NBA: Lockout May Force the Return of ABA

Lockout Update: Sides have agreed to allow a Federal Mediator to oversee a meeting next Monday or Tuesday. The Mediator, Cohen, is hopeful that a deal can be reached soon.

An interesting concept to consider whilst we stand in mock awe of an ugly labor strife: the American Basketball Association (or ABA).

Recently, I’ve read that players are growing more interested in starting their own league.

Amar’e Stoudemire said this about a league founded by players:

"Obviously we’re trying to … get this lockout resolved. We want to play NBA basketball. But if it doesn’t happen what are we gonna do? We can’t just sit around and not do anything. So we have to figure out ways to now continue to play basketball at a high level against top competition and have fun doing it. So, that’s the next step.If we don’t go to Europe, then let’s start our own league; that’s how I see it.It’s very, very serious. It’s just a matter of us strategically coming up with a plan, a blueprint and putting it together,” he said. “So we’ll see how this lockout goes. If it goes one or two years, then we’ve got to start our own league."

A league overseen by its own employees/players? I, for one, would take that scenario in a heartbeat if the NBA lockout leaks further into the season or grows into a one-to-two year debacle.

What would a league run by players be called? The National Basketball Players Association? Or would the players bring back the long-lost rivalry between the ABA and the NBA?

Teams such as the Utah Stars, who won an ABA championship in 1971, are part of the American Basketball Association’s rich history. Not including MLS, the Utah Stars are the only team in the state’s history to win a national championship in professional sports.

Exciting as it may be, a league divided between its players and owners couldn’t last. Let’s hope and pray that this lockout will end soon.
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Broox Anderson
Lead Editor/Writer
The J Notes | A Utah Jazz Site

Twitter: @BrooxAnderson
Email: brxanderson@gmail.com
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