RIP Randy Smith

I didn't see this on the board and it shouldn't be ignored. Randy Smith could hoop and had perhaps the best Afro in the league.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4233659

 

Not a single mention in that story that he was also a fantastic soccer player. I believe a first-round pick in the NASL.

Here's the Buffalo paper's story.

http://www.buffalonews.com/258/story/693131.html

 

One of the mosty entertaining players of his generation and one guy who used to drive the Knicks and Clyde Frazier crazy.

60 is waaaaay to young.

 

Well, darn. I used to wear No. 9 in college intramurals because he was my favorite player.

 

I wore it for soccer in honor of Hugo Sanchez.

 

fixed for accuracy

 

He was truly a man among boys in the SUNYAC.

Most thought the Braves drafting him was a throwaway pick to appease the locals (Mike Macaluso from Canisius, there was a real throwaway pick). But Smith was the real deal. No way he'd sink that low today, they way scouting has improved.

 

Randy Smith, Ernie D., McAdoo ... that was a talented bunch playing for the Buffalo Braves back around 1979.

 

Back a bit further -- 1973 . The Braves were out of Bullfalo at end of 77-78 season.

They were fun to watch with Ernie D until he tore up his knee. He never regained his quickness. Smith could fly and was perfect compliment to Ernie on the fast break. Also remeber another solid player by name of Bob Kaufman.

RIP Randy Smith

 

I had no idea that this man worked in the same building as me.

I wish I had known.

 

The Braves could embarrass any team on any given night. Baseline to baseline, Smith might have been the fastest in the NBA during that era. I'd give a close second to Tiny Archibald.