1976–77 Buffalo Braves season
The 1976–77 NBA season was the Braves seventh season in the NBA. The Braves were purchased by John Y. Brown, Jr., the former owner of the Kentucky Colonels in the now defunct American Basketball Association for $6.2 million.[1] As part of an agreement with the Braves' former owner, Paul Snyder, Brown would give Snyder money received in player deals to reduce the purchase price.[1] The sell-off began shortly after the season, as the Braves sold newly acquired Moses Malone. Malone was acquired in a trade with the Portland Trail Blazers after the ABA dispersal draft. Malone was now off to the Houston Rockets. The selling of players continued into the season as Bob McAdoo was sold to the New York Knicks.[1] While the deals helped Brown pay virtually nothing for the franchise, it turned a promising franchise into a rebuilding one. Attendance fell off as the Braves finished in 4th place with a 30-52 record. The only spotlight was rookie Adrian Dantley, who captured Rookie of the Year honors with 20.3 points per game. However Dantley himself was traded following the season to the Indiana Pacers for Billy Knight.[1]
Offseason
ABA Dispersal Draft
The American Basketball Association joined the NBA with the ABA–NBA merger in 1976. Of the teams remaining in the ABA, four joined the NBA. The remaining two ABA teams that did not join the NBA, the Kentucky Colonels and the Spirits of St. Louis, had their players assigned to a dispersal draft for draft purposes.
Roster
Buffalo Braves 1976–77 roster |
Players | Coaches |
Pos. | # | Nat. | Name | Ht. | Wt. | From |
4.0 !F |
35 |
USA !![United States](../I/m/Flag_of_the_United_States.svg.png) |
Abdul-Aziz, Zaid |
7000205740000000000♠6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) |
235 lb (107 kg) |
|
Iowa State |
4.0 !F |
10 |
USA !![United States](../I/m/Flag_of_the_United_States.svg.png) |
Adams, Don |
7000200659999999999♠6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) |
210 lb (95 kg) |
|
Northwestern |
1.5 !G |
14 |
USA !![United States](../I/m/Flag_of_the_United_States.svg.png) |
Averitt, Bird |
7000187960000000000♠6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
175 lb (79 kg) |
|
Pepperdine |
1.5 !G |
44 |
USA !![United States](../I/m/Flag_of_the_United_States.svg.png) |
Dantley, Adrian |
7000195580000000000♠6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) |
210 lb (95 kg) |
|
Notre Dame |
1.5 !G |
15 |
USA !![United States](../I/m/Flag_of_the_United_States.svg.png) |
DiGregorio, Ernie |
7000182880000000000♠6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) |
180 lb (82 kg) |
|
Providence |
1.5 !G |
5 |
USA !![United States](../I/m/Flag_of_the_United_States.svg.png) |
Foster, Fred |
7000195580000000000♠6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) |
220 lb (100 kg) |
|
Miami (OH) |
4.0 !F |
22 |
USA !![United States](../I/m/Flag_of_the_United_States.svg.png) |
Gerard, Gus |
7000203200000000000♠6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) |
205 lb (93 kg) |
|
Virginia |
6.0 !C |
40 |
USA !![United States](../I/m/Flag_of_the_United_States.svg.png) |
Gianelli, John |
7000208279999999999♠6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) |
220 lb (100 kg) |
|
Pacific |
6.0 !C |
52 |
USA !![United States](../I/m/Flag_of_the_United_States.svg.png) |
Johnson, George |
7000210820000000000♠6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) |
205 lb (93 kg) |
|
Dillard University |
6.0 !C |
22 |
USA !![United States](../I/m/Flag_of_the_United_States.svg.png) |
Malone, Moses |
7000208279999999999♠6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) |
255 lb (116 kg) |
|
Petersburg H.S. |
4.0 !F |
22 |
USA !![United States](../I/m/Flag_of_the_United_States.svg.png) |
Mayes, Clyde |
7000205740000000000♠6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) |
225 lb (102 kg) |
|
Furman University |
6.0 !C |
11 |
USA !![United States](../I/m/Flag_of_the_United_States.svg.png) |
McAdoo, Bob |
7000205740000000000♠6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) |
210 lb (95 kg) |
|
North Carolina |
6.0 !C |
52 |
USA !![United States](../I/m/Flag_of_the_United_States.svg.png) |
McMillen, Tom |
7000210820000000000♠6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) |
215 lb (98 kg) |
|
Maryland |
1.5 !G |
21 |
USA !![United States](../I/m/Flag_of_the_United_States.svg.png) |
Neumann, John |
7000198120000000000♠6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) |
200 lb (91 kg) |
|
Mississippi |
1.5 !G |
25 |
USA !![United States](../I/m/Flag_of_the_United_States.svg.png) |
Price, Jim |
7000190500000000000♠6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) |
195 lb (88 kg) |
|
Louisville |
4.0 !F |
34 |
USA !![United States](../I/m/Flag_of_the_United_States.svg.png) |
Shumate, John |
7000205740000000000♠6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) |
235 lb (107 kg) |
|
Notre Dame |
1.5 !G |
9 |
USA !![United States](../I/m/Flag_of_the_United_States.svg.png) |
Smith, Randy |
7000190500000000000♠6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) |
185 lb (84 kg) |
|
Buffalo State |
1.5 !G |
12 |
USA !![United States](../I/m/Flag_of_the_United_States.svg.png) |
Terry, Claude |
7000195580000000000♠6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) |
195 lb (88 kg) |
|
Stanford |
1.5 !G |
11 |
USA !![United States](../I/m/Flag_of_the_United_States.svg.png) |
Williams, Chuck |
7000190500000000000♠6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) |
185 lb (84 kg) |
|
Colorado |
|
- Head coach
- Legend
- (C) Team captain
- (DP) Unsigned draft pick
- (FA) Free agent
- (S) Suspended
Injured
|
Regular season
Season standings
[2]
Record vs. opponents
1976–77 NBA Records |
Team |
ATL |
BOS |
BUF |
CHI |
CLE |
DEN |
DET |
GSW |
HOU |
IND |
KCK |
LAL |
MIL |
NOJ |
NYK |
NYN |
PHI |
PHO |
POR |
SAS |
SEA |
WAS |
Atlanta |
— | 0–4 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 1–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 1–2 | 1–3 |
Boston |
4–0 | — | 3–1 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–2 | 3–1 | 2–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 0–4 |
Buffalo |
0–4 | 1–3 | — | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 0–3 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 0–3 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 3–1 | 0–4 |
Chicago |
2–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | — | 3–1 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 2–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 1–2 |
Cleveland |
2–2 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 1–3 | — | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 2–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–3 |
Denver |
2–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 2–2 | — | 3–1 | 2–2 | 3–0 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 1–2 | 4–0 | 2–2 |
Detroit |
4–0 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–3 | — | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 1–2 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 |
Golden State |
4–0 | 3–1 | 3–0 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–3 | — | 2–1 | 4–0 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 3–1 |
Houston |
3–1 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 0–3 | 2–2 | 1–2 | — | 4–0 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 3–1 |
Indiana |
4–0 | 2–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 1–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 0–4 | — | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 0–4 |
Kansas City |
2–1 | 1–3 | 3–0 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | — | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 4–0 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 2–2 |
Los Angeles |
2–2 | 1–2 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 3–1 | — | 3–1 | 3–0 | 1–3 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 4–0 |
Milwaukee |
2–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–3 | — | 1–2 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 1–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 1–3 |
New Orleans |
3–1 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 0–3 | 2–1 | — | 3–1 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 2–2 |
N.Y. Knicks |
3–1 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 1–3 | — | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–2 | 2–2 |
N.Y. Nets |
1–3 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–2 | — | 1–3 | 2–2 | 0–3 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–3 |
Philadelphia |
3–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–1 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 3–1 | — | 1–2 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 3–1 |
Phoenix |
4–0 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–1 | — | 1–3 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 1–3 |
Portland |
1–3 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 3–0 | 2–2 | 3–1 | — | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–2 |
San Antonio |
0–4 | 0–4 | 4–0 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–1 | 2–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | — | 3–1 | 2–2 |
Seattle |
2–1 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–3 | — | 3–1 |
Washington |
3–1 | 4–0 | 4–0 | 2–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 2–1 | 2–2 | 1–3 | — |
Season Schedule
source
Player stats
Note: GP= Games played; REB= Rebounds; AST= Assists; STL = Steals; BLK = Blocks; PTS = Points; AVG = Average
Player |
GP |
REB |
AST |
STL |
BLK |
PTS |
AVG |
Awards and honors
- Ernie DiGregorio, Led NBA, Free Throw Percentage, .945
All-Star
- Bob McAdoo selected as a starting forward for the Eastern Conference All-Stars. This is his fourth straight All-Star Game selection.
References