Amanda Knapp
The American Basketball Association (ABA) was a professional basketball league formed in the United States in 1967 to rival the older National Basketball Association (NBA). The ABA was the most successful rival to the NBA and distinguished itself with a more wide-open, flashy style of offensive play, as well as differences in rules and use of a colourful ball. The ABA merged with the NBA in 1976, resulting in four ABA teams joining the NBA. In 1999, a new league calling itself ABA 2000 was established, using a similar red, white and blue basketball but featuring players of a lower calibre than the original ABA.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year started | 1967 |
| Number of teams in the first season | 11 |
| First commissioner | George Mikan |
| Merger with NBA | 1976 |
| Number of teams merged with NBA | 4 |
| Year a new league calling itself the ABA 2000 was established | 1999 |
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What You'll Learn
The ABA was founded in 1967
The American Basketball Association (ABA) was founded in 1967 as a professional basketball league. It was the second of two rival leagues established in the 1960s after the American Basketball League. The ABA operated in direct competition with the more established National Basketball Association (NBA) throughout its existence.
The ABA was conceived at a time when numerous upstart leagues were challenging the major professional sports leagues in the United States. Basketball was seen as particularly vulnerable to a challenge; its major league, the NBA, was the youngest of the Big Four major leagues, having played only 21 seasons at that point. The NBA was also still fending off contemporary challenging leagues, with less than five years passing since the American Basketball League (ABL) had shut down.
The ABA started with 11 teams: the Indiana Pacers, Kentucky Colonels, Minnesota Muskies, New Jersey Americans, and Pittsburgh Pipers in the Eastern Division; and the Anaheim Amigos, Dallas Chaparrals, Denver Rockets, Houston Mavericks, New Orleans Buccaneers, and Oakland Oaks in the Western Division. The league distinguished itself from the NBA with a more wide-open, flashy style of offensive play, as well as differences in rules and the use of a colourful ball.
The ABA ceased to exist in 1976 with the ABA-NBA merger. Four ABA teams—the New York Nets, the Denver Nuggets, the San Antonio Spurs, and the Indiana Pacers—were absorbed into the NBA, while two other clubs, the Kentucky Colonels and the Spirits of St. Louis, were disbanded.
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The ABA merged with the NBA in 1976
The American Basketball Association (ABA) was a professional basketball league that operated from 1967 until 1976, when it merged with the National Basketball Association (NBA). The ABA was the second of two rival leagues established in the 1960s after the American Basketball League (ABL), and it was the most successful competitor to the NBA.
The ABA distinguished itself from the NBA with a more wide-open, flashy style of offensive play, as well as differences in rules and style. For example, the ABA used a 30-second shot clock (as opposed to the NBA's 24-second clock), a three-point field goal arc, and a colourful red, white, and blue ball instead of the NBA's traditional orange ball. The ABA also had several "regional" franchises, such as the Virginia Squires and Carolina Cougars, that played multiple "home" games in different cities.
In its final year of existence, the ABA pioneered the now-popular slam dunk contest at its all-star game in Denver. The ABA also contributed to the modern NBA by introducing the Spencer Haywood Hardship Rule, which became the framework for the current NBA draft eligibility system. This rule allows players to declare for the NBA after being one year removed from their high school graduation.
The merger between the ABA and the NBA in 1976 resulted in four ABA teams—the New York Nets, the Denver Nuggets, the San Antonio Spurs, and the Indiana Pacers—being absorbed into the NBA. Two other clubs, the Kentucky Colonels and the Spirits of St. Louis, were disbanded as a result of the merger. The final ABA championship was played on May 13, 1976, with the New York Nets defeating the Denver Nuggets.
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The ABA's distinctive playing style and rules
The American Basketball Association (ABA) was a major professional basketball league that operated for nine seasons from 1967 until 1976. During its existence, the ABA operated in direct competition with the more established National Basketball Association (NBA).
The ABA distinguished itself from the NBA with a more wide-open, flashy style of offensive play, as well as differences in rules. Here are some of the distinctive features of the ABA's playing style and rules:
- 30-Second Shot Clock: The ABA introduced a 30-second shot clock, which was six seconds longer than the NBA's 24-second clock. However, for the 1975-76 season, the ABA switched to the NBA's 24-second shot clock.
- Three-Point Field Goal: One of the most notable contributions of the ABA was the introduction of the three-point shot. This rule change encouraged a more wide-open style of play, as defenses had to respect the threat of the three-pointer, resulting in less congested lanes.
- Red, White, and Blue Ball: The ABA used a colorful ball, with red, white, and blue panels, instead of the NBA's traditional orange ball. This distinctive ball was chosen by the first ABA Commissioner, George Mikan, to give the league a "patriotic" and unique trademark that would stand out on television.
- Regional Franchises: The ABA had several "regional" franchises, such as the Virginia Squires and Carolina Cougars, that played "home" games in multiple cities.
- Annuity Payments: The ABA teams lured players with lucrative contracts, often paying them over a longer period as an annuity. This practice, known as the ""Dolgoff Plan," sparked a rivalry with the NBA and led to a war of signings between the leagues.
- No-Disqualification Foul Rule: During the 1973-74 season, the ABA adopted the no-disqualification foul rule, which meant that players would not foul out after six infractions. Instead, when a player committed their seventh or subsequent foul, the opposing team retained possession, and the offended player shot free throws.
- Relaxed Eligibility Rules: The ABA pioneered the Spencer Haywood Hardship Rule, which allowed players to leave college early and join professional leagues if they faced extenuating circumstances, such as financial or familial needs. This rule later became the framework for the NBA's draft eligibility system.
- Slam Dunk Contests: The ABA introduced the concept of slam dunk contests, adding an element of entertainment and showmanship to the game.
- Freewheeling Style: The ABA embraced a freewheeling, improvisational style of play that prioritized entertainment. This approach stood in contrast to the more traditional and constrained style of the NBA.
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The ABA's regional franchises
The American Basketball Association (ABA) was a professional basketball league founded in 1967. It was the second of two leagues established in the 1960s, the other being the American Basketball League. The ABA was the most successful rival to the older National Basketball Association (NBA).
The ABA had several "regional" franchises, such as the Virginia Squires and Carolina Cougars, that played "home" games in several cities. The ABA tapped into markets in the southeast that had been collegiate basketball hotbeds, including North Carolina, Virginia, and Kentucky. The NBA, on the other hand, focused on urban areas in the Northeast, Midwest, and West Coast.
The ABA started with eleven teams in its first season:
- Indiana Pacers
- Kentucky Colonels
- Minnesota Muskies
- New Jersey Americans
- Pittsburgh Pipers (Eastern Division)
- Anaheim Amigos
- Dallas Chaparrals
- Denver Rockets
- Houston Mavericks
- New Orleans Buccaneers
- Oakland Oaks (Western Division)
The ABA distinguished itself from the NBA with a more wide-open, flashy style of offensive play, as well as differences in rules, such as a 30-second shot clock (as opposed to the NBA's 24-second clock) and the use of a three-point field goal arc. The ABA also used a colourful red, white, and blue ball, instead of the NBA's traditional orange ball.
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The ABA's use of a colourful ball
The American Basketball Association (ABA) was a major basketball league that operated from 1967 to 1976. For its entire existence, the ABA was in direct competition with the more established National Basketball Association (NBA).
The ABA distinguished itself from the NBA with a more wide-open, flashy style of offensive play, as well as differences in rules. One of the most notable differences was the ABA's use of a colourful ball. Instead of the NBA's traditional orange ball, the ABA ball was red, white, and blue.
The ABA's colourful ball was not just a stylistic choice. It was also a functional one. According to former ABA player Gene Littles, the colour of the ball made it easier to see, especially in dimly lit arenas. Littles described the special feeling of taking a long shot and watching the colours rotate in the air, then seeing the ball nestle into the net. The rotating tricolours created a mesmerizing pinwheel effect.
The ABA's ball has become an iconic symbol of the league and its impact on basketball. The red, white, and blue colours were chosen to represent the United States, and the ball has come to be seen as a touchstone in the history of the sport.
Today, the original ABA ball is making a comeback. It is being reissued as a full-size, 29.5-inch basketball made of quality composite leather. The ball is endorsed by legendary ABA Hall of Famers, including Julius Erving, Rick Barry, and George Gervin.
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Frequently asked questions
The ABA was formed in 1967.
The ABA was formed to rival the older National Basketball Association (NBA).
The ABA distinguished itself with a more wide-open, flashy style of offensive play, as well as differences in rules — a 30-second shot clock (24 seconds for the 1975-76 season) and a three-point field goal arc. The ABA also used a colourful red, white, and blue ball instead of the NBA's traditional orange ball.
The ABA merged with the NBA in 1976, resulting in four ABA teams (the New York Nets, the Denver Nuggets, the San Antonio Spurs, and the Indiana Pacers) joining the NBA.
