ABA rivalries

[WHAFAN]

It seems as soon as a few teams are in close proximity to each other, the word "rivalry" automatically appears. This league has no rivalries other than any two given teams that can get to each in less than 2 hours. Being close to each other does not create a rivalry. Here in Chicago, the Bulls have no great rivalry with the Bucks, the Cubs have no great rivalry with the Brewers. Being 90 miles away doesn't do anything other than allow fans to travel either way quickly.

How can a rivalry be created on paper? Syracuse, Rochester, and Corning will be great rivals? Why? Chances are real good that at least 2 of these teams will never be around long enough for fans to care. The ABA isn't exactly Boston Bruins vs. New York Rangers or Chicago Blackhawks vs. Detroit Red Wings. Your trying hard to force the natural progression of sport. Knock down drag out games are created over years of competition, not placing 2 or 3 ill-run, mismanaged under financed teams with 60 fans at each game in the same area. The ABA insists on considering itself on the cutting edge of basketball, when in actuality, if they had 24 teams in one state, no one would care less and the same results they have now would occur.

The only rivalry in the ABA is who in the hell still wears mesh back baseball caps vs. who in the hell wants a vinyl basketball?

[panchess]

..in Syracuse University's case, its biggest rival in basketball is Georgetown due to their history since they joined the Big East, and just before. When Georgetown won the last game at Manley Field House before the Carrier Dome opened, and John Thompson said, "Manley Field House is now closed," that started it. SU doesn't have a huge rivalry with St. John's, even though they are in the same state.

In football, it was Miami when they were in the Big East. Why? They were the best, and they were arrogant. People hated them.

[Minor League Man]

It seems as soon as a few teams are in close proximity to each other, the word "rivalry" automatically appears. This league has no rivalries other than any two given teams that can get to each in less than 2 hours. Being close to each other does not create a rivalry. Here in Chicago, the Bulls have no great rivalry with the Bucks, the Cubs have no great rivalry with the Brewers. Being 90 miles away doesn't do anything other than allow fans to travel either way quickly.

How can a rivalry be created on paper? Syracuse, Rochester, and Corning will be great rivals? Why? Chances are real good that at least 2 of these teams will never be around long enough for fans to care. The ABA isn't exactly Boston Bruins vs. New York Rangers or Chicago Blackhawks vs. Detroit Red Wings. Your trying hard to force the natural progression of sport. Knock down drag out games are created over years of competition, not placing 2 or 3 ill-run, mismanaged under financed teams with 60 fans at each game in the same area. The ABA insists on considering itself on the cutting edge of basketball, when in actuality, if they had 24 teams in one state, no one would care less and the same results they have now would occur.

The only rivalry in the ABA is who in the hell still wears mesh back baseball caps vs. who in the hell wants a vinyl basketball?
You do have a point, WHAFAN.

Since the Tropics left the ABA, there is no more rivalries (Rivalries aren't planned)

I mean, I thought the AIFA Erie Freeze's rival would be the Johnstown Riverhawks when they were announced-and now their rivalry against the Canton Legends is considered by many to be the biggest in indoor football.

Rivalries develop through unforseen circumstances. (Note: I live in the Metro Milwaukee area, and when the Cubs come to Miller Park, there are often more Cubs fans than Brewers fans, so I try to make it a yearly duty to pitch in for the "Take Back Miller Park" campaign)

[psbf]

Not to get off topic, but you forgot to add the Pittsburgh Riverrats to the rivarly.

[Minor League Man]

Not to get off topic, but you forgot to add the Pittsburgh Riverrats to the rivarly.
The two haven't even played a game yet!

But with Dinkins going to Pitt, I think there could be one.

[sportsguy12]

Not to get off topic, but you forgot to add the Pittsburgh Riverrats to the rivarly.

they don't even have a history of games on the field.

[preeths]

they don't even have a history of games on the field.

Bringing us full circle back to the point WHAFAN was making.

[WHAFAN]

Let me understand this.........if Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Scranton and Intercourse PA all had teams in the ABA, would this be a great rivalry? Seeing as how no team would have any fans, no records would be kept, attendance would be kept within Maxwell Smart's cone of silence, teams would cancel games because it was raining, the minority owners would make sure we know they are pillars of the community, the dance teams would have plenty of overweight women in too small outfits, fast paced affordable family enterainment would be provided, and within 18 months, each team would be just a footnote in the long line of ABA success stories, the only rivalry created would by owners trying to be first in line to knock Joe's hair hat off.....

[zeke41]

I have nothing but respect for the Jam, but the rivalry between these two teams has been brewing all year, and not just because we are close.

Our opening roster bolstered several Jacksonville, FL players. The first game, the Jam won by 3 points (a 3-point shot with 1.6 second left). By the way, approx. 2500 fans were there for opening night! The Jam took the next couple games decidedly...but the rivalry gets better. Aces starting point guard, Jeremy File, was sought and brought over to the Jam during Christmas break. Revenge was sweet, as the Aces beat File and the Jam by 2 on January 6. One pick up by the Aces - Nick Wallery - was very instrumental in the win. The next week, Nick Wallery was on the Jam roster as well. During the next month, Aces top performer Alex Hill was also contacted and offered more money to play for the Jam as well. He remained loyal - didn't go! Now, a week ago, Jacksonville native Antonoio Lawrence has switched teams and now plays for Jacksonville!

Talk about drama. Let's just say that the rivalry has steamed up, and we will meet on March 3 and March 9. The Aces haven't had much success against the Jam (who does???? they stacked themselves up with All-Stars from every Florida team). Needless to say, blood will be boiling, and those two games will be fun to watch!

If that's not cause for a rivalry, I don't know what is. Like I said, you can't help but tip your hat to the first year Jam who seems to have the capital and sponsors to maintain a professional basketball atmosphere all year long. But lets face it, the Jacksonville Yankees...I mean...Jam, have definately stirred up a rivalry that will undoubtedly last the next couple of years.

[teqkng]

TEE HEE HEE HEE...

Relax Zeke I will still respect you in the morning...

TEQKNG
Dyed in the Wool
JAMFAN!

[bdaly]

Buffalo and Rochester is one obvious one. Both teams are very competitive this year and both teams have been around two years. It's too bad Harlem left, because those games versus Rochester were pretty intense last year.

[tbayz1]

Buffalo and Rochester is one obvious one. Both teams are very competitive this year and both teams have been around two years. It's too bad Harlem left, because those games versus Rochester were pretty intense last year.

agreed! when i watch the 'Backs play Rochester, the intensity is greater than any other game, both teams jus have a certain fight in em when they play each other!

oo and rochester's coach Rod Baker likes to show up and scout our games, like yesterday, he was watchin us beat Vermont ive also seen him when we hav played Detroit and Quebec, and prolly was a lil scared and surpirsed of how well we hav been playing since they last played us and that Duany is back and we jus took down the best team in the ABA, when Rochester only beat em once

[bdaly]

oo and rochester's coach Rod Baker likes to show up and scout our games, like yesterday, he was watchin us beat Vermont ive also seen him when we hav played Detroit and Quebec, and prolly was a lil scared and surpirsed of how well we hav been playing since they last played us and that Duany is back and we jus took down the best team in the ABA, when Rochester only beat em once
While I'm sure he was there partially to see the Silverbacks, each of the teams you've mentioned have beated Rochester. So I'm sure he was there to figure them out too. Rochester is 1-1 versus Vermont, so it'll be a fun rematch at the BCA. Closs and Castile were both strong players last year in the ABA's final four and Rochester snuck by both San Jose and Southern California. I'm sure he's well aware of Buffalo's weapons.

[tbayz1]

While I'm sure he was there partially to see the Silverbacks, each of the teams you've mentioned have beated Rochester. So I'm sure he was there to figure them out too. Rochester is 1-1 versus Vermont, so it'll be a fun rematch at the BCA. Closs and Castile were both strong players last year in the ABA's final four and Rochester snuck by both San Jose and Southern California. I'm sure he's well aware of Buffalo's weapons.


yupp hes a great guy and coach, and he prolly is well aware of our team by now lol