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25 Greatest Players in ABA History

By Maxwell Ogden

SPRINGFIELD, MA - AUGUST 12: Artis Gilmore shakes hands with Hall of Fame Player Julius Erving during the Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony at Symphony Hall on August 12, 2011 in Springfield, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
SPRINGFIELD, MA - AUGUST 12: Artis Gilmore shakes hands with Hall of Fame Player Julius Erving during the Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony at Symphony Hall on August 12, 2011 in Springfield, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images) /
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10. Rick Barry

Position: Small Forward
Years Active: 1968-1972
Team(s): Oakland Oaks, Washington Capitols, New York Nets
ABA Averages: 41.3 MPG, 30.5 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 4.1 APG
Accolades: ABA Champion, 4x All-ABA First Team, 4x ABA All-Star, 1969 Scoring Champion

Rick Barry is one of the greatest players in NBA history. He led the Golden State Warriors to an improbable championship in 1975, won Finals MVP for his efforts, has five All-NBA First Team nods on his resume, and led the league in both scoring and steals.

An often overlooked fact about Barry’s glorious career is that, after winning the 1967 NBA scoring title, he departed to spend four seasons in the ABA between 1968 and 1972.

During that time, Barry picked up where he left off. He won the 1969 ABA scoring title, earned four selections to the All-ABA First Team, made a matching four All-Star Game appearances, and earned a ring for the Oakland Oaks’ championship run in 1969.

Barry falls a bit on this list due to the fact that he didn’t play during the 1969 ABA Playoffs due to a severe knee injury, but that doesn’t change the fact that he’s a legend in both major basketball leagues.

Barry’s four All-ABA First Team selections tie him with Mel Daniels for the second-most in ABA history. Only Julius Erving and Artis Gilmore, who each received five selections to the prestigious five-man team, have more.

That alone puts Barry in the Top 5 discussion, and makes him a Top 10 lock. On both the ABA and NBA fronts, Barry is a legend.

Next: No. 9