History of the New Orleans Buccaneers

The New Orleans Buccaneers were charter members of the American Basketball Association and competed in New Orleans from 1967 through 1970. During their three seasons, the Buccaneers became one of the ABA's strongest early franchises, won the Western Division, reached the league's first championship series, and featured several of the most talented players in the young league.

Despite their success on the court, the Buccaneers struggled to attract consistent attendance and generate enough revenue to remain in New Orleans. The franchise relocated to Memphis in 1970 and became the Memphis Pros.

Founding of the Buccaneers

The American Basketball Association was established in 1967 as a challenger to the established National Basketball Association. New Orleans received one of the league's original franchises, and the team was named the New Orleans Buccaneers.

The franchise was backed by a group of local investors that included entertainer Morton Downey Jr. Charles G. Smither served as team president, while Maurice M. Stern handled the organization's operations.

The Buccaneers hired former Mississippi State University head coach Babe McCarthy to lead the team. McCarthy had built a strong reputation in the South and helped the new franchise assemble a talented roster.

The team's red, white, and blue identity fit the colorful style of the ABA, a league known for its red, white, and blue basketball, three-point line, fast-paced play, and entertaining promotions.

The Original Buccaneers

The first New Orleans roster included several players who became important figures in ABA history. The Buccaneers signed guards Larry Brown and Jimmy Jones, forward Doug Moe, center-forward Red Robbins, and center Gerald Govan.

Brown served as the team's primary playmaker, while Moe and Jones provided much of the scoring. Robbins gave New Orleans a strong rebounder and interior presence.

The Buccaneers played their first two seasons at the Loyola Field House. Although the building created an intimate atmosphere, its limited capacity made it difficult for the franchise to generate substantial revenue.

The 1967-68 Season

The Buccaneers immediately became one of the best teams in the new league. New Orleans finished the inaugural ABA season with a 48-30 record, placing first in the Western Division.

Larry Brown, Jimmy Jones, Doug Moe, and Red Robbins were selected to participate in the first ABA All-Star Game. Brown was named the game's Most Valuable Player and finished the regular season as the ABA's assists leader.

Moe earned First Team All-ABA honors, Brown was selected to the All-ABA Second Team, and Jones was named to the ABA All-Rookie Team.

In the Western Division Semifinals, New Orleans defeated the Denver Rockets three games to two. The Buccaneers then defeated the Dallas Chaparrals four games to one in the Western Division Finals.

The victory sent New Orleans to the first championship series in ABA history against the Pittsburgh Pipers, who were led by league Most Valuable Player Connie Hawkins.

The championship series went the full seven games. New Orleans had an opportunity to win the title but lost the deciding game in Pittsburgh, 122-113. The Pipers won the series four games to three, leaving the Buccaneers one victory short of the first ABA championship.

The 1968-69 Season

Before the 1968-69 season, the Buccaneers made one of the most significant trades in early ABA history. New Orleans sent Larry Brown and Doug Moe to the Oakland Oaks in exchange for Steve Jones and Ron Franz.

The trade changed the composition of the team, but the Buccaneers remained a Western Division contender. Jimmy Jones developed into one of the league's premier guards, while Steve Jones, Red Robbins, Gerald Govan, and Ron Franz became important contributors.

New Orleans finished the regular season with a 46-32 record, placing second in the Western Division behind Oakland.

The Buccaneers faced the Dallas Chaparrals in the Western Division Semifinals. The series lasted seven games before New Orleans advanced with a victory in the deciding contest.

In the Western Division Finals, the Buccaneers met their former teammates Brown and Moe and the powerful Oakland Oaks. Oakland swept New Orleans in four games and went on to win the 1969 ABA championship.

The Final Season in New Orleans

The Buccaneers entered the 1969-70 season hoping to return to the playoffs. The team continued to be coached by Babe McCarthy and featured Jimmy Jones, Steve Jones, Red Robbins, Gerald Govan, and Ron Franz.

New Orleans started the season strongly and entered 1970 with a winning record. However, an eight-game losing streak late in the season damaged the team's playoff position.

The Buccaneers finished with a 42-42 record. Despite reaching the .500 mark, they placed fifth in the Western Division and missed the playoffs by one game.

New Orleans became the only team in ABA history to finish a season with at least a .500 record and fail to qualify for the playoffs.

Changing Home Arenas

The Buccaneers played at the Loyola Field House during their first two seasons. For the 1969-70 campaign, the franchise moved games to the Tulane Gymnasium and the Municipal Auditorium.

The changes were intended to improve the team's financial situation and attract a larger audience. However, the Buccaneers continued to struggle with inconsistent attendance.

The lack of a profitable arena arrangement and limited local revenue made it increasingly difficult for the ownership group to keep the franchise operating in New Orleans.

Relocation to Memphis

Following the 1969-70 season, the Buccaneers were sold and relocated to Memphis, Tennessee. The franchise was renamed the Memphis Pros for the 1970-71 ABA season.

Babe McCarthy remained the team's head coach, and several Buccaneers players moved with the franchise to Memphis.

The organization later competed as the Memphis Tams and Memphis Sounds before moving to Baltimore in 1975. The proposed Baltimore franchise folded before playing an official regular-season game.

Notable New Orleans Buccaneers Players

• Larry Brown – Led the ABA in assists during the inaugural season and was named Most Valuable Player of the first ABA All-Star Game.
• Doug Moe – One of the team's leading scorers and a First Team All-ABA selection in 1967-68.
• Jimmy Jones – A talented guard who became one of the ABA's top players during his years with the franchise.
• Red Robbins – A productive scorer and rebounder who played all three New Orleans seasons.
• Gerald Govan – A durable center who became one of the longest-tenured players in ABA history.
• Steve Jones – Joined the Buccaneers in the Larry Brown and Doug Moe trade and became an important scorer.
• Ron Franz – A versatile forward acquired from Oakland before the 1968-69 season.

New Orleans Buccaneers Season Records

New Orleans Buccaneers Playoff Results

New Orleans Buccaneers Timeline

Legacy

The New Orleans Buccaneers completed their three seasons with a combined regular-season record of 136-104. They qualified for the playoffs twice, won three playoff series, captured the inaugural Western Division championship, and came within one victory of winning the first ABA title.

The Buccaneers helped establish the ABA's exciting style during the league's formative years. Their roster included accomplished scorers, rebounders, playmakers, and several players who became important figures in professional basketball.

Although attendance and financial problems brought the New Orleans era to an end, the Buccaneers remain an important part of Louisiana basketball history. They were New Orleans' first major professional basketball team and paved the way for the NBA's New Orleans Jazz and the modern New Orleans Pelicans.

The team's red, white, and blue uniforms, pirate-themed identity, and appearance in the first ABA Finals have also made Buccaneers memorabilia popular among collectors and historians of the league.