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Buffalo Sharks

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Buffalo Sharks
Founded2005; 19 years ago (2005)
Folded2008; 16 years ago (2008)
LeagueABA
ConferenceBlue
DivisionConnie Hawkins
2005–2006
North
2006–2007
Team historyBuffalo Rapids
2005–2006
Buffalo Silverbacks
2006–2007
Buffalo Sharks
2008
Based inBuffalo, New York
ArenaBurt Flickinger Center
2005
Park School of Buffalo
2005–2006
Buffalo State Sports Arena
2006–2007
ColorsBlue, blue, white
2005–2006
     
Red, black, silver
2006–2007
     
Blue, red, white
2008
     
OwnerGary Nice
2005
Dan Robbie & Todd Wier
2005–2007
Vincent Lesh
2007–2008
Head coachRichard Jacob
2005–2006, 2008
Trevor Ruffin
2006–2007
General managerRichard Jacob
2005–2006, 2008
CaptainTim Winn
2005–2006
Overall record29–29 (.500)
Playoff berths2 (2006, 2007)
CheerleadersBuffalo Rush
2005–2006
DancersWBLK Sweet Divas
2006–2007
Main sponsorShark 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

[edit]

2004: Franchise acquisition

[edit]

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

[edit]
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.[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]

Antoine Sims scored 52 points in the team's 136–90 victory over the Boston Frenzy on February 3, 2006.[20][21] 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.[22][23]

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.[24][25]

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.[26]

2006–2007: Buffalo Silverbacks

[edit]
Buffalo Silverbacks logo
May 2006–September 2006
Buffalo Silverbacks logo
October 2006–September 2007

It was announced in May 2006 that the franchise had changed its name to the Buffalo Silverbacks.[27] The rebranding was necessary because Gary Nice retained ownership of the Buffalo Rapids trademark when he left the organization.[28]

Controversy arose when politician Betty Jean Grant criticized the team's name and logo, which featured a silverback gorilla, as racist.[28] The team responded by adopting a new logo featuring a tiger.[29]

All-Star Tim Winn was released in August 2006 after owner Dan Robbie required him to tryout again for the team, and he refused.[30] Winn had no-showed a team-sponsored youth clinic in Olean, New York the month prior in protest.[31]

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.[32][29]

Head coach Richard Jacob resigned from the team in November 2006 and was replaced by Trevor Ruffin.[33][34]

The team played the 2006–07 ABA season in the North Division of the Blue Conference.[35] 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.[36]

Antoine Sims was named to the 2007 ABA All-Star Game after leading the team with 28 points per game.[37] Modie Cox was recipient of the league's inaugural Community Service Award.[37]

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.[35] Kenneth Massey ranked the team 6th overall out of 49 teams in his final ABA ratings of the season.[38]

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.[39][40] Robbie and Wier claimed losses of $700,000 in their two seasons of ownership.[40]

2008: Buffalo Sharks

[edit]

It was announced in May 2008 that the franchise had changed its name to the Buffalo Sharks.[41] 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.[42] The team was led by Ejike Ugboaja with 16 points and Jason Rowe with 7 assists.[42]

Vincent Lesh secured Koessler Center as the team's home venue for the 2008–09 ABA season.[40] 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.[43]

Personnel

[edit]

2005–2006

[edit]
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB From
F 42 Afif, Jean-Paul 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 240 lb (109 kg) 1980-03-30 Loyola Marymount
G 25 Battle, Turner 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1983-01-11 SUNY Buffalo
F 21 Bortz, Mark 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 255 lb (116 kg) 1982-12-23 SUNY Buffalo
F 24 Brown, Carlton 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1979-03-24 Texas A&M
F 34 Buddenborg, Brad 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1979-02-18 Oakland
F 4 Bush, Andrew 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1979-08-02 Canisius
G 33 Chandler, Willie 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1980-03-16 Misericordia
G 12 Cox, Modie 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 165 lb (75 kg) 1972-12-29 SUNY Buffalo
G/F 9 Johnson, Marlin 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1975-02-04 Monroe CC
F 20 Ross, Kevin 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 235 lb (107 kg) 1979-07-08 Cleveland State
F 18 Rutledge, DeRon 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1975-10-15 Texas A&M–Kingsville
G 8 Sims, Antoine 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1977-05-?? Johnson C. Smith
C 44 Tyson, Johnny 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 245 lb (111 kg) 1971-08-15 Central Oklahoma
G 11 Winn, Tim (C) 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1977-06-27 St. Bonaventure
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)

Legend
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured Injured

Roster
Last transaction: February 9, 2006

2006–2007

[edit]
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB From
G 18 Brunner, Kenny 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1978-12-08 Georgetown
F/C 42 Bush, Andrew 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 240 lb (109 kg) 1979-08-02 Canisius
G 11 Castile, Lamar 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1982-08-18 Beaver County CC
C 33 Closs, Keith 7 ft 3 in (2.21 m) 240 lb (109 kg) 1976-04-03 Central Connecticut
G 12 Cox, Modie 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 165 lb (75 kg) 1972-12-29 SUNY Buffalo
G/F 31 Duany, Kueth 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 1980-04-22 Syracuse
G/F 24 Johnson, Marlin 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1975-02-04 Monroe CC
G/F 20 Jones, Todd 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 1978-12-02 CSU Bakersfield
G/F 34 Murphy, Sean 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 235 lb (107 kg) 1983-07-29 RIT
F 32 Ross, Kevin 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 240 lb (109 kg) 1979-07-08 Cleveland State
G 5 Ruffin, David 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 1984-02-14 Hartford
G 10 Sansom, Dameon 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1975-05-28 Texas State
G 23 Sims, Antoine 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1977-05-?? Johnson C. Smith
F/C 44 Tyson, Johnny 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 235 lb (107 kg) 1971-08-15 Central Oklahoma
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)

Legend
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured Injured

Roster
Last transaction: February 4, 2007

Season-by-season record

[edit]
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 [35]

Game log

[edit]

2005–2006

[edit]

Regular season

[edit]
2005–06 game log
Total: 11–17 (Home: 6–7; Road: 5–10)
November: 2–5 (home: 2–2; road: 0–3)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
1 November 3 Maryland L 107–108 Carlton Brown (17) Burt Flickinger Center
3,200
0–1
2 November 5 @ Rochester L 88–89 Tim Winn (29) Blue Cross Arena 0–2
3 November 11 @ Montreal L 74–94 Kevin Ross (22) Centre Pierre Charbonneau 0–3
4 November 14 Harlem W 97–90 Trevor Ruffin (32) Burt Flickinger Center
2,000
1–3
5 November 19 @ Maryland L 102–132 Tim Winn (20) Tim Winn (10) Montgomery College 1–4
6 November 26 Montreal W 104–94 Tim Winn (26) Niagara Catholic High School 2–4
7 November 29 Maryland L 112–113 (OT) Tim Winn (34) Carlton Brown (11)
Kevin Ross (11)
Park School of Buffalo 2–5
December: 4–4 (home: 2–1; road: 2–3)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
8 December 1 @ Northeast Pennsylvania L 86–95 Tim Winn (29) Lackawanna College 2–6
9 December 4 @ Harlem L 109–116 Hunter College 2–7
10 December 13 Harlem W 107–102 (OT) Tim Winn (31) Park School of Buffalo
250
3–7
11 December 17 @ Maryland L 94–110 Brad Buddenborg (20) Montgomery College 3–8
12 December 18 @ Newark W 89–88 Tim Winn (23) Essex County College 4–8
13 December 23 Rochester L 100–110 Tim Winn (29) Gow School 4–9
14 December 28 Maryland W 94–89 Rashid Byrd (30) Park School of Buffalo 5–9
15 December 30 @ Montreal W 98–86 Brad Buddenborg (38) Centre Pierre Charbonneau 6–9
January: 2–3 (home: 0–1; road: 2–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
16 January 7 @ Boston W 113–96 Barnstable High School 7–9
17 January 11 Rochester L 91–94 Tim Winn (27) Park School of Buffalo
250
7–10
18 January 14 @ Strong Island W 70–65 Tim Winn (20) St. Joseph's College 8–10
19 January 21 @ Strong Island L 107–123 St. Joseph's College 8–11
20 January 26 @ Rochester L 87–114 Tim Winn (19) Blue Cross Arena 8–12
February: 1–4 (home: 1–3; road: 0–1)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
21 February 1 Montreal L 127–132 (OT) Johnny Tyson (40) Park School of Buffalo 8–13
22 February 3 Boston W 136–90 Antoine Sims (52) Turner Battle (13) Park School of Buffalo 9–13
23 February 5 Strong Island L 100–128 Turner Battle (23) Carlton Brown (11) Park School of Buffalo 9–14
24 February 19 Strong Island L 101–102 DeRon Rutledge (31) Park School of Buffalo 9–15
25 February 25 @ Boston W 117–104 Tim Winn (20) Barnstable High School 10–15
March: 1–2 (home: 1–0; road: 0–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
26 March 4 @ Harlem L 96–103 Hunter College 10–16
27 March 5 Newark W 112–104 Willie Chandler (21) Buffalo State Sports Arena
1,500
11–16
28 March 7 @ Rochester L 95–106 Blue Cross Arena 11–17

Playoffs

[edit]
2006 playoff game log
Total: 1–1 (home: 1–0; road: 0–1)
Wild Card (#15 seed): 1–0 (home: 1–0; road: 0–0)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Series
1 March 12 Boston (#16) W 133–88 Johnny Tyson (29) Tim Winn (14) Hilbert College 1–0
Quarterfinals (#15 seed): 0–1 (home: 0–0; road: 0–1)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Series
1 March 17 @ Atlanta (#7) L 97–99 Johnny Tyson (19) New Birth Missionary Baptist Church 0–1

2006–2007

[edit]

Regular season

[edit]
2006–07 game log
Total: 16–10 (Home: 10–3; Road: 6–7)
November: 2–4 (home: 2–1; road: 0–3)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
1 November 8 Detroit L 100–109 Antoine Sims (33) Todd Jones (7) Antoine Sims (7) Buffalo State Sports Arena
1,232
0–1
2 November 12 @ Detroit L 113–128 Antoine Sims (24) Buck Weeber Center 0–2
3 November 16 @ Rochester L 93–107 Dameon Sansom (23) Blue Cross Arena 0–3
4 November 18 @ Vermont L 100–110 Johnny Tyson (27) Burlington Memorial Auditorium 0–4
5 November 24 Rochester W 96–93 Antoine Sims (29) Buffalo State Sports Arena 1–4
6 November 30 Hammond W 120–104 Antoine Sims (19) Buffalo State Sports Arena 2–4
December: 5–3 (home: 5–1; road: 0–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
7 December 8 Detroit W 119–104 Antoine Sims (24) Buffalo State Sports Arena 3–4
8 December 9 @ Rochester L 90–109 Marlin Johnson (18) Blue Cross Arena 3–5
9 December 13 Richmond W 119–97 Antoine Sims (22) Buffalo State Sports Arena 4–5
10 December 14 Richmond W 123–116 Kevin Ross (25) Buffalo State Sports Arena 5–5
11 December 15 @ Detroit L 104–110 Antoine Sims (21) Buck Weeber Center 5–6
12 December 20 Rochester L 102–107 Antoine Sims (33) Buffalo State Sports Arena 5–7
13 December 29 Cape Cod W 118–110 Johnny Tyson (28) Johnny Tyson (12) Buffalo State Sports Arena 6–7
14 December 30 @ Quebec City W 110–98 Lamar Castile (29) Buffalo State Sports Arena 7–7
January: 3–3 (home: 1–1; road: 2–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
15 January 5 Rochester L 94–96 Lamar Castile (30) Buffalo State Sports Arena 7–8
16 January 10 @ Vermont L 90–92 Lamar Castile (29) Burlington Memorial Auditorium 7–9
17 January 13 @ Toledo W 152–138 Lamar Castile (33) Libbey High School 8–9
18 January 18 Detroit W 103–95 Lamar Castile (25) Buffalo State Sports Arena 9–9
19 January 19 @ Jacksonville L 96–105 Lamar Castile (25) UNF Arena 9–10
20 January 21 @ Maryland W 114–108 Dameon Sansom (31) Montgomery College 10–10
February: 4–0 (home: 2–0; road: 2–0)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
21 February 9 @ Quebec City W 91–79 Antoine Sims (23) Université Laval 11–10
22 February 10 @ Montreal W 99–76 Kueth Duany (18) Centre Pierre Charbonneau 12–10
23 February 21 Vermont W 100–95 Lamar Castile (45) Iroquois High School 13–10
24 February 22 Detroit W 116–102 Antoine Sims (38) Park School of Buffalo 14–10
March: 2–0 (home: 0–0; road: 2–0)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
25 March 9 @ Montreal W 102–99 Lamar Castile (34) Centre Pierre Charbonneau 15–10
26 March 10 @ Quebec City W 120–107 Lamar Castile (38) Université Laval 16–10

Playoffs

[edit]
2007 playoff game log
Total: 1–1 (home: 0–0; road: 1–1)
Quarterfinals (#12 seed): 1–0 (home: 0–0; road: 1–0)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Series
1 March 16 @ Jacksonville (#2) W 100–91 Lamar Castile (37) Lamar Castile (10) UNF Arena 1–0
Semifinals (#12 seed): 0–1 (home: 0–0; road: 0–1)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Series
1 March 22 @ Beijing (#7) L 106–121 Antoine Sims (30) Felix Events Center 0–1

Player statistics

[edit]

2006–2007

[edit]
Legend
  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.[44]

Buffalo Silverbacks statistics
Player GP GS MPG FG% 3P% 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

[edit]
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  44. ^ "Buffalo Silverbacks 2006-07 Individual Player Stats (Per Game Averages)". Buffalo Silverbacks. Archived from the original on 2007-05-19. Retrieved May 19, 2007.