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ABA Third Quarter Report Card

by Ed Gross
February 1, 2008 - American Basketball Association (ABA)


With three months down and less than two to go, once again the American Basketball Association finds itself struggling to keep franchises afloat and get games played. Here is a breakdown of where the league stands now - the good, the bad and the ugly - as the remaining teams battle for playoff position and a postseason trip to Halifax.

The Good.

  • Halifax Rainmen: (8-14) record. Drawing crowds and playing games as scheduled.

  • Manchester Millrats: (17-9) Well received in New Hampshire, the Millrats have proven to be an established, first year organization, a rarity in the ABA these days. The only drawback, some on-court antics of the head coach and players.

  • Orange County Gladiators: (11-8) Franchise seems well run and organized. As a first year franchise like Manchester, they are doing as well as expected in a difficult region.

  • Quebec Kebekwa: (9-13) Very well run franchise in Canada. Host city for ABA final 8 tournament should handle the task well.

  • San Diego Wildcats: (16-5) One of the quieter west coast franchises. Well run, but in need of more crowd support. The franchise is dampened by more interest in San Diego's major league teams and may need to find a new angle for its marketing.

  • Vermont Frost Heaves: (21-3) Probably the best run operation in the ABA. Sponsorships, crowd support and overall play make this franchise what an ABA follower would wish the rest of the league could duplicate.

Still On Trial.

  • Atlanta Vision: (4-2) Six ABA games played isn't very impressive this late in the season, but the organization is trying to get things right, a near impossibility in the ABA south.

  • Beijing Aoshen Olympian: (15-1) Though hard to dispute the winning record, this franchise has become somewhat of a target due to the treatment of visiting teams in Singapore (that's right...Beijing's home court is in Singapore). By some strange logic, this franchise is only scheduled to play home games during the regular season. Jet lag versus home cooking just doesn't seem to be a fair match.

  • Long Beach Breakers: (10-5) They're getting games played, but not much publicity otherwise. Currently boast a 19-5 record while ABA standings list nine fewer wins. Somebody needs to get this right. The Breakers web-site could use an update as well.

  • Montreal Royal: (7-13) In a strong region of the ABA, the Royal seem to get very little publicity. Most recently hurt by moving a home game without notifying their opponent.

  • Texas Tycoons: (9-1) "A franchise without an opponent". The Desoto based franchise is mostly playing pick-up games in an effort to get through the year. The Tycoons were runners-up to Vermont for the 2006-07 ABA championship.

The Bad.

  • Bahama Pro Show: (1-3) Miami based Pro show has appeared and disappeared a number of times this season.

  • Boston Blizzard: (6-14) Back page news, if that, with the resurging Celtics in town. Arena issues have also hurt this franchise as well as an inability to travel with an acceptable amount of players to road games.

  • First State Fusion: (1-6) Dover, Delaware based Fusion seems content to only play road games. The franchise has not played since December 22nd, but is still considered to be active.

  • Georgia Gwizzlies: (1-8) Macon-based franchise has been a publicity nightmare. Team is still attempting to play games and attract attention, but crowds have been rumored to be small.

  • Houston Takers: (3-8) Have not played a game in the states since December 1st. Still rumored to make a return this season, but who will they play?

  • Jersey Express: (6-8) Madison based franchise lost several opponents earlier in the season. Ownership is trying to finish the season as best as possible.

  • Maywood Buzz: (1-19) This franchise's lone win came on December 14th. The Buzz seems to be a well meaning franchise, but has become lost in the western shuffle of teams. Marketing would help the situation, but it remains to be seen if the Buzz have the resources to do it.

  • San Francisco Rumble: (2-9) Another ABA team that shuffled from active to non-active this season. The franchise is alone in the region with all other teams based in Southern California.

  • West Texas Whirlwinds: (3-6) Midland based franchise has not played a game since December 22nd.

  • Westchester Phantoms: (8-4) Lost several key opponents and boasts little crowd support. This franchise is once again rumored to be inactive.

The Ugly

  • Corning Bulldogs: (2-4) Inactive. Much hyped franchise couldn't draw enough fans. Planning to resurface in Elmira, New York for the 2008 NPBL season.

  • Los Angeles Push: (2-2) Inactive. Began season in disarray. While trying to regroup, the league pulled the plug on the franchise.

  • Orlando Aces: (1-0) Inactive. In an area of ABA disinterest, Aces were lost while waiting for other franchises in the region to become prepared for the season.

  • Saint Louis Stunners: (0-2) One of the most unique ABA franchises in regards to canceling most of its season, but being around on the last day. After an exit earlier in the year, the Stunners regrouped for a series in Singapore. Now again listed as an active franchise.

  • Strong Island Sound: (5-2) Inactive. Franchise had a good plan in place, but were unable to sustain enough interest to finish the season. They had been owned by the league's Chief Financial Officer.

  • Syracuse Raging Bullz: (3-3) Inactive for rest of season, but will supposedly re-form in Rochester, New York for 2008-09. Much hyped, but no fan support in Syracuse.

Other Issues:

  • Internet broadcasts: With the exception of Vermont home games, and an occasional west coast broadcast, the internet concept has pretty much fizzled out for the season.

  • All-Star Game: No announcement. Considered by most to be out of consideration for this year.

  • Red White and Blue tour: Not happening.

  • Expansion: Currently stands at 28 new teams for the 2008-09 season.

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.



American Basketball Association Stories from February 1, 2008


The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer(s), and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.


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