No More Posts On Aba

[sportsguy12]

It deserves no coverage or discussion until it gets its act together. Which will be never ... so RIP.

[bdaly]

Actually, this is a somewhat exciting time for the ABA. It could finally have the appropriate direction that prevents the weak links from entering. Based on what I see, I suspect the management change will be successful. I think we know Doyle is a bigger fan of standards than Newman. So, the ABA might actually turn into less of a circus. So now really isn't the time to be negative. If things don't go the way I think they will (Newman maintains control leading Maryland, Rochester, and others to flee next year), then the league's time may be limited.

[The Sweeper]

You know, I wanted to ask Alex about everything that's been going on last night. But after getting into the Aud, watching warm ups, and the fans pouring in with smiles on their faces (haven't played in Barre since 12-31), I realized that most of those folks had no idea what was going on. They wanted to see a basketball game. So I decided to join them, and leave my questions at the door. And for 2 1/2 hours, I didn't care what Joe or anyone else was up to. I'll support the Heaves and talk about them, no matter what.

[bectond]

Actually, this is a somewhat exciting time for the ABA. It could finally have the appropriate direction that prevents the weak links from entering. .

How will ABA inc. make money if they don't keep expanding?
How can they possibly get rid of all the leagues dead weight, is the Hollywood Fame a model franchise? Will the Fame be apart of the new direction or are they a weak link that will surely stay around? With the D-league and CBA looking to expand how will the ABA keep its best franchises regardless of the new direction? Let's face it the ABA is what it is, they should focus on being the top indie league in America, however it will never be stable, nor should it try to be. It should learn to work in partnership with the other leagues and stop putting teams in areas that already have a CBA or D-League team. But let's be real - the average franchise in the ABA will either fail or end up joining a better league. The best thing to do to silence all the critics would be to place some of the newer less funded clubs in a B league like they do in europe and the B league champ can move up to the A league the next year provided they make it at the gate and the worst A league team record wise would fall down to the B league. That way all the new teams would not keep canceling games and causing headaches for established teams. Why would any league stop taking money? They should take the money and develop better ways of controling it, they should not let morons dreams destroy other owners investments. Reduce the fee back down to 10,000 and let everybody in, but into a B league where they either prove themselves or fail first.

Mr. Newman is their No.1 commodity. Why reduce his role? Let the guy do what he does best and simply place controls on where teams expand and place them in a controlled league first. Why should fools be denied a chance to own a team, this is America.

Yes a free trade market is the best and brightest way to go but capitalism isn't that bad, just place 2-3 more controls on new Franchises.

[bdaly]

I definitely think there are ways to be more stable and have a good number of teams. You can have a 20-30 team lead with regional divisions and make it work. You don't have to have 50% of the teams drop off the face of the earth. The current ABA model isn't viable. Teams like Rochester, Vermont, and Maryland simply won't put up with it long-term, and the media is unlikely to cover a league thats schedule changes numerous times. The ABA can make money like any other league. I know the claim is that you pay to get in and that's it with the ABA. Perhaps that'll have to change to follow what other leagues do, but the good teams will happily deal with it.

Honestly, I don't know if the CBA is very attractive should the ABA stabilize. I'm sure the only way Rochester has any interest is if the ABA continues the past course and the D-League doesn't head out this way. We don't even hear mentions of the CBA locally when the media talks about a switch--the focus is on the D-League. With that said, the current travel situation makes the CBA slightly more desirable with Pittsburgh and Albany. Until the CBA gets a better regional footprint that reduces costs, I think many teams would prefer to remain in an ABA that has fewer issues.

But, if Newman somehow prevails, then I wouldn't be surprised to see teams like Rochester, Maryland, and Buffalo jump to the CBA. The D-League travel-wise doesn't make sense, and the CBA could form a decent regional division with them. Newman remaining is probably the best thing for the CBA as the unhappy teams will need an answer for next year.

[The Magician]

It deserves no coverage or discussion until it gets its act together. Which will be never ... so RIP.


So, we gotta keep the chatter up!

[bectond]

Honestly, I don't know if the CBA is very attractive should the ABA stabilize. I'm sure the only way Rochester has any interest is if the ABA continues the past course and the D-League doesn't head out this way. We don't even hear mentions of the CBA locally when the media talks about a switch--the focus is on the D-League. With that said, the current travel situation makes the CBA slightly more desirable with Pittsburgh and Albany. Until the CBA gets a better regional footprint that reduces costs, I think many teams would prefer to remain in an ABA that has fewer issues. .

You made a number of good points however you forgot one thing. If your a basketball guy and you want to control your teams roster, style of play and coaching staff, then the D-League is not for you. The parent NBA team will pay the players salaries and they will take control of the coaching staffs in the near future. Some people will want a more hands on league to join. I for one would want to control all aspects of my franchise so I would never buy a D-League club. I'd prefer a CBA club were I could run everything.

[bectond]

Oh and I forgot. Right now the ABA is just a rec league and it should be treated as such until they develop layers. The ABA is on par with the IBL.
I for one would not mention the CBA and the D-League as being equals with the ABA.

[Sam Hill]

Thanks for telling us what we can talk about.

[bdaly]

If your a basketball guy and you want to control your teams roster, style of play and coaching staff, then the D-League is not for you.
Indeed. But, this can be a positive financially. AHL teams would be far less viable if they had to sign their own players. If you get into a good relationship with a parent team, it can be a great thing for everyone involved. I agree, it's not for everyone. But a lot of prospective owners will see this as a positive thing. And the NBA relationship adds a lot of credibility in new markets.

As for the ABA being a rec league, that may be true with some of the weaker teams. That's why they need someone like Doyle to clean things up. There have been fewer 150-65 games this year. The top ABA teams can play with the weaker CBA/D-League teams. But, there's too much of a range in talent. Stable, competitive teams has to be the "new" ABA's focus--assuming Doyle ultimately prevails.

[sportsguy12]

Thanks for telling us what we can talk about.

I was referring specifically to the antics of Uncle Joe, who continues time and time and time again to tarnish the name of minor league basketball. The antics of Uncle Joe have been beaten to death and I was trying to shift the focus more to teams or players in the ABA.

[Sam Hill]

Good luck with that.

The free market will decide where the focus shifts, thank you very much.

You may as well tell tabloid news shows to stop talking about Anna Nicole Smith.

[gonzo13]

I actually agree with Sportsguy's post at the top of this thread. I've been following this league for a while now, because there is going/supposed to be an ABA team in my town next season, and I wanted to be up on what this league was all about. Well from what I gather, this league is a complete and total joke from top to bottom. And there doesn't seem to be an end in site. CEOs and Board members firing each other, teams dropping like flies, replacement teams that never actually play, I'm done with it. And if the ABA doesn't completely have their act together by the start of next season, the Rome team, nor the league will ever see a dime of my money.



Y'all have fun.

[The Magician]

I'm done with it. And if the ABA doesn't completely have their act together by the start of next season, the Rome team, nor the league will ever see a dime of my money.

That's a statement that the ABA executives and every ABA team ownership should take heed of !!!