How The Buffalo Braves Were SCREWED From The Get-Go

In 1970, the NBA’s inexorable expansion efforts brought a franchise to Buffalo, the chilly, industrial city spitting distance from Canada. Even though NBA basketball had already flopped twice elsewhere in upstate New York, the league was undeterred.

In hindsight, though, it might’ve been a miscalculation.

The Buffalo Braves were beset by problems from the get-go, including a massive scheduling quagmire involving the city’s other beloved sports teams: the NHL’s Sabres and the Canisius College Golden Griffins basketball program. And despite the best efforts of future Hall-of-Famers like Bob McAdoo and Adrian Dantley, the Braves’ run in the NBA was ultimately a brief one, with the franchise up-and-leaving for California after only eight seasons in the Queen City.

#nba #buffalobraves

[DJJohn-uvff]

The Buffalo Braves are still falling apart. Just look at those Clippers!

[eriktout]

As a 60 yr old lifelong WNY resident, always within 10/15 miles of Buffalo this video brings back memories of my late father and I constantly getting free tickets for Braves game . Even a Braves v Celtics playoff game . Thanks for the video.

[danmeier]

Had a very difficult childhood. Found joy and serenity listening to Braves on the radio. Van Miller called basketball even better than he called football. Leaving broke my heart.

[tintin]

I was in Buffalo for a Bills - Seahawks game shortly after the Sonics had left Seattle. The Buffalo fans were making fun of the Seattle fans for losing their NBA team! Those young people didn't know their own history!

[tygrkhat]

Two things that were missed. Eddie Donovan was an alumnus of St. Bonaventure and coached there from 1953 until 1961. Star guard Randy Smith was an alumnus of Buffalo State, a rare lower division player making it in the NBA. So from the start, the Braves had hometown connections. Also, Smith was for a time the NBA's ironman.

[Gierap]

Imagine they had Moses Malone, Bob McAdoo and Dantley on one roster. Such a shame that owner didn't let this team play.

[Diljabar]

Bob McAdoo went on to be a key contributor to the Showtime Lakers

[JWex-jysk]

There’s a schoolteacher in the Buffalo area named John Boutet
He has got a boatload of Braves memorabilia in his collection and ESPN even interviewed him few years ago with an article titled…
“Why a Buffalo teacher won't let go of long-departed Braves”

[marcwhitlock]

I was born in 1989 in Buffalo, and have followed/played sports here my entire life and it's sad the braves are completely forgotten. With how bad the Sabres have been it would've been great if we still had a NBA team during the Bills off-season. I only learned about the Braves because I played football with Snyders Grandson growing up.

[BlueOpinion]

Two Rookie of the Years, a MVP of the league, a 3 time scoring champion, all while with the team, and 11 All Stars. Not bad for a team destined to fail.

[bryantsherman]

I remember listening to the Braves games on the radio in 1970-1. That first season was really tough, thank gosh for the Cavs that year.

[carljustinenuestro]

As a Laker/Clipper fan who born on the early 2000s, I always love the old school basketball especially in the 1970s. When you talk about the 1970s, you talk about the Tom Heinsohn’s Celtics, the Red Holzman’s Knicks, or Larry Costello’s Bucks. But, there’s a one team that I actually love for, and it was the Braves. For those Clipper fans out there who didn’t know about the history of the franchise, it was actually originated in Buffalo and the first superstar of the franchise was Bob McAdoo and I always love his playing style especially his jump shot. He considered as the greatest player in the history of the Brave/Clipper franchise and until now he’s still the greatest of the franchise despite they have Blake Griffin, Chris Paul, and DeAndre Jordan during the 2010s. I feel sorry on what happened to Buffalo when they moved the team to San Diego, then in Los Angeles. I wished that they still have the NBA team in Buffalo but it is just a business. I think there is a now chance to have an NBA team in Buffalo again. At least, they have the Bills and the Sabres.

[elwin]

I saw the very last Braves game on the NBA on CBS. They played the Celtics in John "Hondo" Havlichek's last game.

[jamesjazzy]

Well Bob McAdoo and Randy Smith is a hell of a start...

[Andyboylettuce]

My dad used to go to those Braves games at Maple Leaf Garden! He had fond memories of watching McAdoo!

[mightya]

Dave Zinkoff was the lengendary PA announcer of the 76ers. When Garfield Heard scored he would say, “Heard of Buffalo”.

[RobertDGordon]

Portland bypassed Bob McAdoo, Michael Jordan & Kevin Durant in the draft... my goodness.

[magtafcmdr]

I was too young to have enjoyed the Braves in Buffalo. I did see the Lakers play the New Jersey Nets at the Aud in Buffalo for an exhibition game in 1988. The Braves management certainly had a good eye for talent. Buffalo is a small market whose fanbase punches above its weight. It's great to see the Bills live now that they are winning again.

[leosburner]

“33 year old entrepreneur” who looked like he was in his mid 50s.

[Sticktothemodels]

Loving the topics of choice guys. Continuation of one helluva run