NBA professional basketball team season
The 1976–77 NBA season was the Spurs first season in the NBA. Months earlier, the Spurs were part of the American Basketball Association (Six in Dallas and three in San Antonio ). The ABA had ended its ninth and last campaign. Of the seven remaining ABA teams, four joined the NBA: the Denver Nuggets , New York Nets , Indiana Pacers and San Antonio Spurs.[ 1] The Kentucky Colonels and Spirits of St. Louis agreed to take a cash settlement and cease operations. Immediately, the ABA players were dispersed across the new 22-team league.[ 1] The other ABA teams from the prior season were all folded prior to the ABA–NBA merger : the Baltimore Claws , Utah Stars , San Diego Sails and Virginia Squires .
The Spurs made their debut on October 22 stunning the 76ers in Philadelphia by a score of 121–118.[ 2] Afterwards, the Spurs would win just 1 of their next 7 games. In November, the Spurs would win 6 straight. By February the Spurs were 10 games over .500, and were the NBA's highest scoring team at 115 points per game.[ 2] Despite the offensive flash, the Spurs also had the league's worst defense at 114 points per game as they struggled to finish in 3rd place in the Central Division with a record of 44–38.[ 2] In the playoffs, the Spurs were swept in 2 straight by the defending world champion Boston Celtics.
Offseason
NBA draft Neither the Spurs, Indiana Pacers, New York Nets or Denver Nuggets were allowed to participate in the 1976 NBA draft .
ABA Dispersal Draft The American Basketball Association merged with the NBA in 1976. Of the teams remaining in the ABA, four joined the NBA. The two teams, the Kentucky Colonels and Spirits of St. Louis , which folded had their players assigned to a dispersal draft for draft purposes.
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
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
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
G
15
Ward, Henry
6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
195 lb (88 kg)
Jackson State
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend (DP) Unsigned draft pick(FA) Free agent(S) Suspended Injured
Regular season
Season standings
Record vs. opponents
1976–77 NBA records
Team
ATL
BOS
BUF
CHI
CLE
DEN
DET
GSW
HOU
IND
KCK
LAL
MIL
NOJ
NYK
NYN
PHI
PHO
POR
SAS
SEA
WAS
Atlanta
—
0–4
4–0
2–2
2–2
2–2
0–4
0–4
1–3
0–4
1–2
2–2
2–2
1–3
1–3
3–1
1–3
0–4
3–1
4–0
1–2
1–3
Boston
4–0
—
3–1
2–2
1–3
3–1
2–2
1–3
2–2
1–2
3–1
2–1
3–1
2–2
2–2
3–1
1–3
2–2
1–3
4–0
2–2
0–4
Buffalo
0–4
1–3
—
1–3
2–2
2–2
3–1
0–3
1–3
1–3
0–3
1–3
3–1
3–1
1–3
2–2
2–2
3–1
1–3
0–4
3–1
0–4
Chicago
2–2
2–2
3–1
—
3–1
1–3
2–2
2–2
1–3
2–2
2–2
3–1
3–1
4–0
2–2
2–1
2–2
2–2
0–4
3–1
2–2
1–2
Cleveland
2–2
3–1
2–2
1–3
—
2–2
1–3
2–2
1–3
2–1
3–1
2–2
4–0
2–2
2–2
3–1
1–3
2–1
2–2
2–2
3–1
1–3
Denver
2–2
1–3
2–2
3–1
2–2
—
3–1
2–2
3–0
3–1
3–1
2–2
3–1
3–1
2–2
3–1
1–3
3–1
2–2
1–2
4–0
2–2
Detroit
4–0
2–2
1–3
2–2
3–1
1–3
—
3–1
2–2
2–2
4–0
1–3
3–1
3–1
1–2
3–1
2–2
2–2
2–2
1–2
1–3
1–3
Golden State
4–0
3–1
3–0
2–2
2–2
2–2
1–3
—
2–1
4–0
1–3
2–2
1–3
1–3
1–3
3–1
3–1
4–0
1–3
2–2
1–3
3–1
Houston
3–1
2–2
3–1
3–1
3–1
0–3
2–2
1–2
—
4–0
2–2
2–2
3–1
2–2
2–2
2–2
1–3
3–1
3–1
2–2
3–1
3–1
Indiana
4–0
2–1
3–1
2–2
1–2
1–3
2–2
0–4
0–4
—
2–2
1–3
2–2
2–2
2–2
4–0
2–2
2–2
0–4
2–2
2–2
0–4
Kansas City
2–1
1–3
3–0
2–2
1–3
1–3
0–4
3–1
2–2
2–2
—
1–3
2–2
2–2
4–0
4–0
1–3
3–1
2–2
1–3
1–3
2–2
Los Angeles
2–2
1–2
3–1
1–3
2–2
2–2
3–1
2–2
2–2
3–1
3–1
—
3–1
3–0
1–3
4–0
2–2
3–1
3–1
3–1
3–1
4–0
Milwaukee
2–2
1–3
1–3
1–3
0–4
1–3
1–3
3–1
1–3
2–2
2–2
1–3
—
1–2
1–3
3–1
1–2
1–3
2–2
3–1
1–3
1–3
New Orleans
3–1
2–2
1–3
0–4
2–2
1–3
1–3
3–1
2–2
2–2
2–2
0–3
2–1
—
3–1
2–2
0–4
3–1
2–2
1–3
1–3
2–2
N.Y. Knicks
3–1
2–2
3–1
2–2
2–2
2–2
2–1
3–1
2–2
2–2
0–4
3–1
3–1
1–3
—
2–2
1–3
2–2
1–3
1–3
1–2
2–2
N.Y. Nets
1–3
1–3
2–2
1–2
1–3
1–3
1–3
1–3
2–2
0–4
0–4
0–4
1–3
2–2
2–2
—
1–3
2–2
0–3
1–3
1–3
1–3
Philadelphia
3–1
3–1
2–2
2–2
3–1
3–1
2–2
1–3
3–1
2–2
3–1
2–2
2–1
4–0
3–1
3–1
—
1–2
2–2
1–3
2–2
3–1
Phoenix
4–0
2–2
1–3
2–2
1–2
1–3
2–2
0–4
1–3
2–2
1–3
1–3
3–1
1–3
2–2
2–2
2–1
—
1–3
1–3
3–1
1–3
Portland
1–3
3–1
3–1
4–0
2–2
2–2
2–2
3–1
1–3
4–0
2–2
1–3
2–2
2–2
3–1
3–0
2–2
3–1
—
2–2
3–1
1–2
San Antonio
0–4
0–4
4–0
1–3
2–2
2–1
2–1
2–2
2–2
2–2
3–1
1–3
1–3
3–1
3–1
3–1
3–1
3–1
2–2
—
3–1
2–2
Seattle
2–1
2–2
1–3
2–2
1–3
0–4
3–1
3–1
1–3
2–2
3–1
1–3
3–1
3–1
2–1
3–1
2–2
1–3
1–3
1–3
—
3–1
Washington
3–1
4–0
4–0
2–1
3–1
2–2
3–1
1–3
1–3
4–0
2–2
0–4
3–1
2–2
2–2
3–1
1–3
3–1
2–1
2–2
1–3
—
Game log
October Record: 2–4; home: 1–1; road: 1–3
[ 3]
November Record: 9–5; home: 8–0; road: 1–5
#
Date
Visitor
Score
Home
Record
7
November 3, 1976
San Antonio Spurs
97–113
Indiana Pacers
2–5
8
November 5, 1976
San Antonio Spurs
119–127
New Orleans Jazz
2–6
9
November 6, 1976
Indiana Pacers
94–113
San Antonio Spurs
3–6
10
November 9, 1976
Seattle SuperSonics
114–138
San Antonio Spurs
4–6
11
November 11, 1976
New York Nets
104–108
San Antonio Spurs
5–6
12
November 13, 1976
Portland Trail Blazers
101–113
San Antonio Spurs
6–6
13
November 16, 1976
Buffalo Braves
112–114
San Antonio Spurs
7–6
14
November 18, 1976
Kansas City Kings
104–129
San Antonio Spurs
8–6
15
November 20, 1976
San Antonio Spurs
103–109
Washington Bullets
8–7
16
November 23, 1976
San Antonio Spurs
122–115
Buffalo Braves
9–7
17
November 24, 1976
San Antonio Spurs
91–99
New York Nets
9–8
18
November 26, 1976
Golden State Warriors
121–123
San Antonio Spurs
10–8
19
November 27, 1976
San Antonio Spurs
89–75
Houston Rockets
10–9
20
November 30, 1976
Detroit Pistons
129–130
San Antonio Spurs
11–9
[ 3]
December Record: 7–7; home: 4–1; road: 3–6
#
Date
Visitor
Score
Home
Record
21
December 2, 1976
San Antonio Spurs
116–124
Golden State Warriors
11–10
22
December 3, 1976
San Antonio Spurs
105–114
Los Angeles Lakers
11–11
23
December 5, 1976
San Antonio Spurs
98–103
Phoenix Suns
11–12
24
December 8, 1976
Atlanta Hawks
117–106
San Antonio Spurs
11–13
25
December 10, 1976
San Antonio Spurs
136–120
Milwaukee Bucks
12–13
26
December 11, 1976
New Orleans Jazz
106–121
San Antonio Spurs
13–13
27
December 14, 1976
New York Knicks
98–111
San Antonio Spurs
14–13
28
December 15, 1976
San Antonio Spurs
102–116
Indiana Pacers
14–14
29
December 17, 1976
San Antonio Spurs
101–103
Chicago Bulls
14–15
30
December 19, 1976
San Antonio Spurs
105–106
Cleveland Cavaliers
14–16
31
December 21, 1976
Golden State Warriors
123–120
San Antonio Spurs
15–16
32
December 23, 1976
Washington Bullets
116–118
San Antonio Spurs
16–16
33
December 26, 1976
San Antonio Spurs
110–105
Kansas City Kings
17–16
34
December 28, 1976
Philadelphia 76ers
116–127
San Antonio Spurs
18–16
[ 3]
Playoffs
1977 playoff game log
First Round: 0–2 (home: 0–1; road: 0–1)
1977 schedule
Player statistics
Ragular season
Player
POS
GP
GS
MP
REB
AST
STL
BLK
PTS
MPG
RPG
APG
SPG
BPG
PPG
George Gervin
SF
82
82
2,705
454
238
105
104
1,895
33.0
5.5
2.9
1.3
1.3
23.1
Billy Paultz
C
82
82
2,694
687
223
55
173
1,280
32.9
8.4
2.7
.7
2.1
15.6
Mike Gale
SG
82
2,598
273
473
191
50
843
31.7
3.3
5.8
2.3
.6
10.3
Allan Bristow
SF
82
2,017
348
240
89
2
936
24.6
4.2
2.9
1.1
.0
11.4
Mark Olberding
PF
82
1,949
449
119
59
29
853
23.8
5.5
1.5
.7
.4
10.4
Coby Dietrick
C
82
1,772
372
148
88
57
689
21.6
4.5
1.8
1.1
.7
8.4
Louie Dampier
PG
80
1,634
76
234
49
15
530
20.4
1.0
2.9
.6
.2
6.6
Larry Kenon
PF
78
2,936
879
229
167
60
1,705
37.6
11.3
2.9
2.1
.8
21.9
Mack Calvin †
PG
35
606
31
104
23
1
309
17.3
.9
3.0
.7
.0
8.8
George Karl
PG
29
251
17
46
10
0
79
8.7
.6
1.6
.3
.0
2.7
Henry Ward
SG
27
171
33
6
6
5
83
6.3
1.2
.2
.2
.2
3.1
James Silas
PG
22
356
32
50
13
3
209
16.2
1.5
2.3
.6
.1
9.5
Louie Nelson
SG
4
57
7
3
2
0
18
14.3
1.8
.8
.5
.0
4.5
Mike D'Antoni
SG
2
9
2
2
0
0
3
4.5
1.0
1.0
.0
.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
Larry Kenon
PF
2
79
15
6
5
1
34
39.5
7.5
3.0
2.5
.5
17.0
Billy Paultz
C
2
74
17
5
2
1
34
37.0
8.5
2.5
1.0
.5
17.0
Mike Gale
SG
2
67
10
10
4
2
22
33.5
5.0
5.0
2.0
1.0
11.0
Coby Dietrick
C
2
64
9
5
1
0
26
32.0
4.5
2.5
.5
.0
13.0
George Gervin
SF
2
62
11
3
1
2
50
31.0
5.5
1.5
.5
1.0
25.0
Louie Dampier
PG
2
62
3
9
1
1
12
31.0
1.5
4.5
.5
.5
6.0
Mark Olberding
PF
2
42
7
2
0
1
13
21.0
3.5
1.0
.0
.5
6.5
Allan Bristow
SF
2
28
4
7
2
0
8
14.0
2.0
3.5
1.0
.0
4.0
Henry Ward
SG
1
1
0
0
0
0
4
1.0
.0
.0
.0
.0
4.0
George Karl
PG
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
1.0
.0
.0
.0
.0
.0
Awards and records
References
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