NBA/ABA Notes Continue

Again in 2026 the new NBA champion (the Knicks third title, again in 80 seasons), moved one ahead of the previous year’s franchise/team with one more crown. (The Thunder nee SuperSonics won their second title, one each as “Sea,” and “Ok C/sea” in their 58th season in 2025).

In turn, the Thunder nee SuperSonics franchise had moved one ahead of the 2024 NBA champion Denver Nuggets, who won their first NBA title in their 48th NBA season, that year.

In fact, the two former A.B.A. teams that have titles, going a combined (6-2) in NBA final rounds , the Nuggets (1-0) and San Antonio Spurs (now 5-2–on last night’s Carol Burnett Show “ree” on MeTV, the “Tonio” mayor, as part of that city’s #250 (that # and 73 over and over, ergo? it was inevitable–presented an award and received a nice, appreciated, kiss from the now 90 plus, superb performer, Carol Burnett) never “titled” while in the A.B.A.

In contrast, the two other former A.B.A. teams that made it to the NBA via the merger, beginning play there in ’77, the Indiana Pacers (3 ABA titles) and now Brooklyn nee New York/ New Jersey Nets (2 ABA crowns) have nary a crown, in what is now fifty completed NBA seasons (’77-2026).

The great Freddie Lewis, (83 next week), pictured above played on 3 ABA title teams with the Pacers. Also above view a video about the St. Louis Spirits with great play from Marvin Barnes, shocking the defending ABA champion Nets in the 1975 ABA “quarters.”

Freddie hits the series winning shot (start at 4:00) to see it and hear 22 year old Bob Costas’ accurate, shall we say excited, but I say “things to come” call).