Bobcats don Cougars wear as tribute to ABA

So in case you wondered why the Charlotte Bobcats occasionally show up for home games this season dressed as the Carolina Cougars ... it's not a disguise.

The Bobcats are wearing uniform replicas for the Cougars - the American Basketball Association franchise that played from 1969 through 1974 - for five home games this season. It's part of the NBA's effort to honor the ABA, for helping to grow pro basketball before the NBA absorbed four of its teams (New Jersey, San Antonio, Indiana and Denver).

(Not to mention it's a way to increase merchandise sales: This is as close as the seven-year-old Bobcats can come to a "throw-back" jersey anytime soon.)

The Bobcats wore Cougars uniforms for home games against the Los Angeles Clippers and Indiana Pacers. They'll wear them March 9 against the New Jersey Nets, March 23 against the Milwaukee Bucks and March 30 against the Denver Nuggets.