Miami Floridians

However, in order to pay leftover debts in Minnesota, Shields sold Rookie of the Year Mel Daniels to the Indiana Pacers, a deal now reckoned as the most lopsided trade in ABA history.[1] Coached by former Minneapolis Lakers great Jim Pollard, the 1968–69 season was the most successful for the Miami Floridians by far, finishing their first season in Florida with a 43–35 record and defeating the defending champion Minnesota Pipers (who played in the city the Floridians had just abandoned) in the Eastern Division semifinals 4 games to 3, before losing in the divisional finals to the Indiana Pacers 4 games to 1.It had no air conditioning and would often get quite hot inside, forcing management to throw open the doors; players would then have to adjust their shots by the ocean breezes that whistled onto the court.[1] The Floridians' dreadful attendance for their two home playoff games against the Squires convinced Doyle that the team could not be viable in South Florida.After a deal to relocate to Cincinnati fell through and attempts to find a bigger market in Albuquerque, San Diego, and Omaha turned up nil for different reasons, he disbanded the franchise in what was considered to be a tax write-off in June 1972.
Hall of Famer Jim Pollard was the team's head coach
Minnesota MuskiesMiami Beach Convention HallBayfront CenterMiami, FloridaOrangeMagentaJim PollardHarold BlitmanAmerican Basketball AssociationBloomington, MinnesotaMet CenterMel DanielsIndiana PacersMiami Beach Convention CenterMinneapolis Lakers1968–69Minnesota Pipers1969–70Dinner Key AuditoriumMiami-Dade Junior Collegeaircraft hangarHal BlitmanNed DoyleSt. PetersburgCurtis Hixon HallBayfront ArenaJacksonvilleJacksonville Memorial ColiseumWest Palm BeachWest Palm Beach AuditoriumBob BassKentucky ColonelsVirginia SquiresSouth FloridaCincinnatiAlbuquerqueSan DiegoSan Diego ConquistadorsPittsburgh CondorsMiami HeatOrlando Magic1970–711971–72Anaheim Amigos/Los Angeles StarsBaltimore ClawsCarolina CougarsDallas Chaparrals/Texas ChaparralsDenver Rockets/Denver NuggetsHouston MavericksMemphis Pros/Memphis Tams/Memphis SoundsNew Jersey Americans/New York NetsNew Orleans BuccaneersOakland OaksPittsburgh Pipers/CondorsSan Antonio SpursSan Diego Conquistadors/SailsSpirits of St. LouisUtah StarsWashington CapsABA All-Time Team