BadBaronRudigor

There's a story in Terry Pluto's Loose Balls about how the ABA researched a plan to sign Lew Alcindor (Kareem) with a $1million upfront bonus check but Commissioner George Mikan decided on his own it was too much money for a young kid (and was pushed out because of it). Kareem was easily the top talent of the 70s, my question is whether in Kareem's rookie year, the ABA would have had more star talent than the ABA.

Assume Kareem goes to the LA Stars who also have two great young talents in Willie Wise and Mack Calvin (and not much else). The All-PRO teams would look like this. (Note that Wilt has signed with the ABA too but isn't allowed to play but has to sit out his "reserve" year)

NBA All-PRO 1970

Willis Reed / Elvin Hayes
Billy Cunningham / Gus Johnson
Connie Hawkins / Lou Hudson
Jerry West / John Havlicek
Walt Frazier / Oscar Robertson


ABA All-PRO 1970

Lew Alcindor / Mel Daniels
Spencer Haywood / Bob Netolicky
Rick Barry / Roger Brown
Larry Jones / Donnie Freeman
Bob Verga / Louis Dampier

Looks to me like the ABA has the better big men at all three slots (as they played that year) but the NBA guards rain all over them.

__________________
If you have to shoot, shoot, don't talk