The History of the ABA Part 1-6

This is a series of Videos taken from the HBO Documentary "Long Shots: The Life and Times of the American Basketball Association"

The hour-long documentary features rarely seen ABA team films, home videos, and footage from local television stations. The feature also contains numerous interviews with ABA players, coaches, and personnel.

Among the many ABA movers and shakers interviewed in the HBO documentary are Julius Erving, George Gervin, Larry Brown, Hubie Brown, Louis Dampier, Artis Gilmore, Connie Hawkins, Dave DeBusschere, Dan Issel, Bob Costas, Lloyd "Pinky" Gardner (Colonels trainer), and George McGinnis. There is even an interview with Red Auerbach of the Boston Celtics, who typically demeans the ABA while puffing on his trademark cigar.

The documentary highlights the contributions the ABA made to the NBA, including the three-point field goal and the All-Star Game slam dunk contest. The feature is filled with never-before-seen ABA film of the Floridians Ballgirls, the 1975 All-Star game in San Antonio, Darnell Hillman's enormous and unequaled afro, the 1976 ABA All-Star game slam dunk contest (new angles!), and the New York Nets' wild comeback against the Denver Nuggets in Game 6 of the 1976 ABA Finals.

If you want to see some NBA Hall-of-Famers playing in ABA arenas (using the ABA's "beach ball"!) look no further: the documentary has footage of Lew Alcindor and the Milwaukee Bucks playing the Kentucky Colonels (at Freedom Hall), Wes Unseld and the Baltimore Bullets playing the Floridians (at Miami Beach Convention Hall), and Willis Reed of the New York Knicks playing the Utah Stars (at the Salt Palace). Finally, if you're a fan of Dr. J you're in for a treat. HBO unearthed some rare and unusual clips of Dr. J in the ABA (both with the Squires and the Nets!).

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• TheABAhistory
• ABA
• American
• Basketball
• Association
• NBA
• Merger

[airHaakon]

Love the 70s in America when nudity was considered normal and the drinking age was 18. Just like Europe today.

[rexloc]

pat boon jackie moon

[havingfun1968]

I miss the ABA... It was BEYOND words to be at the games...



[cbaldwinjr]

Where's Jackie Moon??? LMAO...the ABA was so damn funky! Probably the coolest pro sports league in history

[zekest]

ABA needs to come back now,since the NBA does not .....

[KHayes666]

@Wehategod I'm in the same boat. I never saw the ABA but I read the book and watching this special currently. The jersey's look great but what I want is a ball. I found a game used ball on ebay for 500 dollars and maybe someday I'll get my hands on it.

[ATLGirlable]

What Year Was This Interview?

[slydawg221]

i turned the video's volume and my computer's volume all the way up and i still can't hear this video.

[AvEryBadApPLe]

6:39 - 6:50 holy shit! it's morton downey jr.!!! lol

[Staszu13]

Can we pretty please have the Floridians' ball girl at 0:07-0:09 a couple times more??