"The NBA was scripted. It was a symphony. The ABA was Jazz"
Hubie Brown described what made the ABA more attractive than the NBA
"The NBA was scripted. It was a symphony. The ABA was Jazz" - Hubie Brown described what made the ABA more attractive than the NBA
The merger between the ABA and NBA marked the blending of two distinct basketball cultures, forever changing the NBA’s landscape.
JAN 24, 2025 8:06 AM EST
The ABA-NBA merger is often remembered as a defining moment in basketball history. It was a period when two distinct basketball ideologies—one structured and disciplined, the other free-spirited and entertaining—came together to form one of the most successful leagues in sports.
However, for players who made the transition, the experience wasn't always as smooth or memorable as expected.
One was scripted
One of the notable names in the ABA was Hubie Brown, who made a name for himself as a coach. He was a revered figure in basketball and built a career spanning decades as a player and coach.
Known for his sharp basketball mind and fiery demeanor, he started as a player in the 1950s but gained prominence in the ABA as a coach. As a head coach, he led the Kentucky Colonels to an ABA championship in 1975.
His success in the ABA paved the way for a transition to the National Basketball League, where he continued to influence the game, earning two NBA Coach of the Year awards and a place in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
Brown reflected on his time in the ABA, noting a stark contrast between the two leagues. As a player and later a coach, he saw the ABA as far less rigid than the NBA.
"The NBA was scripted," Brown said. "It was a symphony. The ABA was Jazz. People were not sure what they did even after they did it. The players, their fashions, and lifestyles were a reflection of the times... from the huge afros and beards to bell-bottom pants and platform shoes."
Different ideologies
The ABA was an artistic and unpredictable canvas—a place for players to express themselves with the iconic red, white, and blue striped ball and play more personally and energetically. Before the merger, the ABA was synonymous with flair, individualism, and excitement.
Unlike the NBA, which adhered to a more conventional brand of basketball under an official body and regulation, the ABA was a playground for creativity.
"About everything we did back then, the NBA adopted... Except for the red, white, and blue ball. The difference between the NBA and ABA is that the standard of excellence for the NBA is the Boston Celtics, who mastered fundamental basketball. These guys would pick and roll you to death. The ABA was Julius Erving. It was glitzy, running up and down the court... playing above the rim, and we'll make things up as we go along," Brown said.
The ABA was about making basketball fun, entertaining, and unrestrained. It embraced high-flying athletes like Julius Erving, whose aerial acrobatics and dunking style helped redefine basketball as an exciting, crowd-pleasing spectacle.
The merger, which took place in 1976, marked the end of the ABA's run as an independent league. The merger brought new ideas and a fresh style of play—from introducing the 3-point line and the dunk contest to the growing focus on athleticism.
The NBA Slam Dunk Contest was officially established in 1984 during the All-Star Weekend in Denver, Colorado. It became a signature event that showcased players' athleticism and creativity.
However, the concept of a dunk contest originated in the ABA, where the first-ever dunk contest took place during the 1976 All-Star Game, shortly before the ABA-NBA merger. This ABA event, featuring stars like Dr. J, heavily influenced the NBA's eventual adoption of the contest.
Despite the merger, many ABA fans felt that some of the league's most exciting elements were lost in the transition—the carefree, experimental spirit of the former league was never fully replicated. The iconic red, white, and blue ball, a symbol of the ABA's unorthodox nature, was quickly phased out.
BY ADEL AHMAD
Adel Ahmad's work is characterized by a deep understanding of NBA history, from different eras to future evolution. His investigative pieces and feature stories have not only highlighted the achievements of athletes but also delved into the broader cultural and social impacts of basketball.
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