The Arizona Scorpions' opening weekend held at Phoenix College. The newly formed ABA franchise team co-owned by former Phoenix Suns' Cedric Ceballos and Scopions head-coach Ron Tilley are currently 3 and 1 in ABA league play. Check out the 3-point range, ball control and inside game that the team displays. To see them live, go to www.ArizonaScorpions.co for the team schedule. Go Scorpions!
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JuniorHoops.com is proud to introduce our enthusiastic basketball community of readers and viewers to memories of the American Basketball Association (ABA) as well as to the basketball league's present state which is one of growth, excitement and great basketball.
For those who are just getting acquainted with the ABA, the original ABA was founded in 1967, competing with the well-established National Basketball Association, until the ABA-NBA merger in 1976.
The ABA distinguished itself from its older counterpart with a more wide-open, flashy style of offensive play, as well as differences in rules (a 30-second shot clock – as opposed to the NBA’s 24-second clock. The ABA did switch to the 24 second shot clock for the 1975-76 season – and use of a three-point field goal arc. Also, the ABA used a colorful red, white and blue ball, instead of the NBA’s traditional orange ball.
The freewheeling style of the ABA eventually caught on with fans. In 1976, its last year of existence, the ABA pioneered the now-popular slam dunk contest at its all-star game in Denver.
Four NBA teams owe their origins to the ABA; New York Nets, Denver Nuggets, Indiana Pacers and San Antonio Spurs. During the course of its existence, the ABA featured dazzling above-the-rim players like Julius (Dr. J") Erving, Connie Hawkins, George ("Ice" Gervin, David Thompson, George McGinnis, Artis Gilmore, Moses Malone, Roger Brown and Dan (the "Horse") Issel.
Each of these electric stars first played professional basketball in the ABA -- with young legs and few limitations. The "frontier spirit" of the ABA also led to a group of memorable characters. The ABA had a coach named "Slick" and players named Whooper, Fatty and Goo. And, who could ever forget Marvin "Bad News" Barnes, "Mr. Excitement" Wendell Ladner, Warren Jabali, and Bage "magnolia Mouth" McCarthy.
Today the ABA is alive, kicking, jumping and playing ball. To visit your local ABA team, click here. Enjoy the video below and get to know the ABA of the past as well as the ABA of the future.
The American Basketball Association (ABA) www.abalive.com Arizona Scorpions, based in Phoenix, AZ, will begin play in December and will compete in the SoCal Division.
"Getting back to Arizona has been long overdue," stated Joe Newman, ABA CEO. "We've been patient, waiting for the right owner with both business experience and professional basketball experience. And we've found that in Ron Tilley. We have no doubt that he will be a great success."
A very successful Phoenix-based businessman, Ron Tilley has played and coached professionally in the United States and internationally in Germany and Australia as well as at the high school and college level.
"With a strong background in organization and business development, public relations, sponsorships, media and community involvement, Ron has all of the skill sets necessary for a successful ABA team," added Newman.
" I believe fans in the Phoenix metro area are in for quite a surprise and will certainly look forward to exciting ABA basketball at affordable prices."
