Zombo said:

Zombo

Yea, I guess I did. I guess I need to go back to kindergarten to learn how to count. OK, there were 12 teams in 1959, there are now 32. Still about triple.

In 1959, the NBA consisted of 8 teams only: The Celtics, Knicks, Warriors(Phil.), Hawks(St. Louis), Lakers(Minn.), Pistons, 76ers(Syr. Nationals), and Kings (Rochester Royals). Today there are 30 teams. Almost 4 times as many.

In 1959 the NFL consisted of 10 teams: Giants, Eagles, Browns, Steelers, Cardinals, Colts, Bears, 49ers, Packers, and Rams.

Now, there are 32 teams. Over 3 times as many.

In 1959 the NHL consisted of 6 teams: Canadiennes, Maple Leafs, Blackhawks, RedWings, Bruins, and Rangers. Now there are 30 teams. Five times as many.

Only MLB hasn't expanded as vastly. In 1959 there were 16 baseball teams: Dodgers, Braves, Giants, Pirates, Cubs, Reds, Cards, Phillies, White Sox, Indians, Yankees, Tigers, Orioles, As, Senators(now Twins). Now there 30 teams. Less than half again as many.

Miami Dolphins (1968)

Kansas City Royals (1969)

Chicago Bulls (1967)

Houston Rockets (1968)

Indiana Pacers (1968) (ABA title only)

Milwaukee Bucks (1969)

New York/NJ Nets (1968) (ABA)

Seattle Supersonics (1968)

Portland Trailblazers (1971)

San Antoino Spurs (1968)

Calgary Flames (1973)

Dallas Stars (1968)

Philadelphia Flyers (1968)

Pittsburgh Penguins (1968)

That is 14 teams winning titles that originated in that era compared to 16 teams that have never won, so I guess it is pretty even.

What it does demonstrate is the massive amount of expansion that occurred over the course of only about 8 years in the major sports in that era. Consider that there are now 123 franchises in existance in the 4 major sports (including the inactive Seattle Supersonics. From 1965 to 1973, 30 of those teams were created, or nearly one quarter of all major league franchises in existence today.

If we were to expand that " expansion era" by just a few years, numerous other franchises would be added to the list. If we take the era from 1960 to 1976, these additional major league franchises were created in those 16 years:

Islanders

NJ Devils

Bills

Cowboys

Broncos

Chiefs

Vikings

Patriots

Jets

Raiders

Chargers

Seahawks

Buccaneers

Titans

Astros

Angels

Mets

Mariners

Rangers

Blue Jays

Wizards

That is at least another 21 teams, meaning that 51 of the current 123 franchises were created in that 16 year period from 1960 to 1976.

I calculate that in the 35 years since 1976 there have been 29 new franchises that have come into existance in the various sports.

So, perhaps instead of a curse, perhaps it is merely "odds" that all those teams created in those few years have not won titles. After all, now, only one team per year can win a title.

@the-gipper said:

Created in 1966: Atlanta Falcons

Created in 1967: Los Angeles Kings, St. Louis Blues, Denver Nuggets, New Orleans Saints

Created in 1968: Cincinnati Bengals, Phoenix Suns

Created in 1969: Washington Nationals (as Montreal Expos), San Diego Padres, Milwaukee Brewers

Created in 1970: Cleveland Cavaliers, LA Clippers (as Buffalo Braves), Vancouver Canucks, Buffalo Sabres

Created in 1972: Utah Jazz (in New Orleans), Washington Capitols

Now, there may in fact have been a few teams created during this era that have won a title: Dolphins, KC Royals, but I believe the vast majority have never won.

Perhaps there is a better name for it than the "Vietnam War Curse", but since that was the time when all these teams came about, that is the best I could come up with. You can try your hand at a name.

If teams won there is no curse. KC and Dolphins.

Created in 1966: Atlanta Falcons

Created in 1967: Los Angeles Kings, St. Louis Blues, Denver Nuggets, New Orleans Saints

Created in 1968: Cincinnati Bengals, Phoenix Suns

Created in 1969: Washington Nationals (as Montreal Expos), San Diego Padres, Milwaukee Brewers

Created in 1970: Cleveland Cavaliers, LA Clippers (as Buffalo Braves), Vancouver Canucks, Buffalo Sabres

Created in 1972: Utah Jazz (in New Orleans), Washington Capitols

Now, there may in fact have been a few teams created during this era that have won a title: Dolphins, KC Royals, but I believe the vast majority have never won.

Perhaps there is a better name for it than the "Vietnam War Curse", but since that was the time when all these teams came about, that is the best I could come up with. You can try your hand at a name.

Zombo said:

Zombo

The series did end up Pittsburgh winning 4 games to 3. Here were the series results:

1968 ABA Championship:

Pittsburgh Pipers (54-24) vs. New Orleans Buccaneers (48-30)

April 18 At Pittsburgh 120, New Orleans 112

April 20 New Orleans 109, at Pittsburgh 100

April 24 At New Orleans 109, Pittsburgh 101

April 25 Pittsburgh 106, at New Orleans 105 (OT)

April 27 New Orleans 111, at Pittsburgh 108

May 1 Pittsburgh 118, at New Orleans 112

May 4 At Pittsburgh 122, New Orleans 113

Pipers won Championship, 4-3