The 1988–89 NBA season was the Rockets' 22nd season in the NBA and 18th season in the city of Houston.[1] Houston hosted the All-Star Game 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 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 second in the Midwest Division with a 45–37 record.[16]
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.com | |
Local media | |
Television | KTXH Home Sports Entertainment (Bill Worrell, McCoy McLemore) |
Radio | KTRH (Gene Peterson, Bill Foley) |
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, 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] and in second place in Defensive Player of the Year voting.[27][28][29][30]
In the 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 playing three seasons in the NBA.[38]
Draft picks
editRound | Pick | Player | Position | Nationality | College/Club team |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 16 | Derrick Chievous | SF | United States | Missouri |
Roster
editPlayers | Coaches | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Roster |
Regular season
editSeason standings
editW | L | PCT | GB | Home | Road | Div | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
y-Utah Jazz | 51 | 31 | .622 | – | 34–7 | 17–24 | 19–11 |
x-Houston Rockets | 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-Houston Rockets | 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
edit1988-89 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
editRegular season
edit1988–89 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
edit1989 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
editGP | 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
editPlayer | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3FG% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
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Playoffs
editPlayer | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3FG% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
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Awards and records
editTransactions
editThis section is empty. You can help by adding to it. (January 2011) |
References
edit- ^ 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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "1988–89 NBA Awards Voting". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 14, 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.