Utah. Under head coach Bill Sharman the Stars were the first major professional basketball team to use a pre-game shootaround.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Julius Erving</span> American former basketball player (born 1950)

Julius Winfield Erving II, commonly known by the nickname Dr. J, is an American former professional basketball player. Erving helped legitimize the American Basketball Association (ABA), and he was the best-known player in that league when it merged into the National Basketball Association (NBA) after the 1975–1976 season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Virginia Squires</span> Basketball team in Roanoke, Virginia

The Virginia Squires were a basketball team based in Norfolk, Virginia, and playing in several other Virginia cities. They were members of the American Basketball Association from 1970 to 1976.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">George Gervin</span> American basketball player (born 1952)

George Gervin, nicknamed "the Iceman", is an American former professional basketball player who played in both the American Basketball Association (ABA) and National Basketball Association (NBA) for the Virginia Squires, San Antonio Spurs, and Chicago Bulls. Gervin averaged at least 14 points per game in all 14 of his ABA and NBA seasons, and finished with an NBA career average of 26.2 points per game. Widely regarded as one of the greatest shooting guards in NBA history, in 1996 Gervin was named as one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History, and in 2021, Gervin was named as one of the 75 greatest players in NBA history.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ron Boone</span> American basketball player (born 1946)

Ronald Bruce Boone is an American former professional basketball player. He had a 13-year career in the American Basketball Association (ABA) and National Basketball Association (NBA). Boone set a record for most consecutive games played in professional basketball history with 1,041 and claims to have never missed a game from when he started playing basketball in the fourth grade until his retirement. Boone is the current color commentator on Utah Jazz broadcasts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gene Littles</span> American basketball player and coach (1943–2021)

Eugene Scape Littles was an American basketball player and coach. He played six seasons in the American Basketball Association (ABA) for the Carolina Cougars and Kentucky Colonels between 1969 and 1975. Littles won an ABA championship with the Colonels in 1975. He later coached in the National Basketball Association (NBA) with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Charlotte Hornets, and Denver Nuggets.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bob Netolicky</span> American basketball player

Robert Netolicky is a retired American basketball player. A 6'9" power forward/center, he played professionally in the now–defunct American Basketball Association (ABA) from 1967 to 1976. Netolicky was a four–time ABA All–Star and two–time ABA Champion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Willie Sojourner</span> American basketball player (1948–2005)

Willard Leon Sojourner was an American collegiate and professional basketball player and international coach. He played collegiately at Weber State University and went on to a professional career, winning a championship with the New York Nets and playing overseas.

The 1975–76 Buffalo Braves season was the sixth season for the expansion Buffalo Braves franchise in the National Basketball Association and its Atlantic Division. It was the team's fourth season under head coach Jack Ramsay. The team's official home arena was Buffalo Memorial Auditorium.

The 1973–74 New York Nets season was the seventh season in the ABA basketball New York Nets franchise. The Nets won their first ABA Championship against the Utah Stars.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">ABA–NBA merger</span> Merger of American basketball leagues

The ABA–NBA merger was a major pro sports business maneuver in 1976 when the American Basketball Association (ABA) combined with the National Basketball Association (NBA), after multiple attempts over several years. The NBA and ABA had entered merger talks as early as 1970, but an antitrust suit filed by the head of the NBA players union, Robertson v. National Basketball Ass'n, blocked the merger until 1976.

The 1975–76 ABA season was the ninth and final season of the American Basketball Association. The shot clock was changed from 30 to 24 seconds to match the NBA. Dave DeBusschere was the league's new commissioner, its seventh and last. This was also the only season that did not use the East-West division setup. The NBA would adopt the ABA's three-point shot for the 1979–80 season.

The 1974–75 ABA season was the eighth season of the American Basketball Association. The Kentucky Colonels won the 1975 ABA Championship after winning the Eastern Division; the Denver Nuggets won the Western Division. Julius Erving and George McGinnis shared the league's MVP award.

The 1975–76 American Basketball Association season saw the Spirits of St. Louis, led by Marvin Barnes, Moses Malone, Ron Boone and Caldwell Jones, drop to sixth place in the ABA, with a record of 35–49. As a result, the Spirits missed the playoffs in their second and final season.

The 1972–73 ABA season was the sixth season of the American Basketball Association. The Pittsburgh Condors and Miami Floridians had folded, leaving the league with nine teams. However, the ABA decided to award an expansion franchise to Dr. Leonard Bloom for $1 million to play in San Diego, California, named the San Diego Conquistadors. Subsequently, this meant that the Memphis Tams would move to the Eastern Division. Once again, the best regular season team did not win the ABA Finals, with the Indiana Pacers, led by playoff MVP George McGinnis, winning the ABA championship, 4 games to 3 over the Kentucky Colonels.

The 1973–74 Virginia Squires season was the 4th season of the Squires in the American Basketball Association. The team finished 6th in points scored at 106.3 points per game and 9th in points allowed at 111.3 points per game. The team was 15–27 midway through the season, but they went 13–29 in the second half of the season. Their biggest losing streak was 6 games, with their highest winning streak being 3 games, done twice. Despite this, they clinched the fourth and final playoff spot by 7 games. The Squires lost to Dr. J and the New York Nets in the Semifinals in 5 games. The money troubles that had troubled the franchise meant that the Squires were forced to trade away pivotal players of the franchise in order to provide short term stability. Julius Erving was traded to the New York Nets for George Carter and cash before the season started. Swen Nater was traded on November 21, 1973, to the San Antonio Spurs. The night of the All-Star Game, it was announced that the Squires sold George Gervin to the San Antonio Spurs for $225,000. Gervin's last game with the team was on February 1, but a court battle delayed his play with the Spurs, though it was all settled in favor of the Spurs by March 3. This was the last season the Squires made the playoffs as they went into a tailspin for the next two season, losing over 60 games each season.

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.