Buffalo Braves Era (1970–1978)

Lore & Background

While the on-court results were modest, with the team never advancing past the first round of the playoffs, the Braves left an indelible mark on the franchise's DNA. The struggles in Buffalo taught future management lessons about market viability and roster construction that would influence decisions decades later. The transition from the snowy streets of Buffalo to the sunny coast of California remains one of the most significant geographical shifts in NBA history, marking the end of this foundational era.

In Their Own Story

The air inside the Buffalo Memorial Auditorium was thick with anticipation as the crowd cheered for a team that seemed destined for greater things. Under the bright lights, players in blue and orange jerseys fought hard against the odds, their breath visible in the cold arena. It was a time of hope and heartbreak, where every game felt like a battle for survival, and the dream of a championship lingered just out of reach.

Reader's Guide

The franchise began in 1970 as an expansion team, entering the NBA with high hopes but facing immediate challenges in attracting fans. Early years saw the team struggle to find consistency, often missing the playoffs while trying to build a competitive roster. His arrival brought excitement and a glimpse of potential stardom, though his tenure was short-lived due to financial constraints that led to his eventual trade. By the late 1970s, mounting losses and low attendance forced ownership to consider relocation. In 1978, the franchise moved to San Diego, becoming the San Diego Clippers and leaving behind a legacy of resilience in Buffalo.

Did You Know?

• The Braves were one of three teams added to the NBA in the 1970 expansion draft alongside the Portland Trail Blazers and Cleveland Cavaliers.
• The team never made it past the first round of the playoffs during their eight years in Buffalo.

Franchise Origins and Arena Struggles

The Buffalo Braves emerged as one of three NBA expansion teams launching in the 1970-71 season alongside Portland and Cleveland. Originally owned by a New York investment firm with little local connection, the franchise faced immediate instability before its first preseason game, leading to league intervention. Entrepreneur Paul Snyder eventually purchased the team for $4 million just prior to opening night. Their home court was the Buffalo Memorial Auditorium, which they shared with the newly formed NHL's Buffalo Sabres and Canisius College. This crowded schedule created a critical logistical bottleneck; because the Braves held third priority for dates behind the hockey team and college basketball, they were forced to play sixteen home games at Toronto's Maple Leaf Gardens between 1971 and 1975. This strategy aimed to expand their fan base into the Greater Toronto Area but highlighted the severe scheduling constraints that would eventually plague the franchise in Western New York.

Early Roster Decisions and Coaching Turmoil

The Braves' initial construction featured Hall of Famer Dolph Schayes as head coach, supported by expansion draft picks Bob Kauffman and Don May. However, a controversial decision during the 1970 NBA Draft saw Buffalo pass on local hero Calvin Murphy from Niagara University in favor of John Hummer; Murphy would later achieve Hall of Fame status while the Braves struggled. Despite this misstep, Kauffman led the team with 20.4 points per game and earned an All-Star selection during their inaugural 22-60 season. Coaching instability followed quickly, as Schayes was replaced by Johnny McCarthy just one game into the 1971-72 campaign, a year where the team repeated its dismal record. The front office continued to search for stability, eventually hiring Dr.

The Bob McAdoo Era and Playoff Success

The franchise found its identity and competitive peak after drafting forward-center Bob McAdoo from North Carolina in 1973. His arrival coincided with a historic offensive anomaly where the Braves scored an NBA-record 58 points in a single quarter against Boston, though they still lost the game. By the 1973-74 season, the team secured its first playoff berth, facing the Celtics again before falling in six games. McAdoo dominated that year with averages of 30.6 points and 15.1 rebounds, a statistical feat unmatched since. The following season, he captured the NBA Most Valuable Player Award, averaging a staggering 34.5 points and shooting efficiently from the field and free-throw line. This era marked the Braves' greatest on-court success, with consecutive playoff appearances in 1975 and 1976, establishing them as a modestly successful franchise before their eventual departure.

Financial Viability and Forced Relocation

By the mid-1970s, the Braves had achieved financial stability, drawing near-league-average attendance and generating consistent profits. However, the persistent arena scheduling conflict with the Sabres and Canisius College created an untenable situation for the NBA, which could not finalize league-wide schedules or television contracts without resolving the issue. With building a new arena financially impossible, Snyder had no choice but to sell. In 1978, owner John Y. Brown Jr. swapped the franchise with Boston Celtics owner Irv Levin, moving the team to San Diego and renaming them the Clippers, ending Buffalo's eight-year NBA history.