"The Great Rookie Race of '72"
--
The 1971-72 ABA regular season featured these 3 superstars in a battle for "Rookie of the Year"....
Artis Gilmore.. Julius Erving.. George McGinnis...
#HoopsHistory #ABAHistory

Bonus Hollander POTD Jim Bradley. Chicago HS star dominated at Northern Illinois (23 ppg 18 rpg) before flunking out & signing w/KY of ABA in 73. Put up 8 ppg 6 rpg as a rook but fell out of ABA by 76. Played in CBA thru 80. Sadly killed in a drug deal in 82 at age 30. #ABAHistory

Hollander POTD Willie Wise. Drake SF signed w/LA of ABA in 69. Team moved to UTA in 70 & Wise became 3x all-starm peaking at 23.2 ppg & 10.6 rpg in 72-73. Played 2 yrs in NBA w/DEN & SEA before retiring in 78 at age 30 w/bad knee. Forgotten ABA great. Brother played abroad too.
#ABAHistory

Hollander POTD Julius Erving. Roosevelt NY guy became best player in ABA. Then sold to PHI in 76 + dazzled w/his play (won 4 MVPs) but had post season frustration. Finally got his ring 83, making everyone happy for him. Retired in 87. Loved by all. HOFer, Top 75 guy.
#NBA #ABAHistory

Bonus Hollander POTD Larry Finch aka Little Tubby. Memphis PG led team to title game in 73. Signed w/MEM of ABA to stay local. Had 9 ppg for 2 yrs in ABA before retiring to coach at age 25. Was head coach of Memphis from 86-97 where he coached Penny & others. Died in 2011. RIP.
#ABAHistory

Bonus Hollander POTD James Silas. Stephen Austin PG signed w/ABA DAL in 72(became SA in 73). 2x ABA all-star peaking at 23.8 ppg in 75-76. Knee surgery sidelined him for 2+ yrs before he came back & was solid from 78-81. Retired in 83. Known as "Captain Late" for clutch play.
#NBA #ABAHistory

It would be great if someone started an ABA account here. 🏀 #ABA #ABAHistory #ABASky