Kentucky Colonels' Missed NBA Merger: A 50-Year Reflection

About the Guest(s):

Dan Issel is a former professional basketball player, known for his prolific scoring and tenacious playing style. As an All-American at the University of Kentucky, Issel became a standout player in the American Basketball Association (ABA) with the Kentucky Colonels, where he was instrumental in securing the team's 1975 championship. Issel later transitioned to the NBA with the Denver Nuggets after the ABA-NBA merger, contributing significantly to the team's success.

Louis Dampier is celebrated for his exceptional career in the ABA, particularly with the Kentucky Colonels, where he played all nine seasons of the league's existence. Known for his sharpshooting and leadership, Dampier is the all-time leading scorer in ABA history. He was also a University of Kentucky basketball player and forged a remarkable career, becoming a beloved figure in the sports community.

Lloyd Gardner is a former athletic trainer for the Kentucky Colonels during the ABA era. He later went on to achieve success in coaching, notably leading Fairdale High School in Louisville to a state basketball championship. Gardner's firsthand experiences with the Colonels give him unique insights into the team's history and player dynamics.

Episode Summary:

Join Gary Fogle on this engaging episode of "Kentucky Sports Memories" as he delves into one of Kentucky's most poignant sports history moments — the dissolution of the American Basketball Association (ABA) 50 years ago. Celebrating the Kentucky Colonels’ illustrious legacy, the discussion highlights key figures such as Dan Issel and Louis Dampier, exploring their contributions and the eventual impact of the ABA's folding on their careers.

The episode kicks off by reminiscing about the Kentucky Colonels’ triumph in the 1975 ABA Championship with star player Dan Issel, a move that marked a pinnacle before a swift downturn. Fogle provides an insightful analysis of how the financial difficulties and subsequent trade influenced the team's makeup and morale. Both Issel and Dampier share personal reflections, offering listeners a deep dive into the strategies and decisions that led to the Colonels' ultimate fate. The conversation paints a vivid picture of the challenges faced by the franchise, exploring the widespread implications of losing a team with such powerful local roots.

Later, the discussion shifts toward the broader implications of the ABA-NBA merger, emphasizing the strategic decisions by the Colonels’ owner, John Y. Brown Jr., and the narrow misses that denied Kentucky further representation at the highest levels of professional basketball. With intriguing anecdotes provided by Lloyd Gardner about Dampier's early days and experiences, this episode paints a rich narrative of ambition, legacy, and unfulfilled potential within the historical context of 1970s basketball. It’s an episode rich with insights for basketball enthusiasts and those intrigued by the intricacies of sports league politics.

Key Takeaways:

• The Kentucky Colonels celebrated a victorious 1975 ABA Championship but faced significant changes and challenges post-victory, including the loss of star player Dan Issel.

• Louis Dampier remains a key figure in ABA history, known for his consistent performance and leadership as the league's all-time leading scorer.

• The ABA's folding in 1976 marked a crucial turning point in basketball history, impacting players, fans, and the future of professional basketball in Kentucky.

• Ownership and strategic financial decisions heavily influenced the Kentucky Colonels' fate in the context of the ABA-NBA merger planned expansions and limitations.

• Personal anecdotes and perspectives from former players and associates provide rich historical context and emotional depth to the narrative of the Colonels' journey and eventual disbanding.

Notable Quotes:

1. "At the time we were very, very unhappy and didn't like leaving Kentucky. But it all worked out for the best." – Dan Issel

2. "Well, personally, like you said, we were best friends. So I was losing him in that respect." – Louis Dampier

3. "You know, very few people remember that far back that Louie was actually in the reserves, the army reserves and stationed at Fort Knox." – Lloyd Gardner

4. "The Los Angeles Clippers could have been the Kentucky Colonels." – Gary Fogle

5. "Back when guys were making 30, $40,000, Louie would turn down a $500 speaking engagement because he really didn't like to get in front of crowds." – Lloyd Gardner

Resources:

• Kentucky Colonels History and Highlights (Note: URL for reference only, not explicitly mentioned in transcript)

• ABA History and Legacy (Note: URL for reference only, not explicitly mentioned in transcript)

Delve into the complete episode for a detailed journey through the Kentucky Colonels’ history, full of insights and stories that define a pivotal era in basketball. Stay tuned for more captivating stories and sports history highlights with Gary Fogle on "Kentucky Sports Memories."