Commentary: Memorializing the Buffalo Braves

By John Howell

Buffalo, NY – The Buffalo Braves of the NBA spent only eight seasons in Buffalo, from 1970-78. When I think of everything the Braves accomplished while in Buffalo, the legends who wore the Braves jersey, and how much the team meant to their fans, it is amazing that so much was achieved in so little time, and even more amazing that after so much time, the emotional connection of fans to the Braves is more passionate than ever.

There are no less than four separate groups on Facebook devoted to the Buffalo Braves. Two of them are dedicated to bringing the franchise back to Buffalo. There is also a Braves fans group on Linked In.

How do we explain such enduring passion for a team that has been gone for 31 years? My theory is that the Braves embodied the Buffalo experience more than any other team that has represented the Queen City. In the sense that Buffalo is often underestimated and underappreciated as a great American city, the Braves were Buffalo's major league stepchild.

Having been established by expansion the same year the Sabres launched, the Braves had to compete with their hockey counterparts for attendance. The Sabres, having been organized earlier the same year, had locked down the best home dates, leaving the Braves to take what was left not only by the Sabres but by Canisius College basketball, who had grandfathered rights to Saturday night games in the old Aud. In spite of this, the Braves built a loyal, passionate following. Attendance was significantly less than the Sabres, who often sold out, even in those days, but within the norm for the NBA in the pre-Michael Jordan era.

And despite their stepchild status in Buffalo and their expansion status in the NBA, by their fourth year, the Braves were contending in their division, making a strong showing in the playoffs and showing a real potential to advance.

Led by Hall of Famer, Rookie of the Year and Three Time NBA scoring champ Bob McAdoo, the late Randy Smith, All-Star MVP in 1978 and NBA Iron Man, two other Rookies of the Year Ernie Degregorio and Adrian Dantley, the Braves enjoyed three consecutive playoff years, with as many as 49 wins in their best year.

Despite eventually being sold for cash to New York by Braves owner Paul Snyder near the end of his management, Bob McAdoo chose to enter the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame as a Brave. That says everything that needs to be said about McAdoo and the Braves in Buffalo.

The bottom line is that although their time in Buffalo was short, the Braves made an impact on fans and players alike and on the community. So why is there nothing in the HSBC Arena to commemorate Buffalo's NBA years? That's a very good question.

Hopefully it will be a closed question in the near future. There is a movement afoot to raise a Braves banner at HSBC that also retires McAdoo's and Randy Smith's numbers. Conversations are under way between a Buffalo group and the NBA to retire the numbers, and with the HSBC Arena to hang the banner.

If you agree the Braves deserve a banner, you can help by contacting HSBC management, Sabres management, and the mayor's office, and urge them to give the Braves their due.