well you’re talking about 1970s players. Any 1970s players – NBA or ABA – would have to probably work out a bit more and train harder because that was something that was not as common back then. A diet and fitness regime was a novelty in the 70s and only a few players like Kareem and Wilt ever really took care of their body. So couple that with habitual smoking + cocaine back then – that’s why guys like David Thompson and George McGinnis had such short careers.
That said.. we really need to make two All-Time ABA teams because there’s guys who are all time great who played for the ABA but only for 1 or 2 seasons so do they really count?
All-Time ABA team (any player who played for ABA)
1st team:
PG: Charlie Scott
SG: George Gervin
SF: Dr J
PF: Spencer Haywood
C: Moses Malone
2nd team:
PG: Louie Dampier
SG: David Thompson
SF: Billy Cunningham
PF: Connie Hawkins
C: Artis Gilmore
All-Time ABA team (only played who played 4+ years in the ABA)
1st team:
PG: Louie Dampier
SG: George Gervin
SF: Dr J
PF: George McGinnis
C: Artis Gilmore
2nd team:
PG: Mack Calvin
SG: Donnie Freeman
SF: Rick Barry
PF: Dan Issel
C: Mel Daniels
These guys – if they trained well and got rid of the smoking/cocaine habits – would do pretty well in today’s NBA given their athletic abilities (except for Dampier but he was a lights out shooter so he’ll still do well)
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