coachhillenbrand Posted October 13, 2006 Share Posted October 13, 2006 I know this is off the subject of our beloved Bills but was just curious what people out there got to see Bob McAdoo, Randy Smith, and Ernie D play in their prime. For some strange reason, I decided to look for Buffalo Braves information and I found a website (http://www.sportsecyclopedia.com/nba/buffalo/bufbraves.html) with stats, pictures and other stuff on it. When I was growing up (7-8 years old) the Braves were my team and I only remember being able to see a couple of games on T.V. Randy Smith at one point had a consecutive games played streak and McAdoo was a BEAST. I also didn't realize that the Braves drafted Adrian Dantley out of Notre Dame. Anyway, kudos to any of you who were lucky enough to see the Braves in person and sure wish they still had a team in Buffalo. Does anyone even know why they left town to begin with? Any good stories out there about a game you saw in person that really stood out? Which one of you Bills fans were present at the last Braves game ever played in Buffalo? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coachhillenbrand Posted October 13, 2006 Author Share Posted October 13, 2006 Oops, I just went back to the website and got answers to a couple of my own questions. Still curious as to who has some inside scoop on some Buffalo Braves experiences. Great website, bring back the BRAVES! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plenzmd1 Posted October 13, 2006 Share Posted October 13, 2006 I know this is off the subject of our beloved Bills but was just curious what people out there got to see Bob McAdoo, Randy Smith, and Ernie D play in their prime.For some strange reason, I decided to look for Buffalo Braves information and I found a website (http://www.sportsecyclopedia.com/nba/buffalo/bufbraves.html) with stats, pictures and other stuff on it. When I was growing up (7-8 years old) the Braves were my team and I only remember being able to see a couple of games on T.V. Randy Smith at one point had a consecutive games played streak and McAdoo was a BEAST. I also didn't realize that the Braves drafted Adrian Dantley out of Notre Dame. Anyway, kudos to any of you who were lucky enough to see the Braves in person and sure wish they still had a team in Buffalo. Does anyone even know why they left town to begin with? Any good stories out there about a game you saw in person that really stood out? Which one of you Bills fans were present at the last Braves game ever played in Buffalo? Thanks 803353[/snapback] I may be wrong, but I seem to remember the Braves opening dau roster the year before they moved as such Tiny Arcibald point Randy Smith shooting guard Macadoo small forward Dantly Power Moses malone center Yes we had Moses Malone for all of two games I believe. John Y Brown had bought the team and wanted out of Buffalo, so he traded everyone that year, cept Tiny, who blew out his archilles first game of season. Can you imagine if they had kept that team together. Might been one of the all time best. Another blub bout that season The Braves are purchased by John Y. Brown former owner of the Kentucky Colonels in the now defunct ABA for $6.2 million. As part of an agreement with former owner Paul Snyder, Brown would give Snyder money received in player deals to reduce the purchase price. The sell off would begin shortly after the season started as the Braves sold Moses Malone who they acquired in a trade with the Portland Trailblazers after the ABA dispersal draft to the Houston Rockets, it would continue into the season as Bob McAdoo is sold to the New York Knicks. While the deals helped Brown pay virtually nothing for the franchise it turned an up and coming franchise into garbage. Attendance would fall off severally as the Braves finished in 4th place with an awful 30-52 record. The only ray of hope would come as Adrian Dantley captured Rookie of the Year honors with 20.3 ppg. However Dantley himself would be traded following the season to the Indiana Pacer for Billy Knight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RochBillsFan Posted October 13, 2006 Share Posted October 13, 2006 THAT brings back memories.... I remember going to the Aud to see Braves/Celtics playoff games when I was young. Even after all of this time, it's still a shame that they moved that team out of here. Gar Heard, Ernie D, Randy Smith, McAdoo, McMillen, Charles, Sven Nater (named his daugher Carmen Denoma...true....as in Common Denominater). Moses Malone was a Brave for 1 game Buffalo loved that team... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. K Posted October 13, 2006 Share Posted October 13, 2006 I saw the Braves beat up on the Knicks one night in the 1970s. The Braves were a great team with McAdoo, Smith, McMillian, Dantley, etc. John Y. Brown should be roasting in the lowest circle of hell for what he did to that team and its fans. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stuckincincy Posted October 13, 2006 Share Posted October 13, 2006 Some more names...Jack Marin, Elmore Smith, Bob Kaufman (he and Cowens liked to shove one another around), Marvin "Bad News" Barnes - he took a tire iron to a college teammate -, Dick Garrett, Em Bryant (he of the head band), Walt Hazzard, who changed his name to something like Machdi Abdul Rahman and changed it back when he was looking for a coaching job, the forgettable Tom McMillan, John Hummer and John Gianelli (NY Knicks stiff that was obtained in the McAdoo trade), and head coaches Dolph Shayes and Jack Ramsey. The NBA stiffed the 3 three expansion clubs (Braves, Cavs, and Portland), making them pick behind Detroit and some other team (I think). IIRC, Braves had the 1st pick among the expansion clubs, and would have gotten Bob Lanier, who went to the Pistons. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plenzmd1 Posted October 13, 2006 Share Posted October 13, 2006 I saw the Braves beat up on the Knicks one night in the 1970s. The Braves were a great team with McAdoo, Smith, McMillian, Dantley, etc. John Y. Brown should be roasting in the lowest circle of hell for what he did to that team and its fans. 803378[/snapback] But let me ask you this.... say you had a chance to buy a pro franchise for 10 million, selling players to pay off the 10 million(effectively giving you the franchise for free), then trading that franchise for the most storied franchise in the sport...you wouldn't do that? I mean I read that blurb from the website and said Holy Cow, John Y got the Celtics for NOTHING. Dam, you gotta give the guy credit for that. Granted the NBA was a trash league back then, remember the finals were shown on tape delay . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevewin Posted October 13, 2006 Share Posted October 13, 2006 God I loved the Braves. Going to the games with my Dad and my brother (sometimes even w/ my sisters and my Mom!) and sitting up in the Orange - and actually getting to go to a lot of games because they were cheap! We used to go down and watch warm-ups and watch them come out of the dressing room (and especially when we brought a friend) even get some autographs. Sometimes players from the visiting teams would just be hanging/sitting around before warmups and you could just walk up to them. One time me and a friend even had a conversation w/ Paul Snyder. Two little 10-11 year old kids just standing in the hallway having a conversation with the owner asking him how the team looked that year... I played once at haltime of a Braves game - that is quite a thrill for a 12 year old. Randy Smith was always *the man* for me and my friends. I remember the Boy's Club and elementary (and probably high school come to think of it) teams I played on we used to call "suicides" or "lines" sprints "Randy's" - it wasn't until after I moved out of WNY that it really dawned on me no one else called them that Even now when I coach youth basketball I have to catch myself sometimes from calling them that when we run them in practice. A number of years ago I was going through me and my brother's football card collection - and realized we had a bunch of Braves cards too - full team sets for a number of years. I still have my original Braves pennant hanging in my closet at home. God I loved the Braves. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beerball Posted October 13, 2006 Share Posted October 13, 2006 TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO for McAdoooooooooooooooooooooooo! Randy Smith was Michael Jordan...on defense. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buckeyebrian Posted October 13, 2006 Share Posted October 13, 2006 I may be wrong, but I seem to remember the Braves opening dau roster the year before they moved as such Tiny Arcibald point Randy Smith shooting guard Macadoo small forward Dantly Power Moses malone center Yes we had Moses Malone for all of two games I believe. John Y Brown had bought the team and wanted out of Buffalo, so he traded everyone that year, cept Tiny, who blew out his archilles first game of season. Can you imagine if they had kept that team together. Might been one of the all time best. Another blub bout that season The Braves are purchased by John Y. Brown former owner of the Kentucky Colonels in the now defunct ABA for $6.2 million. As part of an agreement with former owner Paul Snyder, Brown would give Snyder money received in player deals to reduce the purchase price. The sell off would begin shortly after the season started as the Braves sold Moses Malone who they acquired in a trade with the Portland Trailblazers after the ABA dispersal draft to the Houston Rockets, it would continue into the season as Bob McAdoo is sold to the New York Knicks. While the deals helped Brown pay virtually nothing for the franchise it turned an up and coming franchise into garbage. Attendance would fall off severally as the Braves finished in 4th place with an awful 30-52 record. The only ray of hope would come as Adrian Dantley captured Rookie of the Year honors with 20.3 ppg. However Dantley himself would be traded following the season to the Indiana Pacer for Billy Knight. 803356[/snapback] For those of you too young to remember what Brown did to the Braves and Buffalo, just think of the movie Major League. The skank owner of the Cleveland Indians tried to do just what Brown did. he sold off all the good players for cash, kept the money, turned the team into a joke and then moved it when atendence fell off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
East Brady Posted October 13, 2006 Share Posted October 13, 2006 Randy Smith drives to the basket , goes up for easy layup, is soundly rejected, ball is picked up near center court, Randy Smith is standing on baseline and starts running down court, as Abdul Jabber starts into his finally move for the easy two, all alone at the hoop, the ball is suddenly stolen back and headed the other and Randy Smith pulls up for the short jumper and swish's for two............witnessed it with my own eyes ....unreal!!!!......Randy Smith WAS THE MAN!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Posted October 13, 2006 Share Posted October 13, 2006 I remember going to the games with my Dad. Those Braves/Celtics playoff games were really exciting. I remember when I was a kid, the Bills, Sabres, and Braves were all in first place at one time during one season (I forget which year). As I recall, the Braves were popular, but never really as popular as the Bills and Sabres. I will never forget the way I felt when the Braves traded Bob McAdoo to the Knicks for essentially cash. When I was at Cornell, I remember that Snyder gave a speech in which he bragged about receiving more in cash for McAdoo than he had paid for the franchise. McAdoo is now an assistant coach for the Heat. I ran into him down here at a Costco. I talked to him about the Braves and he was very gracious. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coachhillenbrand Posted October 13, 2006 Author Share Posted October 13, 2006 I never even realized we had Moses Malone, even if it was for one game. I also never knew that we had one of the best basketball coaches of all time in Jack Ramsey. Len Elmore was a guest speaker at our Sports Banquet in high school and the reason why I never forgot that was because one of my teammates on the Varsity Basketball team forgot his shoes so he wore hi top flouresent basketball sneakers with his suit and he actually got an award for Most Improved Player. You never saw anyone run up to receive an award so fast and then return to his seat even faster........it was hilarious. It was great meeting Len Elmore that night. He was really cool and pure class. Little did I know he had played for my favorite team when I was so young. I would have loved to ask him McAdoo and Smith stories..........not to mention what his first impressions of the young kid Moses Malone were when he first came to the team. Some more names...Jack Marin, Elmore Smith, Bob Kaufman (he and Cowens liked to shove one another around), Marvin "Bad News" Barnes - he took a tire iron to a college teammate -, Dick Garrett, Em Bryant (he of the head band), Walt Hazzard, who changed his name to something like Machdi Abdul Rahman and changed it back when he was looking for a coaching job, the forgettable Tom McMillan, John Hummer and John Gianelli (NY Knicks stiff that was obtained in the McAdoo trade), and head coaches Dolph Shayes and Jack Ramsey. The NBA stiffed the 3 three expansion clubs (Braves, Cavs, and Portland), making them pick behind Detroit and some other team (I think). IIRC, Braves had the 1st pick among the expansion clubs, and would have gotten Bob Lanier, who went to the Pistons. 803382[/snapback] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelly the Dog Posted October 13, 2006 Share Posted October 13, 2006 We had Malone for two games, which he played four minutes in each game. And then John Y. Brown sold him, I think straight up for one million dollars. He wasn't yet the obvious star, I think he had just been in the ABA up until then and just a couple years out of high school. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stuckincincy Posted October 13, 2006 Share Posted October 13, 2006 We had Malone for two games, which he played four minutes in each game. And then John Y. Brown sold him, I think straight up for one million dollars. He wasn't yet the obvious star, I think he had just been in the ABA up until then and just a couple years out of high school. 803441[/snapback] Kelly, if ancient memory serves, it was quite a bit less than that. Not sure... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelly the Dog Posted October 13, 2006 Share Posted October 13, 2006 Kelly, if ancient memory serves, it was quite a bit less than that. Not sure... 803449[/snapback] All I can find on it is that they got him for a first round pick from Portland, he played the two games of a couple minutes, and then they traded him for two first round picks. I know there was some cash also in the deal, which I thought was one million, but perhaps not. Because the deal that John Y made with Paul Snyder was that Brown could pocket any cash he got from selling players. He sold (very good player) Jim MacMillan and got cash, he sold McAdoo for John Gianelli and cash. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stuckincincy Posted October 13, 2006 Share Posted October 13, 2006 All I can find on it is that they got him for a first round pick from Portland, he played the two games of a couple minutes, and then they traded him for two first round picks. I know there was some cash also in the deal, which I thought was one million, but perhaps not. Because the deal that John Y made with Paul Snyder was that Brown could pocket any cash he got from selling players. He sold (very good player) Jim MacMillan and got cash, he sold McAdoo for John Gianelli and cash. 803459[/snapback] This may well be urban legend, but the story goes that the Braves' Aud announcer (for some reason, WKBW's Danny Nevareth comes to mind) got canned for saying "That's two for McGianelli". Letting Dantley go, and then picking up Billy Knight was dumb IMO. Knight was a fair player, but AD had that nice inside game... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marv's Neighbor Posted October 13, 2006 Share Posted October 13, 2006 I really miss the Braves! I always thought they should have done more to sign BOTH Bob Lanier AND Calvin Murphy. The both played during the Randy Smith era and would have rocked the AUD if they ever played on the same team! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Albany,n.y. Posted October 13, 2006 Share Posted October 13, 2006 I saw a lot of Braves games during the 1971-2 season and a handfull thereafter. The last Braves game I saw was in 1978 when the Braves played Portland sometime around February. The Braves also had their camp at Fredonia 2 of the 4 years I was in college & we saw them come into the gym & their practices. I remember Dave Wohl sucking up to Ramsey & trying to hang with Ernie D. Freddie Hilton was the odd man out, he was not a Ramsey favorite. A friend and I asked Freddie if he was going to make it (the year he got cut) and Freddie just gave us an I don't know answer even though it was bleak. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Posted October 13, 2006 Share Posted October 13, 2006 I went to some Braves games when I was a young kid with my father. I remember Randy Smith coming to my elementary school(Gardenville) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nero47 Posted October 13, 2006 Share Posted October 13, 2006 Playoff game - Braves vs Celtics - series 3-2 celts 1:50 remaining. Braves down 10. Big Mac scores down 8, Smith steals and scores down 6. Celts miss braves score and are fouled down 3. Another score down 1. Celtics bringing ball in from side. McAdoo swoops in steals and scores. Totally awesome Braves by "one" 3 seconds left Jo jo white shot goes up rejected by McAdoo right back at Jo Jo, buzzer goes off as Jo -jo goes up to shoot again. Braves win to force game 7. Not. Referee rules ball was in the air before buzzer, shot goes in, we lose. Replays showed he never got the ball up until the buzzer and shot clock both showed no time. 1975 or 1976. We were getting screwed even back then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Posted October 13, 2006 Share Posted October 13, 2006 Playoff game - Braves vs Celtics - series 3-2 celts 1:50 remaining. Braves down 10. Big Mac scores down 8, Smith steals and scores down 6. Celts miss braves score and are fouled down 3. Another score down 1. Celtics bringing ball in from side. McAdoo swoops in steals and scores. Totally awesome Braves by "one" 3 seconds left Jo jo white shot goes up rejected by McAdoo right back at Jo Jo, buzzer goes off as Jo -jo goes up to shoot again. Braves win to force game 7. Not. Referee rules ball was in the air before buzzer, shot goes in, we lose. Replays showed he never got the ball up until the buzzer and shot clock both showed no time. 1975 or 1976. We were getting screwed even back then. 803514[/snapback] Ugh. I was there with my Dad. I could not believe it. We have never had good luck with the refs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coachhillenbrand Posted October 13, 2006 Author Share Posted October 13, 2006 You guys are awesome. I was curious about some Buffalo Braves stories but couldn't imagine they would be this good. You were all so lucky to see the Braves in person. I wish they could have kept the team in Buffalo and didn't make some of those ridiculous trades. Can you imagine a young McAdoo, Malone, Dantley, Randy Smith, etc..... on the same team? I don't care how much money was involved, when you have a chance to bring a championship to a city like Buffalo, YOU GO FOR IT! The city of Buffalo will be ROCKING IN SPRING OF 2007 WHEN THE SABRES BRING HOME THE STANLEY CUP!!! BRING BACK THE BRAVES WHILE YOUR AT IT! Playoff game - Braves vs Celtics - series 3-2 celts 1:50 remaining. Braves down 10. Big Mac scores down 8, Smith steals and scores down 6. Celts miss braves score and are fouled down 3. Another score down 1. Celtics bringing ball in from side. McAdoo swoops in steals and scores. Totally awesome Braves by "one" 3 seconds left Jo jo white shot goes up rejected by McAdoo right back at Jo Jo, buzzer goes off as Jo -jo goes up to shoot again. Braves win to force game 7. Not. Referee rules ball was in the air before buzzer, shot goes in, we lose. Replays showed he never got the ball up until the buzzer and shot clock both showed no time. 1975 or 1976. We were getting screwed even back then. 803514[/snapback] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RochBillsFan Posted October 13, 2006 Share Posted October 13, 2006 I was at that game.....it was in the Aud and it was Havlichek inbounding.... Playoff game - Braves vs Celtics - series 3-2 celts 1:50 remaining. Braves down 10. Big Mac scores down 8, Smith steals and scores down 6. Celts miss braves score and are fouled down 3. Another score down 1. Celtics bringing ball in from side. McAdoo swoops in steals and scores. Totally awesome Braves by "one" 3 seconds left Jo jo white shot goes up rejected by McAdoo right back at Jo Jo, buzzer goes off as Jo -jo goes up to shoot again. Braves win to force game 7. Not. Referee rules ball was in the air before buzzer, shot goes in, we lose. Replays showed he never got the ball up until the buzzer and shot clock both showed no time. 1975 or 1976. We were getting screwed even back then. 803514[/snapback] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bdelma Posted October 14, 2006 Share Posted October 14, 2006 I spoke with Randy at the Buffalo airport last year, while standing in line going back to San Diego. He was cool. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChevyVanMiller Posted October 14, 2006 Share Posted October 14, 2006 I echo many of the great thoughts here about Randy Smith, Ernie D and McAdoo. Here's a strange memory that I have from the Braves days: The Braves had a Center named Swen Nater. He was a stiff but he had a strange ritual. Before each game he would lace his wedding band into his sneakers. I remember being at a game in the Reds and focusing my binoculars on his sneakers and sure enough there was the wedding band. It didn't make him a better player, but it did make him a good husband. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keepthefaith Posted October 14, 2006 Share Posted October 14, 2006 I echo many of the great thoughts here about Randy Smith, Ernie D and McAdoo. Here's a strange memory that I have from the Braves days: The Braves had a Center named Swen Nater. He was a stiff but he had a strange ritual. Before each game he would lace his wedding band into his sneakers. I remember being at a game in the Reds and focusing my binoculars on his sneakers and sure enough there was the wedding band. It didn't make him a better player, but it did make him a good husband. 803990[/snapback] The Braves franchise did survive in some fashion after sold and I believe became the franchise known as the LA Clippers in a very indirect route. Braves went to conference finals one year against the 76ers I think and gave them everything they could handle. Starting 5 was McAdoo, Garfield Heard, Jim MacMillan, Ernie D and Randy Smith as I recall. That was a great team for a couple years and Jack Ramsey was a terrific coach. I once sat at the broadcast table next to Van Miller for a half of a game. Had the opportunity as my Dad's company was a radio advertiser on WBEN Radio back then and they did this for advertisers from time to time. I was 12 years old and Van gave me a meaningless job of tracking commercials after they were aired to make sure that each sponsor's ad was run in the correct sequence. Of couse I had no cotrol over the ads that were running. That seat was at the right end of the player's bench and I met several of the players during the pregame and held of few sweaty towels during the first half. A great experience then. Really missed the team after they left town. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buddyboy Posted October 15, 2006 Share Posted October 15, 2006 Long time lurker whom seldom posts. There are some very nice memories of the Braves being shared here. Names I haven't thought of for some time. The Braves team that played Philly was my favorite group of Braves and Ramsey our best coach. John Y. Brown was not one of my favorite people back then. It was painful to watch the dismantling of a once promising franchise. We had some very good teams and great players. My two older brothers bought season tickets, first row, center court orange, great seats. Attendance wasn't the reason the Braves moved. Games were well attended by supportative fans. My brothers were 16 + 19 old students at the time so it was affordable too. I'm glad I had the chance to see Walt Frasier, Havlichek, McAdoo, Dr. J, West, Chamberlin before the Braves were sold off. Whenever I hear the phrase "Greed is Good" it makes me think of John Y. Brown. I would have loved to have seen Jordan, Bird, Johnson, etc. in Buffalo. College is the only basketball I watch now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billfan63 Posted October 15, 2006 Share Posted October 15, 2006 God, thanks for opening old memories, I remember getting into the aud and working our way to the court level seats, Seeing Karrem, Big O and the Bucks, the Pistol, Connie Hawkins, the Aud was alive. The city was screwed when that team left, Buffalo loved the Braves. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lori Posted October 15, 2006 Share Posted October 15, 2006 All I can find on it is that they got him for a first round pick from Portland, he played the two games of a couple minutes, and then they traded him for two first round picks. I know there was some cash also in the deal, which I thought was one million, but perhaps not. Because the deal that John Y made with Paul Snyder was that Brown could pocket any cash he got from selling players. He sold (very good player) Jim MacMillan and got cash, he sold McAdoo for John Gianelli and cash. John freakin' Gianelli. My stepdad had seasons as well, and I think he STILL hasn't forgiven Snyder and Brown. The official reason given for moving Malone? He wasn't good enough to make the team. Yeah, riiiiiiight. I really miss the Braves! I always thought they should have done more to sign BOTH Bob Lanier AND Calvin Murphy. The both played during the Randy Smith era and would have rocked the AUD if they ever played on the same team! I don't believe the Pistons ever let Bona Bob hit free agency. The Braves were already in California by the time he got sick of Dickie V's losing tenure in Detroit and requested a trade during the 79-80 season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HBSS151 Posted October 15, 2006 Share Posted October 15, 2006 I echo many of the great thoughts here about Randy Smith, Ernie D and McAdoo. Here's a strange memory that I have from the Braves days: The Braves had a Center named Swen Nater. He was a stiff but he had a strange ritual. Before each game he would lace his wedding band into his sneakers. I remember being at a game in the Reds and focusing my binoculars on his sneakers and sure enough there was the wedding band. It didn't make him a better player, but it did make him a good husband. 803990[/snapback] One of the old photoes I still have is the "giant" Swen Nater carrying in his arms Nate "Tiny" Archibald off the court after Nate blew out his knee.. It looks like one of us holding a small child Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HBSS151 Posted October 15, 2006 Share Posted October 15, 2006 I was at that game.....it was in the Aud and it was Havlichek inbounding.... 803551[/snapback] Two words: Darrel Garrelston Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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