Chasing the dream in the ABA
Published on August 22, 2005 under American Basketball Association (ABA)
Sacramento Heatwave News Release
So many players today continue to play basketball all over the world after their college careers (no matter what level they play on) are over! Why do they do it? What drives them to do it? It is what many on the Professional Level call, "Chasing The Dream..."
Players all over the world now, but primarily in the United States chase their dream of playing Professional Basketball on the highest level in the world and that is in the National Basketball Association (NBA), yet, few reach that level, and far less actually stay on that level to have productive and outstanding careers! So it is amazing that so many try each year & each season in professional leagues all over the world.
In the USA today you have the Minor Leagues all over the USA giving players opportunities to showcase their skills in the mainstream here in the USA. You have the CBA, NBA D League, WBA, IBL, and the USBL as primary professional basketball leagues on the minor league level that allow players the chance to showcase their skills and hopefully get noticed for an opportunity to be called up or be asked to play on NBA Summer League Teams or asked to attend NBA Camps for the opportunity to compete for a roster spot on a twelve man NBA Roster. Players play and dream of getting those opportunities of making it on the highest level and greatest stage that the Professional Game has to offer. The sad fact is that few get those opportunities and even fewer make it!
Now there is another option for Players Chasing The Dream, and that is the American Basketball Association (ABA). In 1969, the ABA came onto the scene of the Professional Basketball World and it rocked the NBA to its foundation. The competition between the two leagues became legendary, especially when the lowly regarded ABA began to sign away some of the top players coming out of college. Players like, Julias "Dr. J" Erving, Billy Cunningham, Rick Barry, Artis Gilmore, Moses Malone, George Gervin, Dan Issel, Larry Keenan, George McGinnis, Freddie Brown, Spencer Haywood, and Connie Hawkins. This fierce rivalry between the two leagues caused heated bidding wars for the players services and gave the player another option by which he could play professional basketball. The NBA was conservative and the ABA's wide open style was attractive to young & talented players, which made it appealing for the modern day player at that time to choose the ABA over the NBA! The ABA's innovation's also became appealing! The 3 point shot, the Slam Dunk Contest, and the Red, White, & Blue ABA Basketball became hallmark symbols of this popular young league. This all led to All-Star Exhibition Games between the two Leagues and ultimately led to the merger of the two leagues in 1976. Four ABA Franchises joined the NBA at that time, the San Antonio Spurs, Indiana Pacers, Denver Nuggets, and the New Jersey Nets. The year after the merger of the two leagues in the 1977 NBA All-Star Game 12 former ABA Players (half of the players participating) played in the mid-season classic! Just a testament to just how talented the ABA was during its brief, but highly successful history! Now after a 25 year absence (which by the way was part of the 1976 merger agreement that the ABA could not compete in any way as a league during that 25 year period) is back. In 2001, the ABA was reformed and has competed as an official professional league since then. The 2004-05 Season saw the ABA grow rapidly into the largest Professional Basketball League in the USA (yes, larger than the NBA). The ABA has added more expansion franchises to the ABA Family this off-season, and will play with over 30 teams again this upcoming ABA Season! So now just like in 1969 through 1976 there is another option for players Chasing The Dream of playing Professional Basketball on the highest level in the USA.
Yes, the Red, White, & Blue Basketball League is back and it's just as fast-paced and innovative as ever. The ABA will deliver for you a much more athletic style of fast-breaking play. The 3D Rule is now the innovative and highlight rule in the ABA, which brings great excitement to the game, and with the 3D Rule, no lead is ever safe! The ABA gives you players who play with a great sense of urgency and with much greater effort for the dollar on a consistent game by game basis. The American Basketball Association will once again give the players and fans another option to be a part of Professional Basketball on the highest level of competition. So come out and be a part of the ABA this season and in the seasons ahead... Just watch us grow and make the game of Professional Basketball better for everyone involved or who follows the great game of professional basketball in the USA!
The ABA is Excited about its future once again, and if you would like to follow all of the Fun & Exciting ABA Action this upcoming season and into the future just log onto: WNW.abalive.com and follow the ABA all season long... Just remember, THE STARS of the future play in the ABA!!!
FRESNO HEATWAVE ACTION (ABA):
I am delighted and extremely happy to be the new Director of Basketball Operations and Head Coach for the Fresno Heatwave of the ABA. This was the best move for me at this time. It feels great to once again be in control of a Professional Basketball Franchise again in a leadership role controlling both the day to day operations of the Franchise and the leading of the Professional Basketball Team on court. This was just the right move and a better fit for me both administratively and on the court. It is just wonderful to be here and be a part of the Heatwave Basketball Family!
I am extremely impressed with Fresno Heatwave Owners, Mr. Reggie Davis and Mr. Greg Chambers and I look forward to working with them in the future to truly build the Heatwave into the Premiere Professional Basketball Franchise in the ABA! It is a great challenge, but one that I cherish and grasp with the knowledge that it can be done and that it will be done in the future!
I had a great season last season with the Texas Tycoons, and I'll cherish the memories of all we accomplished with that expansion first year franchise and team, for in a short period of time we built that team into one of the best in the ABA. I wish them well in the future as they move forward there in the DFW Metroplex, but now my commitment is to the Fresno Heatwave, and I can assure you that a Wave of Heat is coming with a HOT Basketball Team in 2005-06!
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 August 22, 2005
- Chasing the dream in the ABA - Sacramento Heatwave
- Slam sign point guard - Bellingham Slam
- Magicians fight high gas prices for tryout camp - Birmingham Magicians
- Aftershock wins ABA Summer Pro League - Los Angeles Aftershock
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
