32. Virginia Squires
Oakland Oaks (1967-1969) ABA
Washington Capitols (1969-1970) ABA
Virginia Squires (1970-1976) ABA
W/L record, %- 326-417, .439
Playoff Appearances- 6
Division Titles- 2
Conference Titles- 0
Championships- 1 ('69 ABA)
Rick Barry, George Gervin and Julius Erving are all players that competed for this once great franchise. The team won the ABA title in 1969 as the Oakland Oaks. That '69 team saw Barry compete in only 35 games, but coach Alex Hannum and players like Warren Jabali and Gary Bradds still led the team to the championship. The club then moved to Washington where they played one, decent season. After that, the club was moved to Virginia, where they played the remainder of their six seasons as a franchise. Dr. J made his debut in 1971 and played two seasons with the Squires. The team was coached primarily by Al Bianchi.
Oakland Oaks (1967-1969) ABA
Washington Capitols (1969-1970) ABA
Virginia Squires (1970-1976) ABA
W/L record, %- 326-417, .439
Playoff Appearances- 6
Division Titles- 2
Conference Titles- 0
Championships- 1 ('69 ABA)
Rick Barry, George Gervin and Julius Erving are all players that competed for this once great franchise. The team won the ABA title in 1969 as the Oakland Oaks. That '69 team saw Barry compete in only 35 games, but coach Alex Hannum and players like Warren Jabali and Gary Bradds still led the team to the championship. The club then moved to Washington where they played one, decent season. After that, the club was moved to Virginia, where they played the remainder of their six seasons as a franchise. Dr. J made his debut in 1971 and played two seasons with the Squires. The team was coached primarily by Al Bianchi.
33. New Orleans Pelicans
New Orleans Hornets (2002-2013)
New Orleans/OKC Hornets (2005-2007)
New Orleans Pelicans (2013-present)
W/L record, %- 562-652, .463
Playoff Appearances- 6
Division Titles- 1
Conference Titles- 0
Championships- 0
The Pelicans are the last active franchise on this list. Ever since their name change, along with the Charlotte Hornets, the franchise's history has been reorganized. They now only have a history dating back to 2002. This history also includes the team's stint in OKC due to Hurricane Katrina. New Orleans has employed Chris Paul and Anthony Davis in that time, but has never truly had a period of sustained success either on or off the floor. Their best season was 2007-08, when they pushed the Spurs to seven games in the second round of the western conference playoffs.
New Orleans Hornets (2002-2013)
New Orleans/OKC Hornets (2005-2007)
New Orleans Pelicans (2013-present)
W/L record, %- 562-652, .463
Playoff Appearances- 6
Division Titles- 1
Conference Titles- 0
Championships- 0
The Pelicans are the last active franchise on this list. Ever since their name change, along with the Charlotte Hornets, the franchise's history has been reorganized. They now only have a history dating back to 2002. This history also includes the team's stint in OKC due to Hurricane Katrina. New Orleans has employed Chris Paul and Anthony Davis in that time, but has never truly had a period of sustained success either on or off the floor. Their best season was 2007-08, when they pushed the Spurs to seven games in the second round of the western conference playoffs.
34. Baltimore Bullets
Baltimore Bullets (1947-1955) NBA/BAA
W/L record, %- 158-292, .351
Playoff Appearances- 3
Division Titles- 0
Conference Titles- 0
Championships- 1 ('48 BAA)
The winners of the second ever BAA/NBA championship come in at #34 on our list. The title season of 1948 saw the team led by player/coach Buddy Jeannette. The Bullets are listed as having played eight season, although they disbanded in their eighth season after a 3-11 start. The statistics from that season do not count towards official records for either them or their opponents.
Baltimore Bullets (1947-1955) NBA/BAA
W/L record, %- 158-292, .351
Playoff Appearances- 3
Division Titles- 0
Conference Titles- 0
Championships- 1 ('48 BAA)
The winners of the second ever BAA/NBA championship come in at #34 on our list. The title season of 1948 saw the team led by player/coach Buddy Jeannette. The Bullets are listed as having played eight season, although they disbanded in their eighth season after a 3-11 start. The statistics from that season do not count towards official records for either them or their opponents.
35. Spirits of St. Louis
Houston Mavericks (1967-1969) ABA
Carolina Cougars (1969-1974) ABA
Spirits of St. Louis (1974-1976) ABA
W/L record, %- 334-410, .449
Playoff Appearances- 5
Division Titles- 1
Conference Titles- 0
Championships- 0
This ball club competed in some form or fashion in every season of the ABA. After two unsuccessful season in Houston, the team moved to North Carolina where they played in three different cities over five seasons. This was the best stretch in the clubs history, with the 1973 season serving as a banner year. Led by coach Larry Brown and forward Billy Cunningham, the Cougars went 57-27 and lost in the East Division Finals. The team then played the final two seasons of its existence in St. Louis, where they had one of the coolest name/uniform combinations of all-time.
Houston Mavericks (1967-1969) ABA
Carolina Cougars (1969-1974) ABA
Spirits of St. Louis (1974-1976) ABA
W/L record, %- 334-410, .449
Playoff Appearances- 5
Division Titles- 1
Conference Titles- 0
Championships- 0
This ball club competed in some form or fashion in every season of the ABA. After two unsuccessful season in Houston, the team moved to North Carolina where they played in three different cities over five seasons. This was the best stretch in the clubs history, with the 1973 season serving as a banner year. Led by coach Larry Brown and forward Billy Cunningham, the Cougars went 57-27 and lost in the East Division Finals. The team then played the final two seasons of its existence in St. Louis, where they had one of the coolest name/uniform combinations of all-time.
36. Memphis Sounds
New Orleans Buccaneers (1967-1970) ABA
Memphis Pros (1970-1972) ABA
Memphis Tams (1972-1974) ABA
Memphis Sounds (1974-1975) ABA
W/L record, %- 275-385, .417
Playoff Appearances- 4
Division Titles- 1
Conference Titles- 0
Championships- 0
This franchise somehow lasted eight seasons despite four names and two cities. The first three seasons in New Orleans saw the team lose in the first ABA Finals and have Doug Moe and Larry Brown play for the club. After the move to Memphis the team changed its name to the Pros for two years, the Tams for two years and the Sounds for their final season. Jimmy Jones and Red Robbins were other notable players from this quirky franchise.
New Orleans Buccaneers (1967-1970) ABA
Memphis Pros (1970-1972) ABA
Memphis Tams (1972-1974) ABA
Memphis Sounds (1974-1975) ABA
W/L record, %- 275-385, .417
Playoff Appearances- 4
Division Titles- 1
Conference Titles- 0
Championships- 0
This franchise somehow lasted eight seasons despite four names and two cities. The first three seasons in New Orleans saw the team lose in the first ABA Finals and have Doug Moe and Larry Brown play for the club. After the move to Memphis the team changed its name to the Pros for two years, the Tams for two years and the Sounds for their final season. Jimmy Jones and Red Robbins were other notable players from this quirky franchise.
37. Pittsburgh Condors
Pittsburgh Pipers (1967-1968) ABA
Minnesota Pipers (1968-1969) ABA
Pittsburgh Pipers (1969-1970) ABA
Pittsburgh Condors (1970-1972) ABA
W/L record, %- 180-228, .441
Playoff Appearances- 2
Division Titles- 1
Conference Titles- 0
Championships- 1 ('68 ABA)
The Pittsburgh Pipers won the first ABA championship in 1968, led by Connie Hawkins. They then immediately moved to Minnesota. After one average season in Minnesota the team moved back to Pittsburgh where they played one season as the Pipers then changed their name to the Condors before folding in 1972. A quintessential ABA story, that.
Pittsburgh Pipers (1967-1968) ABA
Minnesota Pipers (1968-1969) ABA
Pittsburgh Pipers (1969-1970) ABA
Pittsburgh Condors (1970-1972) ABA
W/L record, %- 180-228, .441
Playoff Appearances- 2
Division Titles- 1
Conference Titles- 0
Championships- 1 ('68 ABA)
The Pittsburgh Pipers won the first ABA championship in 1968, led by Connie Hawkins. They then immediately moved to Minnesota. After one average season in Minnesota the team moved back to Pittsburgh where they played one season as the Pipers then changed their name to the Condors before folding in 1972. A quintessential ABA story, that.
38. Washington Capitols
Washington Capitols (1946-1951) NBA/BAA
W/L record, %- 157-114, .579
Playoff Appearances- 4
Division Titles- 2
Conference Titles- 0
Championships- 0
A Finals appearance in 1949 is clearly the high point in the franchise's history. The first three seasons of Capitols basketball saw the team led by Bob Feerick and coached by none other than Red Auerbach.
Washington Capitols (1946-1951) NBA/BAA
W/L record, %- 157-114, .579
Playoff Appearances- 4
Division Titles- 2
Conference Titles- 0
Championships- 0
A Finals appearance in 1949 is clearly the high point in the franchise's history. The first three seasons of Capitols basketball saw the team led by Bob Feerick and coached by none other than Red Auerbach.
39. Chicago Stags
Chicago Stags (1946-1950) NBA/BAA
W/L record, %- 145-92, .612
Playoff Appearances- 4
Division Titles- 1
Conference Titles- 0
Championships- 0
Max Zaslofsky led this ball club in win shares all four years of their existence. The Stags made the playoffs all four of said seasons, including a finals appearance in 1947.
Chicago Stags (1946-1950) NBA/BAA
W/L record, %- 145-92, .612
Playoff Appearances- 4
Division Titles- 1
Conference Titles- 0
Championships- 0
Max Zaslofsky led this ball club in win shares all four years of their existence. The Stags made the playoffs all four of said seasons, including a finals appearance in 1947.
40. The Floridians
Minnesota Muskies (1967-1968) ABA
Miami Floridians (1968-1970) ABA
The Floridians (1970-1972) ABA
W/L record, %- 189-219, .463
Playoff Appearances- 4
Division Titles- 0
Conference Titles- 0
Championships- 0
The Floridians played five seasons as a franchise in two different cities under three different names. They made the playoffs four times and employed players like Mack Calvin and Mel Daniels.
Minnesota Muskies (1967-1968) ABA
Miami Floridians (1968-1970) ABA
The Floridians (1970-1972) ABA
W/L record, %- 189-219, .463
Playoff Appearances- 4
Division Titles- 0
Conference Titles- 0
Championships- 0
The Floridians played five seasons as a franchise in two different cities under three different names. They made the playoffs four times and employed players like Mack Calvin and Mel Daniels.
41. Indianapolis Olympians
Indianapolis Olympians (1949-1953)
W/L record, %- 132-137, .491
Playoff Appearances- 4
Division Titles- 1
Conference Titles- 0
Championships- 0
Despite twice finishing under .500 in their four seasons, the Olympians made the playoffs in all four campaigns. They also played in the longest game in league history, going six overtimes with the Rochester Royals in 1951.
Indianapolis Olympians (1949-1953)
W/L record, %- 132-137, .491
Playoff Appearances- 4
Division Titles- 1
Conference Titles- 0
Championships- 0
Despite twice finishing under .500 in their four seasons, the Olympians made the playoffs in all four campaigns. They also played in the longest game in league history, going six overtimes with the Rochester Royals in 1951.
42. St. Louis Bombers
St. Louis Bombers (1946-1950) NBA/BAA
W/L record, %- 122-115, .515
Playoff Appearances- 3
Division Titles- 1
Conference Titles- 0
Championships- 0
The Bombers (iffy name) played in the first four seasons of NBA history, finished with an above .500 record and made the playoffs three times. Their most notable player was Ed Macauley.
St. Louis Bombers (1946-1950) NBA/BAA
W/L record, %- 122-115, .515
Playoff Appearances- 3
Division Titles- 1
Conference Titles- 0
Championships- 0
The Bombers (iffy name) played in the first four seasons of NBA history, finished with an above .500 record and made the playoffs three times. Their most notable player was Ed Macauley.
