sports
How the ABA changed basketball forever: Dr J, George Gervin and the league that dared to be different
Fifty summers after the ABA-NBA merger, George Gervin, Ralph Simpson and others reflect on the league whose swagger and innovations changed basketball forever
TL;DR
- George Gervin recalls mentorship from Julius "Dr J" Erving during his rookie year with the ABA's Virginia Squires.
- The ABA, known for its flamboyance, introduced innovations such as the three-point shot and a distinct red-white-and-blue basketball.
- The 1976 ABA All-Star game featured the first modern pro basketball dunk contest, won by Julius Erving.
- Players like Spencer Haywood and Ralph Simpson also found opportunities in the ABA when they might not have in the NBA.
- The ABA merged with the NBA in 1976, with four franchises absorbed into the larger league.
- Despite initial challenges, former ABA players proved their talent by filling half the roster spots in the 1977 NBA All-Star game.