- 1968
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Move to Florida
The Miami Floridians, later in their history known simply as The Floridians, were a professional basketball franchise in the original, now-defunct American Basketball Association. The Miami Floridians played in the ABA from 1968 through 1970 when they became simply The Floridians. The team had two color schemes: their original red, blue, and white, and their later black, magenta, and orange.
History of the Floridians
Miami Floridians is a professional basketball team that has been part of the American Basketball Association's (ABA) history since 1967. Miami-based entrepreneur and real estate developer Ted Arison initially owned the team. He wanted to return professional basketball to South Florida after the previous ABA franchise in Miami, the Miami Rebels, had folded two years earlier.
The original Floridians were coached by Hall of Fame coach Larry Brown and featured future Hall of Famer Rick Barry as their star player. They went on to post an impressive 43-41 record during their inaugural season in 1968–69. Still, they failed to make it into postseason play due to a tiebreaker with Kentucky Colonels for fourth place in the Eastern Division standings at year’s end. Despite this setback, they still managed some success over their first three seasons, making it into playoffs twice while winning one division title a long way before folding following the 1970–71 campaign due to financial issues mainly caused by lack of attendance at games despite having a talent roster featuring players like Barry & Billy Cunningham among others.
Despite lasting only four seasons overall, the legacy left behind from these early days remains strong today. Many current NBA teams, such as Dallas Mavericks & San Antonio Spurs, have traced back to original ABA franchises, including those once played under the name “Floridians.” This goes to show how important an impact this short-lived franchise made not just local level but national one well, which should be remembered fondly by all sports fans alike even if they didn't around witness its brief existence firsthand time around!
Floridians Products
Established
1967
City
Minneapolis – Miami
League History
1967 – 1972 / American Basketball Association
Team History
1970 – 1972 / The Floridians
1968 – 1970 / Miami Floridians
1967 – 1968 / Minnesota Muskies
Nickname
Floridians – The Miami Floridians are one of the most iconic teams in professional sports, and their nickname has a long and exciting history. The team was initially established as an expansion franchise in 1988 by businessman Wayne Huizenga, who wanted to bring major league baseball to South Florida. He chose “Floridians” for his new team because it reflected the state’s vibrant culture and location near the tropical Caribbean Sea.
Their nickname is rooted in a much earlier era: during Spanish colonial times when Florida was known as La Florida (the Flowery Land). This name came from explorer Ponce de Leon's description of what he saw when he arrived on April 2nd, 1513 - lush vegetation with beautiful flowers everywhere! From that time onward, many people have referred to this region as ‘La Florida’ or simply 'Florida.'
Huizenga decided to use this historical reference for his new baseball team's identity, thus giving birth to "Miami Floridians" – a combination that perfectly encapsulated Miami's modern-day vibrancy and rich past. Since then, fans have embraced these two words together like no other moniker could ever do justice! It captures everything about what makes South Florida so unique - from its sun-soaked beaches all year round until now, where we get our professional basketball team soon enough!
Championship
ABA Championships 0
Arena
*Miami*
1968 – 1972 / Miami Beach Convention Center
*Tampa-St. Petersburg*
1970 – 1972/ Bayfront Arena
*Jacksonville*
1970 – 1972 / Jacksonville Memorial Coliseum
*Minnesota*
1967 – 1968 / Met Center
Owner
1970 – 1972 / Ned Doyle
1967 – 1969 / L.P. Shields & Fred Jefferson
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.
Coaches
1969 – 1972 / Jim Pollard/Harold Blitman
1967 – 1969 / Jim Pollard
*Blue is this team’s history
