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1990–91 Seattle SuperSonics season

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NBA professional basketball team season NBA professional basketball team season
1990–91 Seattle SuperSonics season
Head coachK. C. Jones
General managerBob Whitsitt
ArenaSeattle Center Coliseum
Results
Record41–41 (.500)
PlaceDivision: 5th (Pacific)
Conference: 8th (Western)
Playoff finishWest First Round
(lost to Trail Blazers 2–3)
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
TelevisionKING-TV
KTZZ-TV
Prime Sports Northwest
RadioKJR
< 1989–90 1991–92 >

The 1990–91 NBA season was the 23rd season for the Seattle SuperSonics in the National Basketball Association. Head coach Bernie Bickerstaff was replaced by his former assistant K. C. Jones, and went on to occupy the desk of vice-president of Basketball Operations for Seattle, resigning months later to accept a job as General Manager of the Denver Nuggets. The Draft Lottery gave the SuperSonics the No. 2 pick, which was used to select future All-Star point guard Gary Payton out of Oregon State in the 1990 NBA draft.

Substantial changes were made on the roster, first by trading Sonics referent Xavier McDaniel to the Phoenix Suns in exchange for Eddie Johnson during the first months of competition. Following the All-Star break, the team traded Dale Ellis, whose off-the-court problems were the focus of much unwanted attention, to the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for Ricky Pierce, and sent center Olden Polynice to the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for Benoit Benjamin. The Sonics held a 22–23 record at the All-Star break, and would finish with a 41–41 record like the previous season, this time being able to reach the playoffs as the #8 seed in the Western Conference, where they lost in the Western Conference First Round to the top-seeded Portland Trail Blazers in five games.

Johnson averaged 17.4 points per game with the team after the trade, while Derrick McKey averaged 15.3 points and 5.8 rebounds per game, and second-year forward Shawn Kemp showed improvement, averaging 15.0 points, 8.4 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game. In addition, Sedale Threatt contributed 12.7 points and 1.4 steals per game, while Payton provided with 7.2 points, 6.4 assists and 2.0 steals per game, and was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team, and Michael Cage averaged 6.4 points and 6.8 rebounds per game. Following the season, Threatt was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers.

Offseason

Draft picks

Main article: 1990 NBA draft

Of the 3 players Seattle picked in the draft only Gary Payton would stay with the team, since Jud Buechler was traded to the New Jersey Nets and Abdul Shamsid-Deen went to Europe to play for the French team Paris Basket Racing.

Round Pick Player Position Nationality College
1 2 Gary Payton PG  United States Oregon State
2 38 Jud Buechler SF/SG  United States Arizona
2 53 Abdul Shamsid-Deen C  United States Providence

Pre-season

1990 Pre-season Game Log: 5–3
# Date Opponent Score Location Record Recap
1 October 12 Golden State Warriors L 111–134 Spokane Coliseum 0–1
2 October 15 Golden State Warriors L 97–117 Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena 0–2
3 October 18 Chicago Bulls W 109–103 Florida Suncoast Dome 1–2
4 October 21 Detroit Pistons W 101–82 East Lansing, Michigan 2–2
5 October 23 Chicago Bulls L 90–102 The Kingdome 2–3
6 October 24 Chicago Bulls W 109–87 Pacific Coliseum 3–3
7 October 27 Sacramento Kings W 98–89 ARCO Arena 4–3
8 October 29 Sacramento Kings W 117–116 Chico, California 5–3

Roster

1990–91 Seattle SuperSonics roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB From
G 11 Barros, Dana 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 163 lb (74 kg) 1967–04–13 Boston College
C 00 Benjamin, Benoit 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 250 lb (113 kg) 1964–11–22 Creighton
F/C 44 Cage, Michael 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 224 lb (102 kg) 1962–01–28 San Diego State
C 42 Corzine, Dave Injured 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 250 lb (113 kg) 1956–04–25 DePaul
G 20 Dailey, Quintin 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1961–01–22 San Francisco
F 22 Johnson, Eddie 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1959–05–01 Illinois
F 40 Kemp, Shawn 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 230 lb (104 kg) 1969–11–26 Trinity Valley CC
F 31 McKey, Derrick 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 1966–10–10 Alabama
G 10 McMillan, Nate 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1964–08–03 NC State
F 8 Meents, Scott 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1964–01–04 Illinois
G 2 Payton, Gary 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1968–07–23 Oregon State
G 21 Pierce, Ricky 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 1959–08–19 Rice
G 4 Threatt, Sedale 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 1961–09–10 West Virginia Tech
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured Injured

Regular season

Season standings

Pacific Division W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-Portland Trail Blazers 63 19 .768 — 36–5 27–14 18-10
x-Los Angeles Lakers 58 24 .707 5 33–8 25-16 19-9
x-Phoenix Suns 55 27 .671 8 32–9 23-18 17–11
x-Golden State Warriors 44 38 .537 19 30–11 14–27 13–15
x-Seattle SuperSonics 41 41 .500 22 28-13 13–28 12-16
Los Angeles Clippers 31 51 .378 32 23–18 8-33 10-18
Sacramento Kings 25 57 .305 38 24-17 1–40 9–19
y – clinched division title
x – clinched playoff spot
# Western Conference
Team W L PCT GB
1 z-Portland Trail Blazers 63 19 .768 –
2 y-San Antonio Spurs 55 27 .671 8
3 x-Los Angeles Lakers 58 24 .707 5
4 x-Phoenix Suns 55 27 .671 8
5 x-Utah Jazz 54 28 .659 9
6 x-Houston Rockets 52 30 .634 11
7 x-Golden State Warriors 44 38 .537 19
8 x-Seattle SuperSonics 41 41 .500 22
9 Orlando Magic 31 51 .378 32
10 Los Angeles Clippers 31 51 .378 32
11 Minnesota Timberwolves 29 53 .354 34
12 Dallas Mavericks 28 54 .341 35
13 Sacramento Kings 25 57 .305 38
14 Denver Nuggets 20 62 .244 43
z – clinched division title
y – clinched division title
x – clinched playoff spot

Record vs. opponents

1990–91 NBA records
Team ATL BOS CHA CHI CLE DAL DEN DET GSW HOU IND LAC LAL MIA MIL MIN NJN NYK ORL PHI PHO POR SAC SAS SEA UTA WAS
Atlanta – 3–1 1–4 1–4 3–2 2–0 1–1 0–5 1–1 1–1 4–1 2–0 1–1 4–0 2–3 1–1 3–1 3–1 1–1 0–4 0–2 1–1 2–0 2–0 1–1 1–1 2–2
Boston 1–3 – 3–1 2–2 3–1 2–0 2–0 2–2 1–1 2–0 2–2 2–0 1–1 4–1 2–2 2–0 4–1 5–0 1–1 2–3 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 2–0 1–1 5–1
Charlotte 4–1 1–3 – 0–5 1–4 1–1 0–2 1–4 1–1 0–2 0–5 1–1 0–2 2–2 2–3 1–1 2–2 0–4 2–0 2–2 0–2 0–2 2–0 1–1 0–2 0–2 2–2
Chicago 4–1 2–2 5–0 – 5–0 2–0 2–0 3–2 1–1 0–2 4–1 2–0 1–1 4–0 4–1 2–0 3–1 4–0 2–0 1–3 1–1 0–2 2–0 0–2 2–0 2–0 3–1
Cleveland 2–3 1–3 4–1 0–5 – 2–0 1–1 2–3 0–2 0–2 1–4 1–1 1–1 3–1 2–3 1–1 2–2 3–1 2–0 2–2 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–2 1–1 0–2 1–3
Dallas 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–2 0–2 – 3–1 0–2 2–2 1–3 2–0 1–3 2–2 0–2 1–1 1–4 2–0 2–0 1–4 1–1 0–4 1–3 2–2 1–4 2–2 0–5 2–0
Denver 1–1 0–2 2–0 0–2 1–1 1–3 – 0–2 1–3 0–5 0–2 0–4 0–4 0–2 1–1 3–2 1–1 1–1 2–3 0–2 0–4 0–4 3–1 1–4 0–4 1–3 1–1
Detroit 5–0 2–2 4–1 2–3 3–2 2–0 2–0 – 1–1 2–0 3–2 2–0 0–2 3–1 2–3 2–0 3–1 1–3 2–0 2–2 0–2 1–1 2–0 0–2 1–1 0–2 3–1
Golden State 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 2–2 3–1 1–1 – 2–2 1–1 3–2 2–3 2–0 1–1 3–1 1–1 2–0 2–2 2–0 1–3 2–3 2–3 2–2 3–1 1–3 0–2
Houston 1–1 0–2 2–0 2–0 2–0 3–1 5–0 0–2 2–2 – 1–1 2–2 1–3 2–0 2–0 5–0 2–0 2–0 3–2 2–0 3–1 0–4 3–1 2–3 2–2 2–2 1–1
Indiana 1–4 2–2 5–0 1–4 4–1 0–2 2–0 2–3 1–1 1–1 – 1–1 0–2 2–2 2–3 1–1 3–1 2–2 1–1 1–3 1–1 0–2 2–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 2–2
L.A. Clippers 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–2 1–1 3–1 4–0 0–2 2–3 2–2 1–1 – 0–4 0–2 1–1 3–1 1–1 0–2 1–3 0–2 2–3 1–3 3–2 2–2 2–3 1–3 0–2
L.A. Lakers 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 2–2 4–0 2–0 3–2 3–1 2–0 4–0 – 2–0 0–2 3–1 2–0 1–1 4–0 1–1 3–2 2–3 4–0 3–1 3–2 2–2 2–0
Miami 0–4 1–4 2–2 0–4 1–3 2–0 2–0 1–3 0–2 0–2 2–2 2–0 0–2 – 0–4 0–2 3–3 1–4 1–1 1–4 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–2 0–2 1–1 3–2
Milwaukee 3–2 2–2 3–2 1–4 3–2 1–1 1–1 3–2 1–1 0–2 3–2 1–1 2–0 4–0 – 1–1 2–2 4–0 2–0 2–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 3–1
Minnesota 1–1 0–2 1–1 0–2 1–1 4–1 2–3 0–2 1–3 0–5 1–1 1–3 1–3 2–0 1–1 – 1–1 1–1 2–2 2–0 0–4 0–4 3–1 0–4 2–2 1–4 1–1
New Jersey 1–3 1–4 2–2 1–3 2–2 0–2 1–1 1–3 1–1 0–2 1–3 1–1 0–2 3–3 2–2 1–1 – 0–5 1–1 2–3 1–1 0–2 1–1 0–2 1–1 0–2 2–3
New York 1–3 0–5 4–0 0–4 1–3 0–2 1–1 3–1 0–2 0–2 2–2 2–0 1–1 4–1 0–4 1–1 5–0 – 0–2 5–1 0–2 0–2 2–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 3–2
Orlando 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–2 0–2 4–1 3–2 0–2 2–2 2–3 1–1 3–1 0–4 1–1 0–2 2–2 1–1 2–0 – 0–2 2–2 0–4 2–2 1–3 1–3 1–4 1–1
Philadelphia 4–0 3–2 2–2 3–1 2–2 1–1 2–0 2–2 0–2 0–2 3–1 2–0 1–1 4–1 2–2 0–2 3–2 1–5 2–0 – 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 0–2 3–2
Phoenix 2–0 1–1 2–0 1–1 2–0 4–0 4–0 2–0 3–1 1–3 1–1 3–2 2–3 2–0 1–1 4–0 1–1 2–0 2–2 1–1 – 3–2 3–1 1–3 3–2 2–2 2–0
Portland 1–1 1–1 2–0 2–0 2–0 3–1 4–0 1–1 3–2 4–0 2–0 3–1 3–2 2–0 1–1 4–0 2–0 2–0 4–0 1–1 2–3 – 3–2 2–2 4–0 3–1 2–0
Sacramento 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 1–1 2–2 1–3 0–2 3–2 1–3 0–2 2–3 0–4 1–1 1–1 1–3 1–1 0–2 2–2 1–1 1–3 2–3 – 1–3 1–4 1–3 2–0
San Antonio 0–2 1–1 1–1 2–0 2–0 4–1 4–1 2–0 2–2 3–2 1–1 2–2 1–3 2–0 1–1 4–0 2–0 1–1 3–1 2–0 3–1 2–2 3–1 – 3–1 2–3 2–0
Seattle 1–1 0–2 2–0 0–2 1–1 2–2 4–0 1–1 1–3 2–2 1–1 3–2 2–3 2–0 1–1 2–2 1–1 1–1 3–1 1–1 2–3 0–4 4–1 1–3 – 1–3 2–0
Utah 1–1 1–1 2–0 0–2 2–0 5–0 3–1 2–0 3–1 2–2 0–2 3–1 2–2 1–1 1–1 4–1 2–0 0–2 4–1 2–0 2–2 1–3 3–1 3–2 3–1 – 2–0
Washington 2–2 1–5 2–2 1–3 3–1 0–2 1–1 1–3 2–0 1–1 2–2 2–0 0–2 2–3 1–3 1–1 3–2 2–3 1–1 2–3 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 —

Game log

1990–91 game log
Total: 41–41 (home: 28–13; road: 13–28)
November: 4–7 (home: 3–4; road: 1–3)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
1 November 3 Houston Rockets W 118–106 X. McDaniel (24) S. Kemp (10) X. McDaniel,
S. Threatt (7) 		Seattle Center Coliseum
13,922 		1–0
2 November 6 Detroit Pistons W 100–92 X. McDaniel (24) S. Kemp (13) G. Payton (6) Seattle Center Coliseum
13,078 		2–0
3 November 9 @ Denver Nuggets W 135–129 X. McDaniel (27) D. McKey (14) G. Payton (10) McNichols Sports Arena
10,571 		3–0
4 November 10 Golden State Warriors L 100–117 X. McDaniel (26) X. McDaniel,
D. McKey (9) 		G. Payton (9) Tacoma Dome
13,130 		3–1
5 November 13 New York Knicks L 100-116 (OT) S. Threatt (24) X. McDaniel (10) G. Payton (7) Seattle Center Coliseum
12,352 		3–2
6 November 17 Chicago Bulls L 95–116 X. McDaniel (17) M. Cage (7) G. Payton (5) Seattle Center Coliseum
14,692 		3–3
7 November 18 @ Los Angeles Clippers L 65–78 S. Kemp (11) M. Cage (10) G. Payton (5) Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena
10,980 		3–4
8 November 20 New Jersey Nets W 105–88 X. McDaniel (35) S. Kemp (8) G. Payton (9) Seattle Center Coliseum
10,466 		4–4
9 November 23 @ Utah Jazz L 96–97 X. McDaniel (33) D. McKey (11) S. Threatt (12) Salt Palace
12,616 		4–5
10 November 27 San Antonio Spurs L 111–124 Q. Dailey (29) M. Cage (8) G. Payton (8) Seattle Center Coliseum
13,293 		4–6
11 November 29 @ Phoenix L 110–128 D. McKey (26) S. Kemp (11) G. Payton (6) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
14,487 		4–7
December : 8–8 (home: 4–1; road: 4–7)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
12 December 1 Portland Trail Blazers L 124-130 (3 OT) X. McDaniel (41) M. Cage (15) G. Payton (8) Seattle Center Coliseum
14,674 		4–8
13 December 3 @ Boston Celtics L 102–135 S. Threatt (20) O. Polynice (9) D. Barros (6) Boston Garden
14,890 		4–9
14 December 4 @ New Jersey Nets L 102–106 S. Threatt (20) M. Cage (14) G. Payton (9) Brendan Byrne Arena
7,029 		4–10
15 December 6 @ Miami Heat W 105–103 S. Threatt (18) S. Kemp (8) S. Threatt (11) Miami Arena
15,008 		5–10
16 December 7 @ Orlando Magic L 100–106 D. McKey (24) M. Cage (9) G. Payton (7) Orlando Arena
15,077 		5–11
17 December 9 @ Milwaukee Bucks L 99–105 S. Kemp (31) S. Kemp,
D. McKey (10) 		N. McMillan,
G. Payton (6) 		Bradley Center
14,327 		5–12
18 December 12 Indiana Pacers W 99–90 S. Kemp,
D. McKey (18) 		S. Kemp (11) N. McMillan (9) Seattle Center Coliseum
10,729 		6–12
19 December 13 @ Golden State Warriors L 106–129 D. Barros (24) O. Polynice (7) D. Barros,
D. Ellis (4) 		Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena
15,025 		6–13
20 December 15 Dallas Mavericks W 106–105 S. Kemp (22) M. Cage (8) N. McMillan (10) Seattle Center Coliseum
10,009 		7–13
21 December 18 Orlando Magic W 122–105 D. McKey (33) S. Kemp (11) N. McMillan (14) Seattle Center Coliseum
1,568 		8–13
22 December 20 @ Sacramento Kings W 110–75 D. Ellis (22) S. Kemp (10) G. Payton (12) ARCO Arena
17,014 		9–13
23 December 22 Sacramento Kings W 121–93 E. Johnson (25) O. Polynice (11) N. McMillan (9) Seattle Center Coliseum
10,315 		10–13
24 December 26 @ Cleveland Cavaliers W 99–97 S. Kemp (19) M. Cage (8) G. Payton (7) Coliseum at Richfield
14,839 		11–13
25 December 27 @ Washington Bullets W 125–120 E. Johnson (22) S. Kemp (12) G. Payton (11) Capital Centre
2,413 		12–13
26 December 29 @ Chicago Bulls L 91–116 D. McKey (22) S. Kemp (7) G. Payton (6) Chicago Stadium
18,676 		12–14
27 December 30 @ Minnesota Timberwolves L 106–126 D. Ellis (25) S. Kemp (11) G. Payton (6) Target Center
19,006 		12–15
January : 8–7 (home: 7–1; road: 1–6)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
28 January 3 Philadelphia 76ers W 127–99 D. McKey (24) M. Cage (12) G. Payton (11) Seattle Center Coliseum
13,048 		13–15
29 January 4 Miami Heat W 112–86 S. Threatt (30) M. Cage (13) G. Payton (12) Seattle Center Coliseum
12,074 		14–15
30 January 6 @ Portland Trail Blazers L 111–114 S. Kemp (25) S. Kemp (9) G. Payton (7) Memorial Coliseum
12,884 		14–16
31 January 8 Los Angeles Lakers W 96–88 D. McKey (29) O. Polynice (11) N. McMillan (10) Seattle Center Coliseum
14,441 		15–16
32 January 10 Golden State Warriors L 103–113 D. McKey (19) S. Kemp,
O. Polynice (12) 		N. McMillan (7) Seattle Center Coliseum
10,813 		15–17
33 January 12 @ Sacramento Kings L 85–101 D. McKey (20) O. Polynice (14) G. Payton (9) ARCO Arena
17,014 		15–18
34 January 15 Denver Nuggets W 146–99 D. Barros,
D. Ellis (22) 		S. Kemp (12) N. McMillan (9) Seattle Center Coliseum
9,618 		16–18
35 January 18 @ Los Angeles Lakers L 96–105 D. McKey (24) S. Kemp (8) G. Payton (11) Great Western Forum
17,505 		16–19
36 January 19 Washington Bullets W 111–89 O. Polynice (27) S. Kemp (13) N. McMillan (8) Seattle Center Coliseum
13,369 		17–19
37 January 22 Milwaukee Bucks W 132–101 E. Johnson (29) M. Cage (9) G. Payton (9) Seattle Center Coliseum
9,469 		18–19
38 January 25 @ Phoenix Suns L 113–128 E. Johnson (25) S. Kemp (13) N. McMillan (7) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
14,487 		18–20
39 January 26 Atlanta Hawks W 103–102 D. McKey (23) D. McKey (8) N. McMillan,
G. Payton (9) 		Seattle Center Coliseum
12,792 		19–20
40 January 28 @ San Antonio Spurs L 107–119 E. Johnson (21) D. McKey (14) G. Payton (11) HemisFair Arena
15,908 		19–21
41 January 29 @ Dallas Mavericks L 112–117 D. McKey (24) O. Polynice (6) N. McMillan (8) Reunion Arena
15,820 		19–22
42 January 31 @ Houston Rockets W 97–94 S. Threatt (18) S. Kemp (17) D. McKey,
D. McKey (6) 		The Summit
14,659 		20–22
February : 6–6 (home: 3–2; road: 3–4)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
43 February 2 @ Indiana Pacers L 100–106 G. Payton (19) D. McKey (7) G. Payton (5) Market Square Arena
13,064 		20–23
44 February 4 @ Charlotte Hornets W 100–93 E. Johnson (34) M. Cage (18) G. Payton (9) Charlotte Coliseum
23,901 		21–23
45 February 6 Los Angeles Clippers W 107–104 E. Johnson (27) S. Kemp (7) G. Payton (9) Seattle Center Coliseum
12,021 		22–23
46 February 12 Boston Celtics L 111–114 E. Johnson (29) M. Cage (10) G. Payton (13) Seattle Center Coliseum
14,594 		22–24
47 February 14 @ Orlando Magic W 102–90 D. McKey (21) D. McKey,
O. Polynice (9) 		N. McMillan (7) Orlando Arena
15,077 		23–24
48 February 16 @ Atlanta Hawks L 113–122 D. McKey (30) O. Polynice (9) S. Threatt (9) Omni Coliseum
15,924 		23–25
49 February 18 @ Detroit Pistons L 83–85 E. Johnson (20) S. Kemp (13) N. McMillan (7) The Palace of Auburn Hills
21,454 		23–26
50 February 19 @ Philadelphia 76ers L 104-107 (OT) R. Pierce (18) S. Kemp (12) G. Payton (7) The Spectrum
15,248 		23–27
51 February 21 @ New York Knicks W 120–101 R. Pierce (26) S. Kemp (13) N. McMillan,
G. Payton,
S. Threatt (5) 		Madison Square Garden
12,515 		24–27
52 February 23 Phoenix Suns L 110–120 S. Kemp (25) S. Kemp (11) G. Payton (11) Seattle Center Coliseum
14,692 		24–28
53 February 24 Utah Jazz W 103–91 S. Threatt (30) M. Cage (14) G. Payton (16) Seattle Center Coliseum
12,080 		25–28
54 February 26 Los Angeles Clippers W 93–81 S. Threatt (31) S. Kemp (15) N. McMillan (9) Seattle Center Coliseum
11,305 		26–28
March : 8–9 (home: 5–4; road: 3–5)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
55 March 1 Charlotte Hornets W 122–105 R. Pierce (25) B. Benjamin (13) N. McMillan (9) Seattle Center Coliseum
13,320 		27–28
56 March 2 Sacramento Kings W 120–106 E. Johnson (31) B. Benjamin (16) N. McMillan,
G. Payton (8) 		Seattle Center Coliseum
12,182 		28-28
57 March 4 @ Golden State Warriors W 105–99 S. Threatt (24) B. Benjamin (11) G. Payton (10) Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena
15,025 		29–28
58 March 5 Cleveland Cavaliers L 111-113 (OT) E. Johnson (28) B. Benjamin,
S. Kemp (13) 		N. McMillan,
G. Payton (7) 		Seattle Center Coliseum
10,623 		29-29
59 March 7 @ Minnesota Timberwolves W 91–86 R. Pierce (25) N. McMillan (11) N. McMillan (8) Target Center
19,006 		30–29
60 March 9 @ San Antonio Spurs L 99–112 E. Johnson (19) E. Johnson (7) D. Barros (5) HemisFair Arena
15,908 		30-30
61 March 12 @ Houston Rockets L 91–93 S. Kemp (23) S. Kemp (16) D. McKey (6) The Summit
15,508 		30–31
62 March 13 @ Dallas Mavericks L 96–98 S. Kemp (24) S. Kemp (13) S. Threatt (9) Reunion Arena
15,813 		30–32
63 March 15 Minnesota Timberwolves L 96-100 (OT) D. McKey (20) B. Benjamin (10) G. Payton (4) Seattle Center Coliseum
11,497 		30–33
64 March 16 Utah Jazz L 98-104 (OT) E. Johnson (19) D. McKey (9) G. Payton (5) Seattle Center Coliseum
15,535 		30–34
65 March 20 Los Angeles Lakers W 114–106 B. Benjamin (28) D. McKey (10) G. Payton (12) Seattle Center Coliseum
14,392 		31–34
66 March 22 @ Phoenix Suns W 111–105 E. Johnson (34) B. Benjamin (14) N. McMillan,
G. Payton (8) 		Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
14,487 		32–34
67 March 24 @ Los Angeles Lakers L 96–113 S. Kemp (21) B. Benjamin,
M. Cage (7) 		S. Threatt (7) Great Western Forum
17,505 		32–35
68 March 26 @ Portland Trail Blazers L 113–126 R. Pierce (21) M. Cage (8) R. Pierce,
S. Threatt (4) 		Memorial Coliseum
12,884 		32–36
69 March 27 Portland Trail Blazers L 107–112 R. Pierce (24) S. Kemp (10) G. Payton (6) Tacoma Dome
18,167 		32–37
70 March 29 Minnesota Timberwolves W 117–107 E. Johnson,
R. Pierce (24) 		N. McMillan (7) G. Payton (7) Seattle Center Coliseum
12,968 		33–37
71 March 30 Dallas Mavericks W 115–102 S. Kemp (23) B. Benjamin (7) S. Kemp,
S. Threatt (4) 		Seattle Center Coliseum
11,756 		34–37
April : 7–4 (home: 6–1; road: 1–3)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
72 April 3 Sacramento Kings W 106–91 E. Johnson,
S. Kemp (20) 		S. Kemp (14) N. McMillan,
S. Threatt (6) 		Seattle Center Coliseum
11,987 		35–37
73 April 5 @ Los Angeles Clippers L 90–109 E. Johnson (19) S. Kemp (12) N. McMillan (4) Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena
12,932 		35–38
74 April 7 W 124–117 @ Denver Nuggets E. Johnson (31) S. Kemp (10) D. McKey (4) McNichols Sports Arena
13,779 		36–38
75 April 8 Denver Nuggets W 118–112 B. Benjamin,
E. Johnson,
R. Pierce (19) 		B. Benjamin,
S. Kemp (10) 		N. McMillan,
G. Payton (8) 		Seattle Center Coliseum
12,811 		37–38
76 April 10 Los Angeles Clippers W 140–108 B. Benjamin (22) B. Benjamin (11) S. Threatt (9) Tacoma Dome
5,714 		38–38
77 April 12 San Antonio Spurs W 100–99 R. Pierce (21) B. Benjamin,
S. Kemp (8) 		G. Payton (7) Seattle Center Coliseum
13,340 		39–38
78 April 13 Orlando Magic W 105–96 S. Kemp (21) S. Kemp (7) D. Barros (7) Seattle Center Coliseum
13,073 		40–38
79 April 15 Houston Rockets L 93–97 E. Johnson (22) M. Cage (8) S. Threatt (7) Seattle Center Coliseum
13,760 		40–39
80 April 18 @ Utah Jazz L 103–130 E. Johnson (17) B. Benjamin (8) S. Threatt (6) Salt Palace
12,616 		40–40
81 April 19 Phoenix Suns W 104–93 R. Pierce (23) B. Benjamin (10) N. McMillan (7) Seattle Center Coliseum
12,591 		41–40
82 April 21 @ Los Angeles Lakers L 100–103 E. Johnson (18) B. Benjamin (12) N. McMillan (8) Great Western Forum
17,505 		41-41
1990–91 season schedule

Playoffs

1991 playoff game log
First round: 2–3 (home: 2–0; road: 0–3)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Series
1 April 26 @ Portland L 102–110 Eddie Johnson (33) Benoit Benjamin (9) Gary Payton (8) Memorial Coliseum
12,884 		0–1
2 April 28 @ Portland L 106–115 Eddie Johnson (28) Cage, Kemp (11) McMillan, Payton (6) Memorial Coliseum
12,884 		0–2
3 April 30 Portland W 102–99 Sedale Threatt (29) Shawn Kemp (9) Nate McMillan (6) Seattle Center Coliseum
14,476 		1–2
4 May 2 Portland W 101–89 Eddie Johnson (34) Benjamin, McKey (9) Gary Payton (7) Seattle Center Coliseum
13,367 		2–2
5 May 4 @ Portland L 107–119 Johnson, Kemp (17) Benoit Benjamin (6) Gary Payton (7) Memorial Coliseum
12,884 		2–3
1991 schedule

Player statistics

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

Season

Player GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Dana Barros 66 0 11.4 .495 .395 .918 1.1 1.7 0.3 0.0 6.3
Benoit Benjamin* 31 27 29.0 .502 .000 .690 8.2 1.5 0.9 1.7 12.9
Michael Cage 82 55 26.1 .508 .000 .625 6.8 1.1 1.0 0.7 6.4
Dave Corzine 28 0 5.3 .447 .000 .591 1.2 0.1 0.2 0.2 1.7
Quintin Dailey 30 0 10.0 .471 .000 .613 1.1 0.5 0.2 0.0 6.1
Dale Ellis* 30 24 26.7 .463 .303 .738 3.1 2.1 1.1 0.1 15.0
Eddie Johnson* 66 27 26.9 .486 .333 .912 3.4 1.4 0.7 0.1 17.4
Shawn Kemp 81 66 30.1 .508 .167 .661 8.4 1.8 1.0 1.5 15.0
Xavier McDaniel* 15 15 35.3 .479 .000 .710 5.4 2.5 1.7 0.3 21.8
Derrick McKey 73 55 34.3 .517 .211 .845 5.8 2.3 1.2 0.8 15.3
Nate McMillan 78 0 18.4 .433 .354 .613 3.2 4.8 1.3 0.3 4.3
Scott Meents 13 0 4.1 .250 1.000 .500 0.8 0.6 0.5 0.3 1.3
Gary Payton 82 82 27.4 .450 .077 .711 3.0 6.4 2.0 0.2 7.2
Ricky Pierce* 32 2 26.3 .463 .391 .925 2.3 2.3 0.7 0.1 17.5
Olden Polynice* 48 0 20.0 .545 .000 .588 5.6 0.3 0.5 0.4 8.3
Sedale Threatt 80 57 25.8 .519 .286 .792 1.2 3.4 1.4 0.1 12.7

*Statistics with the Seattle SuperSonics.

Playoffs

Player GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Dana Barros 3 0 8.3 .692 .400 .750 1.3 1.7 1.0 0.0 7.7
Benoit Benjamin 5 5 32.6 .488 .000 .906 6.6 0.2 0.6 0.2 13.8
Michael Cage 5 0 16.0 .429 .000 .765 16.0 4.2 0.6 0.4 5.0
Dave Corzine 2 0 6.0 .667 .000 1.000 0.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 2.5
Eddie Johnson 5 5 34.2 .517 .267 .828 4.2 1.4 1.4 0.2 24.0
Shawn Kemp 5 5 29.8 .386 .000 .815 7.2 1.2 0.6 0.8 13.2
Derrick McKey 4 0 28.5 .571 .000 .545 5.8 2.0 0.6 0.0 9.5
Nate McMillan 5 0 19.0 .261 .000 .500 3.6 4.4 1.2 0.2 2.8
Scott Meents 2 0 4.0 .500 .000 .000 0.5 0.0 0.5 0.0 2.0
Gary Payton 5 5 27.0 .407 .000 1.000 2.6 6.4 1.6 0.2 4.8
Ricky Pierce 5 0 22.4 .333 .300 .941 2.8 0.8 0.8 0.2 11.4
Sedale Threatt 5 5 27.2 .536 .364 .900 1.6 3.4 1.0 0.0 14.6

Awards and records

Awards

Records

  • Ricky Pierce finished the season with a franchise record .925 in free throw percentage.

Transactions

Overview

Players Added

Via draft

Via free agency

Via trade

Players Lost

Via free agency

Via trade

Trades

June 27, 1990 To Seattle SuperSonics
Nets' agreement not to draft Dennis Scott or Gary Payton with their No. 1 pick.
Conditional 2nd round picks for 1993 and 1995 		To New Jersey Nets
Jud Buechler
To Orlando Magic
Sonics' agreement not to draft Dennis Scott with their No. 2 pick.
October 24, 1990 To Seattle SuperSonics
Conditional 1997 second round pick 		To Denver Nuggets
Avery Johnson
December 7, 1990 To Seattle SuperSonics
Eddie Johnson
Conditional 1991 and 1994 first-round picks 		To Phoenix Suns
Xavier McDaniel
February 15, 1991 To Seattle SuperSonics
Ricky Pierce 		To Milwaukee Bucks
Dale Ellis
February 20, 1991 To Seattle SuperSonics
Benoit Benjamin 		To Los Angeles Clippers
Olden Polynice
Conditional 1991 and 1994 first-round picks

Free agents

Additions

Player Signed Former team
Dave Corzine October 4 Orlando Magic

Subtractions

Player Left New team
Jim Farmer October 4 Denver Nuggets
Steve Johnson October 25 Golden State Warriors

Player Transactions Citation:

References

  1. "1990–91 Seattle SuperSonics".
  2. Sonics Make Move to K.C. -- Coaching Switch Moves Bickerstaff to Front Office, The Seattle Times, March 15, 1990.
  3. Bickerstaff to Accept Denver Job -- Ex-Sonic Coach to Become GM, The Seattle Times, July 11, 1990.
  4. Cotton, Anthony (June 28, 1990). "Coleman No. 1 to Nets, Then the Guards Go Forward". The Washington Post. Retrieved January 3, 2022.
  5. "Clippers Go with Kimble: NBA Draft: Derrick Coleman, as Expected, Is No. 1 Overall with Nets. Clippers Also Grab Michigan's Vaught with 13th Pick". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. June 28, 1990. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
  6. "SPORTS PEOPLE: BASKETBALL; Payton and Sonics Reach Accord on Pact". The New York Times. October 10, 1990. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
  7. "X Marks Suns' Spot in Trade with Seattle: Pro Basketball: McDaniel to Phoenix. SuperSonics Get Eddie Johnson, Two No. 1 Picks". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. December 8, 1990. Retrieved December 15, 2021.
  8. Peoples, John (December 8, 1990). "Sonics Say So Long to X-Man -- McDaniel Traded to Suns". The Seattle Times. Retrieved September 5, 2022.
  9. "X-Man Traded to Suns for E.J., 2 1st-Round Picks". Deseret News. Associated Press. December 8, 1990. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
  10. "McDaniel Traded for Eddie Johnson". Tampa Bay Times. December 8, 1990. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
  11. Ellis Drinking, Speeding Before Crash, Jurors Told, The Seattle Times, September 25, 1990.
  12. Ellis and McDaniel in Fight, The Seattle Times, November 22, 1990.
  13. "SPORTS PEOPLE: PRO BASKETBALL; Bucks Trade Pierce for Sonics' Ellis". The New York Times. February 16, 1991. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  14. "Bucks Trade Pierce to SuperSonics for Ellis In an Exchange of Guards". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. February 16, 1991. Retrieved September 5, 2022.
  15. Peoples, John (February 16, 1991). "Ellis Exits In Trade with Bucks -- Ricky Pierce Newest Sonic in Swap of Unhappy Guards". The Seattle Times. Retrieved September 5, 2022.
  16. "SuperSonics Trade Ellis to Milwaukee for Pierce". Deseret News. February 16, 1991. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
  17. Barnes, Mike (February 20, 1991). "Clippers Swap Benjamin for Polynice, Picks". United Press International. Retrieved December 31, 2022.
  18. Goldaper, Sam (February 21, 1991). "PRO BASKETBALL; Sonics Trade Polynice to Acquire Benjamin". The New York Times. Retrieved December 15, 2021.
  19. Howard-Cooper, Scott (February 21, 1991). "Clippers Give Up on Benjamin: Pro Basketball: A day After He Says He Will Become an Unrestricted Free Agent at Season's End, They Trade Him to Seattle for Polynice and Two Draft Choices". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
  20. "NBA Games Played on February 7, 1991". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  21. "Trail Blazers 119, SuperSonics 107". United Press International. May 4, 1991. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
  22. "BASKETBALL; Blazers Finally Win Series from Stubborn SuperSonics". The New York Times. Associated Press. May 5, 1991. Retrieved October 16, 2021.
  23. Hafner, Dan (May 5, 1991). "NBA ROUNDUP: Blazers Take Sonics to Court, Win Series". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 27, 2022.
  24. "1991 NBA Western Conference First Round: SuperSonics vs. Trail Blazers". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
  25. "1990–91 Seattle SuperSonics Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 4, 2022.
  26. Heisler, Mark (October 3, 1991). "Lakers Acquire Seattle's Threatt: NBA: They Trade Three Second-Round Picks for Veteran Guard. Drew, Thompson Waived". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 20, 2022.
  27. "SPORTS PEOPLE: PRO BASKETBALL; An Expensive Rookie". The New York Times. October 5, 1991. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  28. "Oklahoma City Thunder Season Leaders".
  29. Sonics Face Tall Order Next -- With Payton At Point, Attention Turns To Center Spot, The Seattle Times, June 28, 1990.
  30. "1990–91 Seattle SuperSonics Transactions". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved October 16, 2021.

External links

See also

1990–91 NBA season by team
Eastern
Atlantic
Central
Western
Midwest
Pacific
Seattle SuperSonics seasons
1960s
1967–68 1968–69
1970s
1969–70 1970–71 1971–72 1972–73 1973–74 1974–75 1975–76 1976–77 1977–78 1978–79
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1979–80 1980–81 1981–82 1982–83 1983–84 1984–85 1985–86 1986–87 1987–88 1988–89
1990s
1989–90 1990–91 1991–92 1992–93 1993–94 1994–95 1995–96 1996–97 1997–98 1998–99
2000s
1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 2005–06 2006–07 2007–08
Bold indicates NBA Finals victory
Category: