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How did the American Basketball Association affect the NBA?
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Basketball
Michael Jordan of the Chicago Bulls leaping into the air during the slam-dunk competition at NBA All-Star weekend in Chicago, February 6, 1988.
The American Basketball Association (ABA) significantly influenced the National Basketball Association (NBA) through intense competition and eventual integration. Launched in 1967, the ABA acted as a direct rival, engaging in a bitter feud for top collegiate talent and introducing innovations such as the three-point shot and a distinctive red, white, and blue ball.12
The ABA's impact on the NBA included:
- Merger and Expansion: Following a 1976 antitrust settlement, the ABA disbanded. Four of its franchises—the Denver Nuggets, Indiana Pacers, New York Nets, and San Antonio Spurs—were absorbed into the NBA.12
- Player Integration: The dissolution led to a dispersal draft of ABA players, while others became free agents, allowing them to join NBA rosters.1
- Style of Play: The ABA was known for its wide-open style of play, which helped shape the modern professional game.1
- Legal Precedents: The competitive environment and legal challenges involving ABA players contributed to broader shifts in professional basketball, including changes to draft eligibility rules.3