1970–71 ABA season

The 1970–71 ABA season was the fourth season of the American Basketball Association.

Notable franchise moves from the previous season included:

• The Washington Caps moved to Norfolk, Virginia, became the Virginia Squires and switched divisions with the Indiana Pacers.
• The Miami Floridians became more of a regional franchise and were re-named simply The Floridians.
• The Los Angeles Stars moved to Salt Lake City, Utah, and became the Utah Stars.
• The Dallas Chaparrals became a regional franchise and were re-named the Texas Chaparrals.
• The New Orleans Buccaneers moved to Memphis, Tennessee, and became the Memphis Pros.

The Utah Stars, led by Zelmo Beaty and Willie Wise, won the championship, defeating the Kentucky Colonels, 4 games to 3, in the ABA Finals.

The Virginia Squires won the Eastern Division.

Eastern Division[]

Western Division[]

Asterisk denotes playoff team (the Rockets and the Chaparrals played a one game playoff to settle the tie for the final playoff spot, which the Chaparrals won)

Playoffs[]

Awards and honors[]

• ABA Most Valuable Player Award: Mel Daniels, Indiana Pacers (2nd time)
• Rookie of the Year: Charlie Scott, Virginia Squires & Dan Issel, Kentucky Colonels
• Coach of the Year: Al Bianchi, Virginia Squires
• Playoffs MVP: Zelmo Beaty, Utah Stars
• All-Star Game MVP: Mel Daniels, Indiana Pacers
• All-ABA First Team
  • Roger Brown, Indiana Pacers (1st First Team selection, 3rd overall selection)
  • Rick Barry, New York Nets (3rd selection)
  • Mel Daniels, Indiana Pacers (3rd selection)
  • Mack Calvin, The Floridians
  • Charlie Scott, Virginia Squires
• All-ABA Second Team
  • John Brisker, Pittsburgh Condors
  • Joe Caldwell, Carolina Cougars
  • Zelmo Beaty, Utah Stars (tied with Issel)
  • Dan Issel, Kentucky Colonels (tied with Beaty)
  • Donnie Freeman, Texas Chaparrals (3rd selection)
  • Larry Cannon, Denver Rockets
• All-ABA Rookie Team
  • Joe Hamilton, Texas Chaparrals
  • Dan Issel, Kentucky Colonels
  • Wendell Ladner, Memphis Pros
  • Samuel Robinson, The Floridians
  • Charlie Scott, Virginia Squires

References[]

External links[]

• http://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/ABA_1971.html