The story of the American Basketball Association, a league that dared to be different and profoundly shaped the NBA we know today, is finally getting its due. , Amazon Prime Video will premiere Soul Power: The Legend of the American Basketball Association
, a four-part docuseries that promises a deep dive into the ABA’s turbulent nine-year run.
Executive produced by basketball icon Julius “Dr. J” Erving, alongside Common and legendary coach George Karl, Soul Power
isn’t just a recounting of games won and lost. It’s a cultural excavation, exploring how the ABA challenged the established NBA both on and off the court. The series, directed by Kenan Kamwana Holley, aims to capture the league’s lasting impact, a legacy that extends far beyond the introduction of the three-point shot and the slam dunk contest.
The ABA, launched in , was born from a desire to disrupt the status quo. While the NBA was largely conservative in its approach, the ABA embraced a flamboyant style, attracting players who didn’t quite fit the mold of the more established league. This wasn’t simply about basketball; it was about personality, expression, and a willingness to challenge convention. As Holley explained, Everything else was short form, 90, 45, 50 minutes. This story deserves so much more. So having 4 episodes gave us the landscape we needed to paint the full story from the sociopolitical impact of what these players have been doing.
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The league’s influence is undeniable. The four franchises that ultimately joined the NBA in – the Brooklyn Nets, Denver Nuggets, Indiana Pacers, and San Antonio Spurs – remain cornerstones of the league today. But the ABA’s impact extends beyond those teams. It fostered a generation of stars, including Erving, Moses Malone, Spencer Haywood, George Gervin, and Rick Barry, players who brought a new level of athleticism and excitement to the game.
Erving’s involvement as executive producer is particularly significant. He wasn’t just a star in the ABA; he was its face, its symbol. The docuseries promises to offer a more intimate look at Erving’s early career, a period often overshadowed by his success with the Philadelphia 76ers in the NBA. As one observer noted, many fans only experienced the polished, championship-winning Dr. J, and this series aims to reveal the player he was during the ABA’s formative years.
The timing of Soul Power
’s release is no accident. marks the 50th anniversary of the ABA-NBA merger, a pivotal moment in basketball history. The docuseries serves as a fitting tribute to a league that, despite its relatively short lifespan, left an indelible mark on the sport. It’s a reminder that innovation often comes from challenging the established order, and that sometimes, the most significant changes happen outside the mainstream.
Beyond the on-court action, Soul Power
delves into the ABA’s cultural and social impact. The league emerged during a period of significant social upheaval in the United States, and it reflected the changing attitudes and values of the time. Holley emphasized this point, stating that the series explores the sociopolitical impact of what these players have been doing.
The ABA wasn’t afraid to embrace diversity and individuality, and it provided a platform for players to express themselves both on and off the court.
The series also examines the ABA’s decade-long struggle to gain acceptance and ultimately merge with the NBA. It wasn’t a smooth process, and the ABA faced resistance from those who saw it as a threat to the established order. The docuseries explores the challenges the league faced, as well as the strategies it employed to overcome them, including pursuing established stars like Connie Hawkins, Spencer Haywood, and Artis Gilmore.
The use of the iconic red, white, and blue ABA basketball as a visual motif throughout the series is a deliberate choice, underscoring the league’s unique identity and its willingness to stand out from the crowd. As one commentator noted, the ABA basketball wasn’t just a ball; it was a symbol of innovation and individuality. Its return to prominence in the marketing for Soul Power
is a powerful reminder of the league’s enduring legacy.
Hall of Famer Julius Erving himself articulated the ABA’s impact succinctly: From the 3-point shot and high-powered offense, to elevating the slam dunk to an art form, the ABA didn’t just play basketball. It reimagined it.
” Soul Power: The Legend of the American Basketball Association
promises to unpack that reimagining, offering a comprehensive and compelling look at a league that changed the game forever. The docuseries, initially greenlit in the summer of as part of Amazon’s expanding sports content offerings, is poised to resonate with both longtime basketball fans and a new generation eager to learn about the league that dared to be different.
