1970–71 Pittsburgh Condors season

August 2023 July 2016 Pittsburgh Condors ABA 1971 36 48 Eastern 5th Jack McMahon Pittsburgh Civic Arena Did not qualify Pittsburgh Pipers The 1970–71 Pittsburgh Condors season was the first season of the franchise under the Pittsburgh Condors name, the third overall season of Pittsburgh's tenure in the American Basketball Association, and their fourth overall season of play when including their one season when they moved to the state of Minnesota to become the Minnesota Pipers at the time. History Haven Industries (makers of the Jack Frost sugar brand) bought this team after the previous season and decided to rename it. After launching a naming contest, with a prize of $500, the winning selection was "Pioneers"; however, Point Park College, a NAIA-affiliated college that was located near the team offices, threatened legal action due to the college's historical use of the nickname for its own team. The pro team hastily came up with a replacement name, finally settling on the "Condors." The first game of the season was played on October 15, 1970, against the New York Nets. The Condors won 105–102 in front of a crowd of 3,616; however, the low attendance figure was a harbinger of things to come. For the November 17th game versus the Floridians, general manager Marty Blake tried to spur crowd interest by giving away all available tickets for free. Of the 13,000 seats offered, 8,074 fans showed up. Later in the year, he was fired when the team's record declined below .500. On March 6, 1971, Stew Johnson scored 62 points versus the Floridians, going 25 of 44 with one three-pointer made and eleven free throws. While the team's biggest losing streak (done twice) was only four games, the team simply could not maintain a winning streak longer than three games, with the team being reassured of a below .500 finish after losing on March 13, just nine games before the end of the season. The team was in contention for the final spot in the playoffs, however, during a contest against the Floridians (36–46), in the penultimate game for both teams (played on March 28) that could seal the playoff spot, as the Condors had a 35–47 record. The team lost 130–117 to the Floridians, though, sealing its fate. Two days later, its season ended, with Pittsburgh having missed a playoff berth for another consecutive year. It finished fifth in points scored, with a 119.1 points per game average. Conversely, it finished eighth in points allowed at 121.8 points per game.https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/PTC/1971_games.html 1970-71 Pittsburgh Condors Schedule and Results Roster Pittsburgh Condors 1970–71 #CA0E2E #FFFFFF #C89A69 #FFFFFF 22 Walker Banks C 6 10 205 August 26, 1947 Western Kentucky 23, 40 John Brisker SF 6 5 210 June 15, 1947 Toledo 21 Charlie Hentz PF 6 5 210 September 13, 1947 University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff 15 Rich Johnson basketball C 6 7 210 December 18, 1946 Grambling State University 13 Stew Johnson PF 6 8 220 August 19, 1944 Murray State 14 Arvesta Kelly G 6 2 175 November 20, 1945 Lincoln University (Missouri) 12 Joe Kennedy basketball SF 6 6 210 January 12, 1947 Duke 33 Dave Lattin PF 6 6 225 December 23, 1943 Texas-El Paso Harry Laurie G 6 1 178 November 2, 1944 Saint Peter's College 24 Mike Lewis basketball C 6 8 225 March 18, 1946 Duke 15 Ken Spain C 6 9 225 October 6, 1946 Houston 23 Skeeter Swift SG 6 3 204 June 19, 1946 East Tennessee State University 25 George Thompson basketball SG 6 2 200 November 29, 1947 Marquette 32 Samuel Watts SG 6 3 185 March 14, 1948 University of Great Falls 14 Hubie White SG 6 4 205 January 26, 1940 Villanova 44 Charlie Williams basketball PG 6 0 165 September 5, 1943 Seattle University 10 Chuck Williams basketball PG 6 2 175 June 6, 1946 Colorado 14 Jim Wilson basketball 1948 G 5 10 175 Cheyney (PA) Jack McMahon https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/PTC/1971.html<noinclude> Final standings Eastern Division Eastern DivisionWLPCTGBVirginia Squires * 55 29 .655Kentucky Colonels * 44 40 .524 11.0New York Nets *4044.47615.0The Floridians *3747.44018.0Pittsburgh Condors 3648.42919.0Carolina Cougars 3450.40521.0 Awards and honors 1971 ABA All-Star Game selections (game played on January 23, 1971) John Brisker Mike Lewis References Condors on Basketball Reference External links RememberTheABA.com 1970-71 regular season and playoff results Condors page Category:Pittsburgh Condors seasons Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Condors Pittsburgh Condors Category:1970 in Pittsburgh Category:1971 in Pittsburgh