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[edit]

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[edit]

Main article: 1972 NBA draft

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[edit]

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
  • (C) Team captain
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured Injured

Depth chart[edit]

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[edit]

Season standings[edit]

Pacific Division
 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
#
Western Conference
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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

Transactions[edit]

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.
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