The 1968âÂÂ69 ABA season was the second season for the American Basketball Association. Two teams relocated: Minnesota Muskies became the Miami Floridians, while the Pittsburgh Pipers moved to Minnesota and became the Minnesota Pipers. Two others relocated within their territory, with the Anaheim Amigos becoming the Los Angeles Stars and the New Jersey Americans became the New York Nets. These moves to perceived better locations, alongside the arrival of Rick Barry to play with the Oakland Oaks, led the league having optimism for its second season. The season ended with the Oakland Oaks capturing the first ABA championship. Months later, the Oaks elected to relocate to Washington, D.C. with the purchase of the team by Earl Foreman.
On April 5, 1969, prior to the ABA Playoffs, Mel Daniels was named ABA Most Valuable Player, with the margin being reported as being two votes over Connie Hawkins (others to receive votes were Larry Jones, James Jones, Rick Barry, Don Freeman, Warren Armstrong, Louie Dampier, Roger Brown, and Doug Moe).
Asterisk (*) denotes playoff team
Bold â ABA champions
The Oakland Oaks beat the Indiana Pacers 4-1 to win the ABA Championship.