1967–68 Pittsburgh Pipers season
| 1967–68 Pittsburgh Pipers season | |
|---|---|
| Head coach | Vince Cazzetta |
| Arena | Pittsburgh Civic Arena |
| Results | |
| Record | 54–24 (.692) |
| Place | Division: 1st |
| Playoff finish | Won ABA Championship |
The 1967–68 Pittsburgh Pipers season was the 1st season of the ABA. The Pipers finished first in the Eastern Division and won their first and only ABA title.[1]
In the Eastern Division semifinals, the Pipers swept the Indiana Pacers in three games. In the Eastern Division Finals, the Pipers eliminated the Minnesota Muskies, in five games. The Western Division champion New Orleans Buccaneers appeared in the ABA Championships for the first time and were defeated by the Pipers in seven games. Sadly, the Pipers would soon move to Minnesota after the season, only to return a year later. Plaguing injuries nagged the team for the rest of their brief tenure in Pittsburgh, as they would disband in 1972, only four years after winning the title. The Pipers hold a legacy as the first ABA champion.
Roster
- 13 Craig Dill (Center, University of Michigan)
- 20 Cal Graham (Guard, Gannon University)
- 30 Ira Harge (Center, University of New Mexico)
- 42 Connie Hawkins (Power Forward, University of Iowa)
- 12 Art Heyman (Small Forward, Duke University)
- 12 Bob Hogsett (Forward, University of Tennessee)
- 20 Jim Jarvis (Point Guard, Oregon State University)
- 14 Arvesta Kelly (Guard, Lincoln University of Missouri)
- 40 Tom Kerwin (Forward, Centenary College of Louisiana)
- 25 Barry Liebowitz (Shooting Guard, Long Island University)
- 22 Bill Meyer (Guard, Hiram College)
- 50 Rich Parks (Small Forward, Saint Louis University)
- 30 Willie Porter (Power Forward, Tennessee State University)
- -- John Postley (Forward, Bethune-Cookman College)
- 45 Herschell Turner (Point Guard, University of Nebraska)
- 22 Steve Vacendak (Point Guard, Duke University)
- 10 Chico Vaughn (Shooting Guard, Southern Illinois University)
- 32 Trooper Washington (Point Guard, Cheyney University of Pennsylvania)
- 14 Dexter Westbrook (Forward, Providence College)
- 44 Charlie Williams (Point Guard, Seattle University)
- 24 Leroy Wright (Power Forward, University of the Pacific)
Bold indicates player was on final roster when team won championship.
Season standings
| Western Division | W | L | PCT. | GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pittsburgh Pipers | 54 | 24 | .692 | – |
| Minnesota Muskies | 45 | 39 | .641 | 4 |
| Indiana Pacers | 38 | 40 | .487 | 16 |
| Kentucky Colonels | 36 | 46 | .462 | 18 |
| New Jersey Americans | 36 | 46 | .462 | 18 |
Playoffs
Eastern Division Semifinals[3]
| Game | Date | Location | Score | Record | Attendance |
| 1 | March 25 | Pittsburgh | 146-127 | 1–0 | 2,189 |
| 2 | March 26 | Pittsburgh | 121-108 | 2–0 | 3,684 |
| 3 | March 27 | Indiana | 133-114 | 3–0 | 3,141 |
Pipers win series, 3–0
Division Finals[3]
| Game | Date | Location | Score | Record | Attendance |
| 1 | April 4 | Pittsburgh | 125-117 | 1–0 | 3,159 |
| 2 | April 6 | Pittsburgh | 123-137 | 1–1 | 2,123 |
| 3 | April 10 | Minnesota | 107-99 | 2–1 | 8,357 |
| 4 | April 13 | Minnesota | 117-108 | 3–1 | 3,787 |
| 5 | April 14 | Pittsburgh | 114-105 | 4–1 | 3,350 |
Pipers win series, 4–1
ABA Finals[3]
| Game | Date | Location | Score | Record | Attendance |
| 1 | April 18 | Pittsburgh | 120-112 | 1–0 | 2,665 |
| 2 | April 20 | Pittsburgh | 109-100 | 1-1 | 3,877 |
| 3 | April 24 | New Orleans | 109-101 | 1-2 | 6,300 |
| 4 | April 25 | New Orleans | 106-105 (OT) | 2-2 | 7,000 |
| 5 | April 27 | Pittsburgh | 111–108 | 2-3 | 3,347 |
| 6 | May 1 | New Orleans | 118-112 | 3-3 | 7,200 |
| 7 | May 4 | Pittsburgh | 122-113 | 4-3 | 11,457 |
Pipers win series, 4–3
In six out of the 15 playoff games he played, Hawkins was the lead scorer. As such, he was named Playoffs MVP. Hawkins would be elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1992. As it turned out, this would be his only championship.
Awards, records, and honors
- 1968 ABA All-Star Game
- Most Valuable Player
