By Artis Gilmore

Louisville, KY - Though 43 years have passed since the ABA-NBA merger, lingering memories and latent fantasies of those glory days remain among basketball purists. And the purest of the pure resides and represents the people's game every Sunday night at the Great Neck Baptist Arena. The night of Sunday, June 16, was no exception.

As I think back to my pre-lawyer, pre-ESPN college commentator days, when I was the #1 pick of the ABA dispersal draft in 1977, I remember all the good times. The ocassional missed payroll by my team management, the Kentucky Colonels, the long bus rides to play the New Orleans Jazz, and every time Dr. J. dunked over my main man, Dan Issel. One play I'll never forget was when I swatted Jimmy LeMaster's runner in the lane and was able to sync my wristband with the white square. That's real talent. Like the kind of talent I heard was popping up in the WLC BBALL League.

I didn't want to go on rumor or hearsay (my law professors would be very upset), so I went down to the GN Baptist Arena. I was not disappointed. My only regret is that Jay Bilas and Doris Burke weren't available to join me. Here's a little rundown of what I saw.

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Team Posley @ Team Bell
Perhaps the WLC BBALL League Management knew that I was rolling into town, because the opening game felt a lot like the showdown between the Pittsburgh Pipers and the San Diego Conquistadors on October 19, 1974. In that game, as I'm sure you remember, the Conquistadors caught fire and blazed an inferno all over the Pipers. No matter what the Pipers did, the Conquistadors turned up the heat until the whole gym was a pile of ash.

From the opening bucket, which came courtesy of Derek Holser, one of the only players in the WLC BBALL League who was actually born when the ABA existed, called "glass" on a deep three from the right wing. He continued on his blazing streak, finishing with 6 out of 8 three-pointers. Not to be outdone, Mr. Do-It-All for Team Posley, Kory Cooper, posted a game high 25 points. At the conclusion of Week 6, all five of Team Posley's starters average double figures. Remarkably, all 5 of Team Posley's starters rank in the top 12 league scorers. No other team has more than 2 players that do so.

Team Bell scoring kings, Corey Thomas & Greg Bell continued their usual strong performance with 18 and 15 each. Egerton battled on the glass as usual but Team Bell could not keep pace with the record-setting performance by Team Posley. In what may stand as a record for a long time to come, Team Posley totaled 27 assists, a remarkable rarity in a league known for isolation plays as much as for players moaning at the refs. Team Posley continues to hold its perch atop the rankings and Team Bell unfortunately has yet to take a victory.

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Team Brown @ Team Templeman
During the 8:15 game, I started looking for the popcorn. None could be found, so I dialed up the Domino's Delivery and hunkered down to enjoy the battle. It did not disappoint. From the beginning, Team Templeman's main man Omar Jackson was playing with a fervor and tenacity rarely displayed. Known as the George Gervin of the WLC BBALL League, Omar is often so calm and cool that he settles mostly for outside jumpers. Not Week 6. Jackson slashed and attacked the basket with several coast-to-coast plays that would serve as harbingers of things to come.

Across the court, Team Brown was missing League MVP Earl McLaurin. Not to be confused with Earl "The Goat" Manigualt (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ynk2XtGnMgc), but if you never saw that Earl play, Team Brown's Earl is a pretty nice substitute. Team Brown sure did miss their star and league leading scorer but they didn't back down one bit.

As time wound down, the game was back-and forth, neck-and-neck madness. With 9 seconds left and a two-point lead, Team Brown looked to be on the brink of a much-needed win. Team Templeman missed its attempt to tie the game and as Team Brown snatched the rebound, all that was required was a clock countdown. OH, BUT THAT'S NOT WHAT HAPPENED.

Channeling the spirit of Reggie Miller 1995 (https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=reggie+miller+steal+three+pointer+knicks&view=detail&mid=4FBEA7F4F335F354BB4E4FBEA7F4F335F354BB4E&FORM=VIRE) the aforementioned Omar Jackson stole the outlet pass and without dribbling or adjusting, simply went straight up and hoisted a three-pointer that tickled the twine. It was all the fans wanted, and all Coach Templeman predicted. Throughout the game, fans wondered if Team Templeman would allow the game to stand, since Team Brown had two non-roster subs. As it happened, Coach Templemen never had to answer the question. TT 40, TB 39. Team Brown is just 4 points away from being 4-2. Instead, they sit in 5th place at 2-4.

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Team Baker @ Team Humphries
Game 3 had the feel of a playoff game from the jump. Maybe it was the enthusiasm of the Brown-Templeman showdown, or maybe it was the newly energized Team Humphries riding a winning streak, or the fully confident Team Baker, with its lineup back intact. Whichever, the prime time matchup, like Jackie Moon and the Flint Tropics, gave us all we could handle and a little more.

While Team Humphries unsurprisingly won the battle of the boards 31-21, they reverted to their old ways, with only 5 total assists on the night. Add to that the unfortunate fouling out of Humphries and Maza, TH needed to get the win quickly. But this game wouldn't end easy or quickly. Sure enough, it went to overtime, to the delight of the fans and the chagrin of coach-player Austin Jones.

The highlight of the night was the steady stars of each team, Sivells and Dworske, going toe-to-toe from beyond the arc. In the extra frame, their clutch competition continued. With just over a minute to play, Sivells, who finished with a week high 27, pulled a three ball from about 30 feet away. Nothing but net. But, not to be outdone, Dynamite Dworske drove hard up the right side of the court and hesitated for just a second before pulling his own 28-foot jumper over the outstretched arms of several defenders.

As time ran out, the unusually quiet Ben Pochekailo not only didn't sustain a concussion or severely rolled ankle, it seems as though no one recollects him even tumbling across the floor. Averaging 4.2 falls a game, this week was an anomaly. Regardless, Pochekailo calmly iced the game with two free throws with 3 seconds left to give Team Baker the slimmest of victories.

What a week! The ABA would be proud. And I'll be back...