Detroit Panthers (PBL)
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| Detroit Panthers (PBL) | |
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| Founded | 2000 |
| League | ABA (2000-2008) PBL (2008-present) |
| Team History | Detroit Dogs: (2000-2002) Detroit Wheels: (2004-2006) Detroit Panthers: (2006-present) |
| Arena | Groves High School |
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| Based in | Birmingham, Michigan |
| Team Colors | Teal, black, white, burgundy |
| Owner | Kevin A. Carter |
| Head Coach | Bill Jones |
| Championships | 1 |
| Division Titles | 1 |
| Dancers | Lady Panthers |
| Mascot | PeeTee the Panther |
The Detroit Panthers are a basketball team in the Premier Basketball League. Formerly a member of the American Basketball Association, the team was previously known as the Detroit Dogs, Motown Jammers, and Detroit Wheels,. This was one of the charter franchises of the ABA and won the league's first championship as the Detroit Dogs.
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[edit] History
[edit] 2000-2002: Detroit Dogs
Initially founded as one of the new ABA's charter franchises, the Detroit Dogs quickly became one of the league's better franchises. Their first coach was former ABA star, George Gervin. The Dogs finished with a 24-20 record and the best record in the Eastern Division. They earned the fourth overall seed and faced the Tampa Bay ThunderDawgs in their first round matchup. After trailing for most of the game, Detroit rallied and won the game 117-112, moving to the second round. Moving into the second round, Detroit would easily defeat the Indiana Legends 119-105. In the league finals, the Dogs faced the heavily-favored Chicago Skyliners. Detroit would get off to a fast start and easily defeat the 31-12 team, 107-91. Gee Gervin, who led the team during the regular season, won the first-ever ABA Championship Game MVP Award.
During their second season, 2001-2002, the Detroit Dogs struggled as a team including a five-game losing streak. They rebounded towards the end of the season and finished with the fourth-best record in the league at 11-17. Because of the small size of the league, Detroit again made the playoffs, but they lost in the first round to the Phoenix Eclipse, 112-97.
[edit] 2003-2006: Detroit Wheels
For the 2002-2003 season, the ABA took the year off, but returned in the 2003-2004 season. In an effort to rebrand themselves, the Detroit Dogs re-named their name to the Detroit Wheels, as a reference to the car-building industry that made the city famous. Despite the year off, and all of the changes, Detroit finished again with a losing record at 4-8. The next season, they finished with the same record, missing the playoffs for two consecutive years.
In the 2005-2006, the Detroit Wheels had the worst season in their franchise history as they were plagued with various injuries to key players. This led to a massive losing streak as they finished last place in the Freddie Lewis Division with a 6-17 record. After another losing season and no playoffs, the Detroit franchise decided to reinvent themselves and return to being a championship-caliber team in the ABA.
[edit] 2006-2007: Detroit Panthers
As the Detroit Panthers, the team turned things around as they went on a six-game winning streak during the regular season. The Panthers finished with a 16-10 record and first place in the North Division. In the playoffs, they were slated to face the Texas Tycoons, who posted a 21-5 record. For unknown reasons, the Panthers did not show up for the game, so they forfeited the game, and their season. The team was led by 6'6 guard, Tyrone Mack during the regular season.
[edit] 2007: Off Year
After giving up their playoff season, the Detroit Panthers suspended opeartions for the 2007-2008 season, and eventually suspended operations to consider their options.
[edit] 2008-present: Welcome to the PBL
For the 2008 season, the team has announced they are joining the Premier Basketball League. [1]
An unrelated Detroit team, the Detroit Zafir, is also beginning play in 2008 in the ABA.
[edit] Season-by-Season records
[edit] ABA
- 2000-2001: 24-20, W 1st rd. Tampa Bay 117-112,W 2nd rd. Indiana 119-105, W Finals Chicago 107-91
- 2001-2002: 11-17, L 1st round Phoenix 112-97
- 2002-2003: 0-0, missed playoffs
- 2003-2004: 4-8, missed playoffs
- 2004-2005: 4-8, missed playoffs
- 2005-2006: 6-17, missed playoffs
- 2006-2007: 16-10, Forfeit 1st round Texas
- 2007-2008: 0-0, missed playoffs
[edit] PBL
- 2008-2009: -
[edit] References
- ^ Detroit Panthers Join Premier Basketball League. Our Sports Central (2008-05-20). Retrieved on 2008-05-20.
[edit] External Links
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