History of the Stars

The Los Angeles Stars were an American professional sports franchise that played in Los Angeles, California from 1968 until 1970 as a member of the American Basketball Association.

The Amigos were not successful off the court either. They averaged 1,293 fans per home game and their games were broadcast on radio and sometimes on television. However, they lost approximately $500,000 on the season and were sold for $450,000 to James J. Kirst who moved the team to nearby Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena, where they became the Stars. Kirst also brought in Bill Sharman as the new head coach. Sharman had just completed two years coaching the NBA's San Francisco Warriors, taking them to the playoffs both years. With Sharman associated with the team, they were able to sign 13 of their top 15 draft picks including All-Americans Larry Miller and Merv Jackson. Playing with a roster that contained 8 rookies, Los Angeles finished in 5th place and failed to make the playoffs in 1968-69. 1969-70 started out a little better for the Stars with some new veterans joining the best of the previous seasons returning players, but the team was still out of the playoff picture on March 5 when they were sold to cable television entrepreneur Bill Daniels. Following the sale the team came alive, making the playoffs on the last day of the season. Despite a fourth-place finish, Sharman, George Stone, and Mack Calvin led the Stars to the Western Conference Championship. In the 1970 ABA Finals, despite being heavy underdogs, they then stretched the Indiana Pacers to a sixth game before losing.