 | |
| Founded | 2005 |
|---|---|
| Folded | 2008 |
| League | ABA |
| Conference | Blue |
| Division | Connie Hawkins 2005–2006 North 2006–2007 |
| Team history | Buffalo Rapids 2005–2006 Buffalo Silverbacks 2006–2007 Buffalo Sharks 2008 |
| Based in | 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 Red, black, silver 2006–2007 Blue, red, white 2008 |
| Owner | Gary Nice 2005 Dan Robbie & Todd Wier 2005–2007 Vincent Lesh 2007–2008 |
| Head coach | Richard Jacob 2005–2006, 2008 Trevor Ruffin 2006–2007 |
| General manager | Richard Jacob 2005–2006, 2008 |
| Captain | Tim Winn 2005–2006 |
| Overall record | 29–29 (.500) |
| Playoff berths | 2 (2006, 2007) |
| Cheerleaders | Buffalo Rush 2005–2006 |
| Dancers | WBLK Sweet Divas 2006–2007 |
| 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.[1][2] Nice was CEO of Events Media International, a company that had worked with the league to broadcast its games nationally on radio and television.[3][4]
Mark Hamister disputed the purchase, as he had paid $75,000 to the league for the city's franchise rights in January 2000.[1][5][6] However, he had been unable to come to terms with HSBC Arena management to utilize their venue for the inaugural 2000–01 ABA season.[7] Hamister had been quoted a price of $41,000 per night to rent HSBC Arena, which he found unacceptable.[7]
The league ruled in 2004 that Mark Hamister's two-year contractual window to found a team had lapsed, allowing Gary Nice's plans to move forward.[1]
2005–2006: Buffalo Rapids
The Buffalo Rapids were unveiled in February 2005 after an online contest to name the team.[8] Buffalo Braves won the voting, but along with the second-place Buffalo Wings could not be used due to existing trademarks.[8] The team did adopt Carolina blue uniforms reminiscent of the Columbia blue uniforms worn by the Buffalo Braves.[9]
Richard Jacob was named the team's head coach and general manager in April 2005.[10] Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Kevin Cadle were also considered for the position.[10] Bob Bateson was hired as the team's strength and conditioning coach.[11]
Tryouts for the team were held at Daemen College in June 2005.[12] Tryouts for the Buffalo Rush cheerleading squad were held at Medaille College in June 2005.[13]
Tim Winn and Trevor Ruffin were announced as the team's first signings in June 2005.[14]
The team played the 2005–06 ABA season in the Connie Hawkins Division of the Blue Conference.[15] 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.[16][17] Their inaugural game was a 107–108 home loss to the Maryland Nighthawks in front of 3,200 fans on November 3, 2005.[2]
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.[18] Former Miami Dolphins owner Dan Robbie and his business partner Todd Wier became co-owners after purchasing the franchise that same month.[19]
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.[20][21]
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.[15] Kenneth Massey ranked the team 18th overall out of 47 teams in his final ABA ratings of the season.[22]
2006–2007: Buffalo Silverbacks
May 2006–September 2006
October 2006–September 2007
It was announced in May 2006 that the franchise had changed its name to the Buffalo Silverbacks.[23] The rebranding was necessary because Gary Nice retained ownership of the Buffalo Rapids trademark when he left the organization.[24]
Controversy arose when politician Betty Jean Grant criticized the team's name and logo, which featured a silverback gorilla, as racist.[24] The team responded by adopting a new logo featuring a tiger.[25]
All-Star Tim Winn was released in August 2006 after owner Dan Robbie required him to tryout again for the team, and he refused.[26] Winn had no-showed a team-sponsored youth clinic in Olean, New York the month prior in protest.[27]
Dayshawn Wright, the first overall pick in the 2006 CBA Draft, was signed to the team in September 2006 before breaching his contact a week later to instead sign with the CBA's Minot SkyRockets.[28][25]
Head coach Richard Jacob resigned from the team in November 2006 and was replaced by Trevor Ruffin.[29][30]
The team played the 2006–07 ABA season in the North Division of the Blue Conference.[31] 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.[32]
Antoine Sims was named to the 2007 ABA All-Star Game after leading the team with 28 points per game.[33] Modie Cox was recipient of the league's inaugural Community Service Award.[33]
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.[31] Kenneth Massey ranked the team 6th overall out of 49 teams in his final ABA ratings of the season.[34]
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.[35][36] Robbie and Wier claimed losses of $700,000 in their two seasons of ownership.[36]
2008: Buffalo Sharks
It was announced in May 2008 that the franchise had changed its name to the Buffalo Sharks.[37] 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.[38] The team was led by Ejike Ugboaja with 16 points and Jason Rowe with 7 assists.[38]
Vincent Lesh secured Koessler Center as the team's home venue for the 2008–09 ABA season.[36] 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.[39]
Personnel
2005–2006
| Players | Coaches | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Roster | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2006–2007
| Players | Coaches | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Roster | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Season-by-season record
| ABA champions | Conference champions | Division champions | Playoff berth |
| Season | Conference | Finish | Division | Finish | Wins | Losses | Win% | GB | Playoffs | Awards | Head coach | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005–06 | Blue | 17th | Connie Hawkins | 3rd | 11 | 17 | .393 | — | Won Wild Card (Frenzy) 133–88 Lost quarterfinal (Vision) 97–99 |
Tim Winn (All-Star, All-ABA) | Richard Jacob | [15] |
| 2006–07 | Blue | 12th | North | 3rd | 16 | 10 | .615 | — | Won quarterfinal (Jam) 100–91 Lost semifinal (Olympians) 106–121 |
Antoine Sims (All-Star) Modie Cox (Community Service) |
Trevor Ruffin | [31] |
Game log
2005–2006
Regular season
| 2005–06 game log Total: 11–17 (Home: 6–7; Road: 5–10) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
November: 2–5 (home: 2–2; road: 0–3)
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
December: 4–4 (home: 2–1; road: 2–3)
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
January: 2–3 (home: 0–1; road: 2–2)
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
February: 1–4 (home: 1–3; road: 0–1)
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
March: 1–2 (home: 1–0; road: 0–2)
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Playoffs
| 2006 playoff game log Total: 1–1 (home: 1–0; road: 0–1) | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Wild Card: 1–0 (home: 1–0; road: 0–0)
| ||||||||||||||||||
Quarterfinals: 0–1 (home: 0–0; road: 0–1)
| ||||||||||||||||||
2006–2007
Regular season
| 2006–07 game log Total: 16–10 (Home: 10–3; Road: 6–7) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
November: 2–4 (home: 2–1; road: 0–3)
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
December: 5–3 (home: 5–1; road: 0–2)
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
January: 3–3 (home: 1–1; road: 2–2)
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
February: 4–0 (home: 2–0; road: 2–0)
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
March: 2–0 (home: 0–0; road: 2–0)
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Playoffs
| 2007 playoff game log Total: 1–1 (home: 0–0; road: 1–1) | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Quarterfinals: 1–0 (home: 0–0; road: 1–0)
| ||||||||||||||||||
Semifinals: 0–1 (home: 0–0; road: 0–1)
| ||||||||||||||||||
Player statistics
2006–2007
| GP | Games played | GS | Games started | MPG | Minutes per game |
| FG% | Field-goal percentage | 3P% | 3-point field-goal percentage | FT% | Free-throw percentage |
| RPG | Rebounds per game | APG | Assists per game | SPG | Steals per game |
| BPG | Blocks per game | PPG | Points per game |
After all games.[40]
| Player | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3FG% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ka'Ron Barnes≠‡ | – | – | 16.4 | .444 | .353 | .333 | 1.6 | 2.1 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 6.0 |
| Kenny Brunner≠ | – | – | 33.0 | .300 | .000 | .435 | 3.7 | 4.7 | 2.7 | 1.0 | 6.5 |
| Andrew Bush | – | – | 6.7 | .429 | .000 | .500 | 1.7 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 2.5 |
| Lamar Castile | – | – | 27.7 | .435 | .306 | .800 | 4.5 | 2.7 | 2.1 | 0.2 | 20.3 |
| Keith Closs≠ | – | – | 37.0 | .462 | .000 | .700 | 6.0 | 2.3 | 1.0 | 3.3 | 6.3 |
| Modie Cox | – | – | 23.1 | .553 | .667 | .613 | 4.3 | 3.3 | 2.4 | 0.1 | 6.8 |
| Kueth Duany | – | – | 27.2 | .477 | .531 | .692 | 6.7 | 1.3 | 1.2 | 0.7 | 19.0 |
| Marlin Johnson | – | – | 28.9 | .514 | .333 | .606 | 7.3 | 3.8 | 2.6 | 0.5 | 9.6 |
| Todd Jones | – | – | 24.6 | .452 | .310 | .746 | 5.5 | 1.7 | 1.2 | 0.2 | 9.6 |
| Sean Murphy | – | – | 6.5 | .333 | .500 | .750 | 1.7 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 2.0 |
| Kevin Ross | – | – | 25.1 | .523 | .000 | .613 | 6.9 | 1.3 | 0.9 | 0.9 | 10.4 |
| David Ruffin | – | – | 10.1 | .371 | .316 | .800 | 1.5 | 0.8 | 1.0 | 0.1 | 5.8 |
| Dameon Sansom | – | – | 15.3 | .368 | .268 | .750 | 0.8 | 1.1 | 0.5 | 0.1 | 6.1 |
| Antoine Sims | – | – | 31.2 | .388 | .320 | .836 | 2.4 | 3.2 | 2.7 | 0.4 | 23.1 |
| Victor Venters≠‡ | – | – | 11.5 | .500 | 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
- 1 2 3 McKissic, Rodney (August 7, 2004). "HAMISTER CAUGHT OFF-GUARD BY ABA". Buffalo News. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
- 1 2 DiCesare, Bob (November 14, 2005). "Full-court press at Flickinger". Buffalo News. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
- ↑ "ABA heads to Buffalo in 2005". web.archive.org. August 2, 2004. Archived from the original on August 22, 2004. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
- ↑ "ABA begins national and international television coverage". OurSports Central. December 2, 2004. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
- ↑ McShea, Keith (January 25, 2000). "BUFFALO JOINS NEW PRO BASKETBALL LEAGUE". Buffalo News. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
- ↑ "Adirondack Daily Enterprise 27 May 2000". The NYS Historic Newspapers. May 27, 2000. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
- 1 2 "Arena games saturate area sports market". bizjournals.com. June 5, 2000. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
- 1 2 McKissic, Rodney (February 12, 2005). "BUFFALO RAPIDS SEEK HOME NEWLY NAMED ABA TEAM MAY PLAY ON SEVERAL COURTS". Buffalo News. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
- ↑ Rodriguez, Miguel (May 29, 2005). "COACH SEARCHING FOR CHEER-DANCERS TO LEAD MARKETING EFFORTS WITH THE RAPIDS". Buffalo News. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
- 1 2 McKissic, Rodney (April 27, 2005). "RAPIDS BUILD FROM GRASS ROOTS NEW COACH-GM JACOB HAS MANY CONNECTIONS TO WNY BASKETBALL". Buffalo News. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
- ↑ Davis, Henry L. (September 17, 2005). "Ex-Bill relocates fitness business to Pearl Street in $1 million rehab". Buffalo News. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
- ↑ "Rapids hold first open tryout". OurSports Central. June 1, 2005. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
- ↑ Rodriguez, Miguel (August 14, 2005). "Cheerleader put to the test Youngstown woman pushes past cancer to land spot on the Buffalo Rush". Buffalo News. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
- ↑ "Rapids feel they have a (Winn)er". Olean Times Herald. June 24, 2005. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
- 1 2 3 "American Basketball Association 2006, News, Teams, Scores, Stats, Standings, Awards". usbasket. Retrieved December 23, 2023.
- ↑ McKissic, Rodney (June 27, 2006). "Silverbacks will play this fall". Buffalo News. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
- ↑ Watson, Stephen T. (June 30, 2005). "ECC TRUSTEES DEFEND PRESIDENT AND HIS PAY". Buffalo News. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
- ↑ McKissic, Rodney (December 14, 2005). "Rapids' new era tips off with win". Buffalo News. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
- ↑ "Rapids' Santa Claus Revealed". OurSports Central. December 22, 2005. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
- ↑ "ABA names two ABA All-Stars". OurSports Central. January 26, 2006. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
- ↑ "Buffalo's Tim Winn selected as one of ABA's top players". OurSports Central. April 5, 2006. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
- ↑ "Massey Ratings". web.archive.org. March 26, 2006. Archived from the original on August 29, 2006. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
- ↑ "Buffalo team changes name and logo". OurSports Central. May 9, 2006. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
- 1 2 Watson, Stephen T. (August 5, 2006). "'Silverbacks' called racially insensitive". Buffalo News. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
- 1 2 Bronstein, Jonah (October 20, 2006). "SILVERBACKS: Pair of centers join Cox on Silverbacks". Niagara Gazette. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
- ↑ Beutel, Nate (August 12, 2006). "BASKETBALL: Winn released by Silverbacks, career might be over". Niagara Gazette. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
- ↑ "PEZZIMENTI: Winn's clinic absence a mystery". Olean Times Herald. July 28, 2006. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
- ↑ "Silverbacks sign first overall pick DayShawn Wright". OurSports Central. September 30, 2006. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
- ↑ Beutel, Nate (November 1, 2006). "SILVERBACKS: Jacob steps down as coach unexpectedly". Niagara Gazette. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
- ↑ Murray, Pat (November 4, 2006). "PAT MURRAY: NU soccer coach has done great job". Niagara Gazette. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
- 1 2 3 "American Basketball Association 2007, News, Teams, Scores, Stats, Standings, Awards". usbasket. Retrieved December 23, 2023.
- ↑ Bronstein, Jonah (November 9, 2006). "PRO BASKETBALL: Despite opening loss, 'super fan' likes direction of Silverbacks". Tonawanda News. Retrieved March 28, 2007.
- 1 2 "Silverbacks Cox and Sims awarded ABA honors". OurSports Central. January 15, 2007. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
- ↑ "Massey Ratings". web.archive.org. March 29, 2007. Archived from the original on July 28, 2007. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
- ↑ "New Ownership Group To Operate ABA Buffalo Silverbacks". OurSports Central. September 25, 2007. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
- 1 2 3 McKissic, Rodney (July 11, 2008). "IS TWO A CROWD?". Buffalo News. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
- ↑ McKissic, Rodney (May 13, 2008). "ABA 'Sharks' will play at Canisius". Buffalo News. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
- 1 2 McKissic, Rodney (June 24, 2008). "Makeshift Buffalo stars beat Italians Ugboja, Rainey lead scoring". Buffalo News. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
- ↑ McKissic, Rodney (2008-09-18). "New minor-league basketball team will be called Stampede". The Buffalo News. Retrieved 2008-09-19.
- ↑ "Buffalo Silverbacks 2006-07 Individual Player Stats (Per Game Averages)". Buffalo Silverbacks. Retrieved May 19, 2007.