ABA All-Time Team
It comprised the 30 best and most influential players of the ABA during its ten years and nine full regular seasons of operation, with respect not only to performance at the professional level, but in consideration of sportsmanship, team leadership, and contributions to the growth of the league basketball, and irrespective of positions played.Only players who have played at least a portion of their careers in the ABA were eligible for selection, although performance in other leagues, most notably the National Basketball Association was considered.Selected and announced beside the all-time team were a most valuable player and top head coach.The team, announced in Indianapolis, Indiana, on August 23, 1997, in conjunction with an ABA reunion, was compiled based upon unranked voting by 50 selected panelists, among whom were members of the print and broadcast news media who have reported on and announced games for the ABA, former referees (ten), former team owners (six), former league executives (including two former sports commissioners), and selected fans and statisticians; former players, even those to have held other positions within the league, were proscribed from voting.Five players elected to the first team—Rick Barry, Billy Cunningham, Julius Erving, George Gervin, and Moses Malone—were named one year earlier to the NBA's 50 Greatest Players list.
American Basketball AssociationpositionsNational Basketball AssociationIndianapolisIndiananews mediaNaismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famepoint guardsshooting guardssmall forwardspower forwardscentersfranchisesVirginia SquiresWashington CapitalsOakland OaksUtah StarsLos Angeles StarsAnaheim AmigosIndiana PacersSan Antonio SpursDallas ChaparralsDenver NuggetsDenver RocketsSpirits of St. LouisCarolina CougarsHouston MavericksRick BarryBilly CunninghamJulius ErvingGeorge GervinMoses Maloneone year earlier50 Greatest PlayersPositionChampionshipsAward(s)Hall of FameMarvin BarnesABA Rookie of the Year1968–19691969–1970New York NetsZelmo BeatyABA Playoffs Most Valuable Player AwardRon Boone1975–1976Roger BrownMemphis Sounds1974–1975Mack CalvinThe FloridiansDarel CarrierKentucky ColonelsMemphis Tams1972–1973ABA Most Valuable Player AwardLouie DampierMel DanielsMinnesota Muskies1967–1968Donnie FreemanMiami Floridians1970–1971Texas ChaparralsArtis GilmoreConnie HawkinsPittsburgh PipersMost Valuable Player Award1967–681968–69Spencer Haywood1969–70ABA All-Star Game Most Valuable Player AwardDan Issel1970–711971–721972–731973–741974–75Warren Jabali1971–1972San Diego ConquistadorsAll-Star GameMost Valuable PlayerJimmy JonesNew Orleans BuccaneersMemphis ProsFreddie LewisABA Playoffs Most Valuable PlayerMaurice LucasGeorge McGinnisDoug MoeBob Netolicky1973–1974Billy PaultzCharlie ScottJames Silas1975–76David ThompsonWillie WiseDefensivepercentprimarily playedBilly KellerLarry BrownBobby JonesJohn WilliamsonRed RobbinsSteve JonesLarry KenonRalph SimpsonJohn BriskerJoe CaldwellBilly KnightCaldwell JonesLarry Jonessmall forwardBobby "Slick" Leonardhead coachregular seasonwinning percentageABA Coach of the Year AwardsHubie BrownBabe McCarthyABA Coach of the Year Award