1969 ABA All-Star Game


The second American Basketball Association All-Star Game was played on January 28, 1969, at Louisville Convention Center in Louisville, Kentucky before an audience at 5,407, between teams from the Western Conference and the Eastern Conference. The West team won the game, with a score of 133-127.

Team members and officials

Originally, Jim Harding of the Minnesota Pipers was to coach the East. However, he was removed as coach by ABA management after getting into a fight with Gabe Rubin, a trustee of the ABA and partial owner of the team. Gene Rhodes of the Kentucky Colonels was chosen to coach the East instead, while Alex Hannum of the Oakland Oaks coached the victorious West. In the previous year, Hannum had coached the NBA's West team to victory in the 1968 NBA All-Star Game, making him the first person to coach in an NBA and ABA All-Star Game.
John Beasley of the Dallas Chaparrals was named MVP of the game, with a 19-point and 14-rebound performance.
The officials were Andy Hershock and Ron Rakel.

Progress of the game

The scoring was close, with each team winning two quarters. West was leading by 64-60 at halftime, and by 101-90 at the end of the third quarter.