Tweet Okay, I have to admit I had my doubts about the ability of the Colorado Springs Crusaders to keep up with the Colorado kings. The Colorado Springs Crusaders had just joined the ABA as its newest franchise, and they were playing their first game against the 23-0 Colorado Kings.  On paper it looked like it would be a one-sided match-up, but that is why they play the game.

Four minutes into the first quarter it was the Kings 19, Crusaders 9. “Welcome to the ABA”, I thought to myself.  The Crusaders were getting pushed around and dominated in the paint. But then the Crusaders started to hit from beyond the arc and the lead was cut to four. As Joey would say “Whoa!!!”  Maybe this nascent team could run with the Kings. They would be the only team that couldn’t use the altitude as an excuse.

At the end of the first quarter the Kings had an eight point lead.  The rollercoaster score in the second quarter made it look like the Kings had finally met their match. Kings up by eight, then tied, then up by two, then down by three, then up by one. At the final buzzer of the first half the Kings held  a four point lead.

Finally a game. Finally some fan support for the opposing team.

The third quarter had the same rhythm as the second: Kings by 10, then tied, and then back up by ten when it ended.

What made the Crusaders a team that could hang with the Kings when no other team could? Well, it seems as though some of the players on the Crusaders team had tried out for the Kings. So they were that good and they had something to prove. In usual Colorado Kings  fashion, they slowly started to pull away and they defeated the Crusaders 152-132.

The Sunday game was eerily similar to the Saturday game. The Colorado Springs Crusaders started strong holding a lead until four minutes into the second quarter. Then the Colorado Kings decided that they didn’t like losing and they really didn’t like the displeasing glares from their head coach.  They started to play defense and they started to hit their shots. Before long they were up by 16.

The second half had the Kings playing lights out and the Crusaders were slowly running out of juice. Final score Kings 138. Crusaders 101.