Ron Boone expects to hear a lot of tall tales at this weekend's American Basketball Association reunion in Indianapolis.
"Once the guys get together," he predicts, "The stories will grow, just like fishing stories."The short-lived ABA, however, may be a tough story to enhance. From 1967-76, the maverick alternative to the NBA showcased a wide-open style of play featuring a three-point shot and "monster" dunks before anyone knew to call them that. The ABA also had a showman's flair - introducing the basketball world to a red, white and blue ball and bikini-clad cheerleaders.
Boone said he and others are proud to be ABA alumni.
"It gave many of us a chance to play professional basketball," he said of the league that launched the careers of Julius Erving, George Gervin and Connie Hawkins, in addition to his.
"I loved the ABA . . . In my mind, the NBA has just become a bigger version of the ABA. They play the style of game that we did. They sell their stars like we did. The only difference is that they have more resources," Erving told author Terry Pluto in his book "Loose Balls: The short, wild life of the American Basketball Association."
Erving headlines more than 100 league alums who have committed to attend the 30-Year ABA Reunion Celebration Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the RCA Dome. "Dr. J" will be presented as the league's all-time Most Valuable Player at a dinner reception hosted by NBC sportscaster Bob Costas, the former voice of the ABA's Spirits of St. Louis. Saturday's $200 a plate gathering, which will also include the introduction of the 30 greatest players in league history as well as a coaches award, is surrounded on both sides of the weekend by a memorabilia show, an auction (featuring ABA collectibles), a 3-on-3 basketball tournament, dunk contest, ABA player appearances and autograph signings, as well as an ABA alumni three-point shooting con-test.
"What a great idea," said Boone, who is one of seven former Utah Stars on the all-time ABA team. A pool of 50 writers, broadcasters, fans and former ABA commissioners, owners and officials picked the honorees. "This is something that is going to be very rewarding for some of us, but it's the reunion aspect that is most exciting. It should be a lot of fun."
Zelmo Beaty, Willie Wise, Donnie Freeman, Moses Malone, Jimmy Jones and the late Roger Brown join Boone as ex-Stars named as top 30 players in ABA history. Former Utah Jazzmen Mack Calvin and Billy Paultz, who were perennial ABA All-Stars before winding down their pro careers with Salt Lake City's NBA franchise, were also voted among the league's elite.
Seven honorees - Erving, Brown, Gervin, Louie Dampier, Mel Daniels, Artis Gilmore and Dan Issel - were unanimous selctions.
"It's definitely an honor considering the number of players who came through that league in such a short period of time," said Boone. "It means a lot."
Voters nominated 99 different players for the all-time team, including several other former Utah Stars. Those who fell short of the top 30 include Red Robbins, Larry Jones, Cincy Powell, Rick Mount, John Beasley, George Carter, Glen Combs, Johnny Neumann, John Roche, Charlie Williams, Jim Eakins, Gerald Govan, Ira Harge, Wayne Hightower and Larry Miller.
Bill Sharman, who coached Utah's only championship team, finished fourth for the coaching award. Indiana's Bobby "Slick" Leonard, who guided the Pacers to three ABA titles, topped the voting.