Buffalo Braves 1971-72 Roster and Stats

The 1971-72 season marked the Buffalo Braves’ second year in the NBA. Under head coach Johnny McCarthy, the team struggled, finishing with a 22-60 record. This placed them fifth in the Atlantic Division and far from playoff contention. The Braves played their home games at the Buffalo Memorial Auditorium, where fan support was enthusiastic despite the team’s challenges.

Rookie sensation Bob Kauffman emerged as a standout performer, earning an All-Star selection. He averaged 20.4 points and 10.7 rebounds per game, providing a glimpse of potential for the fledgling franchise. Despite Kauffman’s efforts, the Braves faced difficulties on both ends of the court, ranking near the bottom of the league in both offensive and defensive metrics. The season highlighted the need for roster improvements and strategic adjustments. Overall, the 1971-72 campaign was a building block year for the Braves as they continued to establish their presence in the NBA.

  • Regular Season Record: 22-60
  • Playoff Result: Did not make playoffs

Buffalo Braves Roster and Stats for 1971-72 Season

POINTS
Season Stats Player Image
Bob Kauffman
18.9
REBOUNDS
Season Stats Player Image
Elmore Smith
15.2
ASSISTS
Season Stats Player Image
Walt Hazzard
5.6
Regular SeasonPlayoffs
PlayerGPPTSREBASTSTLBLK3P%GPPTSREBASTSTLBLK3P%
Bob Kauffman7718.910.23.80.00.00.000.00.00.00.00.00.0
Elmore Smith7817.315.21.40.00.10.000.00.00.00.00.00.0
Walt Hazzard7215.83.05.60.00.00.000.00.00.00.00.00.0
Randy Smith7613.44.82.60.00.00.000.00.00.00.00.00.0
Fred Hilton6111.62.61.90.00.00.000.00.00.00.00.00.0
Dick Garrett7310.83.12.30.00.00.000.00.00.00.00.00.0
Mike Davis629.12.01.40.00.00.000.00.00.00.00.00.0
Jerry Chambers266.82.60.90.00.00.000.00.00.00.00.00.0
Cornell Warner626.26.10.90.00.00.000.00.00.00.00.00.0
John Hummer555.24.21.30.00.00.000.00.00.00.00.00.0
Em Bryant545.12.43.80.00.00.000.00.00.00.00.00.0
Bill Hosket445.02.80.90.00.00.000.00.00.00.00.00.0

Buffalo Braves 1971-72 Regular Season Game Log

Here is the game log for the 1971-72 season for the Buffalo Braves.

DateOpponentResultHigh Scorer
Oct 12, 1971@ Buffalo BravesW 123-90
Jerry Chambers (14 pts)
Oct 15, 1971@ Cleveland CavaliersW 111-109
Walt Hazzard (35 pts)
Oct 16, 1971@ Buffalo BravesW 93-89
Bob Kauffman (24 pts)
Oct 19, 1971@ Buffalo BravesW 123-106
Elmore Smith (20 pts)
Oct 22, 1971@ Milwaukee BucksL 124-105
Dick Garrett (19 pts)
Oct 23, 1971@ Buffalo BravesW 103-98
Bob Kauffman (25 pts)
Oct 26, 1971@ Golden State WarriorsW 91-89
Bob Kauffman (24 pts)
Oct 28, 1971@ Seattle SuperSonicsL 106-96
Bob Kauffman (27 pts)
Oct 29, 1971@ Portland Trail BlazersW 120-119
Fred Hilton (27 pts)
Oct 31, 1971@ Houston RocketsL 102-87
Bob Kauffman (15 pts)
Nov 03, 1971@ Buffalo BravesW 100-98
Bob Kauffman (24 pts)
Nov 05, 1971@ Atlanta HawksW 122-117
Randy Smith (35 pts)
Nov 06, 1971@ Buffalo BravesL 130-99
Bob Kauffman (28 pts)
Nov 09, 1971@ Buffalo BravesL 109-100
Bob Kauffman (30 pts)
Nov 13, 1971@ Buffalo BravesW 127-106
Bob Kauffman (44 pts)
Nov 16, 1971@ Buffalo BravesL 102-98
Walt Hazzard (27 pts)
Nov 19, 1971@ Baltimore BulletsL 126-105
Jerry Chambers (19 pts)
Nov 20, 1971@ Buffalo BravesW 105-96
Walt Hazzard (23 pts)
Nov 23, 1971@ Buffalo BravesL 102-97
Walt Hazzard (30 pts)
Nov 24, 1971@ Boston CelticsL 108-100
Fred Hilton (23 pts)
Nov 27, 1971@ Buffalo BravesW 110-91
Bob Kauffman (17 pts)
Nov 30, 1971@ Buffalo BravesW 115-101
Walt Hazzard (26 pts)
Dec 02, 1971@ Baltimore BulletsW 109-105
Mike Davis (25 pts)
Dec 03, 1971@ Buffalo BravesL 91-90
Bob Kauffman (23 pts)
Dec 04, 1971@ New York KnicksL 130-90
Jerry Chambers (13 pts)
Dec 07, 1971@ Buffalo BravesL 115-91
Fred Hilton (26 pts)
Dec 10, 1971@ Buffalo BravesW 101-100
Randy Smith (21 pts)
Dec 14, 1971@ Buffalo BravesL 117-110
Walt Hazzard (26 pts)
Dec 15, 1971@ Buffalo BravesW 122-108
Bob Kauffman (29 pts)
Dec 17, 1971@ Buffalo BravesW 115-95
Randy Smith (19 pts)
Dec 18, 1971@ Boston CelticsL 124-91
Walt Hazzard (15 pts)
Dec 21, 1971@ Buffalo BravesW 117-103
Randy Smith (26 pts)
Dec 25, 1971@ Atlanta HawksL 140-117
Randy Smith (24 pts)
Dec 27, 1971@ Buffalo BravesW 121-112
Randy Smith (24 pts)
Dec 28, 1971@ Los Angeles LakersL 105-87
Elmore Smith (32 pts)
Dec 30, 1971@ Phoenix SunsL 123-102
Walt Hazzard (25 pts)
Jan 01, 1972@ Seattle SuperSonicsL 97-83
Elmore Smith (21 pts)
Jan 02, 1972@ Portland Trail BlazersL 108-90
Fred Hilton (26 pts)
Jan 04, 1972@ Golden State WarriorsL 112-86
Elmore Smith (22 pts)
Jan 07, 1972@ Buffalo BravesW 123-110
Walt Hazzard (23 pts)
Jan 08, 1972@ Cincinnati RoyalsW 97-87
Bob Kauffman (28 pts)
Jan 09, 1972@ Detroit PistonsL 101-96
Elmore Smith (22 pts)
Jan 11, 1972@ Buffalo BravesW 109-107
Bob Kauffman (25 pts)
Jan 12, 1972@ Philadelphia 76ersW 111-109
Elmore Smith (26 pts)
Jan 14, 1972@ Buffalo BravesW 102-100
Bob Kauffman (28 pts)
Jan 21, 1972@ Buffalo BravesW 113-93
Walt Hazzard (15 pts)
Jan 25, 1972@ Buffalo BravesW 123-110
Fred Hilton (21 pts)
Jan 26, 1972@ Baltimore BulletsL 115-114
Walt Hazzard (30 pts)
Jan 28, 1972@ Buffalo BravesW 104-93
Elmore Smith (23 pts)
Jan 30, 1972@ Cleveland CavaliersW 99-98
Walt Hazzard (26 pts)
Feb 01, 1972@ Buffalo BravesW 104-99
Walt Hazzard (26 pts)
Feb 02, 1972@ Philadelphia 76ersL 119-104
Bob Kauffman (24 pts)
Feb 04, 1972@ Buffalo BravesW 103-84
Walt Hazzard (17 pts)
Feb 05, 1972@ Chicago BullsL 130-96
Elmore Smith (24 pts)
Feb 06, 1972@ Cleveland CavaliersW 121-108
Walt Hazzard (38 pts)
Feb 08, 1972@ Buffalo BravesW 126-108
Fred Hilton (30 pts)
Feb 09, 1972@ Boston CelticsL 139-112
Bob Kauffman (23 pts)
Feb 11, 1972@ Buffalo BravesL 95-88
Bob Kauffman (21 pts)
Feb 12, 1972@ Detroit PistonsL 113-87
Elmore Smith (17 pts)
Feb 13, 1972@ Atlanta HawksL 133-119
Mike Davis (28 pts)
Feb 15, 1972@ Buffalo BravesW 103-100
Mike Davis (23 pts)
Feb 18, 1972@ Buffalo BravesW 108-96
Bob Kauffman (19 pts)
Feb 19, 1972@ New York KnicksL 100-95
Elmore Smith (27 pts)
Feb 22, 1972@ Buffalo BravesL 99-98
Bob Kauffman (26 pts)
Feb 24, 1972@ Buffalo BravesW 108-97
Elmore Smith (23 pts)
Feb 25, 1972@ Buffalo BravesW 117-115
Elmore Smith (40 pts)
Feb 29, 1972@ Buffalo BravesW 99-89
Elmore Smith (23 pts)
Mar 01, 1972@ Philadelphia 76ersL 108-99
Bob Kauffman (19 pts)
Mar 03, 1972@ Buffalo BravesL 105-97
Fred Hilton (31 pts)
Mar 05, 1972@ Phoenix SunsL 131-103
Randy Smith (24 pts)
Mar 07, 1972@ Portland Trail BlazersL 98-94
Elmore Smith (24 pts)
Mar 11, 1972@ Houston RocketsL 121-100
Dick Garrett (17 pts)
Mar 12, 1972@ Los Angeles LakersL 141-102
Walt Hazzard (25 pts)
Mar 14, 1972@ Buffalo BravesL 108-105
Elmore Smith (33 pts)
Mar 17, 1972@ Chicago BullsL 126-103
Randy Smith (19 pts)
Mar 18, 1972@ Buffalo BravesL 116-103
Elmore Smith (32 pts)
Mar 19, 1972@ Cincinnati RoyalsL 136-105
Randy Smith (22 pts)
Mar 21, 1972@ Buffalo BravesL 114-100
Elmore Smith (29 pts)
Mar 22, 1972@ New York KnicksL 123-99
Randy Smith (19 pts)
Mar 24, 1972@ Detroit PistonsL 112-105
Randy Smith (33 pts)
Mar 25, 1972@ Buffalo BravesW 121-116
Elmore Smith (27 pts)
Mar 26, 1972@ Baltimore BulletsL 119-101
Cornell Warner (18 pts)