Waco, Arkansas Brawl ... in ABA game

[The Magician]

The following has been reported on another message board ...

"Surprised that nobody has opened up a thread about this. They had about three separate incidents the other night (Sun 02/25), but the last one was the killer.

never mind the outcome of the game (Wranglers lost 150-111) but at the end of the game, an ABA referee went after Wranglers players! No kidding!"

"Todd Day (how shocking is this?) was in the middle of at least two incidents, including one in which he flagrantly fouled Denson going to the hoop on a breakaway. It was a low bridge, a dirty play."

"The refs had no control of the game. Flagrant fouls were not called, there were technicals that shouldn't have been called, non-calls that should have been made ... a big mess."

"I didn't notice any security either. It makes me wonder ..."

[The Magician]

"Oh, one more thing. Don't believe that crap about all publicity being good publicity. The local NBC news team was recording the game, and guess what was the lead story that night on their broadcast?"

[Chuck the Writer]

Strangely, there's no news report on KARK's website regarding the game at all, nor is there any report of a fight or brawl in the only non-OSC or Raw Feed news report of the contest. I'm suspecting that there was no fight and that someone may have said that there was to stir up the pot.

Just goes to show you can't believe everything you don't see on the net.

[The Magician]

I sent an e-mail to the NBC station to see if they could confirm anything ...

[The Magician]

per the sports director ... NBC was not at the game.

[Chuck the Writer]

See, this is why we shouldn't jump on every rumor or supposition out there. ABA06er comes up with some outlandish story about Rochester getting ejected from the league and a week later we find out it's all a steaming crock. Same thing with the BasketballUSA predictions. Heck, when I first posted the saga of the Utica Wreckers several people contacted me asking why they couldn't find the link to the Wreckers on abalive.com, even though the Utica Wreckers are about as real as Sidd Finch, the Plainfield Teachers College football team, or the Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars and Motor Kings.

What do we have on this alleged brawl? If this actually happened (a referee going after players), and someone actually had footage on it, don'tcha think ESPN would have a field day with it? There is precedent with this (i.e., the Ashley McElihenny/Sally Anthony Nashville Rhythm incident, which was blared all over the media more than the latest Fall Out Boy single). And the last time there was a bench-clearing brawl in the ABA (last year I believe), Unca Joe was quick to dismiss the incident as a minor skirmish and that it was under control.

But nothing coming out of the Indianapolis White Castle. No video footage, nothing on YouTube, no news reports on Google or anywhere else. In fact, the only article on the game in question (not counting press releases from OSC or the Raw feed on minorleaguenews.com) simply mentions that the game was played, gave the boxscore and that the Arkansas franchise would not be the same without Kareem Reid, who went to play in a REAL league (the CBA).

Now we've got blather about Strong Island shutting down or not going to road games, allegations of a Newark Express player (actually ABA06er in one of his many disguises, dude, you think you're the seven faces of Dr. Lao all of a sudden?), allegations of two different ABA leagues, the ABA supposedly shutting down March 15, 2007, Rochester getting kicked out of the playoffs, yadda yadda yadda.

With the exception of news reports about Sun Ming Ming, who makes Chuck Nevitt look like a Hall of Famer, all we're getting from the ABA is supposition, innuendo, half-truths, falsehoods, misdirection, and a magpie with a dead squirrel on his noggin.

And that, dear friends, is my Bicentennial minute.

[Arkansas Connection]

There was no brawl.. One of the Waco guys got a little froggy at the end of the game and wanted to jump... One of the referees got him out of the way.. Everyone crowded around... Coaches got their players controlled and referees went to their dressing room... Situation over...

Some missed calls? Obviously... Day probably should have been called for a flagrant foul and wasn't.. Though it wasn't a perfectly called game by any stretch, the officials (the lead official in general) were able to keep things in control which is a credit to them I do believe..

Finally, as far as the TV coverage, it was the local CBS affiliate that was there.. Their highlights were basketball related and ran in the sports segment.. The game was over around 6:30... Unless there was someone from Waco that stuck around to see the 10 o'clock news, I don't see how they would know it was the lead story...

No rumors.. Just the truth as I know it..

[The Magician]

That should pretty much close out this thread ...

[Arkansas Connection]

I just wanted to nip it now so it doesn't get overblown.. (Surely, nobody would do that out here :o ).. I did hear the league has inquired but I haven't heard to what extent. I will post here if any of that info blows my way...

[Fells]

See, this is why we shouldn't jump on every rumor or supposition out there. ABA06er comes up with some outlandish story about Rochester getting ejected from the league and a week later we find out it's all a steaming crock. Same thing with the BasketballUSA predictions. Heck, when I first posted the saga of the Utica Wreckers several people contacted me asking why they couldn't find the link to the Wreckers on abalive.com, even though the Utica Wreckers are about as real as Sidd Finch, the Plainfield Teachers College football team, or the Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars and Motor Kings.

What do we have on this alleged brawl? If this actually happened (a referee going after players), and someone actually had footage on it, don'tcha think ESPN would have a field day with it? There is precedent with this (i.e., the Ashley McElihenny/Sally Anthony Nashville Rhythm incident, which was blared all over the media more than the latest Fall Out Boy single). And the last time there was a bench-clearing brawl in the ABA (last year I believe), Unca Joe was quick to dismiss the incident as a minor skirmish and that it was under control.

But nothing coming out of the Indianapolis White Castle. No video footage, nothing on YouTube, no news reports on Google or anywhere else. In fact, the only article on the game in question (not counting press releases from OSC or the Raw feed on minorleaguenews.com) simply mentions that the game was played, gave the boxscore and that the Arkansas franchise would not be the same without Kareem Reid, who went to play in a REAL league (the CBA).

Now we've got blather about Strong Island shutting down or not going to road games, allegations of a Newark Express player (actually ABA06er in one of his many disguises, dude, you think you're the seven faces of Dr. Lao all of a sudden?), allegations of two different ABA leagues, the ABA supposedly shutting down March 15, 2007, Rochester getting kicked out of the playoffs, yadda yadda yadda.

With the exception of news reports about Sun Ming Ming, who makes Chuck Nevitt look like a Hall of Famer, all we're getting from the ABA is supposition, innuendo, half-truths, falsehoods, misdirection, and a magpie with a dead squirrel on his noggin.

And that, dear friends, is my Bicentennial minute.

Hence, why rumors get checked out and verified by at least one source before posting on a board. Come on guys!

[nksports]

If you look at the early history of pro basketball, many of the team owners (especially in the east) had connections with pro hockey (either NHL or AHL). They brought in pro basketball to help keep their arenas filled when the hockey team was out of town.
Rough play and the occasional fight was encouraged to pull in fans more in tune with hockey.

Now Joe might think if they can rough the game up, he can draw more fans (or at least more attention).