The rivalry between the two leagues intensified in the late 1960s, culminating in the creation of an ABA vs. NBA All-Star Game. Two such games were held, first in 1971 and again in 1972, showcasing the best talent from both leagues. Played shortly after the regular seasons concluded, these games were fiercely competitive, with both leagues eager to assert dominance. Despite the ABA's flash and skill, the NBA narrowly claimed victory in both matchups.
The heated competition between the ABA and NBA not only fueled a growing rivalry but also sparked a surge in player salaries, leaving an indelible mark on the evolution of professional basketball.
Super Game 1 - Astrodome, Houston, Texas (1971)
On May 28, 1971, the first interleague all-star game between the NBA and ABA was held at the Houston Astrodome, attracting a crowd of 16,364 fans. The game, fiercely competitive and symbolic of the rivalry between the leagues, saw the NBA team coached by Bill Russell narrowly defeat Larry Brown's ABA team 125–120.
The game featured a unique mix of rules from both leagues: the first half followed NBA regulations, including a 24-second shot clock and conventional basketball. The second half adopted ABA rules, utilizing their 30-second shot clock, the red-white-and-blue basketball, and the three-point shot. The game featured 15 future Hall-of-Famers.
Walt Frazier led the NBA with 26 points on 11-of-16 shooting, earning MVP honors and a car as his prize. The NBA's offensive effort was bolstered by Elvin Hayes' buzzer-beating first-half shot and contributions from Oscar Robertson, John Havlicek, and Dave Bing.
On the ABA side, Rick Barry shone with 20 points, while Charlie Scott and Mel Daniels added key buckets. Despite their loss, the ABA players, including Daniels, played with pride and determination, showcasing their talent to a skeptical basketball world. Daniels recalled, “We weren’t intimidated by the (NBA) guys...we had a few things on our minds that we had to prove.”
The game remained tight until the fourth quarter when the NBA pulled ahead 108–98. The ABA, led by Barry and Scott, rallied back to within one point with 47 seconds remaining. However, clutch free throws from Oscar Robertson and Walt Frazier sealed the NBA's victory.
Controversy surrounded officiating as both referees came from the NBA. The fourth quarter saw the NBA attempt a staggering 31 free throws, dwarfing the ABA's opportunities. Nevertheless, the physicality and intensity of this game set it apart from modern all-star exhibitions.
Walt "Clyde" Frazier Was Named MVP of The 1971 Supergames
Date: May 28, 1971
Arena: Houston Astrodome
Place: Houston, Texas
Attendance: 16,364
Final: NBA – ABA 125–120
MVP: Walt Frazier, New York Knicks
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | TOT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NBA | 33 | 33 | 25 | 34 | 125 |
| ABA | 33 | 31 | 25 | 31 | 120 |
| * | Elected to Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame |
NBA SuperGames Roster 1971
| Player | 2FG | FT | 3P | PF | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Havlicek* | 3/7 | 4/7 | 0/0 | 4 | 10 |
| Dave DeBusschere* | 6/14 | 5/5 | 0/0 | 5 | 17 |
| Nate Thurmond* | 1/5 | 1/5 | 0/0 | 1 | 3 |
| Oscar Robertson* | 4/9 | 9/14 | 0/0 | 1 | 17 |
| Dave Bing* | 2/5 | 7/12 | 0/0 | 2 | 11 |
| Walt Frazier* | 11/16 | 4/5 | 0/0 | 2 | 26 |
| Elvin Hayes* | 8/20 | 1/5 | 0/0 | 4 | 17 |
| Earl Monroe* | 2/5 | 8/9 | 0/0 | 1 | 12 |
| Lou Hudson* | 2/6 | 3/3 | 0/0 | 4 | 7 |
| Billy Cunningham* | 1/5 | 3/5 | 0/0 | 3 | 5 |
| TOTAL | 40/92 | 45/70 | 0/0 | 27 | 125 |
| 43.5% | 64.3% | 0.0% |
NBA Coach: Bill Russell
ABA SuperGames Roster 1971
| Player | 2FG | FT | 3P | PF | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rick Barry* | 7/17 | 6/10 | 0/1 | 5 | 20 |
| Willie Wise | 6/13 | 4/5 | 0/0 | 3 | 16 |
| Zelmo Beaty* | 3/5 | 4/6 | 0/0 | 3 | 10 |
| Larry Jones | 6/10 | 0/0 | 1/1 | 6 | 15 |
| Charlie Scott* | 5/12 | 1/3 | 0/4 | 2 | 11 |
| Mel Daniels* | 5/12 | 5/7 | 0/0 | 1 | 15 |
| John Brisker | 1/5 | 6/6 | 2/3 | 3 | 14 |
| Roger Brown* | 3/5 | 3/5 | 0/1 | 2 | 9 |
| Steve Jones | 1/3 | 1/3 | 1/1 | 5 | 6 |
| Donnie Freeman | 2/6 | 0/0 | 0/0 | 3 | 4 |
| Bill Melchionni | 0/1 | 0/0 | 0/0 | 3 | 0 |
| TOTAL | 39/89 | 30/45 | 4/11 | 36 | 120 |
| 43.8% | 66.7% | 36.4% |
ABA Coach: Larry Brown
Super Game 2 - Nassau Coliseum New York
On May 25, 1972, the second ABA-NBA Supergame took place at the Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, New York, drawing an electric crowd of 14,086 fans eager to witness a continuation of the heated rivalry between the two leagues. The NBA, featuring legendary players like Wilt Chamberlain and Oscar Robertson, triumphed in a thrilling comeback, overcoming a 19-point deficit to narrowly defeat the ABA 106–104.
Bob Lanier, who stepped in for Kareem Abdul-Jabbar at the last moment, delivered a standout performance for the NBA with 15 points and seven rebounds, earning him the title of MVP for the game. Despite his late addition to the roster, Lanier’s impact was undeniable, showcasing his adaptability and skill in a high-stakes environment. John Havlichek led the team with 17 points and Archie Clark chippped in 15. Freeman led the ABA team with 16, Gilmore had 14, Erving chipped in 13 while Simpson and Wise scored 12. A total of 15 players that played in the game would go on to be elected into the Basketball hall of fame.
Game Rules and Format
As in the first Supergame, the rules were a hybrid of NBA and ABA regulations, designed to balance the styles of play from both leagues. The NBA's 24-second shot clock was implemented to maintain a fast pace, while the ABA's innovative 3-point line added an extra strategic dimension to the game. Additionally, the ball used alternated by half, with the NBA's ball featured in the first half and the ABA's in the second, emphasizing the collaborative spirit of the event.
One controversial aspect of the game was the disparity in free-throw opportunities, a factor that had also been noted in the first Supergame. The NBA enjoyed a significant advantage at the charity stripe, with 47 attempts compared to the ABA's 32, a difference that played a critical role in the outcome. This imbalance, coupled with the NBA's experienced officiating crew, sparked debates about bias, fueling the competitive fire between the leagues.
While ABA Commissioner Jack Dolph and the league's owners enthusiastically supported the Supergame, many NBA players faced threats of fines and suspensions for participating, reflecting the tension between the leagues. Despite these obstacles, the event managed to bring together a stellar lineup of talent, showcasing the depth and diversity of basketball's elite athletes.
Julius Erving’s Legendary Dunk
Among the many memorable moments of Supergame 2, Julius Erving delivered a play that has since become the stuff of legend. Late in the game, "Dr. J" intercepted a pass, dribbled down the court, and launched into the air from just inside the free-throw line. With Oscar Robertson and Archie Clark in pursuit, Erving soared over both defenders for a thunderous dunk that left the arena buzzing. Teammates and opponents alike, including Paul Silas and Mel Daniels, hailed it as one of the greatest dunks they had ever witnessed.
Reflecting on the moment, Erving recalled the astonished expressions of Robertson and Clark. Plays like these solidified Erving's reputation as one of the most electrifying athletes in basketball history.
Date: May 25, 1972
Arena: Nassau Coliseum
Place: Uniondale Long Island, New York
Attendance: 14,086
Final: NBA – ABA 106–104
MVP: Bob Lanier, Detroit Pistons
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | TOT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NBA | 21 | 29 | 33 | 23 | 106 |
| ABA | 30 | 26 | 25 | 23 | 104 |
| * | Elected to Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame |
NBA SuperGames Roster 1972
| Player | FG | FT | 3P | PF | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Havlicek* | 5 | 7/9 | 17 | ||
| Connie Hawkins* | 2 | 2/6 | 6 | ||
| Wilt Chamberlain* | 2 | 2/4 | 6 | ||
| Oscar Robertson* | 5 | 4/4 | 14 | ||
| Archie Clark | 5 | 5/7 | 15 | ||
| Bob Lanier* | 7 | 1/4 | 15 | ||
| Nate Archibald* | 4 | 4/6 | 12 | ||
| Bob Love | 4 | 2/2 | 10 | ||
| Gail Goodrich* | 3 | 2/3 | 8 | ||
| Paul Silas | 1 | 1/2 | 3 | ||
| TOTAL | 38 | 30/47 | 27 | 106 | |
| 63.8% |
NBA Coach: Elgin Baylor
ABA SuperGames Roster 1972
| Player | FG | FT | 3P | PF | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rick Barry* | 4 | 2/2 | 1 | 11 | |
| Dan Issel* | 4 | 0/0 | 8 | ||
| Artis Gilmore* | 7 | 0/5 | 14 | ||
| Jimmy Jones | 3 | 1/2 | 7 | ||
| Donnie Freeman | 5 | 6/7 | 16 | ||
| Julius Erving* | 5 | 3/4 | 13 | ||
| Ralph Simpson | 5 | 2/4 | 12 | ||
| Willie Wise | 4 | 4/5 | 12 | ||
| George Thompson | 2 | 3/3 | 7 | ||
| Roger Brown* | 1 | 0/0 | 2 | ||
| Mel Daniels* | 1 | 0/0 | 2 | ||
| TOTAL | 41 | 21/32 | 32 | 104 | |
| 65.6% |
ABA Coach: Al Bianchi
NBA vs ABA Supergames Legacy
Supergame 2, like its predecessor, showcased the contrasting styles and philosophies of the two leagues. The ABA's emphasis on creativity and entertainment clashed with the NBA's structured and strategic approach, creating a captivating dynamic that highlighted the strengths of both. These games were more than exhibition matches; they were statements of identity, with each league vying to prove its superiority on a national stage.
The Supergame series ultimately played a pivotal role in shaping the trajectory of professional basketball. By demonstrating the competitiveness and talent within the ABA, these events paved the way for the eventual NBA-ABA merger in 1976, an event that forever changed the landscape of the sport.
A third Supergame never happened due to the growing focus on the NBA-ABA merger. After the success of the first two games, discussions between the leagues intensified, aiming to create a unified professional basketball league. By 1976, the merger was finalized, incorporating ABA teams and innovations like the 3-Point Line, Slam Dunk Contest and cheerleaders into the NBA.
