Established
1967
City
Anaheim – Los Angeles – Salt Lake City
League History
1967 – 1976 / American Basketball Association
Team History
1970 – 1975 / Utah Stars
1968 – 1970 / Los Angeles Stars
1967 – 1968 / Anaheim Amigos
Nickname
Stars – The Los Angeles Stars have been a part of the city’s sports landscape since their inception in 1967. But what is the origin story behind this nickname? Let’s examine how the team got its name and why it still resonates with fans today.
The first iteration of Los Angeles Stars was an ABA franchise, established in 1967 as one of eleven original teams for the newly formed professional basketball league. The team was owned by Bill Sharman, who chose “Stars” as their moniker because he wanted something that would be widely recognizable and evoke images of Hollywood glamour and celebrity status associated with LA culture. He also liked that it could be abbreviated to “LA St.,” which made for a catchy logo when paired with his signature star symbol design on jerseys or merchandise items like hats or t-shirts.
Other iterations followed suit as time passed – including two WNBA franchises (Los Angeles Sparks) and two MLS teams (LAGalaxy). All four organizations kept some version of Sharman's "stars" theme alive over time - whether through logos featuring stars or simply using them in marketing materials or slogans - ensuring they didn't forget where they came from initially! This has helped keep fan loyalty strong throughout all these years despite changes within each organization itself; people can always connect back to those original roots no matter what else may happen around them!
In conclusion, while there are many different theories surrounding why exactly Bill Sharman chose “Stars” as his team's name back in 1967 – ranging from wanting something glamorous enough for LA culture all way up to being inspired by astronomy – we do know one thing: It indeed has stood out among other professional sports nicknames ever since then! From sparking ideas about stardom & celebrity status associated with Hollywood glitz & glamour down through generations today, still connecting us back to our beloved hometown heroes...the legacy lives on always here at home under our shining banner: The Los Angeles STARS!!
Championship
ABA Championships 0
1971
Arena
*Utah*
1970 – 1975 / Salt Palace
*Los Angeles*
1968 – 1970 / Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena
*Anaheim*
1967 – 1968 / Anaheim Convention Center
Owner
1975 / Snellen M. Johnson and Lyle E. Johnson
1974 – 1975 / James A. Collier
1970 – 1975 / Bill Daniels
1968 – 1970 / Jim Kirst
1967 – 1968 / Art Kim
- 1968
-
Move to Los Angeles – Now Called the Stars
The Amigos lost $500,000 in their first season, largely due to poor attendance; they only averaged 1,500 fans per game in a 7,500-seat arena. Kim realized he did not have the resources to keep going and sold the team to construction company owner Jim Kirst, who moved the team as the Los Angeles Stars in 1968 and played at the ...
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* verifies that player has played for this team as an added player by a fan.
History of the Stars
The Los Angeles Stars moved on to be known as the Utah Stars, are a professional basketball team that played in the American Basketball Association (ABA) from 1967 to 1976. The franchise was founded by owner and coach Bill Sharman, who had previously been an NBA player and coach with the Boston Celtics. During their nine years in the ABA, they made it to four division championships and one championship game appearance, losing to Dr. J’s New York Nets in 1976.
Throughout their time as an ABA team, some of the most notable players on their roster included Hall-of-Famers Connie Hawkins and George Gervin, along with legendary stars such as Mack Calvin, Mike Warren, Art Becker, and Mel Daniels. They also featured some of the best coaches during this era, including Bill Sharman himself, who won Coach of the Year honors three times during his tenure with them, plus future Hall-of-Fame inductee Alex Hannum for two seasons before he retired from coaching after leading them into playoff contention every year he coached there, except for one season when injuries decimated much of their starting lineup due mainly to the fact that they did not have enough depth at certain positions on their roster, which ultimately cost him his job despite having led them to back-to-back Western Division titles earlier that same year.
Despite all these accomplishments, the Stars could not make it past second-place finishes or beyond, even making a single trip out west towards the eventual champions, the New York Nets. Financial constraints caused by dwindling attendance numbers eventually forced the ownership group, headed up by former Los Angeles Lakers great Elgin Baylor, out of business altogether, causing the franchise to relocate to Phoenix, Arizona, where it would become known as the Sunbelt Suns before finally folding in 1978. Despite all this, the legacy left behind remains today, and many fans and Angelinos alike can look fondly upon what once was, now gone yet never forgotten memories of the glory days, long since passed but always cherished within the hearts of those who follow sports history closely.
Sports Fan Products
Coaches
1975 / Tom Nissalke
1974 – 1975 / Bucky Buckwalter & Tom Nissalke
1973 – 1974 / Joe Mullaney
1971 – 1973 / LaDell Andersen
1969 – 1971 / Bill Sharman
1967 / Al Brightman/Harry Dinnel
*Blue is this team’s history