{"id":207,"date":"2026-02-15T15:11:53","date_gmt":"2026-02-15T15:11:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.distantreplaysports.com\/abf\/?p=207"},"modified":"2026-02-24T23:59:12","modified_gmt":"2026-02-24T23:59:12","slug":"1976-abf-season-fallout","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.distantreplaysports.com\/abf\/2026\/02\/15\/1976-abf-season-fallout\/","title":{"rendered":"1976 ABF Season Fallout"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Promotion\/Relegation<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Premier League<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Promoted: <\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Buffalo: The Braves arrive in the Premier League with the best record in the Championship and All-Star Bob McAdoo. What can they do for an encore?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Philadelphia: The 76ers proved they belong with the elites with their young core and a hunger for a Premier League championship.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Houston: The battle tested Rockets rose into the Premier League with momentum and a chip on their shoulders. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Relegated: <\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Kentucky: The Colonels showed they aren&#8217;t quite ready for prime time just yet. Can they rebound in the Championship or wil they fall further?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>San Antonio: The Spurs face a building project in the Championship before they can challenge for a title in the Premier.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Indiana: The last place Pacers probably have the most questions of any team going into the offseason. They can&#8217;t possibly keep together the team next year. Another relegations seems possible.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Championship<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Promoted: <\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Oklahoma City: The Stampede lived up to their name by wining 85% of their games in the Founder&#8217;s cup. The excitement around this team next year is feverish.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Baltimore: The Ravens made a name for themselves with a balanced game. Several prominent players have expressed a desire to come to Baltimore.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Memphis: Already proved themselves by defeating Portland in the Founder&#8217;s Challenge to earn promotion into the Championship.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Relegated: <\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Portland: Probably the most surprising of the relegations. Bill Walton has no place on a Founder&#8217;s Cup team next year. Trade offers will be plentiful.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Spirits of St. Louis: One of the gems of the former ABA ends the year on a down note. Can they find their identity again in the Founder&#8217;s Cup?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Detroit: Of the three teams, even though they finished last, they probably have the best chance to rise again next year for another shot at the Premier.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We will keep a close eye on all teams that have been promoted and relegated. They will need to consider the new reality of their situation. New Premier League teams need to shore up their rosters against the increased competition of the new league. Relegated teams from the Premier to the Championship must balance their desires to rise back into the top tier with the reality that they may face some financial restrictions due to a decrease in ticket sales or a need to restructure their pricing model. The biggest shocks, however, come from the shift from Championship to Founder&#8217;s and vice versa. Teams face either a threefold increase or decrease in games and potential revenue that completely upends their financials. How do they navigate this change to remain or return to the championship and continue their rise into the Premier League.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Coaching, Roster, and Front Office Implications<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Premier League<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Buffalo<\/strong>&nbsp;(\u2191 Promoted)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Coach:<\/strong>\u00a0Safe \u2013 Promoted with best record<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Front Office:<\/strong>\u00a0Expansion mode \u2013 Premier revenue means more scouts, analytics<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Key Roster Question:<\/strong>\u00a0Can they keep Bob McAdoo happy long-term?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Philadelphia<\/strong>&nbsp;(\u2191 Promoted)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Coach:<\/strong>\u00a0Safe \u2013 Young core delivered<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Front Office:<\/strong>\u00a0Upgrading \u2013 Premier demands deeper front office<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Key Roster Question:<\/strong>\u00a0Which veteran joins to mentor the kids?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Houston<\/strong>&nbsp;(\u2191 Promoted)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Coach:<\/strong>\u00a0Safe \u2013 Battle-tested playoff winner<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Front Office:<\/strong>\u00a0Growth \u2013 Time to add staff for Premier grind<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Key Roster Question:<\/strong>\u00a0Does Calvin Murphy get a max extension?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Kentucky<\/strong>&nbsp;(\u2193 Relegated)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Coach:<\/strong>\u00a0Warm \u2013 Hubie Brown respected, but relegation stings<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Front Office:<\/strong>\u00a0Downsizing \u2013 Premier-level staff on Championship budget<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Key Roster Question:<\/strong>\u00a0Do they trade Artis Gilmore or build around him?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>San Antonio<\/strong>&nbsp;(\u2193 Relegated)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Coach:<\/strong>\u00a0Hot \u2013 Relegated despite Silas&#8217;s All-Star year<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Front Office:<\/strong>\u00a0Restructuring \u2013 New GM? New direction?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Key Roster Question:<\/strong>\u00a0Is James Silas part of the rebuild or trade bait?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Indiana<\/strong>&nbsp;(\u2193 Relegated)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Coach:<\/strong>\u00a0Hot \u2013 Last place, relegated, no identity<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Front Office:<\/strong>\u00a0Overhaul likely \u2013 Full teardown expected<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Key Roster Question:<\/strong>\u00a0Who stays? Anyone?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Championship<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Oklahoma City<\/strong>&nbsp;(\u2191 Promoted from Founders)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Coach:<\/strong>\u00a0Safe \u2013 Dominated Founders Cup<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Front Office:<\/strong>\u00a0Expansion \u2013 First real front office build<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Key Roster Question:<\/strong>\u00a0Do they add veterans or trust the 17\u20133 core?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Baltimore<\/strong>&nbsp;(\u2191 Promoted from Founders)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Coach:<\/strong>\u00a0Safe \u2013 Balanced, effective, promoted<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Front Office:<\/strong>\u00a0Growth \u2013 Time to hire a dedicated GM<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Key Roster Question:<\/strong>\u00a0Can they find a Robin to Rocky Risien&#8217;s Batman?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Memphis<\/strong>&nbsp;(\u2191 Promoted from Founders)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Coach:<\/strong>\u00a0Hero \u2013 Won Founders Challenge<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Front Office:<\/strong>\u00a0Thrilled \u2013 From lean to legit<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Key Roster Question:<\/strong>\u00a0How do they celebrate a Cinderella promotion?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Portland<\/strong>&nbsp;(\u2193 Relegated to Founders)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Coach:<\/strong>\u00a0Hot \u2013 Lost Challenge, now Founders Cup<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Front Office:<\/strong>\u00a0Crisis mode \u2013 Walton doesn&#8217;t belong in Tier 3<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Key Roster Question:<\/strong>\u00a0Do they trade Bill Walton or beg him to stay?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>St. Louis<\/strong>&nbsp;(\u2193 Relegated to Founders)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Coach:<\/strong>\u00a0Warm \u2013 Talent underachieved<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Front Office:<\/strong>\u00a0Retooling \u2013 Keep core or cash in?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Key Roster Question:<\/strong>\u00a0Moses Malone trade rumors already swirling<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Detroit<\/strong>&nbsp;(\u2193 Relegated to Founders)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Coach:<\/strong>\u00a0Safe (for now) \u2013 Thin roster, full rebuild<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Front Office:<\/strong>\u00a0Blank slate \u2013 Building from scratch<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Key Roster Question:<\/strong>\u00a0Who&#8217;s the first building block?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Promotion\/Relegation Premier League Promoted: Relegated: Championship Promoted: Relegated: We will keep a close eye on all teams that have been promoted and relegated. They will need to consider the new reality of their situation. New Premier League teams need to shore up their rosters against the increased competition of the new league. Relegated teams from [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":137,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[14,13],"class_list":["post-207","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-offseason","tag-14","tag-offseason"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.distantreplaysports.com\/abf\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/207","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.distantreplaysports.com\/abf\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.distantreplaysports.com\/abf\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.distantreplaysports.com\/abf\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.distantreplaysports.com\/abf\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=207"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.distantreplaysports.com\/abf\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/207\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":208,"href":"https:\/\/www.distantreplaysports.com\/abf\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/207\/revisions\/208"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.distantreplaysports.com\/abf\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/137"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.distantreplaysports.com\/abf\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=207"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.distantreplaysports.com\/abf\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=207"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.distantreplaysports.com\/abf\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=207"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}