William (Bill) W. Schonely (June 1, 1929 – January 21, 2023)

On October 13, 1967, the Anaheim Amigos lost to the
Oakland Oaks, 134-129, in the inaugural game of the
American Basketball Association.    

In its first season, the ABA included 11 teams: the
Pittsburgh Pipers, Minnesota Muskies, Indiana
Pacers, Kentucky Colonels and New Jersey
Americans played in the Eastern Division, and
the New Orleans Buccaneers, Dallas Chaparrals,       

As the 1992-93 NBA season approached, Larry Bird decided
he could not continue. On Aug. 18, 1992 he announced his
retirement as a player.

After 897 games Bird retired with 21,791 points, 8,974 rebounds
and 5,695 assists. During his career he shot .496 from the floor
and .886 from the free-throw line, retiring as the fifth all-time free-
throw shooter behind Mark Price, Rick Barry, Calvin Murphy and
Scott Skiles.

Bird was named a special assistant in the Celtics’ front office,
with limited duties that included some scouting and player
evaluation. In reality, he spent most of the next five years in
Florida, playing golf and taking it easy.

Larry Joe Bird is 68 years old.

On August 3, 1949, after a damaging three-year battle to win
both players and fans, the rival Basketball Association of
America (BAA) and National Basketball League (NBL) 
merged to form the National Basketball Association (NBA).

On May 16, 1980, Los Angeles Lakers point guard Earvin
“Magic” Johnson stepped in for injured center Kareem
Abdul-Jabbar and scores 42 points, leading the Lakers
to a four games-to-two series win over the Philadelphia
76ers for their first championship since 1972.

Earvin "Magic" Johnson Jr. will be 66 on August 14th.