Friday Flashback: San Diego Conquistadors
Team: San Diego Conquistadors
Location: San Diego, California
Sport: Basketball
Leagues: American Basketball Association (ABA)
Years Active: 1972-1975
Home Arena(s): Peterson Gymnasium, Golden Hall, San Diego Sports Arena
Head Coaches: K.C. Jones (1972-73), Wilt Chamberlain (1973-74), Alex Groza/Beryl Shipley (1974-1975)
Best Players: Caldwell Jones, Jimmy O'Brien, Stew Johnson, Red Robbins
Location: San Diego, California
Sport: Basketball
Leagues: American Basketball Association (ABA)
Years Active: 1972-1975
Home Arena(s): Peterson Gymnasium, Golden Hall, San Diego Sports Arena
Head Coaches: K.C. Jones (1972-73), Wilt Chamberlain (1973-74), Alex Groza/Beryl Shipley (1974-1975)
Best Players: Caldwell Jones, Jimmy O'Brien, Stew Johnson, Red Robbins
The San Diego Conquistadors had one of the more unique sports nicknames with their basketball team in the American Basketball Association (ABA) from 1972-1975. The Qs (as they were known) never had a winning season but did make the playoffs twice. Their best season was in 1973-74 when they finished 37-47 and lost to Utah in six games in the division semifinals.
The team was founded by Leonard Bloom and was to play in the San Diego Sports Arena but a feud with the arena owner and forced to play in Peterson Gymnasium which had 3,200 seats and San Diego State University and Golden Hall.
After the 1973 season, the Conquistadors made news when they signed NBA great Wilt Chamberlain to become their player-coach. The Los Angeles Lakers filed a lawsuit to block him from playing for the team and was limited to his sideline role as coach.
The San Diego franchise continued to have problems with their home arena situation as they were unable to secure a lease with the San Diego Sports Arena until the 1974-1975 season, but it wasn't enough to save the team after losing Chamberlain.
The Conquistadors were sold after the 1974-75 season and renamed the San Diego Sails but only lasted 11 games before folding.
San Diego Conquistadors Seasons:
1972-73
Record: 30-54
Playoffs:
Lost division semifinals to Utah Stars 4 games to 0
1973-74
Record: 37-47
Playoffs:
Won 4th place playoff over Denver Rockets 131-111
Lost division semifinals to Utah Stars 4 games to 2
1974-75
Record: 31-53
Playoffs: Did not qualify.
San Diego Conquistadors Fun Facts:
- Played their first game on October 13, 1972 losing to the Denver Rockets 100-109
- Played the New York Nets in a four-overtime game on February 14, 1975 winning 176-166.
- Conquistador was name of Spanish explorers in Mexico and Central America during the 16th Century.
- Q's averaged 1,900 fans per game during their existence
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