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1972–73 Seattle SuperSonics season

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1972–73 Seattle SuperSonics season
Head coachTom Nissalke
Bucky Buckwalter
General managerBob Houbregs
ArenaSeattle Center Coliseum
Results
Record26–56 (.317)
PlaceDivision: 4th (Pacific)
Conference: 8th (Western)
Playoff finishDid not qualify

Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
TelevisionKTNT-TV
RadioKOMO
< 1971–72 1973–74 >

The 1972–73 Seattle SuperSonics season was the 6th season of the Seattle SuperSonics in the National Basketball Association (NBA). The team finished the regular season in 6th place in the Western Conference with a 26–56 record, 21 wins behind the one obtained in their previous season. Head coach Tom Nissalke was fired by the team in January after a 13–32 start and was replaced by his assistant Bucky Buckwalter.[1]

Offseason

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The offseason trade that sent player-coach Lenny Wilkens to the Cleveland Cavaliers was received with shock from fans and the player himself.[2][3] The trade also sent Barry Clemens to the Cavaliers and brought All-Star Butch Beard to the Sonics.

The signing of free agent John Brisker cost the SuperSonics a $10,000 fine and the resignation of their 1973 first round draft pick to the Philadelphia 76ers for violation of league rules that prohibited the team to approach Brisker without contacting the Sixers, who selected him in a supplemental draft in 1969 and held the rights to the player.[4] However, Seattle regained its first round pick after an appeal and the Sonics' second round selection was given to the 76ers.[5]

Draft picks

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Note: only draft picks who participated in at least one game in the NBA are listed.

Round Pick Player Position Nationality College
1 7 Isaac Stallworth Guard / forward  United States Kansas
2 18 Joby Wright Center / forward  United States Indiana
2 23 Brian Taylor Guard  United States Princeton
3 40 Jim Creighton Forward  United States Colorado

Roster

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1972–73 Seattle SuperSonics roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB From
G 21 Beard, Butch 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1947–05–04 Louisville
G/F 42 Brisker, John 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1947–06–15 Toledo
G 32 Brown, Fred 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 182 lb (83 kg) 1948–08–07 Iowa
F/C 41 Cross, Pete 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 230 lb (104 kg) 1948–03–28 San Francisco
G 12 Dudley, Charles 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1950–03–05 Washington
F/C 31 Fox, Jim 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 230 lb (104 kg) 1943–04–07 South Carolina
F/C 24 Haywood, Spencer 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1949–04–22 Detroit Mercy
F/C 44 McDaniels, Jim 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 228 lb (103 kg) 1948–04–02 Western Kentucky
F 40 McIntosh, Kennedy 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1949–01–21 Eastern Michigan
G/F 10 Snyder, Dick 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 207 lb (94 kg) 1944–02–01 West Virginia
G/F 15 Stallworth, Isaac 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1950–01–18 Kansas
G 11 Winfield, Lee 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 174 lb (79 kg) 1947–02–04 Providence
F/C 14 Wright, Joby 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1950–09–05 Indiana
Head coach

(fired)


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

Depth chart

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Seattle SuperSonics Depth Chart - 1972-73
STARTER 2ND 3RD 4TH
PG Butch Beard Charles Dudley Lee Winfield
SG Fred Brown Dick Snyder
SF John Brisker Bud Stallworth Kennedy McIntosh
PF Spencer Haywood Gar Heard Joby Wright
C Jim Fox Jim McDaniels Pete Cross

Regular season

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Season standings

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W L PCT GB Home Road Neutral Div
y-Los Angeles Lakers 60 22 .732 30–11 28–11 2–0 22–4
x-Golden State Warriors 47 35 .573 13 27–14 18–20 2–1 14–12
Phoenix Suns 38 44 .463 22 22–19 15–25 1–0 14–12
Seattle SuperSonics 26 56 .317 34 16–25 10–29 0–2 9–17
Portland Trail Blazers 21 61 .256 39 13–28 8–32 0–1 6–20
#
Team W L PCT
1 z-Milwaukee Bucks 60 22 .732
2 y-Los Angeles Lakers 60 22 .732
3 x-Chicago Bulls 51 31 .622
4 x-Golden State Warriors 47 35 .573
5 Detroit Pistons 40 42 .488
6 Phoenix Suns 38 44 .463
7 Kansas City–Omaha Kings 36 46 .439
8 Seattle SuperSonics 26 56 .317
9 Portland Trail Blazers 21 61 .256
  • z – clinched division title
  • y – clinched division title
  • x – clinched playoff spot

Record vs. opponents

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1972–73 NBA records
Team ATL BAL BOS BUF CHI CLE DET GSW HOU KCO LAL MIL NYK PHI PHO POR SEA
Atlanta 3–4 1–5 5–1 2–2 3–4 2–2 1–3 4–4 2–2 3–1 1–3 3–3 6–0 3–1 4–0 3–1
Baltimore 4–3 1–5 5–1 0–4 8–0 2–2 3–1 5–2 3–1 1–3 2–2 3–3 5–1 2–2 4–0 4–0
Boston 5–1 5–1 7–0 3–1 5–1 3–1 3–1 5–1 3–1 4–0 2–2 4–4 7–0 4–0 4–0 4–0
Buffalo 1–5 1–5 0–7 2–2 1–5 1–3 0–4 1–5 1–3 0–4 0–4 1–6 7–1 1–3 2–2 2–2
Chicago 2–2 4–0 1–3 2–2 3–1 3–4 3–3 4–0 5–2 1–5 2–4 3–1 4–0 4–2 5–1 5–1
Cleveland 4–3 0–8 1–5 5–1 1–3 1–3 1–3 4–3 2–2 1–3 1–3 0–6 6–0 1–3 1–3 3–1
Detroit 2–2 2–2 1–3 3–1 4–3 3–1 2–4 1–3 3–3 1–5 2–5 1–3 3–1 4–2 6–0 2–4
Golden State 3–1 1–3 1–3 4–0 3–3 3–1 4–2 3–1 4–2 3–4 1–5 2–2 4–0 2–4 5–1 4–3
Houston 4–4 2–5 1–5 5–1 0–4 3–4 3–1 1–3 0–4 1–3 1–3 1–5 5–1 2–2 2–2 2–2
Kansas City-Omaha 2–2 1–3 1–3 3–1 2–5 2–2 3–3 2–4 4–0 1–5 1–6 0–4 3–1 3–3 4–2 4–2
Los Angeles 1–3 3–1 0–4 4–0 5–1 3–1 5–1 4–3 3–1 5–1 3–3 2–2 4–0 6–1 6–0 6–0
Milwaukee 3–1 2–2 2–2 4–0 4–2 3–1 5–2 5–1 3–1 6–1 3–3 2–2 3–1 5–1 5–1 5–1
New York 3–3 3–3 4–4 6–1 1–3 6–0 3–1 2–2 5–1 4–0 2–2 2–2 6–1 3–1 3–1 4–0
Philadelphia 0–6 1–5 0–7 1–7 0–4 0–6 1–3 0–4 1–5 1–3 0–4 1–3 1–6 0–4 1–3 1–3
Phoenix 1–3 2–2 0–4 3–1 2–4 3–1 2–4 4–2 2–2 3–3 1–6 1–5 1–3 4–0 5–2 4–2
Portland 0–4 0–4 0–4 2–2 1–5 3–1 0–6 1–5 2–2 2–4 0–6 1–5 1–3 3–1 2–5 3–4
Seattle 1–3 0–4 0–4 2–2 1–5 1–3 4–2 3–4 2–2 2–4 0–6 1–5 0–4 3–1 2–4 4–3

Game log

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1972–73 game log
Total: 26–56 (Home: 16–25; Road: 10–29; Neutral: 0–2)
October: 4–5 (home: 2–3; road: 2–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
1 October 10 @ New York L 89–113 John Brisker (16) Madison Square Garden
19,447
0–1
2 October 11 @ Philadelphia W 105–100 Spencer Haywood (22) The Spectrum
6,257
1–1
3 October 13 @ Portland W 92–84 Spencer Haywood (35) Memorial Coliseum
8,573
2–1
4 October 20 Golden State L 92–101 Spencer Haywood (22) Seattle Center Coliseum
10,950
2–2
5 October 21 @ Phoenix L 117–129 John Brisker (34) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
8,315
2–3
6 October 22 Portland W 120–119 (OT) John Brisker (30) Seattle Center Coliseum
6,925
3–3
7 October 25 Atlanta L 115–118 Spencer Haywood (33) Seattle Center Coliseum
7,140
3–4
8 October 27 Phoenix W 120–115 Dick Snyder (29) Seattle Center Coliseum
8,201
4–4
9 October 29 Chicago L 94–95 Spencer Haywood (30) Seattle Center Coliseum
8,022
4–5
November : 4–13 (home: 3–5; road: 1–8)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
10 November 1 Detroit L 106–116 John Brisker (33) Seattle Center Coliseum
6,005
4–6
11 November 3 New York L 80–105 Spencer Haywood (18) Seattle Center Coliseum
10,031
4–7
12 November 5 Los Angeles L 115–124 Spencer Haywood (30) Seattle Center Coliseum
11,250
4–8
13 November 8 @ Milwaukee L 103–116 Spencer Haywood (29) Milwaukee Arena
7,378
4–9
14 November 10 Kansas City–Omaha L 106–111 Spencer Haywood (38) Seattle Center Coliseum
8,156
4–10
15 November 12 Cleveland L 107–113 Spencer Haywood (28) Seattle Center Coliseum
13,174
4–11
16 November 14 @ Chicago L 80–97 Spencer Haywood (20) Chicago Stadium
7,894
4–12
17 November 15 @ Kansas City–Omaha L 97–106 Spencer Haywood (27) Municipal Auditorium
4,364
4–13
18 November 17 Philadelphia W 105–92 Spencer Haywood (29) Seattle Center Coliseum
7,762
5–13
19 November 18 @ Portland W 102–100 Spencer Haywood (21) Memorial Coliseum
9,639
6–13
20 November 19 Buffalo W 107–84 Spencer Haywood (26) Seattle Center Coliseum
6,587
7–13
21 November 21 @ Cleveland L 88–98 Spencer Haywood (32) Cleveland Arena
2,864
7–14
22 November 22 @ Baltimore L 90–112 Dick Snyder (21) Baltimore Civic Center
2,877
7–15
23 November 23 @ Atlanta L 97–110 Spencer Haywood (29) Omni Coliseum
6,523
7–16
24 November 25 @ Houston L 109–114 Spencer Haywood (38) Hofheinz Pavilion
2,912
7–17
25 November 26 Detroit W 103–96 Spencer Haywood (39) Seattle Center Coliseum
7,980
8–17
26 November 29 @ Boston L 98–120 Spencer Haywood (29) Boston Garden
5,263
8–18
December : 4–11 (home: 3–3; road: 1–8)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
27 December 1 @ Buffalo L 90–93 Spencer Haywood, Dick Snyder (15) Seattle Center Coliseum
16,107
8–19
28 December 2 @ Chicago L 80–89 Spencer Haywood (26) Chicago Stadium
8,030
8–20
29 December 3 @ Cleveland L 103–105 (OT) Spencer Haywood (29) Cleveland Arena
2,957
8–21
30 December 6 Milwaukee W 95–91 Spencer Haywood (32) Seattle Center Coliseum
8,953
9–21
31 December 8 @ Los Angeles L 100–119 Spencer Haywood (26) The Forum
14,618
9–22
32 December 10 Phoenix W 110–102 Spencer Haywood (32) Seattle Center Coliseum
10,628
10–22
33 December 13 Milwaukee L 103–104 (OT) Spencer Haywood (38) Seattle Center Coliseum
8,036
10–23
34 December 15 Portland L 95–96 Spencer Haywood (37) Seattle Center Coliseum
7,812
10–24
35 December 17 Boston L 98–123 Spencer Haywood (34) Seattle Center Coliseum
10,633
10–25
36 December 19 @ Milwaukee L 77–121 John Brisker (15) Milwaukee Arena
7,407
10–26
37 December 20 @ Kansas City–Omaha L 110–121 Isaac Stallworth (32) Omaha, NE
4,067
10–27
38 December 22 @ Detroit L 97–109 Fred Brown (21) Cobo Arena
3,779
10–28
39 December 25 @ Portland L 113–116 Spencer Haywood (35) Memorial Coliseum
6,818
10–29
40 December 26 @ Golden State W 97–95 Spencer Haywood (42) Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena
3,605
11–29
41 December 29 Cleveland W 99–91 Spencer Haywood (31) Seattle Center Coliseum
12,738
12–29
January : 5–9 (home: 3–5; road: 2–4)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
42 January 1 Los Angeles L 103–108 Spencer Haywood (28) Seattle Center Coliseum
8,751
12–30
43 January 3 Kansas City–Omaha W 107–100 Spencer Haywood (51) Seattle Center Coliseum
10,266
13–30
44 January 5 Golden State L 96–128 Fred Brown (20) Seattle Center Coliseum
9,087
13–31
45 January 7 Philadelphia L 82–85 Spencer Haywood (18) Seattle Center Coliseum
12,150
13–32
46 January 10 Baltimore L 86–98 Spencer Haywood (17) Seattle Center Coliseum
7,570
13–33
47 January 12 Detroit W 113–104 Spencer Haywood (36) Seattle Center Coliseum
8,420
14–33
48 January 14 New York Knicks L 84–86 Spencer Haywood (18) Seattle Center Coliseum
11,538
14–34
49 January 16 @ Kansas City–Omaha W 125–122 Jim Fox, Spencer Haywood (23) Municipal Auditorium
4,468
15–34
50 January 17 @ Detroit W 106–104 Spencer Haywood (28) Cobo Arena
2,630
16–34
51 January 19 @ Boston L 104–124 Spencer Haywood (25) Boston Garden
14,190
16–35
52 January 20 Baltimore L 106–126 Spencer Haywood (28) College Park, MD
12,084
16–36
53 January 25 @ Phoenix L 109–112 Spencer Haywood (27) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
5,701
16–37
54 January 28 @ Los Angeles L 94–130 Spencer Haywood (29) The Forum
17,107
16–38
55 January 31 Houston W 118–109 Spencer Haywood (37) Seattle Center Coliseum
6,257
17–38
February : 4–11 (home: 3–5; road: 1–6)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
56 February 2 Chicago W 118–104 John Brisker (24) Seattle Center Coliseum
8,818
18–38
57 February 3 @ Golden State L 101–123 Spencer Haywood (34) Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena
3,261
18–39
58 February 4 Kansas City–Omaha L 98–120 Spencer Haywood (27) Seattle Center Coliseum
11,140
18–40
59 February 6 @ Portland W 118–117 Spencer Haywood (41) Memorial Coliseum
4,755
19–40
60 February 8 @ Phoenix L 112–125 Spencer Haywood (31) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
7,084
19–41
61 February 11 Buffalo L 125–128 Spencer Haywood (40) Seattle Center Coliseum
6,960
19–42
62 February 13 @ Los Angeles L 98–101 Spencer Haywood (35) The Forum
13,127
19–43
63 February 14 Baltimore L 106–107 Spencer Haywood (37) Seattle Center Coliseum
6,034
19–44
64 February 16 Golden State W 114–108 (OT) Fred Brown (33) Seattle Center Coliseum
9,070
20–44
65 February 18 Boston L 105–106 Spencer Haywood (32) Seattle Center Coliseum
12,905
20–45
66 February 21 Houston L 107–139 Spencer Haywood (27) San Antonio, TX
4,179
20–46
67 February 23 Atlanta W 124–120 Spencer Haywood (29) Seattle Center Coliseum
11,735
21–46
68 February 25 Chicago L 85–88 Spencer Haywood (29) Seattle Center Coliseum
10,103
21–47
69 February 27 @ Atlanta L 130–131 Spencer Haywood (33) Omni Coliseum
8,295
21–48
70 February 28 @ Milwaukee L 110–124 Spencer Haywood (36) Milwaukee Arena
10,292
21–49
March : 5–9 (home: 2–4; road: 3–5)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
71 March 2 @ Buffalo W 139–120 Spencer Haywood (35) Seattle Center Coliseum
5,563
22–49
72 March 3 @ Detroit W 115–113 Spencer Haywood (33) Cobo Arena
5,044
23–49
73 March 6 @ New York L 94–106 Spencer Haywood (25) Madison Square Garden
19,644
23–50
74 March 10 @ Philadelphia W 106–96 Spencer Haywood (27) The Spectrum
4,942
24–50
75 March 13 @ Chicago L 89–104 Spencer Haywood (31) Chicago Stadium
9,270
24–51
76 March 16 Golden State W 116–106 Spencer Haywood (35) Seattle Center Coliseum
10,512
25–51
77 March 18 Houston W 121–112 Spencer Haywood (38) Seattle Center Coliseum
8,956
26–51
78 March 20 @ Golden State L 106–114 Spencer Haywood (39) Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena
2,992
26–52
79 March 21 Milwaukee L 96–119 Spencer Haywood (29) Seattle Center Coliseum
11,407
26–53
80 March 23 Portland L 112–118 Kennedy McIntosh (25) Seattle Center Coliseum
10,305
26–54
81 March 25 Los Angeles L 93–109 Spencer Haywood (25) Seattle Center Coliseum
13,180
26–55
82 March 28 Phoenix L 125–127 John Brisker (39) Seattle Center Coliseum
11,246
26–56
1972–73 season schedule

Player statistics

[edit]
Legend
  GP Games 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
Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Butch Beard 73 19.2 .439 .714 2.4 3.4 6.6
John Brisker 70 23.3 .435 .822 4.6 2.1 12.8
Fred Brown 79 29.4 .455 .818 4.0 5.5 13.5
Pete Cross 26 5.1 .286 .444 2.2 .4 .8
Charles Dudley 12 8.3 .435 .875 .5 1.3 2.8
Jim Fox 74 33.0 .515 .808 11.2 2.4 11.4
Spencer Haywood 77 42.3 .476 .839 12.9 2.5 29.2
Gar Heard 3 5.7 .444 1.000 2.0 .7 3.0
Jim McDaniels 68 16.1 .399 .700 5.1 1.1 5.6
Kennedy McIntosh 56 19.7 .326 .615 4.0 .9 4.5
Dick Snyder 82 37.3 .463 .861 3.9 3.8 13.8
Isaac Stallworth 77 15.9 .379 .754 2.9 .8 6.3
Lee Winfield 53 20.0 .431 .574 2.4 3.5 6.6
Joby Wright 77 12.1 .478 .416 2.8 .5 3.9

Awards and records

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Transactions

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Overview

[edit]
Players Added Players Lost
Via draft

Via trade

Via free agency

Via trade

Trades

[edit]
August 23, 1972 To Seattle SuperSonics To Cleveland Cavaliers
Butch Beard Lenny Wilkens
Barry Clemens
September 18, 1972 To Seattle SuperSonics To Houston Rockets
Cash considerations Don Smith
October 20, 1972 To Seattle SuperSonics To Chicago Bulls
Kennedy McIntosh Gar Heard
1973 third round pick

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Supersonics fire Tom Nissalke, Star-News. January 11, 1973. Retrieved June 13, 2012.
  2. ^ SuperSonics Trade Wilkens; Houbregs: 'difficult trade', Ellensburg Daily Record. August 24, 1972. Retrieved June 12, 2012.
  3. ^ Ex-Sonic Wilkens may quit pro ball, Ellensburg Daily Record. August 31, 1972. Retrieved June 12, 2012.
  4. ^ SuperSonics Fined For Signing Brisker, The Day. November 17, 1972. Retrieved June 12, 2012.
  5. ^ "Seattle Regains First-Round Pick". The Pittsburgh Press. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: E. W. Scripps Company. April 19, 1973. Retrieved April 7, 2010.
  6. ^ Seattle Inks Brisker, The Michigan Daily. August 9, 1972. Retrieved June 12, 2012.