The Buffalo Braves were one of the NBA’s most exciting franchises during the 1970s. Although the team existed for only eight seasons (1970–1978), the Braves produced an NBA Most Valuable Player, three NBA Rookie of the Year winners, multiple All-Stars, and several future Hall of Famers. Today, the franchise continues as the Los Angeles Clippers, making the Braves an important part of NBA history.
NBA Expansion Comes to Buffalo
The Buffalo Braves were founded in 1970 as one of three NBA expansion franchises, joining the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Portland Trail Blazers.
Buffalo was quickly becoming a major league sports city. The same year the Braves debuted, the city also welcomed the NHL’s Buffalo Sabres. The Braves played their home games at the Buffalo Memorial Auditorium, sharing the arena with the Sabres.
The nickname “Braves” honored the Native American heritage of Western New York, particularly the nearby Seneca Nation.
Early Struggles
Like most expansion teams, the Braves struggled during their first two seasons.
Coached by Hall of Famer Dolph Schayes, Buffalo finished 22-60 in both the 1970-71 and 1971-72 seasons.
Despite the losses, the franchise found its first star in forward Bob Kauffman, who became a three-time NBA All-Star and one of the team’s early leaders.
Bob McAdoo Changes Everything
The franchise changed dramatically during the 1972 NBA Draft, when Buffalo selected Bob McAdoo with the second overall pick.
McAdoo immediately emerged as one of the NBA’s brightest young stars, winning the 1973 NBA Rookie of the Year Award.
Under head coach Jack Ramsay, the Braves became one of the league’s most entertaining teams.
McAdoo reached the peak of his career during the 1974-75 season, averaging 34.5 points and 14.1 rebounds per game while winning the NBA Most Valuable Player Award.
His combination of scoring, rebounding, and shooting ability made him one of the greatest offensive centers in NBA history.
Playoff Success
Led by McAdoo, guard Randy Smith, and Rookie of the Year Ernie DiGregorio, Buffalo qualified for the NBA Playoffs three consecutive seasons.
- 1973-74
- 1974-75
- 1975-76
Although the Braves never advanced beyond the Eastern Conference Semifinals, they established themselves as one of the NBA’s rising teams during the mid-1970s.
DiGregorio won the 1974 NBA Rookie of the Year Award, giving Buffalo back-to-back Rookie of the Year winners.
Randy Smith’s Ironman Streak
Guard Randy Smith became one of the most durable players in NBA history.
Smith appeared in 906 consecutive games, an NBA record that stood for more than two decades.
He earned two NBA All-Star selections and was named the 1978 NBA All-Star Game MVP, shortly before the franchise relocated.
Future Hall of Famers
Although the Braves existed for only eight seasons, they featured several future Hall of Fame players.
- Bob McAdoo
- Moses Malone
- Adrian Dantley
- Nate Archibald (acquired before the 1977 season but did not appear in a regular-season game because of injury)
Buffalo also drafted Adrian Dantley, who won the 1977 NBA Rookie of the Year Award before being traded following his rookie season.
Remarkably, the Braves produced three Rookie of the Year winners in only five seasons:
- Bob McAdoo (1973)
- Ernie DiGregorio (1974)
- Adrian Dantley (1977)
Ownership Changes and Decline
Despite their success on the court, the Braves struggled financially.
Owner Paul Snyder frequently clashed with local officials and Buffalo Memorial Auditorium management over scheduling conflicts with the NHL’s Buffalo Sabres. Attendance problems and financial losses made the franchise’s future increasingly uncertain.
In 1976, Snyder sold the team to John Y. Brown Jr., who soon became involved in one of the most unusual ownership transactions in professional sports history.
The Franchise Swap
In 1978, Brown agreed to exchange ownership interests with Boston Celtics owner Irv Levin.
Instead of relocating the Celtics to California, the two owners effectively swapped franchises.
Levin assumed control of the Braves and immediately relocated the team to San Diego, where it became the San Diego Clippers.
In 1984, the franchise moved again to Los Angeles, where it continues today as the Los Angeles Clippers.
Buffalo’s Lasting Legacy
Although the Braves played only eight NBA seasons, they left a lasting mark on the league.
The franchise produced:
- One NBA Most Valuable Player
- Three NBA Rookie of the Year winners
- Multiple Hall of Fame players
- Three consecutive playoff appearances
Today, the Los Angeles Clippers continue to honor their Buffalo roots by periodically wearing Buffalo Braves throwback uniforms and celebrating the franchise’s early history.
Hall of Fame Players
- Bob McAdoo
- Moses Malone
- Adrian Dantley
Hall of Fame Coaches
- Jack Ramsay
- Cotton Fitzsimmons
- Dolph Schayes
Major Awards
| Award | Winner | Year |
|---|---|---|
| NBA Most Valuable Player | Bob McAdoo | 1975 |
| NBA Rookie of the Year | Bob McAdoo | 1973 |
| NBA Rookie of the Year | Ernie DiGregorio | 1974 |
| NBA Rookie of the Year | Adrian Dantley | 1977 |
| NBA Executive of the Year | Eddie Donovan | 1974 |
| NBA All-Star Game MVP | Randy Smith | 1978 |
Playoff Appearances
| Season | Result |
|---|---|
| 1973-74 | Lost Eastern Conference Semifinals |
| 1974-75 | Lost Eastern Conference Semifinals |
| 1975-76 | Lost Eastern Conference Semifinals |
Legacy
The Buffalo Braves remain one of the NBA’s most beloved former franchises. In just eight seasons, they produced an MVP, three Rookie of the Year winners, multiple Hall of Fame players, and some of the league’s most entertaining basketball.
Although financial challenges ultimately forced the franchise to relocate, the Braves’ legacy continues through the Los Angeles Clippers. The brilliance of Bob McAdoo, the durability of Randy Smith, and Buffalo’s remarkable success in developing young talent ensure that the Braves will always hold a unique place in NBA history.