The Short, Unhappy Pythagorean Life of the Pittsburgh Pipers 1967-1972

Here's the action for Wednesday, May 6:

Buccaneers 131, Stars 99 (NO leads series 3-2)

Snapper Jones paced the New Orleans rout offensively with 21 points, and three of his teammates achieved double-doubles: Red Robbins (18 points, 14 rebounds), Gerald Govan (16 points, 19 rebounds) and Jimmy Jones (17 points, 10 assists). The Bucs can close out the series and earn their second trip to the ABA Finals in three years with a win in Game 6 on Friday night in Los Angeles.

Next: We look at Game 6.

Thoughts?
 
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Here's the action for Friday, May 8:

Buccaneers 124, Stars 99 (NO wins series 4-2)

The Bucs earned their second trip to the ABA Finals in three years with another dominant win over the Stars. Jimmy Jones led the way with 25 points on ten of fifteen shooting, and Red Robbins (17 points, 19 rebounds) and Gerald Govan (10 points, 14 rebounds) contributed double-doubles.

Note: Through no fault of my own, the sim was erased before I could do any work with the stats of the Stars. I'm working on a new computer that's very difficult to work with in the manner I'm used to. Between that and the fact that I'm still recovering from my illness and getting my strength back, this explains why my recaps are so short.

In related news, I'm going to skip over the '70 Finals for the moment and go straight to the first round in '71. I don't know when I'll be able to stand typing long enough to give the Finals the treatment they deserve, but it won't be for a while. In the meantime, enjoy the '71 quarters and semis!

Next: The first round of the 1971 playoffs.

Thoughts?
 
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Now we move on to 1971. We begin in the East:

Virginia Squires: 50-34 (-5)
Kentucky Colonels: 42-42 (-2)
New York Nets: 40-44 (0)
Floridians: 38-46 (+1)
Condors: 35-49 (-1)
Carolina Cougars: 32-52 (-2)

The East wasn't exactly a powerhouse division this year; even the champions took a five-game nosedive, and only two teams finished at .500 or better. The Floridians, still based in Miami, were the only team who improved at all. As for the Pittsburgh entry, not even a name change helped them, as they dropped a game and still finished fifth, three games out of a playoff berth.

The Eastern playoffs played out as they did in real life, as the Colonels defeated the Floridians in six games and the Squires did the same to the Nets. The Squires then defeated the Colonels in six to earn their way to the ABA Finals.

Now to the West:

Utah Stars: 59-25 (+2)
Indiana Pacers: 56-28 (-2)
Memphis Pros: 40-44 (-1)
Texas Chaparrals: 35-49 (+5)
Denver Rockets: 32-52 (+2)

We have a title change, as the Stars gained two games while the Pacers lost two to take the Western crown by three in their debut campaign by the Great Salt Lake. The Chaps and Rockets tied for the fourth and final playoff berth in real life, but in this universe, the Chaps, now playing in Fort Worth, gained five games while the Rockets could only manage a two-game improvement.

This means that the Pros will open the division semifinals in Utah, while the Chaps travel to Indy to battle the Pacers.

Next: We begin our look at the Western semis.

Thoughts?
 
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I've decided to redo the 1968 Eastern Division playoffs based on the actual matchups that would have happened based on the ABA playoff structure. This means that the Pacers will open in Minneapolis against the Muskies, while the Pipers will host the Colonels.

We begin with the Game 1 action on Friday, March 25:

Muskies 111, Pacers 107 (MIN leads series 1-0)

Mel Daniels led the way for the home squad with 17 points and nineteen rebounds, while Donnie Freeman scored twenty points. The Pacers' Freddie Lewis led all scorers in a losing cause with 22 points. The series continues tomorrow night with Game 2.

Colonels 107, Pipers 102 (KY leads series 1-0)

Danal Carrier scored 29 points to lead the Colonels, while Goose Ligon added 19 points and 17 rebounds. Connie Hawkins led all scorers in a losing cause with 30 points. This series also continues tomorrow night with Game 2 at the Civic Arena.

Next: We look at both Game 2s.

Thoughts?
 
Here's the Game 2 action for Saturday, March 26. We begin in Minneapolis:

Muskies 124, Pacers 97 (MIN leads series 2-0)

Three different Muskies contributed double-doubles, led by Mel Daniels' 23 points and 12 rebounds. The Muskies will go for the series sweep on Monday night in Indianapolis.

Now to the Civic Arena in Pittsburgh:

Colonels 114, Pipers 106 (KY leads series 2-0)

Daval Carrier led the way for the visitors with 21 points, while Goose Ligon contributed a double-double with 20 points and 16 rebounds. Charlie Williams led all scorers in a losing cause with 23 points. Like the Muskies, the Colonels will be looking for the series sweep in Game 3 Monday night in Louisville.

Next: We look at both Game 3s.

Thoughts?
 
This idea is interesting, and I have not seen an ABA thread on here. I am curious as to how you deal with trades, free agent signings, and drafting in order to make your model work?
 
I don't. This isn't meant to be a total rewrite of ABA history, just a look at what might happen if a certain statistic (expected wins and losses) determined the playoff field. I'm not messing with rosters or draft positioning. although others are welcome to speculate on possible roster changes if they wish.
 
First, I'd like to apologize for having wrong dates in my last two posts. March 25 was a Saturday and March 26 a Sunday. Both series will resume on Monday, March 27. We begin with the Muskies and Pacers in Indianapolis:

Muskies 109, Pacers 103 (MIN sweeps series 3-0)

Mel Daniels was one of three Muskies with double-doubles, as he scored nineteen points and pulled down seventeen rebounds. Donnie Freeman checked in with eighteen points and eleven boards, while Sammy Smith added fifteen and eleven respectively. Freddie Lewis led the home squad with twenty-one points. The Muskies will play the winner of the Colonels-Pipers series in the division finals.

Now to Louisville, where the Colonels are entertaining the Pipers:

Pipers 113, Colonels 104 (KY leads series 2-1)

Connie Hawkins' 27 points and 16 rebounds led the way for the visitors, and Charlie Williams tossed in 25 points of his own. The Colonels were led by Louie Dampier's 20 points. The series will continue with Game 4 tomorrow night in Louisville.

Since the site was down yesterday, I'll put Game 4 in this post.

Colonels 110, Pipers 99 (KY wins series 3-1)

Darel Carrier's 24 points and Dampier's 23 led the way for the home squad offensively, while Goose Ligon added a double-double with 14 points and 15 rebounds. Chico Vaughn of the Pipers led all scorers with 29 points. The Colonels and Muskies will meet in the Eastern Division finals.

Next: We begin our look at the Eastern Division finals.

Thoughts?
 
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The matchup between the Muskies and Colonels took place in the real-life division semifinals, with the Muskies winning three games to two. That means that we'll pick up the best-of-seven finals with Game 6 at Freedom Hall in Louisville on Tuesday, April 16:

Muskies 105, Colonels 95 (MIN wins series 4-2)

Mel Daniels had a 20-20 game to pace the Muskies' win, as he scored 26 points and pulled down 22 rebounds. Louie Dampier equaled Daniels' point total in a losing cause, while Goose Ligon had a double-double with 19 points and 15 rebounds. The Muskies will have home court advantage against the Western Division champion New Orleans Buccaneers in the upcoming ABA Finals, which will be simmed at a later date.

Next: Back to the opening round of the 1971 Western Division playoffs.

Thoughts?
 
Since (spoiler ahead) there's no change in the 1972 playoff field, I'm going to go ahead and get that year out of the way. We begin in the East:

Kentucky Colonels: 63-21 (-5)
Virginia Squires: 44-40 (-1)
New York Nets: 43-41 (1)
The Floridians: 38-46 (+2)
Carolina Cougars: 34-50 (-1)
Condors: 26-58 (+1)

The Colonels' runaway shrinks from twenty-three games to nineteen due to their five-game slip, but other than that nothing much changes. The Condors end Pittsburgh's pro basketball history to date with a one-game bump, but still finish twelve games out of a playoff berth. Few in Pittsburgh notice, and even fewer care, which is why we don't have an NBA team today.

In the semifinals, the Squires swept the Floridians in four straight, while the Nets, led by former and future St. John's coaching legend Lou Carnesecca, upset the Colonels in six. They proceeded to knock off the Squires in seven games in the division finals to punch their first-ever ticket to the ABA Finals.

Now to the West:

Utah Stars: 56-28 (-4)
Indiana Pacers: 49-35 (+2)
Dallas Chaparrals: 42-42 (0)
Denver Rockets: 39-45 (+5)
Memphis Pros: 28-56 (+2)

The Stars drop four games, but still manage to take their second straight title by seven games over the Pacers. The Rockets show the biggest improvement in the league, but they still have to be content with the final Western playoff berth.

In the semifinals, the Stars swept the Chaparrals in four straight, while the Rockets took the Pacers to seven games before bowing. In the division finals, the Pacers upended the Stars in seven. They then vanquished the Nets in six to take the ABA title.

Next: At long last, the 1971 Western semifinals.

Thoughts?
 
Now let's begin our look at the 1971 Western Division semifinals. We begin on Friday, April 2:

Stars 130, Pros 113 (Utah leads series 1-0)

Red Robbins led the say for the Stars, scoring 23 points on nine of thirteen shooting and pulling down fourteen rebounds. Zelmo Beaty added 21 points and 17 boards. Snapper Jones led all scorers for the visitors with 25 points. The series will continue with Game 2tomorrow night at the Salt Palace.

Chaparrals 134, Pacers 125 (TEX leads series 1-0)

Manny Leaks was the key to the Chaps' upset, scoring 27 points and adding 11 rebounds. Roger Brown led all scorers for the Pacers with 28 points. The series will continue with Game 2 tomorrow night in Indianapolis.

Next: We look at both Game 2s.

Thoughts?
 
Here's the action for Saturday, April 3:

Pros 139, Stars 129 (OT; series tied 1-1)

Down by six twice in the fourth quarter, the Pros came back to take the lead late, them outscored the Stars 17-7 in extra time. Snapper Jones led the way offensively with 29 points on thirteen of twenty-three shooting from the floor. The losing Stars got 24 points from Glen Combs and a double-double from Zelmo Beaty of 22 points and 17 boards. Willie Wise added 19 points and 12 boards in a losing cause. The series shifts to Memphis's Mid-South Coliseum on Monday night. As an added treat, Memphis's usual Monday night wrestling matches will go on after the game, with the ring set up on the court

Pacers 118, Chaparrals 88 (series tied 1-1)

Mel Daniels keyed the rout for Indiana, scoring 29 points on fourteen of twenty-four shooting and pulling down 25 rebounds. Bob Netolicky added 16 points and 17 boards. Glen Combs scored 24 for the outclassed Chaps, while Manny Leaks checked in with 14 points and 12 boards. The series will continue on Monday night at the Moody Coliseum in Fort Worth.

Next: We look at both Game 3s.

Thoughts?
 
Here's the action for Monday, April 5:

Stars 123, Pros 101 (Utah leads series 2-1)

Glen Combs fueled the Stars with 23 points on nine of sixteen from the floor, while Zelmo Beaty contributed a double-double of ten points and fifteen rebounds. Wendell Lacher led the Pros in a losing effort with nineteen points and ten rebounds, while Wil Jones contributed thirteen points and ten boards. The series will continue with Game 4 tomorrow night at the Mid-South Coliseum.

Pacers 122, Chaparrals 95 (IND leads series 2-1)

Mel Daniels led the Pacers with twenty-seven points on twelve of twenty shooting from the floor plus eighteen rebounds, and Bob Netolicky added fifteen points and eleven boards. The Chaps were paced by sixteen points and twelve rebounds from Wayne Hightower. The series will continue with Game 4 tomorrow night at the Moody Coliseum.

Next: We look at both Game 4s.

Thoughts?
 
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Here's the action for Tuesday, April 6:

Stars 113, Pros 102 (Utah leads series 3-1)

Zelmo Beaty led the Stars with twenty-four points on eleven of sixteen shooting and seventeen rebounds, with Red Robbins adding twenty points and sixteen rebounds. Snapper Jones led the Pros with eighteen points, and Gerald Govan added twelve points and fifteen rebounds. The Stars can close out the series with a win in Game 5 on Thursday night in Salt Lake City.

Pacers 105, Chaparrals 94 (IND leads series 3-1)

Three Pacers notched double-doubles: Roger Brown scored twenty points and added eleven rebounds, Mel Daniels pulled down twenty-one boards and added a dozen points, and Art Becker added eleven points and ten rebounds off the bench. Wayne Hightower and Manny Leaks each scored sixteen points and pulled down fifteen rebounds in a losing effort for the Chaps. The Pacers can earn a trip to the Western Division finals with a win in Game 5 on Thursday night.

Next: We look at both Game 5s.

Thoughts?
 
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Here's the action for Thursday, April 8:

Pacers 132, Chaparrals 124 (IND wins series 4-1)

Roger Brown led the Pacers with thirty points on twelve of eighteen shooting from the floor, and Mel Daniels added twenty-two points and eighteen rebounds. Wayne Hightower led all scorers in a losing cause with thirty-three points on fourteen of twenty-five shooting for the Chaps. The Pacers will meet the winner of the Pros-Stars series in the Western Division finals.

Stars 133, Pros 120 (Utah wins series 4-1)

Zelmo Beaty led the Stars with twenty-six points on ten of seventeen shooting; he also pulled down seventeen boards. Willie Wise added seventeen points and fifteen boards. Wendell Lacher led the Pros in a losing effort with twenty-two points and fourteen rebounds. The Stars will meet the Pacers in the Western Division finals.

The Stars defeated the Pacers in seven games to take the Western title, then edged the Kentucky Colonels in seven games to win their first ABA championship.

Next: We go back to the 1967-68 ABA Finals.

Thoughts?
 
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Anyone who wants to either do an NBA Pythagorean timeline or an ABA one beginning in 1972-73 is more than welcome. I still have to do the 1968 and 1970 Finals when I feel a little better, and I'll do 1968-69 just so there isn't a gap for anyone else to close. Other than that, the floor is open for anyone who wants to try.
 
Now let's look at 1968-69. We begin in the East:

Indiana Pacers: 48-30 (+4)
Miami Floridians: 40-38 (-3)
Kentucky Colonels: 39-39 (-3)
Minnesota Pipers: 39-39 (+3)
New York Nets: 20-58 (+3)

Lots of big swings, but no real changes. The Pacers pick up four games to make their division win more of a rout, and they get help from the Floridians and their three-game dip. The Colonels drop three, while the relocated Pipers add three to force a tie for third. Meanwhile, the Nets' three-game bump leaves them only nineteen games out of fourth.

We go to the season series to break the tie for third, and the Colonels prevail six games to five.

Now to the West:

Oakland Oaks: 56-22 (-4)
New Orleans Buccaneers: 47-31 (+1)
Denver Rockets: 43-35 (-1)
Dallas Chaparrals: 37-41 (-4)
Los Angeles Stars: 32-46 (-1)
Houston Mavericks: 26-52 (+3)

It's another division title runaway, as the Oaks drop four games but still win by nine over the Bucs, who add one. The Roxkets drop one but hold on to third, while the Chaps take the last playoff spot despite a four-game drop. The fifth-place Stars drop by one, while the Mavericks add three but still finish in the basement, thirty games behind the Oaks.

In the Western semis, both series went seven games as well, with the Bucs defeating the Chaps and the Oaks edging the Rockets. The Oaks swept the Bucs to take the West. In the East, a one-game playoff will be played between the Pipers and Colonels at Rupp Arena on Saturday, April 5 to determine who finishes third and fourth. The third-place finisher will take on the Pacers in the semis, while the fourth-place finisher will take on the Floridians.

Next: The Eastern Division third-place game.

Thoughts?
 
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Now here's the action for Saturday, April 5:

Colonels 104, Pipers 92

Point guard Louie Dampier paced the Colonels with twenty-four points and shooting guard Darel Carrier added twenty-three of his own of nine of seventeen from the floor. Power forward Goose Ligon added a double-double of eleven points and seventeen rebounds. Connie Hawkins led the visitors with twenty points and twenty-one boards, while center Trooper Washington added thirteen points on five of nine shooting and seventeen rebounds.

The Eastern playoffs thus proceeded as in real life. In the semis, the Pacers outlasted the Colonels in seven games, and the Floridians nosed out the Pipers, also in seven. The Pacers' victory over the Floridians in the division finals took just five games, and the Oaks needed just five games to defeat the Pacers in the Finals and claim the ABA championship.

Next: Game 1 of the 1968 Finals.

Thoughts?
 
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