History of the Spirits of St. Louis

The Arrival of the Spirits

The Spirits of St. Louis were a professional basketball team that competed in the American Basketball Association during the league's final two seasons, from 1974 through 1976. Although the team existed for only a brief period, it became one of the most colorful and memorable franchises in ABA history.

The Spirits were the final identity of a franchise that had begun as the Houston Mavericks in 1967. After two difficult seasons in Houston, the team moved to North Carolina and became the Carolina Cougars. The Cougars operated as a regional franchise from 1969 through 1974, playing home games in Greensboro, Charlotte and Raleigh.

Following the 1973-74 season, brothers Ozzie and Daniel Silna purchased the Cougars and moved the organization to St. Louis. The city had been without a major professional basketball team since the NBA's St. Louis Hawks relocated to Atlanta in 1968.

The new owners hoped that the ABA would eventually merge with the NBA and that their St. Louis franchise would be included in the agreement. They selected the name Spirits of St. Louis as a reference to the airplane flown by Charles Lindbergh during his historic transatlantic flight.

A New Identity in St. Louis

Although the Spirits inherited the Carolina Cougars franchise rights, the owners built an almost entirely new basketball operation. Few of the Cougars' players or coaches remained with the organization after the move.

The Spirits played their home games at the St. Louis Arena, a large building that had previously hosted the NBA's Hawks and the NHL's St. Louis Blues. The arena could hold thousands of spectators, but the team frequently struggled to fill even a small portion of its seats.

The Spirits used red, white and blue uniforms that matched the ABA's famous basketball. Their logo featured a stylized pilot and airplane imagery inspired by Lindbergh's Spirit of St. Louis.

The team hired Bob MacKinnon as its first head coach. MacKinnon had previously coached in the NBA and ABA and was given the task of bringing together a roster filled with young players, veterans and unpredictable personalities.

Marvin Barnes Becomes the Centerpiece

The most important player on the new roster was Marvin Barnes, a talented forward from Providence College. Barnes had been one of the best college basketball players in the country and was selected near the top of both the NBA and ABA drafts in 1974.

Instead of joining the NBA's Philadelphia 76ers, Barnes signed with the Spirits. Nicknamed “Bad News,” he possessed exceptional scoring, rebounding and ball-handling ability for a player of his size.

Barnes could control a game from several positions. He was strong enough to battle near the basket, quick enough to lead a fast break and skilled enough to create his own shot from the perimeter.

His ability was accompanied by a reputation for unpredictable behavior. Barnes frequently arrived late, clashed with authority and became involved in unusual incidents away from the court. Nevertheless, when focused, he was one of the ABA's most talented players.

A Talented Group of Rookies

The Spirits assembled one of the most interesting rookie classes in ABA history.

In addition to Barnes, St. Louis signed Maurice Lucas, a powerful forward and center from Marquette University. Lucas was an intimidating defender, physical rebounder and developing scorer who later became known as “The Enforcer.”

Gus Gerard joined the team after playing at the University of Virginia. Gerard was an athletic forward who could score, rebound and run the court.

The roster also included James “Fly” Williams, a famous New York playground player who had become a college scoring sensation at Austin Peay. Williams brought excitement and offensive talent to the team, although his professional career lasted only one season.

Barnes, Lucas and Gerard all earned places on the ABA All-Rookie Team following the 1974-75 season.

Freddie Lewis Provides Leadership

While the Spirits depended heavily on young talent, veteran guard Freddie Lewis provided experience and leadership.

Lewis had been an important member of the Indiana Pacers teams that won three ABA championships. He understood the league's style and had extensive playoff experience.

As the Spirits' point guard, Lewis directed the offense, scored from the perimeter and attacked the basket. He became one of the team's leading scorers and assisted in the development of the younger players.

Lewis was selected to play in the 1975 ABA All-Star Game and was named the game's Most Valuable Player after leading the East to victory.

The 1974-75 Regular Season

The Spirits struggled for much of their first season. With so many new players, the team had difficulty developing consistency and discipline.

St. Louis began slowly and remained well below .500 throughout the season. Barnes produced outstanding individual numbers, but the Spirits were often unable to prevent opponents from scoring.

The team finished the 1974-75 regular season with a 32-52 record. St. Louis placed third in the ABA Eastern Division behind the Kentucky Colonels and New York Nets.

Despite finishing 26 games behind the division leaders, the Spirits qualified for the playoffs because the Eastern Division contained only five teams and four advanced to the postseason.

The regular-season record made St. Louis a heavy underdog entering its first-round series against the defending ABA champion New York Nets.

Marvin Barnes Wins Rookie of the Year

Barnes averaged more than 24 points and 13 rebounds per game during his first professional season. He led the Spirits in scoring and rebounding while establishing himself as one of the league's brightest young stars.

His performance earned him the 1974-75 ABA Rookie of the Year Award. Barnes was also selected to the All-ABA Second Team and the ABA All-Rookie Team.

Although the Spirits lost 52 games, Barnes gave the franchise a recognizable star and one of the most productive players in the league.

The Upset of the New York Nets

The greatest moment in Spirits history came during the opening round of the 1975 ABA Playoffs.

St. Louis faced the New York Nets, who had finished the regular season with a 58-26 record. The Nets were the defending ABA champions and were led by Julius Erving, one of the best players in professional basketball.

New York had defeated St. Louis in every meeting during the regular season and was expected to win the series easily.

The Nets won the opening game, but the Spirits responded by winning the next four. St. Louis captured Game 2 in New York and then won two consecutive games at the St. Louis Arena.

In Game 5, the Spirits earned a 108-107 victory in New York to complete the stunning upset. St. Louis won the series four games to one and eliminated the defending champions.

Barnes, Lewis and the young Spirits played with energy and confidence throughout the series. Their victory became one of the biggest postseason surprises in ABA history.

The Eastern Division Finals

After defeating the Nets, the Spirits advanced to the Eastern Division Finals against the Kentucky Colonels.

Kentucky had one of the deepest and most talented teams in the league. The Colonels were led by center Artis Gilmore, forward Dan Issel and guard Louie Dampier.

The Spirits won one game in the series but could not duplicate their first-round success. Kentucky defeated St. Louis four games to one and advanced to the ABA Finals.

The Colonels went on to defeat the Indiana Pacers and win the 1975 ABA championship.

Although the Spirits fell short of the Finals, their playoff run transformed a disappointing regular season into a memorable inaugural campaign.

The Sweater Game

One of the most unusual incidents in Spirits history occurred during the playoff series against the Nets.

Before one of the games in New York, Marvin Barnes became involved in an altercation with a spectator near the court. The fan reportedly grabbed at Barnes' clothing, and the confrontation briefly delayed the start of the game.

Barnes eventually took the court wearing a warm-up sweater under his uniform. His unusual appearance became part of the legend surrounding the unpredictable Spirits forward.

The incident reflected the personality of a team that seemed capable of producing drama both on and off the court.

Bob Costas Begins His Broadcasting Career

The Spirits also played an important role in the career of broadcaster Bob Costas.

Costas was only 22 years old when KMOX Radio hired him to call the team's games. He had previously worked as a student announcer and had limited professional experience.

Despite his youth, Costas quickly developed a reputation for detailed preparation, intelligence and an ability to describe the action clearly. He traveled with the Spirits throughout the ABA and called games in front of audiences that were sometimes extremely small.

Costas later became one of the most prominent broadcasters in American sports. He covered the Olympics, Major League Baseball, the NFL, the NBA and numerous other major events.

His time with the Spirits provided an important early opportunity and became a frequently remembered chapter of the team's history.

Changes Before the Final Season

The Spirits made major changes before the 1975-76 season.

Bob MacKinnon was replaced as head coach by Rod Thorn, a former NBA player who later became one of basketball's most respected executives.

The roster also changed considerably. Freddie Lewis and several other members of the playoff team departed, while the Spirits attempted to build around Marvin Barnes and a new group of players.

The ABA itself was entering a period of severe financial instability. Teams folded during the season, schedules changed and uncertainty surrounded the possibility of a merger with the NBA.

Ron Boone Joins the Spirits

Veteran guard Ron Boone became one of the most important players on the final Spirits team.

Boone had previously played for the Dallas Chaparrals and Utah Stars. He had been a member of Utah's 1971 ABA championship team and was known for his durability, scoring and physical style.

He became St. Louis' leading backcourt player during the 1975-76 season. Boone provided offense and stability while the roster continued to change around him.

The Collapse of the Utah Stars

The Utah Stars folded during the 1975-76 season because of financial problems. When the franchise ceased operations, several of its best players became available to other ABA teams.

The Spirits acquired Moses Malone, Ron Boone, Steve Green and Randy Denton from the former Utah roster.

Malone was only 20 years old but had already established himself as one of professional basketball's most promising centers. He had entered the ABA directly from high school in 1974, becoming one of the first modern players to make that transition.

With St. Louis, Malone continued developing into an elite rebounder and interior scorer. He later became a three-time NBA Most Valuable Player and led the Philadelphia 76ers to the 1983 NBA championship.

Maurice Lucas Develops

Maurice Lucas continued to improve during the final Spirits season. His physical defense and rebounding made him one of the toughest young frontcourt players in the ABA.

Lucas later joined the Portland Trail Blazers and became an essential member of their 1977 NBA championship team.

His ability to protect teammates and establish a physical presence earned him the nickname “The Enforcer.” He went on to become an NBA All-Star and one of the most respected power forwards of his era.

The 1975-76 Season

The Spirits finished the 1975-76 season with a 35-49 record. The ABA had abandoned its divisional format because the number of teams had declined, and St. Louis placed sixth in the league standings.

The Spirits improved by three victories over their previous regular-season record but failed to qualify for the playoffs.

Ron Boone led the team in scoring after arriving from Utah. Marvin Barnes remained a productive offensive player, while Moses Malone, Maurice Lucas, Caldwell Jones, Mike D'Antoni and several others contributed.

The team possessed considerable talent, but constant roster changes and internal problems prevented it from becoming a consistent winner.

Attendance also declined significantly. Many home games were played before only a few hundred or a few thousand spectators in the large St. Louis Arena.

Marvin Barnes and the Time-Zone Story

One of the most famous stories involving Barnes occurred when the Spirits were scheduled to fly from Louisville to St. Louis.

Barnes reportedly looked at the departure and arrival times and became confused by the one-hour time-zone difference. Believing the airplane would arrive before it departed, he refused to board.

He is often quoted as declaring that he would not enter a “time machine.”

The story became one of the most frequently repeated tales from the ABA. Whether every detail happened exactly as later described, it contributed to Barnes' reputation as one of the most colorful personalities in professional basketball.

Plans to Relocate

By the end of the 1975-76 season, the Spirits' owners were exploring relocation possibilities.

One proposed move would have taken the franchise to Salt Lake City, replacing the folded Utah Stars. Names such as the Utah Rockies and Spirits of Utah were discussed.

Hartford, Connecticut, was also considered as a possible destination. However, the unstable condition of the ABA made it uncertain whether there would be another season.

The Spirits never played another game after completing the 1975-76 schedule.

The ABA-NBA Agreement

After the 1975-76 season, the remaining ABA owners negotiated an agreement with the NBA.

The NBA accepted four ABA teams: the Denver Nuggets, Indiana Pacers, New York Nets and San Antonio Spurs.

The Kentucky Colonels and Spirits of St. Louis were excluded. Kentucky owner John Y. Brown accepted a cash payment in exchange for folding his franchise.

The Silna brothers rejected a simple buyout and negotiated a more complicated settlement for the Spirits.

The Silna Brothers' Television Deal

Ozzie and Daniel Silna received an immediate payment of approximately $2.2 million. More importantly, they negotiated a share of the television revenue earned by the four ABA teams entering the NBA.

The agreement gave the Spirits' ownership group a one-seventh share of each former ABA team's television revenue. Because the payment had no fixed expiration date, the Silnas continued receiving money long after the Spirits had disappeared.

At the time, professional basketball television revenue was relatively limited. As the NBA became more popular during the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s, national broadcasting contracts grew enormously.

The payments to the Silnas eventually reached hundreds of millions of dollars. The agreement became known as one of the most profitable deals in sports history.

In 2014, the NBA and the former Spirits owners reached another agreement that included a reported $500 million payment and significantly changed the original arrangement.

Season-by-Season Results

Spirits of St. Louis Playoff Results

Notable Spirits of St. Louis Players

• Marvin Barnes
• Moses Malone
• Maurice Lucas
• Freddie Lewis
• Ron Boone
• Gus Gerard
• Fly Williams
• Caldwell Jones
• Joe Caldwell
• Steve Jones
• Tom Owens
• Gene Moore
• Don Adams
• Mike D'Antoni
• Steve Green
• Randy Denton

Awards and Honors

• Marvin Barnes – 1974-75 ABA Rookie of the Year
• Marvin Barnes – 1974-75 All-ABA Second Team
• Marvin Barnes – 1974-75 ABA All-Rookie Team
• Maurice Lucas – 1974-75 ABA All-Rookie Team
• Gus Gerard – 1974-75 ABA All-Rookie Team
• Freddie Lewis – 1975 ABA All-Star Game Most Valuable Player
• Marvin Barnes – ABA All-Star
• Ron Boone – ABA All-Star

Franchise Timeline

Players Who Became NBA Stars

Several members of the Spirits went on to enjoy significant NBA careers.

Moses Malone became one of the greatest centers in basketball history. He won three NBA Most Valuable Player Awards, earned numerous All-Star selections and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

Maurice Lucas became an NBA champion and All-Star with the Portland Trail Blazers. His strength, defense and leadership made him an essential member of Portland's 1977 championship team.

Ron Boone continued his professional career after the ABA-NBA merger and became known for playing in 1,041 consecutive games across the two leagues.

Mike D'Antoni later became a successful NBA head coach. He developed offensive systems that emphasized pace, floor spacing and three-point shooting.

Caldwell Jones enjoyed a lengthy NBA career as a defender and rebounder, while Marvin Barnes played for several NBA teams after the ABA folded.

The Legacy of the Spirits

The Spirits of St. Louis played only two seasons and never recorded a winning regular-season record. Nevertheless, few short-lived teams produced as many memorable personalities, stories and historical connections.

Their 1975 playoff victory over Julius Erving and the defending champion New York Nets remains one of the greatest upsets in ABA history.

The roster included future Hall of Famer Moses Malone, future NBA champion Maurice Lucas, ABA Rookie of the Year Marvin Barnes and established stars such as Freddie Lewis and Ron Boone.

The team also gave Bob Costas his first major opportunity as a professional play-by-play announcer.

Most importantly, the Silna brothers' television-revenue agreement made the Spirits financially relevant for decades after the franchise folded. The deal ultimately became far more valuable than the basketball team itself had ever been.

The Spirits represented both the excitement and instability of the ABA. Their teams were talented, unpredictable and entertaining, but they also struggled with attendance, finances and an uncertain future.

Although St. Louis was not included in the ABA-NBA agreement, the Spirits left behind a legacy that continued through the players who joined the NBA, the broadcaster whose career began with the team and an ownership settlement that became legendary throughout professional sports.