Bob Kauffman's 1972 trading card

     The equine world must have breathed a collective sigh of relief when 6- foot 8- inch 240- pound Bob Kauffman gave up riding.

     Now, some of Kauffman's National Basketball Association opponents wish the Braves' rugged forward would "get off their backs."

     It was only natural that Bob would have some acquaintance with horses as a youngster. His father and uncle own a Manhattan riding goods store, a business that has been in the family since the 19th century.

     "I used to ride quite a bit, but I haven't in recent years," Bob says.

     Bob was the leading scorer (20.7) average, leading rebounder (10.7) and assist- maker (4.5) in Buffalo's first NBA season. After two trying years with Seattle and Chicago he convinced the skeptics who said he couldn't make it as a star in the NBA.

     When the Braves drafted Elmore Smith last March and said they planned to move Kauffman back to forward, the skeptics nodded their heads again.

Bob Kauffman in action against the Knicks

     They envisioned a muscle- bound Kauffman, being tied in knots by quicker foewards in the league, a clumsy giant getting burned regularly by a rival's quick moves. None of that has happened.

     In fact, Kauffman is doing as well statistically as a year ago, averaging 20 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists a game.

     Kauffman came to the Braves in May of 1970 via a trade with the Philadelphia 76ers for Bailey Howell, whom Buffalo obtained in the expansion draft.