History of the Oakland Oaks

Founding the Oakland Oaks

The Oakland Oaks were a charter member of the American Basketball Association and played in Oakland, California, during the league's first two seasons from 1967 through 1969. Although the franchise existed under the Oaks name for only a brief period, it produced one of the ABA's earliest championship teams and featured several important figures in professional basketball history.

The ABA awarded its Oakland franchise to an ownership group led by singer and television personality Pat Boone. The team was initially expected to be called the Oakland Americans, but the organization eventually selected the Oakland Oaks name.

The name recalled Oakland's long sporting history and had previously been used by the city's successful Pacific Coast League baseball club. The basketball Oaks hoped to establish a similar identity while competing for attention with the NBA's San Francisco Warriors, who played across the bay.

The Oaks played most of their home games at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena, now known as Oakland Arena. The building had opened in 1966 and also served as a home court for the Warriors.

The Creation of the ABA

The American Basketball Association began play in 1967 as a rival to the established National Basketball Association. The new league introduced a colorful red, white and blue basketball, a three-point field goal and a faster, more open style of play.

Oakland was one of 11 franchises that participated in the ABA's inaugural season. The Oaks joined the Anaheim Amigos, Dallas Chaparrals, Denver Rockets, Houston Mavericks and New Orleans Buccaneers in the Western Division.

The league hoped to compete with the NBA by entering major markets, signing recognizable players and offering opportunities to athletes who were overlooked or restricted by the older league.

The Signing of Rick Barry

The Oaks immediately attracted national attention by signing Rick Barry, one of the NBA's brightest young stars. Barry had led the NBA in scoring with the San Francisco Warriors during the 1966-67 season and had helped the team reach the NBA Finals.

Barry's connection to the Oaks extended beyond geography. Oakland's original head coach, Bruce Hale, had coached Barry at the University of Miami and was also his father-in-law.

Barry attempted to leave the Warriors and join the Oaks, but the Warriors challenged the move in court. Because of the legal dispute and the reserve clause contained in his NBA contract, Barry was prevented from playing for Oakland during the ABA's inaugural season.

Rather than return to the Warriors, Barry sat out the entire 1967-68 season. He remained connected to the Oaks and worked around the organization while waiting to become eligible to play.

The signing was still an important moment for the ABA. It demonstrated that the new league could compete for established NBA stars and intensified the growing salary competition between the rival organizations.

The First ABA Game

The Oaks participated in the first regular-season game in ABA history when they faced the Anaheim Amigos in October 1967. Oakland won the high-scoring contest, giving the franchise and the new league a memorable opening.

The victory did not lead to sustained success. Without Barry on the court, the expansion Oaks struggled to assemble a consistent lineup and had difficulty stopping opposing teams.

The Difficult 1967-68 Season

Oakland finished its inaugural season with a 22-56 record under head coach Bruce Hale. The Oaks placed sixth and last in the Western Division and missed the playoffs.

The team averaged 110.8 points per game, demonstrating the offensive freedom associated with the early ABA. However, Oakland allowed 117.4 points per contest, the worst defensive average in the league.

Levern Tart became the team's leading scorer and represented Oakland in the 1968 ABA All-Star Game. The roster also included Steve Jones, Jim Hadnot, Wes Bialosuknia, Gary Bradds and Henry Logan.

The Oaks attempted to build regional interest by playing selected games outside Oakland, including appearances in other California cities. Those efforts did not create a stable audience, and the franchise struggled financially despite the publicity surrounding Barry.

A Complete Overhaul

Following the 22-win season, Oakland made major changes. Bruce Hale was replaced by Alex Hannum, one of the most accomplished coaches in professional basketball.

Hannum had previously won NBA championships with the St. Louis Hawks in 1958 and the Philadelphia 76ers in 1967. He brought experience, discipline and a strong defensive philosophy to a franchise that had finished at the bottom of the ABA.

Rick Barry was finally eligible to play, giving Oakland an elite scorer and passer. The Oaks also added rookie guard Warren Armstrong, who later changed his name to Warren Jabali.

The supporting cast included Larry Brown, Doug Moe, Ira Harge, Jim Eakins, Gary Bradds, Henry Logan, Ron Franz and Wendell Ladner. Hannum combined that depth with pressure defense and a devastating fast break.

Rick Barry's ABA Season

Barry immediately established himself as the ABA's premier scorer. He averaged 34.0 points per game during the 1968-69 season, the highest average in the league.

His all-around offensive ability made Oakland extremely difficult to defend. Barry could score from outside, attack the basket, pass to open teammates and convert free throws with his distinctive underhand technique.

His season was cut short by a serious knee injury suffered in December 1968. Barry attempted a brief return but aggravated the injury and was limited to 35 regular-season games.

Losing the league's leading scorer could have destroyed Oakland's championship hopes. Instead, the Oaks continued winning behind their depth, defense and fast-paced team play.

Warren Armstrong Becomes a Star

Rookie guard Warren Armstrong became one of the most important players on the team. Armstrong was a powerful rebounder and aggressive scorer despite standing approximately 6 feet 2 inches tall.

He averaged 21.5 points, 9.7 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game during his rookie season. His unusual combination of size, strength and athleticism made him one of the ABA's most dynamic guards.

Armstrong was named the 1969 ABA Rookie of the Year. He later adopted the name Warren Jabali and remained one of the league's most recognizable players throughout his professional career.

Larry Brown Directs the Offense

Point guard Larry Brown served as one of the leaders of Oakland's offense. Brown was an excellent passer who pushed the ball up the court and created scoring opportunities for Barry, Armstrong, Moe and the team's interior players.

Brown had already established himself as one of the ABA's leading playmakers. His unselfish style fit perfectly with Hannum's fast-break system.

Brown later became one of the most accomplished coaches in basketball history. He remains the only head coach to win both an NCAA Division I championship and an NBA championship.

Doug Moe and Oakland's Depth

Doug Moe provided scoring, rebounding and versatility at forward. He was joined by a deep collection of players capable of maintaining Oakland's pace even when Barry was unavailable.

Ira Harge gave the Oaks a productive rebounder and interior scorer. Jim Eakins provided additional size, while Gary Bradds and Ron Franz contributed at forward.

The Oaks did not depend entirely on one player. That balance became especially important after Barry's injury and allowed the club to continue dominating the ABA.

The Remarkable 1968-69 Regular Season

Oakland finished the 1968-69 regular season with a 60-18 record, the best mark in the ABA. The Oaks won the Western Division by 14 games over the second-place New Orleans Buccaneers.

The 38-win improvement from the previous season represented one of the greatest single-season turnarounds in professional basketball history.

Oakland combined an explosive offense with the defensive discipline introduced by Hannum. The Oaks created turnovers, ran the fast break and overwhelmed opponents with their depth and athleticism.

Even after Barry was lost for the season, the team continued to separate itself from the rest of the league. Armstrong, Brown, Moe and Harge assumed larger roles and carried Oakland into the playoffs as the championship favorite.

Western Division Semifinals

The Oaks faced the Denver Rockets in the opening round of the 1969 ABA Playoffs. Despite Oakland's superior regular-season record, Denver pushed the series to seven games.

The teams split the first six contests, forcing a deciding game in Oakland. The Oaks won Game 7 by a score of 115-102 and advanced to the Western Division Finals.

The difficult opening series tested a team playing without its leading scorer. Oakland responded by relying on its defense, transition offense and balanced lineup.

Western Division Finals

Oakland next faced the New Orleans Buccaneers, who had finished second in the Western Division. The Oaks dominated the series from the beginning.

Oakland swept New Orleans in four games, scoring at least 113 points in every contest. The sweep sent the Oaks to the ABA Finals for the first time.

The 1969 ABA Finals

The Oaks met the Indiana Pacers in the 1969 ABA Finals. Indiana had defeated the Kentucky Colonels and Miami Floridians to win the Eastern Division.

Oakland won Game 1 at home before Indiana answered with a victory in Game 2. The series then moved to Indianapolis, where the Oaks regained control.

Oakland won Game 3 in overtime and followed it with a convincing victory in Game 4. The Oaks returned home with a three-games-to-one series lead.

Game 5 became a high-scoring overtime contest. Oakland prevailed 135-131 to win the series four games to one and capture the 1969 ABA championship.

Warren Jabali's Playoff Performance

Warren Armstrong, soon to be known as Warren Jabali, became the central figure in Oakland's championship run. With Barry unavailable, the rookie elevated his play throughout the postseason.

He averaged more than 33 points per game during the Finals against Indiana and repeatedly overpowered opposing guards with his strength and athleticism.

Armstrong was named the ABA Playoffs Most Valuable Player. His performance completed one of the finest rookie seasons in ABA history, as he earned both Rookie of the Year and postseason MVP honors.

Alex Hannum Makes History

The championship gave Alex Hannum another historic achievement. Having previously won NBA titles with St. Louis and Philadelphia, Hannum became the first head coach to win championships in both the NBA and ABA.

His impact on Oakland was immediate. He transformed a team that had allowed more points than any other ABA club into a disciplined and balanced champion.

Hannum's ability to keep the Oaks winning after Barry's injury was one of the defining coaching accomplishments of the ABA's early years.

Season-by-Season Results

1969 ABA Playoff Results

Notable Oakland Oaks Players

• Rick Barry
• Warren Jabali
• Larry Brown
• Doug Moe
• Ira Harge
• Jim Eakins
• Gary Bradds
• Ron Franz
• Henry Logan
• Levern Tart
• Steve Jones
• Jim Hadnot
• Wendell Ladner

Oakland Oaks Awards and Honors

• 1969 ABA Champions
• Rick Barry – 1968-69 ABA scoring leader
• Rick Barry – 1969 All-ABA First Team
• Warren Jabali – 1969 ABA Rookie of the Year
• Warren Jabali – 1969 ABA Playoffs Most Valuable Player
• Alex Hannum – First head coach to win championships in both the NBA and ABA

Financial Problems Despite the Championship

Oakland's success on the court did not solve its financial problems. The Oaks continued to compete with the NBA's Warriors for fans, media attention and sponsorship revenue in the Bay Area.

Attendance remained disappointing even as the team dominated the ABA. The cost of signing Barry, maintaining the roster and operating a new professional franchise placed significant pressure on the ownership group.

The team accumulated substantial debt, and its financial condition became increasingly serious during the championship season. Winning the ABA title was not enough to make the franchise economically sustainable in Oakland.

The Sale to Earl Foreman

After the championship, the ownership group sold the franchise to Washington, D.C., attorney Earl Foreman and his associates.

Foreman moved the team across the country before the 1969-70 season. The defending ABA champions became the Washington Caps and played their home games at the Washington Coliseum.

The relocation meant that Oakland lost its championship team immediately after reaching the top of the league. The Oaks became one of the rare professional franchises to move directly after winning a championship.

From Oakland to Washington and Virginia

The franchise remained in Washington for only one season. The Caps finished 44-40 in 1969-70 and lost to the Denver Rockets in a seven-game Western Division Semifinals series.

Following that season, the organization relocated again and became the Virginia Squires. The Squires operated as a regional franchise and played home games in Norfolk, Hampton, Richmond and other Virginia locations.

Virginia later featured Julius Erving, George Gervin, Moses Malone and Charlie Scott. Despite developing an extraordinary collection of talent, the Squires experienced severe financial problems and folded in May 1976 shortly before the ABA-NBA merger.

Franchise Timeline

The Oaks and Bay Area Basketball

The Oaks occupied a distinctive place in Bay Area basketball history. They competed directly with an established NBA franchise and successfully signed the Warriors' greatest young star.

The legal fight over Barry became an early example of the pressure the ABA placed on NBA contracts and salaries. Competition between the leagues gave players greater bargaining power and helped reshape professional basketball.

Oakland also demonstrated that the ABA could produce an elite team. The 1968-69 Oaks won 60 of 78 regular-season games and completed the playoffs with a 12-4 record.

Their combination of defensive pressure, fast-break offense and roster depth reflected the exciting style that became associated with the ABA.

Legacy of the Oakland Oaks

The Oakland Oaks remain one of the most successful short-lived franchises in professional basketball history. They went from the worst record in the ABA to the league championship in only one season.

Their championship roster included a Hall of Fame player in Rick Barry, a future Hall of Fame coach in Larry Brown, a championship coach in Alex Hannum and one of the ABA's most dynamic guards in Warren Jabali.

The Oaks also played an important role in the rivalry between the ABA and NBA. Their signing of Barry proved that the new league could attract an established superstar, while their financial struggles illustrated the risks faced by ABA owners.

Although the team disappeared from Oakland immediately after winning the championship, its legacy survived through the Washington Caps, Virginia Squires and the many notable players and coaches who passed through the organization.

The Oakland Oaks existed for only two seasons, but their dramatic rise, championship triumph and sudden relocation captured the excitement and instability that defined the early American Basketball Association.