- 1970
- 1972
- 1978
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Buffalo Braves Team Formation
With a roster made up primarily of castoffs, the Buffalo Braves got off on the right foot by beating the Cleveland Cavilers 107-92 at Buffalo’s Historic Aud. on October 14th. However, the Braves would drop their next nine games as they took on established NBA teams on the way to finishing in the last place in the Atlantic Division with ... -
Drafted Bob McAdoo
Bob McAdoo sought and won early eligibility in the 1972 NBA draft. He was selected in the first round (second overall) by the Buffalo Braves (now the Los Angeles Clippers). McAdoo quickly became one of the NBA’s premier players. He won the 1973 NBA Rookie of the Year Award and was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team. He earned ... -
Complicated Move to San Diego
Irv Levin who owned the Celtics wanted to move the historic franchise to California. However, the NBA would not allow him to take the cornerstone franchise out of Boston. NBA Lawyer David Stern would propose a novel comprise in which Levin and Brown swapped franchise with Levin taking over the Braves and moving them to San Diego. The Braves would ...
The franchise began in Western New York as the Buffalo Braves, one of three NBA expansion franchises that began play in the 1970 – 1971 season, along with the Portland Trail Blazers and Cleveland Cavaliers. They played their home games at the Buffalo Memorial Auditorium, along with another Buffalo team that would begin play that year, the National Hockey League’s Buffalo Sabres.
Established
1970
City
Buffalo – San Diego – Los Angeles
League History
1970 – Present / National Basketball Association
Team History
1984 – Present / Los Angeles Clippers
1978 – 1984 / San Diego Clippers
1970 – 1978 / Buffalo Braves
Nickname
Braves – The Buffalo Braves were given an expansion team in 1970, and named their team after the strong history of aboriginals in the area.
Championship
NBA Championships 0
Arena
1999 – Present / Staples Center
1984 – 1999 / Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena
*San Diego*
1978 – 1984 / San Diego Sports Arena
*Buffalo*
1970 – 1978 / Buffalo Memorial Auditorium
Owner
2014 – Present / Steve Balmer
1981 – 2014 / Donald Sterling
1978 – 1981 / Irv Levin
1976 – 1978 / John Y. Brown, Jr.
1970 – 1976 / Paul Snyder
To qualify as a greatest player for this team, the player must have played one season for this team. If not, we will remove the player.
Retired Number
*Blue is this team’s history