ABA Update (and Now The PBL) [Archive]

Durbansandshark

07-04-2006, 08:54 AM

Last night I picked the latest issue of SLAM (there are two alternate covers--one with Dirk Nowitzki and another with Chauncey Billups--I bought the Billups cover one) from ny favo(u)rite bookstore after work. And I immediately went through and re-read the story about the ABA that got me interested after my visit to the ABA's website.

Be afraid. Be very afraid.

Entitled "A" For Effort from pages 88 to 94, this is an entertaining piece about this nascent league. SLAM has been aware of this league since its inception, but it gets little mention on the magazine's online boards. Need I say that this is a basketball league with potential undermined by unprofessional circumstances? I don't think this article is online yet. Many of you remember one of my more memorable posts here that I started back in February 2005 dealing with what SLAM's Ben Osbourne calls the "cat fight" involving Ashley McElhiney, the Nashville Rhtyhm head coach its then-owner Sally Anthony during a home game against the Kansas City Knights (neither of their names were mentioned in it). If you think I've forgotten about it, you're wrong. I most recently did with my Ashley McElhiney update. I'll bring it again up later on in this plus links to the photos from the incident.

The article begins with insights on a matchup between the Pittsburgh Xplosion and the home Indianapolis Alley Cats, both of whom are wearing slick black jerseys at Anderson University Ravens' home gym. This illustrates the bush leagueness in the ABA.

When Joe Newman and Dick Tinkham, a couple of Indianapolis businessmen who were around with the original ABA usually with the Pacers, bought the name and started the league, they wanted to rival the NBA. That can't really happen with the way how the NBA acts like a cartel of sorts when it comes to consistent media attention and access to mainstream merchandising outlets to give a couple of examples. ABA CEO Newman submits near-daily press releases regarding the near 40-odd team league on the www.abalive.com (http://www.abalive.com) website. Humor is never in short supply there even with serious sounding addresses like "Open Letter to Calgary Drillers fans", "Utah Snowbears announce they will not play in the ABA playoffs"(no good reason given), and "North Carolina Renegades release mission statement". Newman, a fit, talkative, and proud grandfather of 11 who spent much of his career in the radio industry, works out of his basement and keeps in contact with his partners via phone, email, and regular breakfast meetings. He says he responds to every email (200-500 daily) and telephone call (50-100 daily), many of the emails he gets aren't nice and treat it so seriously, he says. But Newman believes it helps to build an fan base for the ABA product this way. He chuckles admittedly not only about those often-zany press releases but also SLAM's Breaking News In The ABA because "they're written in order to entertain..." and he "like[s] drama more than cold, hard stats. I know our site needs to do a better job with stats, but some teams just won't send them in. I rather leave stats off altogether and entertain rather than put up numbers that are incomplete".

There's another partner, a 35-year old Bahamian native named Ricardo Richardson, who acts as the ABA's Executive VP. His job takes him to travel nationwide and meet with team owners and discuss his and Newman's "business plan" packet that wasn't disclosed to Osbourne on how to effectively operate a team. They know they can't get the big name sponsors like Coca-Cola to come onboard. Some teams already have plenty of funding behind them but are clueless to what they are doing. Before they start bouncing basketballs, Richardson talks to them about the franchise's business needs before hand. Given how many teams in this league are often short of that and are retreads from past failed franchises like the Calgary Drillers and the Niagara DareDevils (owned, operated, and coached by the same folk that ebehoops was involved with in a private message he gave me), that and more sophisticated methods are needed with a financial background check. A wise thing to do when dealing with expansion franchises is to cultivate a fan base at least a year prior to hitting the hardwood so that fans can have something to look forward to in the near future and get into people's consciousness. I think that overexpansion hurts them going too big too fast (look what happened to the NASL in the late 70s and early 80s and Roller Hockey International in 1994, its second season). Another thing: Newman and his guys got major plans to ultimately have 80-100 :!:teams in this league. This must tempered with cancelled games, venue problems, and suspended franchises, and other misfortunes.

If there's one thing these original ABA survivors have it's perspective. History has since been kind to the original ABA long time after its absorbtion into the NBA. Too kind in some ways. Overrated. If you have read Terry Pluto's brilliant book Loose Balls: The Short, Wild Life of the American Basketball Association and seen the HBO documentary Long Shots like I have, you know the ABA was far from glamourous, Dr. J in his New York Nets days notwithstanding. Despite that there were some success stories in spite of the odds of the entire league, it wasn't glam and inspired rapper Faboulous to rock many throwback jerseys manufactured by Mitchell and Ness. This current incarnation is a lot like the previous in terms of being of franchises folding in the middle of seasons, teams losing money, poor attendance, not having and changing facilities, very modest venues, lack of a solid TV deal, teams missing pay days and bounced checks, and moving locations almost every season. A good chapter to read in it about that is Down The Tubes In Virginia, chronicling the final days of the Virigina Squires. Then the ABA was a good platform providing addition pro ball opportunities for young players after the NBA, which was even more conservative than now, refused them entry and playing a fresher, high-octane offensive style that reflected the changing times then. It gave the NBA, the 3-pointers and of course the red. white, and blue ball (since used in the NBA All-Star weekend Three-point shootouts). The NBA has co-opted everything about it save for its records.

The ABA's style of play is not unlike AND 1 streetball with a red, white, and blue ballmade by Rawlings--intense, athletic, and offensive-minded--with its own original concepts: the 3-D rule, where pressing is encouraged, gives an extra point for a basket scored off a steal, players don't foul out but wear their jerseys inside out after their sixth foul, 3-10 rule which a team have to be the first to score 10 additional points in overtime (three minutes with one timeout to each team then), and seven seconds to get the ball halfcourt.

There are some notable names in this game like former UNLV and Phoenix Sun Armon Gilliam (Pittsburgh Xplosion), former Syracuse star and original Vancouver Grizzlie Lawrence Moten (Maryland Nighthawks), Gheorge Muresan (Nighthawks), Tim Hardaway (Florida Pit Bulls), Dennis Scott (GM of the Atlanta Vision), former Sydney King Chris Carrawell (Rochester RazorSharks), streetballer Anthony "White Chocolate" Gill (Maryland Nighthawks), rapper (and bad actor even by hip hop standards) and part-time baller Master P (Las Vegas Rattlers), solid Seton Hall standout Anthony Sweet (Harlem Strong Dogs), former Auburn and New Jersey Net Chris Morris (Utah Snowbears), former Phoenix Sun Trevor Ruffin (Buffalo Rapids), and ex-NBA bench warmer Paul Shirley (LA-based Beijing Aoeshen Olympic, has a daily blog on espn.com--hilariously and negatively writes about his experiences--I'll supply the link later). Many of the players in this league, however, you likely never even heard of, except by the most rabid of fans. I consider myself a hardcore basketball junkie, but I'd be hard-pressed to recognize many in this league. I'm learning though along the way. With its US$120,000 salary cap per team, it's a consequence of that. A lot of them played mostly DII, DIII, junior college, and NAIA ball before going into the pros. Of course there are plenty who played at bigger colleges and played overseas pro ball, but weren't neccesarily stars in those programs. Fewer still had cups of joe in the NBA and even longer like many of the aforementioned. They would make only US$10-12,000 a season.

For all of its shortcomings, there's a potential, Osbourne says, in it. Though he says it's easy brush it off as members of the sports media are oft to do and focus on the negative when the NBA and the NCAA gives us all the basketball we need (supposedly), there's something to be said about providing accessible local and cheaper basketball entertainment, even if there's an NBA team in the market already or nearby. Everyone got paid from the players to the refs in the Great Eight playoffs (not unlike the Elite Eight in Division II NCAA men's ball) hosted by the RazorSharks and the fans attended, and people like me visited www.abalive.com (http://www.abalive.com), as prospective owners plunked down US$20,000 to reserve a team. It's athletic and never half court designed to run the full court and cheap to go to ($10).

It will all be entertaining all throughout.

Oh yeah, in this same SLAM issue,Atlanta Vision GM Scott offered Terrell Owens an opportunity to play pro ball with the Vision on Feb. 27. Owens last played pro ball with the USBL's Arodinack (NY) Wildcats a few years ago. Owens has an off-season home in Atlanta.

Here's an Aussie connection to the ABA: on March 12 the ABA madea deal with an Australian cell phone content provider Hype Marketing www.abalive.com/news/releases/?newsid=2006031306003 (http://www.abalive.com/news/releases/?newsid=2006031306003)

Durbansandshark

22-04-2006, 04:48 AM

ESPN The Magazine has a rather interesting article about one of the more intriguing teams in the league: Beijing Aoeshen Olympic, a Chinese pro team that was kicked out of the Chinese Basketball Association and are based in Los Angeles for the ABA season. Currently playing over in a European barmstorming, its owner is a very unkown deep-pocketed figure named Li Su. Will Beijing Aeoshen Olympic help further develop Chinese basketball up to Beijing 2008? I'll discuss more on this and other ABA happenings next week...

Durbansandshark

25-04-2006, 09:18 AM

I re-read ESPN The Magazine's compelling story about Beijing Aoshen Olympic. It centers with their battles against fellow SoCal ABA rivals the Southern California Legends and the Los Angeles Aftershocks at a high school gym. Unlike a lot of teams in this league, this is certainly a franchise that is very stable, together, and well-funded, in part because Beijing Aoshen Olympic was already an established Chinese basketball team. Case in point, they wear the same dominant colo(u)r of uniforms whenever they play (white with red and gold trim for home games and red for the road). If you ever saw an ABA game, the teams like with the aforementioned Pittsburgh Xplosion and the Indianapolis Alley Cats, they both wore black or can sport mismatched T-shirts, which can make it confusing to untrained fans to the ABA. Their website ( www.aoshenbasketball.com (http://www.aoshenbasketball.com) ) is very well designed and run compared to many in the ABA that looked like straight out of the early days of the Internet. They got their own videograpgher, two trainers, a 13-member dance team (mostly if not all American), sponsorship deals with both Nike and Adidas each in low six-figure deals, ads for numerous Chinese businesses (about six of them). Their home games are telecasted back home China's state TV network CCTV (possibly CCTV 5, maybe the sports network there). All of their games are streamed live online.

Its owner is a very enigmatic balding deep-pocketed figure named Li Su (his Westernized name is Winston Lee), who made his fortune through real estate in China and in the USA. So enigmatic is he, Li refuses to be photographed or even discuss his passion for basketball, let alone interviewed. Even those who work for him are reluctant to talk about his passions for the sport. How well funded he is with his team? His players, many of course are Chinese, earn more than most Chinese basketball players back home in the CBA (let alone regular Chinese folks)--rumoured in cash payments, which thus allows them to live in dorm-style apartments in the southeastern area of Los Angeles (Maywood) that he owns, buy plenty of kicks and other things as they are well-cared for, and never miss paydays like a lot of teams end up doing. Li (or Lee) is considered a mad-scientist type with ambitions to help facilitate China's rise in the international basketball pecking order. They have a few American players like Paul Shirley, who writes a blog about his endeavors in pro basketball whose job is to help them in their transition to the American aspects of the game and to take them to the next level. They are the top ballhandlers since China is so low on world-class ballhandlers. Initially, the Americans were the dominating forces on the team, but as the season progressed, the young Chinese players matured into prominant roles. It's worth noting that Li can order a Chinese player to be benched if he is embarassing him or that an American player is playing too long. Even the head coach is American.

The most intriguing player is 20 year old 6'9'' (2.09m) guard Sun Yue, who has the goods to be the first perimeter Chinese player taken in the NBA draft. NBA scouts and execs are getting to know him. His NBA future would as a swingman in Paul Shirley's view. He'a strong, fast lefty with hops, good court vision, and a decent J. Because he's a target for opponents. Consequently, lesser ABA guards think they contain him, but they find out it doesn't always work. But he brings problems. See, it would cost a lot of money for NBA teams to get out of his Aoshen Olympians contract. Frankly BTW, I don't think Aoshen Olympic will help
with the development quickly enough to Beijing 2008 for China.

How did they came into the ABA? A few years ago Li was infuriated with the way how the CBA was operating that he refused the release of Sun to the national team. The CBA responded by kicking the team out for the 2003-2004 season. The team ended up barnstorming to Taiwan and The Philippines. When the CBA asked them to return for the following season, Li refused and decided to set up shop with his team in LA hooking up with the ABA.

On my last post, I mentioned they are playing on tour through Europe, and there are plans to move the team up the Cali coast to San Francisco, Vancouver, where talk was made of a team made up of almost Chinese players when it was granted an ABA franchise in 2004, or just stay in LA--even participate in the Southern California Summer Pro League. This team will continue to be interesting. Aoshen Olympic's ABA season ended with winning 9 of the last 12 games before missing the ABA Great Eight Championship. But I wish there was more about Li Sue/Winston Lee and Sun Yue.

The article, Travel Team, was written by Ric Bucher.

And speaking of Asian basketball teams in the ABA...

A new ABA team has been established in Alexandria, Virginia made up of Mongolian basketball players with the help of the Mongolian Basketball Association. This was the result of a series of games in Ulan Bataar, Mongolia featuring an ABA All-Star team against Mongolian clubs and the national team. The new ABA squad is supposed to be called Alexandria United-Mongolia. Mongolia's best known baller is massive center Sharavjamts Tserenjanhor, who played some games for the Harlem Globetrotters some years ago. Will he make an appearance. Whatever the case, this means we're gonna have an ABA Asian derby.
www.abalive.com/news/releases/?newsid=2006042006001 (http://www.abalive.com/news/releases/?newsid=2006042006001)

Durbansandshark

27-04-2006, 11:52 AM

Guess which city got an ABA team again?

It's San Diego.

This is a city that has had very serious trouble with supporting pro basketball be it pro or minor-league over many years. Because of this, there's a perception that San Diego can't support a basketball franchise. The last time San Diego had a basketball team, the ABA's WildFire in 2000-01, it had problems missing payments to players and they threatened not to play if their checks didn't arrive come gametime. One player had his last name written on the back of his jersey ON TAPE. In another situation, the WildFire had a shortage of uniforms. The owners were in the security business for celebrities and they can't adequate always find the dough for their players? Its head coach was former Kansas City King and Indiana Pacer LaSalle Thompson.

Here's the list of all of the San Diego pro basketball teams in its history:

San Diego Rockets (NBA) 1967-1971 (team moved to Houston)
San Diego Conquistadors (ABA) 1972-1975 (Wilt Chamberlain, KC Jones, Alex Groza, and Stan Albeck all were coaches there, then got new owner who changed team's name)
San Diego Sails (ABA) 1975-76 (Bill Musselman was coach but team folded after 11 games)
San Diego Clippers (NBA) 1978-84 (arguably the most successful of the bunch but couldn't always put it together despite notable players, moved from Buffalo where they were the Braves, never made the playoffs in SD, moved to LA in 1984)
San Diego Wildcards (CBA) 1995-96 (folded after 32 games)
San Diego Stingrays (IBL) 1999-2000 (rapper Master P played there)
San Diego WildFire (ABA) 2000-01

This new team will be known as the San Diego Wildcats. ( www.sandiegowildcats.com (http://www.sandiegowildcats.com) ) Its coach is a former player/head coach then just head coach for the Jamaican men's national team. Are they going to play at the San Diego Sports Arena. The Cox Pavillion at the San Diego St. campus is certainly out of the question. Good luck to the Wildcats. May you find better success than your predecesors...

Its population (1 million+) suggests the city can support a pro team. If San Diego ever wants to return to the NBA, which seems highly unlikely at this point, it would have to build a new upscale 18,000+ arena to replace the antiquated San Diego Sports Arena.

Meanwhile at Alexander Wolff's Vermont Frost Heaves endeavor, fans were encouraged to pick a coach for it. And the winner is Will Voigt, a high school grad from Cabot (VT) High currently coaching Norway's Ulriken Eagles. www.vermontfrostheaves.com (http://www.vermontfrostheaves.com)

Durbansandshark

03-05-2006, 06:36 AM

Another city is returning to the ABA. This time it's Tampa Bay. It had one of the first franchises of the ABA 2000 with the Darryl Dawkins-coached Tampa Thunder Dawgs that had for a time playground legend Lloyd "Sweetpea" Daniels. It came and went after one season playing at the Florida Expo Hall.

Now some more and new dawgs are going to be barking into that area. Japanese strength and conditioning icon Tatsuya Okawa is moving his Harlem Strong Dogs, who never played in Harlem, to the Tampa-St. Petersberg area. Okawa already has his business located in NY (Strong-S, hence the name) and hopes to reduce operating costs from New York to Tampa. A venue hasn't been announced yet, but the Strong Dogs are looking.
www.bizjournals.com/tampabay/stories/20 ... hbx=e_vert (http://www.bizjournals.com/tampabay/stories/2006/05/01/story3.html?f=et183&hbx=e_vert)

Durbansandshark

05-05-2006, 07:42 AM

The ABA has granted a new franchise in Monterrey, Mexico just the other day. A few of you may recall that there were several ABA franchises based in Mexico, many never surviving a season or even playing--Tijuana Dragons, Hermesillo Seris, Jalisco Sols, the Diablos, and Juarez Gallos. Only the Dragons still exist. Since Mexico's pro basketball league, the LNBP, plays in the spring and summer, there's not going much to be in the way of a playing conflict, and surely the Mexican teams would like some winter competition. www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3305273 (http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3305273)

Portland gets another ABA alternative to the NBA's Trail Blazers after the Portland Reign's demise with the advent of the Oregon Riptide slated to play next season. www.oregonaba.com (http://www.oregonaba.com)

The Florida Pit Bulls, that were coached, GMed, and played by Tim Hardaway, have ceased operations.

I can only hope that the Salt Lake City Dream, the new ABA team in the state of Utah, learn from and study from both the success AND failures of the Utah Snowbears--successful on the court, but failed attendance-wise, among them. www.saltlakedream.com (http://www.saltlakedream.com)

St. Louis just another to replace the very much unknown St. Louis Flight. The St. Louis Stunners--logo reminds me a lot like the IBL's St. Louis Swarm. No word yet when they'll start playing, next season or the following one www.stlouisstunners.com (http://www.stlouisstunners.com)

Here's the website to the Tampa Bay Strong Dogs: www.tampabaystrongdogs.com (http://www.tampabaystrongdogs.com)

The 2006-07 ABA roster of teams...so far:
Alexandria United-Mongolia
Atlanta Vision
Baltimore Pearls
Beijing Aoshen Olympic
Bellevue Blackhawks
Bellingham Slam
Birmingham Magicians
Boston Frenzy
Brooklyn Wonders
Buffalo Rapids
California Eagles
Ceder Rapids
Central Illinois
Chicago Rockstars
Columbia Rottweilers
Delaware
Detroit Wheels
Fresno Heatwave
Gallup Talons
Hammond Rollers
Hawaii Mega Force
Houston Havoc
Indianapolis AlleyCats
Knoxville Noise
Las Vegas Venom
Lincoln Thunder
Los Angeles Aftershocks
Maryland Nighthawks
Minneapolis/St. Paul Slamma Jammas
Mississippi Miracles
Montreal Matrix
Monterrey
New Mexico Style
New Orleans Blues
Newark Express
Ohio Aviators
Orange County Buzz
Oregon Riptide
Orlando
Ottawa
Palm Beach Imperials
Pittsburgh Xplosion
Quebec City Rock
Rochester RazorSharks
Salt Lake City Dream
San Diego Wildcats
San Jose Skyrockets
Sioux Falls
SoCal Legends
Strong Island Sound
Tacoma Navigators
Tampa Bay Strong Dogs
Texas Tycoons
Tijuana Dragons
Toledo Ice
Toronto
Vancouver
Vermont Frost Heaves
Waco Wranglers
Washington Internationals

OPAL Booster

05-05-2006, 10:57 AM

Much appreciated T, thanks for all that detailed information mate. :D

Durbansandshark

06-05-2006, 04:58 AM

Monterrey's announcement to the ABA. www.abalive.com/news/releases/?newsid=2006050506004 (http://www.abalive.com/news/releases/?newsid=2006050506004)

The Gallup (NM) Talons, a name and logo which I did not like so hot, has since got new ownership and changed its name to the Gallup Outlaws today on Cinco De Mayo. www.abalive.com/news/releases/?newsid=2006050506001 (http://www.abalive.com/news/releases/?newsid=2006050506001)

Almost a couple of seasons ago, there were plans to have a team based in San Jose, and then later New Mexico, featuring nothing but native Americans basketball players under the leadership of Spider Ledesma as owner. But that fell through.

The Arizona Rhinos were supposed set to play in Phoenix this past season, possibly at the Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum (the Phoenix Suns' first home) to replace the Phoenix Eclipse. But after consideration for entry (website was ready to go), the ownership decided not to associate themselves with the ABA. They never end up played but are currently looking at other leagues and other alternatives

The dead ABA teams Part 1 (RIP):
Anahiem Roadrunners (never actually played)
Arizona Rhinos (never actually played)
New York Xpress (never actually played)
Las Vegas Slam
Chicago Skyliners
Los Angeles Stars
San Diego WildFire
San Francisco Pilots
Pittsburgh Hardhats
Indiana Legends
Kentucky Colonels
Northern Kentucky Pro Cats
Cincinnati Blaze
Cincinnati Monarchs
Calgary Drillers
Niagara Daredevils
Jacksonville Jackals (never actually played)
Philadelphia Squires
Kansas City Knights (may return)
Louisiana Cajun Pelicans
Florida Pit Bulls
Hermisillo Seris
Juarez Gallos
St. Louis Flight
Portland Reign
Las Vegas Rattlers
Utah Snowbears
Colorado Springs Storm
Phoenix Eclipse
Reno Rockers
Oklahoma City Ballhawgs
Arkansas RimRockers (now at the NBDL)
Nashville Rhthym
Memphis Houn'Dawgs
Tampa Bay Thunder Dawgs
Charlotte Krunk (can you imagine Lil' Jon doing the PA for this team or anything related to this team?)
San Antonio Stallions (never actually played, may actually will)
Hampton Roads Titans (never actually played)
Pittsburgh Patriots (never actually played)
Tuscon Satelittes (never actually played)
Edmonton Cheetahs (never actually played)
Detroit Dogs
Motown City Jammers
Northeast Pennsylvania Breakers (moved to the USBL)
Reigning Knights of Georgia
North Carolina Renegades
Tampa Bay Tornados
Orange County Crush
Team Native America
Inglewood Cobras
Long Beach Jam

Durbansandshark

12-05-2006, 06:42 AM

The dead ABA teams Part 2 (RIP):

Southern California Surf
Chicago Soldiers
Chattanooga Steamers
Jersey Squires
Carolina Thunder
Wichita (proposed)
Ontario (CA) Warriors
Jacksonville Wave
Mississippi Stingers
Pensecola Aviators
Cleveland Rockers
Maywood (CA) Laguernos
Minot City Freeze (became Utah Snowbears)
New Jersey Jaguars
Ohio Aviators
Harlem Revs
Harlem Renessciance
Detroit Wheels
Trenton Squires
Harlem Strong Dogs
Pennsylvania Pit Bulls
Visala Dawgs
Philadelphia Fusion
Philadelphia Colonials
Tijuana Tasmanian Devils (changed name to Dragons)
Atlanta Mustangs
Gwinnett Gwizzlies (moved to a lower-tiered league)
New Jersey Skycats
St. Louis Rottweilers

The Orange County (formerly the California) Buzz decided to move to Carson City, California, while still staying in the Greater Los Angeles/Orange County area. They will still be callled the Buzz. www.carsonbuzz.com (http://www.carsonbuzz.com)

Mind you, a number of teams, defunct ones included, didn't have websites to visit.

With a new ownership, the Buffalo Rapids have now changed their name to the Buffalo Silverbacks. The Rapids name was very nice and had one of the better logos and uniforms from the ABA. www.buffalorapids.com (http://www.buffalorapids.com)
www.abalive.com/news/releases/?newsid=2006051006002 (http://www.abalive.com/news/releases/?newsid=2006051006002)

Four Maryland Nighthawks players are going to appear in some new trading cards from Topps www.marylandnighthawks.com (http://www.marylandnighthawks.com)

I have heard very little of the Vancouver ABA franchise that is supposed to hit the hardwood next season after a change in ownership to a group that now owns a couple of teams. Not even an announcement of the team's name, website, or logo. The last big news was the supposed hiring of former Georgia, UCLA, and Pepperdine coach Jim Harrick to run the team, but because Vancouver jump the gun in announcing it before the paperwork was complete, Harrick was upset and quietly left. Plans were, and I think, still are to seek former Vancover Grizzlies employees to operate the franchise and possibly assemble Chinese players in the team. If they will play, my educated guess is that their home will likely be no larger than the Agridome at the Pacific National Exhibition grounds, if it can't play at the next-door Pacific Coliseum. More likely a local high school gym, if a lot of ABA teams home games are an indicator.

I forgot to tell you this: the Los Angeles Aftershock had a brother and sister duo as teammates with Giuliana and Fabrizio Mendiola (another sis, Giacona, currently plays in Germany for Marberg). Giuliana formerly played at the University of Washington, where she was a PAC-10 Women's Player of The Year, and then off to the WNBA's Sacramento Monarchs. The two even played on the court together with the 5'11" Guiliana starting against the Tijuana Dragons. www.laaftershock.com/newsArchives.php?newsid=12 (http://www.laaftershock.com/newsArchives.php?newsid=12)
www.laaftershock.com/newsArchives.php?newsid=20 (http://www.laaftershock.com/newsArchives.php?newsid=20)
www.laaftershock.com/newsArchives.php?newsid=26 (http://www.laaftershock.com/newsArchives.php?newsid=26)

OK, at long last and promises, I present to you the link to the much anticipated, long-awaited photos of the infamously bizarre February 2005 Nashville Rhthym home game against the Kansas City Knights with the focus on the confrontation (the "cat fight" as SLAM magazine calls it) between Rhthym head coach Ashley McElhiney and then-owner Sally Anthony that had poor Ashley temporarily fired by Anthony, all because of Matt Freije. This is one guy I know whose ego surely didn't want to have two young women fighting over him. :wink: At the since-deleted message boards for Sally Anthony's official website, a 20-year old moderator was in tears defending her idol against the reported backlash and susbsequent demise involved that game. If you looked at one of the photos that was in The Tennessean in the immediate aftermath of the incident, there was a none-too-happy-expression on McElhiney's face. Was Sally doing a publicity stunt acting like she was, as her most recent album says, was "vent"-ing? ( http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2005/w ... index.html (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2005/writers/chris_ballard/01/31/daily.blog/index.html) )It was at that very moment of confrontation. When blown up, you would see that moment. Also includes photos of her return to coach the Rhthym at her alma mater in a loss against the St. Louis Flight.
http://vanderbilt.scout.com/2/350481.html

Despite of all this, Ashely as coach makes me wonder. How long will it be before we EVEN start to see women serving as assistant or head coaches in the NBA? Sure, the pro culture there is far different than in the ABA, let alone the WNBA or the NWBL (that plays in the fall-winter here in the US). Pat Summitt is regarded as one who could. But Summitt enjoys what she's got at Tennessee, having built it up since its inception and witnessed the exponential growth of the women's college basketball game that cannot be mutually divorced. To walk away from that to the NBA (or even the WNBA, of which she also works for as a consultant) would, in her mind, be turning her back on what she built and maintained. Also, a lot of players in the NBA are likely not to take kindly to her and her hard, passionate personality. It's taken a long time for a foriegner to be even an assistant in the NBA (Serbian Igor Kokosov did so for the LA Clippers, nobody else came through the pipeline). Maybe Italian Ettore Messina might do it, and he has expressed interest several years ago about coaching in the NBA. But what about now? So far, there had a been a couple of women coaches in the junior college ranks. The Univerisity of Quebec at Montreal Citadins (UQAM as it is affectionate known as) has a woman, Olga Hrycak, serving as the head coach for the men's basketball program since the program's inception four years ago in the Canadian Interuniversity Sport. ( www.sports.uqam.ca/citadins/basket/formation_m.htm (http://www.sports.uqam.ca/citadins/basket/formation_m.htm) , www.sports.uqam.ca/citadins/cv/olga_hrycak.htm (http://www.sports.uqam.ca/citadins/cv/olga_hrycak.htm) --both in French only) But those are lower levels, and it's much easier to do so than at a higher one. Honestly, I think it's going to be a LONG time before we see women on the sidelines helping players during games and in practices. It's going to take someone who is willing to take a chance and think outside the box for it to happen and hire her. And that woman has to have a strong knowledge of the NBA landscape with an accomodating philosophy. It seemed like a publicity stunt when the news broke, but Ashley clearly knows her stuff and her players liked and respected her. On the other hand, the ABA needs all of the publicity it can get to stand out in a crowded North American sports market that heavily favors the established sports structure in the midst of all the noise and clutter out there. That modest success she had will pave the way for a more publicized woman coach hiring and succeeding at the elite level.

Durbansandshark

17-05-2006, 05:05 AM

The San Jose Skyrockets, one of the more successful ABA teams out there in the league, are defecting to the CBA to be part of its expansion process after the league lost four of its teams to the NBDL (Dakota Wizards, Sioux Falls Skyforce, Idaho Stampede, and the expansion Colorado 14ERS). The SkyRockets will join another team, the Northern Nevada Blackjacks (based in Reno) for the 2006-07 season. While another two expansion teams, most likely in Great Falls, Montana and Spokane, Washington, will play in 2007-08. Now no ABA teams are based in the San Francisco Bay Area with the San Francisco Pilots ceased operations...at least for now if I understand it right. The league will try again to have a team there. The Pilots may come back.
www.cbahoopsonline.com/news_detail.html?newsid=770 (http://www.cbahoopsonline.com/news_detail.html?newsid=770)

Durbansandshark

19-05-2006, 06:02 AM

I forgot to mention that the Pilots play their home games at the 4000 Kezar Pavillion, which is next door to where the famed older Kezar Stadium (first home of the SF 49ers) stood at Golden Gate Park--think of the original Dirty Harry movie (a newer 11,000-seat Kezar Stadium is in its place soon to be home of the Major League Lacrosse's new San Francisco Dragons). It posted a great record during the month of November until a steam pipe leakage forced them out of Kezar Pavillion and cancel several of their games. they returned by playing against Beijing Aoshen Olympic in Maywood followed by a home and home series in San Francisco. All set as the West ABA Alternate for the playoffs, but was not asked to participate. Its future is still up in the air.
www.sfpilotsbasketball.com (http://www.sfpilotsbasketball.com)

Out goes San Jose SkyRockets, in comes Jacksonville again. Jacksonville is getting a second chance in the ABA after the demise of the Wave that never completed its 2004-05 season. The Jacksonville Jam will pick up the slack nready to set next season as they play their home games at the University of North Florida Ospreys' Arena before moving to the Jacksonville Veterans' Memorial Arena in two seasons. Actually, this is Jacksonville's third foray in the ABA. The Jacksonville Jackals were to be among the original ABA 2000 teams (logo designed) but never played.
www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=45161 (http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=45161)

The Monterrey, Mexico ABA team has got a name and will be called the Monterrey Poison (Spanish: Monterrey Veneno/Veneno De Monterrey). As one of its principal sponsors, Hooters will be involved and the team was unvield at a Hooters restaurant there. www.venenodemonterrey.com (http://www.venenodemonterrey.com) (Spanish)

Durbansandshark

26-05-2006, 07:06 AM

Toronto's cheaper pro basketball alternative to the Raptors has a name: the Ontario Red Wolves. Like with the NHL's (South) Florida Panthers when they entered a decade ago, the name is intended to bring awareness to the endangered species in the area that are red wolves in the Algonquin region in the province of Ontario, particularly along the Alligator River. The Red Wolves have plans to play in the Toronto suburb of Mississauga, hopefully at the Hershey Centre.

www.mississauganews.com/mi/news/story/3 ... 6959c.html (http://www.mississauganews.com/mi/news/story/3494063p-4036959c.html)

Durbansandshark

09-06-2006, 07:33 AM

Looks like we're going to have more new Mexican representation in the ABA along with the Monterrey Venom (Monterrey Poison). Mexicali, situated at the Baja region, is going to have one too. Speaking of the Venom, its owner, Carlos "Cholo" Thomas, is also partially involved in the owner-management services of Mexicali. www.abalive.com/news/releases/?newsid=2006060506001 (http://www.abalive.com/news/releases/?newsid=2006060506001)

News on the upcoming Quebec City ABA franchise: It was announced on June 1 that Quebec is joining the ABA next season by owner and CEO Real Boruassa. Pascal Jobin, who was the first coach of the Montreal Matrix last season and left after a stormy relationship with its ownership (the Coles), returns to the ABA again as Quebec City's coach. The Cegep-ste-Saint-Foy College's gymnasuim will serve as the team's home court. Jacques Paiment Jr. , a coach there for five seasons, will act as basketball director. Fans will get to vote on the team's name proposed by the management--"Jumping Frogs" or "Kebekwa". Not going to be the Rock, sorry. The logos remind me in some way to the old CBA team Puerto Rico Coquis back in the 1980s, only frogs are more detailed. Maybe it's the Quebecois' way of taking the stereotype of being frogs (of being Francophone) to a flattering level. It's going to be interesting to see Jobin facing the Matrix with his new Quebec squad next season, since I expect they'll be in the same division together. You read it all here at www.quebecbasket.com (http://www.quebecbasket.com) , where everything except for the press release is in French. Also, read about the trials of the Montreal Matrix's inaugural season: www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news/spo ... 8d&k=94965 (http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news/sports/story.html?id=00f97654-e1b7-4670-a853-45df2f227c8d&k=94965)
(since edited with right web address)

The Boston Frenzy is no more. Moved to Cape Cod, brought in by investors from the Cape Cod and Nantucket region. It's just as well--you can't really compete against a storied pro basketball franchise in Boston (but true in a lot od big cities) that has been in existence for decades with the inertia and traditions. Daniel Savage, the Frenzy's former GM and owner has since moved on to conduct both duties with the Las Vegas Venom. www.capecodfrenzy.com (http://www.capecodfrenzy.com) (under construction)

Speaking of the Coles, they sold ownership of the Baltimore Pearls to an ordained minister and entrepreneur named Matthew E. Bradby II, who will keep the team in Baltimore while searching for a new coaching staff. www.abalive.com/news/releases/?newsid=2006060806001 (http://www.abalive.com/news/releases/?newsid=2006060806001)

The Peoria (Central Illinois) team has agreed to play at the refurbrished 1700-seat RiverPlex Recreation and Wellnes Center. Nickname and staff announcements will be forthcoming. Sergio McClain is already the head coach. www.prairiebasketball.com (http://www.prairiebasketball.com)

Alexander Wolff is certainly busy with his Vermont Frost Heaves gig. Now that he got his head coach. A mascot has been unveiled that was created by the same Montreal man, Jean-Claude Tremblay, behind the loveable Youppi, the former Montreal Expos (RIP) mascot who then got a new job with the NHL's Montreal Canadiens after the Expos left for Washington, and Champ, the Vermont Loch Monster minor-league baseball team (formerly Vermont Expos). The team's ownership in part will modeled after the Green Bay Packers with the community as its part-owner.
www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3319078 (http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3319078)

Mr bEn

13-06-2006, 02:43 PM

The articles on the 'cat-fight' were certainly interesting. How bizarre.

Durbansandshark

14-06-2006, 08:44 AM

Personally, I do not certainly think that actually was a "catfight", as SLAM magazine erroneously called it. Ashley McElhiney just sat there on the bench and took the verbal abuse looking at her, so she wasn't going at it with Sally Anthony. Still the bush-league incident itself was very bizarre.

The Parquet Floor

14-06-2006, 02:59 PM

Awesome info D, thanks for that.

Durbansandshark

20-06-2006, 11:13 AM

More on the St. Louis Stunners, the new local ABA team here: former St. Louis Billiken and NBAer for six years with the Sacramento Kings and the Orlando Magic Anthony Bonner announced that he going to be invloved with the team head coach and assistant GM. Still no word on a venue for the team. Bonner, who also played professionally in Italy, brings instant local credibility to the franchise. The logo is so much better than the Flight's, that's for sure. www.stlstunners.com (http://www.stlstunners.com)

Speaking of St. Louis and the ABA. There's an ABA University gathering going on here in St. Louis. Actually this a tryout camp for those serious about playing pro basketball in the ABA. The first week was already completed with 10 men and two women working out out of the 24 people who showed up.

With a name like the Twin Cities Ballers, you would assume it's located in Minneapolis-St. Paul. Nope. It is in the Michigan cities of Benton Harbor and St. Joesph's. It will be the second ABA team based in the state. www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/id?=3329836 (http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/id?=3329836)

Look for Boston and Nashville to both return to the ABA fold for the 2007-2008 season. Of the two, Nashville is the most deserving and stronger in apetitte. They will join Providence as the expansion teams for that season. www.abalive.com (http://www.abalive.com)

Durbansandshark

29-06-2006, 07:44 AM

The Monterrey Venom (Poison)/Veneno De Monterrey have named their coaching staff at the local Monterrey Hooters restaurant recently during their press conference there. Emile Sheppard will be the head coach with Eric Dunn serving as his assistant. www.venenodemonterrey.com (http://www.venenodemonterrey.com) (very nice logo too--in Spanish, www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3334275 (http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3334275))

Cape Cod Frenzy are wasting no time in their presence felt with the launching of a small kiosk selling their merchandise at the Cape Cod Mall. www.abalive.com/news/releases/?newsid=2006062606001 (http://www.abalive.com/news/releases/?newsid=2006062606001)

The Stockton-Modesto area near Sacramento will have an expansion team with a name that will rival that of the ABA's Los Angeles Aftershock: The Big Valley Shockwave with the Cal St.-Stanislaus University Warrior Arena serving as its home venue. I don't think the Kings or even the MISL's California Cougars and ECHL's Stockton Thunder will each have trouble sleeping at night. The other ABA teams closer to Stockton had some trouble--the Fresno Heatwave moved out of Selland Arena, Fresno St.'s previous home, before playing at various gym in the area yet were considered a successful franchise. The Visalia (later Central Valley) Dawgs didn't really have a homecourt or even finish their season.

Orlando's new ABA team's name: the Orange Men. Notice the spelling adjustment to avoid the Syracuse University Orangemen (now just Orange) www.abalive.com/news/releases/?newsid=2006062806004 (http://www.abalive.com/news/releases/?newsid=2006062806004)

Cedar Rapids ABA franchise also has their name announced: the Running Guns--derivative of the "run 'n gun" style of play of course.

The Jacksonville Jam officially are in the ABA. The UNF Arena, home of the Ospreys (that's a bird, folks), was chosen as it is ideal for an ABA franchise. www.jaxjam.com (http://www.jaxjam.com)

Durbansandshark

06-07-2006, 10:22 AM

The state of Arkansas is getting not one but TWO ABA franchises next season to replace the since-departed to the NBDL Arkansas RimRockers. The first one of course will be based in Little Rock while the second will have northwest Arkansas as its home base in Fayetteville. The area has proven its minor league sports worth when its indoor football (gridiron) team, the Arkansas Stars, became successful in its first year. Reminds me a bit a little less than a decade ago when there were TWO minor league ice hockey teams (the Glacier Cats and the Riverblades) both based in Little Rock duking it out. It could have the makings of a good ABA in-state rivalry. On the other hand, there may be a basketball repeat of the ice hockey debacle.
www.abalive.com (http://www.abalive.com)

I'm thinking Rochester, Indianapolis, Southern California, Los Angeles, and Vermont are the most competitive ABA teams right now that can play in higher-level minor leagues. San Jose has since moved to the CBA and was good. Vermont could very well be the class of them all thanks to Alexander Wolff's heavy involvement. Within a year or two, it could be the Notre Dame of the ABA. Many of the players on those teams, unlike so many, had significant D1 bball time. So the talent level within them is greater.

It would not be an ABA post without mentioning some of the bizarre and mismanaging going-ons. This one in particular is for ebehoops: Al Howell, the former managing partner and owner of the Calgary Drillers and the Niagara Daredevils has fled from Canada to live in the bowels of a renovated locker room in the Miami Arena ahead of supposed warrants for his arrest. Hopefully, if you believe in karma, you'd like to see him get what he deserves. A lot of these owners run out of money either during the course of a season or BEFORE it begins when they try to pay the players and provide workman's comp and disability insurance. Consequently, the ABA players get treated badly.

UPDATE 7-10-2006: Fayetteville's ABA entry already has a name. They'll be called the Arkansas Aeros. Both the Aeros and Little Rock will be owned by the same man, Charles Wilkerson, who is the chief operator of Wilkerson Resources. He's interested in bringing in former Hogs (Razorbacks) Todd Day and Oliver Miller to his teams. http://nwanews.com/nwat/Sports/42501/

Waco has joined the ABA with the Wranglers. www.abawranglers.com (http://www.abawranglers.com)

Wilmington, North Carolina, Michael Jordan's and UNCW Seahawks' hometown, is going to get an ABA team set to play next season.

Durbansandshark

25-07-2006, 08:44 AM

The other Arkansas ABA team, based in Little Rock, now has a name: the Little Rock Rivercatz.

Bob Hoffman, the Oklahome Sooners assistant coach, will coach its in-state rival, the Arkansas Aeros.

Defending champs Rochester RazorSharks resigned coach Rod Baker.

Another Georgia team is coming to the ABA with former 18-year NBA center Wayne "Tree" Rollins, last seen in the NBA as player/assistant coach with the Orlando Magic back in the mid-90s, as coach. The team will be known as the Southern Georgia 36ERS with the Albany Civic Center as their home court.

The Florida Pit Bulls may have left the ABA, but that certainly won't stop the ABA from replacing a team in the Miami-Ft. Lauderdale area again. Name hasn't been announced, but it won't be owned by Trinity Sports and Entertainment Group.

There is a possibilty that Gary will have a new team in the ABA.

Stay tuned...

www.usbasket.com/aba/aba.asp (http://www.usbasket.com/aba/aba.asp)

EDIT: the websites for the Arkansas teams-- www.rivercatz.com (http://www.rivercatz.com) and www.arkansasaeros.com (http://www.arkansasaeros.com)

The Wilmington ABA team is now called the SeaDawgs.

Durbansandshark

17-08-2006, 06:37 AM

Lots of ABA teams right now are conducting player tryout camps to be on the rosters of teams at this time from the Strong Island Sound to the Bellingham Slam, particularly involving those who are of the area or the region the team plays in. Not surprisingly, the players more than likely have strong backgrounds in college, even if the colleges they played in were small ones compared to the bigtime D1 ball. Morever, some local players are being signed without the aid of a camp.

Two more teams are coming. Slated to play this coming season will be the South Alabama Bounce and the Quad Cities team. The Bounce will play in Mobile, Alabama and is owned by a man who happens to own the minor league indoor football team the Evergreen Jaguars. LaShaun McDaniel, who formerly coached the Beijing Oashoen Olympic team, was named the Bounce's first head coach. With the Quad Cities ABA team owned by Tom McGinn of Rock Falls, IL , a name that many of you fans of the NBA and of the NBL (particularly if you're a Sydney Kings fan like me will surely remember) will act as its assistant coach. His name...Acie Earl. He'll run and operate the tryout camps and select the training camp roster.

Another ABA expansion team, the Tallahassee Tigers, will play next year. I think this is the Florida state capital's first foray into pro basketball ever, if I'm not mistaken. The Tigers are owned by the duo behind the ABA's Orlando Orange Men. Co-owner Jimmy Lyons will act as GM. The Ontario Red Wolves will instead make their debut next season as opposed to this November.

There's a rumour that London, Ontario will become the latest Canadian city to hold an ABA franchise. Rudy Rickman, a former lawyer, national team member, and businessman is supposed to be looking at the John Labatt Centre as its home.

Art Alverez, former Miami Christian High basketball coach, was named to coach the new Miami ABA team owned by Imperial Sports, which also owns the Palm Beach Imperials. At the email contact, there may be a clue to what the team will be called. The email address says Miami Tropics, which was also the name of the USBL team owned and coached by John Lucas as a haven for drug-addicted players en (hopeful) route to the NBA back in the early 90s.

www.usbasket.com/aba/aba.asp (http://www.usbasket.com/aba/aba.asp)

Durbansandshark

23-08-2006, 05:24 AM

The Miami ABA team will be indeed called the Tropics (no surprise there). Instead of playing at the 15,000-seat Miami Arena (completed in 1988 for the then-expansion Miami Heat and since vacated by them and the NHL's Florida Panthers for each of their own arenas and briefly used by the University of Miami Hurricanes basketball teams and the now-defunct ECHL's Miami Matadors and Arena Football's Miami Hooters after that), they will play at the Barry University's Health and Sports Center at Miami Shores, Florida. Easily accessible for both residents at Miami-Dade and Broward Counties. Besides, Miami Arena would be way too expensive for the Tropics. Also, the Tropics have named Ed Auricchio and Leo Goughan as head coach and GM, respectively.

The Minneapolis-St. Paul Slamma Jamma decided to debut next season to allow more time to get ready and have a facility to call home.

Another Mexican ABA team is here. The Mexicali Centinales, based in Mexicali and ready to serve as a rival to the Monterrey Venom, will have their website up and running soon. www.abalive.com/teampage/teampage.cgi?teamid=MXCL (http://www.abalive.com/teampage/teampage.cgi?teamid=MXCL)

Chattanooga, which formerly had the Steamers last season before folding early into the season, has a new team called the Tennessee Mud Bugs, slated to play in 2007-08. Minneapolis-St. Paul and Tennessee are just two of the 12 ABA expansion teams slated to play then,including a new Delaware team.

The 2006-07 ABA schedule will have teams each playing a 36-game schedule with 18 home and 18 away games.

Next time, I'll discuss the possibility of sponsor's logos appearring on team unis in the NBA ala NASCAR and FIBA competitions. And of the wackiness inside that league.

Durbansandshark

06-09-2006, 09:50 AM

Lots of very interesting developments have really occured lately in the ABA since I last posted here, so let's go into them right away! :D

As the latest Canadian ABA entry, it's not going to be London, Ontario. Halifax, Nova Scotia got to it first. This apparently makes Halifax, NS's capital city, the easternmost city in North American pro sports--I may actually be wrong about the geogrpahy though--since there's no other team there, save for the junior hockey's Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL). Last time Halifax had a basketball affair was back in the mid-90s when the Halifax Windjammers played in the 6'5" and under WBL and then the Canadian-only NBL. Moreover, it has flirted with pro hockey every one in a while naturally--most recently the Halifax IceBreakers of the aborted reincarnation of the World Hockey Association in 2004. Halifax is always one city (along with Quebec City) the CFL is interested in (lacks a ready-made stadium for it but is in the running for the 2014 Commonwealth Games). Anyway, Halifax, the entire province rather, will play in 2007 with Detroit native, Toronto-based Andre Livingstone running things. I wish him well. Keep in mind Halifax loves basketball, and the CIAU (the Canadian equivalent to the NCAA here) has its Elite Eight national championship tournament at the Halifax MetroCentre annually. Livingstone, who played DI ball for four years, started out teaching and coaching children before his entreprenuer instincts came calling. He's looking at using the 11,000-seat MetroCentre as its home. Like to see it work, since basketball is very popular, but Nova Scotia's economy is in bad shape right now. Halifax is a moderate sized city with tourism serving as its drawing pull yet residents are leaving the island province in droves looking for more lucrative employment. For an ABA team, a 2000-5000 home game draw each time could work. Plus, it's a 16-hour drive from even the Northeastern cities. Since its has a long-standing black community, why not also tap into that? Surely they will. www.abalive.com/news/releases/?newsid=2006082406001 (http://www.abalive.com/news/releases/?newsid=2006082406001)

Keeping it in Canada, apparently that proposed Vancouver ABA team, either to be called the Dynasty (perhaps from the previous ownership to bring in Chinese players to form the team) or the Dragons (ditto maybe under new ownership, Puget Sound Sports) is not going to proceed. Not even for next year in 2007. There's no action from it. Maybe it will later on. It's just as well: paying for the usage of the Pacific Coliseum or the nearby Agridome at the Pacific National Exhibition Centre will set you back C$6500 a game 18 times for the 5000-seat Agridome. Say you charge C$20 and C$10 a person for a home game for the 18 home games the Dragons hypothectically play there, and after that Ticketmaster and PNE will take half of that each time out for advertising the event there, ticket costs, and changing the arena in usage from basketball to hockey for example. Say the Dragons suck in its home debut in front of 2800-4000 and less people show up (1700), you still have to play for the players, their travels to road games, the coaching staff, trainers, team staff, promotions, and all that jazz. As for the Pacific Coliseum, forget it. The Western Hockey League's Vancouver Giants thanks to its owner made it very hard for another tennant to play there in negotiations with the NLL's defunct Vancouver Ravens. What's more, Vancouver currently has a love/hate with basketball. In short, you gotta have deep pockets to operate a team there. Other venues at Simon Fraser University and the University of British Columbia aren't worth it either. UBC is too hard to get to for Vancouverites and SFU is tucked up in the Burnaby Mountains. What about Victoria, BC's capital? It still will be in BC and up in the Pacific Northwest. Michael Tucker, the owner, is apparently a crook since there's nothing going on about the teams he owns (Tacoma Navigators, Bellingham Slam, Olympia ABA). His home is scheduled for a trustee's sale.

I hear of rumours of another Canadian city to be added, possibly the resurrection of the Calgary Drillers, Lethbridge, Alberta, or, I suggest, going into Manitoba like Winnipeg or Saskatchewan as a potential market.

Did the ABA's Los Angeles Aftershock become the NDCELE NBDL Chapter? Better not! :evil:

The league dropped the link for the Salt Lake City Dream's weblink, but the team apparently still exists as it struggles on its ownership issues and despite appearing on ABA podcasts.

The Houston Havoc now is under new ownership. Its owners are investment businessman Larry Donnell Edwards II, who played Grambling St. University and his wife Shuwana. With this, the team changed its name to the Houston Undertakers, while still keeping the logo. www.abalive.com/news/releases/?newsid=2006082906001 (http://www.abalive.com/news/releases/?newsid=2006082906001)

The big news coming out of the ABA is this new franchise coming to play in the Greater Los Angeles area. Word has traveled very fast for this seemingly bizarre development. The team will be called the Hollywood Fame, perhaps in tribute to all of the past LA/Hollywood sports team that had nicknames associated with fame and celebrity (e.g. Los Angeles/Hollywood Stars in basketball and baseball). Take a look at Hollywood Fame's ownership group: former WWE diva/former Baltimore Ravens cheerleader/Dancing With The Stars contestant Stacey Keibler, former NBAer (Detroit Pistons, Chicago Bulls, Toronto Raptors) and Best Damn Sports Show co-host John Salley (wonder he could play for them?), former Baltimore Oriole Brady Anderson, Baltimore Ravens QB Kyle Boller (likely a friend of Keibler's), AJ DiScala (Jaime-Lynn's ex-husband?), actor Geoff Stults, NASCAR's Brian Vickers, actor Wilmer Valderamma (That's 70s Show, Lindsay Lohan's Ex), and, last but not least...Nick Lachey(!). I'm not making this up! Seems like the cast of the latest Surreal Life. Maybe we'll see Kiebler and Salley involve in a romance. There is a possibility that celebs may end up playing for this team. You may already know that the NBA has its NBA Entertainment League, an private, invitation-only league, for celebrities who can live their NBA fantasies that has featured Dean Cain, Brian McKnight, Jaleel White, Snoop Dogg, Bow Wow, Josh Duhamel, Ice Cube, Justin Timberlake, Jaime Foxx, and Michael Rappaport on teams. Already the ABA a team using former Onyx rapper Fredro Starr on its roster (more on that soon). Sure, there have been celebs owning pro sports teams, even a minority ownership (like Paul Anka owning the Ottawa Senators, Usher part-owner of the Cavs, Louis Armstrong owning his own New Orleans Negro League baseball team) but The Fame may take that to the next level. I'm surprised that it hasn't gotten more national attention than it has already from the likes of ESPN. Several of the celebrity owners have already taken part in player recruitment and scouting at the Pan Pacific Recreation Center, and they'll bring their celebrity friends to the games and the festivities. Expect recruited professionals and top amatuers with noted celebs on the Fame's roster. I don't think the celebs at the Clippers and NDCELE worshippers will have a hard time sleeping over this, though. Likely we'll see some "out of their division" games to showcase them nationally. Now that the USC Trojans/Women of Troy left the 16,000-seat Los Angeles Sports Arena, which is nearby the USC campus, for its brand spanking new on-campus arena the Galen Center which they'll share with the volleyball teams, the Fame will play their 18 home games there starting this November. Demand to play against the new glamour team at their home surely will generate interest. This could be huge in some ways like the New York Cosmos's galaticos before it in the mid to late 70s in the NASL.
www.abalive.com/news/releases/?newsid=2006083106001 (http://www.abalive.com/news/releases/?newsid=2006083106001)
www.thehollywoodfame.com (http://www.thehollywoodfame.com)

More notable names taking part in the ABA (and another big one though not as big as that of the Fame's): the Richmond Warriors are also coming next season. Its majority owner and chairman: Allen Iverson's mom Ann Iverson, you know the one who hold aloft a huge supportive sign at 76ERS home games saying "That's My Boy! #3" at the Wachovia Center courtside cheering enthusiasticly. She was an athlete at Bethel High in Virginia just like her son was and avid sports fan. Naturally she relishes the opportunity to own a pro sports team, especially in her native state of Virginia--she paid only US$20,000 when an average ABA team costs US$400,000! Former Virginia Tech guard Michael Davis will be the Head Coach. Will the NBA have a problem with the use of the Warriors' name since the Golden State Warriors has it trademarked? They may back off since one of AI's nicknames is Warrior and has it on his tatoos. Its logo is one of AI's numerous tatoos--a dagger. There was the Ontario (CA) Warriors in the ABA, they changed theirs before folding. Like with Alexander Wolff and his Vermont Frost Heaves and the aforementioned Hollywood Fame, Ann Iverson brings much-needed credibility to the oft-beleaguered ABA. Open tryouts have started. Personally, I think the NBA can play effectively in Virginia if done right. Home games are to be at the U-Turn Sports Performance Academy (the old Circuit City HQ). Needless to say these items will get the most attention here.
www.abalive.com/news/releases/?newsid=2006082506001 (http://www.abalive.com/news/releases/?newsid=2006082506001)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richmond_Warriors

The still-nameless Quebec City ABA team have signed its first players for the upcoming season, a mix of Canadians, Cameroonians, Americans, and Nigerians:
Charles Fourtier 6'4" Universite de Laval Rouge D'Or CIAU (Canada)
Dominic Soucy 6'3" Universite de Laval Rouge D'Or CIAU (Canada)
Jonas Pierre 6'10" Lincoln College NCAA Division II (Canada)
Floyd Bahiya 6'1" Milwaukee School of Engineering Raiders NCAA Division II (Cameroon)
Jamal Ward 6'6" University of Tennessee-Chattanooga Moccasins NCAA Division I (USA)
Louis-Patrick Levros 6'6" Rhode Island CC Knights NCJAA (Canada)
Muhammed Lesage 6'11" University of Louisville Cardinals NCAA Division I (Nigeria)
SirValiant Brown 6'1" George Washington University Colonials NCAA Division I (Puerto Rico)
www.abalive.com/news/releases/?newsid=2006090506001 (http://www.abalive.com/news/releases/?newsid=2006090506001)
www.quebecbasket.com (http://www.quebecbasket.com)

Its Quebec ABA provincial rival, the Montreal Matrix, will hold open tryouts September 16th and 17th at Rosemont College in Montreal suburb Rosemont.

The New Mexico Style have moved to El Paso, Texas to be called the El Paso S'Ol in 2007.

Applebee's restaraunts have teamed up with the Newark Express. More on that later.

Tampa Bay Strong Dogs GM Gregg Gruhl named 7-year NBA veteran Jim Price as their head coach. The Orlando Orange Men have signed former Georgia Tech and Atlanta Hawk player Ivano Newbill to its roster with Doug Vest as its new GM.

The Buffalo Silverbacks (nee Rapids) will play their home games at the Buffalo State College Sports Arena. Last season the Rapids home games were primarily at the 250-seat Park School Gym at Snyder, New York with five other sites during the season.

The Tennessee Mud Frogs are actually going to play this coming season and not 2007 as earlier indicated thanks to popular demand with Tennessee Temple University Gym as its home court. www.abalive.com/news/releases/?newsid=2006090406002 (http://www.abalive.com/news/releases/?newsid=2006090406002)
www.abalive.com/news/releases/?newsid=2006090406001 (http://www.abalive.com/news/releases/?newsid=2006090406001)

For those who think ABA players can't make it to the NBA, you only need to look at Brazilian Janero Pargo who got signed by the Bulls.

I promised that I will get into the sponsorship on ABA teams' jerseys. And I will. When it comes to big time pro sports here in North America, sponsor ads on them is an alien concept. Though ads are prevalent in the arenas with adboards in indoor sports and baseball. Arena football teams already have them on their jerseys, but they're leaguewide sponsors like Aaron's Rentals, US Army, and Papa John's Pizza. The CFL and NFL Europe has adboards surrounding the playing fields. In Scandinavian and European hockey, basketball, and handball leagues they're all over jerseys and shorts. National basketball teams have them on their like the Boomers, except for Olympic time. With this young basketball league trying to survive in the long run, the ABA may need to do just that to generate much-needed revenue in the absence of lucrative media revenue streams. It won't get massive attention by themselves, but more power to the teams and the ABA and emphasize local sponsorships. I will actually like the idea, but some worry the all-over ads will be too distracting. Not to me. To non-North Americans, it gives a more international look. It's a little like an experimental league with diversity in team ownership (black, white, male, female, Asian, Canadian, Latino, etc.). I'll delve more into it and other ABA developments (including a Vermont Frost Heaves update) later.

www.usbasket.com/aba/aba.asp (http://www.usbasket.com/aba/aba.asp)

UPDATE 9-7-2006: I hear another rumour that the Aftershock may go into the CBA.

More about the Quebec City ABA team. It seems as though the Quebecois are really offended of the use of the name and logo "Jumping Frogs" because calling, or using it in association with, anyone French or a French Canadian a "frog" is wrongheaded, particularly to nationalist-minded Quebecois. The other name proposed in Kebekwa (the phonetic spelling Quebecois, though it could also sound like to be a last name of someone who is from the Democratic Republic of the Congo). Others suggested are Dunkers and Cannons.
www.canada.com/topics/sports/story.html ... 7&k=19199/ (http://www.canada.com/topics/sports/story.html?id=9e2a5c26-cca0-427d-bc64-38ae8de84167&k=19199/)

Or click from here: www.oursportscentral.com/boards/showthread.php?t=3479 (http://www.oursportscentral.com/boards/showthread.php?t=3479)

Durbansandshark

14-09-2006, 05:45 AM

Teams are now getting their 2006-2007 ABA schedules made public with the first being the ABA champs the Rochester RazorSharks, which just re-signed player/assistant coach Lazarus Sims. Look at the RazorSharks schedule here: www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3376960 (http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3376960)

Numerous teams are currently undergoing dance team tryouts.

New teams has been added in Detroit for this season--the Detroit Panthers--and in Seattle. More info will come as I get access. Rio Grande Valley, Texas is getting a team for 2007.

A number of teams in the ABA have left or decided to play next season which I'll get to later on. This is why I wasn't willing to set a list of teams slated to play (and the relialignment of them) in 2006-07 earlier on these posts. But with the schedules, which are of course when you're dealing with Crazy Joe's ABA league are subject to change, unvieled. I'll do my best. Here it is, as it stands with this writing, 56 teams.

WHITE CONFERENCE
North Division
Rochester RazorSharks
Buffalo Silverbacks
Pittsburgh Xplosion
Toldeo Ice
Detroit Panthers

Northeast Division
Montreal Matrix (check their new website-- www.montrealmatrix.ca (http://www.montrealmatrix.ca) and their old one www.montrealmatrixbasketball.com (http://www.montrealmatrixbasketball.com) )
Quebec City Jumping Frogs (Kebekwa?)
Vermont Frost Heaves
Maryland Nighthawks
Brooklyn Wonders
Newark Express
Cape Cod Frenzy
Strong Island Sound

Southeast Division
Palm Beach Imperials
Orlando Orange Men
Jacksonville Jam
Tampa Bay Strong Dogs
Miami Tropics
Southern Georgia 36ers

Central Conference
St. Louis Stunners
Little Rock RiverCatz
Twin Cities Ballers
Hammond Rollers
Norfolk Navigators
Alexandria United
Chicago Rockstars
Quad Cities
Peoria

Southeast Division
Tennessee Mud Frogs
South Alabama Bounce
Knoxville Noise
Atlanta Vision
Richmond Warriors
Baltimore Pearls
Wilmington Sea Dogs

Southwest Division
Texas Tycoons
Houston Undertakers
Monterrey Veneno
Arkansas Aeros
Mexicali Sentinals
Waco Wranglers
Gallup Outlaws
Mississippi Miracle
Tijuana Dragones

RED CONFERENCE (West)
Northwest Division
Fresno Heatwave
Big Valley Shockwave
Oregon Riptide
Seattle
Bellingham Slam

Pacific Division
Carson City Buzz
Las Vegas Venom
Hollywood Fame
San Diego Wildcats
Beijing Aoshen Olympic
Maywood

This is a work in progress with more teams could be added and the divisional alignment is again subject to change. I'll edit that later on. More stories will come with that Vermont Frost Heaves update arriving and of the possibility of more celebs wanting a piece of ABA team ownership.

Durbansandshark

22-09-2006, 11:58 AM

Hope you were reading about the buzz that the Hollywood Fame and Richmond Warriors have been getting lately since entering the ABA...

The 2006-07 ABA schedule is released. This is subject to change of course, as with anything associated with Crazy Joe Newman's league partly due to the demands to have teams play against the likes of the Fame and the Vermont Frost Heaves. Several teams have yet to have theirs complete.

There is a new ABA team in Anderson, Indiana. The small city was home to the NBL/NBA's Anderson Packers back in the late 1940s and folded after the NBL-BAA merger. It doesn't have a name yet, but I'll keep you posted on that development.

Here's the schedule: www.abalive.com/schedule (http://www.abalive.com/schedule)

Peoria's ABA entry finally has a name. They will be called the Peoria Kings (will they get any unfavo(u)rable attention from the NBA and the Sacramento Kings, both of whom could threaten legal action upon?)
www.peoriakings.com (http://www.peoriakings.com)

Big Valley Shockwave introduce their new logo: www.bigvalleyshockwave.com (http://www.bigvalleyshockwave.com)
Notice the photos are from appreantly outtakes of the NJ Nets or Nike print ads featuring J-Kidd and Vince Carter, so please don't that twisted in thinking they'll come to the ABA.

Durbansandshark

29-09-2006, 05:07 AM

Anderson, Indiana's ABA team has a name. They will be called the Anderson Champions with Ray Tolbert running the show.

Speaking of names, Alexandria United decided to change its name so as not to come into conflict with the nearby Washington, DC United MLS soccer team, across the Potomac River. They are now the Alexandria Wind Jammers. The last time a noticed a basketball team called themselves the Windjammers was the WBL/NBL's Halifax Windjammers a little over a decade ago.

Quad Cities announced their new name: the Quad Cities Riverhawks. It's a tribute of sorts to the old NBL/NBA team they had when it was the Tri-Cities and it was the Blackhawks. That later became the Milwaukee Hawks, then the St. Louis Hawks to now the Atlanta Hawks. The Riverhawks will call Davenport, Iowa's MaryCrest College home. It even signed 6-1 swingman Joshaua English, the nephew of Denver Nugget legend Alex English.

Pittsburgh and that proposed Vancouver ABA franchise join San Jose and Charlotte in ABA defections. The Los Angeles Aftershock may already have.

Check out the trailer for Alexander Wolff's Vermont Frost Heaves: www.vermontfrostheaves.com (http://www.vermontfrostheaves.com)

www.abalive.com (http://www.abalive.com)

Durbansandshark

03-10-2006, 05:30 AM

The Minneapolis-St. Paul Slamma Jamma now are actually to play this season and found new owners. They are now to be called the Minnesota Ripknees (don't ask me for now what that is...). www.abalive.com/news/releases/?news=2006092906001 (http://www.abalive.com/news/releases/?news=2006092906001)

Here's the new divisional alignment for the 2006-07 ABA season according to Wikipedia. I knew that I should've waited until everything settled down than to the defections in from this league (may I remind you that it's still subject to change):

RED CONFERENCE
North Division
Bellingham Slam
Oregon Riptide
Calgary
Seattle
Yakima (not the Sun Kings)
Boise

Central Division
Beijing Aoshen Olympic (will play in Maywood, California)
Big Valley Shockwave
Carson Buzz
Fresno Heatwave
Hollywood Fame
Irvine/Long Beach (resurrection of the Jam?)
Palm Springs/San Bernadino (depends on arena deal to play)

South Division
Gallup Talons
Las Vegas Outlaws
Mexicali Sentinals
Monterrey Venemo
San Diego Wildcats
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Tijuana Dragons

WHITE CONFERENCE
North Division
Buffalo Silverbacks
Detroit Panthers
London, Ontario
Rochester RazorSharks
Toledo Ice
Springfield/Albany

Central Division
Anderson Champions
Chicago Rockstars
Hammond Rollers
Minnesota Ripknees
Peoria Kings
Quad Cities River Hawks
St. Louis Stunners
Twin City Ballers

South Division
Arkansas Aeros
Little Rock Rivercatz
Houston Undertakers
Tennessee Mud Frogs
Texas Tycoons
Waco Wranglers

BLUE CONFERENCE

North Division
Brooklyn Wonders
Cape Cod Frenzy
Montreal Matrix
Newark Express
Quebec City Kebekwa
Strong Island Sound
Vermont Frost Heaves

Central Division
Alexandria Windjammers
Baltimore Pearls
Maryland Nighthawks
Norfolk Navigators
Richmond Warriors
Wilmington Sea Dawgs

South Division
Atlanta Vision
Jackson, Tennessee
Knoxville Noise
Mississippi Miracles
Southern Alabama Bounce
Southern Georgia 36ers

Florida Division
Jacksonville Jam
Miami Tropics
Orlando Orange Men
Palm Beach Imperials
Tampa Bay Strong Dogs

Pittsburgh Steelers QB Charlie Batch is now the new owner of the Detroit Panthers, formerly the Detroit Wheels. Ironically back in the early days of the NFL there was a Detroit NFL franchise called the Panthers, but they didn't last long. www.abalive.com/news/releases/?newsid=2006100206001 (http://www.abalive.com/news/releases/?newsid=2006100206001)

Oh yes, John Salley was voted to be the ABA's Commissioner. More on that later...

Durbansandshark

05-10-2006, 09:12 AM

Albany will not have a team in the ABA. After all, they got the CBA Patroons.

Beijing Aoshen Olympian may actually play in Azusa, home of Azusa Pacific College, instead of the Maywood Community Center.

It all rests on whether San Bernadino's proposed ABA team will manage to have an arena deal now that Palm Springs is out.

The San Diego Wildcats are named after a local high school that has Wildcats as their nickname, El Camino. This is where Wildcats GM Tim Ovies was freshman boys' basketball coach and became friends with varsity coach Ray Johnson, who is caoching them with a stake in ownership while still coaching the high school team in lieu of salary. Majority of the Wildcats players are from the San Diego area. Instead of playing at the San Diego Sports Arena as their home, their home games are split between Eastlake and Cathedral Catholic High. Their regular season starts against the Mexicali Centinals.
www.signonsandiego.com/sports/20060929- ... hoops.html (http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/20060929-9999-1s29lochoops.html)

Possible/Inactive ABA teams:

Washington Internationals
Alexandria Windjammers
Birmingham Magicians
Ontario Red Wolves
Boston
California Eagles
El Paso S'ol
Los Angeles Aftershock
Ottawa
Nashville
New Orleans Blues
Ohio Aviators
Providence
San Juan
Salt Lake City Dream
Tallahassee Tigers
Halifax
Wilmington
Lincoln Thunder
McAllen, Texas
Fargo, North Dakota
Boise
Tulsa
Rapid City

Durbansandshark

12-10-2006, 09:22 AM

No, Calgary is not going to have the ABA Drillers resurrected as previouisly mentioned--or have a team at all in the ABA this season. Hope the Alberta city returns to pro basketball, and it must be done right.

With all of the stuff going on the Supersonics/Storm Key Arena saga, Seattle has another pro basketball team added to go with already with the Supersonics, Storm, the IBL's Mountaineers, and that new CBA team coming there in 2008. Can the Space Needle city field all those teams? I don't think that it can--one of those men's team will have to go. The ABA's rendition will be the King County Royals (named after the county Seattle is in). Perhaps it seems redundant to have another Seattle-named basketball team in the area, so it went different. Plus, neither Yakima nor Boise is going to have a team as earlier indicated.

Turns out that Maywood, California will have its own ABA team now that Beijing Aoshen Olympic has apparently for Azusa as its new home.

Jackson, Tennessee will NOT filed an ABA team.

Alexandria Windjammers decided to wait until next season to play. I think it's a good thing because this will allow for the franchise to develop awareness and cultivate word of mouth in a crowded Washington/suburban Maryland-Virginia sports enviroment.

There's some rumours here in St. Louis that current St. Louis Stunners coach and assistant GM Anthony Bonner will succeed Floyd Irons as head coach of Vashon High's boy's varsity basketball team. As a former Vashon Wolverine product who was coached under Irons, it would seemingly make sense to have someone "in the family" to make sure everything is OK. Bonner, a former SLU Billiken, Sacramento King, and Orlando Magic who would later make more money playing overseas with the likes of Italian Serie A's Buckler Bologna, is very loyal to Irons and reps Vashon to the fullest as its shining star. For those who are unaware of what's going on, Vashon is currently a perrenial champion (including this year)--an empire, if you will, not an evil one-- when it comes to Missouri state basketball in its class for almost three decades. When talking of Vashon here, basketball immediately enters the discussion. It's even ranked in the top 5 nationally in boy's high school basketball--at one recent time first. And Floyd Irons oversaw it all. What happened was in sum, over the summer there was an admistration overhaul involved in the St. Louis Public School district which led to some very bitter feelings among themselves, and Irons was essentially fired from his post by a new regime wanting to clean house and place an emphasis on academics. Irons is now taking legal action against this. It's all a mess...not that it wasn't that way for years in the school district. Problem is for Bonner, he isn't certified to coach high school basketball yet. Matter of full disclosure: back in Christmas Eve 2001 while working at as a snot-nosed rookie (as I like to call my time then at times) at Champs in the St. Louis Galleria, I met not only Floyd Irons but Chaminade Prep star and future New York Knick David Lee, then a Florida Gator freshman, while both were out Christmas shopping. They managed to get to talk to each other for a time there. Managed to get both of their autographs there! :)
(Oh yeah, there are cheerleader tryouts for the Stunners: www.stlstunners.com (http://www.stlstunners.com) )

One thing I would like John Salley do as ABA commisioner is mandate that the owners and their teams record stats and box scores and videotape footage of all of their games. This something a number of ABA teams failed to do since the league started up again. It's not that hard to do.

The Toledo Ice hired former Ohio St. Buckeye Dennis Hopson as head coach. Hopson, some of you will recall, was drafted by the New Jersey Nets in the 1987 NBA Draft out of the Buckeyes as a prolific scorer, but he couldn't excel consistently in the next level. His stats in the early going were decent, but after 64 starts, he never started again before finally finshing in Israel in 2000. At the age of 41, he got his degree in social work and now is a land developer and part-time owner of a go-kart racing park with trucking industry interests. Hopson replaces Melvin Newborn.
www.abalive.com/news/releases/?newsid=2006101006008 (http://www.abalive.com/news/releases/?newsid=2006101006008)

The ABA is taking an unprecendented move, for the league at least, in having the next ABA All-Star game in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Emulating apparently the NBA's in placing theirs in Las Vegas next year, the hope is that it will drum up big interest in the ABA for Halifax for its team slated to come next season and for the rest of Canada. Curiously, only the Canadian cities bid for the right to host the All-Star Game, even the ones that didn't have a team. Also part of the Halifax ownership is Jadranka Crnogorac, a three-time female athlete of the Year and two-time All-Canadian with St. Mary's Huskies.
www.hfxnews.ca/index.cfm?sid=8696&sc=1 (http://www.hfxnews.ca/index.cfm?sid=8696&sc=1)

Durbansandshark

17-10-2006, 10:33 AM

Having the ABA All-Star Weekend in Halifax will be a great thing for the city. Halifax loves its basketball (already a host for the Elite Eight in CIAU ball), and if the Crgornac and Livingstone tandem are effective and execute it well, Halifax will have a model ABA basketball team. Now you're starting to see the right and SMART PEOPLE running things. But to be sure, it truly remains to be seen. It's been bit of a struggle to have effective ABA teams north of the border with the Calgary Drillers and Niagara Daredevils folding. Proposed teams in Vancouver (now in the CBA as the Dragons), Ottawa, and London didn't pan out. Maybe next season for the latter two. Montreal Matrix was a decent success last season with some exterior turmoil, and the incoming Quebec City Kebekwa can make this a fierce provincial rivalry. Should the Halifax All-Star Weekend and the Halifax ABA team both serve as a success at the Halifax MetroCentre, expect Canadian cities to clamor for a franchise.

Orange County will get (once again) another ABA team in the footsteps of the phantom Anahiem Roadrunners, Southern California Surf, Orange County Crush, and the Orange County Buzz. May I introduce to you the Orange County Gladiators. www.ocgladiators.com (http://www.ocgladiators.com) (very little to see--team won't play until 2007)

McAllen, Texas along the Rio Grande River has named its team: the Rio Grande Valley Silverados. Home games will be at the McAllen Convention Center, scheduled to open in March 2007. www.rgvsilverados.com (http://www.rgvsilverados.com) (again very little to see here)

Last season the East defeated the West 129-127 at the 2006 All Star Game at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise, Florida (former home of the Florida Pit Bulls--now Miami Majesty of the CBA)

The Southern Georgia 36ers got its name because the city of Albany, Georia, where they call home, was founded in 1836.

The Anderson Champions serves as the Indiana ABA replacement for the departed Indianapolis Alley Cats. Currently the schedule has them playing at the Anderson High School Gym Wigwam for home games, but it's not yet know they will since the Alley Cats also play there.

The Chicago Rockstars will play their home games at the Northeastern Illinois University Gymnasium at Chicago's Northwest Side. Originally the Rockstars planned on playing at the Emil and Patricia Jones Convention Center on the Chicago St. campus but learned it wasn't going to be completed in time. While visiting the Rockstars website ( www.rockstarbasketball.com (http://www.rockstarbasketball.com) )--very nice and professional for an ABA team with a few others--check out the TV commercial for tickets (a rare thing indeed for the ABA to get significant TV time even if it's just for ticket info)

Quebec City's team are the Kebs for short and will play their first games on November 10 and 11 at home at Cegep against Alexander Wolff's Vermont Frost Heaves. PEPS at The University de Laval will act as its second home. The Frost Heaves will also be the Quebec City Kebekwa's only preseason opponent and will have them Kebs visit them as their first visitors to the Barre Municipal Auditorium. www.quebecbasket.com (http://www.quebecbasket.com) (in French only) www.vermontfrostheaves.com/schedule/ (http://www.vermontfrostheaves.com/schedule/) www.vermontfrostheaves.com/news/ (http://www.vermontfrostheaves.com/news/)

The ABA forced the Ann Iverson-owned Richmond Warriors to change its name to the Richmond Ballerz out of courtesy to the Golden State Warriors (like I knew they would). Anyhoo, Ann Iverson is talking it up, appearing at an UFC fight in Richmond, her huge birthday party at Club Manhattans, on Comcast TV's "Out of Bounds" program, and on the radio all to promote the Ballerz.
www.abalive.com/news/releases/?newsid=2006101606004 (http://www.abalive.com/news/releases/?newsid=2006101606004)

Durbansandshark

21-10-2006, 05:08 AM

Anthony Bonner has been named to succeed Irons as Vashon High's boys basketball head coach. Will he also keep his Stunners job? More details to follow next week.

The Hollywood Fame, one of the more eagerly anticipated ABA teams of interest, are to announce in Santa Monica on Tuesday their several of their new players and a coach. Hint: he's a former NBA coach. Speculate away who that might be. Many clebs and former athletes will be in attendance for this.

In a related story, co-owner Brady Anderson was named to head the ABA's Sports and Entertainment Advisory Board.

Aparently, the Anderson Champions are the first ABA franchise to hold a MySpace page. www.myspace.com/andersonchampions (http://www.myspace.com/andersonchampions)

Durbansandshark

26-10-2006, 10:01 AM

I stand corrected on the Maywood situation. Maywood won't even have its own ABA team. Nor is Long Beach, San Bernadino, Irvine, Springfield, or Palm Springs.

The ABA is getting another team though in upstate New York for next season. The city Corning, New York and the team's name is the Bulldogs. Corning is famous for its Corning International tech company. www.abalive.com/news/releases/?newsid=2006102406001 (http://www.abalive.com/news/releases/?newsid=2006102406001)

The Hollywood Fame have announced their new head yesterday. He's a familiar face from the NBA, like I remind you, but he's not a big star type. So please don't get your hopes up. But he is familiar to the LA sports scene. Former Los Angeles Clippers coach Don Casey accepted the job and made himself available to the public at the press conference. He was part of the sorry lot of Clippers coach since the team moved to San Diego in 1978 (Paul Silas, Jim Lynam, Don Cheney, Gene Shue, Mike Schuler, Jim Todd, Bob Weiss, Bill Fitch, Alvin Gentry, Dennis Johnson, and Chris Ford) who couldn't make things work in LA or in San Diego. Before then, he was the predecessor to John Cheney at Temple University. He since been an assistant with the Celtics, was on the President's Council on Physical Fitness, ran a basketball clinics in Lebanon and for Africa 100, and New Jersey Nets head coach. Both times he spent with the Clippers and Nets were a season and a half each. Also at the press conference, the prospective list of 43 players were announced which includes Japan's Yuta Tabutse and Hiromasa Orniya. Minicamp has already started with the final roster set for Halloween. The Fame's Dance Team roster is set.
www.thehollywoodfame.com (http://www.thehollywoodfame.com)

Former Arkansas Razorback and NBAer Todd Day is on the Northwest Arkansas Aeros roster. www.arkansasaeros.com (http://www.arkansasaeros.com)

It seems to me that, given the ownership and debt problems, the ABA has a lax screening process and are granted access to the league too early before the ownership groups prove they are successful with the right people on and off the court. I just discovered that Demetrius Ford and Tim Hardaway, owners of the Florida Pit Bulls, had a public spat with the ABA and the BankAtlantic Center OVER POSTSEASON SCHEDULING was the front for the defection to the CBA as now the Miami Majesty. Such acts like that, including the--dare I say it--the Sally Anthony/Ashley McElhiney confrontation over Matt Freije, makes the ABA juvenile and amatuerish. In cities where the ABA returns like Nashville and San Diego, people with long memories still feel the bitter sting of the incompetence when a new team in any minor league picks up the slack.

ABA 2006 PLAYOFFS

Wildcards: Indianapolis Alley Cats, Rochester RazorSharks, San Jose SkyRockets, SoCal Legends, Maryland Nighthawks, Pittsburgh Xplosion, Harlem Strong Dogs, Atlanta Vision, and the Newark Express all recieved byes to the quarterfinals

Beijing Aoshen Olympian defeated Fresno Heatwave 134-82
Buffalo Rapids defeated Boston Frenzy 133-88
Los Angeles Aftershock defeated Orange County Buzz 91-86
Strong Island Sound defeated Birmingham Magicians 97-95
Montreal Matrix defeated Ohio Aviators 140-83
Bellingham Slam defeated Tacoma Navigators 134-116
Toledo Ice defeated Detroit Wheels 132-130

QUARTERFINALS

Rochester RazorSharks defeated Newark Express 126-98
Atlanta Vision defeated Buffalo Rapids 99-97
Bellingham Slam defeated Pittsburgh Xplosion 122-115
San Jose SkyRockets defeated Los Angeles Aftershock 132-90
Indianapolis Alley Cats defeated Toledo Ice 117-103
Strong Island Sound defeated Harlem Strong Dogs 112-107
Maryland Nighthawks defeated Montreal Matrix 145-114
SoCal Legends defeated Beijing Aoshen Olympian 97-95

SEMIFINALS

Rochester RazorSharks defeated Atlanta Vision 104-85
San Jose SkyRockets defeated Bellingham Slam 138-119
Strong Island Sound defeated Indianapolis Alley Cats 128-126
SoCal Legends defeated Maryland Nighthawks 123-121

FINALS

Rochester RazorSharks defeated San Jose SkyRockets 108-103
SoCal Legends defeated Strong Island Sound 123-110

ABA CHAMPIONSHIP

(see the top of page 1)

Atlanta Vision hired Bruce Kreutzel as their new coach

Durbansandshark

02-11-2006, 07:51 AM

Another team has dropped from the ABA until next season. This time around it's the Southern Georgia 36ERS. Again, it's the "need more time" position.
www.walb.com/Global/story.asp?S=5611265&nav=menu37_5_3 (http://www.walb.com/Global/story.asp?S=5611265&nav=menu37_5_3) (with accompanying video)

To go along with the Heat, the Miami-Ft. Lauderdale area has the ABA's Miami Tropics and the Palm Beach Imperials. that makes four pro basketball teams in that area including the CBA's Miami Majesty (formerly the ABA Florida Pit Bulls) who are slated to play next season. Don't look for the latter three to grab local sports headlines and attention in the local media there like with the Heat, Marlins, the Panthers, the Hurricanes, or the Dolphins in South Florida. I think for the Pit Bulls playing at the BankAtlantic Center, though an upscale arena, was a mistake unless they were aiming for constantly 5-6000 for home games. The Tropics colo(u)rs include pink and the players from both teams hail from local high schools and community college programs. The Tropics will play their home games at Nova University Gym.
www.miamitropics.com (http://www.miamitropics.com)
www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/sfl-spaba31 ... -headlines (http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/sfl-spaba31oct31,0,5404984.story?coll=sfla-sports-headlines)

The King County Royals named Rick Turner, a former Director of Broadcasting for the Seattle Supersoincs before moving to coach the men's basketball team at Bellevue Community College, as their first head coach. He was to be the first coach for the CBA's Vancouver Dragons The site says they are defunct, but that's not true; they are waiting until next season to play. So Turner had to press on. Their home games will be at the North Seattle Community College and at the Green River Community College. www.kingcountyroyals.com (http://www.kingcountyroyals.com)

Phoenix will have an ABA alternative to the Suns again in the footsteps of the Phoenix Eclipse and the phantom Arizona Rhinos. Speaking of phantoms, here comes the Phoenix Phantomz ready to play at an ABA court near you in 2007. Team will be owned by those from the Texas Tycoons.

Las Vegas Venom part owner Tyrone Nesby will play in a few games with the Venom this season. For more, read here. www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2006/No ... 62512.html (http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2006/Nov-01-Wed-2006/sports/10462512.html)

Richard Jacobs shockingly resigns from the Buffalo Silverbacks with Trevor Ruffin taking over as interim coach. Jacobs wants to keep his Sports Management department job at Medaille College in Buffalo www.buffalonews.com/editorial/20061101/2026507.asp (http://www.buffalonews.com/editorial/20061101/2026507.asp)

Durbansandshark

03-11-2006, 05:15 AM

The following is more oriented towards the original ABA.

Will Farrell will star in a movie about the ABA with Woody Harrellson in New Line's production called "Semi-Pro", whic is set in the early days of the original ABA. Bound to be very funny.
www.cinemablend.com/new/Will-Farrell-Dr ... -3735.html (http://www.cinemablend.com/new/Will-Farrell-Dribbles-For-The-ABA-3735.html)
www.abalive.com (http://www.abalive.com)

Now if we can get that supposedly rumoured Spirits of St. Louis movie made...

ABA season starts tonight (November 2) with the Monterrey Venemo/Monterrey Poison visiting the Arkansas Aeros at Springdale, Arkansas' All-Star Sports Arena

Durbansandshark

04-11-2006, 06:00 AM

Aeros beat the Veneno 150-114 last night to kick off the 2006-2007 ABA season.
www.abalive.com/news/releases/?newsid=2006110306013 (http://www.abalive.com/news/releases/?newsid=2006110306013)

Doesn't this ABA expansion ever stop? Reading, Pennslyvania is the latest to join. When are we going to see Anchorage, Alaska get their turn? The city hasn't got a team since the Northern Knights of the CBA.
www.abalive.com/news/releases/?newsid=2006110306001 (http://www.abalive.com/news/releases/?newsid=2006110306001)

Durbansandshark

09-11-2006, 11:36 AM

More ABA scores
NW Arkansas Aeros defeated the Waco Wranglers 146-114
Maryland Nighthawks over the Newark Express 118-113

The Orlando Orange Men got new owners AND a new name. Becuase of threats of a lawsuit coming from the University of Syracuse over the name trademark, which is rather funny since the athletic teams are now officially called the gender-neutral Orange--I, like many people, will continue to call them the Orangemen/women out of habit, the Orlando team was forced to rechristen themselves as the Orlando Aces. The Orange Men name was intended to call to mind that Orlando and central Florida are a significant part of the orange production in America. It's not like I was going to get confused over who's whom on the Orange Men saga, which triggered the lawsuit (for one thing, note the spelling difference). The Aces got a new coach too--Todd Triplett www.abalive.com/news/releases/?newsid=2006110806001 (http://www.abalive.com/news/releases/?newsid=2006110806001)

In a related subject, you already know that the Richmond Ballerz, Ann Iverson's team, had to change their name to from the Warriors to keep the Golden St. Warriors from getting lawsuit-happy. Also there's the Twin City Ballers, a fellow ABA member, to deal with. So far, the Peoria Kings hadn't been asked to change theirs yet--don't be surprised should that happens too. www.richmondballerz.com (http://www.richmondballerz.com)

The Oregon Riptide is another ABA franchise willing to sit out until next season. With the Trail Blazers, Portland St. Vikings, Portland Pilots, and the IBL's Portland Chinooks (to a far lesser extent) dominating the local basketball headlines in this basketball-crazy city, it needs time to get some awareness out.

Rome, Georgia got a team for next season to coincide with the Atlanta suburb as a Medieval Times restaurant center. They will be aptly called the Rome Knights. Team is owned by a trio of women restaurantuers. There was a team in the Atlanta area that was coached by Brooke Steppe called the Reigning Knights of Georgia that didn't make it to the season's end in 2005. www.romeknights.com (http://www.romeknights.com) www.abalive.com/news/releases/?newsid=2006110606001 (http://www.abalive.com/news/releases/?newsid=2006110606001)

The Orange County Gladiators follow the Anderson Champions's footsteps into My Space: http://groups.myspace.com/ocgladiators www.ocgladiators.com (http://www.ocgladiators.com)

The Carson City Buzz are now the Maywood Buzz. Maywood's got a team after all. I just couldn't see an appropriate venue in the Carson City area anyway. They were going to have a Name The Team Contest but the owners decided to keep the Buzz name. Cedric Ceballos is slated to play with them.

Somebody out there please update the Mississippi Miracles logo; it looks like it came out of the 50s and 60s.

Hopefully this will be the last time I'll do this ABA conference alignment.
Red Conference

Northern Division
Bellingham Slam
Big Valley Shockwave
Fresno Heatwave
King County Royals

Southern Division
Beijing Aoshen Olympian
Gallup Outlaws
Hollywood Fame
Las Vegas Venom
Maywood Buzz
Mexicali Sentinals
San Diego Wildcats
Tijuana Dragons

White Conference
NW Arkansas Aeros
Arkansas Rivercats
Houston Undertakers
Monterrey Veneno/Monterrey Poison
Texas Tycoons
Waco Wranglers

Blue Conference

Midwest Division
Anderson Champions
Chicago Rockstars
Hammond Rollers
Minnesota Ripknees
Peoria Kings
Quad Cities RiverHawks
St. Louis Stunners
Twin Cities Ballers

Northeast Division
Baltimore Pearls
Brooklyn Wonders
Buffalo Silverbacks
Cape Cod Frenzy
Detroit Panthers
Maryland Nighthawks
Montreal Matrix
Newark Express
Quebec City Kebekwa
Rochester RazorSharks
Strong Island Sound
Toledo Ice
Vermont Frost Heaves

Southeast Division
Atlanta Vision
Jacksonville Jam
Knoxville Noise
Miami Tropics
Mississippi Miracles
Orlando Aces
Palm Beach Imperials
Richmond Ballerz
South Alabama Bounce
Tennessee Mud Frogs
Wilmington Sea Dawgs

Durbansandshark

17-11-2006, 06:20 AM

Artis Gilmore returns to Jacksonville basketball. This time to have his #52 retired in hono(u)r of his legacy to Jacksonville basketball at halftime. Gilmore was an All-American center for the Jacksonville University Dolphins whom he took to the 1970 NCAA title game on November 19 before having a long pro starting with the original ABA Kentucky Colonels then Chicago Buls, San Antonio Spurs, and Boston Celtics. He'll even suit up for the Jacksonville Jam at home in North Florida's gym.
www.abalive.com/news/releases/?newsid=2006111506001 (http://www.abalive.com/news/releases/?newsid=2006111506001)

Nikki "Hoopz" Alexander, the winner from the first season of VH1's Flavor of Love (one of my numerous guilty pleasures), a VH1 Celebreality show where women compete to win the affection Public Enemy's Flavor Flav, will play the 13th Man for the Knoxville Noise at home against the Atlanta Vision also this coming Sunday night at Catholic High. For an earlier Noise
game (versus MBC Nikolaev), Hoops was in attendence. She'll take part in halftime festivities, shoot hoops with the kids, sign autographs, and take photos. There's even a chance to win an autographed Noise jersey and ABA ball from her. In a way it seems like a publicity stunt, but there's some merit--she actually played pro basketball in Italy. So she does have some game. The stunning Detroit beauty of African-American and Italian heritage dated Flav afterwards but mutually split with (it didn;t work out) as she pursues an acting career. www.knoxvillenoise.com (http://www.knoxvillenoise.com)

While I'm at it, you'll notice that the ABA official website has a new look. I actually like it a lot. Been up since Wednesday. www.abalive.com (http://www.abalive.com)

Several portions of the the old site are still in existence like the news and expansion teams list. On the new ABA website, there are some cities projected to get teams next season that are not on the original list:

Tuscon (will we see the Satelittes here?)
San Antonio (ditto for the Stallions?)
Canton
Maywood
San Juan
Tulsa
Springfield, Missouri
Louisville
Lawton, OK
Des Moines
Calgary
London, Ontario

Here's the logo for the new Canadian ABA entry for next season, the Mississuaga Red Wolves. www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mississuaga_Red_Wolves (http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mississuaga_Red_Wolves)

Scores will come again tomorrow

Durbansandshark

18-11-2006, 06:16 AM

Saturday November 4

Twin City Ballers defeated Peoria Kings 117-113
Baltimore Pearls defeated Strong Island Sound 117-115
NW Arkansas Aeros defeated Waco Wranglers 146-114

Sunday, November 5
Hammond Rollers 105 Peoria Kings 96
Rochester RazorSharks 103 Baltimore Pearls 73
Gallup Outlaws 88 Las Vegas Venom 85

Monday, November 6
Mississippi Miracle 103 South Alabama Bounce 96
Gallup Outlaws 121 Las Vegas Venom 110

Wdnesday, November 8
Monterrey Veneno 127 Houston Undertakers 89
Tennessee Mud Frogs 122 Southern Alabama Bounce 116
Newark Express 103 Richmond Ballerz 94
Detroit Panthers 109 Buffalo Silverbacks 100

Thursday, November 9
Minnesota Ripknees 75 Quad Cities RiverHawks 70
Tennessee Mud Frogs 107 Knoxville Noise 104
NW Arkansas Aeros 123 St. Louis Stunners 100

Friday, November 10
Jacksonville Jam 124 Orlando Aces 121
Strong Island Sound 113 Brooklyn Wonders 111
Detroit Panthers 123 Twin Cities Ballers 110
Quebec City Kebekwa 108 Vermont Frost Heaves 100
Arkansas RiverCatz 113 Mississippi Miracles 109
Cape Cod Frenzy 110 Montreal Matrix 108
Chicago Rockstars 94 Minnesota Ripknees 88
Maywood Buzz 112 San Diego Wildcats 110
Monterrey Veneno 102 Texas Tycoons 100

Saturday, November 11
Southern Alabama Bounce 119 Mississppi Miracles 112
Texas Tycoons 144 Houston Undertakers 132
Knoxville Noise 127 Tennessee Mud Frogs 124
Rochester RazorSharks 111 Strong Island Sound 102
Monterrey Veneno 106 Waco Wranglers 96
St. Louis Stunners 120 Peoria Kings 115
Cape Cod Frenzy 101 Quebec City Kebekwa 99
Palm Beach Imperials 112 Miami Tropics 102
Minnesota Ripknees 133 Twin Cities Ballers 110
Las Vegas Venom 122 Hollywood Fame 111
Brooklyn Wonders 94 Newark Express 93

Sunday, November 12
Bellingham Slam 108 King County Royals 96
Southern Alabama Bounce 128 Houston Undertakers 127
Vermont Frost Heaves 94 Montreal Matrix 83
Gallup Outlaws 102 Big Valley Shockwave 101
San Diego Wildcats 140 Las Vegas Venom 112
Texas Tycoons 126 Waco Wranglers 121
Maywood Buzz 116 Fresno Heatwave 115
Detroit Panthers 128 Buffalo Silverbacks 113
St. Louis Stunners 122 Anderson Champions 117
Richmond Ballerz 144 Maryland Nighthawks 141
NW Arkansas Aeros 146 Arkansas RiverCatz 116

Monday, November 13
Quad Cities RiverHawks 107 Anderson Champions 98
Jacksonville Jam 103 Miami Tropics 100
Maryland Nighthawks 110 Wilmington Sea Dawgs 107
Gallup Outlaws 112 Big Valley Shockwave 110

Wednesday, November 14
Strong Island Sound 99 Newark Express 98

Thursday, November 15
Southern Alabama Bounce 127 Knoxville Noise 121
Rochester RazorSharks 107 Buffalo Silverbacks 93
Vermont Frost Heaves 118 Quebec City Kebekwa 88
Texas Tycoons 142 NW Arkansas Aeros 122
Hollywood Fame 122 Bellingham Slam 120
Hammond Rollers 84 Minnesota Ripknees 83

Dennis Hopson has resigned as head coach of the Toledo Ice, talking to the local media there that the organization "wasn't too professional". Because of that, the Ice's first two games against the Ripknees and Rollers earlier this week were postponed.

The Montreal Matrix have released their roster at the start of the season. The most notable name here in it is Montreal native guard Mohammed Hachad, who played at Northwestern University. Also, Pascal Fluery is on the team as well. www.usbasket.com/team.asp?Cntry=USA&Team=7232 (http://www.usbasket.com/team.asp?Cntry=USA&Team=7232)

The Tijuana Dragons have a Portuguese head coach, Joao De Costa.

The following, considering the crazy circus that is the ABA, doesn't surprise. The Baltimore Pearls have decided to quit after only a few games under their belt this season, thanks to several sponsors and investors not fufilling their promises to pump money into the franchise. Another Baltimore basketball team dies as the curse of the Bullets lives on. Don't be surprised to see other ABA franchises bite the dust--and not completing their seasons--during the course of the season. Will the ABA head honchos ever learn?

Maryland Nighthawks' Eric Branhan is the first ABA "Playa of the Week".

89 people witnessed the Bellingham Slam defeat the King County Royals at the North Seattle Community College Wellness Center, the smallest recorde crowd in the ABA so far.

I may end up attending a St. Louis Stunners game at Forest Park Community College's gym if I'm into it on an off day.

When will the Tennessee Mud Frogs change their logo too? It looks amatuerish.

www.usbasket.com/aba/aba.asp (http://www.usbasket.com/aba/aba.asp)

Durbansandshark

21-11-2006, 01:33 PM

An interview with Halifax's ABA co-owner Jadranka Crnogorac on its birth from Frozen Hoops:
www.freewebs.com/frozenhoops/halifax.htm (http://www.freewebs.com/frozenhoops/halifax.htm)

I wish Jadranka and her co-workers well on this endeavor to this a model ABA franchise. Halifax is a great Canadian basketball-loving city (and it can tap into the local talent from the high schools and the universities there). I think they are smart people, but we will see once the ball is tipped for Halifax in 2007. A Canadian ABA model franchise would be good for the league.

Friday, November 17
St. Louis Stunners 91 Quad Cities RiverHawks 98
Peoria Kings 104 Minnesota Ripknees 80
Chicago Rockstars 108 Detroit Panthers 101
Hollywood Fame 121 Bellingham Slam 119
Jacksonville Jam 115 Orlando Aces 109
Texas Tycoons 127 Arkansas RiverCatz 124
NW Arkansas Aeros 150 Waco Wranglers 96
Fresno Heatwave 89 Big Valley Shockwave 86

Saturday, November 18
Rochester RazorSharks 124 Maryland Nighthawks 114
Anderson Champions 128 Chicago Rockstars 106
Arkansas RiverCatz 107 Waco Wranglers 94
Knoxville Noise 107 Atlanta Vision 105
Vermont Frost Heaves 110 Buffalo Silverbacks 100
Strong Island Sound 116 Cape Cod Frenzy 97
Quad Cities RiverHawks 108 Minnesota Ripknees 98
Las Vegas Venom 129 Mexicali Centinelas 113
Texas Tycoons 147 Monterrey Veneno 120
Miami Tropics 119 Palm Beach Imperials 115
St. Louis Stunners 106 Peoria Kings 102

Sunday, November 19
Knoxville Noise 101 Atlanta Vision 88
Hollywood Fame 120 Big Valley Shockwave 93
Strong Island Sound 131 Maryland Nighthawks 123
Cape Cod Frenzy 109 Montreal Matrix 94
St. Louis Stunners 107 Twin Cities Ballers 103
Texas Tycoons 140 Waco Wranglers 133
Arkansas RiverCatz 118 Mississippi Miracles 92
Anderson Champions 111 Peoria Kings 94
Jacksonville Jam 113 Southern Alabama Bounce 87

Something like this rarely happens in pro sports, major or minor. The Fresno HeatWave announced they are relocating to Sacramento for the rest of the season. Its ownership believes Sacramento is more enthusiastic towards basketball than Fresno ever was. In Sacramento the hope is to get 1200 fans a game while college-mad Fresno had 200-300. If you remember from my earlier post about the Heatwave, they had trouble finding a home and attendance bouncing around from the Selland Arena, the Fresno St. Bulldogs previous home, to smaller high school and community college gym in the area. The Sacramento HeatWave will have their home games at Cosumnes River Junior College Gym starting December 3 against the Maywood Buzz. The Fresno HeatWave website makes no mention of the move yet. ( www.heatwavelive.com (http://www.heatwavelive.com) )

The Texas Tycoons show why they are a successful ABA team even taking last season off. They are on a 6-game winning streak.

The Vermont Frost Heaves made their debut on the road against the Quebec City Kebekwa (Les Kebs-- www.quebecbasket.com (http://www.quebecbasket.com) ) only to suffer an overtime defeat thanks to miscommunication from the players and the coach while learning the 3-D rule. www.vermontfrostheaves.com/article/view/13981/1/1316/ (http://www.vermontfrostheaves.com/article/view/13981/1/1316/)

But they won the next game also in the province of Quebec down the St. Lawrence River in Montreal versus the Matrix. www.vermontfrostheaves.com/article/view/139111/1/1316 (http://www.vermontfrostheaves.com/article/view/139111/1/1316)

...and their home opener against Quebec City amidst all of the craziness (including the demand to please many parties) going on about the Frost Heaves and Alexander Wolff www.vermontfrostheaves.com/article/view/13985/1/1316/ (http://www.vermontfrostheaves.com/article/view/13985/1/1316/)

For its home game against the Maryland Nighthawks (a win) the defending ABA champs the Rochester RazorSharks got their ABA title rings presented to them in a pre-game ceremony by ABA commissioner John Salley, who says he will kick out any team that doesn't commit to playing a full season. More on him later. The first 1000 fans in the Blue Cross Arena got free replica rings, courtesy of Time Warner Cable. The RazorSharks are 4-0 so far this season. They already won its home opener versus the Buffalo Silverbacks. www.razorsharks.com (http://www.razorsharks.com)

If you're looking for some more news and info about the Canadian ABA teams even the defunct ones like the Montreal Matrix, Quebec City Kebekwa, Niagara Daredevils, Calgary Drillers, Mississuaga Red Wolves, and Halifax, turn to Frozen Hoops. www.feewebs.com/frozenhoops/index.htm (http://www.feewebs.com/frozenhoops/index.htm)

Durbansandshark

29-11-2006, 09:10 AM

The first games in the La Belle Province (that's Quebec, people) ABA rivalry between the Montreal Matrix and the Quebec City Kebekwa (aka Rounds 1 and 2 or the Pascal Jobin Bowl in hono(u)or of the coach of both teams) resulted in a Kebs victory over the Matrix Saturday 96-85 and Sunday 96-77, both in Montreal. The Matrix are still looking for their first win this season.

Since the Baltimore Pearls left at the beginning of the ABA season, I just knew the Pearls won't be the last team to close up shop in the ABA. The ABA suspended the Las Vegas Venom after five games (but since the Venom were sold to new investors a huge company--- www.abalive.com (http://www.abalive.com)). The Mexicali Centinales are MIA after only one game. And following the resignation of coach Dennis Hopson concerned over "unprofessionalism", it seems he is calling it right, the Toledo Ice has yet to still play a game with speculation in the local media they too will bite the dust. After the move to Sacramento, the Fresno HeatWave haven't played, and it's uncertain that they will this season.

The Jacksonville Jam are on top of the ABA power rankings despite the Texas Tycoons winning two more games than the Jam, but lost their first game. Defending champs Rochester is at fourth. Vermont comes behind the RazorSharks at fifth.
www.usbasket.com/aba/aba.asp (http://www.usbasket.com/aba/aba.asp)

Now straight from CBS affiliate WCAX TV-3 in Burlington, Vermont, coverage of the Frost Heaves' (and by extension pro basketball in Vermont) home debut victory against the Quebec City Kebekwa--with more cowbells! :) Uh, Kebs, why don't you seriously change your tops to something more professional instead of the faded Kebs logo? www.wcax.com/Global/story.asp?S=5695391 (http://www.wcax.com/Global/story.asp?S=5695391)

ABA scores will return tomorrow.

Durbansandshark

30-11-2006, 10:49 AM

Monday, November 20
Tennessee Mud Frogs 110 Atlanta Vision 108
Beijing Aoshen Olympians 107 King County Royals 97
Monterrey Veneno 137 Houston Undertakers 133

Tuesday, November 21
Bellingham Slam 115 Beijing Aoshen Olympians 102
Jacksonville Jam 112 Palm Beach Imperials 107
Wilmington Sea Dawgs 115 Tenneessee Mud Frogs 114

Wednesday, November 22
Bellingham Slam 127 Beijing Aoshen Olympians 107
Wilmington Sea Dawgs 127 Tennessee Mud Frogs 67
NW Arkansas Aeros 157 Arkansas RiverCatz 111

Thursday, November 23--US Thanksgiving Day
Tennessee Mud Frogs 133 Knoxville Noise 113

Friday, November 24
Chicago Rockstars 113 Peoria Kings 101
Maryland Nighthawks 147 Strong Island Sound 144
Quebec City Kebs 96 Montreal Matrix 88
Jacksonville Jam 133 Palm Beach Imperials 129
Maywood Buzz 137 Hollywood Fame 127
Detroit Panthers 191 Toledo Ice 68 :!:
Buffalo Silverbacks 96 Rochester RazorSharks 93

Saturday, November 25
Anderson Champions 126 Detroit Panthers 123
Beijing Aoshen Olympians 113 Maywood Buzz 103
St. Louis Stunners 118 Chicago Rockstars 110
Quad Cities RiverHawks 117 Hammond City Rollers 112
Strong Island Sound 89 Newark Express 82
Palm Beach Imperials 100 Southern Alabama Bounce 98
Minnesota Ripknees 107 Twin Cities Ballers 101
Vermont Frost Heaves 138 Cape Cod Frenzy 121

Sunday, November 26
Wilmington Sea Dawgs 107 Maryland Nighthawks 105
Tennessee Mudfrogs 120 Southern Alabama Bounce 103
Texas Tycoons 116 Monterrey Veneno 103
Minnesota Ripknees 98 Twin City Ballers 93
Vermont Frost Heaves 127 Cape Cod Frenzy 94
Chicago Rockstars 126 Anderson Champions 97
San Diego Wildcats 98 Beijing Aoshen Olympians 85

Monday, November 27
Quad Cities RiverHawks 117 Chicago Rockstars 67
Richmond Ballerz 135 Maryland Nighthawks 132
Gallup Outlaws 100 Tijuana Dragons 85

Tuesday, November 28
Arkansas RiverCatz 137 Mississippi Miracle 125
Brooklyn Wonders 97 Newark Express 95
Tennessee Mudfrogs 92 Southern Alabama Bounce 88
Miami Tropics 135 Orlando Aces 121

The ABA offcially announced the 2007 All-Star Weekend in Halifax on the advent of a ABA expansion team there. The ABA fun will be from January 27-28 culminating in the East-West showdown. Saturday will begin with St. Francis Xavier X-Men facing the Dalhousie Tigers and then the 3-Point Shootout and Slam-Dunk Contest with concerts to be announced at a later date. Some of the proceeds for the "fun-filled weekend" will go towards local charities. Check out the logo, it's very nice and in line with many contemporary sports logos these days. As for the Halifax ABA team, other members of the ownership group will be unvieled at the all-star game with the name, colo(u)rs, and logo announced very soon. The name that team contest is over, and the team is still securing office space and a home venue lease. The investor group have an eye for some coaches at the moment, hopefully named by early spring.
www.abalive.com (http://www.abalive.com)
http://thechronicleherald.ca/Sports/9002050.html
But Phillip Croucher is one who is not conviced yet. Phillip, give them more time, they'll come correct. When they don't make news of what's going on about them soon after the last press conference, then you rightly worry. www.hfxnews.ca/index.cfm?sid=9785&sc=5 (http://www.hfxnews.ca/index.cfm?sid=9785&sc=5)

As you may have noticed the Toledo Ice actually did play a game, a pitiful one against the Panthers. The Ice's home opener is Saturday against the ABA champs Rochester, and the Ice got new owners, new arena, and new coach to quell issues like not paying players and coach. What was to be their first game against Hammond on Nov 12 was forfeited.
http;//toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061115/SPORTS09/61115028
www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3400483 (http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3400483)

Beijing Aoshen Olympians have fired their coach Lashaun McDaniel and istalled Puerto Rican Ricky Benitez today after a sluggish start to the season 2-3. Remember this is the team that all but one (or two) of their players is Chinese. Former NBAer Fred Vinson is the lone American. Several of them played for China in the WC in Japan. All done to reenergize Beijing to be the force again in the ABA.
www.usbasket.com/aba/aba.asp (http://www.usbasket.com/aba/aba.asp)

How's the Hollywood Fame are doing at the start? They just lost to Maywood after a three game winning streak. But that's still sparkling for them at 3-2. Coach Don Casey, who admits to being rusty in his coaching after being away for five years, implements a zone defense philiosophy to the Fame that will springboard into its offense. He also realizes that he can act as one of the Fame's ambassadors, trying to give credibility to the ABA as well. Also, Yuta Tabutse and his fellow Japanese player didn't make the final roster.

Luke Ridnour's dad Rob coaches the Bellingham Slam.

As for the other notable ABA expansion team, the Ann Iverson-owned Richmond Ballerz, they're doing OK too at 2-1 (a couple of their games were cancelled though) after starting out with a double-OT loss they won the next two games, including another OT game.
www.richmondballerz.com (http://www.richmondballerz.com) (look at the one about the Thanksgiving dinner they held at the bottom of home webpage)
www.abalive.com (http://www.abalive.com) (for info on the thrilling win over Maryland)

Durbansandshark

07-12-2006, 08:34 AM

Wednesday, November 29

Arkansas River Catz 89 Southern Alabama Bounce 81
Rochester RazorSharks 127 Montreal Matrix 101
Houston Undertakers 166 Texas Tycoons 163

Thursday, November 30

Buffalo Silverbacks 120 Hammond Rollers 104
Wilmington Sea Dawgs 115 Richmond Ballerz 105

Friday, December 1

Cape Cod Frenzy 110 Brooklyn Wonders 102
Big Valley Shockwave 109 Fresno Heatwave 108
Miami Tropics 114 Jacksonville Jam 90
Minnesota Ripknees 88 Peoria Kings 87
Monterrey Veneno 100 Waco Wranglers 93
Quebec City Kebekwa 124 Montreal Matrix 99
Detroit Panthers 115 Rochester RazorSharks 104
Arkansas River Catz 116 Texas Tycoons 106
Strong Island Sound 104 Vermont Frost Heaves 98

Saturday, December 2

Strong Island Sound 110 Cape Cod Frenzy 97
Atlanta Vision 86 Knoxville Noise 92
Miami Tropics 99 Orlando Aces 86
Texas Tycoons 122 Monterrey Veneno 111
Twin City Ballers 144 Anderson Champions 139
Vermont Frost Heaves 86 Newark Express 80
Maryland Nighthawks 119 Wilmington Sea Dawgs 111
Houston Undertakers 126 Waco Wranglers 98

Sunday, December 3

Bellingham Slam 121 King County Royals 99
Maryland Nighthawks 115 Richmond Ballerz 113
Miami Tropics 114 Palm Beach Imperials 83
Peoria Kings 128 Twin City Ballers 111
Quebec City Kebekwa 109 Brooklyn Wonders 98
Sacramento Heatwave 122 Maywood Buzz 118
Hollywood Fame 117 Big Valley Shockwave 105
NW Arkansas Aeros 117 Monterrey Veneno 103

Monday, December 5

Miami Tropics 89 Jacksonville Jam 83
Southern Alabama Bounce 113 Houston Undertakers 119
Hollywood Fame 117 Sacramento Heatwave 110

Tuesday, December 6

Beijing Aoshen Olympian 118 San Diego Wildcats 116
NW Arkansas Aeros 120 Mississippi Miracles 107

The Mexicali Sentinals/Centinelas confirmed they will cease operations for the rest of the season after less than a month into the season with hopes of pulling a Texas Tycoons and returning next season better than ever. Its president Mr. David Peralta reported to the local media announcing for the team's better preparations for 2007-08. For now though with the Centinelas' adios to the ABA makes Mexicali the fourth Mexican ABA franchise to be defunct after the Hermosillo Seris, the Jalisco Suns, and the Juarez Gallos
www.centinelasmexicali.com (http://www.centinelasmexicali.com) (en Espanol)

Following in the footsteps of Ashley McElhiney and the Nashville Rhthym, the Newark Express announced co-owner Marsha Blount, who has 25 years of basketball experience as both player and coach, to succeed the resigned Ron Moore as coach. Like with the Rhthym at the time, Ashley was coaching when the owner also happened to be a woman (Sally Anthony). We all know what happened then. In this case, I don't think we will witness a Newark version of what transpired in 2005. I hope it will restore some faith in women coaching men's pro basketball. Another thing: the Express owners are black women. Player liason Sandy Smith will serve as an assistant. Speaking of Ashley, come back to coaching when you get a chance after your time in Tuscaloosa (how about the new Gold Coast NBL team?)!!!
www.newarkexpress.com/News_ID=112906.html (http://www.newarkexpress.com/News_ID=112906.html)

Montreal is STILL winless. There are a few others who also in same state (Orlando, Waco, Toledo, and King County), but the Matrix have played more games so far--0-7. Quebec City certainly is embarassing them right now in the so-called bragging rights in Quebec pro basketball. You would think with its deeper talent pool to choose from out of the city, Montreal would perform much better.

The Hollywood Fame promised there will be celebs possibly playing on court. May seem like a gimmick, but surely the owners want some who had some level of organized basketball experinece. First one up to bat is MTV Real Worlder Syrus Yarbrough, who will dress up as the 13th Man in their home opener at Santa Monica . Like Nikki "Hoopz" Alexander before him with the Knoxville Noise, he will with the team like he already is a member of the Fame from suiting up to the warmups to the halftime to the end--and is eleigible to play if Don Casey sees fit. He actually played basketball at Santa Monica College, where he was a standout (but later transferred to Hawaii-Hilo), so this one makes sense. For the record, the Fame actually play their home games at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium and not the Los Angeles Sports Arena as previously announced perhaps because of the latter's location that is near a rough area. Can't beleive they actually haven't played a home game yet. Maybe it is due to the facility issue. Hope their home debut will be impressive.
www.hollywoodfamelive.com (http://www.hollywoodfamelive.com)

As much I like to report on the ABA, the wackiness and unprofessional level of this league is what people may be intrested in--it's the most entertaining part. I know this is not what Joe Newman wants publicized, since he sees it as an attack of his personal character, but these things must be reported. Something is fundamentaly and horribly wrong with a clearly financial strapped team (in his case the Toldeo Ice) that plays its first (and so far the only) pro game of the season and lose by at least 100 points--with SIX players to play! I'm sure the Ice, in its bigger roster, will defeat the likes of several national teams in Africa and Asia like South Africa, India, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Central African Republic, Uganda, Malawi, Singapore, and Hong Kong should they ever play against them. But that doesn't matter. Another ABA team I hear even wore regular heather grey T-shirts as their uni tops with their names on strips of tape. That's not professional basketball. Professional basketball is not changing schedules puzzling team fans and teams moving during the course of a season, or not setting in one facility as a home (though it's OK when a big one-off event is taking place or inclement weather gets in the way). Professional basketball isn't failing to find complete team and individiual stats or video records.

Former Strong Island Sound G Chris Sandy was killed in an automobile accident while overseas playing for Finland's Kouvot Kouvala in November.

Baltimore Pearls and Las Vegas Venom may return next season.

Sergio McClain in now the player/coach for the Peoria Kings. Kings' attendance has been good considering they are trying to carve a niche in Peoria sports with averaging 700 fans a game, including 1000 for the opener.

Miami Tropics signed new players with a local Latin flavor--former Youngstown St. G Rafael "Pachy" Cruz, F/C Angelo Reyes, and G Ray Rodes from the Bahamas. Thankfully, the Tropics don't don pink unis as I have feared they would judging from the logo. If they were still in the 80s with Miami Vice as its height, it could pass. But pastels are passe.
www.miamitropics.com (http://www.miamitropics.com)

The Vermont Frost Heaves, aka Team Sports Illustrated for its owner is noted and respected SI writer Alexander Wolff, are still coming swimmingly and are now 5-2. Both of their losses came in OT. The likes of Vermont, Texas, Quebec City, Hollywood, Jacksonville, Miami, Beijing Aoshen(just for its deep pockets and strong sponsorship deals alone), Monterrey, Wilmington, Bellingham, Cape Cod, Rochester, Maryland, and NW Arkansas are models of what ABA success should be so far. They are how you operate an ABA team, especially Vermont up in the Green Mountains--not Toledo. Nice unis guys. :) The Frost Heaves recognize talent and cohesion. Oh, you gotta have plenty of capital well beforehand to cover lots of bases in running it and to be organized with it.
www.burlingtonfreepress.com/apps/pbbs.d ... /612030310 (http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/apps/pbbs.dll/article?AID=/20061203/SPORTS/612030310)
www.vermontfrostheaves.com/news/ (http://www.vermontfrostheaves.com/news/)

If the state of Arkansas is any indication, maybe I am a little wrong about a small state (in terms of major league sports) not supporting two different pro basketball leagues. Given the success of the NW Arkansas Aeros and the NBDL's Arkansas RimRockers, a former ABA franchise mind you. So I am a little, though not completely, willing to amend my thoughts on Utah in the ABA, NBDL, and the CBA. But Arkansas is not Utah.

Some more proposed ABA teams for next season:
Bridgeport, Connecticut
Long Beach
Ottawa
San Francisco Bay Area

ABA Power Rankings
1. NW Arkansas Aeros
2. Jacksonville Jam
3. Minnesota Ripknees
4. Strong Island Sound
5. Vermont Frost Heaves
6. Detroit Panthers
7. Texas Tycoons
8. Rochester RazorSharks
9. Quad Cities RiverHawks
10. Gallup Outlaws
11. Arkansas River Catz
12. San Diego Wildcats
13. Wilmington Sea Dawgs
14. Miami Tropics
15. Quebec City Kebs
16. Bellingham Slam
17. Hollywood Fame
18. Knoxville Noise
19. St. Louis Stunners
20. Tennessee Mudfrogs
21. Cape Cod Frenzy
22. Monterrey Veneno
23. Maryland Nighthawks
24. Maywood Buzz

Durbansandshark

12-12-2006, 12:22 PM

Dennis Rodman who played in the ABA with the defunct Long Beach Jam (actually moved to the CBA and up the Cali coast and became the Bakersfield Jam) will film portions of his new reality-TV show at the Santa Monica College, home of the Hollywood Fame. The show will be on HD Net. Geek to Freak with Dennis Rodman At first, I thought he was going to play in the ABA. Speaking of the Fame, Yuta Tabutse did not make the final roster on Opening Day. Nick Lachey, Jessica Simpson's-ex, avid sports fan, and Fame co-owner, vows to be a little like Mark Cuban like chest bumping with players. More later.
www.hollywoodfamelive.com (http://www.hollywoodfamelive.com)

More problems with the Montreal Matrix. Still winless--they almost won yesterday against Cape Cod, it isn't a lack of professionalism and organization, but the lack of awareness and the very disappointing reaction from its fans. May I remind you that Montreal, for its fertile basketball talent, isn't really known to have great success in its pro basketball attempts, and that's a shame. This is Montreal's best shot at pro basketball so far, and I, given the coverage I've given them in these boards, happen to like them a lot. Home games' attendance at the Pierre Charbonneau Centre on Nove 10 and 12 have been, in GM Tito Desin's words, "very disappointing". Though the players haven't been paid , according to several sources, they haven't declared a pullout and at least for now continue to play. But Montreal's own Mohamed Hachad (ex-Northwestern Wildcat) has already left for Switzerland's Sion-Herens in the LNA as a replacement for the sacked Erick Barkley. With little revenue coming from their two home games to cover expenses, the situation will be reversed in the next few weeks. If you check out their really-good looking website, they got (limited) sponsorships from Subway, Montreal Mirror, The city of Montreal, MusiquePlus, Global Media, Ici, Metro (Montreal's subway system), Soundbeatradio, and the Canadian Heart and Stroke Association-- www.montrealmatrix.ca (http://www.montrealmatrix.ca) , Old site-- www.montrealmatrixbasketball.com (http://www.montrealmatrixbasketball.com) Fans need to be aware of them more, because they need their support. If I were living up in Montreal right now, I would try to attend as many home games as I can becuase this will be as close to NBA basketball Montreal will get in the forseeable future. And in the local media, there's talk of moving, selling the team, or folding it. Makes you wonder what if Pascal Jobin and Jerome Williams are still around with this team. As we should know from previous seasons, it's hard to hold onto a ABA team by the holiday season...
www.freewebs.com/frozenhoops/ (http://www.freewebs.com/frozenhoops/)

By contrast, the Quebec Kebs are doing well, both on and off court. Montreal's situation is so bad that former GM and coach Pascal Jobin made a plea for Montreal fans to turn up.

Did you think this wasn't going to happen with what I told you last week about them and in the recent weeks? The Toldeo Ice became the latest casualty in the ABA with its disastrous situation putting an end to them. Another WTF joke team gone... http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/ar ... -1/SPORTS/ (http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061207/SPORTS09/612070373/-1/SPORTS/)

But an ABA has indeed been rescued. The Hammond Rollers are saved from certain death when it was bought by Quad Cities owner Tom McGinn thus terminating the ownership of Denise Pulphuis. Its previous owner Denise Pulphus was "99 percent certain" that she was going to pull the plug on the Rollers. She cites the leagues's organization issues and having to absorb the costs herself after Joe Newman promised the league will take over the Rollers. The Rollers will move to the Sterling/Rock Falls area in Illinois and will be renamed the Sauk Valley Rollers. Their first as such in their new home will be on December 28. They follow the Fresno/Sacramento Heatwave in moving during the course of the season. Coach Kenny Battle will stay on.

Anthony Bonner is NOT coaching the St. Louis Stunners.

Scores and more will come tomorrow.

Durbansandshark

13-12-2006, 04:29 AM

Wednesday, December 7

Houston Undertakers 134 Waco Wranglers 128

Thursday, December 8

NW Arkansas Aeros 139 Houston Undertakers 125
Brooklyn Wonders 119 Richmond Ballerz 111
Vermont Frost Heaves 106 Chicago Rockstars 97
Rochester RazorSharks 115 Detroit Panthers 100
Minnesota Ripknees 114 Hammond Rollers 101

Friday, December 9

NW Arkansas Aeros 119 Waco Wranglers 100
Jacksonville Jam 100 Atlanta Vision 84
Buffalo Silverbacks 119 Detroit Panthers 104
Minnesota Ripknees 116 Hammond Rollers 101
Quebec City Kebekwa 91 Montreal Matrix 71
Quad Cities RiverHawks 103 St. Louis Stunners 93

Saturday, December 10

Rochester RazorSharks 109 Buffalo Silverbacks 90
Bellingham Slam 120 Maywood Buzz 100
Jacksonville Jam 94 Atlanta Vision 81
Orlando Aces 110 Miami Tropics 100
Chicago Rockstars 104 Peoria Kings 96
Vermont Frost Heaves 99 Quebec City Kebekwa 85
Tennessee Mudfrogs 130 Knoxville Noise 128
Anderson Champions 141 Twin Cities Ballers 131
Waco Wranglers 137 Texas Tycoons 131

Sunday, December 11

Texas Tycoons 125 NW Arkansas Aeros 116
Chicago Rockstars 109 Twin Cities Ballers 87
Fresno/Sacramento Heatwave 109 Las Vegas Venom 86
Cape Cod Frenzy 114 Montreal Matrix 113
Maryland Nighthawks 128 Strong Island Sound 115
Wilmington Sea Dawgs 95 Newark Express 93
Tijuana Dragons 137 Big Valley Shockwave 97
San Diego Wildcats 113 Bellingham Slam 105
Gallup Outlaws 102 Beijing Aoshen Olympic 99
Arkansas RiverCatz 130 Mississippi Miracles 120
Peoria Kings 96 Quad Cities RiverHawks 86

Monday, December 12

Gallup Outlaws 95 Beijing Aoshen Olympic 93
Richmond Ballerz 117 Newark Express 116
Jacksonville Jam 109 Palm Beach Imperials 107

The RazorSharks won 22 straight home games after defeating the Buffalo Silverbacks. Following a RazorSharks matinees home game against Quebec City on New Year's Eve, Rochester's Blue Cross Arena will host a concert headlined by 18-year old multinstrumenatlist Teddy Geiger, who's making some noise in the US pop charts. Fans have a chance to mingle with the RazorShark players and the dance team at the Webster Aquatic Center for fun and games. Free and open to the public Friday, December 29 6-8pm www.razorsharks.com (http://www.razorsharks.com)

More Razorsharks: Six home games will be televised on the newest sports cable network in the Mid-Atlantic, Time Warner SportsNet (TWSN) beginning December 28 against the Cape Cod Frenzy. The network launches in three days, focusing Rochester professional sports teams, local high schools and college teams, and ESPN News.

Las Vegas is actually back. But all those ABA teams dropping won't stop more expansion. Nevada is gaining another ABA team in Henderson. Just place it in Reno instead...

Durbansandshark

16-12-2006, 04:54 AM

Another ABA expansion team and another one based in Texas coming. Corpus Christi joins Crazy Joe's ABA next season, but the man spearheading it coming in has some experinece involved in operating a sports team in the area, the Corpus Christi IceRays minor league hockey team and owns the Corpus Christi Hammerheads indoor football team. Hope Chad Dittman doesn't overextend himself.
www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3406311 (http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3406311)

ABA Power Rankings
1. NW Arkansas
2. Minnesota
3. Jacksonville
4. Vermont
5. Rochester
6. Quad Cities
7. Strong Island
8. Arkansas
9. Hollywood
10.Bellingham
11.Gallup
12.Texas
13.Wilmington
14.Miami
15.Quebec City
16.San Diego
17.Tennessee
18.Detroit
19.Maryland
20.Chicago
21.Cape Cod
22.Anderson
23.Knoxville
24.Sacramento

The King County Royals won their first game of the season last night overthe Sacramento Heatwave 116-106. This leaves the Montreal Matrix as the only active ABA without a win this season. More scores will come after the weekend.

Durbansandshark

21-12-2006, 05:45 AM

The Orange County Gladiators released their logo to the world yesterday. Not exactly awe-inspiring: www.ocgladiators.com (http://www.ocgladiators.com) www.myspace.com/ocgladiators (http://www.myspace.com/ocgladiators)
The bigger stuff will get announced in a major press conference next month. Team is now working on getting the merchandise agreements finalized made and making the gear available soon.

Sauk Valley (formerly Hammond) Rollers' intro to the residents consciousness www.saukvalley.com/articles/2006/12/17/ ... 147262.txt (http://www.saukvalley.com/articles/2006/12/17/sports/local/351926867147262.txt)
But no dice in their debut there: www.saukvalley.com/articles/2006/12/19/ ... 212881.txt (http://www.saukvalley.com/articles/2006/12/19/sports/local/287768087212881.txt)

More on the Montreal Matrix: The Matrix was officialy pronounced dead even before playing their home game Sunday against the Vermont Frost Heaves (more on them later). The Matrix players' focus weren't in it when Montreal lost bad 112-71. But it was confirmed some time that it is now revived when it was sold to a local ownership group led by Luc Filiatrualt. Wanting to create a new legacy and eschew its troubled start in the last season and a half, the team will no longer be managed by anyone associated with the previous management. In fact, the team will have a new name resulting from a Name the Team contest for the general public and it will be known officially as the Montreal Professional Basketball Club but for the interim will maintain the Matrix name and records. Filiatrault happened to be a member of the Matrix medical staff. Maybe he can help pump some interest into the Montreal public. Surely they'll win some games. Nevio Marzinotto will serve not only as head coach but also its new GM. Paul Stephens remains as Assistant Coach. Next game will be at home on the 22nd against Newark. I wish they kept the Matrix name since it's so cool. Here's the press release: www.montrealmatrix.ca (http://www.montrealmatrix.ca)

Continuing in Canada, Halifax ABA announced their name the other day with help from vice president Jadranka Crgornorac. From over 600 entries, the winning entry is....(drum roll please) the Rainmen. Its winning nomination is from Halifax's Krista MacDonald, who was pleasantly shocked. I was expecting it to be named the Nova Scotia somethings. Now, the Rainmen can invite jokes involving the Dustin Hoffman-Tom Cruise movie. But Rainmen has a dual purpose to Halifax: Crgornorac states that Halifax gets lots of rain, and in basketball three-pointers are sometimes called rain and to market around them. A significant percentage want to call them the Explosion, but that would not have been "in good taste". First merchandise featuring the logo designed by Toronto's Keith Flynn is expected to hit next month at the time when Halifax hosts the ABA All-Star Weekend. The 6000-seat Halifax Forum might also be a good venue for them to play, as it. like the MetroCentre, hosts basketball games.
http://chronicleherald.ca/Sports/548210.html

The Quebec City Kebs are still doing well. They even defeated champs Rochester 85-75 to cap off a brilliant weekend satisfying the new-record 1500 fans at Laval University. And they got better-looking uniforms than what they wore against Vermont on the road. So I apologize if they were on their way at the time.
www.freewebs.com/frozenhoops/ (http://www.freewebs.com/frozenhoops/)

Vermont still is going strong and leading the Northeast division. Yes, Alexander you got a damn fine team. They destroyed Montreal 112-71 as visitors, a team that wished hadn't bothered. www.timesargus.com/apps/pbcs.dll/articl ... 04/SPORTS/ (http://www.timesargus.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061217/SPORTS/612170416/1004/SPORTS/)
Here's a profile on Frost Heaves coach Will Voigt: www.burlingtonfreepress.com/apps/pbcs.d ... /612200315 (http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061220/SPORTS/612200315)
www.vermontfrostheaves.com/news/ (http://www.vermontfrostheaves.com/news/)

Can't talk about ABA basketball without dealing with the Hollywood Fame. The Fame have won four straight, including their home opener at Santa Monica College over the Big Valley Shockwave in front of a star-studded crowd and the San Diego Wildcats to go 7-2. www.hollywoodfamelive.com (http://www.hollywoodfamelive.com)

The Toledo Ice is baaaaaccck, but this time with a new owner and name. They're now the Toledo Royal Knights with a new owner determined to dispell the negative publicity like with that 191-66 loss to Detroit. Wait a minute, don't they realize that Rome, Georgia has an ABA team coming next year called the Knights? Sure they now have a $107,000 budget to cover the expenses for the rest of the season with an accountant in tow to serve as chief financial officerDo they want to invite confusion? The Ice, ahem, the Royal Knights, will play in local high schools for home games.
www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/artic ... /612190332 (http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061219/SPORTS09/612190332)

Detroit Panthers named Clarence "Bill" Jones as Head Coach/Assistant GM
www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3405745 (http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3405745)
www.detroitpanthers.com (http://www.detroitpanthers.com)

A plea to all ABA teams: DON'T YOU EVER change your names during the course of the season; it comes off as bush league. Do it in the offseason to allow for merchandise and other intangibles come to play. Then again, the ABA is bush league

Scores will come tomorrow

Durbansandshark

22-12-2006, 03:18 AM

The Montreal Professional Basketball Club's website (I'll still call you the Matrix for now): www.montrealABA.com (http://www.montrealABA.com)
I just voted for the Montreal Flash in the contest.
Press realase on the press conference: www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3408015 (http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3408015)

Maywood Buzz sign Santa Claus. No not THAT Santa Claus. But AND 1 star Kenny Brunner, nicknamed Santa Claus. Buzz coach/GM Burrell Lee knew of Brunner for many years since high school "and will move Will Burr to the 2-spot so that it can free him up more for shots".

Richmond Ballerz fell behind early then scored 48 points in the second quarter and pulled ahead of the Wilmington Sea Dawgs to defeat them 126-112. www.richmondballerz.com (http://www.richmondballerz.com)

My local ABA team, the St. Louis Stunners lost four games in a row. Website hasn't been updated much. www.stlstunners.com (http://www.stlstunners.com)

Tuesday, December 13
Miami Torpics 94 Jacksonville Jam 91
Knoxville Noise 131 Tennessee Mudfrogs 121
Maywood Buzz 144 Monterrey Veneno 129
Bellingham Slam 134 Fresno/Sacramento Heatwave 104

Wednesday, December 15
Tennessee Mudfrogs 122 Atlanta Vision 121
Bellingham Slam 110 Fresno/Sacramento Heatwave 104
Maywood Buzz 139 Monterrey Veneno 123
Buffalo Silverbacks 117 Richmond Ballerz 97

Thursday, December 16
King County Royals 116 Fresno/Sacramento Heatwave 101
Buffalo Silverbacks 123 Richmond Ballerz 116
Vermont Frost Heaves 95 Rochester RazorSharks 93
San Diego Wildcats 124 Tijuana Dragons 118
Mississippi Miracles 138 St. Louis Stunners 133

Friday, December 17
NW Arkansas Aeros 130 Arkansas RiverCatz 112
Detroit Panthers 110 Buffalo Silverbacks 104
Jacksonville Jam 124 Orlando Aces 120
Peoria Kings 140 Anderson Champions 114
Quebec City Kebekwa 101 Strong Island Sound 92
Quad Cities RiverHawks 128 Twin City Ballers 105

Poida

22-12-2006, 01:40 PM

Durban,

where can I find box scores?? In particular, for the Vermont Frostheaves???

The ABA site is useless.

Durbansandshark

24-12-2006, 06:37 AM

Unfortunately, finding box scores for ABA games are nonexistant even in local newspapers. I too have trouble finding them online. This is one of the things that makes me so upset about this league, and John Salley indicated that he was going to put forth a greater effort on teams to do this. Higher up basketball leagues like even the CBA and IBL do a better job and keeping track of records of games. With the exception of a few teams, many of their games aren't televised (because of the many facilities they play aren't exactly accomodating to TV cameras and musch of the media). Many of them may kinda remind you of Illawarra's Snakepit.

Poida

24-12-2006, 01:08 PM

Dam :x

Wanted to know how Lester Strong is going. He has been the import for my clubs' ABA team down here for the past couple of seasons :)

ebehoops

02-01-2007, 05:52 PM

Poida, I'll find out how Lester is doing and make a post tomorrow. I know Lester from his days at Metro State (playing for Mike Dunlap and with Mark Worthington). I should hear from my people with the Frost Heaves first thing tomorrow morning, Vancouver time.

Poida

02-01-2007, 08:00 PM

Thanks mate! Much appreciated :D

ebehoops

04-01-2007, 03:37 AM

Okay, the Lester Strong update...

Lester was playing very well, rebounding and providing solid defense but unfortunately broke his hand in mid-December. He is still with the team and going through rehab but will not be able to play until at least February. It sounds like he still still making a nice "leadership" contribution in the room with his positive attitude.

If I hear anything else, I'll let you know.

Poida

04-01-2007, 09:15 AM

Thanks alot mate! He probably broke it throwing down one of his powerful dunks :lol:

Durbansandshark

18-01-2007, 11:21 AM

I almost attended a St. Louis Stunners ABA home game almost two weeks ago on a Saturday night when I had a day off. The game versus the Anderson Champions was held at Forest Park Community College Athletic Center Gymnasium, which was very easy for me to go to. But I didn't take advantage of that and went shopping instead. I hope to get another chance soon.

The ABA scores will return soon. But because there's a lot of teams to cover with. I will have to bring up the scores in two separate blocks, which I will do next week now that I'm back from my winter layover.

The Montreal Matrix have finally won a game! HOORAY and HALLELUJAH!!!! If there was one precious wish for the Matrix and their fans this past Christmas it was a win. And they got it with their new ownership installed beating the Newark Express 113-94 in front of a delighted home crowd at the Pierre Charbonneau Centre. Shawn Browne led Montreal with 28 points while Bobby Miller and Damon Jones each scored 19 on Christmas Eve eve. The Matrix since won again narrowly beating the Cape Cod Frenzy 87-85 on January 13. Quebec City Kebs coach Pacal Jobin doubled as a consultant for the incoming ownership group. www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3408945 (http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3408945)

Little segue more into ABA Canada. The upcoming ABA All-Star Weekend in Halifax, Nova Scotia on Sunday, January 28th is shaping up to be something special. It will, as I would expect, be the time and place for the Halifax Rainmen logo brought out to the public. Last season, half a dozen NBA scouts attended the All-Star Classic in Miami. However, ticket sales for the All-Star Weekend in Halifax at the Halifax MetroCentre, which includes the Atlantic East men's basketball regular season St. Francis Xavier-Dalhousie and St. Mary's-Memorial matchups, the 3-Point Shootout, the Slam Dunk Contest, and a Hedley-headlined rock concert, has been slow for it. The Rainmen ownership, stated by Jadranka Crgonorac, is footing C$250,000 for the extravaganza. She hoped for a sell-out. There still could be. On the Rainmen front, they have the advantage of the old WBL/NBL's Halifax Windjammers as they build a fan base when it comes to Halifax pro basketball. Rainmen players could be well-known to the community as the Windjammers' Willie Bland did in the 90s. The WBL held its All-Star game in Halifax in 1991, and it was a sellout. Rainmen's ownership should be wise in listening to the Windjammers' old owner on how to run an ABA franchise and cultivate Halifax's love for basketball even further--(by Alex J. Walling) www.hfxnews.com/index.cfm?sid=3137&sc=93 (http://www.hfxnews.com/index.cfm?sid=3137&sc=93)
And Chris Cochrane (with Vermont's Alexander Wolff): http://thechronicleherald.ca/Sports/553066.html

The 2007 ABA All-Star Game has announced their coaches for Halifax:
ABA West All-Star Head Coach: Bob Hoffman (NW Arkansas Aeros)
ABA West All-Star Assistant Coach: Chris Terrell (Texas Tycoons)
ABA West All-Star Assistant Coach: Larry Mackenzie (Minnesota Ripknees)

ABA East All-Star Head Coach: Will Voigt (Vermont Frost Heaves)
ABA East All-Star Assistant Coach: Rod Baker (Rochester RazorSharks)
ABA East All-Star Assistant Coach: Steve Tucker (Jacksonville Jam)
Coaches were selected by their team's power ranking as of the first Saturday of January. Voigt had already started selecting players for the East team last Tuesday.

Players selected:
West
Jamal Staten G Minnesota Ripknees
Sun Yue F Beijing Aoshen Olympic
Cardell Butler San Diego Wildcats
Mike Parker Bellingham Slam
Bobby Anderson Peoria Kings
Jeremy Bell Arkansas RiverCatz
Billy Knight Hollywood Fame
Curtis Haywood NW Arkansas Aeros
Chris Brown Tennessee Mudfrogs
Tyrone Davis Mississippi Miracles
Terrell Hendricks Maywood Buzz
Donald Beachem Texas Tycoons

East
Rob Sanders F Cape Cod Frenzy
Antonio Burks Vermont Frost Heaves
Cordell Jeanty Quebec City Kebekwa
Alex Hill Orlando Aces
Gregory Plummer Strong Island Sound
Bobby St. Preux Palm Beach Imperials
Antonie Sims Buffalo Silverbacks
Jerry Williams Jacksonville Jam
Cedric McGinnis Wilmington Sea Dawgs
James Reaves Rochester RazorSharks
Drew Washington Maryland Nighthawks
Kantu Davis Detroit Panthers
Zakee Boyd Newark Express

Look for this to be a high-scoring affair at the Halifax Metro Centre coming from the creme de la creme of ABA talent, surely to impress the lovers of basketball in Halifax. The ABA All-Star Weekend will be podcasted for the first time worldwide through AdValiant and Jazzmedia and on your cell (mobile) phone. The game will be seen nationally in Canada on The Score. More info can be found from Frozen Hoops: www.freewebs.com/frozenhoops/2007abaallstargame.htm (http://www.freewebs.com/frozenhoops/2007abaallstargame.htm)

You can recap last year's ABA All-Star game in Sunrise, Florida at the BankAtlantic Center here at www.abalive.com/allstar (http://www.abalive.com/allstar)

Ottawa officially will play in the ABA next season. Making it five Canadian ABA teams, all in the eastern part of the country including the capital.

The Hollywood Fame continues to make splashes in the ABA. Another notable former NBA head coach has joined the Hollywood Fame as an assistant. And he too has strong Los Angeles basketball ties and no stranger to the new ABA (Los Angeles Stars in 2000). Phoenix Mercury coach Paul Westhead will inject his high-octane "Paul Ball" to the Fame for head coach Don Casey and his stingy defensive philosophies. Westhead thinks it's a nice WNBA offseason job. Surely, the two knew of and were friendly to each other for years. I thought for a moment he was going to be the Fame coach, but I think that will act as a conflict of interest. On Boxing Day Bryon Russell joins the Hollywood Fame. The Fame is 7-4.

Ever wondered about The Brooklyn Wonders since they last played in December? Owner Leigh Sutton sold the Wonders to Daisy Brand (Elton's mother) who renamed it the Brooklyn Comets with her other son Artie installed Artie as general manager. The Wonders/Comets resumed play on January 12.

Knoxville Noise have left the ABA, but not for the reasons you may think. Word is the Noise will join the WBA as they focus on the transition to it for the upcoming WBA spring/summer season--since confirmed. This makes another Tennessee-based basketball named the Noise to stop playing in a league since the ABL's (women) Nashville Noise ceased operations with the rest of the league in 1998. www.knoxvillenoise.com (http://www.knoxvillenoise.com). In its place for the rest of the season is another Georgia-based team. A team that was a phantom ABA team a couple of years back: The Georgia Gwizzlies. I recall they left as the Gwinnett Gwizzlies, based in the Atlanta suburb, when there was fear of the name would get them sued by the NBA and moved to the WBA. Home games are in Covington, Georgia and will take all of the Noise's records.

The Toledo Royal Knights MySpace page: www.myspace.com/toledoroyalknights (http://www.myspace.com/toledoroyalknights)
Steve Corrgens is the coach for them with Anthony Yacey as his assistant. We already got ABA teams named the Knights. Why add another one?

Two old ABA areas are back for next season. Long Beach, the original home of the Long Beach Jam before moving up the Cali coast to Bakersfield, will return after a two-year break with a new team named the Long Beach Storm owned by Nicole Wainwright, an owner of both an entertainment consulting company and a business consulting company dealing with startup businesses ( www.presstelegram.com/sports/ci_4959603 (http://www.presstelegram.com/sports/ci_4959603) ) With that, the Storm held cheerleader tryouts. The Kentucky Colonels will return next season but instead of playing in Louisville, home games will be be in Murray, Kentucky (home of Murray St. University). This, I think, will be the last chance effort to revitilize a name and team that meant a lot in the seventies. Former Murray St. women's assistant and Kennesaw St. men's coach Kevin Walters is their new coach. His strength, Walters says, is player development in developing their skills for NBA-ready. He also states that his goal is to have the Colonels competitive and strong enough for the ABA title in its first season. Team is owned by Kentucky Colonels LLC owned by businessman Steve Van Waes.

Anthony Lacey is the San Diego Wildcats new owner. He has been talking to San Diego Owner Jerry Sanders on having Wildcats home games at San Diego St. Aztecs' old stomping grounds the Golden Hall. The Wildcats are among the more successful ABA teams out there with an entertaining style of play and ranking near the top in the ABA Power Rankings--and getting stronger as word of good mouth of them spreads.

Tijuana Dragones had to change their coach when Joao da Costa decided to return to his native Seattle. It seems Da Costa was upset with the progressive weakening of the Dragones roster and his pleas to sign a few new players were met with deaf ears. To replace Da Costa, owner Carlos Atilano announced Jerry Farmer to succeed Da Costa.

More ABA news and (hopefully) some scores will come tommorow including some stuff regarding the defending champs Rochester RazorSharks.

Durbansandshark

19-01-2007, 09:43 AM

The Rochester RazorSharks, already one of the more stable and model ABA franchises, are among the hottest teams in the league by eight of their last nine game with their only recent loss was to the Detroit Panthers on the road. In addition, the RazorSharks won their 24th straight home game at the Blue Cross Arena, setting a new Rochester professional basketball record that was set by the old CBA Rochester Zeniths and the NBA's Rochester Royals (now the Sacramento Kings) both with 23 each. All with a team record-setting and history-appreciative 7858 fans in attendance on December 28. They are gradually expanding their fan base, which should only get bigger with more winning. Rochester already has a very strong rep as a supportable minor-league sports city with success from the long-standing AHL's Americans, USL's the Raging Rhinos, the NLL's Knighthawks, CIFL's Raiders, MLL's Rattlers, and Triple AAA's Redwings. Can the RazorSharks repeat their 30-4 record last season? Maybe not--competition is better now than last season. They certainly can win the ABA title again. But they aren't quite as strong as they were when they won.
www.democratandchronicle.com/apps/pbcs. ... 007/SPORTS (http://www.democratandchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061229/SPORTS/612290367/1007/SPORTS)
www.democratandchronicle.com/apps/pbcs. ... 007/SPORTS (http://www.democratandchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061231/SPORTS0101/612310337/1007/SPORTS)

Speaking of hot streaks, there is a pro basketball team in Miami that is heating things up on the court. No it's not the Heat, who are currently fighting for a Eastern Conference playoff spot. It's their small scale bretheren in the ABA, the Miami Tropics. Not surprisingly, not many people have heard of them there. When talented players became available, the Tropics roster gets "tweaked". That tweaking got them to 13-4 right now, seventh in the ABA Power Rankings. www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3415081 (http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3415081)

Up the road in Palm Beach, coach Lamont Carr has left the Imperials. Turkish assistant coach Serhat Sehit got promoted in his place. Anthony Slater, Bobby Brown, and Levaseyia Freeman were added to the roster while Nick Wallery, Courtney Pritchard, Courtney James, and Lincoln Glass were waived to make room.

Atlanta Vision signs Daniel Artest, Ron's brother, today after he was cut by the CBA's Yakima Sun Kings in an attempt to boost their front court depth.

Because the unusual name was very unpopular to many of its fans and players alike, the Houston Undertakers (originally the Houston Havoc when entered the ABA and named themselves the Undertakers after WWE wrester The Undertaker Mark Calaway, a Houston native) decided to simply rename themselves the Houston Takers (as in "to take some games from the division leaders"). Owner Larry Leonard II says the Undertakers name was intended to draw attention to the new Houston pro basketball team but admitted it attracted the wrong kind of attention.

Will ABA teams ever learn about this? the Twin City Ballerz have moved in midseason to Gary, Indiana to become the Gary Giants.

Durbansandshark

25-01-2007, 11:04 AM

Some little ABA stuff before the big one tomorrow:

The Montreal Matrix's new name is now the Montreal Royal, as it was announced late last week. Makes sense on several levels. Montreal is the combined French word after all for Mount Royal, named by explorer Jacques Cartier upon visiting the island. Also, it is also a tribute to the old Montreal Royals, a Brooklyn Dodgers farm baseball team famous for having Jackie Robinson play there before the historic callup. There actually is a smalltime baseball club with that name in a Canada-only baseball league. But I still think the Matrix name should've been kept, and I think it's cooler and more finesse. Anyway, they won a couple more game since installing new ownership. Henceforth, I will refer to the Montreal team as the Montreal Matrix/Royal. Flash was better. In their first not as Matrix, they wore blue unis that only read Montreal across their chests.

It appears the Anderson Champions have ceased operations, having cancelled six consecutive games. I knew that once the CBA's Indiana Alley Cats would call Anderson High and Anderson University home by moving into the Champions terrain, the Champions were going to be done. Despite what league officials say that they are "technically still in operation".

Sauk Valley Rollers will conduct their own ABA All-Star festivities while the big one is in Halifax. The Rollers will host on January 28 the "ABA Weekend Shootout" at the Westwood Sports Center in Sterling, Illinois. It too will have its own slam-dunk contest and three-point shootout with players from the Rollers, Quad Cities RiverHawks, Chicago Rockstars, Peoria Kings, Minnesota Ripknees, and the Twin City Ballers/Gary Giants for an undisclosed cash prize for winners of both events. RiverHawks and Rollers owner Tom McGinn stated to the media that he's in negotiations with the NW Arkansas Aeros for a home-and-home series with them and McGinn's Rollers and RiverHawks in time for early February to take over the holes left by teams dropping like flies in the league.

Scores and other stuff will make their return tomorrow (...along with some attendance figures)

www.usbasket.com/aba/aba.asp (http://www.usbasket.com/aba/aba.asp)

Durbansandshark

26-01-2007, 10:33 AM

One of the wackiness that is the ABA happens to be th attendance figures for games. I'd like to give you a nice sampling of the good, the bad, and of course without a doubt the ugly in that. Mind you the following is taken from an unofficial ABA site called www.abasite.tk (http://www.abasite.tk) from fans on the forums:

Minnesota @ Quad Cities: 300 fans
Las Vegas @ Gallup: 300 (first game), 150 (second game)
Vermont @ Quebec: 300
Montreal @ Cape Cod: 400-500
Rochester @ Strong Island:100
Brooklyn @ Strong Island: 200
Knoxville Noise in their early days of the season had up to 125-150 fans
Vermont @ Montreal: 200
Hollywood @ Las Vegas: 300
Bellingham @ King County: 75 :!:
One Quad Cities RiverHawks home game earlier in the season brought out 89 fans. Another home game had 286.
Wilmington had 1286 fans in one
Hollywood @ Bellingham: 1000 (first game), 850 (second game)
Hollywood @ Maywood: 100
Maryland @ Richmond: 125
Hollywood @ Big Valley: 40-50 :!:
3316 attended for a RazorSharks home game in early December.
Newark @ Richmond: 132
Strong Island @ Quebec City: 1200
Rochester @ Quebec City: 1300
Just under 1000 in Montreal for a recent game there
200 in Sauk Valley
(more will come, be afraid..be very afraid)

Ann Iverson's Richmond Ballerz are about to become the latest casualty in the ABA this season. I'm sorry, you just cannot sustain a franchise in any team sport with that kind of attendance figures (as shown above). Where the hell was the promotion in media for it. You have the cred for being as AI's mom and his wealth, but where's the publicity aggression for the franchise and boost its talent? :?

Big Valley Shockwave will play at the Modesto Junior College Gym starting February 4 following the All-Star Game.

Anderson just wasn't big enough for two pro basketball teams no matter how much Indiana loves basketball. In a way, the Champions remind me of the old Anderson Packers from the NBL/NBA.

OK, the scores. I hope to get everything up to date next week. Because of this, I will do it in light blocks, just to get started here:

Monday, December 18
Beijing Aoshen Olympic 101 Fresno/Sacramento Heatwave 91
Jacksonville Jam 121 Palm Beach Imperials 114
Miami Tropics 152 Orlando Aces 96
Quad Cities Riverhawks 87 Hammond/Sauk Valley Rollers 86
Southern Alabama Bounce 128 Tennessee Mud Frogs 111
Richmond Ballerz 126 Wilmington Sea Dawgs 111

Tuesday, December 19
Palm Beach Imperials 125 Orlando Aces 106
Mississippi Miracles 135 Tennessee Mud Frogs 114

Wednesday, December 20
Orlando Aces 113 Palm Beach Imperials 111
Wilmington Sea Dawgs 115 Richmond Ballerz 109
Rochester RazorSharks 107 Buffalo Silverbacks 102
King County Royals 118 Tijuana Dragones 115

Happy Australia Day, mates! :D :D :D :D

www.usbasket.com/aba/aba.asp (http://www.usbasket.com/aba/aba.asp)

Durbansandshark

27-01-2007, 06:09 AM

Thursday, December 21
Mississippi Miracles 108 Southern Alabama Bounce 103
Vermont Frost Heaves 103 Newark Express 90
Bellingham Slam 140 Tijuana Dragones 104
Miami Tropics 110 Palm Beach Imperials 103

Friday, December 22
Beijing Aoshen Olympian 113 Hollywood Fame 106
Strong Island Sound 111 Maryland Nighthawks 101
Fresno/Sacramento Heatwave 109 Maywood Buzz 105
Newark Express 105 Montreal Matrix 97
Jacksonville Jam 104 Orlando Aces 90
Quad Cities RiverHawks 101 Peoria Kings 92
Quebec City Kebekwa 88 Vermont Frost Heaves 87
Detroit Panthers 119 Hammond/Sauk Valley Rollers 113
NW Arkansas Aeros 115 St. Louis Stunners 101
Bellingham Slam 147 Tijuana Dragones 124

Saturday, December 23
Beijing Aoshen Olympians 117 Maywood Buzz 99
Rochester RazorSharks 122 Maryland Nighthawks 112
Montreal Matrix 113 Newark Express 94
Strong Island Sound 98 Quebec City Kebekwa 83
Hammond/Sauk Valley Rollers 149 Twin Cities Ballers 125
Peoria Kings 129 St. Louis Stunners 113
Texas Tycoons 105 Waco Wranglers 88
Detroit Panthers 128 Anderson Champions 111

Wednesday, December 27
Bellingham Slam 113 King County Royals 92
Miami Tropics 106 Palm Beach Imperials 91
Minnesota Ripknees 92 Quad Cities RiverHawks 79

Now that we're in the ABA All-Star Weekend, I don't understand why more players from the Minnesota Ripknees, Peoria Kings, Chicago Rockstars, Miamai Tropics, Palm Beach Imperials, and Quad Cities RiverHawks were added--even as alternates. My belief is the coaches and the ABA brass want to put on an entertaining show for the Halifax residents on Sunday. I'll post on the festivities along with more belated ABA scores after the weekend is over. Todd Day of the NW Arkansas Aeros was just added to the ABA All-Star Game for the West.

Here's some stuff about Halifax and of the Rainmen leading up to the ABA All-Star Weekend.
www.hfxnews.ca/index.cfm?sid=6510&sc=92 (http://www.hfxnews.ca/index.cfm?sid=6510&sc=92)
This one above deals with the mutual ignorance of Halifax and the ABA players
www.hfxnews.ca/index.cfm?sid=6949&sc=92 (http://www.hfxnews.ca/index.cfm?sid=6949&sc=92)
A profile on Detroit native and Halifax Rainmen co-owner Andre Levingston
Hopefully the Rainmen logo will appear this weekend.

Durbansandshark

31-01-2007, 08:19 AM

Uh-oh, some disturbing things are going on for the much-hyped Hollywood Fame. Financial constraints affected the team in the last months, forcing important changes in the technical staff and personnel. Mike Casey, the Fame VP of Operations, coach Don Casey, and star player Jamison Brewer have all left. Rumours abound that the owners will dock their players pay. No wonder why the Fame had no All-Stars in Halifax over the weekend. The Fame may be gone soon...

(if you go to www.usbasket.com/aba/aba.asp (http://www.usbasket.com/aba/aba.asp), you'll see an exclusive brief interview with Mike Casey on the Fame's financial straits)

The Maryland Nighthawks will introduce on Wednesday the latest Chinese export to North American basketball, 7'9" C Sun Ming Ming. www.marylandnighthawks.com (http://www.marylandnighthawks.com)

Thursday, December 28
Rochester RazorSharks 92 Cape Cod Frenzy 88
Maywood Buzz 126 Tijuana Dragones 112
NW Arkansas Aeros 120 Mississippi Miracles 115
Quad Cities RiverHawks 85 Minnesota Ripknees 82
Hammond/Sauk Valley Rollers 162 Twin City Ballers 137

Friday, December 29
Buffalo Silverbacks 118 Cape Cod Frenzy 110
Miami Tropics 117 Jacksonville Jam 110
Palm Beach Imperials 125 Orlando Aces 118
Hammond/Sauk Valley Rollers 101 Chicago Rockstars 94
Peoria Kings 143 Twin City Ballers 112
Texas Tycoons 140 Waco Wranglers 92

Saturday, December 30
Vermont Frost Heaves 107 Cape Cod Frenzy 102
NW Arkansas Aeros 149 Houston Takers 127
Bellingham Slam 130 King County Royals 112
Mississippi Miracles 111 Arkansas RiverCatz 102
San Diego Wildcats 117 Tijuana Dragones 112
Peoria Kings 102 Hammond/Sauk Valley Rollers 89
St. Louis Stunners 130 Twin City Ballers 122
Buffalo Silverbacks 110 Quebec City Kebekwa 98

Sunday, December 31
Vermont Frost Heaves 119 Cape Cod Frenzy 113
Rochester RazorSharks 119 Quebec City Kebekwa 93
Tennessee Mud Frogs 106 Southern Alabama Bounce 104

Tuesday, January 2
Mississippi Miracle 139 Southern Alabama Bounce 123

Wednesday, January 3
Jacksonville Jam 122 Palm Beach Imperials 114
Southern Alabama Bounce 116 Tennessee Mud Frogs 113

Don't forget mates to visit and register yourself over to www.mediatrust.com/aba (http://www.mediatrust.com/aba) to download the 2007 ABA All-Star Weekend in Halifax on your iPod! :D

Next time I'll get into the Halifax All-Star festivities (with some ABA video and Halifax Rainmen updates) and more ABA scores.

Durbansandshark

01-02-2007, 08:43 AM

Thursday, January 4
NW Arkansas Aeros 129 Mississippi Miracles 102
Tijuana Dragones 98 Bellingham Slam 95
Arkansas RiverCatz 129 Monterrey Veneno 117
Minnesota Ripknees 128 Twin City Ballers 86
Vermont Frost Heaves 122 Cape Cod Frenzy 103

Friday, January 5
Fresno/Sacramento Heatwave 109 Bellingham Slam 107
Quad Cities RiverHawks 108 Chicago Rockstars 79
Big Valley Shockwave 92 King County Royals 87
Jacksonville Jam 100 Miami Tropics 86
Quebec City Kebekwa 110 Montreal Maatrix 87
Rochester RazorSharks 96 Buffalo Silverbacks 94
San Diego Wildcarts 106 Beijing Aoshen Olympian 96
Hammond/Sauk Valley Rollers 118 St. Louis Stunners 98
Strong Island Sound 119 Maryland Nighthawks 109
Atlanta Vision 106 Tennessee Mud Frogs 104
Peoria Kings 120 Twin Cities Ballers 110

Saturday, January 6
Bellingham Slam 110 Beijing Aoshen Olympians 104
Orlando Aces 101 Jacksonville Jam 99
Fresno/Sacramento Heatwave 117 King County Royals 104
Texas Tycoons 117 Monterey Veneno 115
Tennessee Mud Frogs 110 Atlanta Vision 106
Vermont Frost Heaves 96 Strong Island Sound 94

Sunday, January 7
Maryland Nighthawks 105 Wilmington Sea Dawgs 95
Miami Tropics 99 Southern Alabama Bounce 91
Hammond/Sauk Valley Rollers 114 Minnesota Ripknees 108
Cape Cod Frenzy 104 Newark Express 103
Quebec City Kebekwa 84 Montreal Matrix 72
Detroit Panthers 107 Rochester RazorSharks 98
Fresno/Sacramento Heatwave 94 King County Royals 87
Maywood Buzz 121 Gallup Outlaws 118
Palm Beach Imperials 107 Orlando Aces 94

Monday, December 8
Wilmington Sea Dawgs 118 Maryland Nighthawks 112
Gallup Outlaws 118 Maywood Buzz 91
Quad Cities RiverHawks 91 Minnesota Ripknees 90

Tuesday, January 9
Maywood Buzz 109 Hollywood Fame 104

Wednesday, January 10
Vermont Frost Heaves 92 Buffalo Silverbacks 90
Minnesota Ripknees 106 Detroit Panthers 93
Hammond/Sauk Valley Rollers 126 Peoria Kings 116
Mississippi Miracles 114 Houston Takers 111

Thursday, January 11
NW Arkansas Aeros 127 Arkansas RiverCatz 115
Detroit Panthers 126 Minnesota Ripknees 120
Rochester RazorSharks 103 Newark Express 70
Wilmington Sea Dawgs 107 Richmond Ballerz 105
Hollywood Fame 123 Fresno/Sacramento Heatwave 115
Texas Tycoons 127 Mississippi Miracles 123
Quad Cities RiverHawks 151 Twin City Ballers 101

Friday, January 12
Beijing Aoshen Olympians 113 Gallup Outlaws 107
Miami Tropics 119 Orlando Aces 96
Jacksonville Jam 128 Palm Beach Imperials 109
Quad Cities RiverHawks 91 Peoria Kings 88

Saturday, January 13
Rochester RazorSharks 113 Vermont Frost Heaves 110
Buffalo Silverbacks 152 Toledo Ice/Royal Knights 138
Peoria Kings 114 Chicago Rockstars 111
King County Royals 101 Bellingham Slam 83
Beijing Aoshen Olympians 118 Maywood Buzz 112
Mississippi Miracle 120 Houston Takers 106
Montreal Matrix 87 Cape Cod Frenzy 85
San Diego Wildcats 84 Tijuana Dragones 83
Monterey Veneno 156 Southern Alabama Bounce 107
Strong Island Sound 112 Newark Express 99
Arkansas RiverCatz 147 Texas Tycoons 129
Maryland Nighthawks 114 Wilmington Sea Dawgs 107

Sunday, January 14
Maywood Buzz 148 Big Valley Shockwave 117
San Diego Wildcats 117 Tijuana Dragones 92
Maryland Nighthawks 118 Newark Express 103
Monterey Veneno 114 Southern Alabama Bounce 106

Monday, January 15
Hollywood Fame 151 Tijuana Dragones 118
Maryland Nighthawks 119 Newark Express 110
Rochester RazorSharks 120 Cape Cod Frenzy 100
Miami Tropics 112 Jacksonville Jam 101

Tuesday, January 16
Bellingham Slam 112 Maywood Buzz 103
Miami Tropics 144 Orlando Aces 91
Wilmington Sea Dawgs 97 Tennessee Mud Frogs 88
Beijing Aoshen Olympian 166 Tijuana Dragones 120

Wednesday, January 17
Jacksonville Jam 102 Palm Beach Imperials 90
Maywood Buzz 117 King County Royals 114

Durbansandshark

09-02-2007, 10:43 AM

More on the Sun rising on the Ming dynasty. (http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,,21152580-23769,00.html?from=public_rs) He already played US pro ball with the USBL's Dodge City Legend last year. Sun had a decent debut for the Maryland Nighthawks in a 115-110 win over the Strong Island Sound. He scored eight points, hauled four rebounds, and blocked three shots in almost 21 minutes of play last week. Sun will appear on NBC's Today show Friday morning. www.marylandnighthawks.com (http://www.marylandnighthawks.com)

It looks as though I will eventually attend my first ABA game here locally as I hoped. I have an off night on Friday, which is when the St. Louis Stunners will play at home against the Sauk Valley Rollers. I'm looking forward to my first (and quite possibly my only) in-person ABA experience. I'll write my thoughts on that experience on my next ABA post next week. Gonna be very interesting with the game starting at 7:05pm US Central time at Forest Park Community College. The Stunners are 5-11.

One thing that was lost during the Halifax ABA All-Star weekend was the debut of the red, white, and blue ABA basketballs manufactured by Spalding. Yes, Spalding. Makers of the infamous NBA basketball that was such a flop. Is there a conflict of interest brewing if the NBA found out about it? See for yourself. www.abalive.com (http://www.abalive.com)

Speaking of the Halifax 2007 ABA All-Star Game, I will actually get to that next week too.

Still haven't seen the Halifax Rainmen logo. But they now got a mascot named Thunder and dance teams called the Weathergirls.

See the blah new logo for the Montreal Matrix/Royal: www.montrealaba.com (http://www.montrealaba.com)
Flash, my pick, finished third behind Royal and Phenix.

Now 20-4, the Vermont Frost Heaves have signed the most notable Vermont basketball player: the father of former Vermont Catamount star Taylor Coppenrath, state senator George. They also added NCAA DIII alltime shot-blocker Antoine Hyman. Now they face an unfamiliar but talented opponent (to the Frost Heaves in terms of outside their division) in the form of the Bellingham Slam. They were supposed to play the Hollywood Fame tonight but issues involving their East Coast travel costs proved too much for the league to cover. Also a scrimmage game involving state legislatures will occur then.

Speaking of the Fame, the Casey family may be out but team is still alive and well. Bryon Russell is still with the team, and the team has signed a couple of players.

Kenny Battle is out as coach of the Sauk Valley Rollers. Assistant David Knickelbein will coach for the rest of the season. In another ABA head coaching change, Gerry Corcoran takes over from Dr. Keith Clark, who resigned to pursue other interests.

More ABA teams are dropping like flies: Chicago Rockstars regretfully announced on their website that they were shutting down operations and cancelling the remainder of their games. I think they were later to be called the Aurora Force. Anyway, it's a shame that the Rockstars couldn't get more attention despite making a local TV commercial appearance in hopes of getting the word out. The Toledo Royal Knights finally gave up the ghost after failing to find local and financial support less than one month after playing their first game. www.rockstarbasketball.com (http://www.rockstarbasketball.com)

The NW Arkansas Aeros and the Arkansas RiverCatz have apparently merged for the remainder of the season, but not exactly by choice. When the RiverCatz ceased operations on Monday, the players were forced out of the Royal Arkansas Hotel and Suites in Pine Bluff, which housed them since September. The RiverCatz were supposed to play the Texas Tycoons this week. The two Arkansas owners decided to pool their players and absorb the top RiverCatz players. Additional players could be retained. Right now, the team will be called the Arkansas Aeros with Bob Hoffman retaining his head coaching job and former RiverCatz coach Ed Corporal as additional assistant. Personally, I think Arkansas was better off with just one ABA team in the state. The Aeros are already one of the best teams in the ABA, though the RiverCatz weren't slouches with their record at 12-7. www.nwanews.com/adg/Sports/181075/ (http://www.nwanews.com/adg/Sports/181075/)
www.arkansasaeros.com (http://www.arkansasaeros.com) www.rivercatz.com (http://www.rivercatz.com)

Texas Tycoons, another one of those better franchises, look set to break franchise record for wins with 18 against the Houston Takers. Tycoons have announced they will play in the WBA this season and will still call Dallas' Mountain Valley College gym home for WBA games. www.txtycoons.com (http://www.txtycoons.com)

Aeros star Todd Day is seriously thinking about coaching after his final season playing basketball. (http://www.nwaonline.net/articles/2007/02/01/sports/020207aerosday.txt)

www.usbasket.com/aba/aba.asp (http://www.usbasket.com/aba/aba.asp)

Scores will come next week. Plus some bizarre developments (if that NEVER happens in the ABA) regarding the league's leadership.

Durbansandshark

28-02-2007, 01:17 PM

A quick thing about the ABA right now. Been a while since I posted here on this subject.

The Richmond Ballerz, Big Valley Shockwave, Tennessee Mud Frogs, and the Miami Tropics have ceased operations for the usual reasons. More soon. Now the league has 38 active teams.

But that certainly has not stopped the ABA from adding new ones: new teams will pop up in Syracuse, Rochester (MN), and Oklahoma City.

Coming soon, I'll discuss my thoughts upon watching a couple of St. Louis Stunners ABA home games at Forest Park Community College. And I plan to conduct a couple of interviews with some ABA owners.

I'll restart things tomorrow. Including the 2007 Halifax All-Star Weekend.

Durbansandshark

15-03-2007, 06:45 AM

I apologize for the delay in my ABA report, but I'm here for some news that if you know about the ABA is not-really-so-shocking: The 25-2 Arkansas Aeros, one of the best teams in the ABA, have left the league. Apparently, the Aeros are displeased over the fact that, despite their top record, they are ranked 5th in the ABA Power Rankings, and that has effected how they are seeded in the playoffs and of their home games in them. After securing everything like media, advertising, and venue, they were told by the league they can't play there. What's more, the overall lack of direction by the league doesn't help matters.

Also, keep your eyes on the Vermont Frost Heaves, currently put "on hold" until a playoff date and venue are set.

www.usbasket.com/aba/aba.asp (http://www.usbasket.com/aba/aba.asp)

Durbansandshark

30-03-2007, 05:58 AM

ABA is undergoing its 2007 playoffs. Actually the ABA championship is on its way in a matter of days. The battle will be between two of the model ABA franchises: Alexander Wolff's Vermont Frost Heaves and the Texas Tycoons. The title game will be at the Frost Heaves' home at Barre Auditorium tonight. How did we get there? Check out the 2007 ABA Playoffs results:

Wildcard round:
Quad Cities Riverhawks def. Sauk Valley Rollers 100-86
Wilmington Sea Dawgs def. Orlando Aces 119-103
Mississippi Miracles def. Waco Wranglers 131-119
Strong Island Sound def. Quebec City Kebekwa 108-97
Detroit Panthers def. Peoria Kings 134-125
San Diego Wildcats def. Gallup Outlaws 133-106
Hollywood Fame def. Maywood Buzz 143-124

Teams received wildcard byes:
Vermont Frost Heaves
Texas Tycoons
Jacksonville Jam
Rochester RazorSharks
Arkansas Aeros
Beijing Aoshen Olympic
Minnesota Ripknees
Buffalo Silverbacks
Bellingham Slam

As previously stated, the Arkansas Aeros opted not to participate in the 2007 ABA Playoffs over being upset that their ABA power ranking did not correspond to their stellar record (25-2). Consqeuently, the Aeros could not acquire home court advantage at the NW Arkansas Sports Center. More will come next week on this and other ABA details.

Quarterfinals
Vermont Frost Heaves 103 Strong Island Sound 75
Bellingham Slam 137 Hollywood Fame 103
Arkansas Aeros-Mississippi Miracles (forfeit--Mississippi advances)
Rochester RazorSharks-Wilmington Sea Dawgs (forfeit--Wilmington advances)
Texas Tycoons-Detroit Panthers (forfeit--Texas advances)
Minnesota Ripknees--Quad Cities RiverHawks (forfeit--Quad Cities advances)
Beijing Aoshen Olympic 100 San Diego Wildcats 97
Buffalo Silverbacks 100 Jacksonville Jam 91

The defending champions Rochester RazorSharks decided to pull out of the ABA playoffs due to "confusion in the playoff structure", and a scheduling conflict with the league and the Blue Cross Arena. Not having the defending champion to come and play to try to keep it smacks of deteriorating credibility and dysfunction for the ABA, whose playoff system is indeed confusing. FIVE DIFFERENT TOP TEAMS (Arkansas, Minnesota, Rochester, Detroit, and Miami) declining to participate in the playoffs is not what a sports league should go through, to say the least. It's never good at all! You become an absolute bush league joke in the eyes of sports fans everywhere. The fourth-ranked ABA team's defection angered Newman saying the "garbage" team "threw a wrench" in the whole playoffs. Owner and GM Ornest Hrywnak was displeased over the indecision and noncommitment from the league despite constant discussions. The RazorSharks finished 24-6 adding to make an alltime ABA record of 54-10 in their two seasons. Really this isn't a spur of the moment thing: the RazorSharks are the first team to sign up officially for the new Premier Basketball League, which will have teams in the US and Canada. Could some ABA teams join them?

Semifinals
Vermont Frost Heaves 119 Bellingham Slam 103
Wilmington Sea Dawgs 130 Mississippi Miracles 112
Texas Tycoons 125 Quad Cities Riverhawks 123
Beijing Aoshen Olympic 121 Buffalo Silverbacks 106

Finals
Vermont Frost Heaves 113 Wilmington Sea Dawgs 85
Texas Tycoons 126 Beijing Aoshen Olympic 114

More will come next week. Now the league is down to 36 existing franchises...

Go Vermont!

Durbansandshark

03-04-2007, 12:44 PM

Alexander Wolff's Vermont Frost Heaves are your 2006-07 ABA Champions. Vermont defeated the Texas Tycoons at home Thursday 143-95. More ABA details will come on my next post here.

Durbansandshark

10-04-2007, 08:44 AM

Before we continue to look back at the just-completed 2006-07 ABA season that was filled with some highs...and a lot of deeply credibilty-killing embarassing lows with stories and scores I missed posting (and more stuff like the Vermont Frost Heaves winning it all), I want to look forward to the ABA's 2007-08 season first with the roster of teams slated to play then (take it with a grain of massive salt as this is always subject to change from now) currently at 61:

Red Conference

Beijing Aoshen Olympic
Belllingham Slam
California Eagles
Gallup Outlaws
Henederson (NV)
Hollywood Fame
King County Royals
Las Vegas Venom
Long Beach Storm
Maywood Buzz
Orange County Gladiators
Phoenix Phantoms
Sacramento Heatwave
San Diego Wildcats
Tijuana Dragons

White Conference

Chicago Throwbacks
Corpus Christi
Detroit Panthers
Fayetteville Fantastics
Houston Takers
Kentucky Retros
Lawton (Oklahoma)
Minnesota Ripknees
Monterrey Venemo
Ohio Aviators
Oklahoma City
Peoria Kings
Quad Cities RiverHawks
Rio Grande Valley Silverados
Rochester (MN) Fire
Sauk Valley Rollers
St. Louis Stunners
Texas Tycoons
Twin City Ballers
Waco Wranglers

Blue Conference

Alexandria Wind Jammers
Atlanta Vision
Birmingham Magicians
Brooklyn Comets
Buffalo Silverbacks
Cape Cod Frenzy
Corning Bulldogs
Halifax Rainmen
Hampton Roads Ballerz
Jacksonville Jam
Maryland Nighthawks
Mississippi Miracles
Montreal Royal
Newark Express
Orlando Aces
Palm Beach Imperials
Providence
Quebec City Kebekwa
Reading (PA) Railers
Rome (GA) Knights
Southern Alabama Bounce
Strong Island Sound
Syracuse Bullies
Tennessee Mud Frogs
Vermont Frost Heaves
Wilmington Sea Dawgs

The 34-5 Vermont Frost Heaves never wavered from their game plans all season long, and they certainly didn't on championship night against the No. 3 seed Texas Tycoons. They matched up with them in terms of athleticism, even more so. Consquently, the Frost Heaves, Vermont's first pro basketball team, destroyed the Texas Tycoons 143-95 at their home court of the Barre Auditorium to a soldout loud crowd with the cowbells out in full force all throughout the game and their favo(u)rite Frost Heaves gear in happy delerium. A couple days later, a parade went through Seminary Hill and downtown Barre--the central business district--to the Barre Auditorium with fans lining up and with an open-to-all potluck supper afterwards to celebrate there. Even Barre's mayor, Thom Lauzon, who's a rabid supporter of the Frost Heaves and proclaimed them to be the best thing to happen for the people of Vermont and Barre with the franchise reps as great ambassadors, engaged in a friendly wager with Dallas' mayor Laura Miller "all in good fun". Since Vermont won, Miller will have to send something to the good people of Barre. I'll find out later. Did anyone win the halftime shootout? I'm too lazy to type all of those websites pertaining to the Frost Heaves, but I can leave you with some links that will cover a lot of your Frost Heaves needs.

www.timesargus.com/apps/pbcs.dll/sectio ... y=SPORTS02 (http://www.timesargus.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?category=SPORTS02)
(Barre Montpellier Times-Argus' hub for the Frost Heaves)
www.freewebs.com/frostheavesfans/ (http://www.freewebs.com/frostheavesfans/)
(Vermont's unofficial fan website--can also nominate and vote players from the team for excellence this season--with links to articles and videos)

I can't leave you without thanking Alexander Wolff in his vision of bringing a pro basketball team to the state he lives. Thank you Alexander for winning the ABA title with your team! Thank you Alexander for keeping a use for intimate facilities that you loove when watching basketball games. Thank you Alexander for bringing credibility to this league! Thank you Alexander for showing HOW to run an ABA franchise effectively all season long without any problems! I can't leave this without having him say the last word so take it away, Alexander! (http://www.vermontfrostheaves.com/article/view/16362/1/1316/) :D Maybe you'll write a book about it!

Durbansandshark

12-04-2007, 08:56 AM

Apparently, Chicago is getting ANOTHER ABA franchise. And this one is taking a page from Chivas Deportivo Guadalajara, one of the top Mexican soccer clubs. The Cometas De Quaretaro, from the Mexico's LNBP, will have a US division team based in Chi-Town next season, and it's supposedly intended to target Chicago's large Hispanic population, many of whom Mexican.

I would not be surprised at all if the new Premier Basketball League starts poaching teams already slated to be in the ABA like the Rochester RazorSharks. This league is supposed to have teams in both the US and Canada.

knox_rule

16-04-2007, 04:18 PM

Could someone please tell me how john Bryant played in the ABA I no he played for vermont.

Durbansandshark

24-04-2007, 11:27 AM

Las Vegas' ABA entry at the start of next season will not be called the Venom but rather the Las Vegas Lights. Its logo is taken from the famous "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas" sign.

The fledging Premier Basketball League officially announced its first batch of teams. Rochester is joined by the Maryland Nighthawks, another one of those well-run ABA teams. Again, don't be surprised if this league takes away more teams from the ABA.

Long Beach Storm, under new ownership, has changed its name to the Long Beach Breakers.

Kentucky changed its name from Colonels to Retros in deference to the tradition of both teams.

Mississuagua Red Wolves announced to call themselves the Ontario Red Wolves after all to rep the entire province in their name. Will be based in Mississuagua.

Halifax Rainmen has their logo up and running. Here it is: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:HalifaxRainmen.JPG

Despite losing the Ann Iverson-owned Ballerz, Richmond will get another ABA team. Name TBA. Speaking of the Ballerz, they are still in the state of Virginia but will now call the Hampton Roads (specifically Norfolk) region home to be closer to Ann Iverson. Its name may change but could continue to call themselves the Ballerz informally. Hampton Roads was supposed to have an ABA team called the Titans back in 2000, but they never got a chance to play due to ownership and arena issues.

Alexandria, Providence, Birmingham, Ohio Aviators, Lawton, Corpus Christi, and the California Eagles will begin play in 2008.

Durbansandshark

26-04-2007, 02:32 AM

I like the previous logo for the Mississuagua Red Wolves--more stylish. The Ontario version just doesn't work for me.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ontario_Red_Wolves

The Anderson Champions are expected to be back for next season and got reinstated following a few teams defecting to other leagues and some waiting until 2008.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Ande ... pions2.PNG (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:AndersonChampions2.PNG)

Miami Tropics went back to being a traveling team after leaving the ABA.

Buffalo's Modie Cox won the ABA 2006-07 Community Service Award.

Durbansandshark

03-05-2007, 09:41 AM

I just checked out the new-look Premiere Basketball League's website. I noticed on the map of inaugural teams along with Rochester and Maryland, teams are to placed in what seems to be Ottawa, Minnesota, Jacksonville, Chicago (PBL's headquarters), San Diego, Wilmington, St. Louis, Arkansas, Montreal/Quebec City, Fresno, and Des Moines with a few more to go for 16 teams. Expansion teams are planned for Hartford, Ft. Worth, Oklahoma City, and Las Vegas in 2008.
www.pblpro.com (http://www.pblpro.com)

Macon, Georgia will field an ABA team and it will be called the Georgia Gwizzlies from calling the suburban Atlanta area of Gwinnett home. This team has actually sometime to get an opportunity to play in the ABA. It did play a little bit last season filling in for a dropped team. Before then, it played in the lower level SBL. Macon Centerplex will serve as its home.

Sam Smith was named the Houston Takers' new head coach. Lee Hardy was promoted to VP of Basketball Operations and Roy Willis President of Basketball Operations.

Orange County Gladiators hired Lee Joffe as its first head coach, and they found a home with Aliso Niguel High (but the Gladiators' ABA schedule will have to work around its school's basketball teams').
http://epaper.ocregister.com/Default/Sc ... Id=Ar00900 (http://epaper.ocregister.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=OCW&BaseHref=OCWAlisonViejoNews/2007/04/26&EntityId=Ar00900) &ViewMode=HTML

Other ABA Award winners--no surprise Vermont dominated the ABA awards
Executive of the Year--Felix Krupszynski, Jacksonville Jam
GM of the Year--Mike Healy, Vermont Frost Heaves
Coach of the Year--Will Voigt, Vermont Frost Heaves
Expansion Team of the Year--Vermont Frost Heaves
Lifetime Achievement of the Year--Tom Chichester, referee
Special Recognition Award--Tom McGinn (Quad Cities Riverhawks), Ian McCarthy (Cape Cod Frenzy), Burrell Lee III (Maywood Buzz), Quentin and Akilah Townsend (Atlanta Vision), Tony Dominguez (Bellingham Slam)
www.usbasket.com (http://www.usbasket.com)
www.abalive.com (http://www.abalive.com)

Durbansandshark

12-05-2007, 06:53 AM

Add the Wilmington Sea Dawgs to the list of defectees to the Premier Basketball League.

The Waco Wranglers, Southern Alabama Bounce, and Twin City Ballers all decided to return for the 2008-09 season.

Durbansandshark

18-05-2007, 05:04 AM

Georgia Gwizzlies will participate in the Southern California Summer Pro League, now known as Nike California Summer Pro League.

GymRats from Japan are confirmed to play in a ABA Summer Pro League hosted by the Maywood Buzz. Two its players already played in the ABA for the past couple of seasons. A Filipino squad may join. www.buzzbasketball.com (http://www.buzzbasketball.com)

Kentucky Retros name Ron Greene, a former Murray St. coach, as its first head coach. www.abalive.com/news/releases/?newsid=2007051506001 (http://www.abalive.com/news/releases/?newsid=2007051506001)
www.kyretros.net (http://www.kyretros.net)

Jacksonville Jam announced Jax native and Director of Player Personnel Scott Cooper as head coach to replace Steve Tucker, who accepted the head coaching post for the expansionist Rio Grande Valley Silverados. Kevin Keathley, who coached the Kentucky Colonels to a 21-12 record in the 2004-2005 season, will serve as Tucker's assistant.

Sam Smith is the new coach for the Houston Takers.

Durbansandshark

22-05-2007, 07:02 AM

Before making their first tip-off, the Reading Railers, an expansion team slated to play in the ABA next season, will actually play in the Premier Basketball League becoming the latest ABA team to jump leagues. The PBL is thought to be very well-funded with greater support for expansion teams, and has a shorter schedule--24 geames instead of 36 and starts in January. Hollywood (the Fame?), Bridgeport, Minnesota Ripknees, and the Arkansas Aeros are expected to join.
http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=38170

Alexander Wolff has stepped down as GM of the ABA champs Vermont Frost Heaves but will continue as team president still involving himself in team's affair. With the way how the team is run, I'm confident that a competent person will act as GM.
www.timesargus.com/apps/pbcs.dll/articl ... 04/SPORTS/ (http://www.timesargus.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070517/SPORTS/705170353/1004/SPORTS/)

The Halifax Rainmen have their new website up and running as excitement on the team's official arrival draws near. Rainmen's 18 home games will be at the Halifax Metro Centre. Meanwhile, former Dalhousie star Paul Riley left for the ABA's Vice President of Business Development post. Halifax is currently scouting players who made their mark locally in the CIS Atlantic Conference like Nate Anderson and William Njoku and for U21ers: www.rainmenbasketball.com (http://www.rainmenbasketball.com)
www.hfxnews.ca/index.cfm?sid=31116&sc=92 (http://www.hfxnews.ca/index.cfm?sid=31116&sc=92)

Houston Takers owner Larry D. Leonard II announced the signing of Howard Judah to the team as a player. Judah has a wealth of experience in basketball as a player. Did I mentioned that Judah is 80 years old?! :shock:
www.abalive.com/news/releases/?newsid=2007031606007 (http://www.abalive.com/news/releases/?newsid=2007031606007)

Durbansandshark

25-05-2007, 08:31 AM

Santa Fe joins the ABA next season.

Tyrone Nesby's ABA team based in Henderson, Nevada--the Las Vegas Lights closest ABA rival--will called the Henderson All-Starz.

Durbansandshark

31-05-2007, 07:49 AM

Halifax Rainmen announced their new coach and GM today. The Rainmen present Kevin MaBone to fufill those capacities. Nationwide printing company TPH joins Westin Hotels and the Halifax Daily News as Rainmen corporate sponsors today. It has been a quiet and slow time for them to make significant announcements since the All-Star Weekend there (I WILL get to those soon), and I grew concerned about the lack of constant developments from them (http://thechronicleherald.ca/Sports/837061.html) and the need toput public faces for the Rainmen in Halifax (http://thechronicleherald.ca/Sports/838457.html) to succeed there. At least Halifax, unlike its predecessor the WBL/NBL Windjammers, won't have the league collapse over them to cease operations.

The ABA continues to grow big in Texas. This time its Midland Texas getting a team to play next season. The expansion team will be called the West Texas Whirlwinds. Hope they can recruit players who formerly played at West Texas A&M (formerly West Texas St.). Making it four active Texas-based ABA franchises.

Baltimore is back in the ABA and minor league basketball. After the Pearls dropped out this past season, Baltimore now has the Bay Lions to pick up the slack next season. This time the Bay Lions will call the 1st Mariner Arena (ugh, I still call it the Baltimore Arena) home. Surely they won't get massive attendance numbers for home games and lose money in the process. That arena looks like an overgrown stereotypical middle school cafeteria. Baltimore native Kirk Mitchell is the Bay Lions' coach and Director of Operations with owner Kia Feaster acting as his boss.

Las Vegas changed its name of its team from Venom to Lights to now PROLYMS. Now, I know what you're wondering, what the hell is that? PROLYM is a company specializing in sports aspects with endorsements from Jose Canseco, Sharon Stone, Cuttino Mobley, Smush Parker, Tom Arnold, Diddy, and Paris Hilton. Don't ask me why. By changing from Lights (a name that I like) to PROLYMs, it's part of naming rights deal. No venue announced yet.

With the Arkansas Aeros and Rivercatz out of the ABA and gone (possibly the former moving to the PBL) and the NBDL RimRockers moving to LaCrosse, Wisconsin next season, the Fantastics will be the one to rep the state of Arkansas in pro basketball. Now renamed Arkansas to market fans across the state, the Fayetteville-based team hope to have better fortunes playing at the heart of Arkansas basketball, the home of the Hogs. One of its owners is former America's Next Top Model contestant Farunoda Brasfield.

Durbansandshark

01-06-2007, 08:37 AM

After the original sounding Mega Force, Honolulu returns to the ABA with the Hawaii Hurricanes. More details to follow soon.

UPDATE: Honululu already has the resurrected CBA team Hawaii Volcanos coming into next season, so it's going to be very interesting for pro basketball there with the CBA and ABA competing in a state with little success and sporadic teams. If executed properly, it can work. The Mega Force collapsed after two games. http://starbulletin.com/2006/06/02/edit ... ial01.html (http://starbulletin.com/2006/06/02/editorial/editorial01.html)

Durbansandshark

12-06-2007, 08:40 AM

Check out the new logo for the Hawaii Hurricanes. Rather cheesy looking and can use more stylistics: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hawaii_Hurricanes

Why in the hell are the Long Beach Breakers are channeling the Now Deservedly Crumbling Evil Laker Empire in its new logo, is it because Breakers rhymes like Lakers? :evil: The previous logo was more stylistic.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long_Beach ... s%28ABA%29 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long_Beach_Breakers%28ABA%29)

Louisiana will join the ABA at last when Shreveport-Bossier City enters the fraternity in the 2008-09 season with Stallions. New Orleans was supposed to enter with the Louisiana Cajun Pelicans and Baton Rouge was supposed to field a team but Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath wiped out those plans for now.

The West Texas Whirlwinds are actually from the TBA.

Durbansandshark

14-06-2007, 08:30 AM

Another interesting thing about this Las Vegas PROLYMs ABA franchise to me is the fact that former NBAer and Mizzou star Anthony Peeler will be beside coach Daniel Savage on the bench. Also announced the PROLYMs will play in the Long Beach Pro Summer League. www.prolym.com (http://www.prolym.com)

Montreal Matrix, er, I mean, Royal, names Abel Joseph as their new GM. He played at Dawson College in Montreal and then Marquette before turning pro in Switzerland with Vevey Basket and Carouge. Their website is getting a new look and thus under construction.

The new still-nameless Tuscon ABA team brought in Steve Moss-Kelly to assume the leadership.

Boxing superstar Roy Jones Jr. may try his hand at basketball again with the Houston Takers.

West Texas Whirlwinds actually came from the Texas Professional Basketball League.

Rio Grande Valley Silverados signed their first player: San Antonio's Keith Simpson from Texas A&M International.

Crazy Joe is at it again. He responds to a column written by Halifax writer Alex J. Walling about how the ABA is full of holes and incomptence with the Rainmen joining ( www.hfxnews.ca/index.cfm?sid=36326&sc=93 (http://www.hfxnews.ca/index.cfm?sid=36326&sc=93) ). Read Joe's official response here calling it "mean-spirited and hurtful": www.hfxnews.ca/index.cfm?sid=36595&sc=92 (http://www.hfxnews.ca/index.cfm?sid=36595&sc=92) .

Joe, the fact is there little in the way of stability partly because of the reduced costs. Sure it can be affordable. But you gotta have the amount of publicity and people backing you up financially. Overexpansion clearly doesn't help matters, and some professional standards need to be installed leaguewide minimizing the conning factor. No well-run pro league, major or minor, would go overboard in its team supply, boosting the failure rate. But growing pains are a part of young leagues as they mature. There are quality models out there in the ABA like Vermont who do it the right way. Just not many of them. I can't recall a league that lost more teams than it in a short span of time. Also, a system must be in place to absorb a team's debt not leaving it in its wake. Walling's column COULD hurt the Halifax Rainmen, but I'll give them the benefit of the doubt and I assume and hope things will be professionally run. Hopefully the Rainmen people will have seen how not to operate things. Lay off the Rainmen and let them grow and publicize themselves to the Halifax market.

UPDATE: Just remembered this, as you know, I've been reading Paul Shirley's new book. Since this is ABA here, I'll discuss something in his time with the defunct Kansas City Knights. Shirley enjoyed being with Scott Wedman as a coach, but was disgusted with how religious many of the Knights players were. He also played due to its close proximity to his Kansas hometown. But the big revelation is of the fact that Shirley had to wash his bloodstained Knights jersey by hand in his sink.

Durbansandshark

15-06-2007, 06:20 AM

Another one of the more successful ABA teams this past season switches to the Premier Basketball League. This one followed suit of the RazorSharks and forfieted their playoff game. It's the Minnesota Ripknees.

Dallas and Bridgeport, Connecticut are confirmed to play in the PBL next season too. Details of them will come later.

Unlike the Halifax's last pro basketball team, the Windjammers, the Rainmen will have to play in the winter and spring. Getting young Halifaxians to come to the Halifax MetroCentre and see them in action when it's cold outside and with school in the next morning will be a challenge. The Windjammers played in the summer where in the Nova Scotia capital, sunlight can go up to 9pm local time and with no other sports competition. But the Rainmen have the Halifax Mooseheads of the QMJHL (Canadian junior ice hockey league based in Quebec and sports many Quebec-based teams). The Rainmen would be very wise to work out something with them and learn how to succeed at that time of the season. I think they'll do well since basketball is beloved there; it wasn't the Windjammers' fault they died, the leagues they were in did. It's also great the Rainmen are aiming at the kids as prospective fans. Tyrouts are going on conducted by the Rainmen.

South of the border, the Syracuse Bullies ABA expansion team announced two significant things: it has named a coach, former SUNY Canton coach and Syracuse native Terill Dean and they will have a new name from the Bullies after several residents complained the Bullies name would promote violence. I actually think the Bullies' name is blah, not promoting violence. Anyway, the new names will be among these: Avalanche, Bullz, Snowballers, Sentinels, Natz (a subtle homage to the classic NBA team, the Nationals or Nats), and Netz.

Durbansandshark

06-07-2007, 04:08 AM

Once again, the ABA will try its hand with the city of Philadelphia. This team though will play in the 2008-09 season. Surely there's loads of untapped and overlooked talent there. With all of that, the Philadelphia team will be known as the Philadelphia Sounds, which makes sense when you think about the rich R&B legacy the city has, most notably the "Philadelphia Sound" from the 1970s.

The Sauk Valley Rollers announced they will split their home games between Sauk Valley and Rockford, Illinois next season. Also, becuase of the gambling references of its Rollers name, the team will now known as the Rock River Fury. I hope to get an interview with Fury owner Tom McGinn in the near future for you to read.

Speaking of name changes in the ABA, the Syracuse ABA team can't even use Nats, since legal reps from the NBA strongly advise them to stay away from it since the 76ERS gave the rights to the name to the NBA for marketing reasons.

Tuscon's ABA team is the Tuscon Flames.

Durbansandshark

28-07-2007, 04:38 AM

basketoz74

28-07-2007, 10:53 PM

King County Royals announced they are ceasing operation costs thanks to sharp increases in operations for the 2007-08 season. It's getting crowded for men's pro basketball in the Seattle area with the Supersonics, the Mountaineers, Tacoma Jazz, and Everett Xplosion in the IBL. Not to mention the upcoming proposed CBA team in Seattle. So for now there's not going to be any ABA team representing the Pacific Northwest next season, not even in British Coumbia or Alberta.

In a related story in the King County area pro basketball (Seattle and Everett included), the Bellingham Slam declared its intention to play in the IBL next year. Another factor in the decline of the Royals with aforementioned IBL franchises already in place was the travel costs to Sacramento, KC's closest opponent 720 miles away.

King County finished their only season 6-14 missing the playoffs

Is that the same Bellingham franchise who jumped back and in and out from the CBA, then after looking at a cheaper option then the CBA, hopped over to the ABA and now seems destined to join the IBL?

I have read the ownership is borderline "shonkey" and leaves much to be desired, as do numerous other ownership groups in the ABA.

I hope that with what i read that Brad Hester (VP of Ops for the ABA) can wrestle some control from Uncle Joe and add some credibility to the ABA, which is sadly needed as the once proud and innovative brand name seems to be continually tarnished by Newman and Tinkham...

Durbansandshark

31-07-2007, 06:29 AM

Dallas has officially joined the Premier Basketball League this past weekend. Name TBA at a later date (Texas Tycoons?).

Durbansandshark

03-08-2007, 07:09 AM

When in the hell will this ABA overexpansion stop?! Newman plans to see ABA teams in North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, West Virginia, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, Iowa, Colorado, Kansas, Utah, Wisconsin, Oregon, as well as additional teams in Canada and Mexico from an Ask the CEO on June 15. :shock: :evil:

basketoz74

03-08-2007, 02:44 PM

Durbansandshark

08-08-2007, 04:20 AM

Well perhaps if Joe got his shop in order with the owners and franchises he had in place would add some credibility to the league, ensure a decent fan base and likely increase sponsorship revenue also.

I think the premise of the ABA, its broad outlook by way of locations and potential owners is a great foundation and premise for a league, however the review of potential cities along with the owners involved, needs some serious reviewing of its own.

But as soon as they lose one franchise, they immediately open an additional one, to ensure the league office has a continual flow of revenue.

But i suppose as the old saying goes "USA the land of oppurtunity".

Joe Newman likens ABA franchises to being fast-food outlets of competition with the NBA, NBDL, and CBA. One closes up shop, another pops up. Not a very good analogy in my view. :? Anyway, there's no denying that major pro leagues like the NBA are like a sports cartel here in North America, which often neglects other lower-tiered (in terms of publicity at least) sports leagues as the leagues nab the hearts and minds of the mainstream sports public. THEY hog all of the attention on ESPN SportsCenter--and gives the impression that's all there is, nothing's wrong with being the best though, so it's nice that we get news of other realms of sports here like Canadian college basketball, the ABA, CBA, and the USBL on a regular basis.

Big development in the ABA has happened. Several teams that played in the league this past season and those planning to make their debut play next season have decided to sit out for the 2008-09 season. Many are doing this for financial restructuring. Teams are:
Tennessee Mud Frogs
Arkansas Fantastics
Baltimore Bay Lions
Big Valley Shockwave
Ontario Red Wolves
Gallup Outlaws
Kentucky Retros
Southern Alabama Bounce
El Paso S'Ol
Phoenix Phantomz
Twin City Ballerz
Brooklyn Comets

Don't expect all to return though. League is now down to 44 franchises.

Last month the Norfolk Ballers, that Ann Iverson-owned ABA team that moved from Richmond following cancelled games with defunct teams, and the tenative Richmond franchise, were dropped from the ABA's website and thus will not play this season.

Waco Wranglers moved the United Basketball League.

Still, the ABA realigns and places new teams with ones proposed in San Francisco and Westchester (NY). League plans to place teams in Dover (DE), Providence, Corpus Christi, and Lawton (OK) in the coming seasons. Dover plans to play actually next season. Scheesh...

Winston-Salem's new ABA team is holding a name the team contest at 12 local businesses in the city or vote online at www.triadaba.com (http://www.triadaba.com)

Durbansandshark

16-08-2007, 04:55 AM

Reno will get an ABA franchise set to play next season after all. But it won't be called the Reno Rockers (or the Northern Nevada Blackjacks for that matter). It will be the Reno Sharpshooters. More details to come later.

New Hampshire has witnessed a boom in pro sports, even if its just minor-league, over the past few years. Manchester, the "Queen City" capital of NH, has the AHL's Manchester Monarchs, the New Hampshire Fisher Cats AA baseball team, and the AF2's Manchester Wolves all playing in the Verizon Wireless Arena. Now you can add the Manchester Millrats in the ABA led by a group including David Cooper, Steve Yankopoulous, and former Cape Cod Frenzy GM Ian McCarthy. All were working on this move during the summer, and becoming a reality. Millrats is a reference and tribute to the nefarious residents of the city's old riverside mills. Unlike the Wolves and Monarchs, the Millrats will call the 2000-seat Southern New Hampshire University Fieldhouse home. If all goes well, we can see a nice rivalry with the ABA champs the Vermont Frost Heaves in the Northeast Division; the Millrats people should learn a lot from them on how to run things. I think this NH's first pro basketball team.

Add the Shreveport-Bossier Stallions to the list of those playing tenetively for 2008-09.

UPDATE: PBL Chairman Dr. Severko Hrywnak recently announced some news to the Rochester media that the PBL will:
--run from the first week of January to the end of March
--league will cover all travel expenses
--will field 10 to 12 teams on a 24-game schedule (12 home, 12 away) "almost always" on weekends
--league will be based in Rochester
--preseason charity game against the Canadian National Team,
--salary cap planned for $125,000 on a 10-man roster
--open tryouts in Dallas, LA, Chicago, and Washington, DC for a modest fee of $25

Durbansandshark

30-08-2007, 08:51 AM

The ABA defections to the Premier Basketball League continues: It was announced the other day be the PBL that the two Tom McGinn-owned franchises, the Quad Cities Riverhawks and the Rock River Fury (formerly the Hammond/Sauk Valley Rollers) are the latest teams added to the fledging league. I met McGinn after the Rollers-St. Louis Stunners game in February, a Stunners win. I still have his email address in the hopes of contacting for an interview in these boards, which I will do--just not right away. Now some of those questions will have to reflect the league jump. Yes, I will discuss my ABA experience with the Stunners soon.

The Henderson All-Starz, presumably named for the 2007 NBA All-Star weekend, will wait until 2008-09 to play, joining several other ABA franchises, active and expansion alike.

UPDATE: I forgot to add that the Acie Earl-coached Riverhawks will make a change towards the Wharton Field House, the home to the NBA's Tri-Cities Blackhawks and much later the CBA's Quad Cities Thunder.

Durbansandshark

12-09-2007, 09:21 AM

San Francisco is back in the ABA again with whole different team. The SF Pilots make way for the San Francisco Rumble and their coach Fulton Mitchell, a co-commissioner of the PeaceHoops midnight basketball league. No word yet on a facility.

A basketball team from The Bahamas will make their debut in the ABA next season--the Bahama Pro Show. (Actually the team will be based in Miami, where there is a sizable Bahamian population and will replace the Miami Tropics, who left to become a touring team once more)

Manchester Millrats will have all of their home games shown on ABA Vision webcasts live and on-demand via broadband as one of the few pilot teams to do this.

Antonie Hyman, shot-blocker extrordinaire veteran, re-signs with the Vermont Frost Heaves.

Dover, Delaware's new ABA team has now been named: the First State Fusion. Since its near Philadelphia, I immediately thought of the Philadelphia Fusion that played in 2002 when I heard the name. Hopefully it'll fare better than the USBL's Delaware Stars. Tryouts for them start this weekend at their new court Delaware St.'s Memorial Hall Gym.

Elton Brand has agreed to bankroll the moved Brooklyn Comets team now as the Westchester Phantoms. Mom Daisy will be co-owner with her other son Archie McGriff serves as GM.

Durbansandshark

03-10-2007, 06:38 AM

Another ABA team is coming with another name that sounds like a soccer team. This is another one based in California--Southern California. In the greater Los Angeles area. Joining the Long Beach Breakers and the Orange County Gladiators this upcoming season with be the Pasadena Push. Yes, Pasadena, the home of the Rose Bowl and its accompanying New Year's Day parade.

The Quebec Kebs have signed former Arkansas RiverCatz 6'6" forward Jasmine Mansell, who will team up with Samuel Audet-Sow, and resigned Quebec City native Dominic Soucy.

Larry Lissett leaves his post at Maryland-Eastern Shore to become the first head coach of the new Manchester Millrats. He previously coached Magic Johnson's Allstar team. www.manchestermillrats.com (http://www.manchestermillrats.com)

Another ABA team is to be added in the New York area with the Strong Island Sound, Newark Express, the Corning Bulldogs, and Westchester Phantoms. Enter the NYC Internationalz, a team planned to come in 2008 that will have basketball players from around the world, all assembled and playing together in the spirit of humanity and peace in one of the world's most diverse and cosmopolitan cities. Think a lower grade basketball version of the old NASL's New York Cosmos.

The new Boston ABA franchise to replace the Frenzy (since moved to Cape Cod) will be called the Boston Blizzard. www.thebostonblizzard.com (http://www.thebostonblizzard.com)

Sacramento Heatwave announced former Sacramento Kings dancer Lindsay Allred, currently a student at Sacramento St., as Dance Team choreographer. With the Heatwave playing home games at Sacramento St.'s home court, expect several student from there to be Heatwave members.

Fumihiko Otsuka will follow in Yuta Tabutse's footsteps in being the next Japanese player to be in the ABA when he suits up for the Georgia Gwizzlies on November 8.

Raphael Edwards, the only player to suit up for the Strong Island Sound's three seasons, returns to the team. www.strongislandsound.com (http://www.strongislandsound.com)
Speaking of one of the model ABA team's, there's a SLAM interview with Darren Cioffi: www.slamonline.com/online/2007/09/own-y ... irst-game/ (http://www.slamonline.com/online/2007/09/own-your-own-basketball-team-and-make-it-past-your-first-game/)

DIME magazine did an interview with one of the PBL founders. I'll get it in later.

Durbansandshark

11-10-2007, 05:31 AM

The Jacksonville Jam is now the latest ABA franchise to make the switch to the Premiere Basketball League. www.jaxjam.com (http://www.jaxjam.com)

Durbansandshark

20-10-2007, 05:57 AM

The PBL 2007-08 inaugural season teams:

East Division:
Jacksonville Jam
Maryland Knighthawks
Reading Railers
Rochester RazorSharks
Wilmington Sea Dawgs

West Division:
Arkansas Impact
Chicago Aztecas
Dallas Defenders
Quad Cities Riverhawks
Rock River Fury

2008-09 Expansion
Montreal Sasquatch
Toronto Lasers
Minnesota Ripknees

Durbansandshark

31-10-2007, 07:56 AM

The Reno Sharpshooters will not play this season in the ABA with the hope of competing next season. As with the case with many prospective teams, it is usually the issue of securing a venue to play home games at. So Reno will not have pro basketball this year. Oddly enough, this could pave the way for either the NBDL or the CBA's Northern Nevada Blackjacks to actually take advantage of the ABA's absence.
www.abalive.com/news/releases/?newsid=2007103006006 (http://www.abalive.com/news/releases/?newsid=2007103006006)

Bryon Russell will join the Long Beach Breakers during its preseason training camp. Former NBAer Olden Polyince coaches the Breakers.

Montreal Royal, one of the longstanding Canadian ABA teams, announced Canadian gold medalist sprinter and Montreal-native Bruny Surin will join Luc Fillatrault and Pascal Jobin as its minority shareholder. People don't know that Surin, before he went into track, was into playing basketball. Also, the Royal brought in Dave King as their new head coach with several signings Cordell Jeanty, Denburk Reid (a re-signing), Mohammed Camara, Bobby Reid, Tommy Mitchell, and Quiniloius Randall. Ironically, they'll face a team of Montreal basketball legends knowns as the Montreal Legends before the season. The Legends are led by Trevor "Turbo" Williams, Pascal Fluery, and Wayne Yearwood.

Former Florida Gator Rashis Al-Kaleem will play for the Manchester Millrats.

Another sorry saga (and mess) in the world of the ABA. Hawaii is not immune to it despite its beautiful setting with fraud, theft, and deception. Everything is unraveling for the Hawaii Hurricanes and now as, with new owners, the Pacific Rim Rockers, scrambling to get everything together for the start of the season. Didn't really like the Hurricanes logo anyway.
www.khnl.com/Global/story.asp?S=7229925 (http://www.khnl.com/Global/story.asp?S=7229925)
www.khnl.com/Global/story.asp?S=7223959 (http://www.khnl.com/Global/story.asp?S=7223959)

Durbansandshark

02-11-2007, 11:52 AM

Here's the website for the Bahamas Pro Show:
www.bahamallproshow.com (http://www.bahamallproshow.com)

Been a while since we last checked on the Halifax Rainmen. So what have they been up to lately? Well they appointed a coach to run the show in the form of Kevin MaBone, but MaBone had to resign due to his mother's poor health. So the Rainmen had to name a new one (and GM) with Rick Lewis with Shannon Hansen and Daniel Freiburg as Lewis' assistants. Halifax also signed Dennie Oliver, a 30-year old former St. Francis Xavier X-Men. Other players include local notables Kadiri Richardson, Blandon Ferguson, Sam Mack, James Booyer, Devino Williams, Brian Silverhorn, and Hardy Riley. Reebok happens to serve as their official athletic outfitter.

Another ABA team has the usual (for the league) problems with the majority investor having to pay the expenses for the fledging franchise. Steve Rodriguez has failed to such for the Rochester (MN) Fire. If the Fire doesn't produce the proper papers and insurance to the Mayo Civic Center's operators in the next few days, there will be no practice there on Monday and therefore, more than likely, no season for the Fire. Season is supposed to start on November 9 against the St. Louis Stunners.

Houston Takers said farewell to Sam Smith as their coach, citing different philosophies between the owner and coach. They announced today another former NBA star to take over with Orlando Woolwidge doing so. Every time he first gets involved with a pro team, the team's fortunes dwindles. That happened in the NBA with stints in several clubs as a player (Chicago, Detroit, Denver). www.abalive.com/news/releases/?newsid=2007110106001 (http://www.abalive.com/news/releases/?newsid=2007110106001)

Of the 39 teams currently part of the ABA, four at this writing have yet to have a website.

Durbansandshark

07-11-2007, 10:04 AM

ABA season 2007-08 has just started this past weekend. Look for the usual storylines involving the league to play out during the course of the season, like teams and games cancelled.

The Pasadena Push has decided to rechristen themselves as the Los Angeles Push, in an attempt to broaden their fanbase in the Greater Los Angeles area.

Friday, November 2

Los Angeles Push 149 Sacramento Heatwave 115
Texas Tycoons 142 Houston Takers 123

Saturday, November 3

Cicero Cometas 112 St. Louis Stunners 102
Los Angeles Push 143 Sacramento Heatwave 119
Boston Blizzard 106 Quebec Kebekwa 93

Sunday, November 4

Houston Takers 119 West Texas Whirlwinds 91
Westchester Phantoms 112 Strong Island Sound 107 OT

Chicago Cometas changed to suburban Cicero but are still part of the Chicagoland area.

No ABA discussion would be complete without mentioning the defending champions, the Alexander Wolff-created Vermont Frost Heaves, who are THE model of the ABA franchises. I'm a bit surprised this team didn't make its way to the Premier Basketball League, since it poaches the best ABA teams from last season. Well Vermont has signed a lot of its players including some newcomers like Rashaun Banjo, Jamaal Wise, Erik Nelson, Dwayne Lee, Doukin Akounbade, Kenny Tate, and lately, returnee Issa Konare. The Frost Heaves even have set a basketball academy for Vermont boys and girls from grades 7-12 that will grant them extensive basketball instructions over in the land of the green mountains. With all of the more challenging teams leaving, Vermont may repeat. But that Northeast Division is strong up and down like Quebec City.
www.vermontfrostheaves.com (http://www.vermontfrostheaves.com)

Pony is now the official ABA shoe.

ABA 2007-08 schedule: www.abalive.com/schedule (http://www.abalive.com/schedule)

Durbansandshark

08-11-2007, 06:52 AM

Well, well, well, the Peoria Kings' season is over before it even began this season. I actually saw them play in February when they were on the road last season against the St. Louis Stunners at the Forest Park Community College gym.

Durbansandshark

09-11-2007, 09:29 AM

A couple of articles on the Peoria Kings' abdication (and of the Rochester Fire). Thanks goodness the mystery man that is Steve Rodriguez is gone:
www.pjstar.com/stories/110707/KIN_BERTPN3B.072.php (http://www.pjstar.com/stories/110707/KIN_BERTPN3B.072.php)
www.pjstar.com/stories/110807/KIN_BES8DUD3.072.php (http://www.pjstar.com/stories/110807/KIN_BES8DUD3.072.php)

Hamilton, Ontario, despite its close proximity toward Toronto to the northeast plans to join that dysfunctional ABA family next season. Former Raptor/Knick/Net Chris Childs will serve as GM. Will they even play at the Copps Coliseum?

Durbansandshark

14-11-2007, 07:59 AM

November 8
Houston Takers 71 Syracuse Ragin' Bullz 100

November 9
Minnesota Ripknees 133 Rochester Fire 113
Vermont Frost Heaves 98 Montreal Royal 82
San Francisco Rumble 108 Maywood Buzz 106
Detroit Panthers 111 Cicero Cometas USA 99
Strong Island Sound 109 First State Fusion 92

November 10
Texas Tycoons 124 West Texas Whirlwinds 84
Los Angeles Push 146 Long Beach Breakers 143
Chicago Throwbacks 130 Cicero Cometas USA 120
Westchester Phantoms 103 Jersey Express 98
Corning Bulldogs 135 Houston Takers 111
Boston Blizzard 122 Montreal Royal 118 2OT
San Diego Wildcats 106 San Francisco Rumble 69

November 11
Manchester Millrats 127 Boston Blizzard 112
Detroit Panthers 170 Anderson Champions 79
Jersey Express 110 Quebec City Kebekwa 103
Strong Island Sound 104 First State Fusion 96
Westechester Phantoms 118 Syracuse Ragin Bullz 116

Manchester certainly has what it takes to become a strong team in the ABA in front of 1300 animated people when it won its debut against the Blizzard. Moreover, Manchester just signed 5'11" G Anthony Anderson. Their next door neighbors, the ABA champs Vermont, picked up where they left off with an properly assembled team over Montreal on the road.

Rochester Fire finally took to the court after two turbulent weeks over rental payment to play at the Mayo Center. Originally the Fire was supposed to face the St. Louis Stunners as its debut foe, but the Stunners pulled out due to the Fire's uncertain financial status. The leaders managed to raise the needed $3500 to play. Yet their immediate future status is still uncertain.

Hawaii's ABA team, the Pacific Rim Rockers (formerly the Hawaii Hurricanes) were set to play this past weekend but their opening game was pushed indefinitely with the ABA consenting to be patient with them with the rescheduling as funding negotiations continue. Blaidsdell Arena could still serve as their home court with $200-250,000 still to be secured from sponsors. Meanwhile, the players practice at Kaiser High unpaid as they await their and the coach Akili Smith's contracts and the requisite airplane tickets to play matches in the continental US...

Visit www.usbasket.com/aba/aba.asp (http://www.usbasket.com/aba/aba.asp) for more info--click on the plus sign for extended info

Durbansandshark

16-11-2007, 09:19 AM

It is not surprising at all for ABA players on a team to live together in a housing quarters. One good example is the Arkansas RiverCatz--all of the players on the team lived in an inn ran by the RiverCatz owners before going under last season. Now you have the Halifax Rainmen doing the same.
www.bedfordsackvillenews.ca/index.cfm?sid=80229&sc=216 (http://www.bedfordsackvillenews.ca/index.cfm?sid=80229&sc=216)

Showtime is almost upon the Rainmen. Excitement is getting to them and towards the city of Halifax. Halifax has the makings of a typical ABA team in terms of style of play, that is, run and gun. Tip-off is against the Boston Blizzard tonight at the Halifax MetroCentre. If you've been paying any attention about them here, I think they have the potential of an excellent model ABA franchise: http://thechronicleherald.ca/Sports/978250.html

Halifax just signed Team Canada point guard Jermaine Anderson (Rainmen's website had a makeover): www.rainmenbasketball.ca/news/nov-13-20 ... oint-guard (http://www.rainmenbasketball.ca/news/nov-13-2007/rainmen-just-signed-team-canada-point-guard)

At this writing, tip-off is less than two hours away in Halifax

Durbansandshark

17-11-2007, 07:46 AM

Halifax won convincingly against Boston, blowing them out with their storm, 136-103 last night in front of 4343 fans in attendance at the Halifax MetroCentre. I can only it will be the start of something good. More enthusiastic details and reactions from the Halifax Daily News: www.hfxnews.ca/index.cfm?sid=80835&sc=92 (http://www.hfxnews.ca/index.cfm?sid=80835&sc=92)

Some possible stuff with potential NBL consequences: more trouble could be brewing for the Singapore Slingers. Beijing Aoshen Olympic decides to base themselves in Singapore after playing in Los Angeles for the past two seasons. Perhaps they could do something that the Slingers can't in basketball there, partly because of the significant Chinese population in the island city nation-state it can tap into.
www.abalive.com/news/releases/?newsid=2007111506001 (http://www.abalive.com/news/releases/?newsid=2007111506001)

Durbansandshark

22-11-2007, 01:20 PM

You knew this was coming with the ABA: the Rochester (MN) Fire is over before it truly began to blaze. All home games at the Mayo Civic Clinic are scratched. They didn't even play their scheduled road game in Chicago over the weekend.

Durbansandshark

27-11-2007, 11:08 AM

Local media in Rochester, Minnesota disclosed last week the Fire were able to meet the Minnesota Ripknees on November 9 only because the family of the late Vong Somvilai was able to pay $3500 to the Mayo Civic Center in Vong's memory. Now why the Ripknees? They're bound for the PBL, and they won't play there until the PBL's second season. If this happens, you know the Fire won't be long for the ABA unless the Ripknees were looking for a warmup team to play.

I think my local ABA team here, the St. Louis Stunners, are going to be gone. They are winless, and a few of those games have been cancelled. A few games dealing with the new San Francisco Rumble suffered the same fate too.

Montreal Royal, not wanting to repeat their losing ways at the start of this season, released Mohammed Camara, Gavin Musgrave, Steve Jerome, and Claude Delmas. They have signed Wayne Clark, formerly of Quebec City. The Royal are 1-6, last in the Northeast Division.

Speaking of the Quebec City Kebekwa, the Kebs became the first team to go overseas and play in Singapore, the new home for the Beijing Aoshen Olympic, this past weekend for a two-game series. This will be the first of 18 scheduled trips of ABA teams from the US and Canada. Many of the teams in the league, given their financial instability, will NOT make the trip--can't afford to play in a facility, let alone jetting over to Singapore.

Durbansandshark

28-11-2007, 07:36 AM

CORRECTION: The Quebec City Kebs will head to Singapore THIS Friday to face Beijing Aoshen Olympic with plans to use a satelitte feed. Based on the apatheic reception toward the Slingers in Singapore, I'm skeptical of the claim of "the interest in Singapore is enormous". Singapore lacks a serious basketball culture with little media interest. Do they possess the $$$? This may turn out to be a very dumb decision on the ABA. Travel costs from Quebec City to Singapore is approximately $500,000 (but Winston Lu may have that amount and more). Anyway, eat your out Slingers.
www.abalive.com/news/releases/?newsid=2007112606001 (http://www.abalive.com/news/releases/?newsid=2007112606001)

(Methinks this could be promoted as Singapore vs. US pros with the Slingers probrably fronting this with Aoshen in an attempt to gain major crowds. Montreal Royal is coming to Singapore--in March.)

To the surprise of.....NOBODY!!! It wouldn't be the ABA without the league continue dropping teams from its roster at the start of the season. Go ahead and read this. Shake your head in a mixture of embarassment and laughter. (http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3564257) Really. The league can't go on like this and seek to credible.

6'7" F Raheim Lowry of the Strong Island Sound signs with Portugal's CD Podova.

Durbansandshark

07-12-2007, 09:03 AM

The Syracuse Ragin' Bullz became the latest casualty in the growing graveyard that is the ABA by folding yesterday. What's so surprising is that it comes in a perceived strong division that is the Northeast featuring champs Vermont, Montreal, Manchester, Quebec City, and Boston. The Ragin' Bullz, name changed originally from Bullies as previously mentioned, had 1200 fans at the War Memorial Arena for their home debut against the Houston Takers, but attendance fell to 400 in the next. Three of its home games were cancelled. The team vowed to revamp its marketing stategy but ultimately decided to close shop. Its owner, Nicholas Fitts, had a new name the team contest to replace Bullies amid local controversy, and there were some concerns that Bulls would not suit the NBA well, but he was able to keep the Bulls name via a spelling change to Ragin' Bullz. The Ragin' Bullz lasted only six after being the first pro team in Syracuse since the Nationals left for Philadelphia in 1963. Rochester-born Fitts lacked the knowledge of Syracuse sports and its fans and how to guage the market.

Speaking of the Northeast, Rochester, NY will rejoin the ABA next season WITH A DIFFERENT TEAM! WHAT????!!!! :shock: Is Uncle Joe still upset over the model ABA team RazorSharks leaving for the PBL? Apparently so, but the fact is that Rochester isn't big enough for two basketball teams, let alone two minor pro ones. Mark my words: this new Rochester ABA incarnation will die a quick death and struggle to find a place to play. Blue Cross Arena is locked out for them.

Halifax is currently 1-7, so it feels it has make some roster shakeups with adding G Latrice Green and subtracting G 5'6" Hardy Riley.

Manchester Millrats stops Vermont's 12-game win streak 110=108 in OT at home.

The Bahama Pro Show had a nice debut with Clayton "Smiley" Miller scoring 39 points for the Pro Show's 109-89 win on the road over the Georgia Gwizzlies, and this despite poor support from the Bahamian Basketball Federation and the local media finally told word about the team.

The PBL has a new-look website: www.pblhoops.com (http://www.pblhoops.com)

Durbansandshark

19-12-2007, 06:39 AM

This is my first big post since my College Algebra exam this past Friday (and studying almost constantly for it in a dedicated manner beforehand--no cramming), so I'll get on with this right away.

More big, bad news on ABA teams folding: word is that the Strong Island Sound, actually one of the supposedly more stable teams in the league has actually folded almost two weeks ago. This folding made the two better-organized ABA models in that same division--Vermont, Quebec City, and Halifax very upset because it forces them to constantly change its schedule during the course of the season. Rumors abound that both teams will move to another league (perhaps the PBL) or form another one altogether, which I think could make things worse only for the fact for the general public could get confused over the alphabet soup of pro (major and minor) basketball leagues in North America. Like I said the ABA has loads of potential since returning in 1999, but now it relies on new teams to gain credibility. The ABA actually, for several seasons, started out each season with an unknown number teams because so many teams come and go with many in the same market since they are so poorly operated that they fold after several games. Really, this league is more about hawking ABA league merchandise than to make sure franchises are stable, provide basic info on minor league teams and leagues consider essential on their websites, and play out the course of the season and promoting teams for the local areas. 33 teams are set to play in the ABA next season as expansion teams, and that can cause even further league instability if it doesn't get its act together. Many really don't have the adequate time and money to actually spread the word about them to drum interest; that's a very good reason why teams in higher level sports leagues place expansion teams to start play at least two seasons in advance when awarded (but not in all cases). No wonder why several former ABA teams left for other leagues because they grew tired of the unprofessionalism going on there.

So it's no accident that Vermont, Halifax, Montreal, Quebec City, Boston, Westchester, and Manchester engaged in an emergency meeting in Burlington to deal with the hand that was dealt and to make sure they will actually play out the schedule. (http://www.timesargus.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071212/SPORTS/712120331/1004/SPORTS/) But you can be sure those issues weren't the only topics discussed.

I'm more than convinced that Vermont, Manchester, Halifax, Quebec City, and possibly Montreal are all too good for the ABA. It is believed the ABA could fold after this season, but I sincerely don't think that will happen.

Speaking of the Halifax Rainmen, they just got their first road win of the season over Quebec City (http://www.hfxnews.ca/index.cfm?sid=89922&sc=92), but the Rainmen owners should be wise to seriously consider leaving as an option in the midst of the ABA chaos to preserve their lives. Perhaps a sense of history involving the NBL/WBL's Halifax Windjammer, who enjoyed solid local support but couldn't last long due to the leagues' instability around them. www.hfxnews.ca/index.cfm?sid=88993&sc=92 (http://www.hfxnews.ca/index.cfm?sid=88993&sc=92)

Originally, the Syracuse Ragin' Bullz folded but it now turns out that its owner Nicholas Fitts will actually move them to Rochester, perhaps satisfying Joe Newman's attempt to say "(EXTREMELY NAUGHTY WORD) you" to the RazorSharks after the latter left for the PBL. The RazorSharks will win out in this duel like I said my last post here. http://news10now.comcontent/top_stories ... rID=129381 (http://news10now.comcontent/top_stories/default.asp?ArID=129381)

The South Chi-Land Inferno, like the Miami-based Bahama Pro Show, are another mysterious team in the ABA. They lack a website and has not played a game since the start of the season. But now, thanks to www.usbasket.com (http://www.usbasket.com), their home games are to be at South Suburban College in South Holland, Illinois at 159 State St. Ron Hicks is the coach with five signings of Maurice Carter, Deron Evans, John Bowles, Melvin and Johhny Williams. They played against the Chicago Throwbacks in their first game.

Also folded were the Los Angeles (formerly Pasadena) Push after four games. The Push changed its identity to Los Angeles following some snags in finding a facility in the Pasadena area. The Long Breakers, who were scheduled to play against them, found the LA Douglass (?) as the fill-in opponent in a laugher (http://www.presstelegram.com/moresports/ci_7734600).

Corning Bulldogs also left the ABA. At first it was said it ceased operation but will actually move to Elmira, New York and will play in the new National Professional Basketball League as the Elmira Bulldogs, its owner James R. Schultz said. The NPBL will consist of teams along the Northeastern shore (Hudson Valley, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, and Virgina are the other charter teams) begin play in early March. www.npbl-ball.com (http://www.npbl-ball.com) . Competition seems low in it despite the number of players signed...

Manchester had their 10-game win streak stopped by Vermont over the weekend avenging the Frost Heaves' own winning streak stopped. Scores will comes soon. A couple of games in the northeast were postponed because of the incliment weather.

Houston Takers went out to Singapore to play against Beijing Aoshen Olympic.

Durbansandshark

20-12-2007, 05:26 AM

Some more stuff regarding the Rainmen. This column from Halifax Chronicle-Herald's Chris Cochrane recommends that they should leave the ABA bush circus for more stable pastures. I, of course, agree. http://thechronicleherald.ca/Sports/997097.html

Syracuse surely deserved better than the Raging Bullz, and some fans are bitter over this ceasing operations and moving. May I suggest applying to the more stable NBDL and possibly hook up with Philadelphia with an expansion team to reconnect with the 76ERS heritage before the Nationals moved to Philly in 1963?
www.syracuse.com/articles/sports/index. ... xml&coll=1 (http://www.syracuse.com/articles/sports/index.ssf?/base/sports-0/119702143593880.xml&coll=1)

Last night the 7-4 Long Beach Breakers played "selfish" basketball in a home loss to the San Diego Wildcats 118-115, who are now atop the ABA Power Rankings and owns the best record in the ABA--13-1.
www.presstelegram.com/ci_7756366 (http://www.presstelegram.com/ci_7756366)

Durbansandshark

23-12-2007, 08:07 AM

I must freely admit I got a thing for the Halifax Rainmen: here's some Rainmen videos from YouTube.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbq9tzW0lHM (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbq9tzW0lHM)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=afNYyYNiXyA (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=afNYyYNiXyA)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHOatDih12g (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHOatDih12g)

Last two clips are from their home game against the Boston Blizzard

There are only TWO teams left in the ABA's Central Division (St. Louis Stunners and Chicago Throwbacks) when Anderson decided to leave AGAIN.

Hollywood is supposed to get another team for next season. This time it'll be called the Showstoppers.

Macon, home of the Georgia Gwizzlies, will serve as the host of the 2009 ABA All-Star Weekend.

Durbansandshark

01-01-2008, 05:24 AM

Orange County Gladiators signed former UC Irvine Anteater Kristen "KG" Green, supposedly becoming the first female player in ABA history to play in the league. She's slated to suit up for the first time on Sunday at home against the #1 ranked San Diego Wildcats.
www.ocgladiators.com (http://www.ocgladiators.com)

Durbansandshark

03-01-2008, 07:02 AM

I need to explain the supposedly part on my last post regarding Kristen Green suiting up to play for the Orange County Gladiators. That didn't sound right to me. Like most press announcements coming from the ABA, this one isn't correct. Green is NOT the first woman to play or sign in the ABA--the Gladiators got it all wrong and patheticly incorrect on that. Remember what I mentioned about Giuliana Mendiola and her brother playing for the Los Angeles Aftershocks much earlier in this subject? Giuliana WAS the first woman to play in the ABA for a few games from November and December 2005 (She's now currently playing for Greece's A1 club Aris Holargos). Just need to re-iterate that and with thanks to www.usbasket.com (http://www.usbasket.com) for reminding me.

Good luck to Kristen on Saturday.

Manchester Millrats have signed 6'11" center Mike Williams from the Bryant University Bulldogs. Williams has already played in the ABA along with stints in Portugal, Italy (Aget Imola), and Switzerland, where he won the Swiss League title. He'll join them in time to Singapore this weekend to play against Beijing Aoshen Olympic thanks to arrangments made. Another Bulldog is already there: 6'0" G Christopher Burns.

Halifax is on a four-game winning streak after traveling west to Quebec City and beat the Kebs 116-108. Rainmen were balanced on that game with Blandon Anderson scoring a team high 26 with eight rebounds.

Nine Frost Heaves scored in double figures in a 149-119 win over the Boston Blizzard at the Barre Auditorium with a 82-39 edge in rebounding. Dokun Akinbade scored 24 points and 14 rebounds. Issa Konare tallied 20 points with 13 rebounds as Vermont go 13-2

Albany Thunderdawgs, Columbia Rottweilers, Harbor Shore Dreams, Tampa Bay Tornados, Valley Legends, Long Beach Laguernos, Arkansas Scorpions, and the Lake Charles Hurricanes? Never heard of several of them

Bahama All-Pro Show and Orlando Aces all ceased operations. Phoenix could come back not with the Phantomz but with Fury. Monterey Venemo, Sacramento Heatwave, Mississippi Miracles, Tijuana Dragones, and the Anderson Champions all could return. Syracuse could re-enter. And Winston-Salem and Hammond, Indiana could join the ABA next season. Just don't get your hopes up.

Over in the PBL, I think the hiring of Kenny "The Jet" Smith would be a little like George Mikan being the first commissioner of the original ABA, except the talent level in this league is deeper than it was in Mikan's time. Plau, Smith won't demand that offices be based near where he lives.

The Maryland Nighthawks signed the first Thai player in North American pro ball--6'3" swingman Radtech Kruatiwa (aka J.O.), who played for Thailand at the 2006 Universiade Games and on the Thai national team. They also got Tamir Goodman and Lawrence Moton as coach.
www.marylandnighthawks.com (http://www.marylandnighthawks.com)

Tipoff for the first PBL season is this weekend.

Durbansandshark

06-01-2008, 04:00 PM

Has anyone noticed there are currently no Mexican ABA franchises currently playing this season right now? Monterrey Venemo, Mexicali Sentinals, and Tijuana Dragones are among those that left last year and a half.

I'll resume some scores and some more updates from the ABA and stuff regarding the opening of the Premier Basketball League on the other side of the weekend--I may have to change the title slightly to accomodate the PBL.

Durbansandshark

10-01-2008, 06:32 AM

PBL Scores

Rochester RazorSharks 104 Jacksonville Jam 84 (inaugural game)
Quad Cities RiverHawks 127 Dallas Defenders 92
Wilmington Sea Dawgs 92 Maryland Nighthawks 89
Jacksonville Jam 104 Reading Railers 101
Chicago Throwbacks 136 Rock River Fury 134
Wilmington Sea Dawgs 83 Rochester RazorSharks 81
Arkansas Impact 114 Chicago Throwbacks 103
Arkansas Impact 145 Maryland Nighthawks 121

Now the ABA has lost anopther piece, this time two teams based in Chicago, one of the nation's most important markets. I'm starting to suspect when I heard about the PBL All-Stars having staff and players from the Cicero Cometas--the Cometas and the Throwbacks are no longer mentioned in the ABA teams list at www.abalive.com (http://www.abalive.com)

127 fans turned up to see the Quad Cities RiverHawks PBL home opener against Dallas.

Durbansandshark

11-01-2008, 05:54 AM

The ABA announced Quebec City will act as hosts of the 2008 ABA Championship Round as part of the city's 400th birthday celebrations. The Quebec City Kebekwa are already among the most stable, organized, and popular franchises. Quaterfinals to the ABA Championship Game will be held in the Quebec capital from March 25-30th.

Local media in The Bahamas in a newspaper called "The Nassau Guardian" tells that coach James Price has left the Bahamas All-Pro Show with four other players. Typical ABA stuff: no organization, no support from the Bahamian Basketball Federation, plus past animosity between Price and the BBF. Price even spoke out about the league, which had the home game tip-off in the Bahamas. In any case, it's gone.

Durbansandshark

16-01-2008, 09:28 AM

Now we have another problem in the ABA in its most dysfunctional season ever: Saturday afternoon in a home game in Burlington, Vermont against their new rivals the Manchester Millrats, Frost Heaves fans witnessed a brawl--actually make that three brawls and two ejections. Vermont won 109-99, but that game is going to be remembered for those altercations IN FRONT OF A RECORD CROWD FOR VERMONT (1100) with the refs calling it with 49.3 seconds left to play after a flagrant foul by Ife Anosike. Both teams were coming out from weary road trips.
www.vermontfrostheaves.com/article/news/19015/1/1316/ (http://www.vermontfrostheaves.com/article/news/19015/1/1316/)

Three players got suspended--Vermont's Dwayne Lee (one game), Manchester's Anosike (ten games), and Ismael Caro (three games). Frost Heaves coach Will Voigt was fined by his club for an undisclosed amount. Anosike was later released. So we may say farewell to its playoff chances. www.burlingtonfreepress.com/apps/pbcs.d ... /801150310 (http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080115/SPORTS/801150310)
www.vermontfrostheaves.com/article/news/19034/1/1316 (http://www.vermontfrostheaves.com/article/news/19034/1/1316)

The next day Vermont beats Montreal Royal 108-74 also in Burlington
www.vermontfrostheaves.com/article/news/19017/1/1316 (http://www.vermontfrostheaves.com/article/news/19017/1/1316)

I guess if it was a matter of time giving such dysfunction all over the league, that a big fight was coming to pass in their little version of the 2004 Malice at the Palace. Sure, such stuff has no place in sports, and the suspensions were appropriate. I feel bad for Alexander Wolff, since it happened in front of him, and this is his baby. I hope the goodwill the Frost Heaves never gets squandered becuase of this. But the fight is a league issue and kudos to ABA VP of Operations Brad Hester laying down the gauntlet.

Beijing Aoshen Olympic play their home games at the Toa Payoh Sports Hall in Singapore, where they are 9-1. Manchester, before their fateful encounter with the Frost Heaves, was the latest team to go there and lost to Beijing 108-91. My next post will deal with their little time there in the island city-state.
Manchester also issues a public apology to Vermont for what transpired.
www.manchestermillrats.com (http://www.manchestermillrats.com)

Here's excellent articles from OurSportCentral regarding the state of the ABA, the writers echo the sentiments I've been saying for a long time with league: www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3580472 (http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3580472)
www.oursportscentralsports.com/services ... id=3578849 (http://www.oursportscentralsports.com/services/releases/?id=3578849)
Something I overlooked was the refereeing in games simply becuase I knew it was going to be largely bad all over the league with no standardized infrastructure to train and evaluate them (not to mention conflict of interests and geographical issues).

All ABA teams still playing are now like Australian leagues--in a single ladder with no divisions pertaining to geography thanks to all of those teams ceasing operations.

Will Mexico have just one team in the ABA next season as the Gomez Palacio Thundercats hope to make their way assuming Mexicali, Monterrey, and Tijuana all don't return? More on Gomez Palacio next time.

On to some more positive news, and that is the very nice story of Orange County's Kristen Green. Naturally the female KG wasn't comfortable when she came off the bench in her eight minutes (in two different stints) of play with just 2 points, a 10-foot baseline jumper in transition, just to get the jitters out of the way at their at JSerra High. San Diego Wildacts won though 122-100.
www.dailypilot.com/articles/2008/01/07/ ... reen07.txt (http://www.dailypilot.com/articles/2008/01/07/sports/dpt-spgreen07.txt)
But Kristen, the former UCI star, made a much more meaningful impact in her game (she's already accustomed to playing with guys thanks to scrimmage games), 25 points in a road win over the Maywood Buzz 136-104: www.dailypilot.com/articles/2008/01/14/ ... naba15.txt (http://www.dailypilot.com/articles/2008/01/14/sports/dpt-spgreenaba15.txt)

A little profile on Kristen Green's basketball career and where she stands in history of women playing men's pro basketball. (http://www.dailypilot.com/articles/2008/01/04/sports/dpt-spgreen04.txt) For what she is accomplishing with the Gladiators (good to see), kinda makes you wonder about that low talent level in the ABA where she couldn't instantly crack the WNBA that she drained 25 against the men. Didin't know about Mississippi and Amie Williams.

Durbansandshark

17-01-2008, 08:20 AM

Has anyone noticed now with Chicago Throwbacks and the St. Louis Stunners gone, there are no ABA franchises in the Midwest, meaning there's no Midwest division?

Meanwhile in the much more organized PBL:

The Rock River Fury has since change their name to the Rockford Fury and will still base themselves in Rockford, Illnois. The Fury have signed three players: F John Jackson, F/G Mike Hadley, and G Kyle Merrick.

Wilmington Sea Dawgs are still atop the East Division and undefeated at 3-0 by overcoming the Arkansas Impact in the fourth quarter 94-87.

Over at Rochester, the RazorSharks in the home opener with 3100 RazorSharks fans behind them at the Blue Cross Arena and defeated the Reading Railers 115-108.

January 10
Arkansas Impact 89 Jacksonville Jam 84
January 11-13
Quad Cities RiverHawks 133 Rockford Fury 100
Rochester RazorSharks 104 Jacksonville Jam 89
Reading Railers 89 Maryland Nighthawks 84
Rockford Fury 105 Dallas Enforcers 104 OT
Quad Cities RiverHawks 128 Chicago Throwbacks 120

If you read about ABA players visiting Singapore to face the Beijing Aoshen Olympic on one of the links, players complained about being housed in what they're like "brothels". Is this a way of getting into the minds of the opponents after their arrival? Surely despite the deep pockets of Winston Li, Beijing could not play at the Singapore Indoor Stadium; the NBL Slingers got that facility locked up as they continue to remain in existence. All of the their games will involve them in Singapore, and not going across the Pacific at all. Games against the St. Louis Stunners and Atlanta Vision were cancelled. But Beijing are 9-1 with their only loss to the Quebec City Kebekwa, the first ABA team to make the trip to Singapore, 117-112. After that, it's all Beijing. Next up for them is the San Francisco Rumble next weekend for two games.

More Quebec City Kebs, their next game is an all-Canadian affair against the Halifax Rainmen this weekend at home in the Young People's Pavillion (Pavillion de Juenesse).

devils

17-01-2008, 10:34 AM

Durbansandshark

24-01-2008, 08:07 AM

This is bad news for the NBL, if its actually happening of course!

But the Beijing Aoshen Olympian team playing in the ABA are planning on playing the majority of their home games in Singapore (doesn't state what stadium)

one basketball team can't survive there, 2 is just going to be a disaster. Once again it looks like the ABA is going ahead without doing any research whatsoever

http://www.aoshenbasketball.com/news/11152007.html

This is something I mentioned off and on. Beijing Aoshen plays at the Toa Payoh Sports Hall, which holds far less in capacity than the Singapore Indoor Stadium. Sure Li could afford the rent of the latter but likely did not want to interfere with the Slingers. Makes me wonder, given Singapore's lack of basketball prowess, exactly how did that island city get two pro basketball teams at this point? It boggles the mind. Hard to say exactly what impact Beijing Aoshen Olympic has on the Singapore Slingers. Nothing that I can tell right away as I far as I know. What kind of promotion they are doing in the city to bring awareness of them, compared to what the Slingers have done in the last few years? Are they tapping into the Chinese community becuase it is a Chinese basketball club, which could be more relatable to them than an Australian pro basketball team that made roots there despite making concessions to Singaporeans as they cultivate a basketball heritage for the nation? Yet they ususally end up with ex-pat Aussies, Kiwis, and Americans making up the fan base rather disappointingly less Singaporeans to fill the SIS seats.

Kristen, just as we were about to get to know you in the North American pro game with your 25-point exploit, you decide to leave with the hope of making it to the WNBA. And not just any team there, but to possibly become an Emissary of Evil to the NDCELE WNBA Chapter! :shock:
www.ocgladiators.com/news/index.html?article_id=52 (http://www.ocgladiators.com/news/index.html?article_id=52)

Over in the PBL, the Jacksonville Jam just couldn't shake off their ABA legacy. A well-informed source to www.usbasket.com (http://www.usbasket.com) notified the writers there that the Jam in trouble and very well be the first team the PBL loses; the Jam's financial situation is very dire, the PBL could no longer interested in financially supporting the team. The rumour is that Jax left the ABA to join the PBL, with its later start, to allow time to get its financial situation in order. Now the Jam's players and coaches learned upon getting their paychecks that there's no money to pay them. The PBL could financially take over for the course of the season to stay at eight teams. Don't look for the Jacksonville Jam's roster to stay the same however...

A profile on Halifax Rainmen owner Andre Livingstone and how he looked into the Nova Scotia city:
http://thechronicleherald.ca/Sports/9005224.html

Dallas Defenders finally win their first PBL home game:
www.pegasusnews.com/news/2008/jan/20/da ... er-home-g/ (http://www.pegasusnews.com/news/2008/jan/20/dallas-defenders-basketball-wins-first-ever-home-g/)

Durbansandshark

31-01-2008, 11:29 AM

Montreal Royal may have their home court switched from Pierre Chabonneau Centre to the John Abbott Centre, but they ended up beating Halifax 120-116
www.hfnews.ca/index.cfm?sid=101990&sc=92 (http://www.hfnews.ca/index.cfm?sid=101990&sc=92)

Are there plans to have ABA teams in Augusta and Cartersville, Georgia next season?

Over in the PBL...

Rumors abound for the Dallas Defenders and their owner Erin Patton are experiencing financial constraints. Players and coaches on that team were paid checks that bounced. No one from the coaching staff has been paid from day one, and the Defender players are considering departure from greener pastures.

Another rumor is that of the more successful ABA franchises like Vermont, Halifax, Montreal, Manchester, and Quebec City from the Northeast will make their way for the PBL next season. If that happens this could be the death knell.

Meanwhile in Jacksonville, the Jam will play on for the rest of the season with the league making an agreement with owner Felix Krupczynski. According to local media in Jax, the players and coaches get a partial salary payment, their first for the season. The Jam later practiced and traveled to Wilmington and won an important victory over the Sea Dawgs.

Durbansandshark

05-02-2008, 08:22 AM

20,000+ views (including those from my own) for this ABA/PBL subject. No where else active on the World subsection has that many yet. I never figured this subject was going to be this huge with many of you posters. But it goes to show just how popular it all is whenever I bring it up, even if it just a lower level bush minor basketball league where many players there will never get a taste of the NBA. So I want to say thank for that! :)

As part of this 20,000+ views celebration, I want put out the trailer from an upcoming film about a fictional team from the original ABA in 1976. It stars Will Farrell as Jackie Moon, the goofy owner, coach, and player of the Flint (MI) Tropics (again that never really existed) but it does plays against actual ABA teams like the San Antonio Spurs. The hilarious film, coming out in the US and Canada on February 29, is called Semi-Pro and also stars Woody Harrelson and Andre 3000 Benjamin.

Enjoy the trailer! (http://www.youtube.com/SemiPro)

Looks like a very funny movie! Original ABA people like Dick Tinkham were consultants in this movie, and it does stay true to the times of the 70s with the accurate uniforms and other artifacts. By the way, those bikini-clad girl you see in the trailer are a notable reference to the Miami Floridians ballgirls in the early 70s. Don't know when Semi-Pro will make Australia/New Zealand.

I'll bring you some more updates including more bad news involving the PBL's Dallas Defenders and expansion into Buffalo for next season likely though an update.

Durbansandshark

07-02-2008, 10:23 AM

The Premier Basketball League terminates the Jacksonville Jam and removed the franchise from its roster because it has failed to meet its obligations with the league to maintain its membership. The league has assumed administration of the team and maintains continuity of the schedule. Surely the league hates to take such action but the league feels it must abide by their regulations. Now with the league taking control of Jax, it has rechristian it as the Jacksonville Slam ( http://jacksonvilleslam.com ). Meanwhile, in a ridiculous press statement, Krupczynski announced he was parting ways with the league by suspending its operation while pondering its future options (there won't be any in my view), but he is the same guy who failed to pay people in the organization as promised.

Buffalo will join the PBL next season with NexxNow, a local media and marketing company, running the operations as they did with the ABA's Buffalo Silverbacks. Many of those with them are expected to run the PBL team. No official word yet on whether the Silverbacks will be used here, but I would like to see them bring back the Rapids name. Regardless, Buffalo was one of the better-run ABA teams back then with the "Do Your Best, Never Quit" community outreach program playing a part in that. Team is in negotians with a home venue now.

Dallas Defenders did not play this past weekend against the Chicago Throwbacks. Though on the league's website says that's attributed to weather, I think it's that their situation worsened. It's rumoured that many of their players were supposedly evicted from the Marriott for the team failed to pay the hotel on February 1. Only two players are from Dallas locally with the rest from other states, so those in the latter, coaches and players, have no other place to go in Texas. Since then Dallas assistant Don Sellers got a job in the same capacity with the Rochester RazorSharks. Don't be surprised to see other departures coming after this. Dallas' situation is not helped with a three-game losing streak...

The PBL has announced an Internet weekly radio show called PBL Fast Break.

Quad Cities RiverHawks signed three new players: John Jackson, Quinnel Brown, and Chauncey Jones. All three will prepare for a road games against Reading and Rockford. To make way, C Aaron Harrison was released.

Rochester RazorSharks are atop of the Eastern Division. They extend their home winning streak to 40 games at the Blue Cross Arena, which is incredible regardless of what league and level of play you're in. They won over the Wilmington Sea Dawgs 107-97

Durbansandshark

08-02-2008, 11:03 AM

I got yourself an on-demand ABA Vermont Frost Heaves home game to link for you mates. Here they face against the Montreal Royal at the Burlington Memorial Auditorium exactly a week ago tonight.

http://event.playonsports.tv/frostheaves/?eventId=2919

Notice how Montreal's unis remind me of the Clippers in styling.

I'll post more ABA news tomorrow. Before I go though, look at the home page and you'll see the ABA Championship Quebec City 2008 logo.
www.abalive.com (http://www.abalive.com)

Durbansandshark

09-02-2008, 08:15 AM

Halifax keeps changing their roster especially now with Vermont beating them. One has since left for a German team.

Durbansandshark

16-02-2008, 07:48 AM

A new team is in place in the PBL, a traveling team whose records will count towards the standings--the PBL Travelers coached by Thaddeus Hill.

Durbansandshark

07-03-2008, 06:16 AM

Lots of wackiness as you expect from both the ABA and now the PBL ensued since my last post here. Look for them next week...

Durbansandshark

14-03-2008, 06:23 AM

A lot of the players for the Jacksonville Jam in the PBL wanted to stick around in the league and called coach Scott Cooper and asked him to come over to operate under the new moniker the Jacksonville Slam with the league taking over ownership. They made the trip to Chicago grossly undermanned with 6 players ready to play--and yet to be paid (the Slam players since have been paid as promised by the league). They even had Gary Cooper come up and suit up as player/coach.

Meanwhile at its equally troubled league-mate Dallas Defenders, owner Erin Patterson announced she was, like Felix Krupcyzynski in Jacksonville, terminating his relationship with the PBL due to philosophical differences and seeking a new league. A new ownership has come over to operate the Defenders. Stranger still, eight of the 11 Defender players are actively listed for the ABA's Texas Tycoons in a recent February game. The situation should've been clarified more, USbasket.com notes, with the need to play more locally-based players as a cost-management factor. Was this a simple, temporary loan? Will this be a first case of a group of players competing in two different leagues at the same time? Why didn't they end the season instead?

Rochester RazorSharks clinched the Eastern Division and two byes and will host the East Division championship at the Blue Cross Arena. The RazorSharks now have a city sports record 44-game winning streak.

Quad Cities Riverhawks won the West Division and their situation is likewise to Rochester in the West

Durbansandshark

20-03-2008, 11:48 AM

2008 ABA All-Star Weekend will commence on Easter weekend at Barre, Vermont, home of the ABA champs the Vermont Frost Heaves. I know they'll present a very good show there.

www.vermontfrostheaves.com (http://www.vermontfrostheaves.com)
www.central-vt.com/abaallstars/ (http://www.central-vt.com/abaallstars/)

Durbansandshark

26-03-2008, 11:05 AM

I hope to catch up with all of the bizarre goings-on with the ABA and PBL with greater details later. Right now though...

We now have our first ever PBL championship game coming up between the heavily favored Rochester RazorSharks and the Arkansas Impact on Sunday at the Blue Cross Arena in Rochester. Expect a sold-out crowd for that one.

That PBL Travelers team that was finished the season actually replaced the Chicago Aztecas.

I will give you mates the wackiness that is the ABA (and the PBL) very soon as we head into the Final 8 playoffs in Quebec City. Including some merger talks with the PBL!

basketoz74

26-03-2008, 03:59 PM

Durbansandshark

27-03-2008, 09:46 AM

That's great to read. Rochester was among the better run teams in the ABA before it left.

UPDATE: Todd Triplett, Orlando Aces' owner and GM, stated he's moving the team to North Las Vegas, making it the fifth Las Vegas ABA franchise the city has had--Slam, Venom, PROMYLs, Rattlers are the others. The nearby Henderson All-Starz is slated join next season. While the name is appropriate to the city. Las Vegas is too glitzy and more deserving of the NBA than this bush league. I can understand cheaper alternatives to the pricier version, the league itself needs some stablizing if not obliteration. Anyway, the Las Vegas Aces will begin play next season with local player and dance team tryouts soon. It just couldn't compete in Orlando, not with the budget it had there and all of the tourist interests to be had. www2acesbasketball.com

Your Final 8 ABA teams playing starting tomorrow at the Youth Pavillion in Quebec City:

Montreal Royal vs. Jersey Express (preliminary game) tonight March 26

Vermont Frost Heaves vs. San Francisco Rumble
Quebec City Kebekwa vs. Texas Tycoons
San Diego Wildcats vs. Atlanta Vision
Manchester Millrats vs. Montreal/Jersey winner

Nashville returns to the ABA with the Nashville Broncs next season. Let's hope it has a much better future and prospects in its duration than the Rhythm

Durbansandshark

29-03-2008, 05:42 AM

The Montreal Royal defeated the Jersey Express 118-110 in Quebec City took on the Manchester Millrats as the second Canadian ABA rep in the Final 8. www.mtlroyal.com/royal/index.php?lang=english (http://www.mtlroyal.com/royal/index.php?lang=english)

After that:
Vermont Frost Heaves 118 San Francisco Rumble 93
(Frost Heaves had a 9-2 lead to start with and never looked back and included Antonio Burke's 25 points, including 7 from 9 from beyond the arc, Issa Konare's 22 points and 10 rebounds, and Dwayne Lee had 10 points. The Rumble had Derek Foster scored 20.)

Texas Tycoons 122 Quebec City Kebekwa 120
(Tycoons overcame a 12-point deficit in halftime to win)

Saturday, March 29
Vermont vs. Texas

Friday, March 28
Manchester Millrats vs. Montreal Royal
Atlanta Vision vs. San Diego Wildcats

Why wasn't Beijing Aoshen Olympic invited in this? They finished 19-1.

Durbansandshark

03-04-2008, 05:53 AM

The Rochester RazorSharks captured the first-ever Premier Basketball League title in front of their 9717 hometown fans at the Blue Cross Arena over the Arkansas Impact on Sunday with a dominant 142-112 win. Now their home winning streak sits at 47 games.

Durbansandshark

04-04-2008, 10:07 AM

Friday, March 28
San Diego Wildcats 145 Atlanta Vision 99
Manchester Millrats 146 Montreal Royal 140 OT
(Manchester had Anthony Anderson lead with 29 pts., Charles Mason scored 25 pts., Cedric McGinnis has 24 pts. and 8 rebounds. Al Stewart and P.J. Young also scored at least 20 points each)

Saturday, March 29--SEMIFINALS
Vermont Frost Heaves 106 Texas Tycoons 100
San Diego Wildcats 115 Manchester Millrats 106 OT

Sunday, March 30--ABA FINAL 8 CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
Vermont Frost Heaves 87 San Diego Wildcats 84

VERMONT FROST HEAVES--2007-08 ABA CHAMPIONS
Dwaun Rice (Vermont)--ABA FINAL 8 MVP

So Alexander Wolff's Vermont Frost Heaves accomplished the first-ever ABA (in its present incarnation) back to back title defense in the midst of a shameful, ridiculous, and appaling season for the league. Too bad at least for them it occured away from many of their loyal fans. Many congratulations go to Alexander Wolff, coach Will Voigt, Issa Konare, Terence Green, Antonio Burke, Dwaun Rice, Brett Gavitt, Dokun Akingbade, and Dwayne Lee. Again, thank you for showing how to BE A RIGHT AND PROPER ABA FRANCHISE (along with a handful of others like Manchester, San Diego, Atlanta, Quebec City, Beijing, San Francisco, Texas, Montreal, and Halifax)! Their only loss came at the hands of the Manchester Millrats, who the Frost Heaves were spared of facing again thanks to San Diego.

More wacky and shameful ABA stuff including thoughts on the Halifax Rainmen, who did not appear in the ABA Final 8 in Quebec City, and other things regarding this wacky season. PBL will be included thanks to the Texas Tycoons-Dallas Defenders situation.

Durbansandshark

19-04-2008, 04:41 AM

The Arizona Rhinos are actually going to be in for the ABA's 2008-09 season as an expansion team. But this is a different team from what was supposed to appear in 2005, and will base themselves at Prescott Valley as it promotes "integrity and tradition back to the court" as it mirrors traditional Judeo-Christian values.

Durbansandshark

22-04-2008, 11:37 AM

Some news about other ABA expansion teams:

The Fresno Legends signed three legendary former Fresno St. Bulldogs. Tremaine Fowlkes, Terrence Roberson, and former Mexican national team player Hector Hernandez. Of the three only, Fowlkes had some NBA experience.

Nashville's Broncs conducted their third open tryout on April 19th.

Durbansandshark

01-05-2008, 10:53 AM

Jean Paul Atif was granted the blessings from the Texas Tycoons to pursue coaching vacanies and openings in other pro basketball leagues. The Tycoons finished 21-3 and were eliminated from the ABA championship sweepstakes again by the eventual champs Vermont Frost Heaves. Texas, being one of the strongest and more successful teams in the league and are currently in talks with the other comparably strong teams there to see whether they'll return. GM Mike Senters has admitted to seriously consider moving either the the CBA or PBL. Hey, many Tycoons players got some PBL experience and easily will fit in the Dallas-Ft. Worth market. :wink:

The ABA named Ian McCarthy of the expansion Manchester Millrats as Executive of the Year for his expertise in gaining community support and outstanding corporate sponsorship, collaborating with the media, releasing immense info on press releases and on its website, and his working relationship with the Northeast Division rivals like Vermont and Quebec City on the ABA All-Star Weekend and ABA Final 8 Championship...and installing a great team on-court.

With the Toronto Lazers coming into the PBL, headed by Dr. Hartley and Harlan Miltchin, the team has yet to announce a facility for home games. Its colo(u)rs are grey, black, and blue. This has the possibility of acting as the cheaper alternative in the megalopolis that is Toronto to the Raptors if done right. There's plenty of lots of basketball talent there, but it will be hard to get media attention in the face of the Maple Leafs, Argonauts, Raptors, Rock (indoor lacrosse), York, Ryerson, and Toronto Universities(college sports), junior ice hockey teams, and even the Marlies (AHL minor league hockey). So they must find a nice niche quick and build from there. Let's hope the Milchins demostrate the vision in running the Lazers.

Buffalo's PBL entry will be the Buffalo Dragons with their home games will be at the Burt Flickinger Center at the Erie Community College, just like the ABA's Rapids/Silverbacks.

A Southeast Asian All-Star Team made up of the best players in the southeast Asian region will play next season resulting from a PBL partnership with Thailand and other Southeast Asian nations.

A new arena is planned or could be built for the Maryland Nighthawks, as reported by the Washington Times. Rockville-based D&A Sports and Entertainment Group won the right to this operation and will oversee the new sports and entertainment arena in Montgomery County. The head of this organization? Tom Doyle, also CEO of the PBL.

Durbansandshark

07-05-2008, 11:03 AM

Quinton Townsend, owner of the Atlanta Vision, one of the better-run ABA teams out there, will become the ABA's President/COO. Joe Newman says this is the beginning of much-needed structural changes for the league and is the "first ever African-American President of a sports league" What about Teredemy Ushery who used to run the CBA in the mid-90s?Anyway, the Vision was named by the Gwinett Citizen as the "Atlanta's Best Value for Sports Entertainment" for Townsend's vision, passion, and basketball savvy. He turned things around in less than three months.

Buffalo Dragons lately made public of their intention of bringing in several Chinese players (living up to the cultural reference) with the goal of delivering Dragons games on Chinese TV...and the Buffalo Silverbacks plan to return to the ABA after a season's absence, providing direct local basketball competition. Jean Paul Afif acts as the Dragons' GM and head coach.

Following a strange one month delay, here's the PBL All-Star Hono(u)r Roll team:

MVP: Jeremy Bell--Arkansas Impact
PBL Playoff MVP: Keith Friel--Rochester RazorSharks
Coach of the Year: Rod Baker--Rochester RazorSharks

PBL First Team
Jeremy Bell-Arkansas Impact
Tayron Thomas--Reading Railers
James Reaves--Rochester RazorSharks
Frank Richards--Rockford Fury
Bobby Anderson--Quad Cities RiverHawks

PBL Second Team
Stanley Thomas--Chicago Throwbacks
Anthony Lumpkin--Jacksonville Jam/Slam
Ryan Edwards--Quad Cities RiverHawks
Keith Friel--Rochester RazorSharks
Charles Ward--Wilmington Sea Dawgs

PBL Third Team
Tyrone Davis--Arkansas Impact
Randy Gill--Maryland Nighthawks
Jared Mills--Reading Railers
Sammy Monroe--Rochester RazorSharks
Reggie George--Rockford Fury

Durbansandshark

10-05-2008, 05:55 AM

Really big news and this could spell the ultimate doom of the ABA. It was announced yesterday that the back-to-back ABA Champs Vermont Frost Heaves and the Manchester Millrats, two of the more successful teams the ABA has known, will join the PBL, thereby strengthing the deep talent level in the northeast. Look for more teams to come into the PBL fold. Why don't they just merge?

RazorSharks GM Ornest Hrywak will serve 10 weekends and five years probation on DUI charges while speeding.

To be continued...

Durbansandshark

13-05-2008, 11:35 AM

A Detroit pro basketball franchise made up of Arab/Middle Eastern basketball players is coming to play in the ABA next season. Detroit and the state of Michigan is home to the largest Arab community in the United States. They will be known as the Detroit Zafir (Zafir is Arabic for Victorious). We've seen attempts to bring largely-neglected ethnic basketball players in the ABA before: Alexandria United/Windjammers (made up of Mongolian basketball players), Vancouver's phantom try with Chinese players, Team Native America, and the Chicago/Cicero Cometas. Will this last and get to play on the court? More later.
http://www.oursportscentral.com/service ... id=3639463 (http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3639463)

NYC Internationalz chose Michael Logan, a Harlem native, as the their head coach.

Durbansandshark

04-06-2008, 08:04 AM

Becuase of my work demands that have now just completed--I worked on 11-day work streak--I couldn't go in-depth as much as I would like with time contraints on these boards. Now, happily, I'm resuming it.

Boy, is the ABA feeling the defections now. Back-to-back ABA champs Vermont and Manchester both decided to leave for the PBL immediately after this past season. And now, guess what? Another northeastern ABA team has jumped ship: the Quebec City Kebs, hosts of the just completed ABA Final 8 that Vermont won, is going to the PBL too. Understandably, they, if you were paying attention here, too were upset with how things were progressing (or regressing) in the ABA, with many of the stronger teams in the northeast. Halifax has already left with hopes to join the NBDL if not the PBL.

So now there are going to be three PBL teams based in Canada with expansion teams for the 2008-09 season there with the Montreal Sasquatch and the Toronto Lasers already planning to play. I already made note of Toronto, but Montreal is going to be interesting. As a market, the predominantly-French metropolis is going to have TWO minor league basketball teams competing for those loonies (a reference to the Canadian dollar coins that feature the loon bird) in a city not really known for pro basketball support. It's a hockey city all right, but where would the Sasquatch will play as of now? Their colo(u)rs were unvieled--teal, royal blue, lime green, white, and black and their logo-- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montreal_Sasquatch. Are they refering to the colo(u)rs the NHL's Quebec Nordiques could've used had they not got bought by Ascent Communications and moved to Denver to become the Colorado Avalanche? Real Bourassa is behind the Sasquatch, and I seriously doubt Montreal is ready for two basketball teams with the Royal (nee Matrix) already there playing at the Centre Pierre-Charbonneau. Why can't the two merge or the Royal leave the ABA and bring their workers onto the Sasquatch becuase I know their staff run things professionally? Yeah, there's plenty of talent in the Montreal area that needs to be tapped, but what about the precious yet limited media coverage both teams will get in an area that even Montreal pro soccer--the prospective MLS team, the Impact--gets more. Personally I'm not big on the Royal name. It's not like Toronto, where a cheaper alternative to the Raptors is on the horizon for those who want their local pro basketball jones in the form of the Lasers. Expect the Montreal Sasquatch to give a strong Canadian rivalry with the Lasers and the Kebs while certainly having a Quebec provincial derby with the latter. Durban will keep you posted on the interesting Montreal pro basketball developments.

Resuming to play after a yearlong hiatus as the Silverbacks, the Buffalo Dragons have their PBL website up but little is present--www.buffalodragons.com

Guess who got resurrected from the ABA and made it onto the PBL for play next season? It's the Detroit Panthers while the unconnected Detroit Zafir will make theirs in the ABA.

Now there's only two active teams currently in the ABA based in the northeast: the Boston Blizzard and the aforementioned Royal. But expansion is coming with Rochester and Buffalo Sharks (which got MetLife, Labatt beer, and Shark Energy drink on board as sponsors). Arizona Rhinos changed their area name to the more regionally specific Prescott Valley Rhinos.

Durbansandshark

05-06-2008, 06:20 AM

Take or cease all of our teams you want, we'll create more in the ABA. That's been the theme for this league since starting things up again in 2003. Following the departures of Halifax, Vermont, Manchester, and Quebec City--all of the better teams up in the northeast, the ABA adds more to the depleted field of 17 teams (just about a nice number for this league IMO) with more new teams announced in Modesto, California ( www.abalive.com/news/release/?newsid=2008060406002 (http://www.abalive.com/news/release/?newsid=2008060406002) ), Knoxville ( www.abalive.com/news/releases/?newsid=2008052706001 (http://www.abalive.com/news/releases/?newsid=2008052706001) ), South Chicago, and the Aurora (IL) Force ( www.abalive.com/news/release/?newsid=2008060206001 (http://www.abalive.com/news/release/?newsid=2008060206001) ) with former Hammond Rollers Coach/GM Kenny Battle, a 1989 NBA Draft pick from Illinois playing for Phoenix,Golden St., and Boston, running things there, starting with open tryouts.

Durbansandshark

08-06-2008, 06:24 AM

Another is joining the PBL from a previous league. This time it's from the CBA, though it has roots in the ABA. The Augusta Groove (formerly the Atlanta Krunk) jumps to the PBL for the coming season. It will help Jacksonville when it comes to travel with a southeastern rival. This league is getting more teams, and I hope all of the new teams in the PBL can compete and be organized--I know Vermont for sure can. There's promise in it; I would hate to see it end up like what the ABA is now.

Durbansandshark

13-06-2008, 07:28 AM

Oh no! Detroit is actually going to get another ABA franchise for next season. Yes, Detroit "is a great basketball city", but pro basketball is already crowded with the Pistons, the PBL Panthers (formerly of the ABA), and now the Zafir. The Panthers, when they were the Dogs, were the first new ABA champs before becoming the Detroit Wheels the next season, and this team will get lost.
www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3658324 (http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3658324)

North Las Vegas Aces just signed their first player in Lou Kelly, a leading scorer with UNLV and in the ABA during the 2004-05 season. In about a month the Aces will hold dance and player tryouts. Las Vegas Aces' new website: www.lasvegasaces.bravehost.com (http://www.lasvegasaces.bravehost.com)

Nashville Broncs hosted the CBA's Zhejiang Guangsha Basketball Club, a team coached by Wang Fei, from Shen Yang City, China in early May. The team were on a 8 day tour and were welcomed by local companies like NovaCompany and All-Access Coach with games at Fisk University.
www.nashvillebroncs.com (http://www.nashvillebroncs.com)

That Montreal Sasquatch team may actually be the Montreal Royal under a different guise, which may be better for them, perhaps to shed the ABA image the name may have. I already told how two Montreal pro basketball teams weren't going to work at the same time. Sources say it is leaving with (now confirmed) Quebec City. We'll know more details as time goes by. A large cosmopolitan city like Montreal with some potential to grow as a basketball city starting at the grassroots level deserves better than the ABA.

The mass exodus continues with Texas leaving (or merging depending on point of view) with Charles Key taking over the Dallas Defenders.

West Texas Whirlwinds hosts open tryouts on June 19-21 at Odessa College in Odessa, Texas with a very unorthodox method: each player will particpate in the slam dunk contest, three-point shootout, and a few other games plus cash money in front of Whirlwind fans and sponsors. West Texas hopes to take 30 out of the open tryouts and into the veterans camp. Camp is $100.

Durbansandshark

17-06-2008, 08:41 AM

Modesto's new ABA team is owned by businessman Saber Knott, who's got a brilliant background. Being the owner of a team he can call it anything the hell he wants. Hence the team will be known as the Modesto Sabres. An original name actually when you think about there aren't any pro and college basketball teams named Sabres. Sabres coach is T.J. Walker. Open tryouts were held this weekend at Modesto Christian High.

Another holding tryouts this past weekend was the Aurora Force as Kenny Battle overlooking the players on Sunday at Marmion Academy in Aurora, Illinois.

Nashville Broncs announced an agreement with NBA veteran coach Jan Van Breda Kolff to coach the team starting its debut next season in November with home games at the Municipal Auditorium.

Arizona Rhinos will play in Prescott Valley area and is negotiating to play 15 home games at Tim's Toyota Center in Prescott Valley when the 2008-09 season opens, as owner Kisha Spellman-White, a Prescott native, says. She says there's six players on the roster with more recruiting to go. Interesting thing with them is that among the team's Board of Directors include the O'Bannon brothers Charles and Ed and six-year NFL player with the Cardinals and Raiders Marion Todd Peat.

Sami Behdad has his contract with the Georgia Gwizzlies renewed following a successfull stint in Turkey averaging 17 points and 6 assists.

Durbansandshark

24-06-2008, 08:08 AM

Halifax made its announcement about what new league they're joining for next season today. This is not a shock that the Premier Basketball League accepted the Rainmen into its membership as the 16th team. Andre Livingstone regrets that the NBDL couldn't accept citing that, although Halifax is a very good enviroment for basketball, travel distance issues with other NBDL teams (presently Erie is the easternmost) makes it difficult. Crookshank meanwhile heads over to European pro ball next season. I believe the PBL is a very appropriate league for the Rainmen; league structure, model, and team placement are more favo(u)rable. Costs in operation are less expensive than the NBDL and teams are closer to it than in the NBDL (Manchester, Vermont, Montreal, Toronto, Quebec City, Rochester, and Buffalo), so travel won't be as much of a burden. Plus with as the most successful attendance team in the ABA, costs won't be passed onto season ticket holders. The season is shorter compared to the ABA and NBDL, which means Rainmen home games at the Halifax Civic Centre are 10 in total for the regular season out of 20. Teams are deeper and more equitable and stable (unless the US economic crisis wrecks havoc on the league despite the league's good intentions with less issues of teams folding or not opting to travle) equipped with more quality guys. Halifax will have to hire a TV broadcasting production crew with all the PBL games to be on TV and online worldwide (negotiations for a national TV deal with the PBL are ongoing).

With the amount of games less than it was for the defected in their ABA days, it could be a moot point since most ABA teams couldn't reach up to 20 this past season (its season was 36 regular season games). Still, for those in the northeastern region, I, like Rainman Fan's blogger Chris902, suggest a FA Cup-like tournament for them in the season's first half to make up the difference. Season starts later in January. PBL basketball is where the ABA really should be at this point, and actually it started out that way when it planned to hit in 2000. Even with the in-league dysfunction, the ABA still has more name-brand recoginition than the PBL.
http://rainmenblog.wordpress.com
http://www.rainmenbasketball.ca

When it was found out that the visiting teams were staying in a brothel in Singapore while staying there playing against Beijing Aoshen Olympic on a 2-game homestand, CEO Joe Newman ordered Beijing to find a hotel for the visitors upon hearing the news. Later teams stayed at the Holiday Inn. Plus, Beijing paid the teams $3000 each and fly them over.

The other Detroit ABA expansion team other than the Zafir, which will largely be made up of players from Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Iran, Qatar, Kuwait et al., will be known as the Detroit Hoops.

The Sacramento Heatwave will return to the ABA after a year's hiatus supposedly with "a new home and new attitude", according to owner Reggie Davis, with eyes toward the ABA championship. They're looking for a new coach, GM, assistant coaches, marketing and sales people, PR and community relations, and gameday operations people. Essentially everything. Good luck, Sacramento on that...

Kansas City returns to the ABA, according to Wikipedia. Will the Knights come back in this endeavour?

Durbansandshark

27-06-2008, 10:16 AM

More on KC's return to the ABA: 29-year old Milton Thomas will own the team and has connections with many of the AAU and D1 college, and pro basketball players in the area having played there--both Missouri and Kansas parts of KC. He suffered two strokes at the age of 19 when playing at a Missouri college.

Los Angeles Push will come back next season and hosted open tryouts last weekend at Venice Beach.

Across the LA galaxy, the Maywood Buzz also conducted open tryouts that weekend with all of the players assigned teams and competing in the 3rd Annual ABA Maywood Buzz Summer Pro League from July 14-20.

Aurora Force had theirs too. Owner/coach Kenny Battle seemed impressed with the stellar talent he singled out.

Winston-Salem, North Carolina joins the ABA next season thanks to Wesley E. Mason III, CEO of Old Vineyard Behavioral Health Services, and his wife, LaToya Camille Shine Mason. Bryan Short, currently Director of Player Personnel at Alliance Sports Management, was appointed GM. Its name was the result of a vote in 12 businesses and online with an eye toward being a community team for the city and of its involvement with the team. They are called: the Winston-Salem Storm. And the Storm announced ambitions of hosting the 2009 ABA All-Star Weekend. Joe Newman thinks the city will support it with the state's love of basketball. Negotiations are underway to play at the Joel Coliseum at the Annex. Yes, the home of Wake Forest Demon Deacons. The ABA had a team with the storm name--Colorado Springs but it ceased operations four seasons ago
www.winstonsalemstorm.com (http://www.winstonsalemstorm.com) (little to see right now save for the very stylish owl logo)

Durbansandshark

09-07-2008, 05:02 AM

Man, don't you just love the ABA news that I dish out to you guys? :P I got some new developments...

Knoxville Storm, the ABA's return entry to the city of Knoxville after the Noise left for another league and then folded, has their website up but very little to see: www.knoxvillestorm.com (http://www.knoxvillestorm.com) Knoxville's own Chad Smith, presently in his second year as a staff member with the Tennessee Travelers, an elite summer traveling team sponsored by Nike, is the coach with the Huffson Group owning it.

Oh my goodness, the ABA shenanigans have made its way up to Alaska obviously inspired by the success of the Great Alaska Shootout (why aren't the Alaska-Anchorage Seawolves in DI yet?). Don't get me wrong, there is indeed basketball talent coming from Alaska, as evidenced by Trajan Langdon and Carlos Boozer both Dukies. But a more stable league like the PBL could do wonders for the state. Anyway, ABA ball will head to Anchorage, making it the first time since the old Anchorage Northern Knights in the CBA that starred Brad Davis from 1977-1981, an original and longstanding Dallas Maverick, that a pro basketball team will call Alaska home. Plan is the Alaska Dream is going to start for next season. But if anything happens (like failing to find a suitable facility), the Dream will start play in 2009 instead.

Bowling Green, Kentucky is in too. Team's name will be the Kentucky Mavericks. But will they face trademark infringement from the NBA because of Dallas? Wacky news has started on this newly-admitted team already: former NBA player Vincent Askew, currently coaching the struggling CBA franchise Albany Patroons, became coach of the Mavericks only to be fired this past Saturday night only after four days into the job. But Mavericks owner and president Jason Smith (not to be confused with NBL player Jason Smith) says Askew resigned and suggested finance was the main issue. Smith hopes for name recognition and have every employee down to the players and dance team to be honest with each other.

Durbansandshark

10-07-2008, 09:42 AM

A brief intermission from ABA for a minute on this. You'll soon notice additional details upon editing in the previous post soon.

I really like the new Buffalo Dragons' stylized logo in the PBL right now. Love it! The colo(u)rs are similair to the proposed Vancouver Dragons' CBA (ironically originated from the ABA but never played). I'm still tyring to figure out the significance of the red background triangle--might involve New York, Ontario (Canada), and possibly the upper part of Pennslyvania, if not China. This logo can easily rival those in the NBA right now if marketed right. Red, black, and gold are popular and traditional colo(u)rs in China.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buffalo_Dragons

Keith Gayden of the Quad Cities RiverHawks is currently on the Chicago Bulls Pepsi Summer Pro Basketball League roster. How cool is it for him to be a teammate of #1 pick fellow Chicago native Derrick Rose?

Cleveland might get in the seemingly-Eastern bound PBL with an expansion team of its own, the Cleveland Steamers, according to Wikipedia.

Kansas City ABA has a name--the Spartans and hired Bryant Tucker as Coach/GM www.kansascityspartans.com (http://www.kansascityspartans.com)

Phoenix's new ABA entry will arrive officially at a press conference on July 10 at the Greenway High School Gymnasium. CEO Xavier Mitchell hopes to tap into the incredible "basketball talent and enthusiaisum in the Valley" for the expansion Phoenix Fury. Joe Bryant will also appear at the press conference to present the team's key objectives involving the ABA's unique style. The Suns won't lose sleep over the Fury though.

Los Angeles Push are back and now got Vincent Askew as general manager.

Fresno returns to the ABA without the Heatwave moniker attached to them. It's an all new franchise called the Fresno Legends and the team is still looking for a head coach and a GM.

Why is this team doing this? Why go from a proven to be a stable league to one that isn't? I don't understand save for operation costs. The Washington Raptors, dormat from the IBL for a season, has left for the ABA?! :shock: This is not Washington, DC, mind you but in Washington State. So I think this may come in handy with the Seattle Supersonics out for now. I had a creepy feeling the league was going to attempt to tap into the state again, not just Seattle.

Durbansandshark

15-07-2008, 06:21 AM

San Antonio will try again to particpate in the new ABA. You may recall that there were plans to bring the San Antonio Stallions on board in 2004, but that never materialized and, consequentially, the Stallions never stepped on the court. So we now have the South Texas Showboats. The Showboats just now announced its Team Manager, having just officially bringing in Michael Meloccaro for that portfolio. The Showboats already have their head coach, Benjamin Miereles, also its owner. Open tryouts will be on August 1-3.
http://www.sanantonioproball.com

Over in Anchorage with the Alaska Dream, the Dream named Al Sokaitis, the former Alaska-Fairbanks Nanooks head coach and an engineer of turning around losing programs into winners, as its first head coach. Obviously it's different this time when you're creating from scratch.

Las Vegas Lights got Carl Rossenbach as its General Manager. Rossenbach was in a previous post when the Arena Football team Las Vegas Gladiators played before the team headed eastward to Cleveland as a Promotions Coordinator and on the Board of Community Development. By mutual consent he went with the Las Vegas Aces but later reached an agreement to rejoin the Lights when it became apparent they will return for the season.

A LOL look at the bush-league and amatuerish-quality frustrations Halifax (and Vermont, Quebec City, and Manchester all) had to endure in their only season in the ABA being one of the model franchises with the league with the city hungry for some semblance of pro basketball after a long time. You can instantly see why the Rainmen pulled out before participating in the Final 8 in Quebec City and wanted to pull before then. The part about when the Atlanta Vision coming in to play in Halifax in the Rainmen's final home game in the manner they did (not really the Vision's fault) only makes want to shake your head and laugh. Yes, someone should write a book about this league.
www.tsn.ca/columnist/alex_walling/?id=2 ... ex_walling (http://www.tsn.ca/columnist/alex_walling/?id=232465&lid=sublink09&lpos=headlines_columnists-alex_walling)
http://thechronicleherald.ca/hullo/read ... #msg-17591 (http://thechronicleherald.ca/hullo/read/18/17591/17591#msg-17591)

Durbansandshark

01-08-2008, 04:18 AM

The Augusta Groove announced earlier this month they will play their games at the home of Augusta St. basketball teams, the Christenberry Fieldhouse. With the Groove playing on weekends from January to March, their games will not affect or conflict those of Augusta St.'s men's and women's basketball teams (but no alcohol will be served and sold since the school is an alcohol-free campus). Plus, the Groove will donate $20,000 for the ten home games to the school. Augusta is currently looking for downtown office space to call home their administration and business activities and a city gym for practices.

In the Boston Pro Summer League, the Manchester Millrats won the title over Team Renegades by five points 135-130.

Meanwhile, the ABA expands to:
Charlotte
Texas City (as Texas City Rangers)
Bluefield, West Virginia (as West Virginia Blazers)
Harlem (Harlem Starz, a Generation X Harlem Globetrotters)
Wichita Falls

The Modesto Sabres just changed their name to the Modesto Bearcats when head coach TJ Walker became the team's new owner when Saber Knott hasd to deal with the death of his dad on the day of the team's first tryout at Modesto Christian High six months after the death of his mother. Knott did everything he could to operate the team and juggle hid dad's estate.

ABA announces the Nashville Broncs will host the Final Four ABA championship instead of a Final 8 format like in the last few seasons.

Kentucky Mavericks have moved from Bowling Green, Kentucky to Owensboro, Kentucky, which is directly across the Ohio River from Cincinnati, when it became evident that Western Kentucky University won't grant any concessions to them as far as using their facility and its expenses. So they immediately moved.

Washington Raptors bring Lewis Lofton as their head coach.

Durbansandshark

19-08-2008, 04:10 AM

Got some new PBL and ABA developments coming up hopefully tomorrow.

Durbansandshark

20-08-2008, 04:56 AM

Manchester Millrats now have Rob Spon to coach them early next year in the PBL's second season of existence. He coached the 18-4 Gary Steelheads in the IBL just recently, and he is highly successful in every team he's coached (as an assistant) with like the Indiana Alley Cats, Pittsburgh Xplosion, and the Dakota Wizards. Plus he was a part-time scout to the Cavs.

Another doormat IBL team switched leagues: it was announced on July 31 the Battle Creek Knights will leave the IBL for the PBL.

Maryland Nighthawks name Adam Dantus as their new GM. Don't look at his age--23--he's bright, hard working, and wise beyond his years and the writers at USBasket like Chris Munson rave about him as a future NBA exec or scout. his influence can make Maryland rise to the top next season.

I guess there perhaps too much optimism regarding the expanding of the league's roster of teams that was at least writing 20. In fact, some have concerns about that. Little info was issued regarding the Toronto Lazers since their announcement, and it doesn't look like they will make any play next year and have info on the league's website. Jacksonville Slam and the Dallas Defenders surely will not return next season as both teams and the league were unable to find competent new owners for the franchises. Consequently, the PBL has since instituted the "one owner per team" rule to prevent one person owning multiple teams. Because of this, Tom McGinn the Rockford Fury (formerly the Hammond/Sauk Valley Rollers in the ABA) ceased operations. McGinn also owns the Quad Cities RiverHawks, which was far more successful last season in terms of attendence and has a longer history than Rockford. So McGinn held onto Quad Cities. Arkansas could leave too only because the team is having difficulty finding a suitable venue despite gaining new ownership. Southeast Asian All-Stars have not been heard from for a while.

With a stable line of franchises, the PBL is promising to pitch in for travel costs in response of rising travel expenses. But will the pockets be deep enough for all those costs?

Durbansandshark

29-08-2008, 09:37 AM

Are you ready for more bizarre actions, dysfunction, and tumult in the ABA?

Before we get into that, we have some ABA signings. Maywood Buzz, one of the more stable ABA teams out there, signed 6'3" G Joey Saavedra from Harbor City College and 2002 California HS Player of the Year from Banning High. Washington Raptors bring back G Greg Johnson, currently employed as an Olympia High schoolteacher, and Chris Adams. The new West Virginia Blazers sign Brian Kidd, Chris Nichols, Brad Surface, Neal Rasnake, Joey Preast, Maurice Davis, and DeNelle Hale. Blazers coach is Tony Webster. Final slots of the Blazers rosters will come from the second and final tryout on September 14 at the Berekely YMCA. Blazers' 14 home games will be at the Raleigh County Armory and Convention Center.

Anthony "Pig" Miller last played in the just-completed IBL. Now he'll ply his trade more with the Las Vegas Aces with Tony Farmer. West Texas Whirlwinds sign St. Louisian Randy Holbrook, a DII Honorable Mention All-American at Bulletin.

Last season by far was the worst in the ABA's history. Only 36% of its regular season games were played. Many of the stronger franchises like Vermont, Quebec City, and Manchester jumped ship for the PBL--no accident they were among in the Northeast--and many teams leaving in mid-season. As I write this, teams keep getting added and subtracted on a daily basis with expansion teams slated for Anchorage, Aurora, West Virginia, San Antonio, Washington, Gallup, Hollywood, Hamilton, Buffalo, Kansas City, New York, Nashville, Philadelphia, Owensboro, Birmingham, Phoenix, Prescott Valley, Knoxville, Detroit (two teams), Fresno, Modesto, Sacramento, South Chicago, Texas City, Wichita Falls, Winston-Salem, Spokane. If you're counting, that's 32 new franchises coming in with seven returning teams and six not yet confirmed. Joe Newman aims for "about 50" teams for 2008-09 ABA play. :shock: :roll: Chicago, Gallup, and Buffalo all fielded ABA teams before.

Larry Leonard, owner of the Houston Takers, says he's comitted to playing all 30 games next season, despite the fact they only played 10 of 36 games and none after Christmas last season. He calls himself "the Mark Cuban of the ABA" and is optimistic about the ABA's business plan. But he was optimistic before last season.

Adding Quintin Townsend from the Atlanta Vision onto the board is a great thing with intelligence and a strong love for the game and the league.

The ABA goes through teams like a car goes through $4 of a gallon of gas. ABA officials have no way of ceasing the exodus of teams leaving or ceasing operations even in mid-season, or worse, exiting from the playoffs. It's really tough for an ABA team to survive if their fans are clueless in knowing if the team will stick around the next day. :argh:

The latest chapter in this sorry saga illustrates the league's problems thanks from the Kentucky Mavericks. From the Bowling Green Daily News August 8th edition, former Mavericks owner Jason Smith (yes, an ownership change went into effect) got banned from the ABA for allegedly bouncing checks to players and provided false information about him and to the league.

Durbansandshark

03-09-2008, 08:36 AM

Marlon Mahorn, nephew of Bad Boy and Detroit Shock assistant Rick Mahorn, has committed to play for the Washington Raptors. The Raptors also signed Nigerian Nguye Kaladokub and Curtis Hill. Kala played at Portland St. and Midland College with Hill already familiar with the Raptors in the IBL and Vancouver (WA) Volcanos.

Buffalo Sharks will confirm their first player signing soon with Dayshawn Wright, last seen with the Hudson Valley Hawks in the NPBL.

Mississippi is coming with the Blues. Savannah now changed its name to the Pride, in reference to building a community and family. Knoxville was forced to change its name to Thunderbolts after realizing the WNBA's Seattle Storm had the name.

Durbansandshark

10-09-2008, 05:38 AM

It looks as though that the Quad Cities Riverhawks will not play in the 2009 PBL season because of issues with their new home venue. Tom McGinn, Quad Cities owner, decided to sit out even after dropping their brother franchise the Rockford (sometimes called Rock River) Fury from the league.

With the move from the CBA to the ABA and from McAllen to Beamount, Texas, Rio Grande Valley Silverados are now the Southeast Texas Mustangs.

The ABA plans to have 52 franchises ready to play this November! :shock:

Durbansandshark

12-09-2008, 07:03 AM

More on the Quad Cities Riverhawks saga: LaTroy Farrow, the second-year head coach of the Riverhawks, was finalizing his roster for the 2009 PBL season when he heard of the stunning news of the team going out of business. He heard it last week from a couple of people including owner Tom McGinn, whom he didn't detail reasons for the shutdown. Eric Hutchins, the former Riverhawks GM who resigned after a season being with them, was also surprised by the news too and speculates that his designation as the team's then-sole employee and subsequential resignation precipitated the shutdown. Hutchins left after a difference of opinions with McGinn. The Riverhawks were slated to play all of their home games at the Black Hawk College Gymnasium in Moline having signed an eight-month office lease at the Southpark Mall. When the Riverhawks played their initial season in the ABA under Acie Earl as coach, they played to slim crowds at Beyond The Baseline Fieldhouse in Davenport, Iowa. Last season, they started playing at the Wharton Field House, home of the storied old NBL/NBA Tri-Cities Blackhawks and the CBA's Quad Cities Thunder, before heading over to the Black Hawk College Gym for the final three of the 10 regular-season home games and their first round playoff loss to the Arkansas Impact in March. Hutchins couldn't speculate whether financial reasons played a role but says the 15-1 PBL West Division champs Quad Cities drew an average of 400 fans at home last season and then pegging a break-even 1000. Maybe McGinn felt it needed serious restructuring that would take a lot of time to deal with. The woes continue for the PBL as it can't really get away from the ABA's legacy when it wants to expand to 15 teams next year.

Austin Nelson, a man with lots of experience being with minor pro basketball leagues like the CBA, ABA, and the NBDL, joins the Manchester Millrats as an Assistant GM. A great hire! He worked with the Dakota Wizards as Media Manager when in the CBA and most recently with the Minnesota Ripknees as PR Director and Gameday Operations. His duties at Manchester oversee media relations, gameday operations, sales and marketing efforts under the direction of GM Ian McCarthy, who will now have greater time and focus on player personnel matters. Nelson will also work closely with Millrats coach Rob Spon.

John Bryant assured that there will be a familiar face on the two-time ABA champs Vermont Frost Heaves when it plays in their first PBL season. But Vermont isn't expecting a lot of players from that championship team will follow suit. Akingbade, Burke, and Gavitt will likely play in Japan. Erik Nelson just signed to play in The Netherlands. Issa Konare will play pro ball in France. Skuchas and Lee are set to play in Sweden and Cyprus, respectively.

Tihon Johnson signs to play for Bayer Uerdingen in Germany's Regionalliga2.

In the ABA...

Las Vegas Aces sign former Runnin Rebel Louis Kelly.

Knoxville Thunderbolts ink two players: Damon Johnson and Jordan Howell.

South Texas Showboats owner Benjamin Merielles made news by hiring a female assistant coach onto the coaching staff for the team slated to tip-off in December. Lisa Felton Bowdy will be on hand for those duties and is the son of Showboats forward and San Antonio native Jeff Bowdy.

Another ABA team will come from West Virginia: the ABA awarded a new expansion team in Charlestown, West Virginia called the West Virigina Outlaws. And like the West Virginia Blazers, it will have serious ties to the local nonprofit youth sports and Girls and Boys Clubs in the area.

Lots of teams are going through open tryouts or are scheduling too like San Diego, Modesto, Texas, Maywood, and including the new Kentucky Warriors, who have six players already signed with six more to go. Three are expected to be filled via tryouts.

Durbansandshark

18-09-2008, 05:17 AM

Las Vegas Aces add 6'8" G/F Cory Hightower, a 2000 San Antonio Spurs draft pick (but traded to the NDCELE for his draft rights and never played) who made himself eligible out of Indian Hills CC (same place that produced CJ Bruton) after previously commiting to TCU and then playing for the Harlem Globetrotters.

Fresno's new ABA team announced a merger with Diego Redd and Rebel Entertainment, consequently causing a name change from the Legends to Rebels. In addition to that, and this is the big coup in all of this, Jerry Tarkanian--yes, that Tarkanian, the UNLV and Fresno St. coaching legend--will make cameo coaching appearances and has offered to assist in the development of the Fresno Rebels franchise. Tark the Shark is going to end up being the public face of the team in promotions and media attention. A press conference will take place today at the Holiday Inn Express in Fresno with him, Diego Redd, assistant Cal Ray Harris, GM Cody Castlemen, coach John Lowe, and several Rebels players, most formerly from Fresno St., will be on hand.

Durbansandshark

20-09-2008, 04:16 AM

Buffalo, in a rare act of good sense in the minor pro basketball landscape, will now have only one basketball team. Vincent Lesh, owner of Buffalo Pro Hoops and the Buffalo Sharks, ended his association with the ABA and merged with the PBL's Buffalo Dragons, owned by NexxNow, following negotiations that took place last month. The PBL Buffalo team will now be known as the Buffalo Stampede. Pland for Internet and cell phone coverage to China will proceed as scheduled.

Durbansandshark

24-09-2008, 04:48 AM

Real Bourassa, owner of the Montreal Sasquatch, one of the expansion PBL franchises in Canada this upcoming season starting next year, announced their new GM and coaches. He inked one of the best basketball players ever to come out of Le Belle Province (Quebec), Pascal Fluery as the Sasquatch GM and well experienced Argentinian coach Alejandro Hasbani as the team's first coach. Montreal will hold player tryouts on October 18-19, one for Montreal area players and another for free agents from Canada, USA, and another nations on November 22-23.
www.montrealsasquatch.com (http://www.montrealsasquatch.com)

I can only hope that the minor pro basketball situation in Montreal will eventually emulate what just transpired in Buffalo. Montreal currently has two minor teams--Matrix in the ABA and the Sasquatch in the PBL. It makes no sense having two basketball teams in a French Canadian city not known for pro basketball (the only time I can recall Montreal having pro basketball was when the short-lived all-Canadian NBL team the Montreal Dragons in 1994 played at a small decrepit gym in a nearby island suburb of Verdun), especially when they're competing for the same ticket dollars, lower-tiered corporate sponsorship, and precious little media attention (both in French and English outlets). When both teams lose significant amounts of money during the course of their respective seasons, they will have no choice but to merge. Better yet, they should come to their senses before then...and play in the stronger PBL. A great city like Montreal does not need to be in the ABA for basketball.

In case you noticed, the Matrix reverted back to its original name after being the Royal with a new logo. Just don't like the new they have now. http://gomatrixgo.com

Durbansandshark

26-09-2008, 10:13 AM

TJ Walker has now decided to play in addition to coaching the Modesto Bearcats. At 33 years old, Walker still feels he can contribute to the game and give the Bearcats a good momentum at the start of the season. This only came about when the ownership group and Walker believed they could not really get a top-caliber point guard to run the team after the tryouts. Walker has nothing to prove, he says, after being a standout starting at Modesto High to being an All-American to being a top player in overseas pro ball.

Alaska Dream sign Shane Barrnabie, Travis Knutsen, Grayson Moyer, and Jamal Washington.

Over in the PBL, the Vermont Frost Heaves will conduct open tryouts this weekend.

Durbansandshark

02-10-2008, 10:46 AM

We haven't heard much from the Halifax Rainmen, a favo(u)rite of mine here, after they left for the more stable PBL, set to play in January 2009. Really the franchise is taking a low profile until the time comes to promote themselves approaches, but still want to make the case they haven't folded. Halifax owner Randy Livingston and coach Rick Lewis a short time ago donated 2000 mini basketballs to Sport Nova Scotia during a break in the Rainmen Basketball Academy Camp as their way to promote the sport throughout Nova Scotia and get young people active and healthy in grade and middle schools age at St. Francis Xavier University, where Sport Nova Scotia will hand them out. As they say down under, Good on ya, Halifax!

Durbansandshark

04-10-2008, 06:25 AM

Yesterday, the PBL made public the Reading Railers, like the Quad Cities Riverhawks before them, will not participate in the 2009 PBL season, citing that the Railers are not quite financially sound and having issues with the Sovereign Center in gaining optimum dates for the new season. But Reading hopes to return for 2010 and will continue to market the franchise in the interim.

Vermont brings aboard small forward Taylor Lay from UNC-Wilmington who since made his mark in the Nivea For Men Irish SuperLeague with the Shamrock Rovers toping the league in both points (33.3) and rebounds (16.9) this past season with a 52% FGP. The Frost Heaves will conduct training camp on December 1.

Quebec City Kebs sign lightning quick Canadian guard Yul Michel from the Brandon University Bobcats. Widely regarded as one of the best collegiate guards in the nation, Michel led the Bobcats to the 2007 CIS title game against eventual winners Carleton, and led them to a 20-3 Canada West conference record the following season. For Quebec City, this gives PG Dominique Soucy significant rest for games since played too many minutes last season, moving him to the 2 guard position where he can act as a significant shooter, and provides depth in the guard positions; with Yul, they can play the full court and Dominique can concentrate being the floor general in the half court. Kebs' training camp starts November 15 in Quebec City.

Durbansandshark

09-10-2008, 07:48 AM

May I present to you another team in the PBL that will not play this season? But this one actually won't actually stop playing basketball in the meantime during the PBL's schedule. Matter of fact, they're apparently pulling a Singapore Slingers. Sort of. Maryland decided instead of playing the second PBL season to act as the official Travel Team for the PBL in China and the Far East to cultivate cooperation and participation in those nations with the PBL brand. Though disappointed for their fans this year, going to East Asia was great opportunity for them. All the while their new Nighthawks arena project is moving forward being built.

Next week's PBL Draft on October 16 will take place at the ESPN Zone in downtown Chicago. Draft order was announced the other day with 13 teams ready to go. Due to the number of expansion teams this season, the draft position was done in random for all 13 teams in the 1st Round with the 2nd Round selections going in reverse. Draft will be televised and on online:

2008 PBL DRAFT ORDER

1st Round
1. Detroit Panthers
2. Halifax Rainmen
3. Buffalo Stampede
4. Montreal Sasquatch
5. Augusta Groove
6. Manchester Millrats
7. Quebec City Kebs
8. Chicago Throwbacks
9. Battle Creek Knights
10.Vermont Frost Heaves
11.Mid-Michigan Destroyers
12.Rochester RazorSharks
13.Wilmington Sea Dawgs

2nd ROUND
1. Wilmington Sea Dawgs
2. Rochester RazorSharks
3. Mid-Michigan Destoyers
4. Vermont Frost Heaves
5. Battle Creek Knights
6. Chicago Throwbacks
7. Quebec City Kebs
8. Manchester Millrats
9. Augusta Groove
10.Montreal Sasquatch
11.Buffalo Stampede
12.Halifax Rainmen
13.Detroit Panthers

With 13 teams slated to play, during the schedule I presume, one team will take a bye for that week with the other 12 teams playing.

You surely noticed a new team for the 2009 PBL season on this draft list, and it's the Mid-Michigan Destroyers. Bay City-based, the owners are happy to play in a league where their business plans and structure makes as much sense for them. Plus the obvious would-be intense in-state rivalries with Battle Creek and Detroit. Destroyers' ownership, including Team President Jere Shockey, recently bought and renovated the historic 2000-seat St. Joesph Gymnasium. Here they created the JJKN Hoops Training Center, a mecca for some of Michigan's premier up and coming players.

Meanwhile in the ABA...

The Southeast Texas Mustangs pull all the stops in the debut season in the ABA like getting acclimated at the plush new Ford Arena in Beaumont, Texas and the Golden Triangle area. The next post here will deal with more on them, but for now I'll submit the new Internet address for the former Rio Grande Valley Silverados: www.setxmustangs.com (http://www.setxmustangs.com)

Maywood Buzz sign 6'8" F Jamal Kendrick formerly from Baylor University, who attended a few NBA camps like Seattle and Dallas. He was south of the SoCal coast with the San Diego Wildcats last season when he took them the ABA Final 8 championship in Quebec City after playing overseas, the USBL, and the CBA.

Durbansandshark

16-10-2008, 09:24 AM

The ABA dysfunction continues...

Just when you thought the ABA have turned a corner in terms of credibility and stability with the hiring of Atlanta Vision owner Quinton Townsend as the league's president and COO, you just sensed something bad about involving him would eventually come up, bad luck or not, damaging the ABA even further. Townsend has been accused of fraud, imbezzelment, and forgery in $200,000 lawsuit issued by Jayhawk Sports LLC, an organization co-founded by Townsend's former business partners Carter Patterson and Brian Richley. Suit number 08-A-08278-7 filed in Gwinnett County Court alleges Townsend defrauded $200,000 from Jayhawk Sports and its partners in a scheme that would have brought the NBDL in Gwinnett County, a significant portion of suburban Atlanta, in the form of a franchise there. Townsend, it is alleged, was in negotiations to do so and received NBDL investment info, but upon discovering he owned the Atlanta Vision in the ABA with all of that league's problems, his request was denied by the NBA. Indeed, in a separate e-mail correspondence, NBDL President Dan Reed told Townsend to cut that out, likely becuase of not-unfounded worries of bankrolling teams. Despite the rebuke, Townsend allegedly continued to solicit for funds from Patterson and Richley, also Vision owners to continue funding for a never-came NBDL franchise. Even Townsend supposedly forged a letter and signature from NBDL Director of Basketball Operations and Player Personal Chris Alpert indicating the league's intention to get a team in Atlanta, which the other owners and the league officials denied they themselves did not authorized the letter. Some sources say Townsend was using the misappropriated funds to pay an assortment of bills he has. Some have speculated, because of this, the Vision may not come up with a team to play this season with the other two owners pulled out, and tryouts were cancelled. It isn't known yet that criminal charges will come toward Townsend's way for his alleged behavior.

Oh man, what a horrible, sad, waste that model Atlanta Vision ABA franchise has become! Making things worse is the fact the owners are of color, which the ABA prides itself as having a diverse array of owners who are minorities and women. Not that it always was fruitful, if one saw what happened when Sally Anthony owned the Nashville Rhthym in 2005 and the original Montreal Matrix owners before it changed hands. Quinton seemingly was blinded by the riches of the NBA status the NBDL has and got consumed by greed and said "screw you' to his other partners. The Vision indeed had some support and was well organized. He needs to resign from his COO post right now and the league must install someone who's untainted by this or let someone else other than Uncka Joe run the league and clean house to make it a more credible minor league.

Salt Lake City will rejoin the ABA, resulting in a rare move for the league by bringing back a dormat expansion team to play this upcoming season. Perhaps the reason why the Salt Lake City Dream couldn't play four years ago was of the fact of no affordable and suitable facility to play in. Will enough potent support be there for an area that has already seen the CBA's Utah Eagles ceased operations in 2007? Games at home will come at the Lifetime Activity Center at Salt Lake Community College seating 3000--a perfect ABA venue. And this team is owned by a guy who played professionally in Australia and New Zealand with a background in broadcasting. But...the team since changed its name to avoid confusion with a brand new team in Anchorage called the Alaska Dream. So they're now the Salt Lake Saints.

South Texas Showboats, the new San Antonio-based franchise, recently played against a team from the Army and won with balance and physicality 101-70. Fouls were called a lot, but the Showboats shot 51% from the field and made 43% from three-point land...but was poor in the free throw lane at 48%. They played on Saturday against the local division of the Airforce. There are Airforce bases in San Antonio, and their 2008-09 schedule is up.

Next weekend the Southeast Texas Mustangs will hold open tryouts on October 25-26 at Beaumont's Milton YMCA.

Durbansandshark

21-10-2008, 11:51 AM

36 ABA teams are slated to tip-off this upcoming season from Anchorage to Montreal to The Bahamas. For the sake of the league's cred, let's hope they all play throughout the season. But I'm not counting on that, regarding this league's history...

Instead of posting the 2nd Annual PBL Draft, I'll actually post a link to where you can watch the full event video of the whole thing taken at the ESPN Zone in Chicago. Watching it is like stepping back in time a little bit to see how the NBA held their drafts before even 1979 with all of the modern amenities that we see today and come to expect taken with it done in a more intimate scale (like a green room of sorts,the team caps, laptop computers, the post-selection interviews, and having the PBL's second-in-command announce the second rounders with no players from that turning up). One big difference I see from the NBA Draft and the PBL's is the use of an attractive professionally-dressed young woman, who may have played basketball herself, escorting the drafted players linked arm in arm their way to get their caps, shake the PBL prez's hands, and take photo ops. No fans of the respective teams appeared though to provide atmosphere, which would've made it better. I hope you're listening and watching ABA; this could've been you if you didn't overexpand, operate things professionally, and made a joke of yourself. PBL teams, despite their share of dysfunctions, are putting serious miles ahead of you (and even the CBA) in running a minor pro basketball, and their sophistication is impressing me.

http://www.pblproball.com/news/leaguene ... icle_id=81 (http://www.pblproball.com/news/leaguenews/index.html?article_id=81)

Durbansandshark

22-10-2008, 05:53 AM

Another reason the Salt Lake Dream changed their name to the Saints was as a nod to the Utah capital and largest city being of course the world headquarters of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormons) and is the preferred religion of 58% of the state's adult population. Could it be third time the charm for the Taylorsville campus of the Salt Lake City Community College sytem with ill-fated Utah Snowbears (Ike Austin-coached/owned/GMed/played and were very good during their only season) and the Utah Eagles both failing to earn adequate revenue and a fanbase in the face of the Jazz and their farm team the Utah Flash?

Charlotte's ABA expansion team for 2009 announced their new name and colors--the Charlotte Crossovers with colors familiar with the Tar Heels: Carolina blue, black, and white. www.charlottecrossovers.com (http://www.charlottecrossovers.com)

San Francisco Pilots are now the San Francisco Rumble with new colors green, black, and yellow, and will still play home games at Kezar Stadiums.

2008-09 ABA Divisional Alignment

SOUTHEAST DIVISION
Atlanta Vision
Bahama All-Pro Show
Georgia Gwizzlies
Kansas City Spartans
Kentucky Bisons
Knoxville Thunderbolts
Nashville Broncs
St. Louis Stunners
Winston-Salem Storm

NORTHEAST DIVISION
Aurora Force
Cleveland Rockers
Detroit Hoops
Jersey Express
Montreal Matrix
New York City Internationalz
South Chicago Ball Stars
Westchester Phantoms
West Virginia Blazers
West Virginia Outlaws

SOUTHWEST DIVISION
Arizona Rhinos
Gallup Talons
Houston Takers
Las Vegas Aces
Mississippi Blues
Phoenix Fury
South Texas Showboats
Southeast Texas Mustangs
West Texas Whirlwinds

NORTHWEST DIVISION
Alaska Dream
Beijing Aoshen Olympic
Maywood Buzz
Modesto Bearcats
Sacramento Heatwave
Salt Lake City Saints
San Diego Wildcats
San Francisco Rumble
Washington Raptors

Durbansandshark

30-10-2008, 10:28 AM

PBL's second season officially tips off on Friday, January 2 with 13 teams playing 130 regular season games starting with Battle Creek Knights hosting the Chicago Throwbacks at the Kellogg Arena and two Canadian matches--Quebec City Kebekwa welcoming the Halifax Rainmen and Montreal Sasquatch at home facing the Manchester Millrats. PBL champs Rochester take their titkle defense on the road against the Augusta Groove on Saturday, January 3. One week later, the RazorSharks aim to continue their Rochester sports home winning streak at the Blue Cross Arena against the new Buffalo Stampede on January 10. of the 130 games starting January 2, 110 of them will be weekend affairs.

Montreal Sasquatch will play their home games at the Pierre Charbonneau Centre (Centre-Pierre-Charbonneau in French), announced on their website, the (former?) home of the ABA's Montreal Matrix/Royal. The Sasquatch hopefully will promote themselves more so to the Montrealers than the Matrix ever did. I heard no word yet on whether the Matrix will continue to play there or move elsewhere. Hope they won't play at the Verdun Arena, where the old NBL Dragons played, unless it since got renovated.

PBL's 2008-09 Divisional Alignment:

Atlantic Division: Halifax, Manchester, Montreal, Quebec City, Vermont
Eastern Division: Augusta, Buffalo, Rochester, Wilmington
Central Division: Battle Creek, Chicago, Detroit, Mid-Michigan

Wilmington Sea Dawgs brings aboard GM William "Billy" Whittington, ex-team manager and assistant coach on away games, and new coach Dale Kuhl, formerly at Belmont Abbey College.

Manchester Millrats all sign P.J. Young (who played all 40 games last season and was an ABA All-Star), Scott Hazelton (2000 McDonald's All-American), Al Stewart, John Oates, Tyrone Anderson, Derek Coleman, and Charles Mason (final cut of the Denver Nuggets in 2004 and since played professionally in Ireland, China, Romania, and South America).

Georgia Gwizzlies and Behdad Sami reunite for the upcoming 2008-09 ABA season.

Durbansandshark

06-11-2008, 10:59 AM

Back in the Premier Basketball League, the two-time ABA champs Vermont Frost Heaves have signed 6'5" guard Rodney Edgarson from Kentucky Weselyan leading them to a GLVC East Division co-championship. The Frost Heaves brought aboard another guard in the form of 6'2" Mario Kinsey from Sam Houston St. with all of his athleticism. He came up short in both the ABA title (making it as far as the ABA semis with the Texas Tycoons) and in the ABA slam dunk competition finishing second. In the 2008 ABA All-Star Game in Barre, Vermont, Kinsey produced 18 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists leading the West to a victory.

50-year old Roosevelt Buie joins the Buffalo Stampede coaching staff. After being a star for the Syracuse Orangemen from 1976-80, he made a name for himself playing professionally in Italy as a superstar there for 16 years. He also operates international professional basketball exposure camps for players, coaches, and agents several times a year placing many of them in teams worldwide. He also will act for Stampede in corporate sponsorship sales and as a colo(u)r commentator.

Since we're talking about coaching staffs, the Mid-Michigan Destroyers, through GM Jay Shockey, filled out theirs with TJ Newsham heading the crew with Associate Sharlin Stevens.

Durbansandshark

11-11-2008, 12:18 PM

Quinton Townsend has been arrested on criminal charges of fraud and fogery Friday afternoon while undergoing divorce proceedings in Gwinnett County, Georgia in the wake of a civil suit by Jayhawk Sports filed in September following his allegedly deceptive attempts to bring the NBDL to the Atlanta metro area. Criminal charges are forthcoming in adjacent Forsyth County. I will talk with Chris Munson who gave me a PM the other day about this situation and will let him discuss it.

In reponse to what transipred, the Georgia Gwizzlies issued a statement supporting and applauding the ABA in their handling of the suspect Townsend ownership without mentioning his name (referred just as a "wolf in sheep's clothing") while commending the league's effort to bring minority and women as owners and professing support for the ABA.

Halifax Rainmen seek local talent to appear on the team for the upcoming 2008-09 season with tryouts at the Citadel High School in Halifax on Monday, December 1 all under the watchful eyes of owner Andre Livingston and coach Rick Lewis with the Rainmen annual training camp scheduled later that week in Halifax from December 2-6. With that out of the way, the Rainmen signed former Manchester Millrat Robert Sanders and brought back returnees Brad Silverhorn and Jimmy Twymann into the fold. So now the Rainmen have five players signed so far.

Cameroonian Simplice Njoya, formerly of the Memphis Tigers and the Duquense Dukes with his physical play and solid interior presence, was scooped up by the Quebec City Kebs. He last played for the CBA's Pittsburgh Xplosion last season. Their training camp starts on November 22 in Quebec City. He'll fit in nicely in Quebec City with his fleuence of the French language, which is great ofr the fan base and the community there.

Vermont brings back Joe Williams just back from playing in Paraguay.

Durbansandshark

13-11-2008, 12:27 PM

Rainmen sign three additional players to the team: F Cordell Jeanty, a former ABA All-Star with Montreal and Quebec City (is he former Carleton All-Canadian Osvaldo brother?), G Kevin Hammack, and young 7'0" C Tyrone McNeal. Jeanty right now is the lone Canadian on the roster to date with former Acadia star Walter Moyse no longer on the team as the two sides couldn't come to an agreement.

2008-09 introduces the Champlain Cup, a in-season intra-league competition series involving four PBL teams--Montreal, Vermont, Quebec City, and Manchester. The Cup is named after explorer Samuel de Champlain and acts as part of the yearlong 400th anniversary of the founding of Quebec City and Lake Champlain celebrations. Each team will play the other three one home and one road game during the season. Team with the most points in the series wins. Teams get one point for leading at the end of the quarter (possible four points for each quarter), two points for leading at the half, and five points for winning the game

Detroit Panthers hold their free agent tryouts this weekend.

Why didn't the ABA league brass did this earlier when the allegations and charges emerged? Anyway this comes as no surprise the ABA susupended Quinton Townsend from his league President and COO operations. League won't comment on the allegations saying they'll leave it to the courts to decide on that while hoping for a positive outcome for Townsend. Don't look for him back. I've witnessed enough situations like this before that the offending party in that situation sever all ties after it's all done "in the best interests" with no second chances.

Oh, the ABA 2008-09 season actually started. Nashville Broncos beat the Knoxville Thunderbolts 133-91 on the road. Game had scoring back and forth, but Nashville really turned it on starting at the third quarter.

Durbansandshark

14-11-2008, 11:29 AM

(disgusted sigh)
PERSONAL EDITORIAL (a rare thing here when you think about it):

Quinton Townsend's sorry ass saga to deceive his fellow Atlanta Vision investors into getting a piece of the NBDL with an Atlanta farm team through false acts only illustrates even further how much credibility and how embarassing the ABA has in the eyes of the public. Not since the infamous moment that then-Nashville Rhythm owner Sally Anthony unprofessionally came to the bench and cursed out coach Ashley McElhiney over Matt Freije (wasn't that great--arguing over a man but he was a innocent party due to money issues) before being escorted in an early 2005 home game against the Kansas City Knights in a game that they won (insert your DeBarge's "Rhythm of the Night" joke here) has this minor pro league that started out so much potential in 2000 in the aim of recreating the classic ABA that has since been romanticized. Some of the proposed franchises like the Anahiem Roadrunners never actually played. But this is far worse than the McElhiney-Anthony situation because there are now obviously criminal charges and a lawsuit involved. Sports Illustrated has yet to latch on to this story except perhaps online, which I have yet to see.The Sporting News won't cover it only because it's not part of the Big Seven (NFL, MLB, NBA, NCAA football and basketball, NASCAR, and NHL). The only publicity it consistently gets in the mainstream is the bad and the bizarre. Surely this is. At first Townsend was seen as credible person helping to boost the league's cred. Way to go Quinton! :evil: You sent the Vision, one of a handful of ABA teams with plenty of stability, to a path of uncertainty, likely folding--and that's the sorry part of it all. I hope heard about the "bird in the hand" expression, but you got too greedy. Also, never ever scorn a woman, particularly while undergoing a divorce, as your wife submitted evidence to Jayhawk Sports pertaining to his frauding. Wow Quinton, you just got handcuffed after divorce proceedings! Atlanta media won't leave this league alone on this. This league can't get stable! No wonder why the likes of Rochester, Vermont, Halifax, Manchester, Anderson, Indiana AlleyCats, Knoxville (Noise), Pittsburgh, Jacksonville, Orange County, and Quad Cities all wanted out. No wonder why there was a lawsuit against Joe Newman that precipitated the PBL. A lot of observers in websites like OurSportsCentral's post already decry it. This league lacks a lot of money behind it to fully support their teams, if at all. Well it's time this league got its act together. This has went on far enough! Chris Munson tried to get a comment from Newman about the whole Townsend scandal. Newman berated (http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3739301) him saying there's more important issues to tackle and wants to bring the league down. Yes, Joe, there's far more important stuff going on in these comtemporary times, and people need to be more involved and thinking about these issues, but we're dealing with strictly sports here. Does this league have the resources to rigourously screen potential investors? Do they have an abundance of money for transport/gas, paying the players, media exposure like TV ads, costs for suitable venues, and hotels for the visiting players to stay in? I don't think so on those counts. Many teams owners, past and present, feel like they're being swindled and extorted. Teams are now screaming for help. Honestly, I'm sick of this; it ceased being funny a few years ago. I frankly believe this league has a lot of potential to grow and mature into a very nice minor pro basketball league that has family-friendly affordability prices, but the regression must stop! The acts going on have tarnished the cred of minor pro basketball. I'm predicting this league will fold very soon in a matter of years, if not months. It's about time for you to go Joe, and not just for your fabulous leadership...and maybe he knows it.

Now then, the good ole ABA announced a team coming to Hawaii next season. In its press release, Joe Newman made the mistake of calling Hawaii a CITY! :lol: Little geography lessson, Joe: Hawaii is a STATE. Honululu is a city in Hawaii. Perhaps that's what you intended to say. And they're popular in the ABA. The Hawaii Islanders didn't get to play due to swindling scandal (and the logo left a lot to be desired).

Even worse is the disturbing situation involving security with one of the venues. A shooting took place outside the Fresno Legends' gym while they were playing against the San Francisco Rumble. Game was halted for four minutes left thanks to a double shooting, according to local television reports. Thankfully both victims will make full recoveries.

Nashville Broncos will get ready to play their home opener Friday night against the Winston-Salem Storm at the Nashville Municipal Auditorium with country artist Mindy McCready, who is rumoured to have had an affair with superstar now-seemingly scandalized, pitcher Roger Clemens, performing at halftime. Pre-game entertainment comes in the form of R&B act RIO.

Durbansandshark

18-11-2008, 09:37 AM

No discussion of this basketball league that is the ABA is ever possible when some of its teams right now that are currently INACTIVE this season now just underway (according to Wikipedia, so take it, if you can, with a grain of salt). The ones, among many, that are screaming for cash the most to get started :

St. Louis Stunners
Bahama All-Pro Show
Kansas City Spartans
Aurora Force
Detroit Hoops
NYC Internationalz
South Chicago Ball Stars
West Virginia Outlaws
Mississippi Blues
South Texas Showboats

If this is correct, well, how in the hell could this league and its owners even think about putting TWO teams in both Detroit and Chicago, when all of the attention in pro basketball inevitably and almost always goes to the NBA...and a little bit of the PBL with the Panthers (ironically a former ABA team) and the Throwbacks? It would never work, especially in this economy.

Durbansandshark

20-11-2008, 10:40 AM

Actually a clarification is in order about the inactive ABA teams. Those above teams are just waiting for their seasons to start. It doesn't mean they have actually folded, though it could happen. Kansas City, for instance, has its first game in December, according to its website.

Youngstown hasn't had the best success in minor league pro basketball in the city's history. Youngstown's most successful team was the WBL's Youngstown Pride. You know, the 6'5" and under league. The Pride had local ownership but very bad lacking. The owner at the time also operated the Phar-Mor pharamacy chain that embezelled $10 million from his company to finance the league and was convicted of it with an 11-year sentence. Ted Stepien, the late infamous Cavs owner, brought the Hawks in the IBL but later moved to the Mansfield, Ohio, playing in one part of the season there. Stepien would later bring another Hawks team with him to Mansfield in a new league he formed called the UPBL. But that league painfully ended after one season. The current summer version of the IBL had the Wildcats almost played a full season before getting quickly removed in 2005 never to return. Now based on the ridiculousness the ABA endured, what makes the Youngstown Swish succeed where the other basketball teams in the past 20 years couldn't?

Cross-state, the Ohio state capital is getting ABA fever with the Columbus Crush joining next year. But a city like that seemingly on the verge of being in the shortlist of cities for the next NBA expansion go round should focus just on that. Not the ABA. But the ABA could be good for now to get a taste...and will people come and know about it?

The PBL decided to emulate NBATV with own 24/7 TV channel called @SPORTSTV with all of the PBL games televised.

Vermont Frost Heaves ink G John Williams. Halifax welcome back Eric Crookshank and brings aboard young inside player Jason McGriff. Kadiri Richards leaves halifax to sign with the Wilmington Sea Dawgs, which is far closer to his Columbia, SC hometown.

Durbansandshark

21-11-2008, 12:23 PM

In another new wrinkle in the ABA's saga, ABA refs are now forced to take a pay cut for at least the first two months of the season, in reflection of the deflating economy, the internal bad publicity surrounding Quinton Townsend, and teams losing sponsorship ranging from 25-75%. Obviously the league's woes and the nation's economy were going to hit the officials eventually. League has mandated that for November and December the refs' rates will get cut to $300 TOTAL for the entire game. I wish the league would come up with a solid schedule, player pay, and shifting teams--all perrenial problems the ABA is plagued with over the years. All other sports leagues post schedules on their respective websites, released months before the season starts. Last season the ABA had only 38% of their games played. :evil: We're two weeks into the season, and the ABA has yet to set up its 2008-09 schedule online, which is being done on the fly. How will fans be aware of who their favorite ABA teams will face and where? I wonder whether the ABA will survive this season.

A few ABA teams have already played against non-league teams like the Westchester Phantoms. More next post.

Salt Lake City Saints have their coaching staff: former Lady Ute Carly Marshall becomes the third woman to be a head coach in the ABA with Dave Turcotte and Lossie Mtchell as her assistants. The Saints start play on December 7th against the Modesto Bears. Home opener is December 19-20 versus the ABA Finalists San Diego Wildcats. Marshall assisted at Westmintsre College and played professionally for Switzerland's Brunnen Basket.

Durbansandshark

25-11-2008, 09:42 AM

For once here we can now talk about the ABA on the court as opposed to off it with all of the crazy and outlandish shenanigans out there. I freely admit reporting about those things ,though entertaining and bizarre it is, isn't what it should be for the league or any league for that matter. The new Nashville Broncs really are showing why as a new team they are quickly becoming a model along with a few others like Maywood. The Broncs are currently undefeated with a 5-0 record with wins from in-state ABA newbies Knoxville twice and the Winston-Salem Storm (three times including two this past weekend). As reward for their unbeaten status, the Broncs are now number one in the ABA Power Rankings out of the 37 teams knocking off the San Diego Wildcats from that spot. Matter of fact all three teams in the Southeast Division are the only teams currently playing within their season right now. Several teams are engaging in the Alaska Dream Challenge right now in Fairbanks, Alaska. More on that later. Broncs coach Jan van Breda Kolff is pleased with the way how the team is starting off, even after enduring a rough one against the Knoxville Thunderbolts in the their second game together. The Broncs are largely made up of players who played college ball in the state of Tennessee like Middle Tennessee St., Tennessee, Tennessee St., and four local universities in Vanderbilt, Belmont, Fisk, and Lipscomb. Their most recent Thunderbolts game had them leading in three quarters, but the Broncs let Knoxville come back in the fourth and took the lead with 6:40 remaining. With that, the game switched leads until two minutes left in the game when Nashville regained the lead for good. Adam Sonn led all with 25 points. The Broncs had contributions from Josh Henderwood with 17 points and Jemere Hendrix had 22 points. Knoxville were led by Damon Johnson (20 points), Scott Williams (17), and Dane Bradshaw (14).

Former Mizzou and San Diego St. PG 6' (but looks smaller to me when I saw him with the Tigers and the Aztecs) Wesley Stokes is a memeber of the Maywood Buzz. When he and his Maywood Buzz teammates stepped out of the plane in Fairbanks, Alaska for the Alaska Dream Challenge, they were shocked of the -22 degrees Farenheit temperature. Did they realize they're near the Arctic Circle? Back in LA, it was around 77 degrees. Oh the Buzz includes a player us Sydney Kings fans are familiar with: Issac "Ice" Bruton from Arizona St. He of course came out of prison after a stint in the KBL in South Korea following point shaving charges with a teammate nicknamed "Hedake" (who wrote about that in SI) and an unscroupulous booker several years back. Burton is still his high-scoring self with the Buzz scoring a combined 53 points in the past two games there. Maywood prevailed over the Las Vegas Aces 119-107. The Buzz had some trouble in their second game against the San Francisco Rumble but got a very close 113-110 win against a very strong-willed opponent not wanting to lose a second game with hopes to redeem themselves. Stokes scored an additional 23 points in the Buzz's cause against the Rumble. Host Alaska Dream got off to a successful start with a win over SF blasting them away 139-113 in a true uptempo clinic with all of the Dream players showing their skills. Marques Echoles scored 28 to lead everyone in the game. Jeremiah Ward had 24 and Andrew Smith netted 20 for the winning side. Derek Foster and Kenneth Smith were the San Francisco Rumble's best performers with 24 and 20, respectively. Ward helped the Dream demolish the Aces with 29 points in three quarters of play and teammate Grayson Moyer scored 26 points with five other Dream players ended up in double-digits. The score was 147-104. Lou Kelly, formerly of UNLV, scored 29 points for the Aces (padding from the 28 points he got against Alaska on the first day), but the Dream ratched up things after he scored 17 in the first quarter. Now both undefeated at 2-0, Alaska and Maywood will go into tonight face each other in what will be the Alaska Dream Challenge championship game.

Durbansandshark

26-11-2008, 06:44 AM

Over in the Premier Basketball League, some more significant signings already occurred.

The Halifax Rainmen have nabbed one of the more notable former college players from a major school. SirValiant Brown from the George Washington Colonials is the latest player to make his way to the Nova Scotia capital. He once finished second in the NCAA D1 in scoring. SirValiant left George Washington--some say on bad advice--to turn pro in the NBA as a sophomore. He wasn't picked and consequently went around playing the North American minor leagues and European pro leagues. Some scouts say if he stayed longer in college, he'd be a lottery pick, and he can still play. Owner Andre Levingston publicly told the local Halifax media that the one thing the Rainmen lacked in their successful and only season in the ABA last year was a shooting guard assassin. Now they have it with him. The ultimate hope for Levingston and the Rainmen coaching staff at this point now is having at least 14 players in the upcoming Rainmen training camp. HFX in addition signed another Canadian to fill out the roster. Toronto's Jabulah Murray, an attendant of various colleges in the US, and swingman G from West Virginia Tech Rodney Mayes. Both are considered good products of NCAA D2 schools.

Detroit Panthers return Corey Gupton, who last played when the Panthers were in the ABA, as the big guy in the middle.

Vermont Frost Heaves add two more players in F/C Willie Shaw and combo G Joe Nixon

Durbansandshark

26-11-2008, 11:09 AM

Looks as though the Texas City Rangers will make their ABA debut this season after all. Hurricane Ike's damage to Texas City and around the region brought forth a lot of concern that the team will not play this season.

Westchester Phantoms are apparently off the ABA team list and will not play in the 2008-09 season.

A new ABA team in Savannah, Georgia, the Savannah Pride, has changed their name to the Savannah Kings for next season. If the Peoria Kings can get away with trademark issues against the Sacramento Kings, why not Savannah? Can Savannah, having enjoyed the old Savannah Spirits in the CBA during the team's heyday in the 1980s moving from Detroit, stomach the wacky ABA?

South Chicago Ball Stars are no longer on the ABA roster too but changed their name to the Chicago Steam, ready to play this season.

Durbansandshark

30-11-2008, 07:34 AM

After much of the turkey has been eaten this Thanksgiving here in the US, I'm back with a little tidbit about the new Montreal Sasquatch. Yesterday Montreal announced its first nine players in its history, as announced by coach Alejandro Hasbani:

Jamal Wise F Rhode Island
Bobby Miller G S. New Hampshire
Milton Bell F Georgetown
Gallo Cham F Central Florida CC
Derick Payne F Bowie St.
Lance Perrique G (one of the last cuts from the Rio Grande Valley Vipers' NBDL training camp)
Jeremy Law G Jacksonville St.
Steve Pellen G
Kevin Dulude F/G

Sasquatch assistants are Daniel Grimar and Laurent Kominik. There are no more than two Canadians on the team right now with more likely to come through signings and free agent tryout camps.

Meanwhile, Quebec City Kebs made public their full roster. That will come Monday.

Durbansandshark

02-12-2008, 10:20 AM

Quebec City Kebs roster:

Head Coach: Charles Dube-Brais
Assistant Coaches: Donald Lapointe (1st year), Patrick Lemay (3rd year)
Trainer: Jean-Philippe B.-Poulin (2nd year)

5 Jonas Pierre C 6-11 Lincoln
6 Michael Anderson F 6-8 Virginia Commonwealth
7 Samuel Audet-Sow F 6-6 Laval
8 Larry House G/F 6-4 Creighton
9 Jean-Philippe Morin F 6-7 Laval
11 Yul Michel G 6-2 Brandon
14 Simplice Njoya F/C 6-10 Memphis
15 Dominique Soucy G 6-3 Laval
21 Alexandre Prophete F 6-5 Sainte-Foy
22 Charles Fortier G 6-4 Laval
50 William Floyd G 5-11 Kean
51 Filose Tshimomba C 6-8 Eduoard-Monpetit
x Charles Gagnon F 6-5 Sainte-Foy
x Marc-Alexandre Lefebrve F 6-1 Laval
x Daniel Renuad G 5-8 Limoilou

Heavy on the French-Canadian talent on the Kebs. On the other hand, Quebec City isn't as fertile in basketball as Montreal is, so it's imperative for the Kebs brass to have some of that there, where it's even more French-speaking dominated--it's the capital city of Quebec province after all, in the hopes of drumming up local interest. Quebec City was very successful in the two seasons in the ABA and hosted the ABA Final 8 last season with some success. For what it's worth, Quebec basketball talent does gets neglected in the grander scheme of things in North America, even within Canada. Based on the roster, it's more Canadian than the Montreal Sasquatch! So it's good to have French-Canadian talent playing pro somewhere in North America.

Vermont Frost Heaves signed three players: G Greg Plummer (played for Mexico's Frayles de Guasave last season), F Regis Koundjia (from Cameroon), and F Chris Cayole (a Frost Heaves returnee)

Durbansandshark

04-12-2008, 08:14 AM

Congratulations are in order to the Winston-Salem Storm on becoming the very first ABA franchise this very young 2008-09 season to shut things down after playing and descending into oblivion thanks to "situations beyond our control"! Only played the first three games of the season all involving its Southeast Division rivals Knoxville and Nashville. GM and head coach Bryan Short is "saddened" by this despite assembling some good talent in the Triad. We are inching closer towards the ABA Collapsa-polooza, people.

The Gallup Talons are galloping out of the ABA this season. Did the owner max out his credit card and/or 401K? Did the tryout fees dried out? Did the hotel the players stayed in closed its business? Continues the dysfunctions.

Team fold--Normal. Crooked owners--Normal. Embarrassing games--Normal. Cheap Ass Wal-Mart uniforms--Normal. Joe Newman announcing a new deal that ultimately doesn't mean a damn thing--Normal. Teams made up at the last minute--Normal.

Phoenix Fury Randy Newman announces his head coach for the inaugural season. Don Sellers is rated very highly by ABA vet Joe Bryant raving about his high basketball IQ and credibility. Fury supposedly plays its first game at Greenway High, their home court, supposedly against Gallup on December 13th, but that will have to be changed. www.thephoenixfury.com (http://www.thephoenixfury.com)

Alaska Dream wins the Alaska Dream Challenge as hosts knocking off Maywood. More later.

I found this particularly scathing and a little funny article about the ABA by Matt Caputo, in this case the Jersey Express, from SLAM Online worthy of your time. As if we need to remind ourselves of what an utter shithole the ABA is. Miracle Worker she is not! Its co-owner Marsha Blount shouldn't be complaining when she and her team bailed out on the Halifax Rainmen for a road game forcing the latter to go to a later cancelled game with them when the Express opted to go to Singapore on a last minute trip. Plus they refused to against Halifax at the Nova Scotia capital for a playoff game, acting as the last straw for HFX in the ABA. She is a dubious and sketchy owner but benefited from Quebec City, Boston, Manchester, Montreal, and Vermont being their division. On the OurSportsCentral message boards, "a1sports" brings up the story of Marsha not coming up with money, and Joe Newman lent her $7500 in public funds and then forgave the loan, which he had no authority to do. In the record books, according to "a1sports", the loan was a private fund.
http://slamonline.com/online/columnists ... placements (http://slamonline.com/online/columnists/2008/12/the-replacements)

Halifax Rainmen Fan's blog: very informative! http://rainmenblog.wordpress.com/

Durbansandshark

12-12-2008, 08:47 AM

New Hope Trailblazers? Who the hell are they? :shock: I didn't hear about them at all that they were playing or planning to in the future. All I know the based in Hampton, Virginia and are playing in the ABA earlier than planned eager to get started with a home game to start things against the Jersey Express (http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3750256) on December 13.

You know that comment about Pittsburgh not being very good about pro basketball major and minor I just made a couple of days ago? Here's another city that doesn't have a very good track record when it comes to that: San Diego. But this time apart from all of the usual shenanigans in that league, it wasn't the league's or another team's fault. The San Diego Wildcats owner told the Maywood Buzz GM Burrell Lee, which he in turn reported on the OurSportsCentral boards that he, an autombile dealer, was throwing in the towel because of the recession state of the nation. His car business wasn't doing so hot, especially when you know the Big Three auto manufacturers are asking the government for a bailout (even in Australia in Holden's case, which is GM here of course). So he plans to leave and hopes to come back without missing a beat in 2009. But, hey, even 2009 is a little optimistic in this economy. Such a shame that San Diego was actually one of the better-run and well respected teams in the ABA, a team Joe Newman should've built around as a model franchise for the league's stability instead of making his typical selling pitches like offering Snoop Dogg or a far lesser-known nationally rapper. This means none of the ABA Final 8 teams last year are currently in the league. Only seven remain from last season. Maywood was supposed to play them last night. But a scheduling change is going to be needed. This is getting worse by the second. Who's going to be next? A lot of them, I suppose. Oh well, Joe Newman's got a ready-made excuse now.

Montreal Sasquatch's latest acquisition is Louis-Patrick Levros, boosting the Canadian contingent on the team. Levros was the last vet to get cut by the Idaho Stampede during their training camp.

Battle Creek Knights signed experienced pros Western Michigan star G Jeremy File (already a pro veteran in the IBL, ABA, and in China), G Rashi Johnson, and F Coleco Buie. The Knights' roster is expected to be set in time for their preseason contest against the Mid-Michigan Destroyers on December 27 and leading up to the 2009 PBL season debut on January 2 at the Kellogg Arena broadcast live on the Michigan Region Sports Network.

Mid-Michigan announced their roster for their debut 2009 PBL season (http://www.jjknhoops.com/midmichigandestroyers/roster.html) that includes their two draft picks and the ten players signed. As a reminder, they'll be on the road against the other Michigan PBL team, the Detroit Panthers on January 3 before the two go to Bay City for the Destroyers' home opener exactly the next week.

Halifax is still looking for some size, rebounding, and mid-range/outside shooting. So they hope they got all that in Glen Dandridge. Within HFX, the team was disappointed with the fact that Charlottestown's native (that the capital city of Prince Edward Island) and UPEI star Nathan Clarke was not going to see Halifax in his plans. Clarke dropped out of training camp because he wanted to return to school and improve his skills. Interesting thing was owner Levingston and Coach Rick Lewis liked what they saw in him up to that point as he improved daily at camp and were ready to offer him a contract. In other news in HFX, the team announced an intrasquad game open to the public on Saturday, but it's in the valley so nobody in the city will likely see that. I like how the Rainmen are coming together with their depth assembled together. Under the current situation, we could see more platoon subbing, which I like to see more in pro basketball, from them. But I understand why rotations are used for good reason. With all of this depth, could anyone be playing more than 28 minutes a game? But not all of these players are playing in a higher level of basketball afterward than this. It'll be interesting to see, but a breakneck speed is going to be required for them to get everyone involved.

Manchester Millrats ink a CBA champion from the Ft. Still-Lawton Calvary with Pierre Darden. Darden participated in the New York Knicks training camp and was scooped up by Albuquerque Thunderbirds in the 2009 NBDL Draft. But he wants to play major minutes on a team this winter, so he can be seen by scouts in attendance. The Millrats are into their foray at the Champlain Cup.

Durbansandshark

16-12-2008, 10:45 AM

Alaska Dream won their own Dare To Dream tournament by beating the Maywood Buzz in the championship game 111-109 that came down to the last shot as they outscored their opponents 397-321. But today their home opener in Anchorage for the first time since the CBA's Anchorage Northern Knights in 1981 has been postponed. Why? Another case of an ABA team not turning up. The Washington Raptors, the IBL defectee whom the Dream were supposed to play, decided not to show up in Anchorage, leaving the Dream owner Trey Davis with plane tickets, hotel accomodations, and transportation offered to the Raptors with $6000 invested. Only 400 tickets were sold for the game. Now that has happened, Davis is seriously thinking about pulling out of the ABA. So what's going to be in the Raptors' place? A Dream scrimmage game.

The hilarious Maywood Buzz press release that deals with Cedric Ceballos' season debut. Defunked SD. Where did San Diego's funk go? Who took their funk away? Maywood thinks they're 3-0, but Arizona Rhinos says the Buzz are 3-1.
www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?=3751847 (http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?=3751847)

Looks like the West Virginia Wild merged with the West Virginia Outlaws.

radiowriter16

17-12-2008, 07:20 AM

Durbansandshark

18-12-2008, 08:28 AM

Word is that Alaska will fold due to issues with a game against Washington. San Diego and Sacramento are gone with Modesto rumored to be next.

With all that has gone on, including the arrest of Quintin Townsend, this league is doomed to fail.

Thanks and welcome Radiowriter16! As you can see on this board, this league is destined to fail (you're correct), and I talked about that this will continue. I think if Alaska's going to continue and leave the ABA, I would like for the IBL to take them in, but it will be next year at the earliest for it to happen, but then the travel costs to Anchorage could be much. Consequently, something the league needs to address and work out on. Thanks to stuff like the Great Alaska Shootout hosted by the Alaska-Anchorage Seawolves (made it to the Final Four in D2 last season in both men and women), Alaska definitely has fertile basketball talent as evidenced by Dukies Trajan Langdon and Carlos Boozer, it would be a shame that Anchorage and the rest of Alsska would loose pro basketball in a more fleeting and shameful situation. The Dream deserve better than the ABA. Not wantings any teams to fold or leave the league, Joe Newman has since openly apologized to the Dream for the Washington Raptors' standing up.

As our newbie noted, the Sacramento Heatwave has folded with their first two home games against Modesto (December 14) and an apparent traveling team called the Oakland Showtime (January 2) on the table. Their website is still running. http://www.heatwavelive.com

Another release from the Maywood Buzz, one of the more successful ABA teams, announcing their win over the well funded but Sun Yuen-less and taller Beijing Aoshen Olympic in their ABA season debut (http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3753219).

Over at Oursportscentral boards, a brilliant poster named a1sports did some incredible detective work regarding another emergency conference call involving the west coast ABA teams. Without Uncka Joe. Subjects broached in this were how the teams were enduring another total money losing season and the league is a mess; possibly emulating the better northeastern teams in leaving and forming their own league; and stop letting Newman getting into conference calls while letting him paint rosy pictures of the ABA's great season and the CBA-ABA intraleague play. There's just no way to compare this league with. It's.........well.........see, it's about as well as.........how would you adequately describe the absurdity of this league where there are teams that have banged around for a couple of years and some other teams leave and (SHOCKINGLY) come back and almost always fold? This league must be foolish as it is to continue with that kind of structure in this economy when the more solvent and far more professionally run Arena Football League shut down its operations for the 2009 season.

Detroit Hoops apparently are alive and played a couple of games too. Both times with the Cleveland Rockers. First on the road, then at home and lost both. Home games are at the Detroit Edison Public School Gym, and the Hoops President and COO is running for City Alderman. Anthony Jones averaging 35.5 points and 5 rebounds in those two games. http://www.thedetroithoops.com

Down in Texas, two new teams, San Antonio's South Texas Showboats ranked #4 in the ABA Power Rankings at the time and #22 West Texas Whirlwhinds faced off in a exciting, emotional, and entertaining game at the Showboats' home court with the game coming close down to the wire. West Texas had their lead evaporate in the last 5 minutes of the game with San Antonio emerging as the victor thanks to Kenny Wilson's 23 points (including 17 in the first half), Isaiah Allen (16 points, 4 assists, 7 rebounds), Keith Simpson (18 points, 5 rebounds), Frank Ford (11 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 blocks). Whirlwhinds were led by Randy Holbrook who amassed 19 points and 6 rebounds in a losing effort for his team. Showboats coach Benjamin Mireles felt the team needs to play up to their ability better and need to be more aggressive after getting outrebounded. His counterpart on the Whirlwinds, Cleveland Phelps, laments over letting the momentum get away from them in that game and finishing back strong playing Whirlwind basketball.

Southeast Texas Mustangs stormed back against the Showboats 104-87 on the road after losing to them last Sunday 94-93 . That too was another battle with Southeast leading as many as 6 points until South Texas stormed back to tie the Mustangs, and that went on like that each quarter until the Mustangs cam back to win. http://www.setxmustangs.com

ABA Power Rankings:
1. Nasville
2. Maywood
3. South Texas
4. Alaska
5. Jersey
6. Kentucky
7. San Diego
8. San Francisco
9. Beijing
10.Southeast Texas
11.Knoxville
12.Washington
13.Cleveland
14. Houston
15.Salt Lake City
16.Montreal
17.West Viriginia
18.Chicago
19.Mississippi
20.Los Angeles
21.Modesto
22.Las Vegas
23.Sacramento
24.Georgia

Nashville is still undefeated at 6-0 atop the rankings again, but as Burell Lee II of Maywood says, they have yet to face tougher competition.

Over in the Premier Basketball League, the Buffalo Stampede announced Richard Jacobs has resigned as coach and general manager with Roosevelt Bouie taking over as head coach on an interim basis and GM fulltime. Jacobs didn't had the time to devote himself into both roles since he also does Assistant Professor of Sports and Business duties at Medaille College and its head of its sports management program.

Randy Gill becomes the latest player on the Montreal Sasquatch. The player dubbed "White Chocolate" signed a contract with the August Groove but was released from his contract last week before reporting to Augusta. With his deadly shooting, the former Maryland Nighthawk will arrive in Montreal on Boxing Day and will wear #3 for Montreal.

Manchester Millrats already have the upper hand in the Champlain Cup Series. Right now the Millrats net 10 points toward the Cup with Quebec City Kebs having only 3. These are the only teams that have played in the Champlain Cup Series so far. Next up for Manchester is the Green Mountain Tip-Off in Vermont against Vermont and Montreal (first round opponent) on December 27th. A more fuller look on the Champlain Cup next time.

Durbansandshark

23-12-2008, 04:54 AM

After suddenly being released by the Vermont Frost Heaves, Mario Kinsey finds himself signed by their fierce rivals the Manchester Millrats. According to www.probasketballnews.com (http://www.probasketballnews.com), Kinsey ranked as #14 in the best minor league basketball players in the country this past April. Both times in the ABA with the Texas Tycoons, his championship dreams were shattered by the Frost Heaves. No doubt Kinsey will boost the Millrats' Champlain Cup prospects with a few other teams yet to play.

HFX had their first taste of PBL basketball this weekend against Quebec City on the road 101-95. Brian Silverhorn had 29 points (including 4-9 from downtown) and 12 rebounds. Teammates Glen Dandridge, who produced 25 points with 5 of 13 from beyond the arc, and Cordell Jeanty, a former Keb for two seasons, added 15, happily worked in the Rainmen's favor. For four consecutive exhibition games at the Tower starting on Boxing Day, the Rainmen will call that home.

Durbansandshark

24-12-2008, 06:17 AM

Now we know why haven't heard much from Fresno. The Fresno Heatwave and the Washington Raptors announced the two are merging, effective immediately. As the Fresno-Washington Raptors, a majority of home games will get played in Fresno while a handful will have Washington as home. Dominick Young, the first player ever drafted in the current ABA's draft in 2000, will become the head coach.

Durbansandshark

28-12-2008, 07:25 AM

Nashville Broncs lost to the strong Kentucky Bisons. Not only that, Nashville was severely tested in the rankings by Southeast Texas Mustangs and the Texas Fuel. But the Broncs are still tops in the ABA Power Rankings.

Texas Fuel? Yes, you read that right. They were the South Texas Showboats before this name change. They're still based in San Antonio. But what is this coming to? Is it becoming like the Pittsburgh Pythons turning into the Pittsburgh Pieces like in the movie the Fish That Saved Pittsburgh when the franchise changed names mid-season?! Or it gives an impression the team ceased operations and another picked up its slack immediately afterward. There's a reason why the top teams in sports, even in the minor leagues, don't do this; it causes instability and fan confusion on identification of their team. Maywood and Cleveland are close behind in the rankings.

South East Texas defeated the Mississippi Blues earlier in the week.

In the Premier Basketball League, Buffalo made another coaching change again this week. Roosevelt Buie stepped down as interim coach after Rich Jacob left to solely concentrate on the GM post. Buffalo native John Fitzpatrick is the Stampede's new head coach while Buffalo works to trim down its roster. Fitzpatrick coached for 24 years at Virginia and Wright St. but, most notably at Navy with All-American David "The Admiral" Robinson as his star in the mid-80s, taking them to East Regional Final appearance in 1986.

Montreal Sasquatch signs more Canadian content with G Sahne James and Tristan Martin. PG Lantrice Greene and C John Daryl Rufus also join.

Vermont Frost Heaves sign themselves four players of their own: Gs Thomas Sanders, Benson Collier, and Chris Gaynor and veteran F Greg Stevenson.

Durbansandshark

03-01-2009, 07:46 AM

Alaska, to the surprise of nobody, has decided to stop their debut ABA season in part to factors beyond their control like when the Washington Raptors failed to show up in Anchorage at the season's start.

Tonight's the start of the second PBL season! Can anybody stop the juggernaut that is the Rochester RazorSharks, who are so unstoppable at their Blue Cross Arena home, and wrestle the PBL crown from them? And now thanks to @SPORTSTV, fans can see their teams on local TV this season. Again, things begin tonight when Battle Creek welcomes the Chicago Throwbacks, Halifax goes to Quebec City, and Manchester, the Green Mountain Tip-Off champs, go to Montreal.

Durbansandshark

06-01-2009, 07:21 AM

Looks like we got another ABA team based in the greater Los Angeles area already playing. More attentive ABA readers and followers have already noticed that when the new Los Angeles Slam defeated both the Beijing Aoshen Olympic and the Arizona Rhinos between November and December. I'm now able to report, thanks to the good people at http://www.USbasket.com, they were originally Semipro Inc. Presently a fill-in franchise (look for that happen more as we go along), its owner and coach Donald Sanchies anticipates between 6 to 10 regular season games for the 2008-09 out of the Slam. But that's the appetizer for the following season in which Los Angeles plans to be an expansion team. In a preseason game against the Maywood Buzz, the Slam, as Semipro Inc., edged out the Buzz 155-153. Hopefully this acts as a professionally run franchise.
http://www.losangelesslam.com

Durbansandshark

07-01-2009, 07:22 AM

Congratulations to Brian Silverhorn of the Halifax Rainmen for being the first PBL Player of the Week honors for his 60% from downtown and his averaging team-high 21.5 ppg, 4.5 rpg, and 1 apg. Silverhorn's contributions helped HFX win its first two regular season games ever in the PBL over Montreal and Quebec City, the former of which he scored 18 points including the game-winner on the road against Montreal (127-125) and 25 points and 7 rebounds in their 87-82 win over the Kebs.

Young Boomer Herndon provides Vermont more size up at frontcourt, which is why he got signed by the Frost Heaves. Their PBL season (and league) opener is Friday versus Montreal at the Barre Auditorium.

Detroit Panthers sent home one of their in-state rivals, the Mid-Michigan Destroyers, home devastated in a game that went down to the final minute 111-109. It was close at the end of every quarter with Detroit's Willie Mitchell's heaving a 4-pointer Hail Mary with the fans on their feet to end it all at one second.

Defending PBL champs Rochester loses to Augusta on Friday with 126-117 defeat to the Groove in Augusta.

Quebec City Kebs 87 Manchester Millrats 82
Chicago Throwbacks 110 Detroit Panthers 106

Durbansandshark

08-01-2009, 08:00 AM

Los Angeles' upcoming game against Beijing previously scheduled for tonight was cancelled. Why? In the world of the ABA, anything can happen. In this incidence when it could've been a revenge outing for Beijing, defeated by them 126-121, Slam officials recieved a letter from the league's director of West Coast Operations two days ago saying the rematch won't happen, because of the excuse the Slam is not an official ABA team. A "frustrated" Sanchies wonders aloud why Beijing refused to participate again; he theorizes Beijing doesn't want to get embarassed again by losing after agreeing to play them in mid-December. So far, Olympic hasn't mentioned anything about the matter, except acknowledging league scheduling changes.

South East Texas Mustangs are now atop the ABA Power Rankings. The Mustangs won seven in a row with their most recent game winning by 60 points over the Houston Takers that the Mustangs enjoyed 50-point margin at the half.

Durbansandshark

09-01-2009, 06:50 AM

Select footage of PBL action from this past weekend:

Pregame shootaround at the Pierre Charbonneau Centre between the home Montreal Sasquatch and Manchester Millrats on the PBL regular season debut for both teams January 1. Almost nobody is there for that with the PA bumping. Then again, Montreal is still getting accustomed to pro basketball:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXmr3=lYRXw

Montreal's Randy "White Chocolate" Gill's free throws against the Millrats. I don't really like the uniform duds Montreal has:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=od5Z6qMIYyw

Willie Mitchell's crazy successful mid-court heave to give the Detroit Panthers the win over Mid-Michigan. Attendance was around 700, according to "patmc16"'s guesstamite with the gym holding 1500-2000 (resembling more like a major high school or small college) at OurSportsCentral's boards. He says the crowd was at one side before making ways to the other end with late arrivals coming at the second quarter, more than any Panthers or Dogs games in the ABA or any IBL matchup; it's comparable to when the CBA's Great Lakes Storm was around. Quite a few Mid-Michigan fans did turn, even when the Panthers people talked to them, and the game was exciting to the very end, which can act as an incentive for bigger crowds for the Panthers should they win more and create greater buzz. All the more needed when minor teams enter major markets and are on the outside looking in when it comes to media coverage.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxhrL5ZVMos

UPDATE: More media updates--Vermont and Halifax both announced today for fans around the world to see live streaming and archived footage on the Internet of their favorite PBL teams starting this weekend (even the Green Mountain Tip-Off games), providing a new avenue for them in keeping up on their goings on. Vermont made an agreement with the Northeast Sports Network, a media company providing comprehensive schedules, scores, and video coverage in high school, college, and pro sports in Vermont and New Hampshire, to air 14 games during 2009. Halifax struck a deal with haligonia.ca, Atlantic Canada's first live-to-web broadcasting company in Halifax with blogs, news, food, reviews, music, film, sports, events, personalities, and local events, in time for its home season opener Friday. It too will archive games missed.

www.nsnsports.net (http://www.nsnsports.net)
www.haligonia.ca (http://www.haligonia.ca)

Too bad the league bothced their league-wide webcasting deal.

Durbansandshark

13-01-2009, 07:09 AM

Teams seem to pop up in the ABA ready to play and pick up the slack of those left with great frequency in the Greater Los Angeles area, don't they? I just mentioned about the Los Angeles Push that had fight to legitimately belong in the ABA. Now we have the Inland Empire Riverside Rage, an expansion team planning appear next season for 2009-2010 but will actually give it a fair go now prepping for a full season. Actually if you recall in 2004, a team in the Inland Empire region called the Ontario Warriors was revving to go with a new facility in the works and did well before defeated by the Arkansas RimRockers. But everything fell through, as you would expect in the ABA. This week, says Joe Newman, we'll see the IE Riverside Rage in action. This franchise has another female owner, Monique Flaherty. In the LA area no need to mention it's very competitive for the sports/entertainment dollar when everything is spread out like it is there. Perhaps it can work as a suburban thing with the proper coverage from suburban outlets. I figured the ABA eventually will arrive in the hometown of Reggie and Cheryl Miller.
www.iebasketball.com (http://www.iebasketball.com)

Durbansandshark

15-01-2009, 07:30 AM

Lewis Lofton deserves in his opinion a little better treatment following the merger of the Washington Raptors and the Fresno Rebels. As the Lewis County Raptors last year in the IBL, the team went through a brutal season on and off court. When owners Tim and Regina Joseph decided to switch leagues by going for the ABA, they enlisted the services of the former Weber St. and Centralia High star to operate the on-court product as player/coach, a good move. But when they got to the league, they instantly realized it was fraught with massive problems, as we all know here. They were scheduled to have a special opening day with the San Francisco Rumble at home. But for whatever reason, the Rumble decided not show up for the opener at Rochester High (for the Raptors have yet to find a permanent home) and had to forfeit. The Raptors, as mentioned earlier here, were planned to be the opponents for the Alaska Dream's homer. But as now acknowledged a travel mixup resulted in them not turning up at all in Anchorage for the two-game set and forcing the Dream to pull out of the league altogether. Lofton blamed this on the Joseph's; one source blames Alaska.

When games against the Fresno Heatwave didn't materialize scheduled for December 19-20, the Raptors then turned to Fresno to fill the dates. But those were cancelled because of weather issues (Fresno DID show up though!). It was at that weekend both teams joined forces and merged, naming a new coach leaving Lofton out in the cold. Lofton learned about this development in a brief newspaper article at his Logan, Utah home, indicating the kind of communication he had with the Josephs--none. He says to the Lewis County Chronicle he feels "embarassed" of the "shady" and "unprofessional" Raptors organization after the ordeal with the Josephs claiming they had solid sponsorship and money only to suddenly find out they actually had no money to pay the players and the coach. He feels bad that he lured players to the Raptors under the pretense of professionalism by the Josephs, who "lie left and right" and then bail out.

Our current #1 in the ABA Power Rankings, the South East Texas Mustangs won their eigth straight winning over the Mississippi Blues in Jackson. DeRon Rutledge led the way for the Mustangs with 22 points, and Currye Todd followed with his 17. Second-ranked Texas Fuel won over Texas City Rangers 117-98. Las Vegas Aces knocked off the Los Angeles Slam 121-115 in during funny game performances of slam dunks, steals, and blocks, all of the stuff you expect more in a higher level professional basketball game. Former UNLV guard had 47 points for the Aces with contributes from Michael Johnson (26 points) and Antwan Roberson (16 points). JuShay Rockett scored 36 for the Slam. During that same weekend, Beijing and San Francisco duked it out for a two-game series with Beijing winning both 136-113 and 122-112 as they never trailed in both.

NYC Internationalz parted ways with Croatian Drago Pavlovic and Alexus Foyle, who since found employment across the Hudson River with the Jersey Express.

Durbansandshark

16-01-2009, 07:22 AM

Joe Newman wants the ABA to expand into the Pacific Northwest region with the plans of two Washington teams, Idaho, Oregon, and Vancouver,BC next year. After all of the ill-fated attempts in the years of the American Basketball Association's existence in that region including the Alaska Dream, Vancouver's phantom attempt (despite unprofessionally announcing Jim Harrick as coach), Portland (twice), a second Alaska team, and Bellingham Slam (since moved to the IBL), my question is WHY? What makes Joe Newman want people (potential suckers) to shell out at least $10,000 again and again and again for the privildge of owning an, chances are, ill-fated and very likely short-lived team claiming there's interest in that region? But the well has run dry in this economy. Has Newman done anything substansial to assist (read: financially) with what he already has on his ABA roster including the ones coming along the conveyor belt? And what about any consideration to the teams in the Pacific Northwest that ceased operations during the whole mess that is in the league? Were they nicely compensated, among other things?

Lexington, Kentucky, home of the UK Wildcats, gets to join the ABA next season in November under the ownership of Lexington businessman and Kentucky grad Anthony Chase to join the Kentucky Bisons with tryouts in July. His hope for the team is to assemble players who have played in Kentucky colleges. Oh my goodness...This has me deeply worried in the sense of the city's fervent passion toward the Kentucky Wildcat blue and its love of basketball. Is this the first ever pro basketball team Lexington ever had? On the other hand, this prospective ABA team will not get much media attention locally. Chase says players will get $300-400 a game for a 30 game season with negotiations ongoing to establish the Lexington Catholic High School as the venue for home games. Most of the people in his staff are secret.

And the Bisons climb to sixth in the ABA Power Rankings.

Bobby Brown returns to the ABA's Bahama All-Pro Show when he played against Knoxville with 46 of their 111 points in their win against the Thunderbolts as a "showstopper who even got the Thunderbolts fans on their feet," according to the All-Pro Show's owner Ricardo B. Smith.

West Virginia Wild sign Ivan Cubela from Croatia who has played in various European clubs. Its top scout, Thaddeus Breckinridge, compares him to Toni Kukoc at his age and his potential. Ray Williams re-signed with West Texas. Las Vegas Aces sign up And One Tour star Dennis "Spyda" Chism to the fold. Georgia Gwizzlies sign BJ Puckett from Clayton St. fresh off of playing in Chile on a frontline with Mike Commane and Ray Raines. Chad Thomas, a minor veteran, joined aboard as a player/coach for Georgia. All in time then against Knoxville for the Gwizz.

Montreal Sasquatch handed the Rainmen their first defeat on Sunday afternoon 105-103 that got delayed because of the weather in Halifax to even their record at 2-2. John Ruffus had 31 points and 10 rebounds while Randy Gill scored 17 points with 8 assists.

Rochester RazorSharks sign Aaron Williams, who most recently played for the Rotterdam Challengers in the Dutch Pro League. He'll play this Saturday at the Blue Cross Arena ready against the Buffalo Stampede upon activiation.

Brandon Cole becomes the latest the Vermont Frost Heave with his time for Deportes Castro in Chile was up.

AJ Millen from the Augusta Groove is this PBL Player of the Week.

Durbansandshark

24-01-2009, 05:51 AM

(cue Queen's "Another One Bites The Dust")

Arizona Rhinos announced they will cancel future games in this ABA season until further notice dealing with scheduling the games involving the Prescott Valley-based franchise. They were scheduled to play against the now-doormat San Diego Wildcats Saturday. The Rhinos had just returned from a winter holiday sabbatical (http://www.dcourier.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&subsectionID=2&articleID=63175).

#1 South East Texas Mustangs progress their winning streak to 11 with winning a showdown against #2 Texas Fuel (formerly the South Texas Showboats until the team got a new owner) on the Fuel's home court in San Antonio 89-82. Just about everything in the second half was all Mustangs.

Battle Creek Knights are the only team in the PBL that is undefeated at 5-0. Amazing that a team fresh from another league, and one that plays in an opposite season than many pro basketball leagues in North America is so doing well. Their most recent win was over the 3-1 Augusta Groove at Battle Creek's home, the Kellogg Arena.

radiowriter16

27-01-2009, 01:01 PM

Sources are reporting the ABA will expand to Concord/Walnut Creek (CA) this season. This replaces a myriad of other teams throughout the ABA who have folded.

The Georgia Gwizzlies (Named for a typo) missed their scheduled game against Knoxville on Sunday. Word is that Embry Malone got swallowed by someone's grammar checker and could not coach.

Prescott Valley has folded; they were eaten by cacti. (Embry, that means more than one cactus.)

radiowriter16

28-01-2009, 11:14 PM

Quintin Townsend just added to his legal troubles. This is from Chris Munson at Our Sports Central:

http://www.oursportscentral.com/service ... id=3769850 (http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3769850)

Quentin Townsend, owner of the American Basketball Association's Atlanta Vision and the suspended Chief Operating Officer of the ABA, has been arrested on charges of contempt of court. He was taken into custody on Tuesday in Gwinnett County. The charges are related to a pending criminal case against him in Forsyth County.

Townsend has admitted guilt in the settlement of a civil case brought against him by Jayhawk Sports, LLC, which claimed Townsend defrauded Jayhawk members Carter Patterson and Brian Richey, his former partners in the Vision, of $200,000 in a scheme to purportedly lure an NBA D-League franchise to Atlanta, despite being rebuffed by the D-League. In the settlement, Townsend agreed to pay $300,000 in damages to Jayhawk Sports.

Townsend's Gwinnett County MugshotCriminal charges were filed against Townsend shortly thereafter, leading to his arrest in November. He had been free since posting bond. According to sources who spoke on the condition of anonymity, Townsend faces up to three years in prison on the criminal charges.

It is not known at this time if Townsend has been released on bond. ABA CEO Joe Newman declined comment at this time.

Another source indicated other charges may be forthcoming against Townsend in Gwinnett County.

Durbansandshark

06-02-2009, 10:04 AM

Thanks Chris for bringing the latest updates about the disgraceful Quinton Townsend and the demise of the Prescott Valley--I imagine the cacti were distant relatives of the Peanuts gang's Kite Eating Tree. Did they smile after digesting it? :)

The Game--yes, the superstar rapper--made his debut for the Los Angeles Slam on Sunday against the Los Angeles Push and surely gave the franchise some free publicity. But is he better at his skills as a pro basketball player than Master P was? The Slam's press release says the Game (real name: Jayceon Taylor) "possesses strength" plays "tenacious and very physical defense" at 6'4" with a production of 22 points, which early indications seem positive. Actually this was the second time he played under Coach Don for the Slam. But he won't play in every game, largely due to his recording industry commitments. So his appearances will come occassionally.

Knoxville Thunderbolts now have new ownership (http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3769680). Also they just lost to Beijing Aoshen Olympians 133-112.

Due to the winter storm weather that reached Kentucky last week, prompting thousands of homes and businesses to be without power and communications (and forcing the Kentucky Governor to call a state of emergency), the Kentucky Bisons home games in Owensboro last weekend were postponed.

Nashville Broncs started out the ABA season like gangbusters, but the team started losing a little bit as both Southeast Texas and Texas emerged to take the top. Can the Nashville Broncs really succeed in an area where pro basketball hasn't quite taken off. The Ryhthm could've succeeded and built on it to this season were it not for the shameful hissy fit Sally Anthony threw on Ashley McElhiney at courtside? The ownership has been smart in developing a team at this level with players and a coach with local ties while the owners are former basketball players in Tennessee themselves with some business prowess. But owner Scott Lumley knows hardscrabble at a time when many Americans are struggling to this extent since the Great Depression; the team is still seeking more fans despite being winners, and it looks sparse at the Memorial Auditorium with around 1200+. Nashville, I do believe, can host a pro basketball and is up to the task, but let's hope Nashville for now can overcome much of the ABA dysfunctions.
www.tennessean.com/article/20090127/SPO ... 02/SPORTS/ (http://www.tennessean.com/article/20090127/SPORTS11/901270356/1002/SPORTS/)

South East Texas Mustangs cement even further their top spot of the ABA Power Rankings. They have won 14 in a row. Now at 15-1, things just keep getting unpredictable this season. During the last month, the Mustangs tried multiple times to play against one of their Texas ABA rivals, the West Texas Whirlwhinds. Last time, it was a venue cancellation. This time, it was because of referees: the Whirlwinds wanted a Midland-based officiating crew to call the game but the ABA mandated the game gets league officials. Guess which option West Texas used? And that brought forth the Mustangs win via forfeit. This isn't suprising, last year the Mustangs inexplicably cancelled all of their January games. Then it was off to KC to face the Spartans. They won 112-99 despite some rumbling West Texas won't play there. Anthony Lumpkin scored 26 points and had 6 assists. Kansas City falls to 5-4 this season following staying close at the half before falling way behind for good. PG Tim Pleger had nine assists. Currye Todd, formerly of Lamar, and Deron Rutledge each scored 16 points. Newly acquired Alex Sanders had 14.

Battle Creek remains undefeated at 7-0 with a win over Detroit.

Montreal now is out of the PBL, announced by the league today. The Sasquatch got kicked out because the league felt, in a "decision we don't like to make", it was not complying with the minimal standards the PBL set forth to every franchise in the league so as not to be like the ABA, which is a zero tolerance one. When that happens, the league "will act swiftly against any organization" that fails to adhere to them. One situation that arose in Montreal was, not unexpectedly, the failure of paying the players. PBL officials still profess faith that Montreal can still work a PBL-worthy city with future applications for ownership. Wow, what a major setback for the pro basketball prospects and development in Montreal. Any team that had played against Montreal will still count and still play 20 games as the league works to compensate the players.

Durbansandshark

07-02-2009, 06:26 AM

Most sports team owners would never say publicly or professionally how happy they are in getting rid of a coach, though that may be the case privately. Not Keisha Spellman-White, owner of the Arizona Rhinos in the ABA (http://www.usbasket.com/ABA/basketball.asp?NewsID=152160/). She puts fired head coach Orlando Woolridge on full blast for "betrayal, deception, and unethical business practices", including running up, Spellman-White claims, an almost $4298 hotel bill at the Residence Inn and even attempting to sell the team.

Details get even worse with the allegations (http://www.usbasket.com/ABA/basketball.asp?NewsID=152159). And Orlando's position on things (http://www.usbasket.com/ABA/basketball.asp?NewsID=152003).

Here's a little indictment on behalf on everyone who loves pro basketball, to Keisha on down: STOP THIS CHILDISH SHIT RIGHT NOW!!!!!! :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: Your situation over in Phoenix continues to make the ABA a (Extremely Naughty Word!) joke to many, damaging its rep even further. I think you got some understandable hatred for Orlando, and I can understand given the emerging details. Hey, I got some people in my life that I hate too to this day and like to celebrate their removal. Having said that, I can see why higher-level leagues behave more professional, almost cold, in their transactions. Phoenix does not need multiple ABA franchises in the area. All the city really needs is the Suns in the NBA for their pro basketball. I feel sorry for all of the players who have to go through this ordeal. Yes, times are tough economically and the lack of sponsors can cause to bunker down. But you know what? It's time to blow up the franchise and never ever come back!!! :evil:

Randy Gill, who was with Montreal before it folded, was picked up by the Detroit Panthers in the PBL. I'll get more into the Montreal's demise next week.

Durbansandshark

12-02-2009, 08:41 AM

Four minor pro basketball franchises in Montreal came and went in as many years now--the Matrix which begat the Royal after a couple of ownership takeovers in the ABA then came the seemingly more promising Sasquatch in the PBL and now a return of a different incarnation of the Matrix. That does not bode well for its future legacy of Montreal pro basketball prospects; it has been shown to be weak when it comes to minor pro basketball. In the event that you have been reading on this thread, you I talk occasionally, if not liberally, about Montreal basketball. Kicking out a pro team usually doesn't make sense professionally. I realize there's growing pains in this and in any minor pro sport, especially in this worldwide economy. For minor league success in basketball you need a suitable facility in terms of capacity with (hopefully) good amentities, solid fan base, and a deep-pocketed and committed owner. The first pro basketball franchise Montreal that actually played as far as I know was the Montreal Dragons in the Canada-only NBL that featured some ex-WBL teams like Halifax, Hamilton/Edmonton, and Winnipeg in 1994. And the Dragons played in a bad excuse for a basketball gym in the Verdun Arena for home games. Pro basketball will never catch up to overtake hockey because the Les Canadiens (aka "the Habs") own the island city, let alone the entire Quebec province. The NBA is not even an option despite the possibly of the Gallic nature the city brings to the league like the MLB had and home games at the Bell Centre (Centre Bell in French), so to all those wanting to send a petition to the NBA via Facebook, dream on. Besides the Canadian loonie is now declining in value against some significant currencies like the euro and pound. Yeah, the Sasquatch is gone from the PBL, and that is a shame. Folded and that means one less competitor for the Champlain Cup.

In any case minor league sports, most teams have trouble surviving, even more so coexisting in larger cities, despite the (presumed) larger fan base and revenue. Some of that lies of the perception of being an "inferior product" compared to the top-notch sports teams there or in any other major city (more on that later). Montreal is a funny sports town; the dearly departed Expos (I miss my Expos... :( ) fielded solid teams up to 1994 when they had the attendances at Olympic Stadium and, even years after that, the teams were still competitive but the fans dwindled to the 2000 mark each home game. The CFL's Montreal Alouettes are perennial Grey Cup contenders but lost the Grey Cup on their home backyard in November. On selected games at the Big Owe away from their regular home games at always sold-out Molson Stadium, the Als fill it up. Soccer with the Montreal Impact, a prospective MLS expansion candidate in the future, has been solid. Even junior hockey teams came and went in Montreal over the years. There ARE basketbakll fans in the city and has produced a lot of basketball players like Sam Dalembert, Juan Mendez, Prosper Karangwa, Ryan Gomes, and Joel Anthony. But there's a lack of awareness for many fans to take that initiative to go to see them in person.

We do know for sure that dates for Sasquatch home games at the Pierre Charbonneau Centre have been cancelled (http://www.cpierre-charbonneau.com/affiche.php?showsecteur=16). How the PBL dealt with the loss of dates was interesting, and the league should be applauded for the actions. It's bad to see a team out of a league, but since many of the PBL teams came from the ABA, where they know all too well about the operations of teams are shady and don't fufill their obligations like paying their players. The Sasquatch had that happen to them. I checked out their website (http://www.montrealsasquatch.com) periodically up until their demise, and despite being more professionally-looking than it would've been in with many ABA teams, it lacked constant updates and recent photos of past games, videos, or stats (but did get better with the photos a little bit). The photos of the players at the above portion of the homepage weren't sporting the Sasquatch jerseys. Not much in the way of bilingualism (English and French). When you're in the minors, particularly in a big market, you will get lost or ignored when it comes to mainstream media coverage. When you place a team in a market, you gotta promote the hell out of it in the face of familiar product and the noise and clutter out there. Indeed, the Montreal Gazette, Montreal's only English-speaking daily newspaper, only gave them a small paragraph blurb regarding their demise. The media thinks they're a joke and not worthy of coverage, even with a new owner. Sponsors refuse to deal with the new ownership. A top Sasquatch fan sent press releases and emails that weren't read by the sports editor of a major Montreal paper because, thinking they were in the ABA and not the PBL (not sure what's his excuse). Honestly, I don't think the fan base was potent enough there in such a short period of time for Montreal pro basketball. That's why expansion teams in bigger leagues come in a couple of years before they actually start playing to develop local and national awareness and a fan base over time; it's a costly undertaking in operating regardless. But Montreal did that, which is what disturbs me about the demise. Maybe not enough. You'd expect a better outcome. Maybe Montreal either needs to build a more sophisticated intimate arena in different location for minor league basketball or renovate Pierre-Charboneau, a next door neighbor to Olympic Stadium, to make it more attractive. So nothing is minor league with the city--from the constant festivals like jazz, comedy, and hot air balloons to the beautiful women strolling the city streets populating the nightlife.

I've heard on blogs that Randy "White Chocolate" Gill was an egomaniac in Montreal. Even the Montreal fans can't stand him! He did his AND1 thing too much and caused way too many turnovers in Montreal's disfavor. Many of the players were holed up in a hotel and had to leave when other teams came calling. But one player planned to stick around for a while. The PBL conducted its Montreal Sasquatch dispersal draft (http://www.pblproball/news/leaguenews/index.html?article_id=503).

Durbansandshark

19-02-2009, 06:02 AM

No sooner as I lamented on the Sasquatch's demise, a white knight came and swooped them from oblivion saving their season. Details (and more stuff) on the next post.

Durbansandshark

26-02-2009, 09:19 AM

Uh-oh, the Mid-Michigan Destroyers are goners. What apparently occurred was, as reported locally recently, the ownership group departed causing the Destroyers to play ownerless for the rest of the season. Philosophical differences? Some owners shouldn't be owners. Some franchises should never been created. That wouldn't surprise me about Mid-Michigan; I was surprised the team was created on such short notice. The Destroyers didn't had time to market their team leading up to their first season. Not wanting to state the obvious, but we're seeing the reality of a dismal economy at work, especially in a hard-hit state like Michigan with the auto industry seriously wounded. That's asking for trouble there despite some of the charms of attending minor league basketball. All that pie-in-the-sky stuff the owner fell for. One poster at OurSportsCentral talks about their training facility as "a dump...looking something last updated during WWII", and the team made it look better than it actually was. "Patmc16" adds the old small brickhouse facility that they used to call home looks even worse than what any place metro Detroit has to offer. Mid-Michigan played a spirited game against Rochester on Saturday though. But that was the last game for the Destroyers--their game Thursday was cancelled. The team is now gone. What a terrible franchise....

Detroit, on the other hand, is solid, even when they played in the ABA. The Panthers were smart enough to play home games at a (albeit) high school gym at one of the wealthier Detroit suburbs. They have an office with regular business hours. Haven't heard anything about bills not being paid on time or bounced checks. Panthers next games up are with Montreal, Augusta, and Mid-Michigan. But MM is gone. And those three are all troubled in some way. Yeah, Detroit is hit hard as the most impoverished city in the country with a population its size. But if that team goes, it's more as a victim of circumstances

I talk about dysfunction. But Augusta is like revisiting the ABA for the PBL. In fact, they're acting like they're in the ABA. Bounced checks all over the place like hotels. Augusta seemingly is using the ABA's business model. This has got to stop! :x This is why big leagues require prospective owners pay upfront for league entry. The PBL needs to stop letting in ownership groups like this like more rigorous background checks. To many
Augusta residents, they're (rightly) the Atlanta Krunk despite the name change and the move to another Georgia city.
www.metronews.ca/halifax/sports/article/183654 (http://www.metronews.ca/halifax/sports/article/183654)
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/20 ... 1849.shtml (http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2009/02/18/oth_511849.shtml)

Durbansandshark

11-03-2009, 07:46 AM

Unbelievable that I haven't discussed the ABA for a while on this post as the games are still being played. I'll rectify the situation with this and tomorrow's posts because I got a lot of catching up to do with this wacky league. To renew with...

Guess what? The ABA launched its own online magazine to compliment their http://www.abalive.com website: http://www.abamagazine.com with contests, Ask the CEO, interviews, online polls, player stories, photos, feature articles, referee info, and letters to the editor. ABA magazine editor Chuck Rowe says this is more for the fan interactions while the league's official website is business/managerial/headline/news-oriented.

Southeast Texas Mustangs have now won 23 straight with a win over Texas City Rangers in a 142-66 blowout.

Next Wednesday has the ABA host in Nashville a Mini-Playoff to get ready for the ABA Final 8 also in Nashville, which also includes the ABA All-Star Game at that time. Top ranked teams: South East Texas, Maywood, Beijing, Kentucky, Nashville, Chicago Steam, Cleveland, Jersey, New York Thunder, West Virginia Blazers, Knoxville, and Mississippi all will take part.

Changing of scenarios is no different in the ABA. So the NYC Internationalz announced that, because of reasons outside the players' control brought on by a power takeover attempt, the team is changing its name to the New York Thunder, as stated a moment ago on the teams' roster. The league embraced the change with open arms and kept the team in the league.

Again some ABA teams have not played an abundance of games like they should.

Durbansandshark

13-03-2009, 03:34 AM

Montreal Sasquatch surely has endured troubling things come their way in their debut season in the PBL. The Montreal team is already into their second ownership (more on that later), and, in the league's offices in Chicago, the PBL ordered the cancellation of two home games against the Halifax Rainmen almost a couple of weeks ago. The Pierre Charbonneau Centre arena management says the arena is booked for that weekend, thus not secured for PBL games that weekend. Montreal tried to find another venue as a replacement but that venue--a small school gymnasium--did not comply with the PBL's required standards and couldn't be used. Rainmen owner Andre Levingstone wasn't pleased upon the sight of it and objected; he sent a release to the league decrying the poor conditions of the arena book for their game with the reconstituted Sasquatch. He felt the court was unsuitable. The PBL agreed and cancelled it. It's not known whether the games will have rescheduling.

Man, this reminds me of an early ABA story I read about when the New Jersey Americans (now New Jersey Nets) were about to play against the Kentucky Colonels at the Long Island Arena in Commack, New Jersey in 1968. The facility was a last minute replacement for the Teaneck Armory because it was booked, and the Americans had to scramble for a last-minute replacement. Both squads noticed a bizarre scene upon arrival: The floor was missing several bolts and boards and was unstable in several areas (one player claimed that he saw one side of the floor come up while on another). No padding or support on the backboards existed, and one basket appeared higher than the other. There appeared a large amount of condensation resulting from the previous night's hockey game. Game for the last playoff spot in the Eastern Division was cancelled by Commissioner George Mikan with the spot going to the Colonels after they refused to play (for both were tied in record going in).

UPDATES: Profile on the very young (by professional sports standards) 21-year old wunderkind Maryland Nighthawks GM Adam Dantus. www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3776287 (http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3776287)

On January 26, 2009, two important sponsors of the Montreal Sasquatch informed owner Real Bourassa that they were no longer going to continue their partnership due to the state of the economy. The PBL, aware of this situation, told the Sasquatch to proceed with the situation while agreeing to help it out financially (but the players weren't aware of this). Up until early February the team wasn't paying its players and was thus removed the Sasquatch temporarily from the league with the process begun of paying the players' owed money. But since then, the former Montreal players voiced their concern that they weren't yet paid from them or from Sasquatch's new owners, Soar Enterprises. But with Soar Enterprises running the Montreal show now, the team has since been reinstated with a whole new lineup for the remainder of the year. Soar planned to rename the Sasquatch Team Montreal because Real Bourassa owns the Sasquatch name. But that didn't stick. Anyway, the cancellation should've been a forfeit awarded to Halifax, but the PBL's statement makes no mention of that. The PBL is starting to lose some cred abut still have some semblance of such and that was a poor excuse. In referring to an earlier statement regarding Montreal's pro basketball history, it's not as if prospective Montreal basketball owners aren't enthused about owning a team--they like the idea of it. Problem is they just don't know how to follow through and operate an effective, long-running franchise and make it a success.

Rochester RazorSharks had their amazing city-sports record of 48 consecutive home games of winning snapped by their former ABA rivals Vermont, who were following back-to-back losses to Manchester, on January 18 on the wrong side of a dramatic 113-110 game. Over a period of three years. Whenever and wherever Vermont plays, when the chips are down the Frost Heaves dig down deep to pull it all off. And that's something to be learned about Vermont in their three years of existence in both the ABA and the PBL. Plus, Vermont has beaten Rochester before back in the ABA at the RazorSharks' home. But Rochester has won 9 straight since that tough loss at home...including a win over the Frost Heaves.
www.timesargus.com/article/20090120/SPO ... 04/SPORTS/ (http://www.timesargus.com/article/20090120/SPORTS/901200320/1004/SPORTS/)
www.democratandchronicle.com/article/20 ... 07/SPORTS/ (http://www.democratandchronicle.com/article/20090120/SPORTS/901200307/1007/SPORTS/)

There's a playoff battle going on right now in the Premier Basketball League. Battle Creek Knights are already in as Central Division champs, and they just signed Dennis Springs, a player familiar to the Knights when he suited up for the Holland Blast in the IBL. Manchester claimed the Atlantic Division title. Fighting for the Eastern Division are Rochester and Wilmington. But the real race comes from the battle of the wildcards; right now, Vermont and Rochester are on pace for those two spots. Halifax, Montreal, Augusta, and Detroit are still mathematically alive in the hunt. Chicago Throwbacks, Mid-Michigan Destroyers (as if they really or already had a chance to begin with), Buffalo Stampede, and Quebec City Kebs are all
eliminated.

Vermont has three games all at Barre this weekend: Friday vs. Quebec, Saturday vs. Montreal, and Sunday vs. Buffalo. Halifax has a road trip versus Buffalo, their only game this weekend. If the Rainmen loses to the Stampede and the Frost Heaves wins all three at home, then the Frost Heaves mathematically get one of the two wildcard spots. If Vermont wins all three but Halifax wins over Buffalo, Vermont at least gets a share of the wildcard. Winning three straight games back-to-back at home is challenging for any team, but Vermont's competition are known and weak, record and personnel-wise. Two out of the three are known entities. Quebec City has retooled with four new better players with better quality. Later this month Vermont travels to Quebec City. It should be noted if Rochester beats Augusta this weekend, idle Wilmington will get a playoff berth. The RazorSharks and the Sea Dawgs face each next Thursday, which will go a long way in determining who wins the East title.

Durbansandshark

17-04-2009, 08:37 AM

Rochester RazorSharks will face the Battle Creek Knights as the two best teams in the second season of the Premier Basketball League square in the PBL Championship. Rochester looks to successfully keep their crown.

Durbansandshark

21-04-2009, 09:16 AM

I'll catch up on both ABA and the PBL next week because I'll have more time to do that, including both playoffs and championships.

ABA's not stopping with for next season: new teams and some returning ones are coming. More details are coming. Here are some of the new ones:

North Texas Fresh
Austin
College Park Spyders
Honululu Pegasus
Compton Cobras (yes, THAT Compton made famous by NWA, Compton's Most Wanted, CPO, etc.)
Savannah Prowl

Durbansandshark

24-04-2009, 11:36 AM

So yesterday I was paid my regular visit to the Oursportscentral website for my minor league basketball news to send out to you when I was shocked--shocked, I tell ya!--to spot that all of the ABA references, including all of the newspaper/publications and team links, except for the message boards pertaining to the ABA were all gone. How am I going to tell you all about those foibles coming from the league and catch up with them? It'll be one thing if the league itself folded, but that hasn't occurred yet. There's USbasket.com, which I also go to, but its news is not in abundance compared to Oursportscentral's links. Maybe Chris Munson can help us out on this and get his reaction. I read from the administrator that its future status is currently up for renewal. So we'll see.

Durbansandshark

14-05-2009, 07:25 AM

Additional proposed teams coming next season in the ABA to tide you over when I get back more into the ABA and the PBL:

Austin Capitals
Bluegrass Stallions
College Park Spyders (College Park, Maryland--home of the University of Maryland)
Columbus Crush
Everett, Washington
Lake Michigan Admirals
Maryland Marvels
New York City Thunder
Oakland
Philadelphia (again)
Syracuse Shockwave (actually coming in 2010-11)
Portland (again)
Savannah Prowl
Seaside Sea-Kings (Seaside, CA)
Seattle
Spokane
Tri-Cities Racers (Tri-Cities,TN)
Valdosta (GA) Warriors
Vancouver, WA
Walla Walla, WA
Yakima (the Sun Kings?!)

Durbansandshark

27-05-2009, 08:46 AM

The Kansas City Spartans have gone the way of the Kansas City Knights in the ABA. But that hasn't stopped the ABA's Joe Newman from replenishing the city with another ABA franchise believing Kansas City "is a tremendous market for an ABA franchise" Adding that all the city needs is "strong ownership, management, marketing, and better community relations" from an ABA team. This latest KC installation will be owned by Fame Sports and Entertainment. When will this league ever learn?

Durbansandshark

11-06-2009, 08:46 AM

Now that the Lawton-Ft. Still Calvary is joing the PBL, who will join the league in a matter of years? Augusta, Mid-Michigan, Montreal, Dallas, and Arkansas are all gone and were dysfunctional during their stay in the league. Rockford Fury actually never played a game in the PBL after leaving the ABA and doesn't look like it'll rejoin. Montreal Sasquatch is currently in court. Reading Railers and the Quad Cities RiverHawks are currently looking for investiors. Jacksonville Jam/Slam got taken to court and lost big time with, according to the Chicago Public Records, 150,000 judgement against the old owner.

Chicago Throwbacks have left the league. Perhaps Joe Newman can say they really want to be in the ABA and give the finger to the two other owners for being unscrupolous

Las Vegas, somewhere in California, Omaha, Long Island, Scranton, and possibly the Albany Patroons are likely candidates. The dormat Pittsburgh Xplosion might join. I read in Oursportscentral about a potential Puerto Rico team, amking it the first minor league basketball there since the old CBA's Coquis in the 1980s (more on that next time). Maybe even the Canadian National Team, which will be without the big name players and more of the B-and C-level players needing to play to deepen the talent level.

Right now, the PBL should forget about following that seemingly ambitious westward "manifest destiny" for several years; lots of pro sports leagues want to gain too large a geographical foothold out west too quickly--the Major League Lacrosse's Los Angeles Riptide and San Francisco Dragons ceased operations after two seasons in existence last year, to give one example. Unless the PBL wants to erect a 6-8 team Western Conference, the PBL should just focus on the Northeast and Upper Midwest/Eastern Canada, gain a solvent following there, and then (and ONLY then) expand to other regions.

Durbansandshark

24-06-2009, 09:07 AM

Dallas is rejoining the ABA as a fresh ownership brings forth the Dallas Generals for next season. The Generals just had tryouts almost two weekends ago.

Chemung County YMCA is going to own an ABA expansion team in Elmira, New York. Not to be confused with the Elmira Bulldogs.

Orlando is coming back to the ABA in the seemingly never-ending quest to succeed there in central Florida. Founder Jimmy Lyons says he was more than ready to actually get things (promotion, facility, etc.) going quickly for the new Orlando Tropics next season instead of Joe Newman's suggestion of 2010. Interviews and tryouts, Lyons says, will happen soon.

Columbus, Georgia will supposedly field a team this time around next season. This newbie, the Columbus Life will align themselves in the Southeast Division with four teams in Georgia (Atlanta, Savannah, and College Park being the others).

Durbansandshark

07-07-2009, 09:10 AM

Grand Rapids Flight are now the second IBL team after the Washington Raptors to leave the IBL and go for the much-beleaguered and dysfunctional ABA.

Durbansandshark

10-07-2009, 08:03 AM

Grand Rapids Flight isn't the only of course the latest team entering the ABA next season. SEVEN additional teams, all of them based in the Pacific Northwest, will make their way to add a greater ABA presence in the region. It lost Bellingham to the IBL; Vancouver, despite unprofessionally announcing Jim Harrick as coach, never got off the ground for various off-court reasons; a couple of Portland teams couldn't either like the Oregon Riptide. But surely that won't stop the ABA. A few of the cities already have or had an IBL/ABA/CBA presence. Here are the teams:

Vancouver (WA) Explorers
Spokane Sunz
Yakima Hopperz
Everett Longshoremen
Walla Walla Aggies
Portland Stumpers
Seattle Zhengan (Chinese for tremor)

Now, in the cases of Vancouver (WA), Seattle, Portland, and Everett, how will those teams will effectively make themselves in the public known in areas where the IBL already has an established presence? Yes, I know the ABA and the IBL don't play concurrent seasons, that would make things even worse. But people there recognize the IBL teams more than the ABA, let alone the NBA, already a household name. For the players in those IBL teams, it would keep them in the areas to be more familiar with it, but quite likely for the sake of making more money overseas and possibly not enraging the IBL for playing in a rival league based in the same area, they won't do so. A few players would actually do it, if so. But definitely not many. I knew Seattle would eventually get into the ABA, but don't look for any of those teams to last long.

Over in the PBL, Battle Creek Knights coach Terry Sare and his Rochester RazorSharks counterpart Rod Baker, both of them took their teams to the PBL Championship Series this past season (more on that later), were awarded PBL Co-Coaches of ther Year.

Detroit Panthers owners owe the taxman thousands of dollars. Majority owner Kevin A. Carter says the Panthers are working with the IRS on the back taxes, which took place from December 2006 to December 2008 and weren't filed timely. Source comes from the Detroit News via USBASKET (www.usbasket.com/PBL/basketball.asp?NewsID=158615).

Durbansandshark

04-08-2009, 06:43 AM

Are you ready for the 2009-10 ABA season with all of the new teams along with a few surviving teams that held over from previous seasons? Of course you are! No shortage of drama will unfold when the ball tips for the season. For now here's the present roster of the 62 ABA franchises according to Wikipedia--get ready to shake your head:

Atlanta Vision
Aurora Force
Bahama All-Pro Show
Beijing Aoshen Olympic
Bluegrass Stallions
Charlotte Crossover
Chicago Steam
Cleveland Rockers
College Park Spyders
Columbus Life (GA)
Columbus (OH) Crush
Compton Cobras
Dallas Generals
Delta King Ballers
Detroit Hoops
Eastern Kentucky Miners
Everett Longshoremen
Fayetteville Flight
Georgia Prowl
Grand Rapids Flight
Honululu Pegasus
Houston Takers
Jersey Express
Kansas City
Kentucky Bisons
Lake Michigan Admirals
Las Vegas Dynasty
Los Angeles Push
Maryland Marvels
Music City Stars
New York Red Raiders
NYC Thunder
North Texas Fresh
Oakland Phantoms
Orlando Tropics
Phoenix Fury
Portland Stumpers
Riverside Rage
Sacramento Heatwave
Salem Mustangs
Salt Lake City Saints
San Diego Surf
San Francisco Rumble
Seaside SeaKings
Seattle Mountaineers
Seattle Zhen Gan
Smoky Mountain Jam
Southeast Texas Mavericks
Spokane Sunz
St. Louis Stunners
Texas Fuel
Valdosta Warriors
Vancouver (WA) Explorers
Walla Walla Aggies
Washington Raptors
West Texas Whirlwinds
West Virginia Blazers
Yakima Hoppers
Youngstown Swish

Durbansandshark

21-08-2009, 10:41 AM

Greenville News reports the PBL will place a franchise in Greenville, South Carolina for next season. This is Greenville's first minor pro basketball franchise since the demise of the NBDL's Greenville Groove--remember the lime green unis they had. This unnamed team will call Upstate South Carolina or the 15,000-seat Bi-Lo Center home and will play in January 2010 as the Southeast Division's newest member as the PBL will increase to 22 franchises (let's hope each and every one will all be stable).

Teams will play a 22-game schedule with 11 home games on a priority of divisional rivalries. Playoff games are included. Next month is when a contest for the team's name will commence.

Well, the court of the Great Plains Center will officially ditch the CBA logo in favor of a PBL one with the Oklahoma (or is that the Ft. Still-Lawton?) Calvary settling themselves in as a new member of the PBL.

Durbansandshark

11-09-2009, 10:44 AM

According to Wikipedia, the Wilmington Sea Dawgs, Augusta Groove, and the Battle Creek Knights, all of them originated from other leagues, have left the Premier Basketball League. Also, Mid-Michigan (for obvious reasons), Montreal, Quad Cities, and Reading won't return.

The new Greenville, SC-based PBL expansion PBL team has a new coach. Wayne "Tree" Rollins, an NBA mainstay from the Atlanta Hawks and Orlando, will be the first head coach. I sincerely hope this new Greenville franchise has a promotions team. Few people cared to watch at the Bi-Lo Center when the NBDL's Groove was playing. Attendance was around 1800-3000 a game then. But that was when the Groove held home games at 2 in the afternoon. But I hope that Greenville's entry could keep Wilmington in. Hopefully, the names are coming with either Carolina _____ : Colonials, Crush, Cyclones, Killer Whales, Kings, Cruise, Thunder or South Carolina _____: Fire, Sabres, Storm. Due to principles of the PBL's TV contract, the team's name will be state-based or region-based, not city-based.

I also heard Las Vegas is in this league. I need to check on that. Asheville might join with the ready-made facility at the UNC-Asheville's arena.

Durbansandshark

26-09-2009, 05:02 AM

Pittsburgh Phantoms, a team suspended from the Global Professional Basketball League for its failure to meet its obligations, join the ABA for the next season. It has named Bryce Flanory, a local product, and James Hairston

Central Valley Dawgs in California also join for next season bumping up its entry from 2010.

Durbansandshark

01-10-2009, 11:07 AM

Another attempt for the ABA get national attention at a time when this joke of a league deservedly gets neglected. Hasn't gotten much attention on the national scale since Dennis Rodman and his time with the Long Beach Jam, Nashville coach Ashley McElhinney getting chewed on the sidelines by her boss Sally Anthony, and Tim Hardaway owning the Florida Pit Bulls. The North Texas Fresh is aiming to get the troubled 36-year old Isiah "JR" Rider on the team. He and the Fresh hope to bring his knowledge, wisdom, and experience to the team. As you know, Rider hasn't had the best of times after his NBA playing days. It was mentioned as part of ESPN's Pardon the Interruption. From where they are in the ABA, there's a nice cluster of several Texas teams to be with. First game is up against the West Texas Whirlwinds.

See the 2009-10 ABA schedule as it presently stands before it turns into another one of those ABA jokes and when many of the teams cease operations during the course of the season.
www.oursportscentral.com/boards/showthreads.php?t=15767

Why in the hell the ABA is allowing Versus, the cable sports network, to air 11 ABA games for the season? I found this out when I read the latest issue of SLAM magazine. I hope other than the fact the teams playing in those broadcasting games will live to see through the entire season, the facilities to be played will be top notch with decent capabilities for media amentities, like places to situate various TV cameras around the arenas and a studio. Since many games are played in high school gyms and small colleges, many of them lack that, and it comes across as bush league or amatuerish on TV. Also, Versus is more known to US viewers as the home to the US rights to many nationally-televised NHL games and the Tour De France, but with DIRECTV pulling the plug on the network from its roster, what will the ABA meaningfully gain in the long run? Did the league had to pay its rights to be on it. Or was it vice versa? If it's Versus, I hope that money will go to the teams to play for the course of the season. Outside of the NBDL, if there's any basketball league that truly needs exposure in NA, it's the PBL and the IBL. And the PBL has its own sports network.

Quebec City Kebs hired former Montreal Sasquatch coach Alejandro Hasbani to be their coach. He knows the Quebec college basketball culture very well with an eye toward developing promising local young Quebecois talent and strive to greater heights in the PBL with an intensive and comprehensive training and developmental program. However, foriegners will be on the team as they work on an aggressive defensive style thsat could prosper in three years time.

With Will Voigt gone to Bakersfield in the NBDL, longtime NCAA assistant (Utah, Western Kentucky, Marquette, and Northern Illinois) Jeff Strohm, 42, comes to Vermont to take over with a couple of Final Four trips under him. He is familiar with Vermont: he was among the finalists to succeed Vermont Catamounts coach Tom Brennan. And he recruited All-Star Dwayne Wade to Marquette and superstardom. After taking over, Strohm quickly hired Barre, VT native Joesph Salerno to be his assistant.

Meanwhile in Manchester, the PBL Atlantic Division champs Millrats got a new coach of their own with promoting Heath Teixeira from assistant following the departure of Rob Spon and Larry Lessett. It was Teixeira who engineered the epic and improbrable come-from-behind road win over their Vermont rivals in 2007 when Lessett was ejected from the brawl in the second quarter trailing from 41-14. Now he looks at the national PBL combine in DC that had a big turnout. And the players, coaches, and execs will continue to make themselves available for public appearances for schools. They fell short of their goal of the PBL title again last season, but they're determined to win it all.

Pat Brown was made Vice President and General Manager of the Rochester RazorSharks. He comes in with 20 years of professional experience in Rochester pro sports like the Red Wings baseball club.

Been a while since I last discussed the Halifax Rainmen here, I need to write up a review of the previous season, where they didn't make the playoffs. Owner Andre Levingston has some major plans for next season with eyes toward some fresh players and learning and gathering ideas from top notch sports organizations in Canada, notably in Toronto from the mascot to the cheerleaders all the way up to the GM and owner himself to boost the fan experience even further to keep coming and boost attendance. Never stop learning!
www.usbasket.com/PBL/basketball.asp?NewsID=172722

Durbansandshark

15-10-2009, 11:45 AM

Greenville's prospective PBL franchise won't be playing this season after all. The PBL has added three new teams this upcoming season: the Puerto Rico Capitanes, Ft. Still-Lawton Calvary, and the Las Vegas Thunderbirds. The Thunderbirds are by far the league's westernmost franchise and having to travel from there to Puerto Rico can be a beating expense-wise for a team starting out. Also Vegas has to contend with the ABA's Dynasty (formerly the Aces). Perhaps with apparently (and hopefully) better marketing promotion than what the ABA give theirs, the Thunderbirds hope to be able to provide a prosperous niche in the long line for some pro basketball in Las Vegas until the NBA officially comes calling--the ABA is littered with seven teams based there. Let's hope things are more stable financially than Augusta, Montreal, Mid-Michigan all were.

The Capitanes will get the first pick in the 2009 PBL Draft to be held at Chicago's ESPN Zone on October 29 followed by Las Veags, Lawton-Ft. Still, and Maryland. The top four are reversed in the second round in draft order, meaning Maryland goes first in the second round. Of the six remaining teams order goes from worst record (Buffalo 1-19) to best with Rochester. All eligible players to be drafted largely come from the PBL Combines in Washington and Chicago and other available pro players.

Halifax was awarded the 2010 PBL All-Star Game at the Halifax Metro Centre.

Buffalo Stampede hires James Condill as head coach. Condill coached in Mexico, Kuwait, and in various high schools, college, and pro teams in the US.

Durbansandshark

23-10-2009, 10:31 AM

I just made a passing mention to the PBL's Detroit Panthers in my latest post on the demise of the Detroit Shock, moving to Tulsa. Sadly, the dire economy in Michigan bit hard in basketball too her with the Panthers going to sit out the 2010 PBL season. But it's also because the Panthers are working towards the completion of their new Community Center/Sports Complex home.

Quebec City Kebs appoint Dr. Raymond Boisvert as Kebs President to succeed Vincent Bernier.
Plus, they reduced ticket prices for family packages to maximize them.

Halifax Rainmen announce tryouts for prospective players and for the Weather Girls cheerleading team.

Yes, the North Texas Fresh actually signed Isiah JR Rider to a contract to play with the ABA team this season.

Las Vegas Aces-Dynasty sign G Brian Lane. Southeast Texas Mavericks ink former East Kentucky Miner Mike Crain.

Lake Michigan Admirals bring aboard Coach Buck Riley, a coaching legend for 41 years at Adrian College.

Durbansandshark

12-11-2009, 08:26 AM

2010 PBL schedule starting from January 2 (www.pblproball.com/news/leaguenews/index.html?article_id=877#)

On the website, it still has at the top several of the defunct teams that should be taken off like Mid-Michigan, Montreal, Reading, Dallas, and Augusta. Plus where is Puerto Rico and the new Maryland team? When will there be serious updates for that; if left alone it can misled people. You'll remember I mentioned the Las Vegas Thunderbirds. Since then, the team didn't even draft in the recent 2009 PBL Draft (more on that later). It was later announced the Thunderbirds will not participate at all in the 2010 season, meaning there won't be any western teams this upcoming season. Lawton-Ft. Sill will be the westernmost franchise in the league. Travel is going to be an issue, regardless. This situation is bad and should've been avoided. Every event like hosting the draft at the ESPNZONE in Chicago is an opportunity tio showcase itself to the sporting public in the best, professional light as possible.

If you as a minor league want to do things right, it's critical to conduct things in a way to avoid public failures. The PBL promised live streaming coverage of the PBL Draft, but that didn't materialize. Otherwise, it's just further dysfunction and thus business as usual. But I'll give the PBL some credit: this is only one of two active minor pro leagues to have a draft with the NBDL. The event itself was first class run by many observers there like Calvary coach Michael Ray Richardson. The league, which footed the bill on time, had made some mistakes since its existence, notably in the second season with a few of their teams like Montreal and Mid-Michigan. Hey, we got accustomed to getting jaded by minor league basketball's shortcomings like not paying the players and staff, insufficiently funded owners, 4 teams living off past glories, leagues don't publish schedules let alone box scores and in depth stats. I can go on and on.

Without further adieu, check out the video for the 2009 PBL Draft (www.pblproball.com/news/leaguenews/index.html?article_id=872). This time, the players get two female hostesses to accompany them after getting drafted.

Durbansandshark

03-12-2009, 11:51 AM

Word is the ABA's Smoky Mountain Jam called it quits before tipping off. Like the rest of you who follow the ABA seriously (sarcasm), I'm stunned by the news (additional sarcasm).

Nothing has materialized with the ABA deal and Versus for weekly ABA basketball games. There was even some dispute over what teams to cover and the programming slot. Don't be surprised. NO WAY the ABA could give Versus the production vales Versus seeks in its pro basketball endeavors.

Durbansandshark

10-12-2009, 12:58 PM

Isiah Rider scores 18 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists in a North Texas Fresh victory over the Oklahoma Impact in a 163-124 blowout at Brewer High School Arena.

Southeast Texas Mustangs, a top team from last season following its departure from the CBA, remain atop the ABA Power Rankings for the second consecutive week of the top 24 ABA teams. Music City Stars, Kentucky Bisons (defending ABA champs), Jersey Express, and the San Francisco Rumble round out the top five-- http://www.usbasket.com/IBL/basketball.asp?NewsID=178392

Kentucky beats the Chicago Steam on the road by 20: 104-84

For the return of the Sacramento Heatwave after a hibernation, their season opener win at Folsom High toppling the Clayton Showtime (never heard of them) 131-113 was sparked by a 40-point fourth quarter explosion by Sacramento. Though in the eyes of owner Reggie Evans, the Heatwave have players coming from other basketball teams needing time to gel with one another.

They will play a limited amount of games this season, but the New Mexico RimRockers (no relation to the Arkansas version that left for the NBDL) plans to make a greater impact next season as they bring forth open tryouts.

West Texas Whirlwinds sweep the Texas Fuel in a weekend series, both in OT, and sign Frankie Wheeler.

Durbansandshark

17-12-2009, 11:23 AM

The Southeast Texas Mavericks, that ABA powerhouse, just got even stronger in their depth by signing former Boise St. and Eastern Kentucky Miner Jermaine Blackburn.

Dallas Generals played their first game in the ABA by playing against JR Rider and the North Texas Fresh at the Fair Park Coliseum in Dallas. Fair Park Coliseum is right next to the legendary Cotton Bowl Stadium, and the hardwood in the coliseum is the same one used by the Dallas Mavericks at the Reunion Arena in 1994. And the Generals feature Anthony "Pig" Miller.
http://www.usbasket.com/ABA/basketball.asp?NewsID=178598

To make way for the return of Nedrie Simmons and the addition of Robert Harris, the West Texas Whirlwinds drop RoShon Jacobs and Berry Whitley. Florida Thundercats sign Troy "Escalade" Jackson, named one of SLAM magazine's top 10 playground legends, as an assistant coach. He played under Louisville coaching great Denny Crum from 1994-98.

Washington-Fresno Raptors and the Everett Longshoremen battled it out in the ABA Pacific Northwest Division. As did the Seattle Zhen Gen against the Spokane Sunz. National anthem performed in the latter by CJ Frog and Toad (!) Fred Triplett performed in the former.

As part of a major tournament in Chendu, China, nine ABA teams will face the Beijing Aoshen Olympic. Kentucky Bison say after coming back from a preseason encounter with Beijing that crowds were enthused. The ABA teams particpating are Chicago, Seaside, Kansas City, Seattle (Mountaineers), Lake Michigan, Washington, West Virgina Wild, San Francisco, and Jersey.

Las Vegas Aces won their first game so far this season over the Riverside Rainmakers 111-104. Brandon Powell had 29 points, 4 rebounds, 3 steals, and Jamaal Smith produced 19 points and 6 assists for the Aces.
http://www.usbasket.com/ABA/basketball.asp?NewsID=178851

In a couple of ABA Texas games, Southeast Texas won over the Texas Fuel 116-98. Dallas win in their season opener over North Texas at the State Fair Coliseum in a close one 103-101.
http://www.usbasket.com/ABA/basketball.asp?NewsID=178880
http://www.usbasket.com/ABA/basketball.asp?NewsID=178898

NYC Thunder drove through snow and ice to play against the Maryland Marvels in their home 95-83.
http;//www.usbasket.com/ABA/basketball.asp?NewsID=178966

Almost 900 people at the Lake Michigan Catholic High to witness the start of the Lake Michigan Admirals' ABA season. They were all on their feet against the Chicago Steam all game long when things started out the Admirals' way. But Chicago rallied back and weren't out of Steam in the second half. The Steam came out on top 129-108. Odgra Bobo led the Admirals with 31 points, 25 of them in the second half. The 6-1 Steam had Chicago St.'s own Roy Perrin lead everyone with 32 points.

Durbansandshark

22-12-2009, 04:33 AM

PBL play has already started this month with preseason basketball. The Halifax Rainmen, equipped with a modified version of the logo they have now and already the most successful pro basketball team in Halifax, lead the way for the annual Holiday Hoops Classic with Manchester, Vermont, and Quebec City. They stunned the Manchester Millrats 101-97 and stormed the Quebec City Kebs 108-90 on the road there with a snowstorm outside.
http://www.rainmenbasketball.ca

Maryland Greenhawks, formerly the Nighthawks, now have an Apple iPhone app.

Durbansandshark

14-01-2010, 08:12 AM

Been a few weeks since I last reported on the ABA because of the holidays. Here goes as I try to catch up to speed.

Despite being undefeated to start the season at 4-0 playing at the State Fair Coliseum next to the legendary Cotton Bowl and seemingly one of the better-run and incredibly talented ABA franchises, the Dallas Generals ceased operations due to financial problems. Benny West had 41 points in a road game against the North Texas Fresh as part of his 23.2 average that almost became a triple double (includes 10 assists and 8 rebounds).

Just before Christmas, the South East Texas Mustangs won big over the Houston Takers 119-99 at home at the Ford Arena.

The then-9th ranked and filled with hip hop stars LA Slam signed two players: AND1 legend Larry "Bone Collector" Williams and almost-40 Tony Farmer.

For the last three weeks of 2009, the ABA witnessed changes at the top of the ABA Rankings. First it was Southeast Texas, then San Francisco Rumble, and then the Music City Stars. SETX since reclaimed the top spot now with its great winning in the ABA.

NY Red Raiders held open tryouts at the Chenmung YMCA in Elmira, New York for centers to replace two of them for personal reasons: Yanif Ducreay and Raphael Madera.

Then(still?)-winless Seattle Mountaineers faced San Francisco during the weekend then Clayton Showtime and the Sacramento Heatwave.

San Diego Surf ushered in the New Year with a 145-134 triumph over the LA Slam.The game was exciting with the Surf maintaining a 10-point margin in each of the four quarters. New Surf player Keoni Watson reached a team-high 28 points with a 3/3 in 3-points and 11 assists. Jamal Kendrick produced 26 points and 8 rebounds. For the Slam, JuShay Rockett drained 30 points and 14 rebounds with the Bone Collector had 36 points.

Lake Michigan Admirals had a 70-52 lead at halftime before the Indiana Steamrollers came back until Indian ultimately fell short in a 137-124 Admirals win.

In what resembed more like an NBA game score-wise, the NYC Thunder beat the Maryland Marvels 87-85. Thunder PG Christopher Grant suffered a high ankle sprian and played 70% of the game. Sean Dantzler stepped up with 5 3-pointers.

Jersey Express G Jordan Fowler netted a franchise record 49 points with 12 rebounds and 6 assists in a road win, 131-116, over the New York Red Riders in a battle of Northeast Division supremacy after losing two straight games.

Mississippi Blues never looked back against the Columbus (GA) Life 103-92.

Perhaps the biggest surprise going on in the new 2010 PBL season happens to be the Puerto Rico Capitanes. That team now has Bonzi Wells and are undefeated at 2-0.

One of the world's best dunkers, Justin "Jus Fly" Darlington from Montreal, signed a contract with the Quebec City Kebs. If that Montreal Sasquatch team still existed, they'd sign him to attract fans obviously. Quebec City also gets 2008 league MVP Jeremy Bell and dropped Justin Johnson from the roster to make way.

Manchester Millrats claim the Champlain Cup over cup holders Vermont (136-97) and Quebec City. Even more good news came when former league MVP Anthony Anderson returns to Manchester. They defeated Vermont again 102-93 to open the regular season with the snowy weather outside. Vermont won Quebec City 110-107 to start the Champlain Cup series.

Durbansandshark

22-01-2010, 12:44 PM

Southeast Texas beat out the Bluegrass Stallions and the Music City Stars. Both games ended up being struggles with the Mustangs edging 96-94. They were down by 7 points with 4 minutes to play, but the Mustangs showed why they're contenders by going on a 9-point run. SETX later played Music City (aren't they a reincarnation of the GBA team from the early 90s?) 104-95. John Rogers topped everyone with 18 points out of the Mustangs. Now they've won four straight. The they split with the ABA champs the Kentucky Bison in a weekend series at Owensboro, KY. The Bison won on Saturday night but the Mustangs won the next day. For that, the Mustangs went back to #1 in the ABA Power Rankings.

North Texas Fresh won by four over the Houston Takers 137-133. Though the Takers led for most of the game, second chance points from A'Dereon Duncan leveraged it for the Fresh for good. Fresh owner Jay Bowdy proclaimed him as "a star in the making". Rashard "Ace" Woods led the Takers with 46 points and was unstoppable all game long.

Lake Michigan learned their lesson about the Indiana Steamrollers with a more dominant 137-104 rematch win in front of a crowd of 500 at the Lake Michigan Catholic High Gym. Dominick Mellon had a double double of 27 points and 10 rebounds, and DeAngelo Johnson earned 22 points for the Admirals. Anthony Slater had a triple double of 10 points, 10 steals, and 17 assists. Danny Horace had 22 points for Indiana.

Las Vegas Aces visited Van Nuys and beat the LA Slam 147-123 in an intense and concentrated game. The Aces maintain no more than a 9-point margin all over the game.

Elzie Bibbs scores 11 points in his Sacramento Heatwave debut to beat the #5 San Francisco Rumble. Cardell Butler for the Rumble was held scoreless.

Seattle Mountaineers won their weekend series against the Chico Rage with Sunday's game being the most competitive as Chico jumping out to an early 10-point lead only to have the Mountaineers top them at halftime 52-47. Second half was a see-saw affair with Seattle on top 106-103.

Thought the Strong Island Sound have been gone for two seasons now, but the team's impact is still profound. Players can be found professionally in the Halifax Rainmen, in the NBDL, the NYC Thunder, Great Britain, and in Portugal.

SETX will have Josh Pace go play professionally with the LPG Bayhawks in New Zealand at the conclusion of the ABA season. Pace is averaging 18 points and 7 rebounds for SETX.

Detroit Hoops stops Lake Michigan in an exciting and close 120-119 win propelling Detroit to a 3-2 record. Detroit had Allen White score a game high 39 points with Eric Parker netting 22 points.

At the time of the transaction, the Chicago Steam was #3 in the power rankings. With that in mind, the Steam acquired Monte Quinn and Sam Mack to strengthing the lineup.

Matt Bonner's younger brother Luke joins the Manchester Millrats after playing for Albacorp in Hungary this season. Team shapes up to be a New Hampshire reunion there...

Durbansandshark

05-03-2010, 12:34 PM

Been a while with dealing the Premier Basketball League here, so it's back to that. Starting with Manchester. The Millrats signed former Springfield Armour G Julian Allen, who came out of Georgia Southern and scouted during the NBDL preseason.

After stints with Rome, the CBA, and in Mexico's pro basketball league, Lamar Castile lands with the Maryland GreenHawks. Castile also played with the Buffalo Stampede last season. Maryland also signs another overseas journeyman (Romania, Ireland, China, and in South America) Charles Mason. Those two teams played an end-to-end game in which the Buffalo Stampede won in a buzzer beater 114-111 to give them their first home of the season. The Stampede enjoyed a 35-point third quarter and later cut it to 1 point to stay competitive with the Millrats after being down by 9 points. Andy Robinson was the Stampede's hero with a three-pointer to end the game.

Both Manchester and Vermont are going through disappointing third seasons with both of them going with 4 wins but also sub-.500. Yet both are in the middle of the table. Both teams renewed earlier in the short PBL season their border rivalry. Indeed it was a barn-burner. Manchester started off with a 11-5 run to begin the first quarter. But the Frost Heaves ended up tying it in halftime 57 all. At the end of three, Vermont had a 91-81 lead and led by 13 in the fourth, only to see Manchester battle back and regain the lead 107-105 with 29 seconds left. Vermont's Troy Jackson tied it with a layup and was fouled but missed the free throw. Following both teams missing, the game went into OT. With 1:42 remaining in the first OT, Manchester had a 114-111 lead but Vermont returned a forced a second OT at 115 all. Jackson scored two 3s to win it for the Frost Heaves in the final minute to propel a 121-118 2OT win and give his coach Joe Salerno his first victory.

One big reason for the mediocrity for the Millrats lies in the player shuffling and signing with some of their players--Luke Bonner (Austin Toros NBDL), Alexus Foyle (Taiwan Mobile), Anthony Anderson (Trotamundos de Carabobo), and Jose Guitan (Humacao, Puerto Rico)--all signed to play elsewhere. They also signed Charles "The Beast" Easterling, a Hartford Pro-Am League legend, where in one game hoisted 59 points in three quarters against NBA player teams. Easterling played in the Rucker Summer League last summer with NBA stars and actually played for Manchester in 2007-08 before going to play for the Boston Blizzard. Before that it was Mexico's Guerreros in 2006. They were halted by the Ft. Still-Lawton Calvary 104-88 despite leading by 2 points at the half and was close later on at home at Vesser College.

Some PBL recent games summaries:

Vermont FH - Rochester R. 105-99
Troy Jackson (6'4''-F-84, college: Alcorn St.) and Marcus Austin led the Vermont Frost Heaves to a 105-99 victory over the defending PBL Champion Rochester Razorsharks in Rochester Saturday night. Troy Jackson led all scorers with 34 points on 9-14 three point shooting and Marcus Austin contributed 20 points on 4-4 on three point shooting. Ross Demasi contributed 20 points and Vermont handed Rochester their second loss on their home court in the last 2 years. Vermont's record goes to 2-4 and Rochester goes to 5-2. Vermont's next game is on February 13 in Buffalo. Their next home game is on February 19 in Barre against Puerto Rico. *Courtesy of www.wherezit.com

Buffalo S. - Halifax R. 90-111

While Buffalo roamed the Metro Centre Sunday afternoon, it was the Halifax Rainmen who did the stampeding to a convincing 111-90 victory. The win over the visiting Buffalo Stampede improved the Rainmen's record to 7-2 on the season, securing the team's hold on second place in the Premier Basketball League. The Stampede charged out to a 28-25 first quarter lead Sunday but they were beaten soundly by the Rainmen over the final three quarters. The turning point came early in the second quarter as the Stampede opened with six straight points, to run their lead to nine, 34-25. The Rainmen, however, responded immediately, with Jevohn Shepherd coming off the bench to strike for a pivotal three-pointer. The Rainmen then added two more baskets and two foul shots to knot the score 34-34. The quick strike gave the home team some much needed life as the gradually began to pull away from the Stampede, who seemed to run out of gas. For the Rainmen, it was a team effort on the scoreboard. Adris Deleon (5'11''-G-84, college: E.Washington) led the way with 17 points. Tony Bennett, 16 points, and Eric Crookshanks, 15 points, were right behind him. Desmond Ferguson chipped in with 13. The Rainmen sit a game-and-a-half behind the first place Puerto Rico Capitanes (8-0), and two wins ahead of the Lawton-Fort Sill Cavalry and the Rochester Razorsharks, both 5-2. *Courtesy of www.rainmenbasketball.ca

Manchester M. - Vermont FH 121-124
The Manchester Millrats were without the PBL's leading scorer and assist-man, Anthony Anderson, but battled hard nonetheless against their arch-rival, the Vermont Frost Heaves. In the end Vermont edged the Millrats, 124-121 in a double overtime barn burner. Former UNH Wildcat guards Eric Gilchrese and Tyrece Gibbs scored 28 and 19 points respectively for the Millrats. Dwight Brewington added 23 points, P.J. Young 20, and Julian Allen 19. Troy Jackson led Vermont with 25. The win was Vermont's first on the season and they improve to 1-4, while the Millrats fall to 2-6. *Courtesy of http://mlntherawfeed.squarespace.com

Maryland GH - Lawton Ft.SC 95-161
Lawton drained 161 points, what of course was enough for huge win against the GreenHawks. DeAnthony Bowden (6'1''-G-80, college: Creighton) led the scorers in victory with 27 points (8 rebounds, 7 assists). The winners had 7 more players with double-digits in this game. In the loosing squad, Lamar Castile shined with 29 points and 8 boards.

Buffalo S. - Quebec K. 119-103
While Buffalo roamed the Metro Centre Sunday afternoon, it was the Halifax Rainmen who did the stampeding to a convincing 111-90 victory. The win over the visiting Buffalo Stampede improved the Rainmen's record to 7-2 on the season, securing the team's hold on second place in the Premier Basketball League. The Stampede charged out to a 28-25 first quarter lead Sunday but they were beaten soundly by the Rainmen over the final three quarters. The turning point came early in the second quarter as the Stampede opened with six straight points, to run their lead to nine, 34-25. The Rainmen, however, responded immediately, with Jevohn Shepherd coming off the bench to strike for a pivotal three-pointer. The Rainmen then added two more baskets and two foul shots to knot the score 34-34. The quick strike gave the home team some much needed life as the gradually began to pull away from the Stampede, who seemed to run out of gas. For the Rainmen, it was a team effort on the scoreboard. Adris Deleon led the way with 17 points. Tony Bennett, 16 points, and Eric Crookshanks, 15 points, were right behind him. Desmond Ferguson chipped in with 13. The Rainmen sit a game-and-a-half behind the first place Puerto Rico Capitanes (8-0), and two wins ahead of the Lawton-Fort Sill Cavalry and the Rochester Razorsharks, both 5-2. *Courtesy of www.rainmenbasketball.ca

Quebec City Kebs earned only one win to its name right now this season as one of the two Canadian PBL franchises (the other being Halifax). Dead last. Now they just named a new GM named regional businessman Francis Mondou. Don't worry too much: he does get involved in the region basketball in the Quebec City area with the men's senior basketball there. Usually when a new GM or owner comes in, he brings in their own guys to run the show. Not here though. The Kebs are standing by head coach Alejandro Hasbani, he formerly of the ABA's Montreal Matrix, despite the poor record "100%" becuse apparently there's no player grumblings. I think it's due to the fact there's no depth and no new strategies for the Kebs right now...and Manchester came to town at the PEPS Stadium and defeated them soundly two weeks ago.

Quebec City also lost to the PBL's best team, the Puerto Rico Capitanes, 91-70 in front of 3000 people at the Shawinigan Bionest Center. Bad things was against the Kebs thaks to a slow start.

Maryland GreenHawks coach Otis Hailey died of kidney failure on January 30. Hailey coached them for two games to start the season going 1-1 against Rochester and Quebec City. He previously coached the ill-fated Niagara DareDevils, Bakersfield Jam, Calgary, and the Saskatchewan Hawks. RIP :(

Durbansandshark

06-03-2010, 08:08 AM

ABA News from USbasket.com's Gianni Pascucci:

The Whirlwinds beat the RimRockers - Feb 9, 2010
On Saturday night, the West Texas Whirlwinds defeated the New Mexico RimRockers 127-81 in a benefit game named 'Hoopin' for Haiti'. League MVP Candidate, Marlo Saunders (6'5''-F-84, college: Texas-PB) led the Whirlwinds in scoring with 33 points including six 3-pointers. Newcomer Kenneth White (6'2''-G-85), in his third game with the Whirlwinds, had 23 points. RoShon Jacobs (6'4''-G-85, college: La-Monroe) scored 20 points and had 5 steals, while Marcus Saunders (6'8''-F/C-84, college: Texas-PB) shined with 14 points and 13 boards. The RimRockets were led in scoring by Jeffery Lawson with 20 points; Carl Washington and Alphonso Davis each had 17 points. Whirwinds are now 6-5 and will play the next game Sunday 14th vs the Texas Fuel.

Response to Columbus ledger article bout Gwizzlies blow out - Feb 9, 2010 (by Eurobasket )
Please go to www.msblhoops.com and see the Georgia Gwizzlies roster and none of those players that played last Saturday are on that roster.That was guys trying to make our team. It is our exhibition team of players trying to make our team. Patel,Festog,Smithson,Wohlleb,McDowell,Steenberge, Allen all contracted signed players did not attend that game. We step up to help out Columbus team after another team cancel on them the morning of that game. If they come to Atlanta April 10 week that see the Real Gwizzlies,not a bunch guys throwing together in few hours in the spirit of sportsmanship.
by: Embry Malone GM

SETX Mavericks 137 - Mississippi Blues 92 - Feb 9, 2010
The Southeast Texas Mavericks again for a second straight game opened the game in dominating fashion with five unanswered baskets to give them a 10-0 lead. From their the Mavs cruised behind strong all-around performances from Alex Sanders (6'7''-F/C-75, college: Louisville), Jermaine Blackburn (6'7''-G/F-83, college: Boise St.), and Josh Pace (6'6''-G-83, college: Syracuse). Blackburn and Pace each scored two baskets and Sanders cleared the glass to start the Mavs running game. At the end of one period of play the Mavericks led by 24 points 40-16.
In the second quarter behind back-up point guard Kenny Dawkins (5'9''-G-87, college: Lamar) and long-range shooter Currye Todd (6'4''-G-85, college: Lamar) the Mavs moved out to a 40 point lead. The Mavericks played inspired defense and made few offensive mistakes as they flowed in every phase of the game all during the first half. SETX went in up at half-time 72-33.
The Blues opened the second half on an 11-4 run. But after a Mavericks time-out the Mavs found their groove again to start off once again where they left off in the first half. The Blues battled the Mavericks in the 3rd quarter, but finished the quarter down 101-61.
The Mavericks controlled the final quarter as they emptied the bench to cruise to a 45 point victory 137-92.

MAVS SCORERS:
The Maverick again showed balanced scoring by placing nine players in double figures. Currye Todd and Josh Pace each scored 18 points to lead the Mavs scorers. Jon Rogers followed up with 17 points. Mike Crain chipped in 15 points. Kenny Dawkins and DeSean White each added 14 points each. Jermaine Blackburn contributed 12 points. DeRon Rutledge had 11 points. Alex Sanders had his most complete game of the season for the Mavericks with 8 points and a game high 14 rebounds. Daniel Price led Mississippi with 21 points and Jarell Jones followed up with 17 points.

MAVS SUPERLATIVES:
The Mavericks are now 14-1 on the season at home and moved their home record at Ford Arena in two seasons to 31-2. That includes a 25 game winning streak at FA that ended earlier this month.
The Mavericks now are 46-5 in the past two seasons in the ABA.
The Mavs are averaging 142.6 points per game offensively in their last five games, while giving up 92.6 points per game for a winning margin of 50.0 points per game.
The Mavs had a season low 12 turnovers in the game and had 34 team assist.
The Mavericks again had 71 team rebounds and out-rebounded Mississippi by 30 rebounds.

MAVS NEXT GAME:
The Mavericks will be off for the remainder of this week before hitting the road next week as they will travel to Columbus, GA to take on Columbus Life on Thursday night, February 18th and the Mississippi Blues in Gulfport, MS on Sunday, February 21st.

Columbus Life take a win - Feb 10, 2010 (by Gianni Pascucci)
The Columbus Life defeated the Georgia Gwizzlies 154-93 Saturday to improve its record to 2-5. Quay Holloway (5'9''-G-85, college: Columbus St.) led the Life with 25 points. Other standouts for Columbus were Warren Beaulah (6'4''-G-84, college: Brewton Parker) (21 points, five rebounds), Jarvis Wilson (17 points, 10 rebounds), Ryan Chester (6'5''-F-86, college: Columbus St.) (16 points, nine rebounds), Dominique Hicks (6'5''-F) (15 points, six rebounds) and Prince Salmon (6'0''-G) (14 points, six rebounds). Columbus next game is Sat 13, 2010 vs Charlotte Crossover, and Mississippi Blues Sat 14, 2010

Last games results - Feb 14, 2010 (by Gianni Pascucci)
Just before the weekend, the Arlington Bulldogs were dismatled by the North Texas Fresh. Josh Washington (6'3''-G-83, college: Texas A&M - C.C.) and Carzell Wynn (6'3''-G-77, college: Jarvis Christian) made sure the Bulldogs remained winless by torching the Bulldogs team with 44 points combined. With the Bulldogs fighting to make a late run in the 4th quarter, Wynn closed the curtain on the Bulldogs light hitting 16 points in the fourth quarter. We didnt play our best basketball but I will take the win. stated Jay Bowdy (6'5''-F-83, college: W.Georgia), Owner of the Fresh. We have to learn to be better defensively as we head into the playoffs. The Fresh ook to continue their win streak with a big game against the Oklahoma Impact on Thursday, February 18th at W.G. Thomas Coliseum.
The Sacramento Heatwave triumphed on teh road over the Modesto Explosion, 125-78, with Elzie Bibbs (6'6''-G/F-82, agency: Scenic Sports Group, LLC., college: Ferris St.) outstanding at 26 points (18 of them scored in 4th quarter), 11 rebounds, 11 assist.
The Lake Michigan Admirals continued their run to the playoffs on Saturday, Feb. 13 night, when they defeated Central Division and in-state rivals the Detroit Hoops, 139-109 at Lake Michigan Catholic High School. Captain Dominick Melton (6'6''-F, college: Wisc.-Parkside) had a game high 33 points to go with 10 assists and 6 assists. 'I've been looking forward to this game for about a month now. We had a point to prove that we're the team to beat in the North Central, and I think we proved that tonight.' Melton said after the game. Co-captain Anthony Slater (5'9''-G-79, college: Florida Atlantic) was another talking point of the crowd of approximately 550, recording 15 assists and 8 steals while 8 Admirals scored in double figures. The Admirals left right after the game to travel to play out of division foes the Kentucky Bisons in Owensboro, KY on Sunday.

San Diego Surf to China - Feb 14, 2010 (by Gianni Pascucci)
The The San Diego Surf pro basketball team announced their acceptance to play the Beijing Aoshen Olympians Basketball Club, also of the ABA, in the Chengdu International Basketball Invitational Games in Chengdu, China, Sichuan Province, March 6th and 7th. The team is scheduled to leave March 2. Coach Terry Mason of the Surf has a challenging task to beat the Beijing team, with a former L.A. Laker, Sun Yue, on board, who has won 7 of their 8 games played against U.S. teams this season. The Kentucky Bisons and Beijing split two games and Chicago Steam, Washington Raptors and West Virginia Blazers each lost two to Beijing. Terry Mason believes that its about time for another victory for a U.S. team against the tough Beijing squad. The Surfs trip will include some sightseeing and a chance to experience the great Chinese food from the Sichuan Province, well known for its hot spicy menus. The players and coach are very excited to participate in this China tour and hope to come back with a victory. The China trip will round out the Surfs 2009 2010 regular season play, leading to the playoffs.
The next ABA game will be, however, tonight vs the California Beach Ballers. The Ballers will be in town this evening at 7:30pm to take on the Surf in the Hourglass Arena at Miramar College, 10440 Black Mountain Road.

Bisons defeat Admirals - Feb 15, 2010 (by Gianni Pascucci)
The Lake Michigan Admirals didn't have much time to celebrate after Saturday's big win over the Detroit Hoops because they hurried up and showered and hit the road to Owensboro, Kentucky to take on the defending champions, the Kentucky Bisons. Sunday afternoon, the fans of Kentucky got their monies worth. The Bisons took the first quarter by the score of 27-22 and went into the half with a 52-51 lead over Lake Michigan. 'I wish every game was as competitive as this one and if it were my stands would be packed,' quoted Jay Sills , owner of the Kentucky Bisons. The Admirals had many highlight reel dunks and three point plays but the Bisons still lead after the third quarter 81-76. Even though Dominick Melton (6'6''-F, college: Wisc.-Parkside) lead all scores with 29 points and Larry Logan (6'6''-F-85, college: Centenary) had a double double with 10 points and 10 rebounds it just wasn't enough to hold off the experienced defending champions. Kentucky's charge was lead by Kenny Jones (6'6''-F-84, college: Kentucky St.) with 26 points and 8 rebounds. Final score was Kentucky Bisons 113 - Lake Michigan Admirals 99. The game was played at the Owensboro Sports Complex in front of a crowd of approximately 500.