NBA professional basketball team season
1977–78 San Antonio Spurs season |
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Division champions |
Head coach | Doug Moe |
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General manager | John Begzos |
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Owner(s) | Angelo Drossos |
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Arena | HemisFair Arena |
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Results |
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Record | 52–30 (.634) |
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Place | Division: 1st (Central) Conference: 2nd (Eastern) |
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Playoff finish | Conference semifinals (lost to Bullets 2–4) |
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Stats at Basketball-Reference.com |
Local media |
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Television | KMOL |
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Radio | WOAI |
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The 1977–78 NBA season was the second in the NBA, the 5th in San Antonio, and the 11th as a franchise. While George Gervin was lighting up the scoreboard with his first point title, the Spurs won the Central Division with a 52–30 record.[1] In the playoffs the Spurs would be stunned in 6 games by the eventual champion Washington Bullets In the series, Gervin averaged 33.2 points per game.[1]
Draft picks
Round | Pick | Player | Position | Nationality | College |
2 | 37 | Jeff Wilkins | C/PF | United States | Illinois State |
3 | 59 | Dan Henderson | | United States | Arkansas State |
4 | 81 | Matt Hicks | | United States | Northern Illinois |
5 | 103 | Scott Sims | G | United States | Missouri |
6 | 125 | Bruce Buckley | | United States | North Carolina |
7 | 145 | Richard Robinson | | United States | New Mexico |
8 | 164 | Jerome Gladney | | United States | Arizona |
Roster
1977–78 San Antonio Spurs roster Players | Coaches |
Pos. | No. | Name | Height | Weight | DOB | From | F | 30 | Bristow, Allan | 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) | 210 lb (95 kg) | | Virginia Tech | G | 10 | Dampier, Louie | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | 170 lb (77 kg) | | Kentucky | F/C | 25 | Dietrick, Coby | 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) | 220 lb (100 kg) | | San José State | G | 12 | Gale, Mike | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | | Elizabeth City State | G/F | 44 | Gervin, George | 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) | 180 lb (82 kg) | | Eastern Michigan | C | 23 | Green, Mike | 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) | 200 lb (91 kg) | | Louisiana Tech | G | 22 | Karl, George | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | | North Carolina | F | 35 | Kenon, Larry | 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) | 205 lb (93 kg) | | Memphis | G | 1 | Layton, Mo | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 180 lb (82 kg) | | USC | F | 53 | Olberding, Mark | 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) | 225 lb (102 kg) | | Minnesota | F/C | 5 | Paultz, Billy | 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) | 235 lb (107 kg) | | St. John's | G | 13 | Silas, James | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 180 lb (82 kg) | | Stephen F. Austin | | - Head coach
- Assistant coach(es)
- Legend
- (DP) Unsigned draft pick
- (FA) Free agent
- (S) Suspended
- Injured
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Regular season
George Gervin and David Thompson of the Denver Nuggets would battle all season for the NBA scoring title. On the final day of the season, Thompson would take the lead by scoring 73 points in an afternoon game against the Detroit Pistons.[1] That night, Gervin needed 58 points against the Jazz in New Orleans. Gervin got to a good start by scoring 20 points in the 1st Quarter. In the 2nd, Gervin set a single period record with 33 points.[1] Early on in the 3rd, Gervin would score his 58 points on the way to 63 points, capturing the scoring title.[1] While Gervin was lighting up the scoreboard, the Spurs won the Central Division with a 52–30 record.
Season Standings
- z – clinched division title
- y – clinched division title
- x – clinched playoff spot
Record vs. opponents
1977–78 NBA Records |
Team | ATL | BOS | BUF | CHI | CLE | DEN | DET | GSW | HOU | IND | KCK | LAL | MIL | NJN | NOJ | NYK | PHI | PHO | POR | SAS | SEA | WAS |
Atlanta | — | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 2–1 | 1–3 |
Boston | 2–2 | — | 3–1 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–1 | 2–2 | 1–2 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 1–3 |
Buffalo | 1–3 | 1–3 | — | 3–1 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 0–3 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 1–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–3 |
Chicago | 3–1 | 3–1 | 1–3 | — | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 1–2 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 3–0 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–1 |
Cleveland | 3–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 1–3 | — | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 1–2 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 3–1 | 2–2 |
Denver | 3–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 1–3 | — | 2–2 | 2–2 | 3–0 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 2–1 | 1–3 | 3–1 |
Detroit | 2–2 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | — | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 3–0 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 2–2 |
Golden State | 3–1 | 2–2 | 3–0 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | — | 2–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 |
Houston | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 0–3 | 1–3 | 1–2 | — | 3–1 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 1–3 |
Indiana | 1–3 | 1–2 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 1–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 1–3 | — | 2–2 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 3–1 |
Kansas City | 1–2 | 2–2 | 2–1 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–2 | — | 2–2 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 2–2 |
Los Angeles | 1–3 | 2–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | — | 3–1 | 4–0 | 2–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 |
Milwaukee | 2–2 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 4–0 | 1–3 | — | 3–1 | 2–1 | 3–1 | 1–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 3–1 |
New Jersey | 1–3 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–1 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 1–3 | — | 0–4 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 0–3 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 2–2 |
New Orleans | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–2 | 1–2 | 4–0 | — | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 0–4 |
New York | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 3–0 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 3–1 | — | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–1 | 2–2 |
Philadelphia | 2–2 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–1 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 3–1 | — | 2–1 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 |
Phoenix | 1–3 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 2–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 1–2 | — | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 |
Portland | 3–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 3–0 | 2–2 | 3–1 | — | 2–2 | 3–1 | 2–1 |
San Antonio | 3–1 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 1–2 | 2–1 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–2 | — | 2–2 | 2–2 |
Seattle | 1–2 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–1 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | — | 1–3 |
Washington | 3–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 1–2 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | — |
Playoffs
1978 playoff game log |
Conference semifinals: 2–4 (home: 2–1; road: 0–3) |
1978 schedule |
Player statistics
Ragular season
Player | POS | GP | GS | MP | REB | AST | STL | BLK | PTS | MPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
George Gervin | SG | 82 | 82 | 2,857 | 420 | 302 | 136 | 110 | 2,232 | 34.8 | 5.1 | 3.7 | 1.7 | 1.3 | 27.2 |
Louie Dampier | PG | 82 | | 2,037 | 122 | 285 | 87 | 13 | 748 | 24.8 | 1.5 | 3.5 | 1.1 | .2 | 9.1 |
Allan Bristow | SF | 82 | | 1,481 | 257 | 194 | 69 | 4 | 666 | 18.1 | 3.1 | 2.4 | .8 | .0 | 8.1 |
Larry Kenon | SF | 81 | | 2,869 | 773 | 268 | 115 | 24 | 1,672 | 35.4 | 9.5 | 3.3 | 1.4 | .3 | 20.6 |
Billy Paultz | C | 80 | | 2,479 | 675 | 213 | 42 | 194 | 1,266 | 31.0 | 8.4 | 2.7 | .5 | 2.4 | 15.8 |
Coby Dietrick | PF | 79 | | 1,876 | 358 | 217 | 81 | 55 | 589 | 23.7 | 4.5 | 2.7 | 1.0 | .7 | 7.5 |
Mark Olberding | PF | 79 | | 1,773 | 373 | 131 | 45 | 26 | 646 | 22.4 | 4.7 | 1.7 | .6 | .3 | 8.2 |
Mike Gale | SG | 70 | | 2,091 | 223 | 376 | 159 | 25 | 637 | 29.9 | 3.2 | 5.4 | 2.3 | .4 | 9.1 |
Mike Green† | C | 63 | | 1,132 | 304 | 66 | 24 | 87 | 476 | 18.0 | 4.8 | 1.0 | .4 | 1.4 | 7.6 |
Mo Layton | PG | 41 | | 498 | 32 | 108 | 21 | 4 | 182 | 12.1 | .8 | 2.6 | .5 | .1 | 4.4 |
James Silas | PG | 37 | | 311 | 23 | 38 | 11 | 1 | 146 | 8.4 | .6 | 1.0 | .3 | .0 | 3.9 |
Jim Eakins† | C | 16 | | 251 | 46 | 17 | 3 | 10 | 89 | 15.7 | 2.9 | 1.1 | .2 | .6 | 5.6 |
Scott Sims | PG | 12 | | 95 | 13 | 20 | 3 | 0 | 30 | 7.9 | 1.1 | 1.7 | .3 | .0 | 2.5 |
George Karl | PG | 4 | | 30 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 7.5 | 1.3 | 1.3 | .3 | .0 | 1.5 |
- † Denotes player spent time with another team in the season. Stats reflect time with the Spurs only.
Playoffs
Player | POS | GP | GS | MP | REB | AST | STL | BLK | PTS | MPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
George Gervin | SG | 6 | | 227 | 34 | 19 | 6 | 16 | 199 | 37.8 | 5.7 | 3.2 | 1.0 | 2.7 | 33.2 |
Mike Gale | SG | 6 | | 201 | 25 | 31 | 7 | 4 | 52 | 33.5 | 4.2 | 5.2 | 1.2 | .7 | 8.7 |
Larry Kenon | SF | 6 | | 200 | 55 | 22 | 5 | 2 | 106 | 33.3 | 9.2 | 3.7 | .8 | .3 | 17.7 |
Billy Paultz | C | 6 | | 191 | 41 | 14 | 5 | 5 | 69 | 31.8 | 6.8 | 2.3 | .8 | .8 | 11.5 |
Mike Green | C | 6 | | 174 | 44 | 11 | 5 | 16 | 65 | 29.0 | 7.3 | 1.8 | .8 | 2.7 | 10.8 |
Mark Olberding | PF | 6 | | 152 | 30 | 14 | 6 | 6 | 63 | 25.3 | 5.0 | 2.3 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 10.5 |
Louie Dampier | PG | 6 | | 129 | 7 | 15 | 4 | 2 | 35 | 21.5 | 1.2 | 2.5 | .7 | .3 | 5.8 |
Coby Dietrick | PF | 6 | | 96 | 25 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 29 | 16.0 | 4.2 | .7 | .8 | .8 | 4.8 |
Allan Bristow | SF | 5 | | 51 | 11 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 22 | 10.2 | 2.2 | 1.4 | .4 | .0 | 4.4 |
James Silas | PG | 3 | | 19 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 6.3 | .0 | .3 | .3 | .0 | 2.3 |
Awards and honors
References
- ^ a b c d e San Antonio Spurs (1973–Present)
- Spurs on Basketball Reference
San Antonio Spurs |
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- Founded in 1967
- Formerly the Dallas Chaparrals (1967–1970, 1971–1973) and the Texas Chaparrals (1970–1971)
- Based in San Antonio, Texas
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Franchise | |
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Arenas | |
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Personnel | |
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G League affiliate | |
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Retired numbers | |
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NBA championships | |
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Rivalries | |
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Culture and lore | |
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San Antonio Spurs seasons |
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1960s | |
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1970s | |
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1980s | |
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1990s | |
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2000s | |
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2020s | |
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Bold indicates NBA Finals victory |