USFL

Carolina Cougars.

The Condors played in Pittsburgh, albeit briefly, after the Pittsburgh Pipers, the first ABA champions, went to Minnesota to replace the Muskies, who ceased to exist after one season.

I actually saw two ABA games live, both involving the Virginia Squires.

 

The NFL had 28 teams during the USFL period. I know you weren't referring to me specifically, but I'll stick with my 25 percent theory.

 

Erk. Thanks for the heads-up.

My grandfather saw a lot of the Squires. Back in Erving's heydey, they were known popularly in town as "Dr. J and four guys from the Y"

 

Ouch. That hurts! ;D

 

When I was little, my father took me to the Island Garden to see the Nets of Rick Barry, Billy Paultz, Bill Melchionni and Ollie Tayor play. I don't remember much about it other than Taylor, who supposedly could pick a quarter off the top of the backboard (or so I was told) missed a dunk, and the ball bounced off the rim so hard it went out of bounds on the other end of the court. I can't even tell you who they were playing.

 

I read a story at one point about the ABA which stated that of the players on the opening-day rosters of the seven surviving ABA teams in October 1975, nearly half later played in the NBA, which was a much higher percentage than I would have guessed.

Which would mean that the average 6th man on an ABA team would be approximately as good as the 12th man on an NBA team.

 

Once the ABA pared down to those seven teams, it was much more legit than my 25 percent thing would suggest. But before that, it definitely wasn't.

 

I attended only one USFL game and that's a Denver Gold vs. Boston Breakers game at Mile High. I was more into hockey (still am) and Denver Bears baseball (saw Tim Raines and Tim Wallach among others in Triple-A ball) than the Gold.

 

It's not like I said

Or worse still,

 

Nah, they also had Charlie Scott and George Gervin and some guard who later started for the Trail Blazers' NBA championship team, can't remember his name.

 

What, the exploits of Bob Gagliano and Bill Johnson didn't capture your imagination?

 

Found this site a while ago. This thread got me to dig it up again.

http://www.oursportscentral.com/usfl/