NORWICH, Conn. — Randy Smith, an All-Star with the Buffalo Braves in the 1970s who once held the NBA record for consecutive games, has died. He was 60.
Smith was brought to the emergency room of William W. Backus Hospital on Thursday and pronounced dead. The hospital did not give a cause of death.
Smith played 13 years in the NBA and appeared in 906 consecutive games from 1972-83. His mark was broken by A.C. Green in 1997.
Smith, 6-foot-3, was drafted by the Braves out of Buffalo State in the seventh round in 1971. He averaged more than 13 points in his rookie season.
He was fast and durable, a good shooter and great jumper. He was one of the most popular players in Braves history, and in teaming with scoring champion Bob McAdoo he helped make the Braves one of the league’s most exciting clubs.
Smith spent seven seasons with the Braves before the franchise moved to San Diego. He also played for Cleveland, New York and Atlanta and retired in 1983.
At the 1978 All-Star game, Smith — playing alongside the likes of Julius Erving, Moses Malone, Dave Cowens and Pete Maravich — scored 27 points and was the Most Valuable Player.
He averaged 16.7 points, 3.7 rebounds and 4.6 assists for his career. In one stretch, he averaged more than 20 points for four straight seasons. He finished with 16,262 points.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
