The American Basketball Association (ABA) was a major professional basketball league that operated for nine seasons from 1967 to 1976. The ABA operated in direct competition with the more established National Basketball Association throughout its existence. The Indiana Pacers, Kentucky Colonels, Minnesota Muskies, New Jersey Americans, and Pittsburgh Pipers were placed in the Eastern Division and the Anaheim Amigos, Dallas Chaparrals, Denver Rockets, Houston Mavericks, New Orleans Buccaneers, and Oakland Oaks in the Western Division. George Mikan came up with the idea for the three-point shot to go along with a 30-second shot-clock; echoing the NHL, the league named a Most Valuable Player for the entire postseason rather than for just the Finals.