Anaheim Amigos
| Anaheim Amigos Los Angeles Stars | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Conference | None |
| Division | Western Division |
| Founded | 1967 |
| History | Anaheim Amigos 1967–1968 Los Angeles Stars 1968–1970 |
| Arena | Anaheim Convention Center L.A. Memorial Sports Arena |
| Location | Anaheim, California Los Angeles, California |
| Team colors | Black and Orange (ANA) Scarlet, White and Blue (LA) |
The Anaheim Amigos/Los Angeles Stars were a charter member American Basketball Association (ABA) team based in Southern California. They were the Amigos during their first season in Anaheim and later moved to Los Angeles to become the Stars. The team existed from 1967 to 1970, when it moved to Salt Lake City to become the Utah Stars.
The Amigos were the first professional team to self-identify as being located in Anaheim; while the Angels played in Anaheim Stadium at the time, they would not use "Anaheim" in their name until the 1990s.
Franchise history
Origins
With the founding of the ABA on February 2, 1967, a charter franchise in Anaheim, California was awarded to Art Kim and James Ackerman for $30,000.[1] A 'name the team' contest resulted in the Amigos name. The team played most of its home games at the Anaheim Convention Center. Five home games were scheduled elsewhere in California and three home games were scheduled in Honolulu, Hawaii. Al Brightman was the first head coach. [2]
1967–1968 season
The Amigos' roster was highlighted by guards Les Selvage, Jeff Congdon and Steve Chubin, former NBA player Ben Warley and 7 foot center Larry Bunce. Chubin led the team in scoring and assists and was a fan favorite. Selvage led the league in three point field goal attempts. Warley led the team in rebounds and was an effective outside shooter. Congdon played well but was traded in mid-season to the 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
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The Amigos were not successful off the court either. 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 James J. Kirst who moved the team to nearby Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena, where they became the Stars. After two seasons in Los Angeles the team relocated again and became the Utah Stars.
External links
References
- ^ Anaheim Amigos/Utah Stars Year-to-Year Rosters. Remember the ABA. Retrieved on 2013-09-06.
- ^ a b Anaheim Amigos/Los Angeles Stars/Utah Stars Year-by-Year Notes. Remember the ABA (1975-12-02). Retrieved on 2013-09-06.
