Greetings again from the darkness. I had to have that ball. The red, white, and blue basketball looked so cool whether you were shooting a jumper or spinning it on your finger. And it looked even better when “Dr J” was soaring in for a finger-roll or slamming one home. To this young kid, the ABA was ultra cool, and now this four-episode documentary series from director Kenan Kamwana Holley and producers George Karl, Julius Erving, and Common (among others) provides a rush of nostalgia for those my age, and a sports history lesson for younger folks.
Personally, I would have been satisfied with four hours of ABA game clips. After all, this was the league that introduced the three-point arc and the slam dunk contest, as well as flamboyant players and play. But of course, director Holley understands that there is also a significant story to tell about what was happening off the court. Quite an impact is made by allowing those involved to tell their version some fifty plus years later. Some of the best segments feature interviews with Rick Barry, Julius Erving, Spencer Haywood, and Ellie Brown … the latter being the first female sports team owner when she took over for her husband John Y Brown (owner of KFC, governor of KY, once owner of Celtics). We learn about the battle between the stodgy established NBA and the upstart dynamic young league.
The ABA began in 1967 and lasted until the four-team merger with the NBA after the 1976 season. During that span, most of the ABA teams functioned under tremendous financial strain, and teams and cities and logos were juggled fairly regularly. Still, the players and exciting brand of basketball (as compared to the slow-play NBA) sustained the league and its persistent annoyance to the more established league. In addition to those already named, some of the other true ABA stars included George McGinnis, Louie Dampier, Moses Malone, Marvin Barnes, James Silas, Dan Issel, Artis Gilmore, and George Gervin … those latter three all sit for interviews as well. A segment on David “Skywalker” Thompson reminds us of what an incredible talent he was.
It’s likely that Will Ferrell’s comedic SEMI-PRO (2008) film is the only exposure some have to the ABA. In keeping with the league’s actual history, it’s no surprise that Dr. J is the big draw. Julius Erving is a producer on the film, and also provides some insight and commentary along the way. His skills at the time were unlike anything we had ever seen on a basketball court, and he certainly earned the extra attention here. If there is a downside, it’s related to the poor quality and deterioration of the clips from 50 plus years ago. Obviously, we are spoiled with the high-definition replays over the past twenty years, and we should be thankful that this much video has been preserved from the rebel league, but some of it is pretty rough.
Common is the series narrator, and kudos to all involved for the nostalgia and history lesson. The ABA played a crucial role in the evolution of professional basketball, and this film offers a documented record of how it all happened. From NBA legend George Mikan being the league’s first commissioner, to singer Pat Boone being an original team owner, to Rick Barry’s contentious relationship with everyone (except a basketball), to the legal battles involving Barry, Haywood, and Dr. J, to the fight for Lew Alcindor, to the first female team owner, to Darnell Hillman’s afro, to the players’ fashion, to the first microphone job for Bob Costas, to Larry Brown’s overalls, to that iconic first slam dunk contest, to Silna’s big payday, to the high-flying exploits of Erving and Thompson, to that final merger … this is quite a trip for fans.
Available on Prime Video
Movie Reviews from the Dark 