GTS09.com(R)

 Pgh Basketball.

With the passing of former NBA star and former Pgh Xplosion and Pgh native Armon Gilliam, I have many memories, having been a season ticket holder for the X.

 Keeping in mine the Condors and the Pipers, along with the Piranhas(CBA), the last pro Basketball team we had was the Pittsburgh Xplosion(ABA, CBA) who competed for three seasons.

 Head coaches included; Larry Anderson, Tom Thackens, Jaren Jackson and Carlos Knox.

Guards; Lawrence Baker, Shaun Fountain, Antonio Graves, Darmedreis Kilgore and Carl Krauser.

Forwards; Odell Bradley, John DeGroat, Devaugn Halsel, Kevin Mickens and Albert White. 

Shaun Hawkins, Greg Jenkins, Kevin Pittsnogle, Corey Minnifield, DaJaun Tate, Lewis Monroe and Marc Williams.  

 Their ABA opponents, in the Freddy Lewis Division; Detroit Wheels, Cleveland Rockers, Ohio Aviators, Indiana Alley Cats and Lake Erie.

 CBA opponents; East Ken-tucky Miners, Minot Sky Rockets, Great Falls Explorers, Butte Daredevils, Albany Patroons, Olkahoma City Cavalry and Yakama Sky Kings.  

 The Pittsburgh Xplosion were active for three seasons, two of which they earned a playoff spot.

 Their best season was their first, in the ABA, where attendence zoomed from just 75 to 2,000. Unfortunately, their switch to the  CBA averaged only several hundred at best, although their final season they saw their best at 2,583 vs. Atlanta at the Peterson Events Center. But they saw no committed owners or coaches and they were left abandoned after 08 season.

 Pittsburgh needs a Pro Bask-etball team that has a committed owner and coaches.