3D Magazine | Issue 1

Welcome to the 1st edition of 3D - The Official Magazine of the ABA.When Dick Tinkham and I revived the legendary ABA in 2000, our goal was to make the ABA "more than just a game." And over the last 23 years, we've done that and more.

Dick was one of the founders of the original ABA that spawned Dr. J, George Gervin, Moses Malone, Rick Barry and others who went onto great careers in the NBA. (Dick passed away several years ago; he was proud of where the ABA had gone and would be even prouder now).

As many of you know, Dick and I met at a McDonalds in Indianapolis where we made plans to launch the new ABA after a 25 year hiatus. Some of our specific goals were to become the most diversified professional sports league ever and we've done that with over 75% of our teams owned by AfricanAmericans, Hispanics, Asians, women and Native Americans. We also wanted to make it easier to own and operate a professional sports

team than any other and have done that leading to over 150 ABA teams and being the largest professional sports league in the US.

And we wanted to make the ABA the most exciting basketball being played anywhere in the world and with the help of Tom Chichester, ABA Director of Officials, who has been with the ABA since day one, we've done that by combining NBA, NCAA, international and our own unique rules. Anyone who has watched an ABA game sees the differencehigher scoring, faster paced, more fun. One of our unique rules is 3D (after which this magazine is named). If there is a turnover in the back court and a basket is scored, the team receives an additional point. It makes the ABA a full court offensive and defensive game.

In the coming months, thanks to the great work of our Publisher/Editor Brian "Essince" Collins, you'll get an inside look at the ABA and all of the many components that make the ABA more than just a game. Over these past 23 years, we've added the WABA and established ABA leagues in Canada, Mexico, Caribbean, Australia and Africa. And this year, we've added ABAGALE TV - The Official Streaming Network of the ABA available on Roku and other devices reaching over 70 million homes (www.abagaletv.com). And there's much more to come. So again, welcome and enjoy.

Joe Newman ABA CEO

Content

Check out some of the key stories in our first issue.

Layout/Design: Brian "Essince" Collins for Royal Heir Ent.

ABA Alive & Well

Can Champs Repeat?

Team Spotlight

It takes a lot to run a league, especially with the ABA's history.

Does Steel City have what it takes to go back to back? 13

Staff Highlight

We catch up with new ABA President Greg Brown.

Quick highlight of a few of the ABA's best teams. 15

International Host

1st person account of hosting the Japan's only ABA team.

FROM THE EDITOR :

To quote the great Kurtis Blow from his 1984 hit, "Basketball is my favorite sport. " There's nothing like the thrill of an exciting game but there's so much between college and the NBA that gets overlooked. That's why I wanted to create this magazine. To share not only the minor leagues in the US but the top pro leagues worldwide that are deserving of our fandom. Whether you're a player, an owner (like me), an agent, or just a fan, this is for you.

Brian "Essince" Collins Editor, 3-D Magazine Owner, Akron Aviators | Royal Heir

Entertainment

ABA Alive and Well as Largest and Most Diversified Professional Sports League in the World

Written by Chad Bryan

On October 14, 1967, the Oakland Oaks took down the Anaheim Amigos 134-129. Andy Anderson of the Oaks would be the game’s leading scorer with 33 points, outdueling John Fairchild of the Amigos, who netted 30. However, more importantly, the American Basketball Association was officially underway.

Originally founded by California businessmen, Dennis Murphy and Gary

L. Davidson, the ABA was created as a direct competitor to the National Basketball Association. At the time, many upstart leagues were popping up to try to compete with the more established, but still seemingly vulnerable NBA. The ABA was the only one with any real staying power, operating from 1967 to 1976, at which time the NBA and ABA would merge.

Despite the best efforts of many within the NBA to dismiss the ABA as league

full of no-talent upstarts, the league would attract players such as Julius “Dr J” Erving, Moses Malone, George “The Iceman” Gervin and Connie Hawkins. Still, the league had its staunch opponents as former Boston Celtics Head Coach Red Auerbach once noted that the iconic red, white, and blue ball that the ABA used belonged on the nose of a seal.

In its heyday, the ABA attracted broadcasters such as Bob Costas, Verne Lundquist, Warner Fusselle

and Marty Brennaman. The local and regional demand was never in question, however none of the league’s cities were in top-twenty markets. This prevented the league from receiving a national television deal, which in turn led to financial problems as owners struggled to sell enough tickets to keep most franchises afloat.

In 1976, these struggles would culminate in an historic merger with the NBA, which would see four ABA teams, the Denver Nuggets, the New Jersey Nets, the Indiana Pacers and the San Antonio Spurs officially become members of the NBA. Other players from remaining ABA teams would be sprinkled into the NBA on various rosters as the ABA disbanded for the time being.

The ABA was created at a time when the NBA was not seen as all-inclusive and offered some African American players a more comfortable, laid-back environment in which to play. Its players had nicknames like Bad News, Jelly, Magnolia Mouth and Mr. Excitement. The league was much faster-paced than the NBA, which was seen as a half-court league while the ABA was known for its runand-gun style.

One player with an original nickname would go on to

provide a one-of-a-kind moment of his own in front of a national audience. After the ABA had disbanded and during halftime of game 5 of the 1976-77 NBA Finals, a dunk contest was held which would be won by Darnell “Dr. Dunk” Hillman, a former member of the ABA’s Indiana Pacers. Hillman wasn’t technically a member of any team at the time as he had not officially signed his NBA contract. Hence, during the post-event interview, Hillman donned a “Bottle Shoppe” softball jersey. The Bottle Shoppe was a liquor store which is still in business today. Hillman was a leftfielder for the storesponsored softball team; thus, he wore the jersey of the only team he was a member of at the time. Hillman, who never received recognition from the NBA for winning the event, finally received his trophy on March 8, 2017, thanks to the Pacers.

The ABA would be revived in 2000 by Joe Newman along with the late Richard P. Tinkham. Tinkham co-founded the original league, along with the Indiana Pacers. Newman was the CEO of Joe Newman Advertising, Inc. as well as Alliance Broadcasting Group, Inc. The two would bring back a once-great league and grow it into what the ABA is known as today: the largest, most diversified professional sports league in the world.

is known as today: the largest, most diversified professional sports league in the world. The ABA’s impact continues to be felt in many ways, including in the success of its former teams. The Nets, Nuggets, Pacers and Spurs have numerous NBA playoff appearances between them. The Spurs are the only team to win an NBA Championship, which they’ve done five times in all. In 2003, for the first time, two former ABA squads would square off against each other in the NBA Finals. The Spurs would take down the Nets to win the series in six games, clinching the second of their five NBA titles. The ABA is also credited with the advent of the three-point shot, which was adopted by the NBA in 1979.

Perhaps, the American Basketball Association’s biggest impact is the legacy it unknowingly created, one that resonates throughout the communities where ABA basketball is still being played.

ABA CHAMPIONS WORKING HARD TO REPEAT.

By Thomas Leturgey

Ace Pippens was happy. Moments earlier, his American Basketball Association (ABA) defending National Champions, the Steel City Yellow Jackets, bested the New Jersey Knights by an incredible 200-89 score. The game wasn’t really that close.

Despite the Founder, Owner and Head Coach’s post-game glee, it’s been a trying season for the Yellow Jackets.

Last April, the Yellow Jackets shocked many in the ABA when they defeated Team Trouble 123-118 at the ABA finals in Baltimore. The charge was seen as “Unfinished Business” for Pippens and two of his captains: Antonio Reddic, Sr. and Gilmore Cummings. The Yellow Jacket O.G.’s had been together since the franchise’s birth in 2014. Beginning in Year One, they had come so close, so many times. Individually, Reddic and Cummings both began to wonder about their collective basketball legacy. That was enough motivation for all three veterans to push like never before.

After winning the title, Pippens and Assistant Coach Clyde Manns shared an emotional and inspiring moment. Manns

pulled Pippens up from his wheelchair for a tearful embrace. Manns had promised his longtime friend to make that happen if they ever won the big game. And for Pippens, who was paralyzed from the waist down by gunfire during a domestic incident 29 years ago, the win was vindication for a lifetime filled with sports and coaching.

Last May, Pittsburgh City officials quickly arranged a championship parade and citywide proclamation. Pittsburgh’s 61st Mayor, Ed Gainey, was in office for just five months when he pridefully led (with a megaphone in hand) the newest inductee into the “City of Champions” from outside City Hall to a popular Market Square celebration.

Pippens had achieved the pinnacle, and boasted a 129-33 career coaching record that he didn’t initially recognize. Add in this year’s 10-2 record (as of February 13), and his 139-35 ( and .794 winning percentage) has to be among the best in the ABA’s 23-year-existence.

The current pre-season Power Rankings featured the National Champions in the #1 slot. That meant that other teams were

gunning to topple defending champions. That’s exactly what the Yellow Jackets had done. The schedule featured new foes, and a trip to Baltimore (where the Yellow Jackets had never defeated the Hawks), but its Charm City counterparts weren’t on Pittsburgh’s home calendar.

Fast forward to November 5. More than last year, the team is constantly evolving, especially with personnel. Assistant Coach Manns was the first to leave the club, when a position opened in the NBA. A few contributing players weren’t retained, but the core was to be intact, even though three leaders were somewhat banged up.

In the championship season, the team was strong with outstanding shooting from all over the court. First-team AllStar Reddic was just as strong outside the three-point line as he was with the giants down under the net. At 6’3”, Reddic was up against larger forwards and centers in the paint. His quick reflexes, uncanny jumping ability, long arms and exceptional hands fared well on the rebounding front, but he also found himself crashing to the hardwood more than he, or

anyone, would like.

The grinding took its toll. At the beginning of the season, the usually-durable Reddic was unable to play. His constant, earnest verve finally caught up to the Yellow Jackets’ all-time leading scorer.

Like Reddic, Gilmore Cummings was eager to defend the city’s latest professional sports crown. As smooth-assilk shooter from beyond the three-point line as anyone in the ABA, Cummings also entered the season banged up. And when he did make it back, the arching threes didn’t fall for the team’s second alltime leading point producer. One could tell that he wasn’t yet playing at 100%, and a subsequent leg injury quickly sidelined him again. Then, when Cummings returned from therapy and ready to play. In limited time against the

Central Pennsylvania Kings, he was involved in a scrum, fell and cracked his head hard on the floor.

Reddic and Cummings had success with a third team captain, Claude Scott, Jr. A rebound-hunting forward, Scott could also post 30plus on the scoreboard from time-to-time. He played an important role in the Yellow Jackets’ championship run. And like his “older brothers,” Scott started the 2022-2023 campaign on the injured list. Not one to miss a beat, Scott helped from the bench as a de facto coach. Once he did return Scott produced at an exceptional rate.

Healthy for much of the season was the not-so-secret weapon, “Agent Zero,” Kenny Holmes. Holmes, once a former shooting guard for the Yellow Jackets, played

a majority of the 2021-2022 season in Newfoundland, but returned to Pittsburgh just in time for the stretch run. His Canadian employer was temporarily shuddered when COVID forced a league-wide stoppage in play late in their season. Holmes’ presence, and customary 40-points off the bench earned him Most Valuable Player recognition during the championship tournament.

Holmes started this season in Black and Gold and picked up right where he left off, the sixth man off the pine at A Giving Heart Community Center in Pittsburgh’s Allentown neighborhood and other ABA road stops. A cool character away from the court, Holmes was all business for four quarters every game. Just when an opponent thought they knew what was going on with Pippen’s starting five,

Holmes calmly came in and scored from anywhere, and seemingly at will.

Pippens promised a faster, full-court press game at the beginning of the season. The swarming 94-foot defense caught some of the opposition off guard. This is especially where twins, James and Timothy Jackson excelled.

The 25-year-olds highlight the “untold stories” of the last two seasons. The guards are resilient and competitive. And while both players have the talent to take over any offense themselves, they are even better when they are on the lookout for each other. Some players may take a hurried shot, but the Jacksons selflessly fire a pass to the other, in hopes of an easier three-pointer or lay up. They both have become initiators of the ABA’s “3D” plays. The February 4 game against the New Jersey Knights almost instantly got out-of-hand when the Yellow Jackets forced, and completed 3D opportunities in the earliest moments.

It was the first time since the Yellow Jackets’ debut in which the team has scored more than 200 twice in one season. On December 10, the Yellow Jackets defeated a depleted Bridgeport Bombers squad, 213-65.

The very next week, a

trip to Baltimore toppled the Yellow Jackets from the #1 spot in the Power Rankings with a 147-130. On January 28, a game Central Pennsylvania Kings team came to town with something to prove. They upset the Yellow Jackets 130-119. Reddic, Holmes and center Artis Cleveland were absent from the team and Cummings spent the next week in concussion protocol. Reddic couldn’t believe what he saw.

The decisive win couldn’t have come at a better time for the club. Holmes, who had been rumored to return to the Newfoundland club (because of a contractual obligation), wasn’t called for the preseason. A few weeks later–one of the league’s most prominent Most Valuable Player candidates–was summoned and returned 2,069 miles to the north.

In November, East Detroit native Artis Cleveland signed with the Yellow Jackets. A 7’ center, Cleveland, who like Pippens was called “Ace” by his friends, made an immediate impact with outstretched arms for rebounds the team wouldn’t have grabbed last year. While not a scoring machine, Cleveland did add some offense, especially when Reddic had not yet returned.

During his time on the injured list, Claude Scott often guided Cleveland

with positioning and foot work advice. By his own admission, Cleveland hadn’t had the chance to get accustomed to the ABA’s quicker style, which included many more chances for rebounds and a flourishing sky hook. But by late January, Cleveland was announced to have signed a training camp invitation in the Midwest and was, at least temporarily, gone. He remains on the official team roster, and he could be used down the playoff stretch.

At one glimmering moment this season, the Yellow Jackets had a full-bodied defense at center and strong forward. Dominick McClung, at 6’7’, has shored up a position that waned at times last year. Not a flashy player, McClung simply outlasts others for boards, and he has a good sense to get the ball out to other players.

Brandon Burnett, a veteran of international games, continues to work as hard as anyone to improve. At 6’9”, Burnett is an imposing figure, but while he has found success in other leagues, he hasn’t reached his full potential yet in the ABA. It’s not for the lack of trying. Burnett constantly motivates himself to perform better whenever he’s on the court.

In recent weeks, 6’9’’ forward/ center Justin Hamilton has returned to the team. Real life got in the way for Hamilton leading into the season, but he came back to the Steel City and his teammates. He’s played sparingly, but especially with the absence of Cleveland, he will be utilized fully.

The Yellow Jackets remain very strong at the guard

position. Brandon Johnson continues to lead. Another newcomer, Ryan Montoya, has only gotten better with time. Add in Amaru Caldwell and VaShawn Howard and the Yellow Jackets look promising in the back court for years to come.

Pippens believes that his club will contend the rest of the season, and make it to the prestigious Elite 8, scheduled for Atlanta in mid-April. He hopes to retain the ABA National Championship, but he also realizes that the league has never been stronger. And he’s happy about that.

The Burning River Buckets won the ABA North Central Regional Championship during their first season and have been doing fantastic ever since. They have also advanced to the Final 8 in the ABA. To see what else the Team is up to visit burningbuckets.com or follow them @burningbuckets on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Established in 2018, The Indiana Lyons don’t know what it’s like to have a losing record. They have had a winning season ever since their inception. The Lyons were the ABA North Central Regional Champions in 2021, The ABA Final Eight in 2021 and the ABA Midwest Region Finalist in 2021 – 2022 season. To learn more about the Lyon’s, visit IndianaLyons.com or check them out on Facebook, Instagram or YouTube.

The Alamo City All-Stars are a majority Military owned and operated team. Based out of San Antonio, TX the AllStars are the 2019 San Antonio Pro Am Champs and the 2020 South Central Regional Champions. Coached by The San Antonio Spurs legend Johnny “00” Moore, the All-Stars are also 4-time ABA vs. Military game “Military City” winners. Visit www.AlamoCityAllStarsTeam.com to learn more about the team.

The Southwest Desertcats launched their program during Covid but that didn’t stop them from becoming a Nationally Power Ranked team. This year the Desertcats are currently #10 and have teetered in the 1st and 2nd spots in the Pacific South. The Desertcats coach, Jesus Aragon has been named the ABATV coach of the year. To get to know more about the Desertcats visit their website at www.swdeserthoops.

With a name like Team Trouble , it’s no wonder they were last season’s runners-up to Steel City and had backto-back Final 8 appearances as well as being back-to-back Pacific North Division Champions. Learn more about Team Trouble go to their website at Teamtrouble209.org or follow them on Instagram @teamtrouble209

ABA TEAM SPOTLIGHT

Greg Brown ABA PRESIDENT.

Instagram: @gbrown_1

Greg Brown first joined the ABA in 2013. He has remained active ever since and the Baltimore Hawks remain one of the league’s strongest teams (Mid-Atlantic division).

You’ve been in the ABA for 10 years now, how has the league and your division changed over the years?

[The League has] changed tremendously. More teams, less travel distance.

How do your responsibilities differ between running a team vs overseeing a whole league?

Running a professional team isn’t easy but I managed to do so. However, running the league so far is challenging. I love challenging. I’m up for the job.

With so many new leagues popping up over the years, why did you choose to stay with the ABA?

I’m a loyal person. With the history that the ABA has, why leave?. What can another league offer that the ABA can’t? Nothing. If anything, the league owners was inspired by the ABA. I love this league.

What are your hopes for the future of the ABA?

National spotlight. We have so [many] great teams as well as some great talent.

Greg Brown Jr Baltimore City, MD

ABA President & Owner of the Baltimore Hawks

Hosting a team from JAPAN.

I've been hosting the Shizuoka Gymrats for a few years. The Gymrats, from Shizuoka, Japan, are Asia's only ABA team. Every year around February they make their annual trek here to the US to tour and play ABA teams across the country from Akron to Texas. (Honestly, they'll go wherever they can get some rec).

It's a huge honor to host them and I hope everyone else sees it that way. As someone who's made a few trips to Asia for tours (music) I can attest to the travel strains and I wasn't running and jumping.

This is the 3rd time in our 5 years that the Akron Aviators (Akron, OH) have hosted them. Of course we provide thier hotel rooms but I wanted this to be more than just another game. I love playing the defending North Central division champion Burning River Buckets, but I'm sure their players aren't that excited to come down to Akron. Shoot, my players probably aren't either. But the Gymrats appreciate every city they come to. I'm also well aware of how we as Americans are perceived in some other countries. As an owner, I'm not just representing myself, I'm a US ambassador to foreign players wanting to play in basketball's international mecca, the US. I'm representing the ABA. I'm representing Latino and immigrant owners and minor league sports. It's likely I'm hyping this up to myself but I remember all the great (and terrible) experiences I've had in other countries and cities.

So when we host, I try to do something different and make memories for them. They usually travel with about 7-8 guys from Japan and pick up 1 or 2 bigs here for each game.

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Last time they came I worked it out with the then Canton Charge (Now Cleveland Charge) NBA G-League team to give them a tour of their facilities and give them an hour to shoot around, meet staff, and warm up on an NBA court.

This year I reached out to every Japanese and Asian organization from Akron to Cleveland to invite them out. I thought they deserved a crowd. The first to answer was Kent State University's Japanese Cultural Exchange Circle, a student group comprised of international students for the purpose of sharing culture. They were thrilled to come. I wanted to get the local Asian Festival involved and they were interested but wanted more time to plan for next season.

We livestreamed the game and included my students from the Ohio Media School in Cleveland, OH where I teach sports media. We had a special guest PA announcer, owner of Redline Radio, Dave Wallencheck. The Aviators official DJ, DJ CalTech held us down during the game as well.

What I'd like to do is plan a trip for next summer to do a Japanese tour, or maybe have a few US teams go over and have a tournament in Japan against the Gymrats and some other local teams.

The Gymrats' tour this year included a few non-ABA stops, including a WV university to play against a team with a Japanese player they trained and also a trip to the NBA All-Star game in Salt Lake city, Utah where another highly ranked FIBA player, Takuya's son Taiga, was playing in a Basketball Without Borders event.

Sports, like music, is one of those things that brings eveyrone together. Whether you're from Honduras, Akron, Huntsville, or Shizuoka. Basketball allows us to make new friends, learn new skills, and compete on a higher level as both players and men.

It's an honor to have a team like that come all the way here to play basketball. And it's pretty cool to be able to share my experiences with it. I'm already preparing for next year's game and more international exhibitions for the ABA.

Thanks to everyone who participated. We'll be sharing more stories soon both here and in the newsletter.

Photo: Lana Smith (4K Photography)

by Brian "Essince" Collins

Photo credit: Madison Wood (top and bottom left)

Photos (clockwise from top): Post-Game Akron Aviators and Shizuoka Gymrats.

Gymrats with gifts from the creator of Grip Spritz, Tom, the leading shoe traction spray for on court sports.

Aviators owner, Brian "Essince" Collins with Takuyasan exchanging gifts.