1971–72 Kentucky Colonels season

The 1971–72 Kentucky Colonels season was the fifth season of the Colonels in the American Basketball Association. The Colonels won 68 games on the season, en route to their first ever Division title, led by Issel and rookie Artis Gilmore, who like Issel signed a 10 years and $1.5 million contract. Gilmore won both ABA Rookie of the Year and ABA Most Valuable Player, averaging 23.8 points and 17.8 rebounds per game. However the Colonels were upset in 6 games by the New York Nets in the Division Semifinals. Notably, the Colonels played the Baltimore Bullets in the 2nd ever exhibition ABA vs. NBA game on September 22, 1971 in Louisville, Kentucky, winning 111-85.

1971–72 Kentucky Colonels season
Division champions
Head coachJoe Mullaney
ArenaFreedom Hall
Results
Record6816 (.810)
PlaceDivision: 1st (Eastern)
Playoff finish1972 ABA Semifinals

Roster

Final standings

Eastern Division

TeamWL%GB
Kentucky Colonels6816.810-
Virginia Squires4539.53623
New York Nets4440.52424
The Floridians3648.42932
Carolina Cougars3549.41733
Pittsburgh Condors2559.29843

Playoffs

Eastern Division Semifinals[1]

GameDateLocationScoreRecordAttendance
1April 1Kentucky108–1220–14,772
2April 4Kentucky90–1050–28,212
3April 5New York105–991–214,056
4April 7New York92–1001–314,896
5April 8Kentucky109–1032–37,949
6April 10New York96–1012–411,533

Colonels lose series, 4–2

Awards and honors

1972 ABA All-Star Game selections (game played on January 29, 1972 in Louisville, Kentucky)

Mullaney was selected to coach the Eastern Conference.

  • ABA Most Valuable Player Award: Artis Gilmore
  • Rookie of the Year: Artis Gilmore
  • All ABA-First Team selections
    • Dan Issel
    • Artis Gilmore
  • All ABA-Rookie Team selections
    • Artis Gilmore

References

  1. "1971-72 ABA Regular Season Standings". Remembertheaba.com. Archived from the original on 2014-10-28. Retrieved 2016-07-02.
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