Neha Patil (Editor)

1970–71 Kentucky Colonels season

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Arena
  
Freedom Hall

Playoff finish
  
Lost in the ABA Finals

Record
  
44–40 (.524)

Head coach
  
Gene Rhodes (10-5) Alex Groza (2-0) Frank Ramsey (32-35)

Place
  
Division: 2nd (Eastern)

The 1970–71 Kentucky Colonels season was the fourth season of the Colonels in the American Basketball Association. University of Kentucky star Dan Issel was signed by the Colonels. Issel was given a 10-year contract worth $1.4 million, while playing all but one game in the whole season, leading to him being named Rookie of the Year, alongside averaging 29.9 points and 13.2 rebounds per game during the season. Despite a 10-5 record, Rhodes was fired during the season. After having business manager Alex Groza coach the team for 2 games, Frank Ramsey was hired to coach the rest of the season. In the Semifinals, the Colonels beat The Floridians 4 games to 2. In the Eastern Division Finals, they beat the Virginia Squires 4 games to 2. In the ABA Finals, they lost to the Utah Stars in seven games.

Contents

Roster

  • 35 Darel Carrier – Shooting guard
  • 25 Bobby Croft – Center
  • 10 Louie Dampier – Point guard
  • 32 Tom Hagan – Guard
  • 4 Dennis Hamilton – Power forward
  • 8 Dan Hester – Center
  • 4 Les Hunter – Power forward
  • 44 Dan Issel – Center
  • 22 Goose Ligon – Power forward
  • 9/24 Cincy Powell – Small forward
  • 33/54 Mike Pratt – Shooting guard
  • 2 Walt Simon – Small forward
  • 5/50 Sam Smith – Small forward (ended up with the Stars prior to the end of the season)
  • 42 Al Williams – Forward
  • 3/45 Howie Wright – Shooting guard

    • Playoffs

    Eastern Division Semifinals

    Colonels win series, 4–2

    Eastern Division Finals

    Colonels win series, 4–2

    ABA Finals

    Colonels lose series, 4–3

    Awards and honors

    1971 ABA All-Star Game selections (game played on January 23, 1971)

  • Dan Issel
  • Cincy Powell
  • ABA Rookie of the Year
  • Dan Issel (shared with Charlie Scott)
  • ABA All-Second Team
  • Dan Issel (tied with Zelmo Beaty for the Center position)

    • References

    1970–71 Kentucky Colonels season Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA