Jampions! Long Beach Jam Wins ABA Title in Team's First Year of Existence
March 10, 2004 - American Basketball Association (ABA)
Maywood Laguneros News Release
LONG BEACH, CA – With less than a minute to go, the Long Beach Jam (25-7) and Kansas City Knights (24-10) had yet to determine the American Basketball Association (ABA) Champion. And with the shot clock running down, Derrick Dial hit a three pointer that marked the end of the Knights season. From far beyond the three point line, Dial rimmed in a shot, and put his signature on the game. Dial’s 30 points, six assists and three steals put away a Kansas City team that had been close all season, but couldn’t get over the hump. The Jam won 126-123 in front of 3,174 people at the Long Beach Pyramid to clinch the ABA Championship.
In Dennis RodmanÂ’s return to the Jam lineup, he grabbed 14 rebounds, including nine off the offensive glass. In front of scouts from the Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks, and Toronto Raptors, RodmanÂ’s energy helped spark the Jam victory.
The Knights clawed their way into the Championship Game by way of a miracle three-pointer of there own in the semifinal in Juarez, winning 100-99. They were led by Jamal DavisÂ’ 28 points and 10 rebounds.
Jam President Steve Chase has given the team a $5,000 bonus to disperse among themselves in recognition of the championship.
Note: OurSports Central no longer actively covers the American Basketball Association (ABA) as a professional league due in part to its inability to publish and play a schedule and the transitory nature of many of its teams. For information on professional minor leagues, please see OSC's basketball section.
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American Basketball Association Stories from March 10, 2004
- Jampions! Long Beach Jam Wins ABA Title in Team's First Year of Existence - Maywood Laguneros
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