1971–72 Seattle SuperSonics season

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1971–72 Seattle SuperSonics season
Head coachLenny Wilkens
General managerBob Houbregs
ArenaSeattle Center Coliseum
Results
Record47–35 (.573)
PlaceDivision: 3rd (Pacific)
Conference: 6th (Western)
Playoff finishDid not qualify
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
TelevisionKTNT-TV
RadioKOMO
< 1970–71 1972–73 >

The 1971–72 Seattle SuperSonics season was the 5th season of the Seattle SuperSonics in the National Basketball Association (NBA). In their third season with Lenny Wilkens as head coach, the Sonics finished the regular season in sixth place in the Western Conference with a 47–35 record, their first winning record in franchise history. Wilkens quit as head coach at the end of the season[1] and was replaced by former Dallas Chaparrals coach Tom Nissalke.[2]

Offseason[edit]

With the sixth overall pick in the 1971 NBA draft, Seattle selected Fred Brown from the University of Iowa. After months of negotiation (the Kentucky Colonels of the American Basketball Association also selected him in the 1971 ABA Draft), the Sonics signed him to a multi-year contract[3] Brown would go on to have a career spanning 13 seasons with the SuperSonics.

The Buffalo Braves selected Spencer Haywood with the 30th overall pick and intended to claim rights to the player from the SuperSonics. Matters were taken to court, with the judge ruling in favor of the Seattle franchise.[4] Tensions prior to the trial rose to the point that Buffalo decided to pay expansion fees to every team in the league with the exception of the Sonics.[5]

Draft picks[edit]

Main article: 1971 NBA draft

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

The Seattle SuperSonics signed their second round pick Jim McDaniels in February 1972.[6] Since McDaniels was under contract with the Carolina Cougars of the American Basketball Association, both teams began a legal battle over the player's contract,[7] with a judge in the King County Superior Court granting permission to McDaniels to play for the Sonics.[8] The Cougars appealed to the Washington Supreme Court[9] but McDaniels stayed in Seattle.[10]

Round Pick Player Position Nationality College
1 6 Fred Brown Guard  United States Iowa
2 23 Jim McDaniels Forward / center  United States Western Kentucky
8 125 Charlie Lowery Guard  United States Puget Sound

Roster[edit]

1971–72 Seattle SuperSonics roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB From
G 32 Brown, Fred 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 182 lb (83 kg) 1948–08–07 Iowa
F 43 Clemens, Barry 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1943–05–01 Ohio Wesleyan
F/C 41 Cross, Pete 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 230 lb (104 kg) 1948–03–28 San Francisco
G 33 Ford, Jake 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1946–04–29 Maryland Eastern Shore
F/C 24 Haywood, Spencer 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1949–04–22 Detroit Mercy
F 40 Heard, Gar 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 219 lb (99 kg) 1948–05–03 Oklahoma
F 22 Kojis, Don 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1939–01–15 Marquette
F/C 44 McDaniels, Jim 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 228 lb (103 kg) 1948–04–02 Western Kentucky
F/C 35 Smith, Don 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 235 lb (107 kg) 1946–04–07 Iowa State
G/F 10 Snyder, Dick 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 207 lb (94 kg) 1944–02–01 West Virginia
G 19 Wilkens, Lenny 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1937–10–28 Providence
G 11 Winfield, Lee 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 174 lb (79 kg) 1947–02–04 North Texas
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured Injured

Depth chart[edit]

Seattle SuperSonics Depth Chart - 1971-72
Position STARTER 2ND 3RD 4TH
PG Jake Ford Lenny Wilkens Lee Winfield
SG Dick Snyder Fred Brown
SF Don Kojis Barry Clemens
PF Spencer Haywood Gar Heard
C Jim McDaniels Bob Rule Zaid Abdul-Aziz Pete Cross

Regular season[edit]

Season standings[edit]

Pacific Division
 W L PCT GB Home Road Neutral Div
y-Los Angeles Lakers 69 13 .841 – 36–5 31–7 2–1 21–3
x-Golden State Warriors 51 31 .622 18 27–8 21–20 3–3 14–10
Seattle SuperSonics 47 35 .573 22 28–12 18–22 1–1 12–12
Houston Rockets 34 48 .415 35 15–20 14–23 5–5 9–15
Portland Trail Blazers 18 64 .220 51 14–26 4–35 0–3 4–20
#
Western Conference
Team W L PCT
1 z-Los Angeles Lakers 69 13 .841
2 y-Milwaukee Bucks 63 19 .768
3 x-Chicago Bulls 57 25 .695
4 x-Golden State Warriors 51 31 .622
5 Phoenix Suns 49 33 .598
6 Seattle SuperSonics 47 35 .573
7 Houston Rockets 34 48 .415
8 Detroit Pistons 26 56 .317
9 Portland Trail Blazers 18 64 .220
  • z – clinched division title
  • y – clinched division title
  • x – clinched playoff spot

Record vs. opponents[edit]

1971–72 NBA records
Team ATL BAL BOS BUF CHI CIN CLE DET GSW HOU LAL MIL NYK PHI PHO POR SEA
Atlanta – 2–4 0–4 4–2 0–5 3–3 4–2 3–2 3–2 1–4 0–5 2–3 3–1 3–3 3–2 4–0 1–4
Baltimore 4–2 – 2–2 3–3 1–4 4–2 1–5 3–2 1–4 3–2 1–4 0–5 2–4 4–0 4–1 3–1 2–3
Boston 4–0 2–2 – 6–0 3–2 4–2 5–1 5–0 2–3 5–0 1–4 2–3 3–3 6–0 2–3 4–0 2–3
Buffalo 2–4 3–3 0–6 – 1–3 3–3 4–2 2–4 1–3 0–4 0–4 0–4 1–5 3–3 0–4 2–4 0–4
Chicago 5–0 4–1 2–3 3–1 – 3–1 4–0 5–1 3–3 5–1 1–3 2–4 3–2 4–1 5–1 6–0 2–3
Cincinnati 3–3 2–4 2–4 3–3 1–3 – 6–2 2–3 2–3 0–4 1–4 0–5 2–2 2–2 2–3 2–2 0–5
Cleveland 2–4 5–1 1–5 2–4 0–4 2–6 – 1–3 0–4 2–2 1–3 0–4 1–5 2–4 0–4 4–2 0–4
Detroit 2–3 2–3 0–5 4–2 1–5 3–2 3–1 – 0–5 3–3 1–4 1–5 1–4 1–4 2–4 2–2 0–4
Golden State 2–3 4–1 3–2 3–1 3–3 3–2 4–0 5–0 – 5–1 1–5 2–2 2–3 4–1 2–3 4–2 4–2
Houston 4–1 2–3 0–5 4–0 1–5 4–0 2–2 3–3 1–5 – 1–5 0–5 0–5 4–1 1–3 4–2 3–3
Los Angeles 5–0 4–1 4–1 4–0 3–1 4–1 3–1 4–1 5–1 5–1 – 4–1 4–1 5–0 4–2 6–0 5–1
Milwaukee 3–2 5–0 3–2 4–0 4–2 5–0 4–0 5–1 2–2 5–0 1–4 – 2–3 4–1 4–2 6–0 6–0
New York 1–3 4–2 3–3 5–1 2–3 2–2 5–1 4–1 3–2 5–0 1–4 3–2 – 3–3 1–4 3–1 3–2
Philadelphia 3–3 0–4 0–6 3–3 1–4 2–2 4–2 4–1 1–4 1–4 0–5 1–4 3–3 – 1–4 2–2 4–1
Phoenix 2–3 1–4 3–2 4–0 1–5 3–2 4–0 4–2 3–2 3–1 2–4 2–4 4–1 4–1 – 6–0 3–2
Portland 0–4 1–3 0–4 4–2 0–6 2–2 2–4 2–2 2–4 2–4 0–6 0–6 1–3 2–2 0–6 – 0–6
Seattle 4–1 3–2 3–2 4–0 3–2 5–0 4–0 4–0 2–4 3–3 1–5 0–6 2–3 1–4 2–3 6–0 —

Game log[edit]

1971–72 game log
Total: 47–35 (Home: 28–12; Road: 18–22; Neutral:1–1)
October: 7–2 (home: 4–1; road: 3–1)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
1 October 12 @ Buffalo W 123–90 Spencer Haywood (29) Seattle Center Coliseum
10,723 		1–0
2 October 15 @ Portland W 119–88 Spencer Haywood, Lenny Wilkens (23) Memorial Coliseum
6,124 		2–0
3 October 16 Milwaukee L 91–98 Spencer Haywood (23) Seattle Center Coliseum
13,100 		2–1
4 October 19 @ Cincinnati W 101–100 Dick Snyder (24) Cincinnati Gardens
2,967 		3–1
5 October 20 @ Philadelphia L 93–100 Don Kojis (18) The Spectrum
10,365 		3–2
6 October 22 Houston W 110–91 Spencer Haywood (23) Seattle Center Coliseum
10,182 		4–2
7 October 24 Cincinnati W 119–101 Spencer Haywood (23) Seattle Center Coliseum
10,318 		5–2
8 October 28 Buffalo W 106–96 Barry Clemens (26) Seattle Center Coliseum
5,816 		6–2
9 October 30 Los Angeles W 115–106 Don Kojis (26) Seattle Center Coliseum
13,138 		7–2
November : 8–7 (home: 5–3; road: 3–4)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
10 November 4 @ Golden State L 96–98 Spencer Haywood (31) Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena
5,814 		7–3
11 November 5 New York W 101–97 Lenny Wilkens (26) Seattle Center Coliseum
12,638 		8–3
12 November 7 Golden State L 102–109 Spencer Haywood (32) Seattle Center Coliseum
13,197 		8–4
13 November 11 Cleveland W 110–91 Spencer Haywood (20) Seattle Center Coliseum
5,808 		9–4
14 November 12 @ Los Angeles L 107–115 Spencer Haywood (26) The Forum
16,550 		9–5
15 November 13 Boston W 116 112 Lenny Wilkens (21) Seattle Center Coliseum
12,738 		10–5
16 November 16 @ Chicago L 87 95 Don Kojis (22) Chicago Stadium
8,907 		10–6
17 November 17 @ Atlanta W 112–104 Spencer Haywood (23) Alexander Memorial Coliseum
5,462 		11–6
18 November 19 Milwaukee L 107–108 Spencer Haywood (36) Seattle Center Coliseum
12,914 		11–7
19 November 20 @ Portland W 104–100 Spencer Haywood (25) Memorial Coliseum
6,634 		12–7
20 November 21 Philadelphia W 127–117 Don Smith (26) Seattle Center Coliseum
10,151 		13–7
21 November 25 Los Angeles L 115–139 Spencer Haywood (24) Seattle Center Coliseum
13,170 		13–8
22 November 27 Detroit W 124–102 Spencer Haywood (26) Seattle Center Coliseum
12,565 		14–8
23 November 28 @ Los Angeles L 121–138 Spencer Haywood (29) The Forum
15,544 		14–9
24 November 30 @ New York W 110–109 Lenny Wilkens (29) Madison Square Garden
18,111 		15–9
December : 7–9 (home: 3–3; road: 4–6)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
25 December 1 @ Philadelphia L 98–102 Spencer Haywood (36) The Spectrum
4,507 		15–10
26 December 3 @ Baltimore W 117–106 Spencer Haywood (35) Baltimore Civic Center
3,480 		16–10
27 December 4 @ Cincinnati W 100–98 Spencer Haywood (25) Cincinnati Gardens
2,643 		17–10
28 December 5 @ Cleveland W 99–91 Lenny Wilkens (27) Cleveland Arena
5,029 		18–10
29 December 7 @ Milwaukee L 83–116 Don Smith (21) Milwaukee Arena
9,061 		18–11
30 December 10 Golden State W 105–94 Spencer Haywood, Lenny Wilkens (21) Seattle Center Coliseum
12,928 		19–11
31 December 12 @ Houston L 98–100 Dick Snyder (23) Hofheinz Pavilion
2,751 		19–12
32 December 14 @ Detroit W 103–86 Spencer Haywood (31) Cobo Arena
3,465 		20–12
33 December 15 @ Boston L 100–112 Spencer Haywood (20) Boston Garden
9,225 		20–13
34 December 17 @ Milwaukee L 113–120 Spencer Haywood (36) Milwaukee Arena
9,360 		20–14
35 December 18 Portland W 107–105 Spencer Haywood (32) Seattle Center Coliseum
7,532 		21–14
36 December 19 Phoenix W 130–127 (OT) Spencer Haywood (35) Seattle Center Coliseum
9,189 		22–14
37 December 22 New York L 104–120 Don Smith (17) Seattle Center Coliseum
11,953 		22–15
38 December 25 @ Phoenix L 86–116 Lenny Wilkens (19) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
6,565 		22–16
39 December 26 Chicago L 102–103 Spencer Haywood (26) Seattle Center Coliseum
10,240 		22–17
40 December 30 Los Angeles L 106–122 Spencer Haywood (34) Seattle Center Coliseum
13,106 		22–18
January : 9–5 (home: 7–2; road: 2–3)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
41 January 1 Buffalo W 97–83 Don Smith (23) Seattle Center Coliseum
8,676 		23–18
42 January 4 @ Houston L 110–119 Spencer Haywood, Lee Winfield (22) Hofheinz Pavilion
2,786 		23–19
43 January 5 Atlanta W 127–116 Lee Winfield (24) Seattle Center Coliseum
8,120 		24–19
44 January 7 Cleveland W 125–111 Spencer Haywood (48) Seattle Center Coliseum
8,169 		25–19
45 January 9 Boston W 125–119 Spencer Haywood (33) Seattle Center Coliseum
11,108 		26–19
46 January 11 Houston W 141–126 Spencer Haywood (35) Seattle Center Coliseum
6,404 		27–19
47 January 13 Baltimore W 112–107 Spencer Haywood (35) Seattle Center Coliseum
9,868 		28–19
48 January 15 Phoenix W 118–110 Spencer Haywood (34) Seattle Center Coliseum
12,693 		29–19
49 January 21 Phoenix L 113–128 Spencer Haywood (32) Seattle Center Coliseum
12,751 		29–20
50 January 23 New York L 99–101 Dick Snyder (26) Seattle Center Coliseum
12,261 		29–21
51 January 25 @ Milwaukee L 91–123 Spencer Haywood (15) Milwaukee Arena
9,046 		29–22
52 January 26 @ Atlanta W 131–119 Spencer Haywood (28) Alexander Memorial Coliseum
6,249 		30–22
53 January 28 @ Buffalo W 104–93 Don Smith (26) Seattle Center Coliseum
4,589 		31–22
54 January 29 @ New York L 106–110 Spencer Haywood (30) Madison Square Garden
19,588 		31–23
February : 12–3 (home: 8–0; road: 4–3)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
55 February 1 @ Chicago W 121–103 Spencer Haywood (27) Chicago Stadium
7,886 		32–23
56 February 2 Houston L 88–111 Spencer Haywood (27) San Antonio, TX
6,074 		32–24
57 February 4 @ Cleveland W 118–112 Lenny Wilkens (25) Cleveland Arena
3,038 		33–24
58 February 6 @ Boston L 123–128 Spencer Haywood (32) Boston Garden
7,246 		33–25
59 February 8 Houston W 127–119 Spencer Haywood (28) Portland, OR
9,000 		34–25
60 February 10 Cincinnati W 118–96 Spencer Haywood (28) Seattle Center Coliseum
7,523 		35–25
61 February 12 Portland W 125–97 Spencer Haywood (28) Seattle Center Coliseum
11,348 		36–25
62 February 13 @ Portland W 127–117 (OT) Spencer Haywood (44) Memorial Coliseum
6,034 		37–25
63 February 16 Boston W 113–112 Spencer Haywood (26) Seattle Center Coliseum
12,120 		38–25
64 February 18 Golden State W 110–108 Lenny Wilkens (30) Seattle Center Coliseum
13,097 		39–25
65 February 20 Portland W 109–105 Dick Snyder (28) Seattle Center Coliseum
13,115 		40–25
66 February 22 @ Golden State L 104–120 Lenny Wilkens (26) Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena
7,063 		40–26
67 February 23 Detroit W 97–96 Spencer Haywood (38) Seattle Center Coliseum
8,359 		41–26
68 February 26 Cincinnati W 122–106 Spencer Haywood (38) Seattle Center Coliseum
13,089 		42–26
69 February 29 @ Baltimore W 118–117 (OT) Spencer Haywood (38) Baltimore Civic Center
6,187 		43–26
March : 4–9 (home: 2–3; road: 2–6)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
70 March 1 @ Detroit W 116–102 Lenny Wilkens (28) Cobo Arena
2,954 		44–26
71 March 3 Chicago W 112–103 Spencer Haywood (35) Seattle Center Coliseum
13,005 		45–26
72 March 4 @ Golden State L 96–114 Spencer Haywood (20) Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena
13,502 		45–27
73 March 5 Atlanta W 112–110 Lee Winfield (18) Seattle Center Coliseum
13,021 		46–27
74 March 7 Baltimore L 98–105 Lenny Wilkens (19) Seattle Center Coliseum
12,507 		46–28
75 March 9 Philadelphia L 123–128 Lenny Wilkens (24) Seattle Center Coliseum
12,971 		46–29
76 March 12 Milwaukee L 99–109 Gar Heard (17) Seattle Center Coliseum
13,129 		46–30
77 March 14 @ Chicago W 115–111 Lee Winfield (38) Chicago Stadium
11,910 		47–30
78 March 15 @ Atlanta L 96–134 Lenny Wilkens (17) Alexander Memorial Coliseum
5,091 		47–31
79 March 17 @ Baltimore L 107–112 Lee Winfield (29) Baltimore Civic Center
4,346 		47–32
80 March 19 @ Philadelphia L 100–115 Lee Winfield (26) The Spectrum
9,828 		47–33
81 March 25 @ Phoenix L 99–118 Lee Winfield (28) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
10,189 		47–34
82 March 26 @ Los Angeles L 98–124 Gar Heard (21) The Forum
17,505 		47–35
1971–72 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
Fred Brown 33 – 10.9 .328 – .759 1.1 1.8 – – 4.2
Barry Clemens 82 – 17.6 .521 – .844 3.5 .8 – – 7.1
Pete Cross 74 – 19.2 .428 – .736 6.9 .9 – – 5.5
Jake Ford 26 – 7.0 .500 – .788 .4 1.0 – – 3.5
Spencer Haywood 73 – 43.4 .461 – .819 12.7 2.0 – – 26.2
Gar Heard 58 – 25.8 .401 – .617 7.6 .9 – – 7.9
Don Kojis 73 – 25.4 .469 – .793 4.6 1.1 – – 11.4
Jim McDaniels 12 – 19.6 .415 – .611 6.8 .8 – – 9.4
Bob Rule 16 – 15.2 .363 – .535 3.4 .4 – – 7.1
Don Smith 58 – 30.7 .429 – .720 11.3 2.1 – – 13.8
Dick Snyder 73 – 34.7 .529 – .842 3.1 3.9 – – 16.6
Lenny Wilkens 80 – 37.4 .466 – .774 4.2 9.6 – – 18.0
Lee Winfield 81 – 25.2 .496 – .668 2.7 3.6 – – 10.6

Awards and records[edit]

Injuries[edit]

  • Spencer Haywood suffered a leg injury at the beginning of March and was out for the season.[11]

Transactions[edit]

Overview[edit]

Players Added Players Lost
Via draft Via trade

Retired

Trades[edit]

November 25, 1971 To Seattle SuperSonics To Philadelphia 76ers
1972 second round pick (became Joby Wright)
Future second round pick 		Bob Rule

References[edit]

  1. ^ Wilkens Quits as Seattle Coach, The Rock Hill Herald. March 27, 1972. Retrieved June 12, 2012.
  2. ^ Nissalke Selected Supersonics' Coach, Nashua Telegraph. April 21, 1972. Retrieved June 12, 2012.
  3. ^ Iowa Hoop Star Fred Brown Signs SuperSonics Contract, The Press-Courier. July 7, 1971. Retrieved June 11, 2012.
  4. ^ Haywood Stays With Seattle, The Modesto Bee. July 7, 1971. Retrieved June 11, 2012.
  5. ^ Braves Not Paying Fee to Seattle, Spartanburg Herald-Journal. May 12, 1971. Retrieved June 11, 2012.
  6. ^ Jim McDaniels: No Longer No. 1 Theft! Sonics Sign McDaniels, The Palm Beach Post. February 18, 1972. Retrieved June 12, 2012.
  7. ^ Sonics Swap Court Writs With Cougs, The Spokesman-Review. February 19, 1972. Retrieved June 12, 2012.
  8. ^ McDaniels Gets OK, The Milwaukee Sentinel. February 29, 1972. Retrieved June 12, 2012.
  9. ^ Carolina Gets Full Hearing, The Spokesman-Review. March 10, 1972. Retrieved June 12, 2012.
  10. ^ Cougars Give Up McDaniels, The Milwaukee Sentinel. September 6, 1972. Retrieved June 12, 2012.
  11. ^ Haywood Out for Season, Star-News. March 10, 1972. Retrieved June 12, 2012.
  12. ^ Meschery to Teach, Tri-City Herald. April 1, 1971. Retrieved June 11, 2012.
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