1988–89 San Antonio Spurs season

The 1988–89 NBA season was the Spurs' 13th season in the NBA and 22nd season as a franchise.[1] The Spurs had the tenth overall pick in the 1988 NBA draft, and selected Willie Anderson from the University of Georgia.[2][3][4][5][6] The team also acquired rookie guard Vernon Maxwell out of the University of Florida from the Denver Nuggets, and hired Larry Brown as their new head coach.[7][8][9][10] 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,[11] then posting a 13-game losing streak between February and March, and a 9-game losing streak to end their season, finishing fifth in the Midwest Division with an awful 21–61 record, missing the playoffs.[12]

1988–89 San Antonio Spurs season
Head coachLarry Brown
General managerBob Bass
Owner(s)Red McCombs
ArenaHemisFair Arena
Results
Record21–61 (.256)
PlaceDivision: 5th (Midwest)
Conference: 12th (Western)
Playoff finishDid not qualify

Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
TelevisionKSAT-TV
KABB
Home Sports Entertainment
(Dave Barnett)
RadioWOAI
(Dave Barnett)
< 1987–88 1989–90 >

Anderson averaged 18.6 points, 5.1 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 1.9 steals per game, was selected to the NBA All-Rookie First Team, and finished in second place in Rookie of the Year voting,[13][14][15] 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.[16][17][18] 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.[19]

Following the season, Robertson and Greg Anderson were both traded to the Milwaukee Bucks,[20][21][22][23][24] and Dawkins was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers.[25][26][27][28]

Draft picks

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RoundPickPlayerPositionNationalityCollege
110Willie AndersonSF/SG  United StatesGeorgia
227Shelton JonesF  United StatesSt. John's
356Barry SumpterPF/C  United StatesAustin Peay State
375Archie MarshallSF  United StatesKansas

Roster

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1988–89 San Antonio Spurs roster
PlayersCoaches
Pos.No.NameHeightWeightDOBFrom
F/C33Anderson, Cadillac6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)230 lb (104 kg)––Houston
G/F40Anderson, Willie6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)190 lb (86 kg)––Georgia
G25Bowie, Anthony6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)190 lb (86 kg)––Oklahoma
F43Brickowski, Frank6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)240 lb (109 kg)––Penn State
F22Comegys, Dallas6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)205 lb (93 kg)––DePaul
G24Dawkins, Johnny6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)165 lb (75 kg)––Duke
G11Maxwell, Vernon6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)180 lb (82 kg)––Florida
F7Natt, Calvin6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)220 lb (100 kg)––Louisiana–Monroe
G21Robertson, Alvin6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)185 lb (84 kg)––Arkansas
F3Roth, Scott6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)212 lb (96 kg)––Wisconsin
F/C52Smrek, Mike7 ft 0 in (2.13 m)250 lb (113 kg)––Canisius
F31Vincent, Jay6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)220 lb (100 kg)––Michigan State
C6Whitehead, Jerome6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)220 lb (100 kg)––Marquette
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)

Legend
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured

Regular season

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Season standings

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W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-Utah Jazz5131.62234–717–2419–11
x-Houston Rockets4537.549631–1014–2719–11
x-Denver Nuggets4438.537735–69–3218–12
Dallas Mavericks3844.4631324–1714–2719–11
San Antonio Spurs2161.2563018–233–389–21
Miami Heat1567.1833612–293–386–24
#
Team W L PCT GB
1c-Los Angeles Lakers5725.695
2y-Utah Jazz5131.6226
3x-Phoenix Suns5527.6712
4x-Seattle SuperSonics4735.57310
5x-Houston Rockets4537.54912
6x-Denver Nuggets4438.53713
7x-Golden State Warriors4339.52414
8x-Portland Trail Blazers3943.47618
9Dallas Mavericks3844.46319
10Sacramento Kings2755.32930
11San Antonio Spurs2161.25636
12Los Angeles Clippers2161.25636
13Miami Heat1567.18342
z - clinched division title
y - clinched division title
x - clinched playoff spot

Record vs. opponents

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1988-89 NBA Records
TeamATLBOSCHACHICLEDALDENDETGSWHOUINDLACLALMIAMILNJNNYKPHIPHOPORSACSASSEAUTAWAS
Atlanta3–14–14–24–21–10–21–51–11–15–12–01–11–16–04–12–22–21–11–12–01–11–11–13–1
Boston1–36–01–31–41–11–11–31–11–12–32–01–12–02–25–13–33–30–21–12–02–00–21–12–4
Charlotte1–40–61–40–40–20–20–40–20–22–22–00–21–10–42–42–43–30–20–21–12–01–11–11–5
Chicago2–43–14–10–62–01–10–61–11–14–21–12–02–06–02–23–21–31–12–02–02–02–00–23–1
Cleveland2–44–14–06–02–02–03–31–11–15–11–10–22–03–34–02–23–22–02–02–02–01–11–12–2
Dallas1–11–12–00–20–23–30–21–31–51–13–10–46–00–21–10–21–11–32–22–25–12–24–21–1
Denver2–01–12–01–10–23–31–13–14–21–12–21–35–10–21–11–11–11–32–23–13–32–23–31–1
Detroit5–13–14–06–03–32–01–11–11–14–22–02–02–02–44–00–45–02–01–12–02–02–02–05–0
Golden State1–11–12–01–11–13–11–31–11–31–15–12–34–00–22–02–01–12–42–42–33–12–42–21–1
Houston1–11–12–01–11–15–12–41–13–12–02–21–34–21–12–00–20–21–33–12–26–02–22–40–2
Indiana1–53–22–22–41–51–11–12–41–10–21–10–21–12–41–30–50–41–12–01–12–01–11–11–3
L.A. Clippers0–20–20–21–11–11–32–20–21–52–21–11–51–30–21–10–20–21–51–52–33–11–41–30–2
L.A. Lakers1–11–12–00–22–04–03–10–23–23–12–05–14–01–11–11–12–03–35–05–13–14–21–31–1
Miami1–10–21–10–20–20–61–50–20–42–41–13–10–40–21–11–10–20–40–41–32–40–41–50–2
Milwaukee0–62–24–00–63–32–02–04–22–01–14–22–01–12–04–11–33–11–12–02–01–11–11–14–1
New Jersey1–41–54–22–20–41–11–10–40–20–23–11–11–11–11–42–41–51–10–21–11–12–00–21–5
New York2–23–34–22–32–22–01–14–00–22–05–02–01–11–13–14–22–41–12–01–11–11–11–15–1
Philadelphia2–23–33–33–12–31–11–10–51–12–04–02–00–22–01–35–14–20–21–12–01–11–11–14–2
Phoenix1–12–02–01–10–23–13–10–24–23–11–15–13–34–01–11–11–12–02–35–13–14–12–22–0
Portland1–11–12–00–20–22–22–21–14–21–30–25–10–54–00–22–00–21–13–23–34–02–40–41–1
Sacramento0–20–21–10–20–22–21–30–23–22–21–13–21–53–10–21–11–10–21–53–32–21–51–30–2
San Antonio1–10–20–20–20–21–53–30–21–30–60–21–31–34–21–11–11–11–11–30–42–20–41–51–1
Seattle1–12–01–10–21–12–22–20–24–22–21–14–12–44–01–10–21–11–11–44–25–14–03–11–1
Utah1–11–11–12–01–12–43–30–22–24–21–13–13–15–11–12–01–11–12–24–03–15–11–32–0
Washington1–34–25–11–32–21–11–10–51–12–03–12–01–12–01–45–11–52–40–21–12–01–11–10–2

Game log

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Regular season

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1988–89 game log
Total: 21–61 (Home: 18–23; Road: 3–38)
November: 5–8 (home: 4–3; road: 1–5)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
1November 5, 1988L.A. LakersW 122–107HemisFair Arena1–0
2November 8, 1988@ HoustonL 102–120The Summit1–1
3November 9, 1988MiamiW 117–93HemisFair Arena2–1
4November 11, 1988@ DallasL 102–115Reunion Arena2–2
5November 12, 1988UtahL 96–105HemisFair Arena2–3
6November 16, 1988DetroitL 88–94HemisFair Arena2–4
7November 17, 1988@ DenverL 112–139McNichols Sports Arena2–5
8November 19, 1988CharlotteL 105–107HemisFair Arena2–6
9November 23, 1988AtlantaW 119–109HemisFair Arena3–6
10November 25, 1988@ UtahL 95–115Salt Palace3–7
11November 26, 1988PhoenixW 117–104HemisFair Arena4–7
12November 29, 1988@ AtlantaL 104–120The Omni4–8
13November 30, 1988@ MiamiW 105–101Miami Arena5–8
December: 2–12 (home: 2–5; road: 0–7)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
14December 3, 1988New YorkW 122–109HemisFair Arena6–8
15December 6, 1988SeattleL 107–112HemisFair Arena6–9
16December 8, 1988ClevelandL 95–104HemisFair Arena6–10
17December 11, 1988@ PortlandL 123–128 (OT)Memorial Coliseum6–11
18December 13, 1988@ SacramentoL 89–108ARCO Arena6–12
19December 15, 1988@ SeattleL 107–122Seattle Center Coliseum6–13
20December 17, 1988Golden StateL 113–123HemisFair Arena6–14
21December 18, 1988@ HoustonL 109–120The Summit6–15
22December 20, 1988@ PhoenixL 110–128Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum6–16
23December 21, 1988SacramentoW 125–107HemisFair Arena7–16
24December 23, 1988L.A. ClippersL 108–114HemisFair Arena7–17
25December 26, 1988@ MiamiL 109–111Miami Arena7–18
26December 27, 1988@ DallasL 101–110Reunion Arena7–19
27December 30, 1988BostonL 99–112HemisFair Arena7–20
January: 5–10 (home: 4–4; road: 1–6)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
28January 3, 1989DenverW 129–105HemisFair Arena8–20
29January 5, 1989PhiladelphiaW 119–104HemisFair Arena9–20
30January 7, 1989@ Golden StateW 104–102Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena10–20
31January 8, 1989@ L.A. LakersL 96–126Great Western Forum10–21
32January 11, 1989HoustonL 117–122 (2OT)HemisFair Arena10–22
33January 12, 1989@ UtahL 91–115Salt Palace10–23
34January 14, 1989PortlandL 99–103HemisFair Arena10–24
35January 16, 1989@ New YorkL 106–116Madison Square Garden10–25
36January 17, 1989@ New JerseyL 112–117Brendan Byrne Arena10–26
37January 19, 1989@ WashingtonL 112–115Capital Centre10–27
38January 23, 1989MiamiW 119–101HemisFair Arena11–27
39January 25, 1989UtahL 103–117HemisFair Arena10–29
40January 27, 1989@ DallasL 82–126Reunion Arena10–30
41January 28, 1989HoustonL 91–96HemisFair Arena11–30
42January 31, 1989DenverW 117–111HemisFair Arena12–30
February: 1–12 (home: 0–3; road: 1–9)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
43February 3, 1989@ L.A. ClippersW 106–101Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena13–30
44February 4, 1989@ PortlandL 100–137Memorial Coliseum13–31
45February 7, 1989@ SacramentoL 99–114ARCO Arena13–32
46February 9, 1989ChicagoL 103–108HemisFair Arena13–33
47February 14, 1989@ SeattleL 113–129Seattle Center Coliseum13–34
48February 15, 1989@ Golden StateL 96–133Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena13–35
49February 18, 1989@ UtahL 93–107Salt Palace13–38
50February 20, 1989DallasL 93–105HemisFair Arena13–37
51February 22, 1989Golden StateL 107–118HemisFair Arena13–38
52February 24, 1989@ IndianaL 93–112Market Square Arena13–39
53February 25, 1989@ CharlotteL 113–124Charlotte Coliseum13–40
54February 27, 1989@ MilwaukeeL 96–105Bradley Center13–41
55February 28, 1989@ ChicagoL 102–121Chicago Stadium13–42
March: 6–10 (home: 6–2; road: 0–8)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
56March 2, 1989@ ClevelandL 84–112Richfield Coliseum13–43
57March 4, 1989DenverW 106–89HemisFair Arena14–43
58March 7, 1989PortlandL 103–116HemisFair Arena14–44
59March 9, 1989New JerseyW 112–98HemisFair Arena15–44
60March 11, 1989DallasW 97–90HemisFair Arena16–44
61March 13, 1989L.A. ClippersL 103–115HemisFair Arena17–44
62March 15, 1989MilwaukeeW 110–108HemisFair Arena17–45
63March 16, 1989@ DenverL 102–119McNichols Sports Arena17–46
64March 18, 1989UtahW 114–98HemisFair Arena18–46
65March 20, 1989@ BostonL 108–119Boston Garden18–47
66March 22, 1989@ DetroitL 94–115The Palace of Auburn Hills18–48
67March 24, 1989@ PhiladelphiaL 122–135The Spectrum18–49
68March 25, 1989@ MiamiL 105–107Miami Arena18–50
69March 28, 1989WashingtonW 130–114HemisFair Arena19–50
70March 30, 1989@ L.A. LakersL 98–138Great Western Forum19–51
71March 31, 1989@ L.A. ClippersL 106–109Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena19–52
April: 2–9 (home: 2–6; road: 0–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
72April 4, 1989MiamiW 109–87HemisFair Arena20–52
73April 6, 1989SacramentoW 122–116HemisFair Arena21–52
74April 8, 1989IndianaL 126–128 (OT)HemisFair Arena21–53
75April 10, 1989SeattleL 89–102HemisFair Arena21–54
76April 12, 1989L.A. LakersL 100–107HemisFair Arena21–55
77April 14, 1989DallasL 110–118HemisFair Arena21–56
78April 15, 1989@ PhoenixL 91–137Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum21–57
79April 17, 1989@ HoustonL 91–99The Summit21–58
80April 19, 1989HoustonL 84–99HemisFair Arena21–59
81April 20, 1989@ DenverL 113–136McNichols Sports Arena21–60
82April 22, 1989PhoenixL 111–121HemisFair Arena21–61
1988–89 schedule

Player statistics

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Legend
  GPGames played  GS Games started MPG Minutes per game
 FG% Field-goal percentage 3P% 3-point field-goal percentage FT% Free-throw percentage
 RPG Rebounds per game APG Assists per game SPG Steals per game
 BPG Blocks per game PPG Points per game
PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3FG%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
Cadillac Anderson8213.7
Michael Anderson365.7
Willie Anderson8118.6
Anthony Bowie188.6
Frank Brickowski6413.7
Dallas Comegys676.5
Darwin Cook369.6
Johnny Dawkins3214.2
Dave Greenwood387.7
Petur Gudmundsson54.2
Shelton Jones73.7
Albert King467.1
Vernon Maxwell7911.7
Todd Mitchell2016.522.2%22.2%25%1.50.50.50.02.5
Calvin Natt108.5
Alvin Robertson6517.3
Scott Roth473.4
Keith Smart206.00.0%0.0%100%0.51.00.00.01.0
Mike Smrek434.5
John Stroeder102.00.0%0.0%0.0%0.00.00.00.00.0
Jay Vincent249.0
Jerome Whitehead523.2

Awards and records

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Transactions

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References

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  1. ^ 1988-89 San Antonio Spurs
  2. ^ Goldaper, Sam (June 29, 1988). "N.B.A. Draft; Manning, Then 3-Way Trade Give Hope to Lowly Clippers". The New York Times. Retrieved February 14, 2022.
  3. ^ Love, Ian (June 29, 1988). "The Los Angeles Clippers Gave Up the League's Best..." United Press International. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
  4. ^ "NBA Draft Lists". Chicago Tribune. June 29, 1988. Retrieved June 20, 2023.
  5. ^ "Top Picks for Each NBA Team Over Last Decade". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 20, 2023.
  6. ^ "1988 NBA Draft". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
  7. ^ "Brown Leaves Kansas for San Antonio". Los Angeles Times. Staff and Wire Reports. June 14, 1988. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
  8. ^ Kornheiser, Tony (June 14, 1988). "It Was Just Too Good an Opportunity to Refuse". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 20, 2023.
  9. ^ "On the Light Side". Associated Press. June 14, 1988. Retrieved June 20, 2023.
  10. ^ Anderson, Dave (November 11, 1988). "Sports of the Times; Brown Skips Town, Again". The New York Times. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
  11. ^ "NBA Games Played on February 9, 1989". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
  12. ^ "1988–89 San Antonio Spurs Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 14, 2022.
  13. ^ "IN BRIEF: Richmond Wins Gottlieb Trophy". Los Angeles Times. Times Wire Services. May 1, 1989. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
  14. ^ "NBA Honors Richmond as Top Rookie". Deseret News. May 1, 1989. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
  15. ^ "1988–89 NBA Awards Voting". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
  16. ^ Goldaper, Sam (January 17, 1989). "Jackson and the Garden Are Too Much for Spurs". The New York Times. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
  17. ^ Winderman, Ira (January 24, 1989). "Dawkins: Spurs Like Man in Uniform". Sun Sentinel. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
  18. ^ Campbell, Steven (February 5, 1989). "The Spurs' Travails Are Like a Soap Opera". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
  19. ^ "1988–89 San Antonio Spurs Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 14, 2022.
  20. ^ DiGiovanni, Joe (May 28, 1989). "Bucks Trade Cummings to Spurs for Robertson, Anderson". United Press International. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  21. ^ "Cummings Is Traded for 2 Spurs Starters". The New York Times. Associated Press. May 29, 1989. Retrieved February 14, 2022.
  22. ^ "Spurs Get Cummings for Robertson, Anderson". Los Angeles Times. May 29, 1989. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  23. ^ "Bucks Trade Cummings to San Antonio for Robertson, Anderson". The Washington Post. May 29, 1989. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
  24. ^ "Bucks-Spurs Deal Shocks Cummings". Deseret News. May 29, 1989. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  25. ^ Cialini, Joe (August 28, 1989). "76ers Trade Cheeks to Spurs". United Press International. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
  26. ^ "SPORTS PEOPLE: BASKETBALL; 76ers Trade Cheeks". The New York Times. August 29, 1989. Retrieved February 14, 2022.
  27. ^ "76ers Send Cheeks to Spurs in 5-Man Deal". Los Angeles Times. August 29, 1989. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  28. ^ "Sixers Send Cheeks to Spurs". Deseret News. August 29, 1989. Retrieved December 27, 2022.

See also

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