I got to admit, I always wished I was around for the ABA, it just seemed so cool, wonder if I would have supported it. Just so many things to like about it:
Innovative - 3pt shot, slam dunk contest, entertainment
Different Style - red, white, and blue ball vs the NBA's "brown ball" fit the different styles of play. ABA had the image of a more "exciting" wide open floor game while the NBA seemed to have more of a "boring" half court style.
Underdog vs the Establishment - I always loved this aspect of it. It's the Fab Five vs Duke (or UNLV vs Duke), it's ECW going against WWF and WCW, it's that us-against-the-world mentality that I love so much.
The Players - they actually had talent too! When I think of the best players who came up during that era, seems like all the main ones I always think of played in the ABA - Dr. J, Connie Hawkins, George Gervin, Moses Malone, David Thompson, Rick Barry. To put it in perspective, I think it would be like taking alot of the players from the 2003 draft class and after (since I pretty much draw that as the line for starting the next generation of NBA players) and having them all play in a different league. That would be pretty cool to see.
All the stories and accounts I read always make the ABA seem so cool.