Talk:Bob Kauffman

Oh well, I guess they won't use all that I added to the stub. I'm not going to retype it all ...

Kauffman was largely robbed of an NBA career by at least three teams. Seattle drafted him #3 overall after Elvin Hayes and Wes Unseld, even though he had played at little Guilford. A terrific athlete and player at 6' 8 240 pounds, Kauffman proved to be the real deal. The Sonics, in only their second year, opted to start worn Tom Meschery and journey-man John Tresvant ahead of the rookie star under coach Al Bianchi. Kauffman should have started. His second year, star point guard Lenny Wilkins took over as player/coach. He then shipped the young star prospect to Chicago for 32-year-old Bob Boozer in a racially motivated move. Chicago started two small forwards, Chet Walker and Bob Love, and Kauffman again was a reserve. The Bulls made the playoffs, but faded with Kauffman tied to Dick Motta's bench. The Bulls were a rising contender for whom big man play was always an issue. Yet, here was Kauffman --- not playing. Both teams screwed this guy and themselves in the process. Kauffman, a protoype power forward for the era, finally got his shot with the expansion Buffalo Braves, who played him first at center. He was then a forward the next two years. Kauffman became a three-time all-star at two positions, a rare feat. He could score 20 a game when asked, was a bull rebounder, and passed the ball at over four assists per game. He often hit half his shots and 80% of his free throws. A hard guy to top. Coach Jack Ramsay had a contender on his hands with Kauffman, Elmore Smith, Bob MacAdoo, Ernie DiGregerio and Randy Smith among others. But he blew it. He sent Smith to the Lakers, and put MacAdoo, a natural forward, at center. Then Kauffman, the three-time all-star, was back on the bench. The Braves never did reach their potential. Smith and Kauffman were denied great chances. Atlanta kept him on the bench also, behind a slew of journeymen most of whom were never all-stars. Why? I have no idea where these teams were looking. Here is a white all-star and no team will even start him. Then the guy coaches losing Detroit to a .500 run, an improvement for them. So, of course, they can him for Dick Vitale.