NBA–ABA All-Star Game explained

The NBA–ABA All-Star Game was an exhibition basketball match organized by the players associations of the National Basketball Association (NBA) and American Basketball Association (ABA) where a selection of the best players from each league played in a game against each other.[1] The players organized the all-star game against the wishes of the owners, who refused any interleague play without a merger of the leagues.[2] Billed as a "Supergame",[1] [2] it was held in 1971 and 1972. Another game was originally scheduled to be played in 1974, until the NBA won a binding arbitration blocking their players from participating.

Background

After a costly four-year battle between the NBA and ABA, the two leagues agreed on May 7, 1971, to pursue Congressional approval to allow the merger of the two rivals.[3] They also agreed to permit preseason games between the leagues in the upcoming fall.[4] Days later, the players responded by organizing the all-star game without consent from the owners or consulting with either league commissioner. Teams from the two leagues had never played each other before.[5]

National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) president Oscar Robertson said that the all-star game would show that the two leagues could play against each other without an "illegal merger".[2] The players associations opposed a merger, as they would lose another potential employer.[6] In April 1970, the NBPA had filed the lawsuit Robertson v. National Basketball Ass'n to prevent the leagues from merging due to antitrust arguments.[7] Four months after the first all-star game in 1971, NBA and ABA teams started playing preseason exhibition games against each other.[2] [8]

Games

1971

On May 28, 1971, the first interleague all-star game between the best players of both American professional leagues was held. It was played at the Houston Astrodome with a crowd of 16,364. The NBA team coached by Bill Russell won by 125–120 against Larry Brown's ABA team, in a very competitive match.[9] The NBA's Walt Frazier scored a game-high 26 points on 11-of-16 shooting and was named the game's most valuable player (MVP).[9]

The game was played with a mixture of rules from both leagues. In the first half, the NBA's 24-second shot clock and its conventional ball were used. The shot clock changed to the ABA's 30 seconds in the second half, when the ABA's red-white-and-blue ball and three-point field goal were in effect.[10]

Nine out of ten NBA players that participated in that match were later inducted in 50 Greatest Players in NBA History: Frazier, John Havlicek, Dave DeBusschere, Nate Thurmond, Oscar Robertson, Dave Bing, Elvin Hayes, Earl Monroe, Billy Cunningham.[11] [12] Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was originally scheduled to play in the game, even though he was getting married earlier in the day, but changed his mind after the wedding.[13] His absence made the game more competitive.[13] [9] [14]

The NBA objected to the game, but no fines or suspensions of players were reported.[15] Astrodome publicity director Wayne Chandler said he unofficially heard that "the owners will not raise a hand to help. But on the other hand, they are not trying to prevent the game from being played."[16] According to Sports Illustrated, Kentucky Colonels' management reportedly dissuaded their player Dan Issel from playing.[13] The game was televised nationally by independent network Television Sports on about 200 stations.[17] [18]

The following month on June 20, most of the same players participated in the nationally televised Martin Luther King Jr. Benefit Game in Indianapolis.[19] The contest was organized as an East–West game, with NBA and ABA players teaming together on each side, played with ABA rules.[20] Originally announced in April,[21] the game was sponsored by Black Expo, with proceeds going to the Southern Christian Leadership Conference for the Martin King Jr. benefit fund.[21] [22] In front of 6,078 spectators, the West won 111–100. The East's John Brisker scoring a game-high 21 points and Connie Hawkins of the West named the MVP.[23]

Date: May 28, 1971

Arena: Houston Astrodome

Place: Houston, Texas

Attendance: 16,364

Final: NBA – ABA 125–120

MVP: Walt Frazier, New York Knicks

1234TOT
NBA33332534125
ABA33312531120

NBA

Player2FGFT3PPFPTS
John Havlicek3/74/70/0410
Dave DeBusschere6/145/50/0517
Nate Thurmond1/51/50/013
Oscar Robertson4/99/140/0117
Dave Bing2/57/120/0211
Walt Frazier11/164/50/0226
Elvin Hayes8/201/50/0417
Earl Monroe2/58/90/0112
Lou Hudson2/63/30/047
Billy Cunningham1/53/50/035
TOTAL40/9245/700/027125
43.5%64.3%0.0%
NBA Coach: Bill Russell

ABA

Player2FGFT3PPFPTS
Rick Barry7/176/100/1520
Willie Wise6/134/50/0316
Zelmo Beaty3/54/60/0310
Larry Jones6/100/01/1615
Charlie Scott5/121/30/4211
Mel Daniels5/125/70/0115
John Brisker1/56/62/3314
Roger Brown3/53/50/129
Steve Jones1/31/31/156
Donnie Freeman2/60/00/034
Bill Melchionni0/10/00/030
TOTAL39/8930/454/1136120
43.8%66.7%36.4%
ABA Coach: Larry Brown

Source:[1]

1972

On May 25, 1972,[11] the second match was played at Nassau Coliseum with a crowd of 14,086 people. The NBA team (that had players like Wilt Chamberlain and Oscar Robertson) won 106–104, overcoming a 19-point deficit.[24] The different numbers of free-throws between the two teams conceded by the NBA's referee in both games was decisive: 70–45 in the first match and 47–32 in the second.[24] [25] [11] The NBA's Bob Lanier, who was a late replacement for Abdul-Jabbar, scored 15 points, had seven rebounds, and was named the MVP.[24]

The all-stars were voted for by players in each league.[26] Game rules were blended again. The NBA's ball was used in the first half and the ABA's in the second. The NBA's 24-second shot clock was used for the game, as was the ABA's 3-pointers.[27] The game was again televised by Television Sports.[28] Some NBA players did not participate because the league threatened them with fines and suspensions.[29] Conversely, ABA owners and their commissioner, Jack Dolph, supported the game.[24]

John Havlicek and Oscar Robertson were the only two players that appeared in both matches for NBA squad, while for ABA team They were Rick Barry, Donnie Freeman, Willie Wise, Roger Brown and Mel Daniels.

Date: May 25, 1972

Arena: Nassau Coliseum

Place: Uniondale Long Island, New York

Attendance: 14,086

Final: NBA – ABA 106–104

MVP: Bob Lanier, Detroit Pistons

1234TOT
NBA21293323106
ABA30262523104

NBA

PlayerFGFT3PPFPTS
John Havlicek57/917
Connie Hawkins22/66
Wilt Chamberlain22/46
Oscar Robertson54/414
Archie Clark55/715
Bob Lanier71/415
Nate Archibald44/612
Bob Love42/210
Gail Goodrich32/38
Paul Silas11/23
TOTAL3830/4727106
63.8%
NBA Coach: Elgin Baylor

ABA

PlayerFGFT3PPFPTS
Rick Barry42/2111
Dan Issel40/08
Artis Gilmore70/514
Jimmy Jones31/27
Donnie Freeman56/716
Julius Erving53/413
Ralph Simpson52/412
Willie Wise44/512
George Thompson23/37
Roger Brown10/02
Mel Daniels10/02
TOTAL4121/3232104
65.6%
ABA Coach: Al Bianchi

Source:[1] [24]

1974

A third all-star game was scheduled for May 18, 1974, at the Providence Civic Auditorium in Providence, Rhode Island, to be televised on ABC's Wide World of Sports.[30] [31] The network had been the league's broadcaster from 1964 until 1973, when CBS was awarded the NBA contract. The all-star game was cancelled when the NBA owners won a binding arbitration blocking their players from taking part. Larry Fleisher, who was the NBPA's general counsel, believed that television considerations led to the NBA's block, with CBS being unhappy that the game was to be on ABC.[32]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Supergames I & II: The 1971 and 1972 NBA-ABA All-Star Games.
  2. News: NBA, ABA All-Star Tilt Is Scheduled. May 11, 1971. The Sacramento Bee. AP. B5. June 4, 2023. Newspapers.com.
  3. News: Leonard. Koppett. N.B.A. and A.B.A. Will Seek Merger. May 8, 1971. The New York Times. August 16, 2023.
  4. News: Deane. McGowen. N.B.A. and A.B.A. Stars Set Up Game. May 12, 1971. The New York Times. August 16, 2023.
  5. News: Pro Cage Players Agree to Mix. May 12, 1971. Alexandria Daily Town Talk. A9. UPI. July 31, 2023. Newspapers.com.
  6. News: Leonard. Koppett. N.B.A. All‐Stars Sink A.B.A., 106‐104. May 26, 1972. The New York Times. June 7, 2023.
  7. Book: Jozsa, Frank P. Jr.. National Basketball Association Strategies: Business Expansions, Relocations, and Mergers. 2014. Springer. 90. 9783319100586. August 18, 2023. Google Books.
  8. Book: Ken. Shouler. Bob. Ryan. Sam. Smith. Leonard. Koppett. Bob. Bellotti. Total Basketball: The Ultimate Basketball Encyclopedia. 532. Sport Media Publishing. 2003. registration. June 4, 2023. 1894963016. shouler.
  9. News: Frazier Sparks NBA All-Stars. May 29, 1971. The Durham Sun. 8. AP. June 4, 2023. Newspapers.com.
  10. News: Lew-less NBA Stars Nip Rivals. May 29, 1971. Colorado Springs Gazette-Telegraph. AP. 1-B. July 31, 2023. Newspapers.com.
  11. News: Friedman . David . The legacy of the ABA . 14 April 2007 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070520232907/http://www.nbcsports.com/nba/1359640/detail.html . 20 May 2007 . NBC Universal.
  12. Web site: 50 Greatest Players in NBA History. Basketball Reference. July 30, 2023.
  13. No Member From The Wedding. June 7, 1971. Sports Illustrated. August 17, 2023.
  14. News: No Lew Help. May 29, 1971. El Paso Herald-Post. UPI. A-6. June 4, 2023. Newspapers.com.
  15. News: Possible Fine Puts Cloud in ABA–NBA Tilt. May 25, 1972. The Shreveport Times. E-1. AP. July 31, 2023. Newspapers.com.
  16. News: Bobby. Risinger. May 25, 1971. Something To Prove. The Baytown Sun. 10. August 7, 2023. Newspapers.com.
  17. Web site: Large turnout expected at NBA–ABA all-star game. May 23, 1971. Times News. 21. UPI. June 4, 2023. Newspapers.com.
  18. News: Charity Gets About $25,000 From NBA–ABA All-Star Game. May 30, 1971. Daily Press. D2, D6. June 4, 2023. Newspapers.com.
  19. News: Pro Basketball Stars Clash Today In Martin Luther King Jr. Benefit. June 20, 1971. The Morning Call. AP. C-8. Newspapers.com. March 6, 2024.
  20. News: Dave. Overpeck. 'Merged" All-Stars Battle in King Benefit. June 20, 1971. The Indianapolis Star. sec. 4, p. 4. Newspapers.com. March 6, 2024.
  21. News: Top Pros To Play King Benefit Here. April 23, 1971. The Indianapolis Star. 40. Newspapers.com. March 6, 2024.
  22. News: Dick. Denny. Tomorrow: ABA–NBA All-Stars. June 19, 1971. The Indianapolis News. 12. Newspapers.com. March 6, 2024.
  23. News: WEST 111‐100 VICTOR IN N.B.A.‐A.B.A. GAME. June 20, 1971. The New York Times. AP. March 6, 2024.
  24. News: Lanier: Players Will Quit. May 26, 1972. The Columbia Record. AP. 3-D. June 11, 2023. Newspapers.com.
  25. Web site: All-Star Showdown Helped Lift ABA.
  26. News: Second NBA–ABA All-Star Game Set For May 25. May 10, 1972. The Bangor Daily News. AP. 23. July 31, 2023. Newspapers.com.
  27. News: Pro Stars Meet Tonight—Maybe. May 25, 1972. The Racine Journal-Times. AP. 1B. July 31, 2023. Newspapers.com.
  28. News: Seymour S.. Smith. Cage game selling TV spots. May 24, 1982. The Baltimore Sun. C4. July 31, 2023. Newspapers.com.
  29. [#shouler|Shouler et al., 2003]
  30. Web site: Ulish. Carter. NBA, ABA All-star game to benefit HAACP, UNCF. May 18, 1974. Pittsburgh Courier. 9. June 11, 2023. Newspapers.com.
  31. News: 'Wide World' expands. May 11, 1974. Florence Morning News. TV News, p. 15. June 11, 2023. Newspapers.com.
  32. News: NBA–ABA All-Star Duel Off. May 19, 1974. News & Leader. E6. June 11, 2023. Newspapers.com.