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1988–89 San Antonio Spurs season
KABB Home Sports Entertainment (Dave Barnett) (Dave Barnett) The 1988–89 San Antonio Spurs season was the 13th season for the San Antonio Spurs in the National Basketball Association, and their 22nd season as a franchise. The Spurs received the tenth overall pick in the 1988 NBA draft, and selected shooting guard Willie Anderson from the University of Georgia. The team also acquired shooting guard, and second-round draft pick Vernon Maxwell out of the University of Florida from the Denver Nuggets, and hired Larry Brown as their new head coach.
The Spurs struggled all season long, posting an 8-game losing streak in December, a 7-game losing streak in January, holding a 13–33 record at the All-Star break, then posting a 13-game losing streak between February and March, and a 9-game losing streak to end the regular season, finishing in fifth place in the Midwest Division with an awful 21–61 record, and missing the NBA playoffs.
Anderson averaged 18.6 points, 5.1 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 1.9 steals per game, and was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team, and also finished in second place in Rookie of the Year voting, behind Mitch Richmond of the Golden State Warriors, while Alvin Robertson averaged 17.3 points, 5.9 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 3.0 steals per game, and was named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team, and Johnny Dawkins contributed 14.2 points, 7.0 assists and 1.7 steals per game, but only played just 32 games due to a leg injury. In addition, second-year center Greg Anderson provided the team with 13.7 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game, while Frank Brickowski provided with 13.7 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game, and Maxwell contributed 11.7 points and 3.8 assists per game.
Following the season, Robertson and Greg Anderson were both traded to the Milwaukee Bucks, and Dawkins was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers.
Draft picks
Main article: 1988 NBA draft
| Round | Pick | Player | Position | Nationality | College |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 10 | Willie Anderson | SF/SG | Georgia | |
| 2 | 27 | Shelton Jones | F | St. John's | |
| 3 | 56 | Barry Sumpter | PF/C | Austin Peay State | |
| 3 | 75 | Archie Marshall | SF | Kansas |
Roster
- Larry Brown
- R. C. Buford
- Alvin Gentry
- Ed Manning
- Gregg Popovich
Regular season
Season standings
:z - clinched division title :y - clinched division title :x - clinched playoff spot
Game log
Regular season
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 1 | November 5, 1988 | L.A. Lakers | W 122–107 | | | | HemisFair Arena | 1–0 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 2 | November 8, 1988 | @ Houston | L 102–120 | | | | The Summit | 1–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 3 | November 9, 1988 | Miami | W 117–93 | | | | HemisFair Arena | 2–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 4 | November 11, 1988 | @ Dallas | L 102–115 | | | | Reunion Arena | 2–2 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 5 | November 12, 1988 | Utah | L 96–105 | | | | HemisFair Arena | 2–3 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 6 | November 16, 1988 | Detroit | L 88–94 | | | | HemisFair Arena | 2–4 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 7 | November 17, 1988 | @ Denver | L 112–139 | | | | McNichols Sports Arena | 2–5 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 8 | November 19, 1988 | Charlotte | L 105–107 | | | | HemisFair Arena | 2–6 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 9 | November 23, 1988 | Atlanta | W 119–109 | | | | HemisFair Arena | 3–6 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 10 | November 25, 1988 | @ Utah | L 95–115 | | | | Salt Palace | 3–7 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 11 | November 26, 1988 | Phoenix | W 117–104 | | | | HemisFair Arena | 4–7 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 12 | November 29, 1988 | @ Atlanta | L 104–120 | | | | The Omni | 4–8 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 13 | November 30, 1988 | @ Miami | W 105–101 | | | | Miami Arena | 5–8 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 14 | December 3, 1988 | New York | W 122–109 | | | | HemisFair Arena | 6–8 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 15 | December 6, 1988 | Seattle | L 107–112 | | | | HemisFair Arena | 6–9 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 16 | December 8, 1988 | Cleveland | L 95–104 | | | | HemisFair Arena | 6–10 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 17 | December 11, 1988 | @ Portland | L 123–128 (OT) | | | | Memorial Coliseum | 6–11 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 18 | December 13, 1988 | @ Sacramento | L 89–108 | | | | ARCO Arena | 6–12 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 19 | December 15, 1988 | @ Seattle | L 107–122 | | | | Seattle Center Coliseum | 6–13 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 20 | December 17, 1988 | Golden State | L 113–123 | | | | HemisFair Arena | 6–14 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 21 | December 18, 1988 | @ Houston | L 109–120 | | | | The Summit | 6–15 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 22 | December 20, 1988 | @ Phoenix | L 110–128 | | | | Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum | 6–16 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 23 | December 21, 1988 | Sacramento | W 125–107 | | | | HemisFair Arena | 7–16 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 24 | December 23, 1988 | L.A. Clippers | L 108–114 | | | | HemisFair Arena | 7–17 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 25 | December 26, 1988 | @ Miami | L 109–111 | | | | Miami Arena | 7–18 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 26 | December 27, 1988 | @ Dallas | L 101–110 | | | | Reunion Arena | 7–19 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 27 | December 30, 1988 | Boston | L 99–112 | | | | HemisFair Arena | 7–20 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 28 | January 3, 1989 | Denver | W 129–105 | | | | HemisFair Arena | 8–20 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 29 | January 5, 1989 | Philadelphia | W 119–104 | | | | HemisFair Arena | 9–20 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 30 | January 7, 1989 | @ Golden State | W 104–102 | | | | Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena | 10–20 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 31 | January 8, 1989 | @ L.A. Lakers | L 96–126 | | | | Great Western Forum | 10–21 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 32 | January 11, 1989 | Houston | L 117–122 (2OT) | | | | HemisFair Arena | 10–22 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 33 | January 12, 1989 | @ Utah | L 91–115 | | | | Salt Palace | 10–23 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 34 | January 14, 1989 | Portland | L 99–103 | | | | HemisFair Arena | 10–24 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 35 | January 16, 1989 | @ New York | L 106–116 | | | | Madison Square Garden | 10–25 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 36 | January 17, 1989 | @ New Jersey | L 112–117 | | | | Brendan Byrne Arena | 10–26 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 37 | January 19, 1989 | @ Washington | L 112–115 | | | | Capital Centre | 10–27 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 38 | January 23, 1989 | Miami | W 119–101 | | | | HemisFair Arena | 11–27 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 39 | January 25, 1989 | Utah | L 103–117 | | | | HemisFair Arena | 10–29 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 40 | January 27, 1989 | @ Dallas | L 82–126 | | | | Reunion Arena | 10–30 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 41 | January 28, 1989 | Houston | L 91–96 | | | | HemisFair Arena | 11–30 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 42 | January 31, 1989 | Denver | W 117–111 | | | | HemisFair Arena | 12–30 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 43 | February 3, 1989 | @ L.A. Clippers | W 106–101 | | | | Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena | 13–30 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 44 | February 4, 1989 | @ Portland | L 100–137 | | | | Memorial Coliseum | 13–31 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 45 | February 7, 1989 | @ Sacramento | L 99–114 | | | | ARCO Arena | 13–32 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 46 | February 9, 1989 | Chicago | L 103–108 | | | | HemisFair Arena | 13–33 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 47 | February 14, 1989 | @ Seattle | L 113–129 | | | | Seattle Center Coliseum | 13–34 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 48 | February 15, 1989 | @ Golden State | L 96–133 | | | | Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena | 13–35 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 49 | February 18, 1989 | @ Utah | L 93–107 | | | | Salt Palace | 13–38 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 50 | February 20, 1989 | Dallas | L 93–105 | | | | HemisFair Arena | 13–37 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 51 | February 22, 1989 | Golden State | L 107–118 | | | | HemisFair Arena | 13–38 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 52 | February 24, 1989 | @ Indiana | L 93–112 | | | | Market Square Arena | 13–39 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 53 | February 25, 1989 | @ Charlotte | L 113–124 | | | | Charlotte Coliseum | 13–40 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 54 | February 27, 1989 | @ Milwaukee | L 96–105 | | | | Bradley Center | 13–41 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 55 | February 28, 1989 | @ Chicago | L 102–121 | | | | Chicago Stadium | 13–42 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 56 | March 2, 1989 | @ Cleveland | L 84–112 | | | | Richfield Coliseum | 13–43 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 57 | March 4, 1989 | Denver | W 106–89 | | | | HemisFair Arena | 14–43 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 58 | March 7, 1989 | Portland | L 103–116 | | | | HemisFair Arena | 14–44 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 59 | March 9, 1989 | New Jersey | W 112–98 | | | | HemisFair Arena | 15–44 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 60 | March 11, 1989 | Dallas | W 97–90 | | | | HemisFair Arena | 16–44 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 61 | March 13, 1989 | L.A. Clippers | L 103–115 | | | | HemisFair Arena | 17–44 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 62 | March 15, 1989 | Milwaukee | W 110–108 | | | | HemisFair Arena | 17–45 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 63 | March 16, 1989 | @ Denver | L 102–119 | | | | McNichols Sports Arena | 17–46 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 64 | March 18, 1989 | Utah | W 114–98 | | | | HemisFair Arena | 18–46 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 65 | March 20, 1989 | @ Boston | L 108–119 | | | | Boston Garden | 18–47 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 66 | March 22, 1989 | @ Detroit | L 94–115 | | | | The Palace of Auburn Hills | 18–48 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 67 | March 24, 1989 | @ Philadelphia | L 122–135 | | | | The Spectrum | 18–49 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 68 | March 25, 1989 | @ Miami | L 105–107 | | | | Miami Arena | 18–50 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 69 | March 28, 1989 | Washington | W 130–114 | | | | HemisFair Arena | 19–50 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 70 | March 30, 1989 | @ L.A. Lakers | L 98–138 | | | | Great Western Forum | 19–51 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 71 | March 31, 1989 | @ L.A. Clippers | L 106–109 | | | | Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena | 19–52 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 72 | April 4, 1989 | Miami | W 109–87 | | | | HemisFair Arena | 20–52 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 73 | April 6, 1989 | Sacramento | W 122–116 | | | | HemisFair Arena | 21–52 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 74 | April 8, 1989 | Indiana | L 126–128 (OT) | | | | HemisFair Arena | 21–53 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 75 | April 10, 1989 | Seattle | L 89–102 | | | | HemisFair Arena | 21–54 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 76 | April 12, 1989 | L.A. Lakers | L 100–107 | | | | HemisFair Arena | 21–55 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 77 | April 14, 1989 | Dallas | L 110–118 | | | | HemisFair Arena | 21–56 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 78 | April 15, 1989 | @ Phoenix | L 91–137 | | | | Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum | 21–57 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 79 | April 17, 1989 | @ Houston | L 91–99 | | | | The Summit | 21–58 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 80 | April 19, 1989 | Houston | L 84–99 | | | | HemisFair Arena | 21–59 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 81 | April 20, 1989 | @ Denver | L 113–136 | | | | McNichols Sports Arena | 21–60 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 82 | April 22, 1989 | Phoenix | L 111–121 | | | | HemisFair Arena | 21–61
Player statistics
Ragular season
| Player | POS | GP | GS | MP | REB | AST | STL | BLK | PTS | MPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PF | **82** | 56 | 2,401 | **676** | 61 | 102 | **103** | 1,127 | 29.3 | **8.2** | .7 | 1.2 | **1.3** | 13.7 | |
| SF | 81 | **79** | **2,738** | 417 | 372 | 150 | 62 | **1,508** | 33.8 | 5.1 | 4.6 | 1.9 | .8 | **18.6** | |
| SG | 79 | 36 | 2,065 | 202 | 301 | 86 | 8 | 927 | 26.1 | 2.6 | 3.8 | 1.1 | .1 | 11.7 | |
| PF | 67 | 10 | 1,119 | 234 | 30 | 42 | 63 | 438 | 16.7 | 3.5 | .4 | .6 | .9 | 6.5 | |
| SG | 65 | 65 | 2,287 | 384 | **393** | **197** | 36 | 1,122 | **35.2** | 5.9 | 6.0 | **3.0** | .6 | 17.3 | |
| C | 64 | 60 | 1,822 | 406 | 131 | 102 | 35 | 875 | 28.5 | 6.3 | 2.0 | 1.6 | .5 | 13.7 | |
| † | C | 52 | 4 | 580 | 129 | 17 | 22 | 4 | 168 | 11.2 | 2.5 | .3 | .4 | .1 | 3.2 |
| † | SF | 47 | 3 | 464 | 56 | 48 | 19 | 4 | 158 | 9.9 | 1.2 | 1.0 | .4 | .1 | 3.4 |
| SF | 46 | 11 | 791 | 140 | 79 | 27 | 7 | 327 | 17.2 | 3.0 | 1.7 | .6 | .2 | 7.1 | |
| PF | 43 | 18 | 623 | 129 | 12 | 13 | 58 | 193 | 14.5 | 3.0 | .3 | .3 | **1.3** | 4.5 | |
| † | PF | 38 | 15 | 912 | 238 | 55 | 30 | 24 | 294 | 24.0 | 6.3 | 1.4 | .8 | .6 | 7.7 |
| PG | 36 | 12 | 730 | 89 | 153 | 44 | 3 | 204 | 20.3 | 2.5 | 4.3 | 1.2 | .1 | 5.7 | |
| † | SG | 36 | 0 | 757 | 59 | 84 | 43 | 4 | 346 | 21.0 | 1.6 | 2.3 | 1.2 | .1 | 9.6 |
| PG | 32 | 30 | 1,083 | 101 | 224 | 55 | 0 | 454 | 33.8 | 3.2 | **7.0** | 1.7 | .0 | 14.2 | |
| † | SF | 24 | 3 | 551 | 92 | 22 | 5 | 3 | 217 | 23.0 | 3.8 | .9 | .2 | .1 | 9.0 |
| SG | 18 | 5 | 438 | 56 | 29 | 18 | 4 | 155 | 24.3 | 3.1 | 1.6 | 1.0 | .2 | 8.6 | |
| † | SF | 10 | 0 | 185 | 32 | 11 | 2 | 2 | 85 | 18.5 | 3.2 | 1.1 | .2 | .2 | 8.5 |
| † | SF | 7 | 0 | 92 | 16 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 26 | 13.1 | 2.3 | 1.0 | .3 | .3 | 3.7 |
| C | 5 | 3 | 70 | 16 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 21 | 14.0 | 3.2 | 1.0 | .2 | .2 | 4.2 | |
| † | SF | 2 | 0 | 33 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 16.5 | 1.5 | .5 | .5 | .0 | 2.5 |
| PG | 2 | 0 | 12 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 6.0 | .5 | 1.0 | .0 | .0 | 1.0 | |
| † | PF | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2.0 | .0 | .0 | .0 | .0 | .0 |
- † Denotes player spent time with another team in the season. Stats reflect time with the Spurs only.
Awards and records
- Alvin Robertson, NBA All-Defensive Second Team
- Willie Anderson, NBA All-Rookie Team 1st Team
Transactions
References
References
- [https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/SAS/1989.html 1988-89 San Antonio Spurs]
- Goldaper, Sam. (June 29, 1988). "N.B.A. Draft; Manning, Then 3-Way Trade Give Hope to Lowly Clippers". The New York Times.
- Love, Ian. (June 29, 1988). "The Los Angeles Clippers Gave Up the League's Best...". United Press International.
- "1988 NBA Draft". Basketball-Reference.
- (June 14, 1988). "Brown Leaves Kansas for San Antonio". Los Angeles Times.
- Kornheiser, Tony. (June 14, 1988). "It Was Just Too Good an Opportunity to Refuse". The Washington Post.
- Anderson, Dave. (November 11, 1988). "Sports of the Times; Brown Skips Town, Again". The New York Times.
- "NBA Games Played on February 9, 1989". Basketball-Reference.
- "1988–89 San Antonio Spurs Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference.
- (May 1, 1989). "IN BRIEF: Richmond Wins Gottlieb Trophy". Los Angeles Times.
- "1988–89 NBA Awards Voting". Basketball-Reference.
- Goldaper, Sam. (January 17, 1989). "Jackson and the Garden Are Too Much for Spurs". The New York Times.
- Winderman, Ira. (January 24, 1989). "Dawkins: Spurs Like Man in Uniform". Sun Sentinel.
- Campbell, Steven. (February 5, 1989). "The Spurs' Travails Are Like a Soap Opera". Chicago Tribune.
- "1988–89 San Antonio Spurs Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference.
- (May 29, 1989). "Cummings Is Traded for 2 Spurs Starters". The New York Times.
- (May 29, 1989). "Spurs Get Cummings for Robertson, Anderson". Los Angeles Times.
- (May 29, 1989). "Bucks Trade Cummings to San Antonio for Robertson, Anderson". The Washington Post.
- Cialini, Joe. (August 28, 1989). "76ers Trade Cheeks to Spurs". United Press International.
- (August 29, 1989). "SPORTS PEOPLE: BASKETBALL; 76ers Trade Cheeks". The New York Times.
- (August 29, 1989). "76ers Send Cheeks to Spurs in 5-Man Deal". Los Angeles Times.
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