1988–89 Houston Rockets season
1988–89 Houston Rockets season | |
---|---|
Head coach | Don Chaney |
General manager | Ray Patterson |
Owner(s) | Charlie Thomas |
Arena | The Summit |
Results | |
Record | 45–37 (.549) |
Place | Division: 2nd (Midwest) Conference: 5th (Western) |
Playoff finish | First round (lost to SuperSonics 1–3) |
Stats at Basketball Reference | |
Local media | |
Television | KTXH Home Sports Entertainment (Bill Worrell, McCoy McLemore) |
Radio | KTRH (Gene Peterson, Bill Foley) |
The 1988–89 NBA season was the 22nd season for the Houston Rockets in the National Basketball Association, and their 18th season in Houston, Texas.[1] The city of Houston also hosted the NBA All-Star Game at The Summit this season. During the off-season, the Rockets acquired Otis Thorpe from the Sacramento Kings,[2][3][4][5] signed free agent Mike Woodson,[6][7][8] and hired Don Chaney as their new head coach.[9][10][11] At mid-season, the team signed free agent Walter Berry, who was previously released by the New Jersey Nets.[12][13][14]
The Rockets won seven of their first ten games of the regular season, then posted a six-game winning streak in December, and held a 28–18 record at the All-Star break.[15] Despite a 7-game losing streak between February and March, the team finished in second place in the Midwest Division with a 45–37 record, and earned the fifth seed in the Western Conference.[16]
Akeem Olajuwon averaged 24.8 points, 13.5 rebounds and 3.4 blocks per game, and was named to the All-NBA First Team, and selected for the 1989 NBA All-Star Game.[17][18][19][20][21] In addition, Thorpe averaged 16.7 points and 9.6 rebounds per game, while Sleepy Floyd contributed 14.2 points, 8.6 assists and 1.5 steals per game, and led the Rockets with 109 three-point field goals, Woodson provided the team with 12.9 points per game, and Buck Johnson contributed 9.6 points per game.[22] Olajuwon also finished in fifth place in Most Valuable Player voting,[23][24][25][26][27] and in second place in Defensive Player of the Year voting.[28][29][30][27]
In the 1989 NBA playoffs, the Rockets lost to the Seattle SuperSonics in four games in the Western Conference First Round, losing Game 4 at home by just two points, 98–96.[31][32][33][34]
Following the season, Purvis Short signed as a free agent with the New Jersey Nets,[35][36][37] and Berry left to play overseas in Italy after only three seasons in the NBA.[38]
Draft picks
Round | Pick | Player | Position | Nationality | College/Club team |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 16 | Derrick Chievous | SF | United States | Missouri |
Roster
Players | Coaches | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Head coach
Assistant(s)
Legend
Roster |
Regular season
Season standings
W | L | PCT | GB | Home | Road | Div | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
y-Utah Jazz | 51 | 31 | .622 | – | 34–7 | 17–24 | 19–11 |
x- | 45 | 37 | .549 | 6 | 31–10 | 14–27 | 19–11 |
x-Denver Nuggets | 44 | 38 | .537 | 7 | 35–6 | 9–32 | 18–12 |
Dallas Mavericks | 38 | 44 | .463 | 13 | 24–17 | 14–27 | 19–11 |
San Antonio Spurs | 21 | 61 | .256 | 30 | 18–23 | 3–38 | 9–21 |
Miami Heat | 15 | 67 | .183 | 36 | 12–29 | 3–38 | 6–24 |
# | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Team | W | L | PCT | GB | |
1 | c-Los Angeles Lakers | 57 | 25 | .695 | – |
2 | y-Utah Jazz | 51 | 31 | .622 | 6 |
3 | x-Phoenix Suns | 55 | 27 | .671 | 2 |
4 | x-Seattle SuperSonics | 47 | 35 | .573 | 10 |
5 | x- | 45 | 37 | .549 | 12 |
6 | x-Denver Nuggets | 44 | 38 | .537 | 13 |
7 | x-Golden State Warriors | 43 | 39 | .524 | 14 |
8 | x-Portland Trail Blazers | 39 | 43 | .476 | 18 |
9 | Dallas Mavericks | 38 | 44 | .463 | 19 |
10 | Sacramento Kings | 27 | 55 | .329 | 30 |
11 | San Antonio Spurs | 21 | 61 | .256 | 36 |
12 | Los Angeles Clippers | 21 | 61 | .256 | 36 |
13 | Miami Heat | 15 | 67 | .183 | 42 |
- z – clinched division title
- y – clinched division title
- x – clinched playoff spot
Record vs. opponents
1988-89 NBA Records | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Team | ATL | BOS | CHA | CHI | CLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GSW | HOU | IND | LAC | LAL | MIA | MIL | NJN | NYK | PHI | PHO | POR | SAC | SAS | SEA | UTA | WAS |
Atlanta | — | 3–1 | 4–1 | 4–2 | 4–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–5 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 5–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 6–0 | 4–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 |
Boston | 1–3 | — | 6–0 | 1–3 | 1–4 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–3 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 5–1 | 3–3 | 3–3 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–4 |
Charlotte | 1–4 | 0–6 | — | 1–4 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 2–4 | 2–4 | 3–3 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–5 |
Chicago | 2–4 | 3–1 | 4–1 | — | 0–6 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 0–6 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 4–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 6–0 | 2–2 | 3–2 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 3–1 |
Cleveland | 2–4 | 4–1 | 4–0 | 6–0 | — | 2–0 | 2–0 | 3–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 5–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 3–3 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 3–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 |
Dallas | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 0–2 | — | 3–3 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 1–5 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 0–4 | 6–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 5–1 | 2–2 | 4–2 | 1–1 |
Denver | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 3–3 | — | 1–1 | 3–1 | 4–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 5–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 3–3 | 2–2 | 3–3 | 1–1 |
Detroit | 5–1 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 6–0 | 3–3 | 2–0 | 1–1 | — | 1–1 | 1–1 | 4–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–4 | 4–0 | 0–4 | 5–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 5–0 |
Golden State | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 1–1 | — | 1–3 | 1–1 | 5–1 | 2–3 | 4–0 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–4 | 2–4 | 2–3 | 3–1 | 2–4 | 2–2 | 1–1 |
Houston | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 5–1 | 2–4 | 1–1 | 3–1 | — | 2–0 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 4–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 6–0 | 2–2 | 2–4 | 0–2 |
Indiana | 1–5 | 3–2 | 2–2 | 2–4 | 1–5 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–4 | 1–1 | 0–2 | — | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–4 | 1–3 | 0–5 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–3 |
L.A. Clippers | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 1–5 | 2–2 | 1–1 | — | 1–5 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–5 | 1–5 | 2–3 | 3–1 | 1–4 | 1–3 | 0–2 |
L.A. Lakers | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 3–2 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 5–1 | — | 4–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 3–3 | 5–0 | 5–1 | 3–1 | 4–2 | 1–3 | 1–1 |
Miami | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–6 | 1–5 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 2–4 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 0–4 | — | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 2–4 | 0–4 | 1–5 | 0–2 |
Milwaukee | 0–6 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 0–6 | 3–3 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 4–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 4–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | — | 4–1 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 4–1 |
New Jersey | 1–4 | 1–5 | 4–2 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–4 | — | 2–4 | 1–5 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–5 |
New York | 2–2 | 3–3 | 4–2 | 2–3 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 5–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 4–2 | — | 2–4 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 5–1 |
Philadelphia | 2–2 | 3–3 | 3–3 | 3–1 | 2–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–5 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 5–1 | 4–2 | — | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 4–2 |
Phoenix | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 4–2 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 5–1 | 3–3 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | — | 2–3 | 5–1 | 3–1 | 4–1 | 2–2 | 2–0 |
Portland | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 4–2 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 5–1 | 0–5 | 4–0 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 3–2 | — | 3–3 | 4–0 | 2–4 | 0–4 | 1–1 |
Sacramento | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 3–2 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 3–2 | 1–5 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–5 | 3–3 | — | 2–2 | 1–5 | 1–3 | 0–2 |
San Antonio | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–5 | 3–3 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 0–6 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 4–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 2–2 | — | 0–4 | 1–5 | 1–1 |
Seattle | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 4–2 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 4–1 | 2–4 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–4 | 4–2 | 5–1 | 4–0 | — | 3–1 | 1–1 |
Utah | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–4 | 3–3 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 4–2 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 5–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 5–1 | 1–3 | — | 2–0 |
Washington | 1–3 | 4–2 | 5–1 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–5 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–4 | 5–1 | 1–5 | 2–4 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | — |
Game log
Regular season
1988–89 game log Total: 45–37 (home: 31–10; road: 14–27) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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November: 9–6 (home: 6–3; road: 3–3)
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December: 9–5 (home: 7–0; road: 2–5)
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January: 7–6 (home: 5–2; road: 2–4)
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February: 6–6 (home: 4–1; road: 2–5)
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March: 8–8 (home: 7–2; road: 1–6)
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April: 6–6 (home: 2–2; road: 4–4)
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1988–89 schedule |
Playoffs
1989 playoff game log | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Western Conference First Round: 1–3 (home: 1–1; road: 0–2)
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1989 schedule |
Player statistics
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 |
Season
Player | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3FG% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Playoffs
Player | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3FG% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Awards and records
Transactions
References
- ^ 1988-89 Houston Rockets
- ^ "SPORTS PEOPLE; Signed, Then Traded". The New York Times. October 12, 1988. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
- ^ "Rockets Trade 2 for Sacramento's Otis Thorpe". Los Angeles Times. October 12, 1988. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
- ^ Aldridge, David (October 12, 1988). "Bullets Lose Out on Thorpe". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
- ^ "Rockets Trade Petersen, McCray for Otis Thorpe". Deseret News. Associated Press. October 12, 1988. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
- ^ "Former Clipper Woodson Signs with Rockets, Rejoins Coach Don Chaney". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. July 20, 1988. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
- ^ Luna, Richard (July 20, 1988). "Guard Mike Woodson, Who Led the Los Angeles Clippers..." United Press International. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
- ^ Cooper, Barry (November 4, 1988). "1. Atlanta Hawks". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
- ^ "Sports People; Speculation on Chaney". The New York Times. June 11, 1988. Retrieved January 26, 2023.
- ^ "Chaney Hired to Take Over Bickering Rockets". Los Angeles Times. June 14, 1988. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
- ^ Cotton, Anthony (June 14, 1988). "Chaney Officially In at Houston". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
- ^ "Sports Digest". United Press International. February 2, 1989. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
- ^ "Rockets Sign Wandering Berry". Orlando Sentinel. February 3, 1989. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
- ^ Valenti, John (February 26, 1989). "Berry Starts Fourth "New Beginning"". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
- ^ "NBA Games Played on February 9, 1989". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
- ^ "1988–89 Houston Rockets Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
- ^ Robinson, John (February 1, 1989). "Stockton, Eaton on All-Star Squad". Deseret News. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
- ^ McManis, Sam (February 12, 1989). "Today's All-Star Game May Lack the Usual Magic: Without Johnson and Bird, NBA Showcase Just Won't Be the Same". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
- ^ "NBA All-Star Weekend Stars Will Have to Shine Without Bird, Magic Spotlights". Sun Sentinel. February 12, 1989. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
- ^ "1989 NBA All-Star Recap". NBA.com. NBA.com Staff. September 13, 2021. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
- ^ "1989 NBA All-Star Game: West 143, East 134". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
- ^ "1988–89 Houston Rockets Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
- ^ "Magic Named MVP 2nd Time: Jordan Edged Out in Closest Vote in 8 Years". Los Angeles Times. Times Wire Services. May 22, 1989. Retrieved February 19, 2024.
- ^ "Malone Finishes 3rd in NBA MVP Voting". Deseret News. Associated Press. May 22, 1989. Retrieved September 15, 2023.
- ^ McManis, Sam (May 23, 1989). "Magic Is the MVP This Time: Jordan Finishes Second in Closest Voting in 8 Seasons". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
- ^ "Jordan 2nd in Close MVP Vote". Chicago Tribune. May 23, 1989. Retrieved February 19, 2024.
- ^ a b "1988–89 NBA Awards Voting". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 14, 2022.
- ^ "IN BRIEF: Utah's Eaton Gets Defensive Award". Los Angeles Times. Times Wire Services. May 11, 1989. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
- ^ "Sports Digest". United Press International. May 11, 1989. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
- ^ Kragthorpe, Kurt (May 12, 1989). "Jazz's Eaton Honored as Top Defender". Deseret News. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
- ^ Hafner, Dan (May 6, 1989). "McKey's Last-Second Shot Pits Sonics Against Lakers". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
- ^ "McKey Buzzes Rockets". The Washington Post. May 6, 1989. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
- ^ Luna, Richard (May 6, 1989). "SuperSonics Eliminate Rockets". United Press International. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
- ^ "1989 NBA Western Conference First Round: Rockets vs. SuperSonics". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
- ^ "Sports Digest". United Press International. September 21, 1989. Retrieved November 4, 2024.
- ^ "SPORTS PEOPLE: PRO BASKETBALL; Nets Sign Short to One-Year Contract". The New York Times. September 22, 1989. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
- ^ "Names in the News". Los Angeles Times. September 22, 1989. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
- ^ "Berry Taking New Approach in Italy". The Victoria Advocate. Associated Press. December 27, 1990. p. 2B. Retrieved May 13, 2024.