Indiana Pacers' ABA Dynasty Celebrated in New Docuseries

"Soul Power" explores the untold legacy of the Pacers' three ABA championships and the league's lasting impact on basketball.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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Fifty years after the American Basketball Association (ABA) merged with the NBA, a new four-part docuseries "Soul Power: The Legend of the American Basketball Association" is shedding light on the ABA's transformative influence on professional basketball. The series features firsthand accounts from ABA legends like Julius "Dr. J" Erving, Larry Brown, and George Gervin, who highlight the exceptional talent and brotherhood of the Indiana Pacers, a dominant ABA dynasty that won three championships in the league's nine-year existence.

Why it matters

The ABA's innovative spirit and cultural significance are often overlooked, but the docuseries "Soul Power" aims to change that by exploring how the league introduced groundbreaking features like the three-point shot and slam dunk contest that later became staples in the NBA. The series also underscores the profound camaraderie among ABA players, transcending racial and cultural boundaries at a time when such unity was uncommon in American sports.

The details

Directed by Emmy-winner Kenan Kamwana Holley, "Soul Power" presents a deeper look into the ABA's talent and competitive edge, with interviewees noting that the league surpassed the NBA in quality of play during its final years. The documentary features personal connections, as narrator Common's father, Lonnie Lynn, played four seasons in the ABA, allowing Common to reflect on his father's legacy for the first time.

  • The ABA existed for 9 years, from 1967 to 1976.
  • The Indiana Pacers won 3 ABA championships in 1970, 1972, and 1973.
  • The docuseries "Soul Power: The Legend of the American Basketball Association" is currently available for streaming on Prime Video.

The players

Indiana Pacers

An original ABA team that won 3 championships during the league's 9-year existence, establishing a dominant dynasty and lasting legacy.

Julius "Dr. J" Erving

A legendary ABA player who is featured in the docuseries, providing firsthand accounts of the league's talent and camaraderie.

Kenan Kamwana Holley

The Emmy-winning director of the docuseries "Soul Power: The Legend of the American Basketball Association".

Common

The award-winning artist who narrates the docuseries and has a personal connection to the ABA through his father, Lonnie Lynn, who played 4 seasons in the league.

Lonnie Lynn

Common's father, who played 4 seasons in the ABA.

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What they’re saying

“The ABA was so full of talent by the 1970 season, 1971, they were better than the NBA overall. You can look at the stats from those games, those last two years of the league, they beat the NBA more than the NBA beat them, and that blew me away.”

— Kenan Kamwana Holley, Director of "Soul Power: The Legend of the American Basketball Association"

“They had so much love for the brotherhood. We went to Indianapolis and we met with Bob Netolicky, and we met with Freddie Lewis, and we met with all these guys who were incredible players, and thankfully, 'Big George' McGinnis was alive. We sat there and talked with him, and they had so much love for each other.”

— Kenan Kamwana Holley, Director of "Soul Power: The Legend of the American Basketball Association"

“We got to know each other. First, we were feeling each other out. It became little friendships that became family.”

— George Karl, Former ABA Coach

What’s next

The docuseries "Soul Power: The Legend of the American Basketball Association" is currently available for streaming on Prime Video, introducing a new generation to the ABA's rich history and the Indiana Pacers' dominant dynasty.

The takeaway

The Indiana Pacers' ABA legacy and the league's broader cultural and competitive influence on professional basketball are finally being celebrated in the new docuseries "Soul Power". This series not only honors the talented players and teams of the ABA, but also underscores the profound camaraderie and unity that defined the league, transcending racial and cultural boundaries at a time when such harmony was uncommon in American sports.