Who were the Kansas City Omaha Kings?
The Kansas City Omaha Kings were a minor league professional basketball team that played in the American Basketball Association (ABA) from 1967 to 1972. They were based in Kansas City, Missouri, and Omaha, Nebraska. The team was formed in 1967 as the Kansas City Kings, but they struggled to draw fans in Kansas City. In 1968, the team began playing some of its home games in Omaha, Nebraska, in an effort to increase attendance. In 1970, the team officially became the Kansas City Omaha Kings, playing home games in both cities. The Kings folded in 1972.
Are the Omaha Kings Different than the Kansas City Kings?
Yes, the Omaha Kings are a different team from the Kansas City Kings.
While both teams were based in the Kansas City area and used the "Kings" name, they played in different leagues and at different times:
- Kansas City Kings (NBA): This team played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) from 1948 to 1985. They were originally based in Rochester, New York, but moved to Kansas City in 1957.
- Kansas City Omaha Kings (ABA): This team played in the American Basketball Association (ABA) from 1967 to 1972. They were based in both Kansas City, Missouri, and Omaha, Nebraska.
So, while they share the same name and region, they are distinct teams with different histories and affiliations.
See the Full History of the Kansas City Kings >>
How Good Were the Omaha Kings?
The Omaha Kings, while not as well-known as the NBA's Kansas City Kings, were a competitive team in the American Basketball Association (ABA). They were especially strong during the early years of the ABA, when the league was still establishing itself.
Here are some key points about the Omaha Kings:
- Early Success: The Kings were one of the founding members of the ABA in 1967 and quickly became a competitive team. They made the playoffs in their first three seasons.
- Notable Players: The Kings had several talented players, including Larry Brown, who later became a successful NBA coach, and Ron Boone, who was a four-time ABA All-Star.
- Challenges: Despite their early success, the Kings struggled to draw consistent crowds in both Kansas City and Omaha. This, combined with financial difficulties, led to their eventual demise in 1972.
Overall, the Omaha Kings were a solid team in the ABA, but they were unable to achieve the same level of sustained success as some of the other ABA franchises.