Buffalo Sharks

{{Short description|Basketball team in New York, 2005–2008}} {{Use American English|date=March 2026}} {{Infobox sports team | logo = File:Logo_of_the_Buffalo_Sharks_ABA_franchise.jpg | pixels = | caption = | founded = {{Start date and age|df=yes|2005||}} | folded = {{Start date and age|df=yes|2008||}} | league = ABA | conference = Blue | division = Connie Hawkins 2005–2006 North 2006–2007 | history = '''Buffalo Rapids''' 2005–2006 '''Buffalo Silverbacks''' 2006–2007 '''Buffalo Sharks''' 2008 | city = Buffalo, New York | arena = Burt Flickinger Center 2005 Park School of Buffalo 2005–2006 Buffalo State Sports Arena 2006–2007 | colors = Blue, blue, white 2005–2006 {{color box|#4B9CD3}} {{colour box|#000080}} {{color box|#FFFFFF}} Red, black, silver 2006–2007 {{color box|#CE1141}} {{color box|#000000}} {{color box|#A2AAAD}} Blue, red, white 2008 {{colour box|#000080}} {{color box|#CE1141}} {{color box|#FFFFFF}} | owner = Gary Nice 2005 Dan Robbie & Todd Wier 2005–2007 Vincent Lesh 2007–2008 | coach = Richard Jacob 2005–2006, 2008 Trevor Ruffin 2006–2007 | gm = Richard Jacob 2005–2006, 2008 | captain = Tim Winn 2005–2006 | record = 29–29 ({{Winning percentage|29|29}}) | championships = | titles = | playoff_berths = '''2''' (2006, 2007) | cheerleaders = Buffalo Rush 2005–2006 | dancers = WBLK Sweet Divas 2006–2007 | mascot = | main_sponsor = Shark Energy 2008 }}

The '''Buffalo Sharks''' were a basketball team based in Buffalo, New York. The team competed in the American Basketball Association (ABA) as the '''Buffalo Rapids''' in 2005–06 and as the '''Buffalo Silverbacks''' in 2006–07 before suspending operations.

The organization rebranded as the Buffalo Sharks with plans to relaunch for the 2008–09 ABA season, but ownership instead folded the team.

Its legacy remains as the city's first basketball franchise to operate after the Buffalo Braves relocated to San Diego following the 1977–78 NBA season. Despite ownership changes and financial struggles, the team reached the ABA playoffs in both of its seasons.

==History==

===2004: Franchise acquisition=== Gary Nice paid $10,000 to acquire the rights for a Buffalo franchise of the American Basketball Association in August 2004.<ref name="McKissic 2004 u448">{{cite web | last=McKissic | first=Rodney | title=HAMISTER CAUGHT OFF-GUARD BY ABA | website=Buffalo News | date=August 7, 2004 | url=https://buffalonews.com/news/hamister-caught-off-guard-by-aba/article_26eadde4-7d9e-5dda-b2df-5961b1d7429a.html | access-date=December 26, 2023}}</ref><ref name="DiCesare 2005 s181">{{cite web | last=DiCesare | first=Bob | title=Full-court press at Flickinger | website=Buffalo News | date=November 4, 2005 | url=https://buffalonews.com/news/full-court-press-at-flickinger/article_6260ee85-6c19-5a42-988a-faf6329f5c51.html | access-date=December 26, 2023}}</ref> Nice was CEO of Events Media International, a company that had worked with the league to broadcast its games nationally on radio and television.<ref name="web.archive.org 2004 frki">{{cite web | title=ABA heads to Buffalo in 2005 | date=August 2, 2004 | url=http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3069750&l_id=64&t_id= | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040822192809/http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3069750&l_id=64&t_id= | archive-date=August 22, 2004 | url-status=dead | access-date=December 28, 2023}}</ref><ref name="OurSports Central 2004 v972">{{cite web | title=ABA begins national and international television coverage | website=OurSports Central | date=December 2, 2004 | url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/aba-begins-national-and-international-television-coverage/n-3106045 | access-date=December 29, 2023}}</ref>

Buffalo Destroyers owner Mark Hamister disputed the purchase, as he had paid $75,000 to the league for the city's franchise rights in January 2000.<ref name="McKissic 2004 u448"/><ref name="McShea 2000 k541">{{cite web | last=McShea | first=Keith | title=BUFFALO JOINS NEW PRO BASKETBALL LEAGUE | website=Buffalo News | date=January 25, 2000 | url=https://buffalonews.com/news/buffalo-joins-new-pro-basketball-league/article_0159bbc6-0637-5228-835f-4cb0bb9f18d7.html | access-date=December 28, 2023}}</ref><ref name="The NYS Historic Newspapers 2000 s067">{{cite web | title=Adirondack Daily Enterprise 27 May 2000 | website=The NYS Historic Newspapers | date=May 27, 2000 | url=https://nyshistoricnewspapers.org/?a=d&d=ade20000527-01.1.11&srpos=2&e=-------en-20--1--txt-txIN-%22mark+hamister%22+basketball--------- | access-date=December 27, 2023}}</ref> However, he had been unable to come to terms with HSBC Arena management to utilize their venue for the inaugural 2000–01 ABA season.<ref name="bizjournals.com 2000 z145">{{cite web | title=Arena games saturate area sports market | website=bizjournals.com | date=June 5, 2000 | url=https://www.bizjournals.com/buffalo/stories/2000/06/05/story2.html | access-date=December 28, 2023}}</ref> Hamister had been quoted a price of $41,000 per night to rent HSBC Arena, which he found unacceptable.<ref name="bizjournals.com 2000 z145"/>

After Hamister departed Buffalo in 2003, the league ruled in 2004 that his two-year contractual window to found a team had lapsed, allowing Gary Nice's plans to move forward.<ref name="McKissic 2004 u448"/>

===2005–2006: Buffalo Rapids=== [[File:Tiim Winn playing for the Buffalo Rapids at Buffalo State Sports Arena in 2006.jpg|thumb|upright|left|Tim Winn, ABA All-Star and All-ABA selection in 2006]] The Buffalo Rapids were unveiled in February 2005 after an online contest to name the team.<ref name="McKissic 2005 g647">{{cite web | last=McKissic | first=Rodney | title=BUFFALO RAPIDS SEEK HOME NEWLY NAMED ABA TEAM MAY PLAY ON SEVERAL COURTS | website=Buffalo News | date=February 12, 2005 | url=https://buffalonews.com/news/buffalo-rapids-seek-home-newly-named-aba-team-may-play-on-several-courts/article_a226fb00-daeb-5b24-87f9-3a5f9ea85ba3.html | access-date=December 26, 2023}}</ref> Buffalo Braves won the voting, but along with the second-place Buffalo Wings could not be used due to existing trademarks.<ref name="McKissic 2005 g647"/> The team did adopt Carolina blue uniforms reminiscent of the Columbia blue uniforms worn by the Buffalo Braves.<ref name="Rodriguez 2005 y515">{{cite web | last=Rodriguez | first=Miguel | title=COACH SEARCHING FOR CHEER-DANCERS TO LEAD MARKETING EFFORTS WITH THE RAPIDS | website=Buffalo News | date=May 29, 2005 | url=https://buffalonews.com/news/coach-searching-for-cheer-dancers-to-lead-marketing-efforts-with-the-rapids/article_5eb999df-2c7d-58ec-bfee-2a45a066ec70.html | access-date=December 28, 2023}}</ref>

Richard Jacob was named the team's head coach and general manager in April 2005.<ref name="McKissic 2005 g887">{{cite web | last=McKissic | first=Rodney | title=RAPIDS BUILD FROM GRASS ROOTS NEW COACH-GM JACOB HAS MANY CONNECTIONS TO WNY BASKETBALL | website=Buffalo News | date=April 27, 2005 | url=https://buffalonews.com/news/rapids-build-from-grass-roots-new-coach-gm-jacob-has-many-connections-to-wny-basketball/article_022235c2-1aee-51a4-89ac-291cd6b72449.html | access-date=December 26, 2023}}</ref> Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Kevin Cadle were also considered for the position.<ref name="McKissic 2005 g887"/> Bob Bateson was hired as the team's strength and conditioning coach.<ref name="Davis 2005 y887">{{cite web | last=Davis | first=Henry L. | title=Ex-Bill relocates fitness business to Pearl Street in $1 million rehab | website=Buffalo News | date=September 17, 2005 | url=https://buffalonews.com/news/ex-bill-relocates-fitness-business-to-pearl-street-in-1-million-rehab/article_7520be49-c50a-5e03-8e7e-c2358b5757d2.html | access-date=December 29, 2023}}</ref>

Tryouts for the team were held at Daemen College in June 2005.<ref name="OurSports Central 2005 y861">{{cite web | title=Rapids hold first open tryout | website=OurSports Central | date=June 1, 2005 | url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/rapids-hold-first-open-tryout/n-3170499 | access-date=December 26, 2023}}</ref> Tryouts for the Buffalo Rush cheerleading squad were held at Medaille College in June 2005.<ref name="Rodriguez 2005 n051">{{cite web | last=Rodriguez | first=Miguel | title=Cheerleader put to the test Youngstown woman pushes past cancer to land spot on the Buffalo Rush | website=Buffalo News | date=August 14, 2005 | url=https://buffalonews.com/news/cheerleader-put-to-the-test-youngstown-woman-pushes-past-cancer-to-land-spot-on-the/article_c7870182-995d-5c64-9913-cdc311150aa6.html | access-date=December 26, 2023}}</ref>

Tim Winn and Trevor Ruffin were announced as the team's first signings in June 2005.<ref name="Olean Times Herald 2005 u918">{{cite web | title=Rapids feel they have a (Winn)er | website=Olean Times Herald | date=June 24, 2005 | url=https://www.oleantimesherald.com/archives/rapids-feel-they-have-a-winn-er/article_c2c2c3a0-15dc-528a-91d9-2464cfebcfff.html | access-date=December 26, 2023}}</ref>

The team played the 2005–06 ABA season in the Connie Hawkins Division of the Blue Conference.<ref name="usbasket z495">{{cite web | title=American Basketball Association 2006, News, Teams, Scores, Stats, Standings, Awards | website=usbasket | url=https://www.usbasket.com/ABA/basketball_2006.aspx | access-date=December 23, 2023}}</ref> 400 season ticket packages were sold for the team's home matchups at Burt Flickinger Center, with the organization agreeing to rent the facility at a cost of $9,540 per night.<ref name="McKissic 2006 e159">{{cite web | last=McKissic | first=Rodney | title=Silverbacks will play this fall | website=Buffalo News | date=June 27, 2006 | url=https://buffalonews.com/news/silverbacks-will-play-this-fall/article_93a06ee1-278f-5550-8300-40da22ddae20.html | access-date=December 28, 2023}}</ref><ref name="Watson 2005 n653">{{cite web | last=Watson | first=Stephen T. | title=ECC TRUSTEES DEFEND PRESIDENT AND HIS PAY | website=Buffalo News | date=June 30, 2005 | url=https://buffalonews.com/news/ecc-trustees-defend-president-and-his-pay/article_9d4421be-e7bf-5432-8bef-f5c83925d3f0.html | access-date=December 28, 2023}}</ref> Their inaugural game was a 107–108 home loss to the Maryland Nighthawks in front of 3,200 fans on November 3, 2005.<ref name="DiCesare 2005 s181"/>

Gary Nice was removed as owner of the team in December 2005 after failing to make payroll, forcing the team's relocation from Burt Flickinger Center to Park School of Buffalo.<ref name="McKissic 2005 u178">{{cite web | last=McKissic | first=Rodney | title=Rapids' new era tips off with win | website=Buffalo News | date=December 14, 2005 | url=https://buffalonews.com/news/article_d3cbb4fc-f639-5ed1-adef-b417e556becd.html | access-date=December 26, 2023}}</ref> Former Miami Dolphins owner Dan Robbie and his business partner Todd Wier became co-owners after purchasing the franchise that same month.<ref name="OurSports Central 2005 j692">{{cite web | title=Rapids' Santa Claus Revealed | website=OurSports Central | date=December 22, 2005 | url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/rapids-santa-claus-revealed/n-3252068 | access-date=December 26, 2023}}</ref>

Antoine Sims scored 52 points in the team's 136–90 victory over the Boston Frenzy on February 3, 2006.<ref name="OurSports Central 2006 f917">{{cite web | title=Rapids win in a blowout | website=OurSports Central | date=February 5, 2006 | url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/rapids-win-in-a-blowout/n-3266713 | access-date=January 27, 2024}}</ref><ref name="Lucky 2024 z708">{{cite web | title=100 point scorers | website=Lucky's Amazing Sports Lists | date=January 26, 2024 | url=http://www.luckyshow.org/basketball/100pts.htm | language=la | access-date=January 27, 2024}}</ref> This tied the record for most points scored professionally by a Buffalo player, which was set by Bob McAdoo of the Buffalo Braves in 1974.<ref name="The New York Times 1974 j237">{{cite web | title=McAdoo: 52, But Celtics Beat Braves | website=The New York Times | date=February 23, 1974 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1974/02/23/archives/mcadoo-52-but-celtics-beat-braves.html | access-date=January 27, 2024}}</ref><ref name="Daubs 2022 g723">{{cite web | last=Daubs | first=Kyle | title=The Most Points Scored In One Game For Every NBA Franchise | website=Fadeaway World | date=2022-11-19 | url=https://fadeawayworld.net/the-most-points-scored-in-one-game-for-every-nba-franchise | access-date=January 27, 2024}}</ref>

Tim Winn was named to the 2006 ABA All-Star Game and 2006 All-ABA Team after averaging 25 points, 11 assists and 4 steals on the season.<ref name="OurSports Central 2006 w733">{{cite web | title=ABA names two ABA All-Stars | website=OurSports Central | date=January 26, 2006 | url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/aba-names-two-aba-all-stars/n-3262981 | access-date=December 26, 2023}}</ref><ref name="OurSports Central 2006 g359">{{cite web | title=Buffalo's Tim Winn selected as one of ABA's top players | website=OurSports Central | date=April 5, 2006 | url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/buffalos-tim-winn-selected-as-one-of-abas-top-players/n-3288733 | access-date=December 26, 2023}}</ref>

The team finished with an 11–17 record and was eliminated in the quarterfinal round of the 2005–06 ABA playoffs by the Atlanta Vision.<ref name="usbasket z495"/> Kenneth Massey ranked the team 18th overall out of 47 teams in his final ABA ratings of the season.<ref name="web.archive.org 2006 dty1">{{cite web | title=Massey Ratings | date=March 26, 2006 | url=http://www.masseyratings.com/rate.php?lg=aba | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060829024901/http://www.masseyratings.com:80/rate.php?lg=aba | archive-date=August 29, 2006 | url-status=dead | access-date=December 28, 2023}}</ref>

===2006–2007: Buffalo Silverbacks=== {{multiple image | align = right | direction = vertical | header = | header_align = left/right/center | header_background = | footer = | footer_align = left/right/center | footer_background = | width = | image1 = Silverbacks.jpg | width1 = 200 | caption1 = Buffalo Silverbacks logo May 2006–September 2006 | image2 = BuffaloSilverbacks.PNG | width2 = 200 | caption2 = Buffalo Silverbacks logo October 2006–September 2007 }}

It was announced in May 2006 that the franchise had changed its name to the Buffalo Silverbacks.<ref name="OurSports Central 2006 x142">{{cite web | title=Buffalo team changes name and logo | website=OurSports Central | date=May 9, 2006 | url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/buffalo-team-changes-name-and-logo/n-3307942 | access-date=December 27, 2023}}</ref> The rebranding was necessary because Gary Nice retained ownership of the Buffalo Rapids trademark when he left the organization.<ref name="Watson 2006 m804">{{cite web | last=Watson | first=Stephen T. | title='Silverbacks' called racially insensitive | website=Buffalo News | date=August 5, 2006 | url=https://buffalonews.com/news/silverbacks-called-racially-insensitive/article_325cb706-b12e-5fd8-8e9d-649c52148263.html | access-date=December 27, 2023}}</ref>

Controversy arose when politician Betty Jean Grant criticized the team's name and logo, which featured a silverback gorilla, as racist.<ref name="Watson 2006 m804"/> The team responded by adopting a new logo featuring a tiger.<ref name="Bronstein 2006 c539">{{cite web | last=Bronstein | first=Jonah | title=SILVERBACKS: Pair of centers join Cox on Silverbacks | website=Niagara Gazette | date=October 20, 2006 | url=https://www.niagara-gazette.com/sports/silverbacks-pair-of-centers-join-cox-on-silverbacks/article_7234510f-5468-5e94-8c10-64dd6551503f.html | access-date=December 27, 2023}}</ref>

All-Star Tim Winn was released in August 2006 after owner Dan Robbie required him to tryout again for the team, and he refused.<ref name="Beutel 2006 z576">{{cite web | last=Beutel | first=Nate | title=BASKETBALL: Winn released by Silverbacks, career might be over | website=Niagara Gazette | date=August 12, 2006 | url=https://www.niagara-gazette.com/sports/basketball-winn-released-by-silverbacks-career-might-be-over/article_e9df4be5-e035-545c-9750-3c7c6cf0f2e0.html | access-date=December 27, 2023}}</ref> Winn had no-showed a team-sponsored youth clinic in Olean, New York the month prior in protest.<ref name="Olean Times Herald 2006 v701">{{cite web | title=PEZZIMENTI: Winn's clinic absence a mystery | website=Olean Times Herald | date=July 28, 2006 | url=https://www.oleantimesherald.com/archives/pezzimenti-winn-s-clinic-absence-a-mystery/article_89d7db27-8250-519d-94d0-d167870ff94e.html | access-date=December 27, 2023}}</ref>

Dayshawn Wright, the first overall pick in the 2006 CBA Draft, was signed to the team in September 2006 before breaching his contract a week later to instead sign with the CBA's Minot SkyRockets.<ref name="OurSports Central 2006 w907">{{cite web | title=Silverbacks sign first overall pick DayShawn Wright | website=OurSports Central | date=September 30, 2006 | url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/silverbacks-sign-first-overall-pick-dayshawn-wright/n-3381729 | access-date=December 27, 2023}}</ref><ref name="Bronstein 2006 c539"/>

Head coach Richard Jacob resigned from the team in November 2006 and was replaced by Trevor Ruffin.<ref name="Beutel 2006 i330">{{cite web | last=Beutel | first=Nate | title=SILVERBACKS: Jacob steps down as coach unexpectedly | website=Niagara Gazette | date=November 1, 2006 | url=https://www.niagara-gazette.com/sports/silverbacks-jacob-steps-down-as-coach-unexpectedly/article_85e816aa-99d7-5c7d-9415-31e911797c88.html | access-date=December 27, 2023}}</ref><ref name="Murray 2006 e328">{{cite web | last=Murray | first=Pat | title=PAT MURRAY: NU soccer coach has done great job | website=Niagara Gazette | date=November 4, 2006 | url=https://www.niagara-gazette.com/sports/pat-murray-nu-soccer-coach-has-done-great-job/article_2667c30a-a1f5-57e6-b3b4-78e6f3eed33e.html | access-date=December 27, 2023}}</ref>

The team played the 2006–07 ABA season in the North Division of the Blue Conference.<ref name="usbasket m053">{{cite web | title=American Basketball Association 2007, News, Teams, Scores, Stats, Standings, Awards | website=usbasket | url=https://www.usbasket.com/ABA/basketball_2007.aspx | access-date=December 23, 2023}}</ref> Their season opener was a 100–109 loss to the Detroit Panthers on November 8, 2006, drawing 1,232 fans to their new home of Buffalo State Sports Arena.<ref name="Bronstein 2006 e4tg">{{cite web | last=Bronstein | first=Jonah | title=PRO BASKETBALL: Despite opening loss, 'super fan' likes direction of Silverbacks | website=Tonawanda News | date=November 9, 2006 | url=http://www.tonawanda-news.com:80/sports/gnnsports_story_313020232.html?keyword=topstory | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070328055326/http://www.tonawanda-news.com:80/sports/gnnsports_story_313020232.html?keyword=topstory | access-date=March 28, 2007| archive-date=2007-03-28 }}</ref>

Antoine Sims was named to the 2007 ABA All-Star Game after leading the team with 28 points per game.<ref name="OurSports Central 2007 e048">{{cite web | title=Silverbacks Cox and Sims awarded ABA honors | website=OurSports Central | date=January 15, 2007 | url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/silverbacks-cox-and-sims-awarded-aba-honors/n-3416046 | access-date=December 27, 2023}}</ref> Modie Cox was recipient of the league's inaugural Community Service Award.<ref name="OurSports Central 2007 e048"/>

The team finished with a 16–10 record and was eliminated in the semifinal round of the 2006–07 ABA playoffs by the Beijing Aoshen Olympians.<ref name="usbasket m053"/> Kenneth Massey ranked the team 6th overall out of 49 teams in his final ABA ratings of the season.<ref name="web.archive.org 2006 d331">{{cite web | title=Massey Ratings | date=March 29, 2007 | url=http://www.masseyratings.com/rate.php?lg=aba | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070728042843/http://www.masseyratings.com/rate.php?lg=aba | archive-date=July 28, 2007 | url-status=dead | access-date=December 28, 2023}}</ref>

Dan Robbie and Todd Wier sold the franchise to concert promoter Vincent Lesh for $15,000 in September 2007, and the team sat out the 2007–08 ABA season for reorganization.<ref name="OurSports Central 2007 d735">{{cite web | title=New Ownership Group To Operate ABA Buffalo Silverbacks | website=OurSports Central | date=September 25, 2007 | url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/new-ownership-group-to-operate-aba-buffalo-silverbacks/n-3546391 | access-date=December 27, 2023}}</ref><ref name="McKissic 2008">{{cite web | last=McKissic | first=Rodney | title=IS TWO A CROWD? | website=Buffalo News | date=July 11, 2008 | url=https://buffalonews.com/news/is-two-a-crowd-the-american-basketball-associations-buffalo-sharks-and-the-premier-basketball-leagues/article_b4192266-e029-5c1c-9261-209aba840ed5.html | access-date=December 27, 2023}}</ref> Robbie and Wier claimed losses of $700,000 in their two seasons of ownership.<ref name="McKissic 2008"/>

===2008: Buffalo Sharks=== It was announced in May 2008 that the franchise had changed its name to the Buffalo Sharks.<ref name="McKissic 2008 g109">{{cite web | last=McKissic | first=Rodney | title=ABA 'Sharks' will play at Canisius | website=Buffalo News | date=May 13, 2008 | url=https://buffalonews.com/news/aba-sharks-will-play-at-canisius/article_78149f26-b88d-5bd5-bdce-7e9b39b347e4.html | access-date=December 28, 2023}}</ref> The name and logo referenced the team's primary sponsor, Shark Energy.

Rich Jacob returned as head coach and general manager, leading a makeshift Buffalo Select All-Stars squad to a 62–54 exhibition victory over the Italy men's national basketball team on June 23, 2008.<ref name="McKissic 2008 e145">{{cite web | last=McKissic | first=Rodney | title=Makeshift Buffalo stars beat Italians Ugboja, Rainey lead scoring | website=Buffalo News | date=June 24, 2008 | url=https://buffalonews.com/article_201d1445-f412-55d1-9e49-a243f513df38.html | access-date=October 18, 2023}}</ref> The team was led by Ejike Ugboaja with 16 points and Jason Rowe with 7 assists.<ref name="McKissic 2008 e145"/>

Vincent Lesh secured Koessler Center as the team's home venue for the 2008–09 ABA season.<ref name="McKissic 2008"/> However, Lesh announced in September 2008 that he was folding the Sharks and instead leaving the ABA to purchase Todd Wier's Buffalo Dragons franchise in the PBL.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://buffalonews.com/sports/story/442242.html | title = New minor-league basketball team will be called Stampede | last = McKissic | first = Rodney | publisher = The Buffalo News | date = 2008-09-18 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080919054901/https://buffalonews.com/sports/story/442242.html | accessdate = 2008-09-19| archive-date = 2008-09-19 }}</ref>

==Personnel==

===2005–2006=== {{NBA roster header|team=Buffalo Rapids}}  {{player2 | num = 42 | first = Jean-Paul | last = Afif | pos = F | ft = 6 | in = 9 | lbs = 240 | college = Loyola Marymount | DOB = 1980-03-30 }} {{player2 | num = 25 | first = Turner | last = Battle | pos = G | ft = 6 | in = 3 | lbs = 190 | college = SUNY Buffalo | DOB = 1983-01-11 }} {{player2 | num = 21 | first = Mark | last = Bortz | dab = basketball | pos = F | ft = 6 | in = 10 | lbs = 255 | college = SUNY Buffalo | DOB = 1982-12-23 }} {{player2 | num = 24 | first = Carlton | last = Brown | dab = basketball | pos= F | ft = 6 | in = 6 | lbs = 210 | college = Texas A&M | DOB = 1979-03-24 }} {{player2 | num = 34 | first = Brad | last = Buddenborg | pos = F | ft = 6 | in = 5 | lbs = 210 | college = Oakland | DOB = 1979-02-18 }} {{player2 | num = 4 | first = Andrew | last = Bush | dab = basketball | pos = F | ft = 6 | in = 8 | lbs = 225 | college = Canisius | DOB = 1979-08-02 }} {{player2 | num = 33 | first = Willie | last = Chandler | pos = G | ft = 6 | in = 4 | lbs = 215 | college = Misericordia | DOB = 1980-03-16 }} {{player2 | num = 12 | first = Modie | last = Cox | pos = G | ft = 5 | in = 11 | lbs = 165 | college = SUNY Buffalo | DOB = 1972-12-29 }} {{player2 | num = 9 | first = Marlin | last = Johnson | pos = G/F | ft = 6 | in = 4 | lbs = 220 | college = Monroe CC | DOB = 1975-02-04 }} {{player2 | num = 20 | first = Kevin | last = Ross | dab = basketball | pos = F | ft = 6 | in = 9 | lbs = 235 | college = Cleveland State | DOB = 1979-07-08 }} {{player2 | num = 18 | first = DeRon | last = Rutledge | pos = F | ft = 6 | in = 6 | lbs = 225 | college = Texas A&M–Kingsville | DOB = 1975-10-15 }} {{player2 | num = 8 | first = Antoine | last = Sims | pos = G | ft = 5 | in = 10 | lbs = 180 | college = Johnson C. Smith | DOB = 1977-05-?? }} {{player2 | num = 44 | first = Johnny | last = Tyson | pos = C | ft = 6 | in = 11 | lbs = 245 | college = Central Oklahoma | DOB = 1971-08-15 }} {{player2 | num = 11 | first = Tim | last = Winn | pos = G | ft = 5 | in = 9 | lbs = 185 | college = St. Bonaventure | DOB = 1977-06-27 | note = C }}

{{NBA roster footer | head_coach = * Richard Jacob | asst_coach = * Tim Winn * Modie Cox * Bob Bateson | roster_url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060209224849/http://www.buffalorapids.com:80/roster/ | accessdate = February 9, 2006 }}

===2006–2007=== {{NBA roster header|team=Buffalo Silverbacks}}  {{player2 | num = 18 | first = Kenny| last = Brunner | pos = G | ft = 5 | in = 10 | lbs = 190 | college = Georgetown | DOB = 1978-12-08 }} {{player2 | num = 42 | first = Andrew | last = Bush | dab = basketball | pos = F/C | ft = 6 | in = 8 | lbs = 240 | college = Canisius | DOB = 1979-08-02 }} {{player2 | num = 11 | first = Lamar | last = Castile | pos = G | ft = 6 | in = 2 | lbs = 220 | college = Beaver County CC | DOB = 1982-08-18 }} {{player2 | num = 33 | first = Keith | last = Closs | pos = C | ft = 7 | in = 3 | lbs = 240 | college = Central Connecticut | DOB = 1976-04-03 }} {{player2 | num = 12 | first = Modie | last = Cox | pos = G | ft = 5 | in = 11 | lbs = 165 | college = SUNY Buffalo | DOB = 1972-12-29 }} {{player2 | num = 31 | first = Kueth | last = Duany | pos = G/F | ft = 6 | in = 7 | lbs = 205 | college = Syracuse | DOB = 1980-04-22 }} {{player2 | num = 24 | first = Marlin | last = Johnson | pos = G/F | ft = 6 | in = 4 | lbs = 215 | college = Monroe CC | DOB = 1975-02-04 }} {{player2 | num = 20 | first = Todd | last = Jones | dab = basketball | pos = G/F | ft = 6 | in = 6 | lbs = 205 | college = CSU Bakersfield | DOB = 1978-12-02 }} {{player2 | num = 34 | first = Sean | last = Murphy | dab = basketball | pos = G/F | ft = 6 | in = 3 | lbs = 235 | college = RIT | DOB = 1983-07-29 }} {{player2 | num = 32 | first = Kevin | last = Ross | dab = basketball | pos = F | ft = 6 | in = 9 | lbs = 240 | college = Cleveland State | DOB = 1979-07-08 }} {{player2 | num = 5 | first = David | last = Ruffin | dab = basketball | pos = G | ft = 6 | in = 4 | lbs = 200 | college = Hartford | DOB = 1984-02-14 }} {{player2 | num = 10 | first = Dameon | last = Sansom | pos = G | ft = 6 | in = 1 | lbs = 185 | college = Texas State | DOB = 1975-05-28 }} {{player2 | num = 23 | first = Antoine | last = Sims | pos = G | ft = 5 | in = 10 | lbs = 180 | college = Johnson C. Smith | DOB = 1977-05-?? }} {{player2 | num = 44 | first = Johnny | last = Tyson | pos = F/C | ft = 6 | in = 11 | lbs = 235 | college = Central Oklahoma | DOB = 1971-08-15 }}

{{NBA roster footer | head_coach = * Trevor Ruffin | asst_coach = * Modie Cox | roster_url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070204063718/http://www.buffalosilverbacks.com:80/roster/ | accessdate = February 4, 2007 }}

==Season-by-season record== {| class="wikitable" |align="center" bgcolor="#FFCCCC"|'''ABA champions''' |align="center" bgcolor="#ddffdd"|'''Conference champions''' |align="center" bgcolor="#D0E7FF"|'''Division champions''' |align="center" bgcolor="#96CDCD"|'''Playoff berth''' |} {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:95%" summary="Season (sortable), Conference, Finish (sortable), Division, Finish (sortable), Wins (sortable), Losses (sortable), Win% (sortable), GB (sortable), Playoffs, Awards and Head coach" |- !scope="col"| Season !scope="col" class="unsortable"|Conference !scope="col"| Finish !scope="col" class="unsortable"|Division !scope="col"| Finish !scope="col"| Wins !scope="col"| Losses !scope="col" class="unsortable"|Win% !scope="col" data-sort-type="number"|GB !scope="col" class="unsortable"|Playoffs !scope="col" class="unsortable"|Awards !scope="col" class="unsortable"|Head coach !scope="col" class="unsortable"|Ref. |- |- | 2005–06 | Blue | bgcolor="#96CDCD"|17th | Connie Hawkins | 3rd | 11 | 17 | {{Winning percentage|11|17}} | — | '''Won''' Wild Card (Frenzy) 133–88 Lost quarterfinal (Vision) 97–99 | Tim Winn (All-Star, All-ABA) | Richard Jacob |<ref name="usbasket z495"/> |- | 2006–07 | Blue | bgcolor="#96CDCD"|12th | North | 3rd | 16 | 10 | {{Winning percentage|16|10}} | — | '''Won''' quarterfinal (Jam) 100–91 Lost semifinal (Olympians) 106–121 | Antoine Sims (All-Star) Modie Cox (Community Service) | Trevor Ruffin |<ref name="usbasket m053"/> |}

==Game log== ===2005–2006=== ====Regular season==== {{NBA game log start|Brooklyn Nets|end_year=2006|record=Total: 11–17 (Home: 6–7; Road: 5–10)}} {{NBA game log section|Brooklyn Nets|November|first=yes|show=no | home_wins = 2 | home_losses = 2 | road_wins = 0 | road_losses = 3 }} |- style="background:#fcc" | 1 | November 3 | Maryland | L 107–108 | Carlton Brown (17) | | | Burt Flickinger Center 3,200 | 0–1 |- style="background:#fcc" | 2 | November 5 | @ Rochester | L 88–89 | Tim Winn (29) | | | Blue Cross Arena | 0–2 |- style="background:#fcc" | 3 | November 11 | @ Montreal | L 74–94 | Kevin Ross (22) | | | Centre Pierre Charbonneau | 0–3 |- style="background:#cfc" | 4 | November 14 | Harlem | W 97–90 | Trevor Ruffin (32) | | | Burt Flickinger Center 2,000 | 1–3 |- style="background:#fcc" | 5 | November 19 | @ Maryland | L 102–132 | Tim Winn (20) | | Tim Winn (10) | Montgomery College | 1–4 |- style="background:#cfc" | 6 | November 26 | Montreal | W 104–94 | Tim Winn (26) | | | Niagara Catholic High School | 2–4 |- style="background:#fcc" | 7 | November 29 | Maryland | L 112–113 (OT) | Tim Winn (34) | Carlton Brown (11) Kevin Ross (11) | | Park School of Buffalo | 2–5 {{NBA game log section|Brooklyn Nets|December|first=no|show=no | home_wins = 2 | home_losses = 1 | road_wins = 2 | road_losses = 3 }} |- style="background:#fcc" | 8 | December 1 | @ Northeast Pennsylvania | L 86–95 | Tim Winn (29) | | | Lackawanna College | 2–6 |- style="background:#fcc" | 9 | December 4 | @ Harlem | L 109–116 | | | | Hunter College | 2–7 |- style="background:#cfc" | 10 | December 13 | Harlem | W 107–102 (OT) | Tim Winn (31) | | | Park School of Buffalo 250 | 3–7 |- style="background:#fcc" | 11 | December 17 | @ Maryland | L 94–110 | Brad Buddenborg (20) | | | Montgomery College | 3–8 |- style="background:#cfc" | 12 | December 18 | @ Newark | W 89–88 | Tim Winn (23) | | | Essex County College | 4–8 |- style="background:#fcc" | 13 | December 23 | Rochester | L 100–110 | Tim Winn (29) | | | Gow School | 4–9 |- style="background:#cfc" | 14 | December 28 | Maryland | W 94–89 | Rashid Byrd (30) | | | Park School of Buffalo | 5–9 |- style="background:#cfc" | 15 | December 30 | @ Montreal | W 98–86 | Brad Buddenborg (38) | | | Centre Pierre Charbonneau | 6–9 {{NBA game log section|Brooklyn Nets|January|first=no|show=no | home_wins = 0 | home_losses = 1 | road_wins = 2 | road_losses = 2 }} |- style="background:#cfc" | 16 | January 7 | @ Boston | W 113–96 | | | | Barnstable High School | 7–9 |- style="background:#fcc" | 17 | January 11 | Rochester | L 91–94 | Tim Winn (27) | | | Park School of Buffalo 250 | 7–10 |- style="background:#cfc" | 18 | January 14 | @ Strong Island | W 70–65 | Tim Winn (20) | | | St. Joseph's College | 8–10 |- style="background:#fcc" | 19 | January 21 | @ Strong Island | L 107–123 | | | | St. Joseph's College | 8–11 |- style="background:#fcc" | 20 | January 26 | @ Rochester | L 87–114 | Tim Winn (19) | | | Blue Cross Arena | 8–12 {{NBA game log section|Brooklyn Nets|February|first=no|show=no | home_wins = 1 | home_losses = 3 | road_wins = 0 | road_losses = 1 }} |- style="background:#fcc" | 21 | February 1 | Montreal | L 127–132 (OT) | Johnny Tyson (40) | | | Park School of Buffalo | 8–13 |- style="background:#cfc" | 22 | February 3 | Boston | W 136–90 | Antoine Sims (52) | | Turner Battle (13) | Park School of Buffalo | 9–13 |- style="background:#fcc" | 23 | February 5 | Strong Island | L 100–128 | Turner Battle (23) | Carlton Brown (11) | | Park School of Buffalo | 9–14 |- style="background:#fcc" | 24 | February 19 | Strong Island | L 101–102 | DeRon Rutledge (31) | | | Park School of Buffalo | 9–15 |- style="background:#cfc" | 25 | February 25 | @ Boston | W 117–104 | Tim Winn (20) | | | Barnstable High School | 10–15 {{NBA game log section|Brooklyn Nets|March|first=no|show=no | home_wins = 1 | home_losses = 0 | road_wins = 0 | road_losses = 2 }} |- style="background:#fcc" | 26 | March 4 | @ Harlem | L 96–103 | | | | Hunter College | 10–16 |- style="background:#cfc" | 27 | March 5 | Newark | W 112–104 | Willie Chandler (21) | | | Buffalo State Sports Arena 1,500 | 11–16 |- style="background:#fcc" | 28 | March 7 | @ Rochester | L 95–106 | | | | Blue Cross Arena | 11–17 {{NBA game log end}}

====Playoffs==== {{NBA game log start|Brooklyn Nets|playoffs=yes|end_year=2006|record=Total: 1–1 (home: 1–0; road: 0–1)}} {{NBA game log section|Brooklyn Nets|Wild Card (#15 seed)|first=yes|playoffs=yes|show=no | home_wins = 1 | home_losses = 0 | road_wins = 0 | road_losses = 0 }} |-style="background:#cfc;" | 1 | March 12 | Boston (#16) | W 133–88 | Johnny Tyson (29) | | Tim Winn (14) | Hilbert College | 1–0 {{NBA game log section|Brooklyn Nets|Quarterfinals (#15 seed)|playoffs=yes|show=no | home_wins = 0 | home_losses = 0 | road_wins = 0 | road_losses = 1 }} |- style="background:#fcc;" | 1 | March 17 | @ Atlanta (#7) | L 97–99 | Johnny Tyson (19) | | | New Birth Missionary Baptist Church | 0–1 {{NBA game log end}}

===2006–2007=== ====Regular season==== {{NBA game log start|Brooklyn Nets|end_year=2007|record=Total: 16–10 (Home: 10–3; Road: 6–7)}} {{NBA game log section|Brooklyn Nets|November|first=yes|show=no | home_wins = 2 | home_losses = 1 | road_wins = 0 | road_losses = 3 }} |- style="background:#fcc" | 1 | November 8 | Detroit | [https://web.archive.org/web/20061117053622/http://www.buffalosilverbacks.com/stats.htm L 100–109] | Antoine Sims (33) | Todd Jones (7) | Antoine Sims (7) | Buffalo State Sports Arena 1,232 | 0–1 |- style="background:#fcc" | 2 | November 12 | @ Detroit | L 113–128 | Antoine Sims (24) | | | Buck Weeber Center | 0–2 |- style="background:#fcc" | 3 | November 16 | @ Rochester | L 93–107 | Dameon Sansom (23) | | | Blue Cross Arena | 0–3 |- style="background:#fcc" | 4 | November 18 | @ Vermont | L 100–110 | Johnny Tyson (27) | | | Burlington Memorial Auditorium | 0–4 |- style="background:#cfc" | 5 | November 24 | Rochester | W 96–93 | Antoine Sims (29) | | | Buffalo State Sports Arena | 1–4 |- style="background:#cfc" | 6 | November 30 | Hammond | W 120–104 | Antoine Sims (19) | | | Buffalo State Sports Arena | 2–4 {{NBA game log section|Brooklyn Nets|December|first=no|show=no | home_wins = 5 | home_losses = 1 | road_wins = 0 | road_losses = 2 }} |- style="background:#cfc" | 7 | December 8 | Detroit | W 119–104 | Antoine Sims (24) | | | Buffalo State Sports Arena | 3–4 |- style="background:#fcc" | 8 | December 9 | @ Rochester | L 90–109 | Marlin Johnson (18) | | | Blue Cross Arena | 3–5 |- style="background:#cfc" | 9 | December 13 | Richmond | W 119–97 | Antoine Sims (22) | | | Buffalo State Sports Arena | 4–5 |- style="background:#cfc" | 10 | December 14 | Richmond | W 123–116 | Kevin Ross (25) | | | Buffalo State Sports Arena | 5–5 |- style="background:#fcc" | 11 | December 15 | @ Detroit | L 104–110 | Antoine Sims (21) | | | Buck Weeber Center | 5–6 |- style="background:#fcc" | 12 | December 20 | Rochester | L 102–107 | Antoine Sims (33) | | | Buffalo State Sports Arena | 5–7 |- style="background:#cfc" | 13 | December 29 | Cape Cod | W 118–110 | Johnny Tyson (28) | Johnny Tyson (12) | | Buffalo State Sports Arena | 6–7 |- style="background:#cfc" | 14 | December 30 | @ Quebec City | W 110–98 | Lamar Castile (29) | | | Buffalo State Sports Arena | 7–7 {{NBA game log section|Brooklyn Nets|January|first=no|show=no | home_wins = 1 | home_losses = 1 | road_wins = 2 | road_losses = 2 }} |- style="background:#fcc" | 15 | January 5 | Rochester | L 94–96 | Lamar Castile (30) | | | Buffalo State Sports Arena | 7–8 |- style="background:#fcc" | 16 | January 10 | @ Vermont | L 90–92 | Lamar Castile (29) | | | Burlington Memorial Auditorium | 7–9 |- style="background:#cfc" | 17 | January 13 | @ Toledo | W 152–138 | Lamar Castile (33) | | | Libbey High School | 8–9 |- style="background:#cfc" | 18 | January 18 | Detroit | W 103–95 | Lamar Castile (25) | | | Buffalo State Sports Arena | 9–9 |- style="background:#fcc" | 19 | January 19 | @ Jacksonville | L 96–105 | Lamar Castile (25) | | | UNF Arena | 9–10 |- style="background:#cfc" | 20 | January 21 | @ Maryland | W 114–108 | Dameon Sansom (31) | | | Montgomery College | 10–10 {{NBA game log section|Brooklyn Nets|February|first=no|show=no | home_wins = 2 | home_losses = 0 | road_wins = 2 | road_losses = 0 }} |- style="background:#cfc" | 21 | February 9 | @ Quebec City | W 91–79 | Antoine Sims (23) | | | Université Laval | 11–10 |- style="background:#cfc" | 22 | February 10 | @ Montreal | W 99–76 | Kueth Duany (18) | | | Centre Pierre Charbonneau | 12–10 |- style="background:#cfc" | 23 | February 21 | Vermont | W 100–95 | Lamar Castile (45) | | | Iroquois High School | 13–10 |- style="background:#cfc" | 24 | February 22 | Detroit | W 116–102 | Antoine Sims (38) | | | Park School of Buffalo | 14–10 {{NBA game log section|Brooklyn Nets|March|first=no|show=no | home_wins = 0 | home_losses = 0 | road_wins = 2 | road_losses = 0 }} |- style="background:#cfc" | 25 | March 9 | @ Montreal | W 102–99 | Lamar Castile (34) | | | Centre Pierre Charbonneau | 15–10 |- style="background:#cfc" | 26 | March 10 | @ Quebec City | W 120–107 | Lamar Castile (38) | | | Université Laval | 16–10 {{NBA game log end}}

====Playoffs==== {{NBA game log start|Brooklyn Nets|playoffs=yes|end_year=2007|record=Total: 1–1 (home: 0–0; road: 1–1)}} {{NBA game log section|Brooklyn Nets|Quarterfinals (#12 seed)|first=yes|playoffs=yes|show=no | home_wins = 0 | home_losses = 0 | road_wins = 1 | road_losses = 0 }} |-style="background:#cfc;" | 1 | March 16 | @ Jacksonville (#2) | W 100–91 | Lamar Castile (37) | Lamar Castile (10) | | UNF Arena | 1–0 {{NBA game log section|Brooklyn Nets|Semifinals (#12 seed)|playoffs=yes|show=no | home_wins = 0 | home_losses = 0 | road_wins = 0 | road_losses = 1 }} |- style="background:#fcc;" | 1 | March 22 | @ Beijing (#7) | L 106–121 | Antoine Sims (30) | | | Felix Events Center | 0–1 {{NBA game log end}}

==Player statistics== ===2006–2007=== {{NBA roster statistics legend}}

''After all games''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Buffalo Silverbacks 2006-07 Individual Player Stats (Per Game Averages)|url=http://www.buffalosilverbacks.com/stats.htm|publisher=Buffalo Silverbacks|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070519033756/http://www.buffalosilverbacks.com/stats.htm |access-date=May 19, 2007|archive-date=2007-05-19 }}</ref>

{{NBA roster statistics start|team=Buffalo Silverbacks}} |- | {{sort|Barnes, Ka'Ron|Ka'Ron Barnes}}≠‡ | – || – || 16.4 || .444 || .353 || .333 || 1.6 || 2.1 || 0.7 || 0.0 || 6.0 |- | {{sort|Brunner, Kenny|Kenny Brunner}}≠ | – || – || 33.0 || .300 || .000 || .435 || 3.7 || style=background:#C0C0C0;color:black;|4.7 || style=background:#C0C0C0;color:black;|2.7 || 1.0 || 6.5 |- | {{sort|Bush, Andrew|Andrew Bush}} | – || – || 6.7 || .429 || .000 || .500 || 1.7 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 0.3 || 2.5 |- | {{sort|Castile, Lamar|Lamar Castile}} | – || – || 27.7 || .435 || .306 || .800 || 4.5 || 2.7 || 2.1 || 0.2 || 20.3 |- | {{sort|Closs, Keith|Keith Closs}}≠ | – || – || 37.0 || .462 || .000 || .700 || 6.0 || 2.3 || 1.0 || style=background:#C0C0C0;color:black;|3.3 || 6.3 |- | {{sort|Cox, Modie|Modie Cox}} | – || – || 23.1 || style=background:#C0C0C0;color:black;|.553 || .667 || .613 || 4.3 || 3.3 || 2.4 || 0.1 || 6.8 |- | {{sort|Duany, Kueth|Kueth Duany}} | – || – || 27.2 || .477 || .531 || .692 || 6.7 || 1.3 || 1.2 || 0.7 || 19.0 |- | {{sort|Johnson, Marlin|Marlin Johnson}} | – || – || 28.9 || .514 || .333 || .606 || style=background:#C0C0C0;color:black;|7.3 || 3.8 || 2.6 || 0.5 || 9.6 |- | {{sort|Jones, Todd|Todd Jones}} | – || – || 24.6 || .452 || .310 || .746 || 5.5 || 1.7 || 1.2 || 0.2 || 9.6 |- | {{sort|Murphy, Sean|Sean Murphy}} | – || – || 6.5 || .333 || .500 || .750 || 1.7 || 0.3 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 2.0 |- | {{sort|Ross, Kevin|Kevin Ross}} | – || – || 25.1 || .523 || .000 || .613 || 6.9 || 1.3 || 0.9 || 0.9 || 10.4 |- | {{sort|Ruffin, David|David Ruffin}} | – || – || 10.1 || .371 || .316 || .800 || 1.5 || 0.8 || 1.0 || 0.1 || 5.8 |- | {{sort|Sansom, Dameon|Dameon Sansom}} | – || – || 15.3 || .368 || .268 || .750 || 0.8 || 1.1 || 0.5 || 0.1 || 6.1 |- | {{sort|Sims, Antoine|Antoine Sims}} | – || – || style=background:#C0C0C0;color:black;|31.2 || .388 || .320 || style=background:#C0C0C0;color:black;|.836 || 2.4 || 3.2 || style=background:#C0C0C0;color:black;|2.7 || 0.4 || style=background:#C0C0C0;color:black;|23.1 |- | {{sort|Venters, Victor|Victor Venters}}≠‡ | – || – || 11.5 || .500 || style=background:#C0C0C0;color:black;|1.000 || .688 || 3.2 || 0.8 || 0.8 || 0.2 || 5.0 |} ‡Waived during the season †Traded during the season ≠Acquired during the season

==References== {{Reflist}}

Category:2005 establishments in New York (state) Category:2008 disestablishments in New York (state) Category:Basketball teams established in 2005 Category:Basketball teams disestablished in 2008 Category:Basketball teams in New York (state) Category:Defunct American Basketball Association (2000–present) teams Category:Sports clubs and teams in Buffalo, New York