1973–74 Buffalo Braves season
Head coachJack Ramsay
Owner(s)Paul Snyder
ArenaBuffalo Memorial Auditorium
Maple Leaf Gardens
Results
Record42–40 (.512)
PlaceDivision: 3rd (Atlantic)
Conference: 4th (Eastern)
Playoff finishEast Conference semifinals
(lost to Celtics 2–4)
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
TelevisionWBEN-TV
RadioWBEN
(Van Miller, Rudy Martzke)

The 1973–74 Buffalo Braves season was the fourth season for the expansion Buffalo Braves franchise in the National Basketball Association and its Atlantic Division. It was the team's second season under head coach Jack Ramsay.[1] The team's official home arena was Buffalo Memorial Auditorium.

Bob McAdoo, who finished second in the NBA MVP Award voting, led the league in scoring; Ernie DiGregorio, who won the NBA Rookie of the Year Award, led the league in assists and free throw percentage, and every starter on the team was among the league's top ten in at least one statistical category.

The team finished third in the Atlantic Division and fourth in the Eastern Conference. After three consecutive 60-loss seasons, the team made the NBA playoffs for the first time and became the youngest team to have ever done so in terms of average player age. They lost in the first round of the playoffs to the eventual champions, the Boston Celtics.

Draft picks

Round Pick Player Position Nationality College
13Ernie DiGregorioGuard United StatesProvidence College
338Ken CharlesGuard Trinidad & TobagoFordham University
454Doug LittleForward United StatesOregon
572Randy NollForward United StatesMarshall
688Mike MacalusoForward United StatesCanisius College
7106Tim BassettForward United StatesGeorgia
8122Carl JacksonGuard United StatesSt. Bonaventure
9140Bob FullertonCenter United StatesXavier
10153Nick ConnorForward United StatesIllinois
11168Mike LeeGuard United StatesSyracuse
12176Aaron CovingtonGuard United StatesCanisius College
13184Bob VartanianGuard United StatesBuffalo
14190Ron GilliamGuard United StatesSUNY Brockport
15195John FraleyForward United StatesGeorgia
16200John GreenForward United StatesOregon
17204Jim GarvinForward United StatesBoston University
18207Don JohnstonForward United StatesNorth Carolina
19209Ron ThornsonForward United StatesBritish Columbia
20211Phil TollestrupForward United StatesBrigham Young

Roster

Buffalo Braves 1973-74 roster
PlayersCoaches
Pos.#Nat.NameHt.Wt.From
G 14 Trinidad and Tobago Charles, Ken 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 180 lb (82 kg) Fordham
G 15 United States DiGregorio, Ernie 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 180 lb (82 kg) Providence
F 30 United States Garvin, Jim 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 200 lb (91 kg) Boston University
G 4 United States Guokas, Matt 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 195 lb (88 kg) Saint Joseph's
F 24 United States Heard, Gar 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 220 lb (100 kg) Oklahoma
F 44 United States Kauffman, Bob 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 240 lb (109 kg) Guilford
C 43 United States Kunnert, Kevin 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 230 lb (104 kg) Iowa
F 21 United States Macaluso, Mike 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 210 lb (95 kg) Canisius
F 42 United States Marin, Jack 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 210 lb (95 kg) Duke
C 11 United States McAdoo, Bob 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 210 lb (95 kg) North Carolina
F 5 United States McMillian, Jim 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 220 lb (100 kg) Columbia
C 22 United States Ruffner, Paul 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 225 lb (102 kg) BYU
G 9 United States Smith, Randy 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 185 lb (84 kg) Buffalo State
G 3 United States Winfield, Lee 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 174 lb (79 kg) North Texas
G 13 United States Wohl, Dave 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 185 lb (84 kg) Penn
Head coach
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured Injured

Roster Notes

Regular season

The Braves played most of their home games in the Buffalo Memorial Auditorium (dark rimmed building in front of the HSBC Arena, pictured in 2007).

McAdoo had an outstanding second season and led the league in scoring with 30.6 ppg.[2][3] The Braves led the league in team scoring (111.60) but were last in team defense (111.8).[4] They totaled 427,270 in attendance in their 41 home games, ranking them 4th of 17 teams.[4] The Braves played several home games at the Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto, in order to expand their fan base into Canada.[2] This season was the first of three consecutive scoring titles for McAdoo.[3] McAdoo also posted 15.1 rebounds per game and 3.3 blocked shots per game, which were each third in the league.[3] It was the most recent time that one player averaged both 30 points and 15 rebounds in the same NBA season.[5][6] In addition to McAdoo, the Braves were led by Ernie DiGregorio, who became the second straight Brave (following McAdoo) to capture NBA Rookie of the Year honors by leading the league in assists with 8.2 per game.[2] 1974 NBA Rookie of the Year DiGregorio earned the first of two NBA free throw percentage championships (90.2%) and led the NBA in assists (8.2).[7] That season DiGregorio set the NBA single-game rookie assists record (25), which still stands as unbroken (tied by Nate McMillan).[8] Jim McMillan would finish fifth in the NBA in minutes played (3322) and tenth in free throw percentage (85.8%).[9] He also finished second on the Braves in scoring (18.6).[10] Heard went on to rank in the top ten in rebounds (11.7, 10th) and blocked shots (2.8, 6th) that season.[11] Randy Smith, who was third on the team in scoring with a 15.5 average,[10] finished third in the league in steals (2.5/game).[12]

October–November

In his October 9, 1973 NBA debut against the Houston Rockets, Ernie DiGregorio had 14 assists.[13] DiGregrorio had 17 points but it was a 25-foot basket with two seconds left in overtime by McAdoo, who had 31 points and 21 rebounds, that earned the Braves a 107–105 victory.[14][15] An October 30 victory over the Seattle SuperSonics gave the Braves a half game lead over the Celtics in the Atlantic Division with a 6–4 record.[16] The Braves only won one of their next nine games.[4] It came on November 14 when McAdoo set the franchise single game rebound record with 28 against the Atlanta Hawks. That night, he also scored 31 points for the fourth game in a row.[17] Two weeks later on November 28, the Braves lost when Pete Maravich, who entered the game in the second quarter and posted 42 points off the bench, led the Atlanta Hawks over the Braves by 130–106.[18]

December–January

The Braves' December 12 game against the Celtics was played in Providence, Rhode Island, making it a homecoming game for DiGregorio, the former Providence Friar. The Braves lost for the 20th consecutive time to the Celtics that night.[19] Following a December 30 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, the Braves fell to a 16–22 record at the end of 1973 but began the New Year with a season high seven-game winning streak.[4] Heard set a career high with 22 rebounds in game five of the streak on January 8.[20] The fifth game of the streak set a new franchise record for consecutive wins and gave the team 21 wins, which matched their total of the prior season.[21][22] The resulting 23–22 record following the January 12 victory over the Capital Bullets gave them their first winning record since their 6–5 start.[4] McAdoo, who would go on to finish second in the NBA Most Valuable Player Award balloting, represented the team in the January 15, 1974 NBA All-Star Game.[3] By the end of the month the Braves had fallen back to a 26–29 record.[4]

February–March

On February 1, the Braves traded Kunnert and Wohl to the Rockets for Goukas and Marin.[23][24] The team then went 10–5 in February.[4] On February 27, the Braves earned their first victory over the Boston Celtics after 22 defeats.[25] By late February, the team had the top scoring offense in the league.[26] They clinched their first playoff experience in a victory at a home game held at Toronto's Maple Leaf Gardens against the Portland Trail Blazers as McAdoo again had 28 rebounds as well as 29 points.[27][28] The clinching game on March 10 was the Braves 74th game.[10] The team reached five games over .500 three times following their 40th, 41st and 42nd wins but lost the last three games of a five-game western road trip to conclude the season at 42–40.[4] The team made the playoffs by finishing in 3rd place in the Atlantic Division.[2]

Season standings

Atlantic Division
 W L PCT GB Home Road Neutral Div
y-Boston Celtics 5626.683–26–621–189–217–5
x-New York Knicks 4933.598728–1321–190–110–12
x-Buffalo Braves 4240.5121419–1317–216–612–10
Philadelphia 76ers 2557.3053114–239–302–45–17
#
Eastern Conference
Team W L PCT GB
1 z-Boston Celtics5626.683–
2 x-New York Knicks4933.5987
3 y-Capital Bullets4735.5739
4 x-Buffalo Braves4240.51214
5 Atlanta Hawks3547.42721
6 Houston Rockets3250.39024
7 Cleveland Cavaliers2953.35427
8 Philadelphia 76ers2557.30531

Record vs. opponents

1973-74 NBA Records
Team ATL BOS BUF CAP CHI CLE DET GSW HOU KCO LAL MIL NYK PHI PHO POR SEA
Atlanta —1–52–44–41–34–30–41–35–21–34–01–31–53–31–32–24–0
Boston 5–1—5–22–42–24–23–13–14–23–12–22–25–27–13–14–02–2
Buffalo 4–22–5—3–31–35–11–31–34–22–20–41–34–46–13–13–12–2
Capital 4–44–23–3—1–36–12–23–14–33–12–21–33–34–22–23–12–2
Chicago 3–12–23–13–1—4–05–24–24–05–21–53–32–23–14–24–24–2
Cleveland 3–42–41–51–60–4—2–20–44–40–43–10–41–55–11–34–02–2
Detroit 4–01–33–12–22–52–2—5–13–14–24–23–41–32–26–05–15–1
Golden State 3–11–33–11–32–44–01–5—4–03–34–23–31–33–15–23–43–3
Houston 2–52–42–43–40–44–41–30–4—2–22–20–44–24–22–23–11–3
Kansas City-Omaha 3–11–32–21–32–54–02–43–32–2—1–50–71–31–34–24–22–4
Los Angeles 0–42–24–02–25–11–32–42–42–25–1—4–22–24–04–24–34–3
Milwaukee 3–12–23–13–13–34–04–33–34–07–02–4—2–24–05–16–04–2
New York 5–12–54–43–32–25–13–13–12–43–12–22–2—4–33–12–24–0
Philadelphia 3–31–71–62–41–31–52–21–32–43–10–40–43–4—3–12–20–4
Phoenix 3–11–31–32–22–43–10–62–52–22–42–41–51–31–3—3–34–3
Portland 2–20–41–31–32–40–41–54–31–32–43–40–62–22–23–3—3–3
Seattle 0–42–22–22–22–42–21–53–33–14–23–42–40–44–03–43–3—

Season schedule

1973–74 game log
October: 6–4 (home: 4–1; road: 2–3)
GameDateTeamScoreRecordStreak
1October 9Houston Rockets107–105 (OT)1–0Win 1
2October 12@ Boston Celtics112–1181–1Loss 1
3October 13Los Angeles Lakers122–1251–2Loss 2
4October 16@ New York Knicks91–1171–3Loss 3
5October 20Philadelphia 76ers116–1102–3Win 1
6October 24@ Milwaukee Bucks113–1302–4Loss 1
7October 26Cleveland Cavaliers (at Toronto, Canada)104–973–4Win 1
8October 27@ Cleveland Cavaliers111–1014–4Win 2
9October 28@ Kansas City-Omaha Kings112–1005–4Win 3
10October 30Seattle SuperSonics105–1036–4Win 4
November: 4–11 (home: 3–5; road: 1–6)
GameDateTeamScoreRecordStreak
11November 2@ Chicago Bulls97–1076–5Loss 1
12November 3Golden State Warriors121–124 (OT)6–6Loss 2
13November 4Chicago Bulls (at Toronto, Canada)95–101 (OT)6–7Loss 3
14November 7@ Seattle SuperSonics113–1306–8Loss 4
15November 9@ Portland Trail Blazers108–1226–9Loss 5
16November 10@ Golden State Warriors105–1286–10Loss 6
17November 13Atlanta Hawks121–1147–10Win 1
18November 15@ New York Knicks86–977–11Loss 1
19November 17Detroit Pistons94–987–12Loss 2
20November 18@ Capital Bullets112–1018–12Win 1
21November 20Phoenix Suns127–1009–12Win 2
22November 24Kansas City-Omaha Kings143–13110–12Win 3
23November 27Milwaukee Bucks110–11510–13Loss 1
24November 28@ Atlanta Hawks106–13010–14Loss 2
25November 30Capital Bullets113–12110–15Loss 3
December: 6–7 (home: 3–5; road: 3–2)
GameDateTeamScoreRecordStreak
26December 5Portland Trail Blazers114–11011–15Win 1
27December 7New York Knicks108–11311–16Loss 1
28December 9Boston Celtics (at Toronto, Canada)114–11811–17Loss 2
29December 11@ Atlanta Hawks132–127 (OT)12–17Win 1
30December 12Boston Celtics (at Providence, RI)119–12612–18Loss 1
31December 14@ Cleveland Cavaliers102–9813–18Win 1
32December 18Cleveland Cavaliers100–9314–18Win 2
33December 21New York Knicks117–11515–18Win 3
34December 22@ Kansas City-Omaha Kings112–12215–19Loss 1
35December 23Capital Bullets (at Toronto, Canada)85–11015–20Loss 2
36December 26Boston Celtics123–12515–21Loss 3
37December 29@ Phoenix Suns120–10816–21Win 1
38December 30@ Los Angeles Lakers105–10816–22Loss 1
January: 10–7 (home: 5–4; road: 5–3)
GameDateTeamScoreRecordStreak
39January 1@ Portland Trail Blazers120–11917–22Win 1
40January 2@ Seattle SuperSonics115–11118–22Win 2
41January 5@ New York Knicks111–11019–22Win 3
42January 6Atlanta Hawks (at Toronto, Canada)117–10920–22Win 4
43January 8Atlanta Hawks100–9621–22Win 5
44January 11Houston Rockets117–9922–22Win 6
45January 12@ Capital Bullets97–9623–22Win 7
46January 13Houston Rockets (at Toronto, Canada)112–12123–23Loss 1
47January 18Capital Bullets98–9424–23Win 1
48January 20@ Philadelphia 76ers112–12924–24Loss 1
49January 22Philadelphia 76ers119–10925–24Win 1
50January 23Milwaukee Bucks (at Madison, WI)88–11425–25Loss 1
51January 25Kansas City-Omaha Kings113–11825–26Loss 2
52January 26@ Atlanta Hawks122–13225–27Loss 3
53January 27@ Houston Rockets122–10826–27Win 1
54January 29Golden State Warriors121–12826–28Loss 1
55January 30@ Detroit Pistons96–11126–29Loss 2
February: 9–6 (home: 6–3; road: 3–2)
GameDateTeamScoreRecordStreak
56February 3Philadelphia 76ers (at Toronto, Canada)112–9827–29Win 1
57February 6@ Philadelphia 76ers114–9828–29Win 2
58February 8Chicago Bulls106–10129–29Win 3
59February 9@ New York Knicks103–100 (OT)30–29Win 4
60February 10@ Cleveland Cavaliers121–12530–30Loss 1
61February 12New York Knicks93–10030–31Loss 2
62February 13@ Philadelphia 76ers129–10631–31Win 1
63February 15Detroit Pistons118–11632–31Win 2
64February 16@ Capital Bullets92–10132–32Loss 1
65February 17@ Houston Rockets135–11833–32Win 1
66February 19Milwaukee Bucks145–10934–32Win 2
67February 21New York Knicks (at Toronto, Canada)119–9735–32Win 3
68February 22Boston Celtics109–11635–33Loss 1
69February 26Los Angeles Lakers112–11935–34Loss 2
70February 27Boston Celtics (at Providence, RI)122–10436–34Win 1
March: 6–6 (home: 4–1; road: 2–5)
GameDateTeamScoreRecordStreak
71March 1Boston Celtics110–9437–34Win 2
72March 2@ Philadelphia 76ers103–9938–34Win 3
73March 8Seattle SuperSonics117–123 (OT)38–35Loss 1
74March 10Portland Trail Blazers (at Toronto, Canada)122–11239–35Win 1
75March 12Phoenix Suns124–9440–35Win 2
76March 15@ Chicago Bulls97–11440–36Loss 1
77March 16Cleveland Cavaliers114–10541–36Win 1
78March 17@ Detroit Pistons109–11641–37Loss 1
79March 21@ Golden State Warriors115–10242–37Win 1
80March 22@ Phoenix Suns119–12642–38Loss 1
81March 24@ Los Angeles Lakers124–15042–39Loss 2
82March 26@ Houston Rockets96–11942–40Loss 3
Source: www.basketball-reference.com

Playoffs

In the 1974 NBA Playoffs the Braves were matched up against the Boston Celtics. The Celtics had won 22 of 24 matches between the teams. However, the Braves had won the most recent two matches after 22 straight defeats, including 5 earlier that season.[29] Through four games, the series was even at two games apiece. However the Celtics would pull away with two more wins to take the series in six games.[2] With rookie DiGregorio and 2nd year McAdoo leading the way, the team became the youngest NBA playoff team (24.42, using data going back to 1952) based on average age weighted by minutes played. The 1977–78 Milwaukee Bucks (23.82) would surpass this record.[30] The Celtics went on to win the NBA championship in the 1974 NBA Finals.[2]

In game 1, the Braves lost a 17-point lead as Dave Cowens led a fourth quarter rally despite five personal fouls.[31][32] In game 2, the Braves evened the series 1–1 with a 115–105 victory despite balanced scoring by the Celtics who had three 20-point scorers: Jo Jo White had 27, Don Nelson had 21 and John Havlicek had 20. McAdoo had 23 and DiGregorio had 18 for Buffalo.[33] The Braves led most of game 2 and held on for the victory.[34] In game 3, the Celtics scored 39 first quarter points on their way to a 120–107 victory. Havlicek had 43 points (26 in the first half), and Cowens added 23 (17 in the first half).[35] The Braves recovered from an early fourth quarter 10-point deficit to win game 4 104–102.[36] The game had a frenetic final 15 seconds as McMillian lost the ball on a drive resulting in a game-tying fast break by the Celtics. Then when a McAdoo shot rolled off the rim, McMillian tipped the ball in as time expired for the victory. The Braves had rallied from an 84–74 deficit to tie the score at 98 largely on the performance of McAdoo.[37] In the game the lead changed hands 9 times, and the Braves outrebounded the Celtics 62–38, including 20–3 offensive rebounds (11 by McMillian).[38] The Celtics won game 5 by a 100–97 margin.[39] Although McAdoo was held to 16 points on the night, the Braves led 89–85 with four minutes left.[40] The Celtics won game 6 of the series when White sank two free throws after time expired in regulation play for a 106–104 victory.[41] McAdoo had tied the score at 104 with 7 seconds left, but he fouled White at midcourt.[42]

In the playoffs, Heard bettered his regular season 15.3 points and 11.7 rebounds averages with 16.8 points and 14.7 rebounds.[11] Likewise, McAdoo contributed 31.7 points and 13.7 rebounds.[3] McMillian contributed 14.5 points and 8.8 rebounds.[9] Following the season the team lost Bob Kauffman to the New Orleans Jazz in the May 20, 1974 NBA Expansion Draft.[43]

Playoff Schedule

1974 playoff game log
Conference semifinals: 2–4 (home: 2–1; road: 0–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Series
1 March 30 @ Boston L 97–107 Bob McAdoo (29) Gar Heard (20) Ernie DiGregorio (8) Boston Garden
14,300		 0–1
2 April 2 Boston W 115–105 Bob McAdoo (23) Bob McAdoo (20) Ernie DiGregorio (12) Buffalo Memorial Auditorium
17,507		 1–1
3 April 3 @ Boston L 107–120 Bob McAdoo (38) Gar Heard (13) Ernie DiGregorio (8) Boston Garden
14,656		 1–2
4 April 6 Boston W 104–102 Bob McAdoo (44) Jim McMillian (18) Ernie DiGregorio (11) Buffalo Memorial Auditorium
18,119		 2–2
5 April 9 @ Boston L 97–100 Randy Smith (25) Gar Heard (16) Ernie DiGregorio (4) Boston Garden
15,320		 2–3
6 April 12 Boston L 104–106 Bob McAdoo (40) McAdoo, Heard (15) Ernie DiGregorio (9) Buffalo Memorial Auditorium
18,257		 2–4
1974 schedule

Source: www.basketball-reference.com

Player stats

Legend
GP Games played MPG Minutes per game FG Field-goals per game FGA Field-goals attempted per Game
FG% Field-goal percentage FT Free-throws per game FTA Free-throws attempted per Game FT% Free-throw percentage
ORPG Offensive rebounds per game DRPG Defensive rebounds per game RPG Rebounds per game APG Assists per game
SPG Steals per game BPG Blocks per game PFPG Personal fouls per game PPG Points per game
Player GP MPG FG FGA FG% FT FTA FT% ORPG DRPG RPG APG SPG BPG PFPG PPG
Bob McAdoo744312.222.30.5476.27.80.7933.811.315.12.31.23.33.430.6
Jim McMillian8240.57.314.80.49444.60.8582.64.87.43.11.60.32.318.6
Randy Smith8233.56.513.20.4922.53.50.7121.12.83.84.72.503.215.5
Gar Heard8135.76.514.90.4352.43.60.653.38.411.72.21.72.83.715.3
Ernie DiGregorio8135.96.515.60.4212.12.40.9020.62.12.78.20.70.1315.2
Jack Marin2725.25.49.90.5452.630.8771.13.44.51.70.90.73.413.4
Bob Kauffman7417.62.34.90.4671.420.7131.33.14.41.90.50.22.16.1
Matt Guokas2720.32.34.10.5550.40.70.50.411.52.60.70.22.14.9
Dave Wohl4114.81.53.70.411.50.70.20.50.73.10.801.84
Ken Charles5911.71.53.10.4760.91.30.6710.40.71.10.90.50.21.53.9
Lee Winfield361212.90.3520.91.40.6350.50.71.21.30.40.11.23
Kevin Kunnert398.71.32.60.4850.30.40.6881.11.62.70.60.10.62.12.8
Mike Macaluso303.70.61.50.4320.30.60.5880.30.50.80.10.2011.6
Paul Ruffner202.60.61.40.4070.40.70.6150.20.40.600.10.10.51.5
Jim Garvin61.80.20.70.25000.20.70.80000.20.3

Awards and honors

Transactions

Prior to this season the Braves had lost 60 games or more each year and failed to make the NBA playoffs.[44] Over the course of the season, the team made a series of player transactions that were part of the résumé that earned Buffalo Braves General Manager Eddie Donovan the NBA Executive of the Year Award and put the team into the playoffs for the first time.[45] Donovan's season bolstered his reputation as a wheeler and dealer.[46]

The Braves drafted four players in the 1973 NBA draft who played for the team during the 1973–74 season: DiGregorio, Ken Charles, Mike Macaluso, and Jim Garvin.[47] In addition, the team made two free agent signings. On September 11, 1973, the team signed Paul Ruffner.[48] On September 17, 1973, the team waived Dick Garrett and Bill Hewitt.[49][50] The other members of the 1972–73 team who were not traded or waived and did not play on the 1973–74 team were Howard Komives, Fred Hilton and Harold Fox.[51][52][53] On November 24, 1973, the Braves waived Garvin.[54] On November 27, 1973, the team signed Lee Winfield.[55]

Prior to the 1973–74 NBA season, Gar Heard and Kevin Kunnert were traded from the Chicago Bulls to the Buffalo Braves for John Hummer, a 1974 NBA draft 2nd round pick and a 1975 NBA draft 2nd round pick.[11] Also before the season, the Braves also traded Elmore Smith to the Los Angeles Lakers for Jim McMillian.[2][56] The trade of Smith, who had been the team's leading scorer and rebounder the prior year,[57] was controversial at first.[2] Other trades during the season included the February 1, 1974, trade of Kunnert and Dave Wohl for Matt Guokas and 1973 NBA All-Star Jack Marin.[23]

The Braves were involved in the following transactions during the 1973–74 season.

Trades

September 10, 1973 To Buffalo Braves
 To Chicago Bulls
September 12, 1973 To Buffalo Braves
 To Los Angeles Lakers
February 1, 1974 To Buffalo Braves
 To Houston Rockets

Free agents

References

  1. ↑ "Jack Ramsay". Basketball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on March 24, 2010. Retrieved April 19, 2010.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Buffalo Braves (1970–1978)
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Bob McAdoo". Basketball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 19, 2010.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "1973-74 Buffalo Braves Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved June 17, 2010.
  5. ↑ "NBA & ABA Yearly Leaders and Records for Rebounds Per Game". Basketball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 19, 2010.
  6. ↑ "NBA & ABA Yearly Leaders and Records for Points Per Game". Basketball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on June 3, 2010. Retrieved April 19, 2010.
  7. 1 2 3 "Ernie DiGregorio". Basketball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 19, 2010.
  8. ↑ "Coaches: Nate McMillan". NBA Media Ventures, LLC. Archived from the original on April 28, 2010. Retrieved April 19, 2010.
  9. 1 2 "Jim McMillian". Basketball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on May 11, 2010. Retrieved April 19, 2010.
  10. 1 2 3 "1973-74 Buffalo Braves Roster and Statistics". Basketball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on March 25, 2010. Retrieved April 19, 2010.
  11. 1 2 3 "Gar Heard". Basketball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 27, 2010.
  12. ↑ "Randy Smith". Basketball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 20, 2010.
  13. 1 2 Lemire, Joe (October 27, 2008). "Grand Entrances: Who had the best first games in sports?". Sports Illustrated. 109 (16): 24. Archived from the original on March 3, 2012. Retrieved June 17, 2010.
  14. ↑ "McAdoo Hits, 107-105". Los Angeles Times. October 10, 1973. p. E4. Retrieved October 12, 2010.
  15. ↑ "Lakers Don't Think They'll Miss Wilt All That Much". The Bulletin. October 10, 1973. Retrieved October 12, 2010.
  16. ↑ Keese, Parton (October 31, 1973). "Braves Win, Take First In Division; Basketball Roundup Bucks 112, Kings 78". The New York Times. p. 54. Retrieved October 12, 2010.
  17. ↑ "Braves Snap Losing Spin Against Atlanta, 121–114". Herald-Journal. November 14, 1973. p. 5. Retrieved August 7, 2010.
  18. ↑ "Pete Maravich Takes Control, Scores 42". Reading Eagle. November 29, 1973. p. 49. Retrieved August 7, 2010.
  19. ↑ "Celts Down Braves". The Telegraph. October 13, 1973. Retrieved October 12, 2010.
  20. ↑ "Braves Down Hawks". Herald-Journal. January 9, 1974. Retrieved October 12, 2010.
  21. ↑ "McAdoo Sparks Buffalo To Fifth Straight Win". The Palm Beach Post. January 9, 1974. Retrieved October 12, 2010.
  22. ↑ "Surging Braves Roar By Hawks, 100–96". Rome News-Tribune. January 8, 1974. Retrieved October 12, 2010.
  23. 1 2 "Jack Marin". Basketball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 19, 2010.
  24. ↑ "Two Rocket Vets Traded To Buffalo". Bangor Daily News. February 1, 1974. Retrieved October 12, 2010.
  25. ↑ "Braves Win, 122-104, Now 1-22 Against Celts". Los Angeles Times. February 28, 1974. p. C4. Retrieved June 20, 2010.
  26. ↑ "Knicks' Offense Beats Buffalo Braves' Defense". Lewiston Evening Journal. February 22, 1974. Retrieved October 12, 2010.
  27. ↑ "Braves Gain Playoffs". The New York Times. March 11, 1974. p. 40. Retrieved August 7, 2010.
  28. ↑ "Buffalo moves into playoffs with victory over Blazers". The Bulletin. March 11, 1974. Retrieved August 7, 2010.
  29. ↑ Pike, Marvin R. (March 29, 1974). "Consistency Key to Win For Braves". Schenectady Gazette. Retrieved August 6, 2010.
  30. ↑ Biderman, David (April 16, 2010). "Youngest Playoff Teams". The Wall Street Journal. p. W4.
  31. ↑ "Cowens Rallies Celtics Over Braves, 107-97". Los Angeles Times. March 31, 1974. p. C5. Retrieved August 6, 2010.
  32. ↑ White, Gordon S. Jr. (March 31, 1974). "Celtics, Behind 1 7 Points, Set Back Braves, 107-97; Celtic Rally Tops Braves In Playoffs". The New York Times. p. 217. Retrieved August 6, 2010.
  33. ↑ Brown, Frank (April 1, 1974). "Surprising Braves tie Celtics at one game apiece in playoffs". Daily News. p. 22. Retrieved August 6, 2010.
  34. ↑ White, Gordon S. Jr. (April 3, 1974). "Braves Defeat Celtics; Special to The New York Times". The New York Times. p. 52. Retrieved August 6, 2010.
  35. ↑ "Celtics Romp By Braves". Daytona Beach Morning Journal. April 4, 1974. Retrieved August 7, 2010.
  36. ↑ McGowen, Deane (April 7, 1974). "Braves Top Celtics in Last Second". The New York Times. p. 219. Retrieved August 6, 2010.
  37. ↑ "Buffalo, Celts deadlocked". Tri City Herald. April 3, 1974. p. 70. Retrieved August 6, 2010.
  38. ↑ "Boston's Rebounding Needs Improvement Versus Braves". Herald-Journal. April 8, 1974. p. 21. Retrieved August 6, 2010.
  39. ↑ White, Gordon S. Jr. (April 10, 1974). "Celtics Win, Lead by 3-2 In Playoffs Bulls Take 3-2 Lead". The New York Times. p. 23. Retrieved August 6, 2010.
  40. ↑ "Cowens, Havlicek, White pace Celts past Braves". Bangor Daily News. April 10, 1974. p. 14. Retrieved August 7, 2010.
  41. ↑ White, Gordon S. Jr. (April 13, 1974). "Celtics Top Braves, Win Series, 4-2". The New York Times. p. 31. Retrieved August 6, 2010.
  42. ↑ "Celts End Buffalo Hopes". Eugene Register-Guard. April 13, 1974. Retrieved August 7, 2010.
  43. ↑ "Bob Kauffman". Basketball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 19, 2010.
  44. ↑ "Los Angeles Clippers Franchise Index". Basketball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on April 15, 2010. Retrieved April 26, 2010.
  45. ↑ "Denver's Mark Warkentien named NBA Executive of the Year". NBA.com. May 3, 2009. Archived from the original on May 5, 2009. Retrieved March 27, 2010.
  46. ↑ Goldaper, Sam (February 5, 1974). "Donovan Dealing Braves Into Playoffs". The New York Times. p. 43. Retrieved August 7, 2010.
  47. ↑ "1973 NBA Draft". Basketball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on March 25, 2010. Retrieved April 19, 2010.
  48. ↑ "Paul Ruffner". Basketball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on April 4, 2010. Retrieved April 19, 2010.
  49. ↑ "Bill Hewitt". Basketball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 19, 2010.
  50. ↑ "Dick Garrett". Basketball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on July 6, 2009. Retrieved April 19, 2010.
  51. ↑ "Howard Komives". Basketball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 19, 2010.
  52. ↑ "Fred Hilton". Basketball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 19, 2010.
  53. ↑ "Harold Fox". Basketball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 19, 2010.
  54. ↑ "James Garvin (basketball)". Basketball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved June 18, 2010.
  55. ↑ "Lee Winfield". Basketball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 19, 2010.
  56. ↑ Goldaper, Sam (September 18, 1973). "Lakers Trade McMillian For Braves' 7-1 Smith". The New York Times. p. 53. Retrieved August 7, 2010.
  57. ↑ "Braves Trade Smith To LA". Herald-Journal. September 17, 1973. Retrieved October 17, 2010.

This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.