Throwback league flashy, fun
Vancouver team laces up in revived American Basketball Association
They play with the iconic redwhite-blue ball, at a dizzying offensive pace and you might even see a five-point play happen from time to time.
No, it may not feature Julius Erving’s or George Gervin’s afros soaring through the air, but the American Basketball Association (ABA) is back and the Vancouver Balloholics — now in their second year — are here to stay, says general manager Wayne Best.
“It’s a good product and very offensively oriented,” says Best, a former Simon Fraser University player.
“It’s a stepping stone for players who are here. Many of our players have graduated at 22 to 23 (years of age) and their games haven’t really matured yet or developed enough to start their careers abroad. This team puts them in a position to succeed.”
Following the Balloholics’ inaugural 7-7 season in the flamboyant league last year, the West Coast franchise has reloaded with a new roster, and with it an improved 6-2 overall record and an optimistic outlook the team can ignite excitement in the B.C. basketball community.
Its earlier namesake, the ABA was a flashier version — and rival — to the National Basketball Association in the 1960s and ’70s, with the three-point line, massive scorelines and the slam-dunk contest, before the two leagues merged in 1976.
The league was defunct for 24 years before Joe Newman and former ABA executive Dick Tinkham spearheaded a comeback in 2000, and it’s clear they brought the fun along with them after all those years.
“One of the real interesting rules they have now is called ‘3D’ in which if you make your opponent turn over the ball before they hit half court, you get an extra point on that possession should you score,” says Best, whose team plays home games at BCIT gym.
“In our first game last year they actually scored a five-point play in the dying seconds and we lost,” he says with a laugh. “It basically puts you in a situation where no lead is safe.”
Demitri Harris (Vancouver) and Clay Crellin (Brackendale) headline the seven B.C. players the Balloholics are fielding. Last year, the team travelled to Arizona and were featured on ESPN 3. This season — with booked flights to San Francisco, Texas and discussions of China — an NBC affiliate has jumped on board to air league games.
“Players are seeing this is a legitimate platform to get noticed more and more,” says Best.
With a staggering 95 teams, lower franchise fees, one of the most ethnically diverse ownership bodies and a host of former NBA, D-league, collegiate and international players headlining the league, the revamped ABA is considered one of most unique professional sports models in North America.
For his part, Best knows his involvement with the league had nothing to do with dollars and figures in the end.
“The whole program (of the Balloholics) is to inspire and to create a platform for others to aspire to so that they can jumpstart their careers,” says Best, who has been involved in the Balloholics youth program since 2006. “I wanted to do this from a passion perspective before business. I’m really passionate about developing basketball in Vancouver.
“Toronto has a great base, a great foundation, and I’m hoping we can generate some sort of similar experience to our eastern counterparts.”
The Balloholics’ next game is Jan. 16 against the Lakewood Panthers, from Washington state, at BCIT.