This week, the Goals on Film crew took a look at 2008 basketball comedy Semi-Pro. Starring Will Ferrell, it takes a look at the fictional Flint Michigan Tropics ABA team and their attempts to make themselves a part of the league's merger with the NBA.
The ABA-NBA merger in 1976 was a defining moment in basketball history. It brought together two leagues to form the modern-day NBA, but not all ABA teams made the cut.
In this article, we explore the ABA-NBA merger's lost teams, focusing on the top five ABA franchises that never merged with the NBA. These teams left a lasting legacy on the sport and are still remembered by fans today.
Kentucky Colonels (1967-1976)
A Dominant Force Among ABA-NBA Merger Lost Teams
The Kentucky Colonels were one of the most successful ABA franchises, but they never made it to the NBA after the merger. With an ABA Championship title and three division Championships, the Colonels were a force to be reckoned with. Their high-powered offense, led by stars Artis Gilmore and Dan Issel, made them a formidable ABA-NBA merger lost team.
In the ABA, the longest streak of consecutive games with 120+ PTS was 14, achieved by the 1970-71 Kentucky Colonels.
— Extra StatMuse (@extrastatmuse) March 10, 2023
They went 7-7 in that stretch.
For reference, the 2nd and 3rd most in the ABA was 13 and 11 games. Both of those teams went undefeated during their streaks. pic.twitter.com/uS7C0VZRo1
Spirits of St. Louis (1974-1976)
The Flashy ABA-NBA Merger Lost Team
The Spirits of St. Louis made a significant impact during their short tenure in the ABA. Known for their exciting, flashy playstyle, the Spirits were led by the high-scoring duo of Marvin Barnes and Maurice Lucas. Although they never won a Championship, they left a lasting impression on fans as one of the ABA-NBA merger lost teams.
The Spirits, however, arguably made out the best of the disbanded ABA franchises after engineering a deal that saw them acquire future television money from the teams that joined the NBA, a 1/7 share from each franchise. It was an amount that equated to nearly two percent of the NBA's entire TV deal money. The deal lasted from 1977 all the way through to 2014. The deal made brothers Ozzie and Daniel Silna very, very rich men.
The Spirits of St. Louis. Still the goddamn gold standard for team photos. pic.twitter.com/FpoiNRU7vj
— Super 70s Sports (@Super70sSports) June 14, 2020
Pittsburgh Condors (1967-1972)
A Promising Start for an ABA-NBA Merger Lost Team
Originally known as the Pittsburgh Pipers, the Pittsburgh Condors won the ABA Championship in their inaugural season with the legendary Connie Hawkins. Despite financial struggles and a change of ownership, the Condors remained competitive on the court. However, they were not included in the NBA during the merger, making them one of the ABA-NBA merger lost teams.
Connie Hawkins was one of the first flashy dunkers that got it all going. This is him with the Pittsburgh Condors of the ABA in late 60s. He lost a lot of time because he got blackballed, but he was really The Godfather of funky dunks. pic.twitter.com/rdvpEcUFZk
— Baseball and More (@Baseball_More) February 25, 2021
Virginia Squires (1970-1976)
A Talent Factory Among ABA-NBA Merger Lost Teams
The Virginia Squires were known for developing young talent, including future NBA Hall of Famers Julius "Dr. J" Erving and George Gervin. Consistently competitive during their time in the ABA, the Squires' financial troubles and lack of a stable home arena led to their exclusion from the merger, making them another one of the ABA-NBA merger lost teams.
Julius Erving. George Gervin. Virginia Squires. pic.twitter.com/0DWGm3RpH3
— Honest☘️Larry (@HonestLarry1) January 31, 2023
San Diego Conquistadors (1972-1975)
The Star-Studded ABA-NBA Merger Lost Team
The San Diego Conquistadors, also known as "The Q's," were a memorable ABA franchise, boasting talents such as NBA Hall of Famer Wilt Chamberlain. Despite their star power, the Conquistadors were unable to achieve consistent success on the court. As one of the ABA-NBA merger lost teams, they folded in 1975.
Wilt Chamberlain coach of the San Diego Conquistadors vs the Kentucky Colonels. January 23, 1974 at Freedom Hall 🫡
— Yvan Montgury, The Gravedigger (@YvanMontgury) August 21, 2022
Happy Birthday Dip 🎂 pic.twitter.com/0dfF9vkTnb
These ABA-NBA merger lost teams may not have made it into the NBA, but their impact on basketball is undeniable. They showcased unforgettable talent, exciting playstyles, and a passion for the game that still resonates with fans today. As we remember these ABA-NBA merger lost teams, we pay tribute to the legacy of the American Basketball Association and its contribution to the sport we all love.
To listen to this discussion - including how the film tells a fictionalised account of the 1976 ABA season and subsequent NBA merger - and more, listen to this week's episode of Goals on Film, 2008 basketball comedy, Semi-Pro, on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.