Anaheim Amigos

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Anaheim Amigos
Los Angeles Stars
Utah Stars
Los Angeles, California
Team colorsBlack and orange (1967–68)
   
Scarlet, white and blue (1968–70)      
Head coachAl Brightman (1967)
Harry Dinnel (1967–68)
OwnershipArt Kim (1967–68)
James Ackerman (1967–68)
James J. Kirst (1968–70)

The Anaheim Amigos were a charter member American Basketball Association (ABA) team based in Southern California. After their first season in Anaheim, the team moved to Los Angeles to become the Los Angeles Stars. In 1970, it moved to Salt Lake City and became the Utah Stars.

The Amigos were the first professional team in any sport to bill themselves as representing the city of Anaheim, California, and were the only team to do so until the National Hockey League's Mighty Ducks of Anaheim began play in 1993. The California Angels of Major League Baseball played at Anaheim Stadium during the Amigos' existence, but they would not use "Anaheim" in their name until 1997.

Franchise history

Origins

With the founding of the ABA on February 2, 1967, a charter franchise in Anaheim was awarded to

Honolulu, Hawaii. Al Brightman
was the first head coach. [2]

1967–68 season

The Amigos' roster was highlighted by guards

Denver Rockets for Willis Thomas. Bunce did not live up to expectations despite his height, but played in the 1968 ABA All-Star Game
, as did Warley.

The Amigos were not successful on the court. They lost their first five games, including the first ever ABA game, a 134–129 loss to the Oakland Oaks on the road. After losing two thirds of their first 36 games Brightman was fired and replaced as head coach by Harry Dinnel. During the season the Amigos lost eight straight games in one stretch and had two other stretches of six losses each. The team finished the season with 25 wins and 53 losses, good for fifth place in Western Division but not good enough to make the playoffs.[2]

Move to Los Angeles

The Amigos suffered from poor attendance. They averaged 1,293 fans per home game and their games were broadcast on radio and sometimes on television. However, they lost approximately $500,000 on the season and were sold for $450,000 to

Merv Jackson. Playing with a roster that contained 8 rookies, Los Angeles finished in 5th place and failed to make the playoffs in 1968-69.[3]
1969-70 started out a little better for the Stars with some new veterans joining the best of the previous seasons returning players, but the team was still out of the playoff picture on March 5 when they were sold to cable television entrepreneur Bill Daniels. Following the sale the team came alive, making the playoffs on the last day of the season. Despite a fourth place finish, Sharman,
1970 ABA Finals, despite being heavy underdogs, they then stretched the Indiana Pacers to a sixth game before losing.[5]

Move to Salt Lake City, Utah

After the 1969–70 season, the franchise once again relocated, this time to Salt Lake City, and became the Utah Stars.

Season-by-season

Note: W = wins, L = losses, % = win–loss %

Season W L % Playoffs Results
Anaheim Amigos
1967–68 25 53 .321
Los Angeles Stars
1968–69 33 45 .423
1969–70 43 41 .512 Won Division Semifinals
Won Semifinals
Lost ABA Finals
Los Angeles 4, Dallas 2
Los Angeles 4, Denver 1
Indiana 4, Los Angeles 2

External links

References

  1. ^ Anaheim Amigos/Utah Stars Year-to-Year Rosters Archived 2009-02-23 at the Wayback Machine. Remember the ABA. Retrieved on 2013-09-06.
  2. ^ a b Anaheim Amigos/Los Angeles Stars/Utah Stars Year-by-Year Notes. Remember the ABA (1975-12-02). Retrieved on 2013-09-06.
  3. ^ Page 4, 1969-70 Official American Basketball Association Guide, The Sporting News
  4. ^ "1969-70 Los Angeles Stars Roster and Stats". Basketball Reference.
  5. ^ Page 63, 1970-71 Official American Basketball Association Guide, The Sporting News