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ABAsite's 2004-2005 Pre-season Power Rankings

by Chris Rouhier, www.ABAsite.tk
July 28, 2004 - American Basketball Association (ABA)


The American Basketball Association has a great season to look forward to. With 30 expansion teams (so far) for the 2004-2005 season, I thought it would be a great idea to give a listing of the top 15 teams. Teams were judged on name, media, accessibility, coach, logo, venue, and name. Now, some of those listed aren't as important as the others, but can be quick indicators of success.

These are the 15 teams to watch for 04-05(because 37 are too long and too complicated). Here is the list, feel free to discuss it on the message board.

#1-Long Beach Jam- The defending ABA champs had the best attendance and best organization in the ABA last year. Can they do it again?

#2-Kansas City Knights-The Knights, with a 32-5 record in 01-02, and finishing as the loser in the ABA championship game, will look to bounce back a take back the trophy this year.

#3-Juarez Gallos de Pelea- The Gallos had a great season last year, and had great fan support in 03-04. They should be fun to watch.

#4-Gwinnett Gwizzlies- The Gwizz have maintained a rigorous schedule this pre-season, playing in 2 summer pro leagues (in Owensboro, KY and Long Beach). Will the team that plays together stay together long enough to bring home the Championship in their first year?

#5-Maryland Nighthawks- The Nighthawks moved from Hershey, PA to Upper Marlboro, MD. Can a great arena and local support give the Nighthawks an unbeatable home-arena advantage?

#6-New Jersey Jaguars- The New Jersey Jaguars have poured their heart and soul so far into establishing a presence in the Community. We'll see if the town pours their heart and soul into supporting the city's only pro team.

#7-Nashville Rhythm- The Rhythm have made high-profile moves in the front office, hiring the first woman coach in Pro Men's basketball history. Can they cap off a high-profile pre-season will a high-profile season?

#8-Utah Snowbears- The Snowbears are stacking their roster with a lot of local stars. Will the team establish itself as a viable and popular alternative to the Jazz? It'll certainly help if one of their players gets called up to the Jazz!

#9-Boston Frenzy- The Frenzy have hired a star in the coach (Joe Bryant), and seem to have picked a unique location to play (UMASS Dartmouth's "The Tank") and will probably be a viable alternative to hoops fans living too far from Boston.

#10- Cincinnati Blaze- The Blaze will obviously be trying to improve on the failures of the Cincinnati Stuff (IBL) and the Kentucky ProCats (ABA2000). However, the Blaze possess time for a major media blitz, something the others never really had time to do.

#11- Kentucky Colonels- The name alone will be good for attracting fans (along with their kids) who long for the Colonels of the original ABA.

#12- Portland Reign- After doubts of the team's viability in an NBA occupied town, the team seems to be plowing along, with tryouts and moves in the front office.

#13-Carolina Thunder- The signings of former NBA players and a nice arena should definitely help the team generate enough interest to hold it's own as a minor league team going against the NBA Bobcats.

#14- Inland Empire- The team has certainly picked a unique location for the team, and should generate interests among sports-hungry fans.

#15- Tijuana Diablos- Playing without much competition for the entertainment dollar should definitely help the Diablos keep attendance and local support high.

The 2004-2005 season will bring lots of surprises, and may or may not prove my judgment correct, however, as a fan and staunch support of the ABA and all of its teams, these are the 15 I expect to be the most successful. Who knows though? It's only July.

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 July 28, 2004


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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