The Pipers were one of the ABA's inaugural franchises in 1967. An awful lot of money has been poured into the franchise, and we feel it's on the verge of a breakthrough.". In early December John Scheduled an exhibition game at the Civic Center against the NBA Champion Milwaukee Bucks and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (for various reasons, the game itself did not live up to expectations - see Fred Cranwell's memory found below). Although the Condors' run-and-gun style probably inflated this figure, it placed him second in the league in scoring, behind only Dan Issel of the Kentucky Colonels. Missed Playoffs, Record: 25-59 (Sixth Place in Eastern Division) [3] In Terry Pluto's book on the ABA, Loose Balls, Pipers co-owner Gabe Rubin says he returned to the Steel City because he couldn't think of anywhere else to go. It is my hope that a young man with all his talent is aware that this is his sixth team. Around the league, Brisker became known as the "heavyweight champion of the ABA." But under Binstein, O'Brien rode the pine. Attendance remained poor, with an announced average of 2,806, though some observers close to the team thought the actual average was less than half that. That is exactly what happened on the nights of March 5 and 6, 1971, when Johnson followed up a 3 point performance against the Virginia Squires with an incredible 62 point performance against The Floridians. Pittsburgh played in a lot of entertaining, high scoring games, but usually came out on the losing end. It seemed that Haven Industries wanted to keep the team afloat at any cost, so that the Condors could cash in on a possible ABA/NBA merger. Mailed out an attractive and flashy season ticket brochure, known among ABA collectors to be one of the best ticket brochures ever produced by any ABA team. Despite making the playoffs (but losing in the first round to, coincidentally, the Miami Floridians), the Pipers' attendance settings fared no better than the Muskies and they moved back to Pittsburgh after only one season. Brisker took advantage of the frequent shootouts to boost his scoring average to an impressive 29.3 points per game. had a feathery jump shot and used finesse to get many of his points. But, to improve non-existent gate receipts in the Pittsburgh area, why not shift home games to other far-flung and remote locations - maybe even other states? But the next season, team owner Gabe Rubin inexplicably abandoned Pittsburgh and moved his team to Minneapolis, Minnesota (where another inaugural ABA team, the Minnesota Muskies, had already failed due to lack of fan support). Brand New. After a 4-6 regular season start (not bad by Condors standards! After receiving his ejection notice from referee Earl Strom, Brisker came back onto the floor and hit Becker again. Los Condors comenzaron su existencia como los Pittsburgh Pipers, una de las franquicias inaugurales de la ABA en 1967, y que ganó la liga al final del primer campeonato, en la temporada 1967-68. Originally called the Pittsburgh Pipers, they were a charter franchise of the ABA. The Condors even attracted an impressive 4,502 fans to the Civic Center for a game against Rick Barry and the New York Nets. However, they were unable to do so, and in June 1972 the ABA canceled the Condors franchise. While the Condors had a potent offense (fifth in the 11-team ABA with 119.1 points per game), they were often undone by their defense (fourth-worst, allowing 121.8 ppg). Why "Pittsburgh Condors"? The Condors limped During the 1970-71 season, Brisker was involved in bloody confrontations with Joe Caldwell of Carolina, Wendell Ladner of Memphis, and Ron Boone of Texas. Frustration set in soon enough. Even getting within ten feet of him.". The Condors went 16-49 the rest of the way. Buy It Now. John Brisker and Mike Lewis played in the 1971 ABA All-Star Game, but the Condors could only manage a 36-48 record, fifth place in the Eastern Division and out of the playoffs (one game behind The Floridians). Ownership resolved the objection by changing the name to "Condors.". just about every press inquiry on the subject. He ended up being the ABA's third leading scorer in 1970-71. Of course, the Condors lost the game 122-116. The Condors: Unfortunately, none of these steps really improved the situation. "x.charAt(i+1);try{o+=x.charAt(i);}catch(e){}}return o;}f(\"ufcnitnof x({)av" + " r,i=o\\\"\\\"o,=l.xelgnhtl,o=;lhwli(e.xhcraoCedtAl(1/)3=!55{)rt{y+xx=l;=+;" + He pushed aside most opponents to average 29.2 ppg. The school threatened immediate legal action against the ABA club if the "Pioneers" name was not dropped. As the losses mounted for the Condors, attendance plummeted to less than 1,000 fans per game. Lewis was willing to play with pain. The Condor fleet is serviced by the experienced Condor Technik GmbH (CTG) and operates maintenance operations in Frankfurt, Munic, Düsseldorf and Hamburg. Lewis fought for every loose ball and rebound, and was a steady, unappreciated presence in the middle for the hapless Condors. Above right, center Mike Lewis (#24) gets one away over Billy Paultz of the Nets. The game attracted the biggest crowd that the team would ever draw under the Condors name as 11,012 tickets were given out; however, only 8,074 (in a 12,300-seat arena) actually showed up. Binstein acquired Rich Johnson and Arvesta Kelly for the team's "stretch drive." But, in the spring of 1972, they took unique and unprecedented steps to abandon Pittsburgh. They are in trouble. That game was played in at Uniontown High School and drew 1,750 fans. Haven and the league tried to move the Condors to a bigger market. The Civic Arena was largely empty during the 1969-70 season - not only did the fans hold a grudge against the team, but Hawkins had departed to the NBA. But, as often was the case in Pittsburgh, things "went south" pretty quickly. In his last year in the ABA, John Brisker (#40, above left) was simply a force. Brisker's offensive skills and gaudy scoring average attracted the notice of the NBA's Philadelphia 76ers and Atlanta Hawks. He increased his scoring average to an impressive 29.3 points per game, an increase of 8 points over his rookie average. After that, Haven Industries gambled and decided to give the Condors one more try in Pittsburgh. ", Frustration set in soon enough. With all of the constant problems, it seemed highly unlikely that the team could last another year - let alone in Pittsburgh. George Thompson went to the Memphis Tams (another "difficult" location), Mike Lewis went to the Carolina Cougars, Skeeter Swift went to the Dallas Chaparrals, and Walt Szczerbiak went to the Kentucky Colonels. Originally called the Pittsburgh Pipers, they were a charter franchise of the ABA and captured the first league title. The Condors were vulnerable to the fast break, and every other team in the ABA knew it. That was an ABA record at the time - the previous record of 59 points belonged to Spencer Haywood of the Denver Rockets. Yes, Tucson, Arizona. I know their front office is convinced that the team can't make it at the Civic Arena any longer. home attendance in the league. In the educational Conservation Station, you can get up close to the condors and watch them from behind large glass viewing panels. Observers close to the team noted that this Durante esta primera temporada consiguieron ser el equipo con mayor asistencia de público de la ABA, … He had brutally elbowed Art Becker of the Rockets. Under Binstein's first nine games as coach, false optimism abounded as the Condors went 5-4. Johnson ran hot and cold during his time with the Condors. 3,000 half-interested fans showed up at Birmingham's Boutwell Auditorium to see the Condors lose to the Colonels, 134-107. Especially early in the season. Short North: 614-928-3909 Downtown Cbus: 614-456-7444 Easton: 614-532-5956 Downtown Pittsburgh: 412-281-9111 Broad Ripple: 463-206-2768 Clintonville: 614-230-2786 Even getting within ten feet of him. Coach Jack McMahon played him a lot, saying: "He's going to be a good one. //--> Previous Season. After the "U.S. Condors" staggered to the end of the 1971-72 season with a 25-59 record, the league had finally seen enough. Then, in a move that further surprised many ABA observers, Binstein named himself as McMahon's replacement. I've never had a season like this. The five wins included a road victory over the defending champion Utah Stars, and a home triumph against the eventual 1971-72 champion Indiana Pacers. Some ABA beat writers noted that Pittsburgh had the best merchandising program of any ABA team and offered items not on display anywhere else. La franchise a disparu en 1972, la ABA organisant en juin de cette année-là une draft de dispersion avec les joueurs de l'équipe. ", Binstein made further strange moves. The latter half of the Johnson, like Brisker, was also "offensive-minded." But, he was not as consistent as Brisker. They're one of the most popular "throwback" jerseys today - just check eBay. To no one's surprise, the Condors got off to a poor start - through November 9, 1970, their record stood at 4-8. At the same time, a female contestant sued the team, claiming that the winning "Pioneers" entry did not stay within the designated 25-word contest limit. ), GM Binstein suddenly canned coach Jack McMahon. These fans might have come back for more Condors games, but the team's performance was embarrassing. (3,000 season ticket holders didn't even bother to attend the contest, which Pittsburgh lost, 122-116.) Ownership was not amused, and Blake was fired soon after. We are not going to move this season since it is too late. Record: 36-48 (Fifth Place in Eastern Division), Record: 25-59 (Sixth Place in Eastern Division), April 1999 Interview with Walt Szczerbiak. But he also had a nasty court personality, and loved to fight. [1] Coupled with the Philadelphia 76ers' NBA championship one year earlier, Pennsylvania had two pro basketball champions in as many years. "lc}tahce({)}}of(r=i-l;1>i0=i;--{)+ox=c.ahAr(t)i};erutnro s.buts(r,0lo;)f}\\" + $20.00 to $35.00 - apply Price filter. That game only drew only 500 fans. In early December. The next game he could erupt in a scoring binge of historic proportions. But we are looking around for next year. Under $20.00 - apply Price filter. Sounding like a broken record, team President Bezahler finally issued a statement: "There is no sense to keep pouring good money into the franchise while it is in Pittsburgh. For the first season back in Pittsburgh the team retained the "Pipers" nickname. A bitter legal battle ensued between the Condors and the Bulls. And he didn't want some rookie who was trying to do his job competing and trying to win some playing time. Condor Flug DE 2099 Pittsburgh - Frankfurt am Main (PIT-FRA), Reisedauer 8h 00m, Abflug 21:00, Pittsburgh, Ankunft 11:00, Frankfurt am Main Terminal 1. He also hit 11 straight at the foul line. of time trying to lure Connie Hawkins back Contribute to this web page by However, Porter observed the franchise during the spring of 1971, and decided he didn't like the Condors as much as he thought earlier. Sounding like a broken record, team President Bezahler finally issued a statement: "There is no sense to keep pouring good money into the franchise while it is in Pittsburgh. Binstein had no previous pro coaching experience, although he had played some college basketball at West Point. The March 14 home game vs. the Virginia Squires was shifted to Connellsville, around 15 miles away from Pittsburgh. Guaranteed by Fri, Sep. 25. to the Condors from the NBA Phoenix Suns. But as Becker went to the free throw line, Brisker broke free and hit the Denver forward yet again. A local ad proclaimed "Bring on Alcindor" and that "the ABA-NBA merger is here". With the pesky nickname issue finally resolved, the team received a badly-needed infusion of cash from Haven Industries.
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