Baltimore Claws
History 1968-1976 (9 seasons)

Teams New Orleans Baltimore Claws

The Memphis Sounds were an American professional sports franchise that played in Memphis, Tennessee from 1970 until 1975 as a member of the American Basketball Association. The team was founded as the New Orleans Buccaneers in 1967. Known during their time in Memphis as the Memphis Pros, Memphis Tams and, finally, Sounds, they played their home games at the Mid-South Coliseum. The New Orleans Buccaneers were a charter member of the ABA. The Buccaneers were coached by Babe McCarthy, who was famous for two reasons. One was that he had coached Mississippi State University to a Southeastern Conference championship in an era when that league's basketball was dominated by the University of Kentucky. The other was when the then all-white Mississippi state legislature forbade the team to participate in the racially integrated NCAA Tournament. McCarthy took the team out-of-state in the dead of night and had them participate anyway, which gave him a near-legend status in the eyes of some (and the undying hatred of others). On August 21, 1970, the team was sold to Mississippi businessman P. W. Blake. Ten days later, he moved the team to Memphis and changed its name to the Memphis Pros, reportedly because the already purchased 'Bucs' uniforms could easily be converted to 'Pros' uniforms at little expense.

The Memphis Sounds were an American professional sports franchise that played in Memphis, Tennessee from 1970 until 1975 as a member of the American Basketball Association. The team was founded as the New Orleans Buccaneers in 1967. Known during their time in Memphis as the Memphis Pros, Memphis Tams and, finally, Sounds, they played their home games at the Mid-South Coliseum. The New Orleans Buccaneers were a charter member of the ABA. The Buccaneers were coached by Babe McCarthy, who was famous for two reasons. One was that he had coached Mississippi State University to a Southeastern Conference championship in an era when that league's basketball was dominated by the University of Kentucky. The other was when the then all-white Mississippi state legislature forbade the team to participate in the racially integrated NCAA Tournament. McCarthy took the team out-of-state in the dead of night and had them participate anyway, which gave him a near-legend status in the eyes of some (and the undying hatred of others). On August 21, 1970, the team was sold to Mississippi businessman P. W. Blake. Ten days later, he moved the team to Memphis and changed its name to the Memphis Pros, reportedly because the already purchased 'Bucs' uniforms could easily be converted to 'Pros' uniforms at little expense.

1971 Memphis Pros

1968-1976 (9 seasons)

Baltimore Claws Team History

All-time franchise record

275-385 (.417)

0 championships in 1 appearances

Franchise History

1976

Baltimore Claws (ABA)

1975

Memphis Sounds (ABA)

1973-1974

Memphis Tams (ABA)

1971-1972

Memphis Pros (ABA)

1968-1970

New Orleans Buccaneers (ABA)

Top Seasons

Year Record Result

1975 27-57 Lost Division Semifinals

1972 26-58 Missed Playoffs

1971 41-43 Lost Division Semifinals

1970 42-42 Missed Playoffs

1968 48-30 Lost ABA Finals

View More Claws Seasons

Last 5 Seasons

Year Record Result

1976 0-0 Did Not Play

1975 27-57 Lost Division Semifinals

1974 21-63 Missed Playoffs

1973 24-60 Missed Playoffs

1972 26-58 Missed Playoffs

View All Claws Seasons

1st Round Draft Picks

Year Rd/Pick Player

1975 1 / 2 Lonnie Shelton

1974 1 / 2 Scott Wedman

1973 1 / 2 Larry Finch

1972 1 / 2 David Brent

1971 1 / 7 Randy Denton

View All Claws Draft Picks

Longest Serving GM's

Tenure Years General Manager

1973-76 3 Bob Bass

1968-70 3 Maurice Stern

1971-72 2 Charles Cavagnaro

1974 1 Butch van Breda Kolff

1975 1 Lee Silverman

View All Claws General Managers

Team Owners

Tenure Years Owner

1976 1 David Cohan

1975 1 Kemmons Wilson

1975 1 Isaac Hayes

1973-74 2 Charles O. Finley

1972 1 Memphis Area Sports Inc

1971 1 P. W. Blake

1968-70 3 Charles Smither

1968-70 3 Maurice Stern

1968-70 3 Morton Downey, Jr.

View All Claws Owners