ABA COMES TO BROOKLYN (AM NY)
(Writer's note: ABAlive.com reprinted an article I wrote for AM New York about the expansion Brooklyn Wonders--Denis Gorman.)
(Reprint of an article by Denis Gorman, AM New York/New York News)
At an open practice last week, red, white and blue basketballs bounced along the Harlem Police Athletic League's court. For the American Basketball Association, a league whose history was built in small gyms, it was fitting.
The ABA has launched the Brooklyn Wonders, who begin play Friday in Patchogue, L.I. against the Strong Island Sound. The Wonders will make their home debut at Kingsborough Community College on Saturday against the Newark Express. So, the obvious questions are (A) how did the Wonders come to be and (B) why Brooklyn?
"We began working on this over a year ago," explained Wonders team president Leigh Sutton. "We introduced (ABA co-founder and CEO) Joe Newman to business associates. Newman wanted a team in New York. "We looked at the different boroughs. We decided on Brooklyn because (a lot of Wonders' employees) have roots in Brooklyn, the rich tradition of sports, and looking at the Cyclones, they have had great success. We want to give (the borough) another option."
Sutton noted that once the organization chose Brooklyn, the process to find a home court was arduous. The team settled on Kingsborough because of its easy accessibility in Manhattan Beach and seating capacity, which is 1000. (There has been talk of expanding to 2000 if the Wonders draw well.)
There are currently more than 50 teams in the ABA, with another 18 joining next year. Sutton explained that despite the large number of teams, the schedule fosters regional rivalries. "The ABA goes by a different model than other leagues," Sutton said. "In the ABA, we create regional divisions, and it's mostly ground travel. We can play a game and go home in the same night." In looking at the Wonders' schedule, the team's longest trips are to Richmond, VA, Cape Cod MA, Quebec and Montreal.
Much like its 1960s and 1970s predecessor, this version of the ABA, which resurfaced in 2000, emphasizes high scoring games. Much like the college game, the 3-point line is closer than the NBA's. Also, if a team scores a layup or jumper inside the arc following a steal in the backcourt, the basket is worth three points.
History indicates that it's rather unlikely for an expansion team to have a winning season. But that doesn't faze Sutton. "We're looking to make a name for ourselves in Brooklyn and the ABA. We want to make the playoffs and the championship," Sutton said emphatically.
Before the Strong Island Sound joined the league last season, the last ABA team based in the New York City metropolitan area had been the New York Nets, who played on Long Island from 1968-77. The Nets moved to New Jersey in 1977, a year after joining the ABA.
(Reprint of an article by Denis Gorman, AM New York/New York News)
At an open practice last week, red, white and blue basketballs bounced along the Harlem Police Athletic League's court. For the American Basketball Association, a league whose history was built in small gyms, it was fitting.
The ABA has launched the Brooklyn Wonders, who begin play Friday in Patchogue, L.I. against the Strong Island Sound. The Wonders will make their home debut at Kingsborough Community College on Saturday against the Newark Express. So, the obvious questions are (A) how did the Wonders come to be and (B) why Brooklyn?
"We began working on this over a year ago," explained Wonders team president Leigh Sutton. "We introduced (ABA co-founder and CEO) Joe Newman to business associates. Newman wanted a team in New York. "We looked at the different boroughs. We decided on Brooklyn because (a lot of Wonders' employees) have roots in Brooklyn, the rich tradition of sports, and looking at the Cyclones, they have had great success. We want to give (the borough) another option."
Sutton noted that once the organization chose Brooklyn, the process to find a home court was arduous. The team settled on Kingsborough because of its easy accessibility in Manhattan Beach and seating capacity, which is 1000. (There has been talk of expanding to 2000 if the Wonders draw well.)
There are currently more than 50 teams in the ABA, with another 18 joining next year. Sutton explained that despite the large number of teams, the schedule fosters regional rivalries. "The ABA goes by a different model than other leagues," Sutton said. "In the ABA, we create regional divisions, and it's mostly ground travel. We can play a game and go home in the same night." In looking at the Wonders' schedule, the team's longest trips are to Richmond, VA, Cape Cod MA, Quebec and Montreal.
Much like its 1960s and 1970s predecessor, this version of the ABA, which resurfaced in 2000, emphasizes high scoring games. Much like the college game, the 3-point line is closer than the NBA's. Also, if a team scores a layup or jumper inside the arc following a steal in the backcourt, the basket is worth three points.
History indicates that it's rather unlikely for an expansion team to have a winning season. But that doesn't faze Sutton. "We're looking to make a name for ourselves in Brooklyn and the ABA. We want to make the playoffs and the championship," Sutton said emphatically.
Before the Strong Island Sound joined the league last season, the last ABA team based in the New York City metropolitan area had been the New York Nets, who played on Long Island from 1968-77. The Nets moved to New Jersey in 1977, a year after joining the ABA.
posted by Denis P. Gorman at 9:12 PM
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