Get ready to have your mind blown: the American Basketball Association (ABA) wasn’t just a league—it was a revolution that reshaped basketball forever. But here’s where it gets controversial: while the NBA often takes the spotlight, the ABA was the bold, unapologetically innovative underdog that introduced the three-point shot, the slam dunk contest, and even embraced cultural expressions like afros—something the NBA initially frowned upon. Now, Soul Power: The Legend of the American Basketball Association on Prime Video is here to tell the story of this trailblazing league in a four-part docu-series that’s as vibrant and dynamic as the ABA itself.
Directed by Kenan Kamwana Holley, the series brings fresh energy to the table. Holley intentionally assembled a team of young creators who knew little about the ABA, ensuring a modern perspective on its legacy. ‘I wanted that energy,’ Holley explains, and it shows. The series dives into the league’s wild ride, from its colorful players and shady owners to its groundbreaking ideas that still shape the game today.
And this is the part most people miss: the ABA wasn’t just a stepping stone to the NBA—it was a cultural phenomenon. Legends like Julius ‘Dr. J’ Erving, Connie ‘The Hawk’ Hawkins, and Spencer Haywood cut their teeth here. Players like Rick Barry jumped between the NBA and ABA, while trailblazers like Haywood and Ralph Simpson defied norms by going pro early. The league was a haven for undersized but fearless players like Mack Calvin and Louie Dampier, who proved size doesn’t define talent.
But the ABA wasn’t without its flaws. Mismanagement, like the botched attempt to sign Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, led to scandals that cost NBA Hall of Famer George Mikan his job. Teams were constantly on the move—the Brooklyn Nets, for instance, were once the New Jersey Americans, then the New York Nets (based in Long Island), and eventually returned to New Jersey before landing in Brooklyn. It’s no wonder some called it the ‘American Traveling Association.’
Here’s the bold truth: the ABA was ‘Blacker’ than the NBA, as Bob Costas points out. The league celebrated Black culture, from afros to a more freestyle, high-flying approach to the game. ‘The NBA wasn’t allowing a lot of very good talented players who were 5’10” or 5’11”,’ Erving recalls, but the ABA opened doors for them. Yet, it also had its dark side, with racist owners like Bill Ringsby of the Denver Rockets tarnishing its legacy.
Despite its eventual merger with the NBA in 1976, the ABA’s impact is undeniable. Hall of Famers like George ‘Iceman’ Gervin, Artis Gilmore, and Moses Malone all cut their teeth here. The league’s spirit lives on in every three-pointer sunk and every slam dunk contested. But here’s the question: Was the ABA ahead of its time, or did it simply capture the essence of an era? Let us know in the comments—this is one debate that’s far from over.
