A handful of ex-ABA players hope for a last-second financial long shot from the NBA. Jimmy Jones, once a star guard in the ABA, now drives for Uber and works for Amway. Despite his success, he's among 23 surviving former ABA players seeking financial compensation from the NBA. The NBA initially committed to paying $24.5 million to 99 other former ABA players, but later determined that Jones and 23 others, including Hall of Famers, didn't meet the criteria due to existing NBA pensions. The NBA's stance, affirmed by a league source, is that they shouldn't provide recognition payments to players who primarily played in the ABA but also receive NBA pensions. However, the ABA is experiencing a renaissance in interest, with a docuseries and a documentary highlighting the league's impact. The Dropping Dimes Foundation advocates for the remaining players, emphasizing the NBA's growth and the players' contributions. The NBA's decision to pay the 99 players was not arbitrary, but the league's stance on the 23 players remains controversial. The players, proud and resilient, hope for recognition and a better understanding from the NBA, as they reflect on their legacy in the game.
