- 1967
- 1973
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Dallas Team Formation
The Dallas Chaparrals were a charter member of the American Basketball Association. The team’s original owners, unable to agree on a name for the franchise during an early organizational meeting at the Sheraton Dallas Hotel, named it for the Chaparral Club in which they were meeting. The team suffered from poor attendance and general disinterest in Dallas. They were lucky ... -
Sold to San Antonio Businessmen
While the Chaparrals had been modestly successful on the court, they were sinking financially by their third season, largely because the ownership group refused to spend much money on the team. After missing the playoffs for the first time in their existence in the 1972 – 1973 season, nearly all of the owners wanted out. A group of 36 San ...
History of the Chaparrals
The Dallas Chaparrals were a professional basketball team based in Texas that played in the American Basketball Association (ABA) from 1967 to 1976. The franchise was founded by businessman Don Carter and broadcaster Norm Sonju, who wanted to bring big-time professional basketball to their home state. The Chaparrals were one of 11 teams that joined the ABA when it launched its inaugural season in 1967, and they quickly became a force to be reckoned with on the court. Led by future Hall of Fame coach Tom Nissalke, they made four playoff appearances during their nine years as an ABA franchise before joining the NBA after it merged with its rival league before the 1976–77 season.
The Dallas Chaparrals had some success while playing in both leagues. Still, they never won an NBA championship or reached any significant milestone, such as making it past the second round of playoffs or winning more than 50 games over an entire regular season schedule until 1980–81, when they finally did so under new head coach Dick Motta—the same man who led them through six successful seasons during their time as part of ABA’s Western Division starting back 1970–71 campaign which saw them reach Eastern Conference Finals only once but fall short against Indiana Pacers 4-3 despite having homecourt advantage throughout series due lack necessary experience at the highest level competition then available for expansion franchises like theirs.
Despite not achieving much success overall since entering National Basketball Association (NBA), Dallas Chaparral’s legacy remains strong among fans all across the United States, even if most don't know about the team's history anymore, given how long ago those events took place; this is because many current players have roots within the organization including stars Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Terry, Steve Nash, Detlef Schrempf plus several others whose careers began here while also being able to contribute towards modern-day successes enjoyed today, especially Mavericks' 2011 Championship title victory over Miami Heat which would've been impossible without contributions made decades earlier by original members first-ever pro sports squad located within Lone Star State.
Chaparrals Products
Established
1967
City
Dallas – San Antonio
League History
1976 – Present / National Basketball Association
1967 – 1976 / American Basketball Association
Team History
1973 – Present / San Antonio Spurs
1970 – 1971 / Texas Chaparrals
1967 – 1970, 1971 – 1973 / Dallas Chaparrals
Nickname
Chaparrals - The Dallas Chaparrals are one of the original National Basketball Association (NBA) teams. The team was founded in 1967 and played its first season as part of the American Basketball Association (ABA). While many NBA fans may not know it, the team’s nickname has an interesting origin story.
They were initially known as “The Texans” after their home state when they were first established. However, due to a trademark dispute with another Texas-based basketball team at that time – also called The Texans – their name had to be changed before playing any games. After much deliberation and brainstorming sessions between ownership and staff members, it was decided that “Chaparral” would become their new official name.
This decision was made because chaparrals are thorny shrubs native to Texas that can withstand extreme temperatures without losing vitality or vigor - qualities reflected what this young franchise wanted to embody on the court during its inaugural season! Then, these same characteristics followed them for over 50 years, making them one of only two ABA franchises still active today, alongside Indiana Pacers, who joined from ABA in 1976 when both leagues merged into the single NBA entity we all enjoy today!
Championship
NBA Championships 0
2014, 2007, 2005, 2003, 1999
ABA Championships 0
Arena
2005 – Present / AT&T Center
2002 – 2005 / SBC Center
1993 – 2002 / Alamodome
1973 – 1993 / HemisFair Arena
*Fort Worth*
1970 – 1971 / Tarrant County Coliseum
*Lubbock*
1970 – 1971 / Lubbock Municipal Coliseum
*Dallas*
1967 – 1973 / Dallas Memorial Auditorium
Owner
1993 – Present / Peter Holt
1988 – 1993 / Red McCombs
1973 – 1988 / Angelo Drossos
1967 – 1973 / Bob Folsom
To qualify as the greatest player for this team, the player must have played one season for this team. If not, we will remove the player.
* verifies that player has played for this team as an added player by a fan.
Retired Number
00 / Johnny Moore
6 / Avery Johnson
9 / Tony Parker
12 / Bruce Bowen
13 / James Silas
20 / Manu Ginobili
21 / Tim Duncan
32 / Sean Elliott
44 / George Gervin
50 / David Robinson
*Blue is this team’s history
