Kentucky Colonels
Encyclopedia
The Kentucky Colonels were a member of the American Basketball Association
for all of the league's nine years. The name is derived from the historic Kentucky colonel
s. The Colonels won the most games and had the highest winning percentage of any franchise in the league's history, but the team did not join the NBA in the 1976 ABA-NBA merger
. The Colonels were based in Freedom Hall
for their final six seasons beginning with the 1970-71 schedule, having played the previous three seasons at the downtown Louisville Convention Center
(now known as The Gardens).
-based Colonels started their time in the ABA as a colorful franchise, and not just because of their bright chartreuse green uniforms. Among the things they were known for was their "mascot" Ziggy, a prize-winning Brussels Griffon dog that was owned by original team owners Joe and Mamie Gregory. Some fans of the Colonels believed Ziggy was the real owner of the club. Ziggy went to owner's meetings and had a front row seat for games. The dog was even part of the team's logo for their first seasons.
They were equally famous for publicity stunts, their most famous coming in 1968 when Penny Ann Early
, the first licensed female horse racing jockey
, was signed to appear in an ABA game (albeit for a few seconds).
The team's performance on the court was understandably overshadowed. Perhaps it was deserved, as they were mostly an average team, but they did have a pair of good in-state talents, Kentucky
Wildcat Louie Dampier
and Western Kentucky University
star Darel Carrier
. They were among the best long range shooters of their time, and benefitted greatly from the ABA's three-point line. Carrier spent 5 seasons with the club, while Dampier was a Colonel for all of their years.
The early color of their franchise began to wane during the 1970-71 season, when they signed another Wildcat star in All-America
n Dan Issel
. They also dropped the chartreuse green uniforms in favor of a Blue and White scheme similar to that of the Wildcats. Another abnormality to the Colonels uniform change was that the players' last names on the back had only the first letter capitalized, as opposed to all capital letters, which are almost universally featured on the back of nearly every professional or collegiate basketball uniform which names on the back of jerseys are featured. Issel's signing helped the Colonels become well known as a legitimate basketball team. In spite of an average record in the regular season, they made a serious run at the 1971 ABA championship
. They fell just short, however, and lost to the Utah Stars
in 7 games.
They proved to be even better in 1971, with the signing of ferocious big man Artis Gilmore
. Gilmore's signing would help make the Colonels a legitimate powerhouse for years to come. The Colonels won 68 games in his rookie campaign under coach Joe Mullaney; their record turned out to be best in the league's entire history. Yet, in the playoffs, they were upset by the New York Nets in the first round. Kentucky recovered and made another championship run during the 1972-73 playoffs
, but lost a physical series to the Indiana Pacers
in 7 games, 4 games to 3.
After the season, the franchise was nearly moved out-of-state to Cincinnati, but was purchased by John Y. Brown, Jr.
, a future Kentucky governor who owned Kentucky Fried Chicken for years. Brown helped increase interest in the team, and looked to improve its on-court performance by hiring popular ABA coach Babe McCarthy
. But after they were swept in the second round of the playoffs by the Nets, Brown gave McCarthy his walking papers.
For the 1974-75, Brown hired Hubie Brown
(no relation), a former NBA assistant coach, to give them that championship. Unlike the past year, the Colonels would not be denied. After a torrid finish to the regular season, which saw them win 23 of 26 games, they ripped through the playoffs, and beat their nemesis, the Indiana Pacers
, in a dominant 4 games to 1 victory to win the 1975 ABA championship
. Gilmore scored 28 points and grabbed an amazing 31 rebounds in the final game. That same season the Golden State Warriors won the NBA Title. Colonels owner,John Y. Brown,offered the NBA Champs a million dollars to play a one game world championship. The Warriors and the NBA refused. Many believe the Colonels were the better team.
The celebration of the 1975 season ended when John Y. Brown, Jr. dealt Dan Issel to the ABA's new Baltimore Claws
franchise (which folded after a few preseason exhibition games, never taking the floor in the regular season) for financial reasons. They acquired all-star Caldwell Jones
to replace him, but he never gelled with the team. Jones was dealt mid-season for young Maurice Lucas
. Hubie managed to make the team competitive, but they lost in the postseason to the Denver Nuggets
in 7 games.
Kentucky was one of the league's most talented teams, and had one of its best fan bases, but during the ABA's talks of merging with the NBA, the Colonels were not a favorite to change leagues. As a result, John Y. Brown, Jr. was forced to fold the Colonels.
Colonels players were distributed to other teams in a dispersal draft, with Artis Gilmore being drafted first by the Chicago Bulls
. Maurice Lucas went on to be an all-star for the Portland Trail Blazers
and Louie Dampier, who ended up being the all-time leader in points and assists, ended his career as a sixth man for the San Antonio Spurs
. Coach Hubie Brown
went on to coach the Atlanta Hawks
for five seasons after the merger before being fired.
The Colonels won 448 games in the ABA, more than any other team or franchise. The Colonels' overall regular season record was 448-296; their .602 winning percentage is better than that of any ABA franchise except for the Minnesota Muskies
who only played one season. (If the Utah Stars
' statistics are counted on their own, excluding their seasons as the Anaheim Amigos and the Los Angeles Stars, that team's winning percentage, .608, is slightly better than the Colonels'.)
The Colonels' playoff record was 55-46 (.545). Only the Indiana Pacers
won more ABA playoff games (69).
John Givens was named as the first coach of the Colonels.
The Colonels draft picks were used on University of Kentucky
standout Louie Dampier
, who signed with the Colonels; Western Kentucky University
standout Clem Haskins
, who signed with the NBA's Chicago Bulls
; Bob Verga
, who signed with Dallas, and Randy Mahaffey, who signed with the Colonels. The team also signed Darel Carrier
and Jim "Goose" Ligon
. The Colonels' 1967-68 roster was rounded out with Kendall Rhine, Stew Johnson, Rubin Russell, Bill Bradley, Cotton Nash
, Bobby Rascoe, Howard Bayne, Orbie Bowling and Tommy Woods.
The Colonels played their home games at the Kentucky Fair and Exposition Center and at the Louisville Convention Center
(now Louisville Gardens). The team only won 5 of their first 17 games, leading to Givens being fired as coach. He was replaced by Gene Rhodes
. In November Stew Johnson was traded to the New Jersey Americans for Jim Caldwell. Darel Carrier, Randy Mahaffey and Louie Dampier played in the ABA All Star game but the team finished with a record of 36 wins and 42 losses, tying New Jersey for fourth place in the Eastern Division. For the season the Colonels averaged 3,225 fans per game.
The Colonels and Americans scheduled a one-game playoff game to determine who would get the playoff bid slated for the Eastern Division's fourth place team. The game was scheduled at the Long Island Arena
, as New Jersey's Teaneck Armory
was unavailable, but the facility was in such poor condition that the game could not be played, and the Colonels won by forfeit. The Colonels then advanced to the Eastern Division semifinals where they lost to the Minnesota Muskies
3 games to 2.
star Wes Unseld
, who opted to take a higher paying deal with the NBA's Baltimore franchise. The Colonels also drafted Manny Leaks
and Gene Moore
, who signed with the team. Sam Smith
was acquired from Minnesota and then Randy Mahaffey and Manny Leaks were traded to the New York Nets for Oliver Darden and Andy Anderson.
The Colonels hosted the 1969 ABA All-Star Game
in Louisville. Kentucky coach Gene Rhodes was the head coach for the East team, which lost to the West 133-127. Darel Carrier and Louie Dampier repeated as ABA All Stars and were joined by Kentucky's Jim "Goose" Ligon.
During this season the Colonels fielded the first ever female professional basketball player when jockey Penny Ann Early
joined the team for pregame warmups and appeared briefly during a game.
The Colonels finished in third place in the Eastern Division with a 42-36 record. Their average home attendance was 4,157.
In the Eastern Division semifinals the Colonels lost a tight series to their rival the Indiana Pacers
, 4 games to 3.
, who joined the Milwaukee Bucks
of the NBA and Herm Gilliam
, who signed with the NBA's Cincinnati franchise. Bud Olsen, former Kentucky Wesleyan College
star George Tinsley
, future Kentucky Wesleyan coach Wayne Chapman
and former University of Kentucky star Tommy Kron
were added to the roster.
In April 1969 the Colonels were bought by a group of Louisville investors that included H. Wendell Cherry, Bill DeWitt, J. David Grissom, Stuart P. Jay, David A. Jones
, John Y. Brown, Jr.
and Mike Storen
. Storen had previously been the president and general manager of the Indiana Pacers. The group then hired former University of Kentucky star Alex Groza
as the team's business manager.
Darel Carrier and Louie Dampier again appeared in the ABA All Star Game and were joined by Gene Moore.
The Colonels finished the season with a record of 45-39 which was good for second place in the Eastern Division.
The Colonels defeated the New York Nets 4 games to 3 in the Eastern Division semifinals but lost in the Eastern Division finals to the Indiana Pacers, 4 games to 1.
. They also signed University of Kentucky star Dan Issel
. Issel was given a ten year contract worth $1.4 million. The Colonels also traded a draft pick to the New York Nets for Walt Simon
. Mike Pratt joined the Colonels' roster for the season.
The Colonels began the regular season with a 10-5 record, resulting in coach Gene Rhodes being fired. Rhodes was briefly replaced by Alex Groza, who won both games he coached. Groza was quickly replaced as coach by Frank Ramsey
, the former star for the University of Kentucky and the Boston Celtics
.
Kentucky's Dan Issel and Cincy Powell played in the ABA All-Star Game. Issel was named Co-Rookie of the Year, along with Charlie Scott
of the Virginia Squires
.
The Colonels finished the regular season with a record of 44-40 and in second place in the Eastern Division. Their average home attendance for the season was 7,375. Beginning with this season the Colonels moved their home games from the Louisville Convention Center (now Louisville Gardens
) to Freedom Hall
.
The Colonels defeated The Floridians 4 games to 2 in the Eastern Division semifinals and defeated the Virginia Squires
4 games to 2 in the Eastern Division finals. Facing the Utah Stars
in the ABA championship, the Colonels and Stars each won three games before Utah pulled out Game 7 at home in front of an ABA record crowd. The Colonels finished as the league's runner up.
, John Roche and Mike Gale
, who all signed with Kentucky, and Fred Brown and Larry Steele
, who signed with the Seattle SuperSonics and Portland Trail Blazers
of the NBA, respectively. The Colonels then sold Roche to the New York Nets. Gilmore, like Issel, signed a contract for ten years and $1.5 million. Joe Mullaney was named coach of the Colonels.
On September 22, 1971 the Colonels played in the second ever ABA vs. NBA preseason exhibition game. 13,821 fans watched the Colonels defeat the Baltimore Bullets
111-85 in Freedom Hall
. It was the ABA's first win against the NBA, as the ABA's Dallas Chaparrals
had lost to the NBA's Milwaukee Bucks
106-103 the night before in the first ever matchup between the two leagues.
On October 8, 1971 the Colonels hosted the Milwaukee Bucks and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
at Freedom Hall in front of over 18,000 fans. Dan Issel scored 34 points and Artis Gilmore posted 18 points, 16 rebounds and 5 blocked shots. However, Abdul-Jabbar had 30 points, 20 rebounds and 3 blocked shots and the Bucks edged the Colonels, 99-93. The very next night the Colonels hosted the New York Knicks in Freedom Hall. The Knicks won, 112-100, before 12,238 fans.
The Colonels had a terrific regular season. Mullaney coached in the ABA All Star Game, heading up the East team which won 142-115. Dan Issel, Louie Dampier and Artis Gilmore each played in the All Star Game for the East team; Issel was the game's Most Valuable Player. Gilmore ended up as the league's Most Valuable Player at the end of the season and was also the league's Rookie of the Year. Gilmore's impressive statistics included leading the league with 3,666 minutes in play, a field goal percentage of 59.8% and an average of 17.8 rebounds per game. Gilmore and Issel were both on the All-ABA First Team.
Kentucky finished the season with the best record ever posted in ABA play, with 68 wins and 16 losses, a winning percentage of .810. This secured the Colonels' first ever first place finish in the Eastern Division. The Colonels' average home attendance was 8,811.
Kentucky's remarkable season came to a surprising end when the Colonels lost in the Eastern Division semifinals to the New York Nets, 4 games to 2.
from the Indiana Pacers for $250,000. Wendell Ladner
joined the Colonels' roster for the season.
In preseason play, on September 23, 1972 the Colonels hosted the NBA's Atlanta Hawks
for an exhibition game in Frankfort, Kentucky
. Julius Erving
played for the Hawks, posting 28 points and 18 rebounds in 42 minutes. The Hawks prevailed, 112-99. On September 30, 1972 the Colonels traveled to Phoenix, Arizona
for an exhibition game against the Phoenix Suns
. The Colonels won, 120-118. On October 1, 1972 the Milwaukee Bucks returned to Freedom Hall. Oscar Robertson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar each scored 20 points as the Bucks beat the Colonels 131-100. On October 6, 1972 the Phoenix Suns played the Colonels at Freedom Hall. The Suns won, 103-91. The next night the Colonels lost a close game to the Baltimore Bullets, 95-93.
Louie Dampier, Dan Issel and Artis Gilmore returned to the ABA All-Star Game. Gilmore was again First Team All-ABA and posted a 55.9% field goal percentage and averaged 17.6 rebounds per game. Issel led the league in minutes played with 3,531.
The Colonels finished in second place in the Eastern Division with a record of 56 wins and 28 losses. Their average home attendance was 7,113.
The Colonels beat the Virginia Squires 4 games to 1 in the Eastern Division Semifinals and beat the Carolina Cougars
4 games to 3 in the Eastern Division finals. The Colonels then lost a very close ABA Championship Series to the Indiana Pacers, 4 games to 3.
; Carr stayed in college and Behagen signed with the NBA's Kansas City-Omaha Kings. The Colonels also selected Ernie DiGregorio
in a special circumstance draft but he signed with the NBA's Buffalo Braves
.
In July 1973 the franchise was bought by a group headed by John Y. Brown, Jr.
and his wife Ellie Brown. Ellie Brown was later named Chairman of the Board of the team; the board itself was made up of ten women. Legendary former University of Kentucky head coach Adolph Rupp
was named as Vice President of the Board. Mike Storen left the team; he later surfaced with the ABA's Memphis franchise. Former head coach Gene Rhodes became general manager of the team.
Head coach Joe Mullaney departed to become head coach of the Utah Stars. Mullaney was succeeded by Babe McCarthy
.
In preseason play against the NBA the Colonels defeated the Houston Rockets 110-102 at Freedom Hall on September 21, 1973 and defeated the Kansas City-Omaha Kings 110-99 the following night.
In January 1974 the Colonels traded Jim O'Brien and a first round draft pick to the San Diego Conquistadors
for Red Robbins
and Chuck Williams
. That same month Kentucky dealt Rick Mount to the Utah Stars for a draft pick and cash, and then sent Mike Gale and Wendell Ladner
to the New York Nets for former Colonel John Roche.
Louie Dampier, Dan Issel and Artis Gilmore again played in the ABA All-Star Game, and Babe McCarthy coached the East team. Gilmore was again named the game's Most Valuable Player. Gilmore again posted remarkable statistics including 3,502 minutes played (tops in the league) and 18.3 rebounds per game (Gilmore grabbed 40 rebounds in one game against the New York Nets that season). Louie Dampier posted a league high 38.7% percentage in three point shots. Babe McCarthy and his Colonels predecessor Joe Mullaney were named ABA Co-Coaches of the Year.
The Colonels posted a regular season record of 53 wins and 31 losses, clinching second place in the Eastern Division. Kentucky's average home attendance for the season was 8,201.
In the playoffs Kentucky defeated the Carolina Cougars
4 games to none in the Eastern Division semifinals but then lost the Eastern Division finals to the New York Nets 4 games to none. Despite being named ABA Coach of the Year, Babe McCarthy was fired at the end of the season.
from the Carolina Cougars, signed Wil Jones
, and traded a draft pick and cash to the San Antonio Spurs
for Bird Averitt
. The Colonels also sent Al Eberhard
to the Denver Nuggets
in exchange for Marv Roberts
and sent Red Robbins to the Virginia Squires for cash. John Roche was sold to the Utah Stars in the midst of the season. Gene Littles was added to the Colonels roster for the season.
Hubie Brown
was named the new head coach of the Colonels.
In preseason play against the NBA the Colonels lost a game in Lincoln, Nebraska
to the Kansas City-Omaha Kings 102-91 on September 29, 1974; beat the Washington Bullets 118-95 at Freedom Hall on October 1, 1974; lost by one point on the road to the Houston Rockets on October 5, 1974, 96-95; beat the Detroit Pistons
109-100 at Freedom Hall on October 8, 1974 and on October 12, 1974 defeated the Chicago Bulls at Freedom Hall 93-75.
Louie Dampier, Dan Issel and Artis Gilmore again played in the ABA All Star Game. Gilmore again was First Team All ABA and led the league with 3,493 minutes played.
The Colonels claimed first place in the Eastern Division with a record of 58 wins and 26 losses, but tied with the New York Nets for the division crown. The Colonels' average home attendance was 8,727.
The Colonels began the playoffs with a one game matchup against the New York Nets to determine who would be first place in the Eastern Division. The Colonels won that game in Louisville 108-99. The Colonels then defeated the Memphis Sounds
4 games to 1 in the Eastern Division semifinals and defeated the Spirits of St. Louis
4 games to 1 in the Eastern Division finals. The Colonels met their rivals the Indiana Pacers for the ABA Championship and the Colonels prevailed, 4 games to 1, winning their first ABA Championship.
Colonels owner,John Y. Brown, offered up one million dollars to NBA Champion Golden State Warriors to play a world title game. The NBA and Golden State refused.Many believe the Colonels were the better team. Hubie Brown went on to coach many teams in the NBA but has always maintained that the 1974-75 Colonels were the best team he coached.
, challenged the NBA to have its champion, the Golden State Warriors
, face the Colonels in a championship series, the winner of which would get $1 million. The NBA declined. Interest in ABA vs. NBA play extended beyond the two leagues' management. In 1976, CBS
sought to establish a postseason playoff between the ABA and NBA, and to win the rights to broadcast those games.
To the dismay of Colonels fans and players, owner John Y. Brown, Jr. dealt star Dan Issel to the Baltimore Claws
prior to the season for $500,000; the cash was not forthcoming from the struggling Baltimore franchise and Issel ended up with the Denver Nuggets shortly before the Claws were shut down by the league.
Gene Rhodes was named vice president of operations and David Vance was named general manager for the team.
In preseason play the Colonels defeated the Chicago Bulls 95-86 at Riverfront Coliseum in Cincinnati, Ohio
on October 1, 1975; lost to the New York Knicks in Landover, Maryland
at the Capital Centre
107-102 on October 4, 1975; defeated the Detroit Pistons 114-113 on October 5, 1975 in Cincinnati; defeated the Milwaukee Bucks 96-91 in Freedom Hall on October 10, 1975; lost an overtime game to the Detroit Pistons in Detroit on October 12, 1975, 115-107; defeated the Buffalo Braves 120-116 in Freedom Hall on October 14, 1975; defeated the Philadelphia 76ers
112-110 in Cincinnati, Ohio on October 17, 1975; and won another ABA vs. NBA exhibition on October 19, 1975 with a 121-111 victory over the Washington Bullets in Lexington, Kentucky. The game against the Bullets was the penultimate ABA vs. NBA contest; two nights later in the final ABA vs. NBA matchup the Utah Stars defeated the Milwaukee Bucks 106-101.
One other Colonels preseason game deserves special mention. The prior year, the NBA declined the ABA champion Colonels' challenge against the NBA champion Golden State Warriors for a $1 million payout. However, the two teams did meet on October 8, 1975 at Freedom Hall. The Colonels won the matchup of the league champions, 93-90.
The Colonels finished the 1975-76 preseason with a record of 7 wins and 2 losses against NBA teams. The Colonels, like the ABA as a whole, had a winning overall record against the NBA over the course of their existence.
Shortly after the regular season began the San Diego Sails
folded and the Colonels picked up Caldwell Jones
from their roster. Kentucky then traded Jones to the Spirits of St. Louis for Maurice Lucas
. The Colonels also traded Marv Roberts to the Virginia Squires during the season in exchange for Johnny Neumann
and Jan van Breda Kolff. Another move in the middle of the season sent Ted McClain
to the New York Nets in exchange for $150,000. Allen Murphy, Jimmy Dan Connor, Johnny Neumann
, Jimmy Baker, Kevin Joyce and Jim McDaniels
joined the Colonels' roster for the 1975-76 season.
Artis Gilmore returned to the ABA All-Star Game and once again was named First Team All ABA. Dampier, after eight straight appearances in that game, was not chosen.
The Colonels finished in fourth place in the Eastern Division with a record of 46 wins and 38 losses. Their average home attendance was 6,935.
The Colonels defeated their rivals, the Indiana Pacers, 2 games to 1 in the first round of the playoffs. In the league semifinals, the Colonels and the Denver Nuggets each won three games apiece before Denver claimed Game 7 133-110 at Denver on April 28, 1976. It was the Kentucky Colonels' final game.
were shut down by the league due to financial problems and unpaid bills. The San Diego Sails
and the Utah Stars
each folded shortly after the season began, the Sails after eleven games and the Stars after 16. The ABA was reduced to seven teams for the remainder of the season. Shortly after the regular season ended, the Virginia Squires were forced to fold because they could not meet a league-mandated financial assessment. The six remaining ABA teams began negotiations for the eventual ABA-NBA merger
.
In the end, the NBA agreed to take in four teams—but the Colonels weren't among them. Although it has never been confirmed, it is likely that the NBA selected the Pacers over the Colonels because Indianapolis
was a more lucrative market. However, the Colonels were on far stronger financial footing than the Pacers.
On July 17, 1976 the Kentucky Colonels ceased to exist as John Y. Brown, Jr. agreed to fold the Colonels in exchange for $3 million. Brown used the money to purchase the Buffalo Braves
of the NBA.
The Colonels players were put into a dispersal draft. The Chicago Bulls
took Artis Gilmore for $1.1 million. The Portland Trail Blazers
took Maurice Lucas for $300,000. The Buffalo Braves took Bird Averitt for $125,000. The Indiana Pacers took Wil Jones for $50,000. The New York Nets took Jan Van Breda Kolff for $60,000. The San Antonio Spurs took Louie Dampier for $20,000.
In contrast to Brown receiving $3 million in cash for the Colonels, the Spirits of St. Louis' owners received $2.2 million in cash along with a 1/7 share of each of the four remaining teams' television income in perpetuity. That deal has been estimated to have generated over $250 million in the years since.
Unsuccessful efforts were made to bring the NBA's relocating Charlotte Hornets and Vancouver Grizzlies
to Louisville, along with the Houston Rockets
at a time that they were demanding a new arena. However, professional basketball has not returned to Louisville since the demise of the Colonels except in minor leagues such as the Louisville Catbirds
of the Continental Basketball Association
, the Louisville Shooters
of the Global Basketball Association
and the Kentucky Colonels
of the ABA 2000.
|colspan="6" align=center bgcolor="blue" | Kentucky Colonels
|-
|1967-68 || 36 || 42 || .462 || Won 1968 Eastern Division Playoff
Lost 1968 Eastern Division Semifinals
|| Kentucky Colonels 1, New Jersey Americans 0
Minnesota Muskies
3, Kentucky Colonels 2
|-
|1968-69 || 42 || 36 || .538 || Lost 1969 Eastern Division Semifinals
|| Indiana Pacers
4, Kentucky Colonels 3
|-
|1969-70 || 45 || 39 || .536 || Won 1970 Eastern Division Semifinals
Lost 1970 Eastern Division Finals
|| Kentucky Colonels 4, New York Nets 3
Indiana Pacers
4, Kentucky Colonels 1
|-
|1970-71 || 44 || 40 || .524 || Won 1971 Eastern Division Semifinals
Won 1971 Eastern Division Finals
Lost 1971 Eastern ABA Finals
|| Kentucky Colonels 4, The Floridans 2
Kentucky Colonels 4, Virginia Squires
2
Utah Stars
4, Kentucky Colonels 3
|-
|1971-72 || 68 || 16 || .810 || Lost 1972 Eastern Division Semifinals
|| New York Nets 4, Kentucky Colonels 2
|-
|1972-73 || 56 || 28 || .667 || Won 1973 Eastern Division Semifinals
Won 1973 Eastern Division Finals
Lost ABA Finals
|| Kentucky Colonels 4, Virginia Squires
1
Kentucky Colonels 4, Carolina Cougars
3
Indiana Pacers
4, Kentucky Colonels 3
|-
|1973-74 || 53 || 31 || .631 || Won 1974 Eastern Division Semifinals
Lost 1974 Eastern Division Finals
|| Kentucky Colonels 4, Carolina Cougars
0
New York Nets 4, Kentucky Colonels 0
|-
|1974-75 || 58 || 26 || .690 || Won 1975 Eastern Division First Place Game
Won 1975 Eastern Division Semifinals
Won 1975 Eastern Division Finals
Won 1975 ABA Finals
|| Kentucky Colonels 1, New York Nets 0
Kentucky Colonels 4, Memphis Sounds
1
Kentucky Colonels 4, Spirits of St. Louis
1
Kentucky Colonels 4, Indiana Pacers
1
|-
|1975-76 || 46 || 38 || .548 || Won 1976 First Round
Lost 1976 ABA Semifinals
|| Kentucky Colonels 2, Indiana Pacers
1
Denver Nuggets
4, Kentucky Colonels 3
|-
Radio, the Louisville market's top-rated station at the time and a 50,000-watt clear-channel station, which meant that Colonels broadcasts could be heard over much of the continental United States at night. Van Vance
was the play-by-play announcer for nearly all of the games in the franchise's history, with Cawood Ledford
(better known as the longtime voice of the University of Kentucky
Wildcats) behind the microphone as well, sometimes as color analyst beside Vance.
The Colonels had some game broadcast on various local television stations, but were usually only seen on TV during the ABA network games.
.
American Basketball Association
The American Basketball Association was a professional basketball league founded in 1967. The ABA ceased to exist with the ABA–NBA merger in 1976.-League history:...
for all of the league's nine years. The name is derived from the historic Kentucky colonel
Kentucky colonel
Kentucky colonel is the highest title of honor bestowed by the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Commissions for Kentucky colonels are given by the Governor and the Secretary of State to individuals in recognition of noteworthy accomplishments and outstanding service to a community, state or the nation...
s. The Colonels won the most games and had the highest winning percentage of any franchise in the league's history, but the team did not join the NBA in the 1976 ABA-NBA merger
ABA-NBA merger
The ABA–NBA merger was the merger of the American Basketball Association with the National Basketball Association, which after multiple attempts over several years finally occurred in 1976.- Origins of ABA-NBA competition :...
. The Colonels were based in Freedom Hall
Freedom Hall
Freedom Hall is a multipurpose arena in Louisville, Kentucky, on the grounds of the Kentucky Exposition Center, which is owned by the Commonwealth of Kentucky...
for their final six seasons beginning with the 1970-71 schedule, having played the previous three seasons at the downtown Louisville Convention Center
Louisville Gardens
Louisville Gardens is a multi-purpose, 6,000 seat arena, in Louisville, Kentucky, that opened in 1905, as the Jefferson County Armory. It recently celebrated its 100th anniversary as city mayor Jerry Abramson's official "Family-Friendly New Years Eve" celebration location...
(now known as The Gardens).
Overview and background
The LouisvilleLouisville, Kentucky
Louisville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Kentucky, and the county seat of Jefferson County. Since 2003, the city's borders have been coterminous with those of the county because of a city-county merger. The city's population at the 2010 census was 741,096...
-based Colonels started their time in the ABA as a colorful franchise, and not just because of their bright chartreuse green uniforms. Among the things they were known for was their "mascot" Ziggy, a prize-winning Brussels Griffon dog that was owned by original team owners Joe and Mamie Gregory. Some fans of the Colonels believed Ziggy was the real owner of the club. Ziggy went to owner's meetings and had a front row seat for games. The dog was even part of the team's logo for their first seasons.
They were equally famous for publicity stunts, their most famous coming in 1968 when Penny Ann Early
Penny Ann Early
Penny Ann Early was an American athlete who achieved two notable firsts: she was the first female jockey, and the first woman to play in a professional basketball league.Early became the first licensed female jockey in the United States in 1968...
, the first licensed female horse racing jockey
Jockey
A jockey is an athlete who rides horses in horse racing or steeplechase racing, primarily as a profession. The word also applies to camel riders in camel racing.-Etymology:...
, was signed to appear in an ABA game (albeit for a few seconds).
The team's performance on the court was understandably overshadowed. Perhaps it was deserved, as they were mostly an average team, but they did have a pair of good in-state talents, Kentucky
University of Kentucky
The University of Kentucky, also known as UK, is a public co-educational university and is one of the state's two land-grant universities, located in Lexington, Kentucky...
Wildcat Louie Dampier
Louie Dampier
Louis "Louie" Dampier is a retired American professional basketball player.A 6-foot-tall guard, Dampier is one of only a handful of men to play all nine seasons in the American Basketball Association , all with the Kentucky Colonels...
and Western Kentucky University
Western Kentucky University
Western Kentucky University is a public university in Bowling Green, Kentucky, USA. It was formally founded by the Commonwealth of Kentucky in 1906, though its roots reach back a quarter-century earlier....
star Darel Carrier
Darel Carrier
James Darel Carrier is a former professional basketball player. Carrier played his high school basketball at the now defunct Bristow High School. A 6'3" guard, Carrier played college basketball at Western Kentucky University. Carrier was selected in the 9th round of the 1964 NBA Draft by the...
. They were among the best long range shooters of their time, and benefitted greatly from the ABA's three-point line. Carrier spent 5 seasons with the club, while Dampier was a Colonel for all of their years.
The early color of their franchise began to wane during the 1970-71 season, when they signed another Wildcat star in All-America
All-America
An All-America team is an honorary sports team composed of outstanding amateur players—those considered the best players of a specific season for each team position—who in turn are given the honorific "All-America" and typically referred to as "All-American athletes", or simply...
n Dan Issel
Dan Issel
Daniel Paul Issel is a retired American Hall of Fame professional basketball player and coach.-Collegiate playing career:...
. They also dropped the chartreuse green uniforms in favor of a Blue and White scheme similar to that of the Wildcats. Another abnormality to the Colonels uniform change was that the players' last names on the back had only the first letter capitalized, as opposed to all capital letters, which are almost universally featured on the back of nearly every professional or collegiate basketball uniform which names on the back of jerseys are featured. Issel's signing helped the Colonels become well known as a legitimate basketball team. In spite of an average record in the regular season, they made a serious run at the 1971 ABA championship
1971 ABA Playoffs
The 1971 ABA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the American Basketball Association's 1970-1971 season. The tournament concluded with the Western Division champion Utah Stars defeating the Eastern Division champion Kentucky Colonels, four games to three in the ABA finals.-Notable...
. They fell just short, however, and lost to the Utah Stars
Utah Stars
The Utah Stars was an American Basketball Association team based in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.Under head coach Bill Sharman the Stars were the first major professional basketball team to use a pre-game shootaround.-History:...
in 7 games.
They proved to be even better in 1971, with the signing of ferocious big man Artis Gilmore
Artis Gilmore
Artis Gilmore is a retired American Hall of Fame basketball player who played in the American Basketball Association and National Basketball Association...
. Gilmore's signing would help make the Colonels a legitimate powerhouse for years to come. The Colonels won 68 games in his rookie campaign under coach Joe Mullaney; their record turned out to be best in the league's entire history. Yet, in the playoffs, they were upset by the New York Nets in the first round. Kentucky recovered and made another championship run during the 1972-73 playoffs
1973 ABA Playoffs
The 1973 ABA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the American Basketball Association's 1972-1973 season. The tournament concluded with the Western Division champion Indiana Pacers defeating the Eastern Division champion Kentucky Colonels, four games to three in the ABA Finals.-Notable...
, but lost a physical series to the Indiana Pacers
Indiana Pacers
The Indiana Pacers are a professional basketball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. They are members of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association...
in 7 games, 4 games to 3.
After the season, the franchise was nearly moved out-of-state to Cincinnati, but was purchased by John Y. Brown, Jr.
John Y. Brown, Jr.
This article is about one of four John Young Browns, from Kentucky, that have served political office. For others see: John Young Brown ...
, a future Kentucky governor who owned Kentucky Fried Chicken for years. Brown helped increase interest in the team, and looked to improve its on-court performance by hiring popular ABA coach Babe McCarthy
Babe McCarthy
James Harrison "Babe" McCarthy , sometimes called "Ol' Magnolia Mouth" or just "Magnolia Mouth", was an American professional and collegiate basketball coach. McCarthy was originally from Baldwyn, Mississippi...
. But after they were swept in the second round of the playoffs by the Nets, Brown gave McCarthy his walking papers.
For the 1974-75, Brown hired Hubie Brown
Hubie Brown
Hubert Jude "Hubie" Brown is a retired American basketball coach and a current television analyst. Brown is a two-time NBA Coach of the Year, the honors being separated by 26 years...
(no relation), a former NBA assistant coach, to give them that championship. Unlike the past year, the Colonels would not be denied. After a torrid finish to the regular season, which saw them win 23 of 26 games, they ripped through the playoffs, and beat their nemesis, the Indiana Pacers
Indiana Pacers
The Indiana Pacers are a professional basketball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. They are members of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association...
, in a dominant 4 games to 1 victory to win the 1975 ABA championship
1975 ABA Playoffs
The 1975 ABA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the American Basketball Association's 1974-1975 season. The tournament concluded with the Eastern Division champion Kentucky Colonels defeating the Western Division champion Indiana Pacers, four games to one in the ABA Finals.The Kentucky...
. Gilmore scored 28 points and grabbed an amazing 31 rebounds in the final game. That same season the Golden State Warriors won the NBA Title. Colonels owner,John Y. Brown,offered the NBA Champs a million dollars to play a one game world championship. The Warriors and the NBA refused. Many believe the Colonels were the better team.
The celebration of the 1975 season ended when John Y. Brown, Jr. dealt Dan Issel to the ABA's new Baltimore Claws
Baltimore Claws
The Baltimore Claws was an American basketball team which was supposed to appear in the 1975-76 season in the American Basketball Association. The team collapsed before the season started, playing only three exhibition games in its brief history.-Background:...
franchise (which folded after a few preseason exhibition games, never taking the floor in the regular season) for financial reasons. They acquired all-star Caldwell Jones
Caldwell Jones
Caldwell "Pops" Jones is a retired American professional basketball player.Jones was drafted from Albany State University by the Philadelphia 76ers with the 14th pick in the 1973 NBA Draft...
to replace him, but he never gelled with the team. Jones was dealt mid-season for young Maurice Lucas
Maurice Lucas
Maurice Lucas was an American professional basketball player. The first two years of his postcollegiate career were spent in the American Basketball Association with the Spirits of St. Louis and Kentucky Colonels...
. Hubie managed to make the team competitive, but they lost in the postseason to the Denver Nuggets
Denver Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets are a professional basketball team based in Denver, Colorado. They play in the National Basketball Association . They were founded as the Denver Rockets in 1967 as a charter franchise of the American Basketball Association, and became one of that league's more successful teams...
in 7 games.
Kentucky was one of the league's most talented teams, and had one of its best fan bases, but during the ABA's talks of merging with the NBA, the Colonels were not a favorite to change leagues. As a result, John Y. Brown, Jr. was forced to fold the Colonels.
Colonels players were distributed to other teams in a dispersal draft, with Artis Gilmore being drafted first by the Chicago Bulls
Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls are an American professional basketball team based in Chicago, Illinois, playing in the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1966. They play their home games at the United Center...
. Maurice Lucas went on to be an all-star for the Portland Trail Blazers
Portland Trail Blazers
The Portland Trail Blazers, commonly known as the Blazers, are an American professional basketball team based in Portland, Oregon. They play in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The Trail Blazers originally played their home games in the...
and Louie Dampier, who ended up being the all-time leader in points and assists, ended his career as a sixth man for the San Antonio Spurs
San Antonio Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs are an American professional basketball team based in San Antonio, Texas. They are part of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association ....
. Coach Hubie Brown
Hubie Brown
Hubert Jude "Hubie" Brown is a retired American basketball coach and a current television analyst. Brown is a two-time NBA Coach of the Year, the honors being separated by 26 years...
went on to coach the Atlanta Hawks
Atlanta Hawks
The Atlanta Hawks are an American professional basketball team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are part of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association .-The first years:...
for five seasons after the merger before being fired.
The Colonels won 448 games in the ABA, more than any other team or franchise. The Colonels' overall regular season record was 448-296; their .602 winning percentage is better than that of any ABA franchise except for the Minnesota Muskies
Minnesota Muskies
The Minnesota Muskies were a charter member of the American Basketball Association, born with the league's creation on February 2, 1967. L.P. Shields and Fred Jefferson bought in to create the franchise for $30,000...
who only played one season. (If the Utah Stars
Utah Stars
The Utah Stars was an American Basketball Association team based in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.Under head coach Bill Sharman the Stars were the first major professional basketball team to use a pre-game shootaround.-History:...
' statistics are counted on their own, excluding their seasons as the Anaheim Amigos and the Los Angeles Stars, that team's winning percentage, .608, is slightly better than the Colonels'.)
The Colonels' playoff record was 55-46 (.545). Only the Indiana Pacers
Indiana Pacers
The Indiana Pacers are a professional basketball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. They are members of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association...
won more ABA playoff games (69).
1967-1968
On March 6, 1967 the American Basketball Association awarded the franchise that became the Kentucky Colonels to Don Regan for $30,000. Later that year the franchise was bought by Joseph Gregory, Mamie Gregory and William C. Boone.John Givens was named as the first coach of the Colonels.
The Colonels draft picks were used on University of Kentucky
University of Kentucky
The University of Kentucky, also known as UK, is a public co-educational university and is one of the state's two land-grant universities, located in Lexington, Kentucky...
standout Louie Dampier
Louie Dampier
Louis "Louie" Dampier is a retired American professional basketball player.A 6-foot-tall guard, Dampier is one of only a handful of men to play all nine seasons in the American Basketball Association , all with the Kentucky Colonels...
, who signed with the Colonels; Western Kentucky University
Western Kentucky University
Western Kentucky University is a public university in Bowling Green, Kentucky, USA. It was formally founded by the Commonwealth of Kentucky in 1906, though its roots reach back a quarter-century earlier....
standout Clem Haskins
Clem Haskins
Clem Smith Haskins is a retired American college and professional basketball player and college basketball coach. He and star player Dwight Smith became the first black athletes to integrate the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers basketball program in the fall of 1963. This put Western Kentucky at the...
, who signed with the NBA's Chicago Bulls
Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls are an American professional basketball team based in Chicago, Illinois, playing in the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1966. They play their home games at the United Center...
; Bob Verga
Bob Verga
Robert Bruce Verga is a retired American basketball player, who played in the American Basketball Association and the National Basketball Association from 1967–1974...
, who signed with Dallas, and Randy Mahaffey, who signed with the Colonels. The team also signed Darel Carrier
Darel Carrier
James Darel Carrier is a former professional basketball player. Carrier played his high school basketball at the now defunct Bristow High School. A 6'3" guard, Carrier played college basketball at Western Kentucky University. Carrier was selected in the 9th round of the 1964 NBA Draft by the...
and Jim "Goose" Ligon
Jim Ligon
Jim "Goose" Ligon was an American professional basketball player.A 6'7" forward/center, Ligon starred at Kokomo High School in Indiana but never played in college due to legal issues...
. The Colonels' 1967-68 roster was rounded out with Kendall Rhine, Stew Johnson, Rubin Russell, Bill Bradley, Cotton Nash
Cotton Nash
Charles Francis "Cotton" Nash is a former Major League Baseball outfielder and National Basketball Association forward....
, Bobby Rascoe, Howard Bayne, Orbie Bowling and Tommy Woods.
The Colonels played their home games at the Kentucky Fair and Exposition Center and at the Louisville Convention Center
Louisville Gardens
Louisville Gardens is a multi-purpose, 6,000 seat arena, in Louisville, Kentucky, that opened in 1905, as the Jefferson County Armory. It recently celebrated its 100th anniversary as city mayor Jerry Abramson's official "Family-Friendly New Years Eve" celebration location...
(now Louisville Gardens). The team only won 5 of their first 17 games, leading to Givens being fired as coach. He was replaced by Gene Rhodes
Gene Rhodes
Eugene Stephen Rhodes is a retired American basketball player and coach.Rhodes played college basketball at Western Kentucky University...
. In November Stew Johnson was traded to the New Jersey Americans for Jim Caldwell. Darel Carrier, Randy Mahaffey and Louie Dampier played in the ABA All Star game but the team finished with a record of 36 wins and 42 losses, tying New Jersey for fourth place in the Eastern Division. For the season the Colonels averaged 3,225 fans per game.
The Colonels and Americans scheduled a one-game playoff game to determine who would get the playoff bid slated for the Eastern Division's fourth place team. The game was scheduled at the Long Island Arena
Long Island Arena
Long Island Arena was a 4,000-seat indoor arena in Commack, New York from 1959 until 1996. The Long Island Ducks of the Eastern Hockey League, a popular team in the small community, called the Arena home from 1959 until the league folded in 1973, one year after the New York Islanders came into...
, as New Jersey's Teaneck Armory
Teaneck Armory
Teaneck Armory at 1799 Teaneack Road is an armory and arena located on a site in Teaneck, New Jersey. A facility of the New Jersey National Guard, it is home to the Soccer Coliseum.-History:...
was unavailable, but the facility was in such poor condition that the game could not be played, and the Colonels won by forfeit. The Colonels then advanced to the Eastern Division semifinals where they lost to the Minnesota Muskies
Minnesota Muskies
The Minnesota Muskies were a charter member of the American Basketball Association, born with the league's creation on February 2, 1967. L.P. Shields and Fred Jefferson bought in to create the franchise for $30,000...
3 games to 2.
1968-1969
Among the Colonels' draft picks was University of LouisvilleUniversity of Louisville
The University of Louisville is a public university in Louisville, Kentucky. When founded in 1798, it was the first city-owned public university in the United States and one of the first universities chartered west of the Allegheny Mountains. The university is mandated by the Kentucky General...
star Wes Unseld
Wes Unseld
Westley Sissel "Wes" Unseld is an American former basketball player. He spent his entire NBA career with the Baltimore/Capital/Washington Bullets, and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1988.-Early life and college career:Unseld starred on a Seneca High School team...
, who opted to take a higher paying deal with the NBA's Baltimore franchise. The Colonels also drafted Manny Leaks
Manny Leaks
Emanuel Leaks Jr. is an American former professional basketball player.A 6'8" forward/center, Leaks played at Niagara University from 1965 to 1968...
and Gene Moore
Gene Moore (basketball)
Eugene Wilbert Moore is an American former professional basketball player.A 6'9" center from Saint Louis University, Moore was selected in the second round of the 1968 NBA Draft by the Milwaukee Bucks and by the Kentucky Colonels in the American Basketball Association draft.Moore played in the...
, who signed with the team. Sam Smith
Sam Smith (basketball, born 1944)
Sam Smith is an American former professional basketball player.A 6'7" forward, Smith played at Kentucky Wesleyan College, with whom he won the NCAA Division II championship in 1966...
was acquired from Minnesota and then Randy Mahaffey and Manny Leaks were traded to the New York Nets for Oliver Darden and Andy Anderson.
The Colonels hosted the 1969 ABA All-Star Game
1969 ABA All-Star Game
GAME 2: at Louisville Convention Center, Louisville, Kentucky, January 28, 1969MVP: John Beasley, Dallas ChaparralsCoaches:* East: Gene Rhodes, Kentucky Colonels* West: Alex Hannum, Oakland Oaks-Western Conference: -Eastern Conference: -Score by Periods:...
in Louisville. Kentucky coach Gene Rhodes was the head coach for the East team, which lost to the West 133-127. Darel Carrier and Louie Dampier repeated as ABA All Stars and were joined by Kentucky's Jim "Goose" Ligon.
During this season the Colonels fielded the first ever female professional basketball player when jockey Penny Ann Early
Penny Ann Early
Penny Ann Early was an American athlete who achieved two notable firsts: she was the first female jockey, and the first woman to play in a professional basketball league.Early became the first licensed female jockey in the United States in 1968...
joined the team for pregame warmups and appeared briefly during a game.
The Colonels finished in third place in the Eastern Division with a 42-36 record. Their average home attendance was 4,157.
In the Eastern Division semifinals the Colonels lost a tight series to their rival the Indiana Pacers
Indiana Pacers
The Indiana Pacers are a professional basketball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. They are members of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association...
, 4 games to 3.
1969-1970
The Colonels used their draft picks to select Bob DandridgeBob Dandridge
Robert L. "Bob" Dandridge is a retired American professional basketball player.-Early years:He attended Maggie L. Walker High School in Richmond, Virginia and Norfolk State University, teaming up with Pee Wee Kirkland. His teams had phenomenal years...
, who joined the Milwaukee Bucks
Milwaukee Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks are a professional basketball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States. They are part of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1968 as an expansion team, and currently plays at the Bradley Center....
of the NBA and Herm Gilliam
Herm Gilliam
Herman L. Gilliam Jr. was an American professional basketball player. He was born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.-1965-1969:...
, who signed with the NBA's Cincinnati franchise. Bud Olsen, former Kentucky Wesleyan College
Kentucky Wesleyan College
Kentucky Wesleyan College is a private Methodist college in Owensboro, Kentucky, a city on the Ohio River. KWC is just 40 minutes east of Evansville, Indiana, 2 hours north of Nashville, Tennessee, 2 hours west of Louisville, Kentucky, and 4 hours east of St. Louis, Missouri...
star George Tinsley
George Tinsley
George Tinsley is a retired American basketball player.Tinsley played competitively at Male High School and college basketball at Kentucky Wesleyan College, where he was a member of the teams that won the NCAA Men's Division II Basketball Championship in 1966, 1968 and 1969, being named Most...
, future Kentucky Wesleyan coach Wayne Chapman
Wayne Chapman
Wayne G. Chapman is a retired American basketball player.He graduated from Daviess County High School and he played collegiately for the Western Kentucky University....
and former University of Kentucky star Tommy Kron
Tommy Kron
Thomas M. "Tommy" Kron was an American former professional basketball player. A 6-5 guard, Kron, nicknamed "Tommy," played his rookie season with the St...
were added to the roster.
In April 1969 the Colonels were bought by a group of Louisville investors that included H. Wendell Cherry, Bill DeWitt, J. David Grissom, Stuart P. Jay, David A. Jones
David A. Jones
David Arfon Jones is a senior climatologist and current Head of the National Climate Centre at the Australian Bureau of Meteorology.He initially studied mathematics and chemistry at university but changed to atmospheric studies. Jones obtained his PhD in Earth Science from the University of...
, John Y. Brown, Jr.
John Y. Brown, Jr.
This article is about one of four John Young Browns, from Kentucky, that have served political office. For others see: John Young Brown ...
and Mike Storen
Mike Storen
Mike Storen is an American sports executive, perhaps best known for his tenure as commissioner of the American Basketball Association.Storen started in professional sports management in 1963, after serving in the United States Marine Corps, as promotions director for the Baltimore Bullets of the...
. Storen had previously been the president and general manager of the Indiana Pacers. The group then hired former University of Kentucky star Alex Groza
Alex Groza
Alex John Groza was an American professional basketball player from Martins Ferry, Ohio who was banned from the NBA for life in 1951 for point shaving...
as the team's business manager.
Darel Carrier and Louie Dampier again appeared in the ABA All Star Game and were joined by Gene Moore.
The Colonels finished the season with a record of 45-39 which was good for second place in the Eastern Division.
The Colonels defeated the New York Nets 4 games to 3 in the Eastern Division semifinals but lost in the Eastern Division finals to the Indiana Pacers, 4 games to 1.
1970-1971
In July the Colonels traded Jim "Goose" Ligon, Gene Moore and Bud Olsen to Dallas for Cincy PowellCincy Powell
Cincinnatus "Cincy" Powell is a former professional basketball player. A 6'7"/2.01 m forward from the University of Portland, Powell was selected by the St. Louis Hawks in the eighth round of the 1965 NBA Draft...
. They also signed University of Kentucky star Dan Issel
Dan Issel
Daniel Paul Issel is a retired American Hall of Fame professional basketball player and coach.-Collegiate playing career:...
. Issel was given a ten year contract worth $1.4 million. The Colonels also traded a draft pick to the New York Nets for Walt Simon
Walt Simon
Walter Simon was an American basketball player. A 6'6" forward/guard from Benedict College, he played seven seasons in the American Basketball Association for the New Jersey Americans, New York Nets and Kentucky Colonels...
. Mike Pratt joined the Colonels' roster for the season.
The Colonels began the regular season with a 10-5 record, resulting in coach Gene Rhodes being fired. Rhodes was briefly replaced by Alex Groza, who won both games he coached. Groza was quickly replaced as coach by Frank Ramsey
Frank Ramsey (basketball)
Frank Vernon Ramsey, Jr. is a former professional basketball player and coach. A 6-3 guard, he played his entire nine-year NBA career with the Boston Celtics and played a major role in the early part of their dynasty, winning seven championships...
, the former star for the University of Kentucky and the Boston Celtics
Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics are a National Basketball Association team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. Founded in 1946, the team is currently owned by Boston Basketball Partners LLC. The Celtics play their home games at the TD Garden, which...
.
Kentucky's Dan Issel and Cincy Powell played in the ABA All-Star Game. Issel was named Co-Rookie of the Year, along with Charlie Scott
Charlie Scott
Charles Thomas Scott is an American former professional basketball player. He played two seasons in the now-defunct American Basketball Association and eight seasons in the National Basketball Association .A 6'5" guard/forward from the Laurinburg Institute...
of the Virginia Squires
Virginia Squires
The Virginia Squires were a basketball franchise in the former American Basketball Association from 1970 until just before the ABA-NBA merger in 1976.-In Oakland :...
.
The Colonels finished the regular season with a record of 44-40 and in second place in the Eastern Division. Their average home attendance for the season was 7,375. Beginning with this season the Colonels moved their home games from the Louisville Convention Center (now Louisville Gardens
Louisville Gardens
Louisville Gardens is a multi-purpose, 6,000 seat arena, in Louisville, Kentucky, that opened in 1905, as the Jefferson County Armory. It recently celebrated its 100th anniversary as city mayor Jerry Abramson's official "Family-Friendly New Years Eve" celebration location...
) to Freedom Hall
Freedom Hall
Freedom Hall is a multipurpose arena in Louisville, Kentucky, on the grounds of the Kentucky Exposition Center, which is owned by the Commonwealth of Kentucky...
.
The Colonels defeated The Floridians 4 games to 2 in the Eastern Division semifinals and defeated the Virginia Squires
Virginia Squires
The Virginia Squires were a basketball franchise in the former American Basketball Association from 1970 until just before the ABA-NBA merger in 1976.-In Oakland :...
4 games to 2 in the Eastern Division finals. Facing the Utah Stars
Utah Stars
The Utah Stars was an American Basketball Association team based in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.Under head coach Bill Sharman the Stars were the first major professional basketball team to use a pre-game shootaround.-History:...
in the ABA championship, the Colonels and Stars each won three games before Utah pulled out Game 7 at home in front of an ABA record crowd. The Colonels finished as the league's runner up.
1971-1972
The Colonels' draft picks included Artis GilmoreArtis Gilmore
Artis Gilmore is a retired American Hall of Fame basketball player who played in the American Basketball Association and National Basketball Association...
, John Roche and Mike Gale
Mike Gale
Michael Eugene Gale is a retired American basketball player.Gale was a 6'4" guard at Elizabeth City State University. He was drafted in the third round of the 1971 NBA Draft by the Chicago Bulls and by the Kentucky Colonels in the 1971 American Basketball Association draft...
, who all signed with Kentucky, and Fred Brown and Larry Steele
Larry Steele
Larry Nelson Steele is a former professional basketball player, best known for being on the Portland Trail Blazers team that won the 1977 NBA Finals....
, who signed with the Seattle SuperSonics and Portland Trail Blazers
Portland Trail Blazers
The Portland Trail Blazers, commonly known as the Blazers, are an American professional basketball team based in Portland, Oregon. They play in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The Trail Blazers originally played their home games in the...
of the NBA, respectively. The Colonels then sold Roche to the New York Nets. Gilmore, like Issel, signed a contract for ten years and $1.5 million. Joe Mullaney was named coach of the Colonels.
On September 22, 1971 the Colonels played in the second ever ABA vs. NBA preseason exhibition game. 13,821 fans watched the Colonels defeat the Baltimore Bullets
Washington Wizards
The Washington Wizards are a professional basketball team based in Washington, D.C., previously known as Washington Bullets. They play in the National Basketball Association .-Early years:...
111-85 in Freedom Hall
Freedom Hall
Freedom Hall is a multipurpose arena in Louisville, Kentucky, on the grounds of the Kentucky Exposition Center, which is owned by the Commonwealth of Kentucky...
. It was the ABA's first win against the NBA, as the ABA's Dallas Chaparrals
Dallas Chaparrals
The Dallas Chaparrals were a charter member of the American Basketball Association, later becoming the San Antonio Spurs and joining the NBA.The team suffered from poor attendance and general disinterest in Dallas...
had lost to the NBA's Milwaukee Bucks
Milwaukee Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks are a professional basketball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States. They are part of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1968 as an expansion team, and currently plays at the Bradley Center....
106-103 the night before in the first ever matchup between the two leagues.
On October 8, 1971 the Colonels hosted the Milwaukee Bucks and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is a retired American professional basketball player. He is the NBA's all-time leading scorer, with 38,387 points. During his career with the NBA's Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers from 1969 to 1989, Abdul-Jabbar won six NBA championships and a record six regular season...
at Freedom Hall in front of over 18,000 fans. Dan Issel scored 34 points and Artis Gilmore posted 18 points, 16 rebounds and 5 blocked shots. However, Abdul-Jabbar had 30 points, 20 rebounds and 3 blocked shots and the Bucks edged the Colonels, 99-93. The very next night the Colonels hosted the New York Knicks in Freedom Hall. The Knicks won, 112-100, before 12,238 fans.
The Colonels had a terrific regular season. Mullaney coached in the ABA All Star Game, heading up the East team which won 142-115. Dan Issel, Louie Dampier and Artis Gilmore each played in the All Star Game for the East team; Issel was the game's Most Valuable Player. Gilmore ended up as the league's Most Valuable Player at the end of the season and was also the league's Rookie of the Year. Gilmore's impressive statistics included leading the league with 3,666 minutes in play, a field goal percentage of 59.8% and an average of 17.8 rebounds per game. Gilmore and Issel were both on the All-ABA First Team.
Kentucky finished the season with the best record ever posted in ABA play, with 68 wins and 16 losses, a winning percentage of .810. This secured the Colonels' first ever first place finish in the Eastern Division. The Colonels' average home attendance was 8,811.
Kentucky's remarkable season came to a surprising end when the Colonels lost in the Eastern Division semifinals to the New York Nets, 4 games to 2.
1972-1973
Prior to the season the Colonels traded Cincy Powell to the Utah Stars for a draft pick and cash, and bought Rick MountRick Mount
Richard Carl Mount is a former American basketball player in the American Basketball Association . He was the first high school athlete to be featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated.-Early life:...
from the Indiana Pacers for $250,000. Wendell Ladner
Wendell Ladner
Wendell Ladner was an American professional basketball player. He played college basketball at The University of Southern Mississippi where he became a member of Phi Kappa Tau fraternity....
joined the Colonels' roster for the season.
In preseason play, on September 23, 1972 the Colonels hosted the NBA's Atlanta Hawks
Atlanta Hawks
The Atlanta Hawks are an American professional basketball team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are part of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association .-The first years:...
for an exhibition game in Frankfort, Kentucky
Frankfort, Kentucky
Frankfort is a city in Kentucky that serves as the state capital and the county seat of Franklin County. The population was 27,741 at the 2000 census; by population it is the 5th smallest state capital in the United States...
. Julius Erving
Julius Erving
Julius Winfield Erving II , commonly known by the nickname Dr. J, is a retired American basketball player who helped launch a modern style of play that emphasizes leaping and play above the rim....
played for the Hawks, posting 28 points and 18 rebounds in 42 minutes. The Hawks prevailed, 112-99. On September 30, 1972 the Colonels traveled to Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data...
for an exhibition game against the Phoenix Suns
Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns are a professional basketball team based in Phoenix, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association and the only team in their division not to be based in California. Their home arena since 1992 has been the US...
. The Colonels won, 120-118. On October 1, 1972 the Milwaukee Bucks returned to Freedom Hall. Oscar Robertson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar each scored 20 points as the Bucks beat the Colonels 131-100. On October 6, 1972 the Phoenix Suns played the Colonels at Freedom Hall. The Suns won, 103-91. The next night the Colonels lost a close game to the Baltimore Bullets, 95-93.
Louie Dampier, Dan Issel and Artis Gilmore returned to the ABA All-Star Game. Gilmore was again First Team All-ABA and posted a 55.9% field goal percentage and averaged 17.6 rebounds per game. Issel led the league in minutes played with 3,531.
The Colonels finished in second place in the Eastern Division with a record of 56 wins and 28 losses. Their average home attendance was 7,113.
The Colonels beat the Virginia Squires 4 games to 1 in the Eastern Division Semifinals and beat the Carolina Cougars
Carolina Cougars
Carolina Cougars was a basketball franchise in the former American Basketball Association that existed from late 1969 through 1974. The Cougars were originally a charter member of the ABA as the Houston Mavericks in 1967. The Mavericks moved to North Carolina in late 1969 after two unsuccessful...
4 games to 3 in the Eastern Division finals. The Colonels then lost a very close ABA Championship Series to the Indiana Pacers, 4 games to 3.
1973-1974
Prior to the Colonels' 1973-74 season the Colonels drafted M.L. Carr and Ron BehagenRon Behagen
Ronald Michael Behagen is a retired American basketball player.A 6'9" center from DeWitt Clinton High School in New York City, Behagen played basketball in junior college and at the University of Minnesota during the early 1970s. One of his teammates was future Baseball Hall-of-Famer Dave Winfield...
; Carr stayed in college and Behagen signed with the NBA's Kansas City-Omaha Kings. The Colonels also selected Ernie DiGregorio
Ernie DiGregorio
Ernest DiGregorio is a retired American National Basketball Association player.DiGregorio played on the 1968 Rhode Island champions at North Providence High School....
in a special circumstance draft but he signed with the NBA's Buffalo Braves
Buffalo Braves
The Buffalo Braves were a team in the National Basketball Association. They later moved to San Diego, California to become the San Diego Clippers then subsequently the Los Angeles Clippers....
.
In July 1973 the franchise was bought by a group headed by John Y. Brown, Jr.
John Y. Brown, Jr.
This article is about one of four John Young Browns, from Kentucky, that have served political office. For others see: John Young Brown ...
and his wife Ellie Brown. Ellie Brown was later named Chairman of the Board of the team; the board itself was made up of ten women. Legendary former University of Kentucky head coach Adolph Rupp
Adolph Rupp
Adolph Frederick Rupp was one of the most successful coaches in the history of American college basketball. Rupp is fourth in total victories by a men's NCAA Division I college coach, winning 876 games in 41 years of coaching...
was named as Vice President of the Board. Mike Storen left the team; he later surfaced with the ABA's Memphis franchise. Former head coach Gene Rhodes became general manager of the team.
Head coach Joe Mullaney departed to become head coach of the Utah Stars. Mullaney was succeeded by Babe McCarthy
Babe McCarthy
James Harrison "Babe" McCarthy , sometimes called "Ol' Magnolia Mouth" or just "Magnolia Mouth", was an American professional and collegiate basketball coach. McCarthy was originally from Baldwyn, Mississippi...
.
In preseason play against the NBA the Colonels defeated the Houston Rockets 110-102 at Freedom Hall on September 21, 1973 and defeated the Kansas City-Omaha Kings 110-99 the following night.
In January 1974 the Colonels traded Jim O'Brien and a first round draft pick to the San Diego Conquistadors
San Diego Conquistadors
The San Diego Conquistadors, nicknamed the "Q's", were an American Basketball Association team based in San Diego, California. They were the only expansion team in the history of the ABA. The team played from 1972 to 1975. They were replaced in the ABA by the San Diego Sails.-San Diego...
for Red Robbins
Red Robbins
Austin "Red" Robbins was an American basketball player....
and Chuck Williams
Chuck Williams (basketball)
Edward "Chuck" Williams is a retired American basketball player who competed in both the National Basketball Association and the rival American Basketball Association...
. That same month Kentucky dealt Rick Mount to the Utah Stars for a draft pick and cash, and then sent Mike Gale and Wendell Ladner
Wendell Ladner
Wendell Ladner was an American professional basketball player. He played college basketball at The University of Southern Mississippi where he became a member of Phi Kappa Tau fraternity....
to the New York Nets for former Colonel John Roche.
Louie Dampier, Dan Issel and Artis Gilmore again played in the ABA All-Star Game, and Babe McCarthy coached the East team. Gilmore was again named the game's Most Valuable Player. Gilmore again posted remarkable statistics including 3,502 minutes played (tops in the league) and 18.3 rebounds per game (Gilmore grabbed 40 rebounds in one game against the New York Nets that season). Louie Dampier posted a league high 38.7% percentage in three point shots. Babe McCarthy and his Colonels predecessor Joe Mullaney were named ABA Co-Coaches of the Year.
The Colonels posted a regular season record of 53 wins and 31 losses, clinching second place in the Eastern Division. Kentucky's average home attendance for the season was 8,201.
In the playoffs Kentucky defeated the Carolina Cougars
Carolina Cougars
Carolina Cougars was a basketball franchise in the former American Basketball Association that existed from late 1969 through 1974. The Cougars were originally a charter member of the ABA as the Houston Mavericks in 1967. The Mavericks moved to North Carolina in late 1969 after two unsuccessful...
4 games to none in the Eastern Division semifinals but then lost the Eastern Division finals to the New York Nets 4 games to none. Despite being named ABA Coach of the Year, Babe McCarthy was fired at the end of the season.
1974-1975
The Colonels took Jim Price, Greg Smith, Rowland Garrett, Herm Gilliam and Larry Steele in a draft of NBA players, bought Ted McClainTed McClain
Theodore McClain is a retired American professional basketball player.A 6'1", 180 lb guard from Tennessee State University, McClain played eight seasons of professional basketball in the ABA and NBA.While in college McClain was named the Most Outstanding Player of the 1970 NCAA Men's...
from the Carolina Cougars, signed Wil Jones
Wil Jones
Wilbert "Wil" Jones is an American former professional basketball player.A 6'8" forward from Albany State University, Jones was drafted in the fifth round of the 1969 NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Lakers and by the Miami Floridians in the 1969 ABA Draft.Jones played seven seasons in the American...
, and traded a draft pick and cash to the San Antonio Spurs
San Antonio Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs are an American professional basketball team based in San Antonio, Texas. They are part of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association ....
for Bird Averitt
Bird Averitt
William Rodney "Bird" Averitt is a retired American basketball player.He played collegiately for Pepperdine University...
. The Colonels also sent Al Eberhard
Al Eberhard
Al Eberhard is a former NBA basketball player for the Detroit Pistons. Al was drafted with the fifteenth pick in the first round of the 1974 NBA Draft. He played four seasons in the NBA averaging 6.8 points per game and 3.5 rebounds per game in 220 career games...
to the Denver Nuggets
Denver Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets are a professional basketball team based in Denver, Colorado. They play in the National Basketball Association . They were founded as the Denver Rockets in 1967 as a charter franchise of the American Basketball Association, and became one of that league's more successful teams...
in exchange for Marv Roberts
Marv Roberts
Marv Roberts was an American basketball player.Roberts, a native of Brooklyn, New York, played college basketball at Utah State University.Roberts was drafted by the Detroit Pistons in the 3rd round of the 1971 NBA draft...
and sent Red Robbins to the Virginia Squires for cash. John Roche was sold to the Utah Stars in the midst of the season. Gene Littles was added to the Colonels roster for the season.
Hubie Brown
Hubie Brown
Hubert Jude "Hubie" Brown is a retired American basketball coach and a current television analyst. Brown is a two-time NBA Coach of the Year, the honors being separated by 26 years...
was named the new head coach of the Colonels.
In preseason play against the NBA the Colonels lost a game in Lincoln, Nebraska
Lincoln, Nebraska
The City of Lincoln is the capital and the second-most populous city of the US state of Nebraska. Lincoln is also the county seat of Lancaster County and the home of the University of Nebraska. Lincoln's 2010 Census population was 258,379....
to the Kansas City-Omaha Kings 102-91 on September 29, 1974; beat the Washington Bullets 118-95 at Freedom Hall on October 1, 1974; lost by one point on the road to the Houston Rockets on October 5, 1974, 96-95; beat the Detroit Pistons
Detroit Pistons
The Detroit Pistons are a franchise of the National Basketball Association based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The team's home arena is The Palace of Auburn Hills. It was originally founded in Fort Wayne, Indiana as the Fort Wayne Pistons as a member of the National Basketball League in 1941, where...
109-100 at Freedom Hall on October 8, 1974 and on October 12, 1974 defeated the Chicago Bulls at Freedom Hall 93-75.
Louie Dampier, Dan Issel and Artis Gilmore again played in the ABA All Star Game. Gilmore again was First Team All ABA and led the league with 3,493 minutes played.
The Colonels claimed first place in the Eastern Division with a record of 58 wins and 26 losses, but tied with the New York Nets for the division crown. The Colonels' average home attendance was 8,727.
The Colonels began the playoffs with a one game matchup against the New York Nets to determine who would be first place in the Eastern Division. The Colonels won that game in Louisville 108-99. The Colonels then defeated the Memphis Sounds
Memphis Sounds
Memphis Sounds was the final name of a franchise in the American Basketball Association. The team had begun as the New Orleans Buccaneers, and after three seasons in New Orleans, Louisiana moved to Memphis, Tennessee, where it had occasionally played some home games in the past to reasonable crowds...
4 games to 1 in the Eastern Division semifinals and defeated the Spirits of St. Louis
Spirits of St. Louis
The Spirits of St. Louis were one of two teams still in existence at the end of the American Basketball Association that did not survive the ABA-NBA merger. They were a member of the ABA in its last two seasons, 1974–75 and 1975–76, while playing their home games at the St...
4 games to 1 in the Eastern Division finals. The Colonels met their rivals the Indiana Pacers for the ABA Championship and the Colonels prevailed, 4 games to 1, winning their first ABA Championship.
Colonels owner,John Y. Brown, offered up one million dollars to NBA Champion Golden State Warriors to play a world title game. The NBA and Golden State refused.Many believe the Colonels were the better team. Hubie Brown went on to coach many teams in the NBA but has always maintained that the 1974-75 Colonels were the best team he coached.
1975-1976
Prior to the season the Colonels and the ABA's commissioner, Dave DeBusschereDave DeBusschere
David Albert DeBusschere was an American NBA and major league baseball player and coach in the NBA. In 1996, DeBusschere was named as one of the 50 greatest players in NBA history....
, challenged the NBA to have its champion, the Golden State Warriors
Golden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors are an American professional basketball team based in Oakland, California. They are part of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
, face the Colonels in a championship series, the winner of which would get $1 million. The NBA declined. Interest in ABA vs. NBA play extended beyond the two leagues' management. In 1976, CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
sought to establish a postseason playoff between the ABA and NBA, and to win the rights to broadcast those games.
To the dismay of Colonels fans and players, owner John Y. Brown, Jr. dealt star Dan Issel to the Baltimore Claws
Baltimore Claws
The Baltimore Claws was an American basketball team which was supposed to appear in the 1975-76 season in the American Basketball Association. The team collapsed before the season started, playing only three exhibition games in its brief history.-Background:...
prior to the season for $500,000; the cash was not forthcoming from the struggling Baltimore franchise and Issel ended up with the Denver Nuggets shortly before the Claws were shut down by the league.
Gene Rhodes was named vice president of operations and David Vance was named general manager for the team.
In preseason play the Colonels defeated the Chicago Bulls 95-86 at Riverfront Coliseum in Cincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio. Cincinnati is the county seat of Hamilton County. Settled in 1788, the city is located to north of the Ohio River at the Ohio-Kentucky border, near Indiana. The population within city limits is 296,943 according to the 2010 census, making it Ohio's...
on October 1, 1975; lost to the New York Knicks in Landover, Maryland
Landover, Maryland
Landover is an unincorporated community in Prince George's County, Maryland, United States, within the census-designated place of Greater Landover. The Prince Georges County Sports and Learning Complex is in Landover...
at the Capital Centre
Capital Centre
The Capital Centre was an indoor arena located in Landover, Maryland, unincorporated Prince George's County, Maryland; a suburb of Washington, D.C. Completed in 1973, the arena sat 18,756 for basketball and 18,130 for hockey....
107-102 on October 4, 1975; defeated the Detroit Pistons 114-113 on October 5, 1975 in Cincinnati; defeated the Milwaukee Bucks 96-91 in Freedom Hall on October 10, 1975; lost an overtime game to the Detroit Pistons in Detroit on October 12, 1975, 115-107; defeated the Buffalo Braves 120-116 in Freedom Hall on October 14, 1975; defeated the Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers are a professional basketball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . Originally known as the Syracuse Nationals, they are one of the oldest franchises in the NBA...
112-110 in Cincinnati, Ohio on October 17, 1975; and won another ABA vs. NBA exhibition on October 19, 1975 with a 121-111 victory over the Washington Bullets in Lexington, Kentucky. The game against the Bullets was the penultimate ABA vs. NBA contest; two nights later in the final ABA vs. NBA matchup the Utah Stars defeated the Milwaukee Bucks 106-101.
One other Colonels preseason game deserves special mention. The prior year, the NBA declined the ABA champion Colonels' challenge against the NBA champion Golden State Warriors for a $1 million payout. However, the two teams did meet on October 8, 1975 at Freedom Hall. The Colonels won the matchup of the league champions, 93-90.
The Colonels finished the 1975-76 preseason with a record of 7 wins and 2 losses against NBA teams. The Colonels, like the ABA as a whole, had a winning overall record against the NBA over the course of their existence.
Shortly after the regular season began the San Diego Sails
San Diego Sails
The San Diego Sails were an American Basketball Association team based in San Diego, California; the team played an incomplete season only, beginning the 1975-1976 ABA season but folding before its completion.-San Diego Conquistadors:...
folded and the Colonels picked up Caldwell Jones
Caldwell Jones
Caldwell "Pops" Jones is a retired American professional basketball player.Jones was drafted from Albany State University by the Philadelphia 76ers with the 14th pick in the 1973 NBA Draft...
from their roster. Kentucky then traded Jones to the Spirits of St. Louis for Maurice Lucas
Maurice Lucas
Maurice Lucas was an American professional basketball player. The first two years of his postcollegiate career were spent in the American Basketball Association with the Spirits of St. Louis and Kentucky Colonels...
. The Colonels also traded Marv Roberts to the Virginia Squires during the season in exchange for Johnny Neumann
Johnny Neumann
Carl John Neumann is an American former professional basketball player and coach. At 6'6" and 200 pounds, he played the guard and forward positions.-High school and college:...
and Jan van Breda Kolff. Another move in the middle of the season sent Ted McClain
Ted McClain
Theodore McClain is a retired American professional basketball player.A 6'1", 180 lb guard from Tennessee State University, McClain played eight seasons of professional basketball in the ABA and NBA.While in college McClain was named the Most Outstanding Player of the 1970 NCAA Men's...
to the New York Nets in exchange for $150,000. Allen Murphy, Jimmy Dan Connor, Johnny Neumann
Johnny Neumann
Carl John Neumann is an American former professional basketball player and coach. At 6'6" and 200 pounds, he played the guard and forward positions.-High school and college:...
, Jimmy Baker, Kevin Joyce and Jim McDaniels
Jim McDaniels
James Ronald McDaniels is an American former professional basketball player.A 6'11" power forward/center, McDaniels averaged nearly 40 points per game as a senior at Allen County High School in Kentucky. From 1968 to 1971, he played at Western Kentucky University, leading his team to a third place...
joined the Colonels' roster for the 1975-76 season.
Artis Gilmore returned to the ABA All-Star Game and once again was named First Team All ABA. Dampier, after eight straight appearances in that game, was not chosen.
The Colonels finished in fourth place in the Eastern Division with a record of 46 wins and 38 losses. Their average home attendance was 6,935.
The Colonels defeated their rivals, the Indiana Pacers, 2 games to 1 in the first round of the playoffs. In the league semifinals, the Colonels and the Denver Nuggets each won three games apiece before Denver claimed Game 7 133-110 at Denver on April 28, 1976. It was the Kentucky Colonels' final game.
Aftermath
The ABA had entered the 1975-1976 preseason with ten teams. After three preseason games, the Baltimore ClawsBaltimore Claws
The Baltimore Claws was an American basketball team which was supposed to appear in the 1975-76 season in the American Basketball Association. The team collapsed before the season started, playing only three exhibition games in its brief history.-Background:...
were shut down by the league due to financial problems and unpaid bills. The San Diego Sails
San Diego Sails
The San Diego Sails were an American Basketball Association team based in San Diego, California; the team played an incomplete season only, beginning the 1975-1976 ABA season but folding before its completion.-San Diego Conquistadors:...
and the Utah Stars
Utah Stars
The Utah Stars was an American Basketball Association team based in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.Under head coach Bill Sharman the Stars were the first major professional basketball team to use a pre-game shootaround.-History:...
each folded shortly after the season began, the Sails after eleven games and the Stars after 16. The ABA was reduced to seven teams for the remainder of the season. Shortly after the regular season ended, the Virginia Squires were forced to fold because they could not meet a league-mandated financial assessment. The six remaining ABA teams began negotiations for the eventual ABA-NBA merger
ABA-NBA merger
The ABA–NBA merger was the merger of the American Basketball Association with the National Basketball Association, which after multiple attempts over several years finally occurred in 1976.- Origins of ABA-NBA competition :...
.
In the end, the NBA agreed to take in four teams—but the Colonels weren't among them. Although it has never been confirmed, it is likely that the NBA selected the Pacers over the Colonels because Indianapolis
Indianapolis
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
was a more lucrative market. However, the Colonels were on far stronger financial footing than the Pacers.
On July 17, 1976 the Kentucky Colonels ceased to exist as John Y. Brown, Jr. agreed to fold the Colonels in exchange for $3 million. Brown used the money to purchase the Buffalo Braves
Los Angeles Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers are a professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California, United States. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association...
of the NBA.
The Colonels players were put into a dispersal draft. The Chicago Bulls
Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls are an American professional basketball team based in Chicago, Illinois, playing in the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1966. They play their home games at the United Center...
took Artis Gilmore for $1.1 million. The Portland Trail Blazers
Portland Trail Blazers
The Portland Trail Blazers, commonly known as the Blazers, are an American professional basketball team based in Portland, Oregon. They play in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The Trail Blazers originally played their home games in the...
took Maurice Lucas for $300,000. The Buffalo Braves took Bird Averitt for $125,000. The Indiana Pacers took Wil Jones for $50,000. The New York Nets took Jan Van Breda Kolff for $60,000. The San Antonio Spurs took Louie Dampier for $20,000.
In contrast to Brown receiving $3 million in cash for the Colonels, the Spirits of St. Louis' owners received $2.2 million in cash along with a 1/7 share of each of the four remaining teams' television income in perpetuity. That deal has been estimated to have generated over $250 million in the years since.
Unsuccessful efforts were made to bring the NBA's relocating Charlotte Hornets and Vancouver Grizzlies
Memphis Grizzlies
The Memphis Grizzlies are a professional basketball team based in Memphis, Tennessee, USA. The team is part of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . Along with the Toronto Raptors, the Grizzlies were established in 1995 as part of the NBA's...
to Louisville, along with the Houston Rockets
Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets are an American professional basketball team based in Houston, Texas. The team plays in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1967, and played in San Diego, California for four years, before being...
at a time that they were demanding a new arena. However, professional basketball has not returned to Louisville since the demise of the Colonels except in minor leagues such as the Louisville Catbirds
Louisville Catbirds
The Louisville Catbirds were a basketball team of the CBA who played in the mid 80s.-History:The Catbirds played two seasons in 1983-85 in Kentucky before moving to La Crosse, Wisconsin, in which the team would reach the CBA finals three times, winning twice 1990 and in 1992). Head coach Flip...
of the Continental Basketball Association
Continental Basketball Association
The Continental Basketball Association was a professional men's basketball league in the United States, which has been on hiatus since the 2009 season.- History :...
, the Louisville Shooters
Louisville Shooters
Louisville Shooters was a team from Louisville, Kentucky that competed in the Global Basketball Association during its inaugural 1991-1992 season and three games into its second season....
of the Global Basketball Association
Global Basketball Association
The Global Basketball Association was a minor league with various franchises in the United States. Teams were located throughout the South and Midwest...
and the Kentucky Colonels
Kentucky Colonels (ABA 2000)
This article is about the professional basketball team in the re-launched American Basketball Association.For the 1967-1976 American Basketball Association team, see Kentucky Colonels....
of the ABA 2000.
Season-By-Season
|-|colspan="6" align=center bgcolor="blue" | Kentucky Colonels
|-
|1967-68 || 36 || 42 || .462 || Won 1968 Eastern Division Playoff
1968 ABA Playoffs
The 1968 ABA Playoffs was the postseason tournament following the American Basketball Association's inaugural 1967-1968 season. The tournament concluded with the Eastern Division champion Pittsburgh Pipers defeating the Western Division champion New Orleans Buccaneers, four games to three in the...
Lost 1968 Eastern Division Semifinals
1968 ABA Playoffs
The 1968 ABA Playoffs was the postseason tournament following the American Basketball Association's inaugural 1967-1968 season. The tournament concluded with the Eastern Division champion Pittsburgh Pipers defeating the Western Division champion New Orleans Buccaneers, four games to three in the...
|| Kentucky Colonels 1, New Jersey Americans 0
Minnesota Muskies
Minnesota Muskies
The Minnesota Muskies were a charter member of the American Basketball Association, born with the league's creation on February 2, 1967. L.P. Shields and Fred Jefferson bought in to create the franchise for $30,000...
3, Kentucky Colonels 2
|-
|1968-69 || 42 || 36 || .538 || Lost 1969 Eastern Division Semifinals
1969 ABA Playoffs
The 1969 ABA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the American Basketball Association's 1968-1969 season. The tournament concluded with the Western Division champion Oakland Oaks defeating the Eastern Division champion Indiana Pacers, four games to one in the ABA Finals.-Notable events:The...
|| Indiana Pacers
Indiana Pacers
The Indiana Pacers are a professional basketball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. They are members of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association...
4, Kentucky Colonels 3
|-
|1969-70 || 45 || 39 || .536 || Won 1970 Eastern Division Semifinals
1970 ABA Playoffs
The 1970 ABA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the American Basketball Association's 1969-1970 season. The tournament concluded with the Eastern Division champion Indiana Pacers defeating the Western Division champion Los Angeles Stars, four games to two in the ABA Finals.The Indiana Pacers...
Lost 1970 Eastern Division Finals
1970 ABA Playoffs
The 1970 ABA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the American Basketball Association's 1969-1970 season. The tournament concluded with the Eastern Division champion Indiana Pacers defeating the Western Division champion Los Angeles Stars, four games to two in the ABA Finals.The Indiana Pacers...
|| Kentucky Colonels 4, New York Nets 3
Indiana Pacers
Indiana Pacers
The Indiana Pacers are a professional basketball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. They are members of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association...
4, Kentucky Colonels 1
|-
|1970-71 || 44 || 40 || .524 || Won 1971 Eastern Division Semifinals
1971 ABA Playoffs
The 1971 ABA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the American Basketball Association's 1970-1971 season. The tournament concluded with the Western Division champion Utah Stars defeating the Eastern Division champion Kentucky Colonels, four games to three in the ABA finals.-Notable...
Won 1971 Eastern Division Finals
1971 ABA Playoffs
The 1971 ABA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the American Basketball Association's 1970-1971 season. The tournament concluded with the Western Division champion Utah Stars defeating the Eastern Division champion Kentucky Colonels, four games to three in the ABA finals.-Notable...
Lost 1971 Eastern ABA Finals
1971 ABA Playoffs
The 1971 ABA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the American Basketball Association's 1970-1971 season. The tournament concluded with the Western Division champion Utah Stars defeating the Eastern Division champion Kentucky Colonels, four games to three in the ABA finals.-Notable...
|| Kentucky Colonels 4, The Floridans 2
Kentucky Colonels 4, Virginia Squires
Virginia Squires
The Virginia Squires were a basketball franchise in the former American Basketball Association from 1970 until just before the ABA-NBA merger in 1976.-In Oakland :...
2
Utah Stars
Utah Stars
The Utah Stars was an American Basketball Association team based in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.Under head coach Bill Sharman the Stars were the first major professional basketball team to use a pre-game shootaround.-History:...
4, Kentucky Colonels 3
|-
|1971-72 || 68 || 16 || .810 || Lost 1972 Eastern Division Semifinals
1972 ABA Playoffs
The 1972 ABA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the American Basketball Association's 1971-1972 season. The tournament concluded with the Western Division champion Indiana Pacers defeating the Eastern Division champion New York Nets, four games to two in the ABA Finals.-Notable events:The...
|| New York Nets 4, Kentucky Colonels 2
|-
|1972-73 || 56 || 28 || .667 || Won 1973 Eastern Division Semifinals
1973 ABA Playoffs
The 1973 ABA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the American Basketball Association's 1972-1973 season. The tournament concluded with the Western Division champion Indiana Pacers defeating the Eastern Division champion Kentucky Colonels, four games to three in the ABA Finals.-Notable...
Won 1973 Eastern Division Finals
1973 ABA Playoffs
The 1973 ABA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the American Basketball Association's 1972-1973 season. The tournament concluded with the Western Division champion Indiana Pacers defeating the Eastern Division champion Kentucky Colonels, four games to three in the ABA Finals.-Notable...
Lost ABA Finals
1973 ABA Playoffs
The 1973 ABA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the American Basketball Association's 1972-1973 season. The tournament concluded with the Western Division champion Indiana Pacers defeating the Eastern Division champion Kentucky Colonels, four games to three in the ABA Finals.-Notable...
|| Kentucky Colonels 4, Virginia Squires
Virginia Squires
The Virginia Squires were a basketball franchise in the former American Basketball Association from 1970 until just before the ABA-NBA merger in 1976.-In Oakland :...
1
Kentucky Colonels 4, Carolina Cougars
Carolina Cougars
Carolina Cougars was a basketball franchise in the former American Basketball Association that existed from late 1969 through 1974. The Cougars were originally a charter member of the ABA as the Houston Mavericks in 1967. The Mavericks moved to North Carolina in late 1969 after two unsuccessful...
3
Indiana Pacers
Indiana Pacers
The Indiana Pacers are a professional basketball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. They are members of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association...
4, Kentucky Colonels 3
|-
|1973-74 || 53 || 31 || .631 || Won 1974 Eastern Division Semifinals
1974 ABA Playoffs
The 1974 ABA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the American Basketball Association's 1973-1974 season. The tournament concluded with the Eastern Division champion New York Nets defeating the Western Division champion Utah Stars, four games to one in the ABA Finals.-Notable events:A one game...
Lost 1974 Eastern Division Finals
1974 ABA Playoffs
The 1974 ABA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the American Basketball Association's 1973-1974 season. The tournament concluded with the Eastern Division champion New York Nets defeating the Western Division champion Utah Stars, four games to one in the ABA Finals.-Notable events:A one game...
|| Kentucky Colonels 4, Carolina Cougars
Carolina Cougars
Carolina Cougars was a basketball franchise in the former American Basketball Association that existed from late 1969 through 1974. The Cougars were originally a charter member of the ABA as the Houston Mavericks in 1967. The Mavericks moved to North Carolina in late 1969 after two unsuccessful...
0
New York Nets 4, Kentucky Colonels 0
|-
|1974-75 || 58 || 26 || .690 || Won 1975 Eastern Division First Place Game
1975 ABA Playoffs
The 1975 ABA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the American Basketball Association's 1974-1975 season. The tournament concluded with the Eastern Division champion Kentucky Colonels defeating the Western Division champion Indiana Pacers, four games to one in the ABA Finals.The Kentucky...
Won 1975 Eastern Division Semifinals
1975 ABA Playoffs
The 1975 ABA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the American Basketball Association's 1974-1975 season. The tournament concluded with the Eastern Division champion Kentucky Colonels defeating the Western Division champion Indiana Pacers, four games to one in the ABA Finals.The Kentucky...
Won 1975 Eastern Division Finals
1975 ABA Playoffs
The 1975 ABA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the American Basketball Association's 1974-1975 season. The tournament concluded with the Eastern Division champion Kentucky Colonels defeating the Western Division champion Indiana Pacers, four games to one in the ABA Finals.The Kentucky...
Won 1975 ABA Finals
1975 ABA Playoffs
The 1975 ABA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the American Basketball Association's 1974-1975 season. The tournament concluded with the Eastern Division champion Kentucky Colonels defeating the Western Division champion Indiana Pacers, four games to one in the ABA Finals.The Kentucky...
|| Kentucky Colonels 1, New York Nets 0
Kentucky Colonels 4, Memphis Sounds
Memphis Sounds
Memphis Sounds was the final name of a franchise in the American Basketball Association. The team had begun as the New Orleans Buccaneers, and after three seasons in New Orleans, Louisiana moved to Memphis, Tennessee, where it had occasionally played some home games in the past to reasonable crowds...
1
Kentucky Colonels 4, Spirits of St. Louis
Spirits of St. Louis
The Spirits of St. Louis were one of two teams still in existence at the end of the American Basketball Association that did not survive the ABA-NBA merger. They were a member of the ABA in its last two seasons, 1974–75 and 1975–76, while playing their home games at the St...
1
Kentucky Colonels 4, Indiana Pacers
Indiana Pacers
The Indiana Pacers are a professional basketball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. They are members of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association...
1
|-
|1975-76 || 46 || 38 || .548 || Won 1976 First Round
1976 ABA Playoffs
The 1976 ABA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the American Basketball Association's 1975-1976 season. The tournament concluded with the New York Nets defeating the Denver Nuggets four games to two in the ABA Finals....
Lost 1976 ABA Semifinals
1976 ABA Playoffs
The 1976 ABA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the American Basketball Association's 1975-1976 season. The tournament concluded with the New York Nets defeating the Denver Nuggets four games to two in the ABA Finals....
|| Kentucky Colonels 2, Indiana Pacers
Indiana Pacers
The Indiana Pacers are a professional basketball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. They are members of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association...
1
Denver Nuggets
Denver Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets are a professional basketball team based in Denver, Colorado. They play in the National Basketball Association . They were founded as the Denver Rockets in 1967 as a charter franchise of the American Basketball Association, and became one of that league's more successful teams...
4, Kentucky Colonels 3
|-
Broadcast media
Colonels games were broadcast throughout their history on WHASWHAS (AM)
WHAS, known by the on air branding as "84 WHAS", is an AM radio station broadcasting in Louisville, Kentucky. It is a 50,000 Watt clear channel radio station assigned to frequency 840 kHz. With clear channel status, its nighttime signal can be heard in most of the continental U.S...
Radio, the Louisville market's top-rated station at the time and a 50,000-watt clear-channel station, which meant that Colonels broadcasts could be heard over much of the continental United States at night. Van Vance
Van Vance
Van Vance is an American sports broadcaster and announcer.Vance appeared on WHAS radio as the announcer for the Kentucky Colonels of the American Basketball Association, often with Cawood Ledford...
was the play-by-play announcer for nearly all of the games in the franchise's history, with Cawood Ledford
Cawood Ledford
Cawood Ledford was a longtime radio play-by-play announcer for the University of Kentucky basketball and football teams...
(better known as the longtime voice of the University of Kentucky
University of Kentucky
The University of Kentucky, also known as UK, is a public co-educational university and is one of the state's two land-grant universities, located in Lexington, Kentucky...
Wildcats) behind the microphone as well, sometimes as color analyst beside Vance.
The Colonels had some game broadcast on various local television stations, but were usually only seen on TV during the ABA network games.
New ABA, New Kentucky Colonels
In 2004, the ABA 2000 brought Louisville a new team with the same name, the Kentucky Colonels (ABA 2000)Kentucky Colonels (ABA 2000)
This article is about the professional basketball team in the re-launched American Basketball Association.For the 1967-1976 American Basketball Association team, see Kentucky Colonels....
.
See also
- Colonel (title)Colonel (title)The honorary title of Colonel is conferred by some states in the United States of America and certain units of the Canadian Forces. The origins of the titular colonelcy can be traced back to colonial and antebellum times when men of the landed gentry were given the title for financing the local...
- Kentucky colonelKentucky colonelKentucky colonel is the highest title of honor bestowed by the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Commissions for Kentucky colonels are given by the Governor and the Secretary of State to individuals in recognition of noteworthy accomplishments and outstanding service to a community, state or the nation...
- Kentucky Colonels (ABA 2000)Kentucky Colonels (ABA 2000)This article is about the professional basketball team in the re-launched American Basketball Association.For the 1967-1976 American Basketball Association team, see Kentucky Colonels....
- Sports in Louisville, KentuckySports in Louisville, KentuckySports in Louisville, Kentucky- College :College basketball and football are very popular in Louisville, which prides itself on being one of the best college sports towns in America....
- 1968 ABA Playoffs1968 ABA PlayoffsThe 1968 ABA Playoffs was the postseason tournament following the American Basketball Association's inaugural 1967-1968 season. The tournament concluded with the Eastern Division champion Pittsburgh Pipers defeating the Western Division champion New Orleans Buccaneers, four games to three in the...
- 1969 ABA Playoffs1969 ABA PlayoffsThe 1969 ABA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the American Basketball Association's 1968-1969 season. The tournament concluded with the Western Division champion Oakland Oaks defeating the Eastern Division champion Indiana Pacers, four games to one in the ABA Finals.-Notable events:The...
- 1970 ABA Playoffs1970 ABA PlayoffsThe 1970 ABA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the American Basketball Association's 1969-1970 season. The tournament concluded with the Eastern Division champion Indiana Pacers defeating the Western Division champion Los Angeles Stars, four games to two in the ABA Finals.The Indiana Pacers...
- 1971 ABA Playoffs1971 ABA PlayoffsThe 1971 ABA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the American Basketball Association's 1970-1971 season. The tournament concluded with the Western Division champion Utah Stars defeating the Eastern Division champion Kentucky Colonels, four games to three in the ABA finals.-Notable...
- 1972 ABA Playoffs1972 ABA PlayoffsThe 1972 ABA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the American Basketball Association's 1971-1972 season. The tournament concluded with the Western Division champion Indiana Pacers defeating the Eastern Division champion New York Nets, four games to two in the ABA Finals.-Notable events:The...
- 1973 ABA Playoffs1973 ABA PlayoffsThe 1973 ABA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the American Basketball Association's 1972-1973 season. The tournament concluded with the Western Division champion Indiana Pacers defeating the Eastern Division champion Kentucky Colonels, four games to three in the ABA Finals.-Notable...
- 1974 ABA Playoffs1974 ABA PlayoffsThe 1974 ABA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the American Basketball Association's 1973-1974 season. The tournament concluded with the Eastern Division champion New York Nets defeating the Western Division champion Utah Stars, four games to one in the ABA Finals.-Notable events:A one game...
- 1975 ABA Playoffs1975 ABA PlayoffsThe 1975 ABA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the American Basketball Association's 1974-1975 season. The tournament concluded with the Eastern Division champion Kentucky Colonels defeating the Western Division champion Indiana Pacers, four games to one in the ABA Finals.The Kentucky...
- 1976 ABA Playoffs1976 ABA PlayoffsThe 1976 ABA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the American Basketball Association's 1975-1976 season. The tournament concluded with the New York Nets defeating the Denver Nuggets four games to two in the ABA Finals....
- 1973-74 Kentucky Colonels season
- 1974-75 Kentucky Colonels season1974-75 Kentucky Colonels seasonThe 1974-75 American Basketball Association season saw the Kentucky Colonels, led by Dan Issel, Artis Gilmore, Louie Dampier and coach Hubie Brown, win the 1975 ABA Championship.-Preseason transactions:...