Category: Season

by abfcommish

1977 ABF Season in Review: Phoenix Races to a Title, Surprising Relegations, and Two Historic Promotions

Domination at the Top, Heartbreak at the Bottom

The American Basketball Federation’s second season saw teams run away with their respective tier leads. The Premier League title was never in question. However, the other end of the table saw both dramatic races and historic heartbreak. The second chapter of the league brought the same intensity that the fight for promotion and against relegation can deliver.

For complete standings, visit the 1977 ABF Standings Page.

Premier League

Last year saw a one game playoff to crown the champions. This year needed no such pageantry. The Phoenix Suns, led by Rich Laurel, Bernard King, and head coach John MacLeod, absolutely dominated the competition. They won a stunning 59 games against only 7 losses and ended the season on a 15 game winning streak. The Suns finished in the top five in both offensive and defensive scoring.

Their dynamic duo of Rich Laurel and Bernard King led the pace. Laurel led the team in scoring with 31 points per game. King added 28.9 points per game and averaged a double double for the season with 12.6 rebounds. Laurel was second in the league in scoring with King fourth and 3rd in rebounds.

With such a strong core, the Suns start next season as favorites to repeat. However, last year’s finalists, Boston and Denver await in the wings with newcomers Chicago and Milwaukee. The 1978 season promises to be a fun one.

However, the Premier will have to do so without the Los Angeles Lakers. The Lakers thudded to a dismal 14-52 record for dead last in the Premier League. They now face relegation with one of the most famous players on the planet, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Will the big man settle for a season in the Championship league or will he demand a trade to one of the Premier League contenders? With the first pick in the draft, maybe the Lakers can keep Kareem happy for one season to get back into the Premier League.

Joining the Lakers are two promoted teams from last year, Buffalo and Houston. In spite of making some big moves in the offseason in the hopes of staying in the Premier League, they both showed that they aren’t quite ready for prime time yet. Another season in the championship gives them time to work out their strategies and learn to play together as a team. Meanwhile, their promoted third, the 76ers finished right in the middle of the Premier League at .500 and look ready to stay and eventually compete for a championship

Championship League

The Championship saw similar domination at the top. Oklahoma City, who made their intentions to secure double promotion known, finished almost as strong as the Suns. They went 57-9 and are now in the Premier League only two years after starting in the Founder’s Cup. Their Founders Cup rivals, always second fiddle to the Stampede, the Baltimore Ravens finished five games below them in the finals. Still, they find themselves in the Premier right alongside OKC. These stories are what makes the ABF unique in all of American Sports.

The third promotion spot, determined by an end of season tournament among the 3rd-6th place teams, provided some intrigue at the top of the league. San Antonio, Cleveland, Indiana, and Kentucky were all separated by only 8 games. Kentucky entered the tournament under .500 and heavy underdogs. They clipped the favored Spurs by 1 point to move on to the promotion game. Meanwhile, Cleveland again saw themselves in the tournament. This time they played Indiana. The Pacers defeated the Cavs by 7 points to move on. Two years and two losses don’t quite make a curse yet. But Cleveland fans are understandably frustrated by this repeat. In the promotion game, Indiana handled Kentucky to secure the third promotion spot.

The Champioinship is where stories are made and another brewed at the bottom of the table. Recently promoted Memphis along with Atlanta took the bottom two relegation spots. Seattle and Kansas City tied for 10th, requiring a single game playoff to determine who was safe and who had to play in the Founder’s Challenge. Seattle romped Kansas City 122-78 to avoid relegation. Kansas City then went on to handle challenger Tampa Bay to keep their spot.

Founder’s Cup

With the two powerhouses from last year out of the league, Salt Lake City rose to the top this year to take the first promotion spot into the Founder’s Cup. The second two promotions required some extra basketball. Mid Atlantic, St. Louis, and Tampa Bay all finished the season at 12-8. A mini tournament between the three saw Tampa edge St. Louis by 4 before losing to Mid Atlantic, who received the second automatic bid. Tampa then went on to lose to Kansas City, as mentioned, to remain in the Founder’s Cup for another year. However, they start next year as the favorites along with Memphis and Atlanta for promotion.

While the Founder’s Cup doesn’t have relegation, it does have it’s share of heartbreak. Detroit, relegated last year after only 20 wins, saw their season fall apart completely. They finished winless, 0-20, and with plenty of questions about next year. How does a team recover from two horrible years like this. They may need to relocate to a smaller arena for a season or two to try to save some money and build up their capital.

by abfcommish

1977 Season First Half

Founder’s Cup

The Founder’s Cup brought an exciting first half in their second season. Stalwarts from last year Salt Lake City, Mid Atlantic, and Tampa Bay are showing the relegated teams from last year just how different this tier is. The Spirits have adjusted to the pace of play and vintage ball. Portland and Detroit are both struggling in the tier and are in danger of repeating in the Founder’s again next year. The second half of the season promises to be even more exciting as those four teams fight for the three promotion spots. Portland still has an outside chance. Detroit just needs a win.

Championship

Oklahoma City and Baltimore both proved in the first half that they belong. They ran through the Founder’s last season with a combined 31 wins. In the first half of the Championship, they lead the tier by 6 games and are shoo ins for two promotions in two years to find themselves in the top tier of the league next year. Meanwhile, their promotion third, Memphis, is joined by Seattle and Atlanta on the bottom of the tier. None of them have double digit wins. If this continues, it’s going to be a long season for the three of them. Fire sales may occur sooner rather than later.

Premier

The Premier League saw a bit of a shake up in the first half as well. Phoenix, firmly in the middle of the pack last season, has rushed out to a scorching 29-4 pace to lead the league. Right behind them is Chicago, a team that finished below .500 last year. Last year’s co-leaders, Boston and champion Denver, are lurking in the top 5, ready to strike should either or both of the top teams falter. The race for the championship promises to be a fun one this year. Philadelphia, one of the members of the first class to promote to the top tier, is firmly at .500. They are only one solid piece or two away from being true contenders. Meanwhile, the other teams Houston and Buffalo are struggling in their new league. And the surprise of the league is served last. Los Angeles has won only 6 games and is on an inside track for relegation at the end of the season. The Lakers need to find Kareem some help soon or they could be looking at a full tear down and rebuild. Kareem will not accept multiple years in the Championship.

What To Watch For – Second Half

Founder’s Promotion: What three teams out of the four that are currently competitive for promotion will come through in the end? Also, can Portland maybe spoil the proceedings?

Winless Detroit: From last place, with only 20 wins, in the Championship to last and winless in the Founder’s, Detroit is facing a full blown crisis.

Can Baltimore and OKC pull off the double double? OKC looked prime in the offseason to become the first team to earn promotion twice in two seasons. Baltimore, right behind them last season, is showing that they are no fluke either.

Can Phoenix Finish? The Suns are running away from the league right now. But, some familiar faces wait in the wings. Will they be able to fight off the more established clubs or can they win their first championship this year?

by abfcommish

1977 Season Preview

Introduction – The Pyramid Shifts

The inaugural season of the ABF brought us plenty of action. The premier league brought a one game playoff for the championship. Promotion and relegation races gave some surprises in the teams that rose or fell. See the side bar for the first classes of promotion and relegation. Click the News link above for our coverage of the 1976 offseason team, player, and coaching moves.

These changes offer new stories and questions for the 1977 season. Fresh faces ensure a shake up at all levels of the pyramid. New teams will grow new rivalries at the top and geographically that are sure to last even through promotion and relegation. As ever, the stakes in the professional ranks of basketball remain high and all teams will bring their best to give fans an enjoyable experience.

Premier League – The Title Chase

After Denver’s single game playoff victory against Boston for the Premier League Title last year, they refused to stand on their laurels. They brought in James Silas to play beside Thompson and Issel. Their window is still wide open. The Celtics, by their identity, had a quiet offseason. However, the still remain a challenger to the title. Joining them are three promoted teams. Buffalo now has McAdoo and Walton, contenders for the best front court in the league. Houston added Moses Malone and became immediate threats. And Philadelphia, young and hungry now have Ernie Grunfeld.

The Lakers, Warriors, Suns, and Bullets all remain within striking distance. If they get hot, make a move at the right time, or teams at the top stumble, they can definitely play spoiler. Under the right circumstances, they might even join the contender’s group. The remaining three (Chicago, Milwaukee, and New York) need to hope that their rookies keep them afloat so that they can remain in the Premier. From there, they can continue to rebuild and climb the ranks.

The Championship – The Pressure Cooker

The first relegation class saw a huge surprise in the Kentucky Colonels. They kept Gilmore and added T.R Dunn and Babe McCarthy. Their goal is promotion and no less. The Indiana Pacers hired Doug Moe, so scoring will not be a problem for the team. Meanwhile, San Antonio unloaded Silas. But, they picked up Tree Rollins and Brad Davis. The rebuild is in full swing.

In the middle of last year’s pack and the teams that have the inside track to promotion this year due to their experience in the Championship last year, we have Long Island, Seattle, and New Orleans. These teams also sport veteran players and coaches in Dr. J, Rod Thorn, Bill Russell, and Pistol Pete. Teams to watch for sure. Some of the most exciting basketball last year came out of Oklahoma City. Promoted to the Championship, some experts pencil them in for another promotion to the Premier this year. Meanwhile, Baltimore looks to build on their success last year and Memphis escaped the Founder’s with a losing record. They have something to prove.

Founder’s Cup – The Proving Ground

The Founders Cup is where teams are built from the ground up — and this season’s crop is the most intriguing yet. Portland, St. Louis, and Detroit all dropped from the Championship, each with a different timeline for climbing back. Portland is in full rebuild mode under Jack Ramsay, with Rickey Green and James Edwards as the new foundation. St. Louis is retooling under Hubie Brown, and Detroit is trying to find any footing after a winless preseason.

Salt Lake, Mid Atlantic, Tampa Bay, and Oklahoma City’s former Founders Cup rivals are all hungry for promotion. The Founders Cup is no longer just a third tier — it’s a proving ground for teams that want to climb the pyramid. And if OKC and Baltimore proved anything last year, it’s that promotion is not only possible — it’s inevitable for teams that get it right.