1972–73 Seattle SuperSonics season
Head coachTom Nissalke
Bucky Buckwalter
General managerBob Houbregs
ArenaSeattle Center Coliseum
Results
Record26–56 (.317)
PlaceDivision: 4th (Pacific)
Conference: 8th (Western)
Playoff finishDid not qualify
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
TelevisionKTNT-TV
RadioKOMO

The 1972–73 Seattle SuperSonics season was the 6th season of the Seattle SuperSonics in the National Basketball Association (NBA). The team finished the regular season in 6th place in the Western Conference with a 26–56 record, 21 wins behind the one obtained in their previous season. Head coach Tom Nissalke was fired by the team in January after a 13–32 start and was replaced by his assistant Bucky Buckwalter.[1]

Offseason

The offseason trade that sent player-coach Lenny Wilkens to the Cleveland Cavaliers was received with shock from fans and the player himself.[2][3] The trade also sent Barry Clemens to the Cavaliers and brought All-Star Butch Beard to the Sonics.

The signing of free agent John Brisker cost the SuperSonics a $10,000 fine and the resignation of their 1973 first round draft pick to the Philadelphia 76ers for violation of league rules that prohibited the team to approach Brisker without contacting the Sixers, who selected him in a supplemental draft in 1969 and held the rights to the player.[4] However, Seattle regained its first round pick after an appeal and the Sonics' second round selection was given to the 76ers.[5]

Draft picks

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

Round Pick Player Position Nationality College
1 7 Isaac Stallworth Guard / forward  United States Kansas
2 18 Joby Wright Center / forward  United States Indiana
2 23 Brian Taylor Guard  United States Princeton
3 40 Jim Creighton Forward  United States Colorado

Roster

1972–73 Seattle SuperSonics roster
Players Coaches
Pos.No.NameHeightWeightDOBFrom
G 21 Beard, Butch 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1947–05–04 Louisville
G/F 42 Brisker, John 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1947–06–15 Toledo
G 32 Brown, Fred 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 182 lb (83 kg) 1948–08–07 Iowa
F/C 41 Cross, Pete 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 230 lb (104 kg) 1948–03–28 San Francisco
G 12 Dudley, Charles 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1950–03–05 Washington
F/C 31 Fox, Jim 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 230 lb (104 kg) 1943–04–07 South Carolina
F/C 24 Haywood, Spencer 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1949–04–22 Detroit Mercy
F/C 44 McDaniels, Jim 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 228 lb (103 kg) 1948–04–02 Western Kentucky
F 40 McIntosh, Kennedy 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1949–01–21 Eastern Michigan
G/F 10 Snyder, Dick 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 207 lb (94 kg) 1944–02–01 West Virginia
G/F 15 Stallworth, Isaac 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1950–01–18 Kansas
G 11 Winfield, Lee 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 174 lb (79 kg) 1947–02–04 Providence
F/C 14 Wright, Joby 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1950–09–05 Indiana
Head coach

(fired)

Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured Injured

Depth chart

Seattle SuperSonics Depth Chart - 1972-73
STARTER 2ND 3RD 4TH
PG Butch Beard Charles Dudley Lee Winfield
SG Fred Brown Dick Snyder
SF John Brisker Bud Stallworth Kennedy McIntosh
PF Spencer Haywood Gar Heard Joby Wright
C Jim Fox Jim McDaniels Pete Cross

Regular season

Season standings

Pacific Division
 W L PCT GB Home Road Neutral Div
y-Los Angeles Lakers 6022.732–30–1128–112–022–4
x-Golden State Warriors 4735.5731327–1418–202–114–12
Phoenix Suns 3844.4632222–1915–251–014–12
Seattle SuperSonics 2656.3173416–2510–290–29–17
Portland Trail Blazers 2161.2563913–288–320–16–20
#
Western Conference
Team W L PCT
1 z-Milwaukee Bucks6022.732
2 y-Los Angeles Lakers6022.732
3 x-Chicago Bulls5131.622
4 x-Golden State Warriors4735.573
5 Detroit Pistons4042.488
6 Phoenix Suns3844.463
7 Kansas City–Omaha Kings3646.439
8 Seattle SuperSonics2656.317
9 Portland Trail Blazers2161.256
  • z – clinched division title
  • y – clinched division title
  • x – clinched playoff spot

Record vs. opponents

1972–73 NBA records
Team ATL BAL BOS BUF CHI CLE DET GSW HOU KCO LAL MIL NYK PHI PHO POR SEA
Atlanta —3–41–55–12–23–42–21–34–42–23–11–33–36–03–14–03–1
Baltimore 4–3—1–55–10–48–02–23–15–23–11–32–23–35–12–24–04–0
Boston 5–15–1—7–03–15–13–13–15–13–14–02–24–47–04–04–04–0
Buffalo 1–51–50–7—2–21–51–30–41–51–30–40–41–67–11–32–22–2
Chicago 2–24–01–32–2—3–13–43–34–05–21–52–43–14–04–25–15–1
Cleveland 4–30–81–55–11–3—1–31–34–32–21–31–30–66–01–31–33–1
Detroit 2–22–21–33–14–33–1—2–41–33–31–52–51–33–14–26–02–4
Golden State 3–11–31–34–03–33–14–2—3–14–23–41–52–24–02–45–14–3
Houston 4–42–51–55–10–43–43–11–3—0–41–31–31–55–12–22–22–2
Kansas City-Omaha 2–21–31–33–12–52–23–32–44–0—1–51–60–43–13–34–24–2
Los Angeles 1–33–10–44–05–13–15–14–33–15–1—3–32–24–06–16–06–0
Milwaukee 3–12–22–24–04–23–15–25–13–16–13–3—2–23–15–15–15–1
New York 3–33–34–46–11–36–03–12–25–14–02–22–2—6–13–13–14–0
Philadelphia 0–61–50–71–70–40–61–30–41–51–30–41–31–6—0–41–31–3
Phoenix 1–32–20–43–12–43–12–44–22–23–31–61–51–34–0—5–24–2
Portland 0–40–40–42–21–53–10–61–52–22–40–61–51–33–12–5—3–4
Seattle 1–30–40–42–21–51–34–23–42–22–40–61–50–43–12–44–3—

Game log

1972–73 game log
Total: 26–56 (Home: 16–25; Road: 10–29; Neutral: 0–2)
October: 4–5 (home: 2–3; road: 2–2)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
1 October 10 @ New York L 89–113 John Brisker (16) Madison Square Garden
19,447		 0–1
2 October 11 @ Philadelphia W 105–100 Spencer Haywood (22) The Spectrum
6,257		 1–1
3 October 13 @ Portland W 92–84 Spencer Haywood (35) Memorial Coliseum
8,573		 2–1
4 October 20 Golden State L 92–101 Spencer Haywood (22) Seattle Center Coliseum
10,950		 2–2
5 October 21 @ Phoenix L 117–129 John Brisker (34) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
8,315		 2–3
6 October 22 Portland W 120–119 (OT) John Brisker (30) Seattle Center Coliseum
6,925		 3–3
7 October 25 Atlanta L 115–118 Spencer Haywood (33) Seattle Center Coliseum
7,140		 3–4
8 October 27 Phoenix W 120–115 Dick Snyder (29) Seattle Center Coliseum
8,201		 4–4
9 October 29 Chicago L 94–95 Spencer Haywood (30) Seattle Center Coliseum
8,022		 4–5
November : 4–13 (home: 3–5; road: 1–8)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
10 November 1 Detroit L 106–116 John Brisker (33) Seattle Center Coliseum
6,005		 4–6
11 November 3 New York L 80–105 Spencer Haywood (18) Seattle Center Coliseum
10,031		 4–7
12 November 5 Los Angeles L 115–124 Spencer Haywood (30) Seattle Center Coliseum
11,250		 4–8
13 November 8 @ Milwaukee L 103–116 Spencer Haywood (29) Milwaukee Arena
7,378		 4–9
14 November 10 Kansas City–Omaha L 106–111 Spencer Haywood (38) Seattle Center Coliseum
8,156		 4–10
15 November 12 Cleveland L 107–113 Spencer Haywood (28) Seattle Center Coliseum
13,174		 4–11
16 November 14 @ Chicago L 80–97 Spencer Haywood (20) Chicago Stadium
7,894		 4–12
17 November 15 @ Kansas City–Omaha L 97–106 Spencer Haywood (27) Municipal Auditorium
4,364		 4–13
18 November 17 Philadelphia W 105–92 Spencer Haywood (29) Seattle Center Coliseum
7,762		 5–13
19 November 18 @ Portland W 102–100 Spencer Haywood (21) Memorial Coliseum
9,639		 6–13
20 November 19 Buffalo W 107–84 Spencer Haywood (26) Seattle Center Coliseum
6,587		 7–13
21 November 21 @ Cleveland L 88–98 Spencer Haywood (32) Cleveland Arena
2,864		 7–14
22 November 22 @ Baltimore L 90–112 Dick Snyder (21) Baltimore Civic Center
2,877		 7–15
23 November 23 @ Atlanta L 97–110 Spencer Haywood (29) Omni Coliseum
6,523		 7–16
24 November 25 @ Houston L 109–114 Spencer Haywood (38) Hofheinz Pavilion
2,912		 7–17
25 November 26 Detroit W 103–96 Spencer Haywood (39) Seattle Center Coliseum
7,980		 8–17
26 November 29 @ Boston L 98–120 Spencer Haywood (29) Boston Garden
5,263		 8–18
December : 4–11 (home: 3–3; road: 1–8)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
27 December 1 @ Buffalo L 90–93 Spencer Haywood, Dick Snyder (15) Seattle Center Coliseum
16,107		 8–19
28 December 2 @ Chicago L 80–89 Spencer Haywood (26) Chicago Stadium
8,030		 8–20
29 December 3 @ Cleveland L 103–105 (OT) Spencer Haywood (29) Cleveland Arena
2,957		 8–21
30 December 6 Milwaukee W 95–91 Spencer Haywood (32) Seattle Center Coliseum
8,953		 9–21
31 December 8 @ Los Angeles L 100–119 Spencer Haywood (26) The Forum
14,618		 9–22
32 December 10 Phoenix W 110–102 Spencer Haywood (32) Seattle Center Coliseum
10,628		 10–22
33 December 13 Milwaukee L 103–104 (OT) Spencer Haywood (38) Seattle Center Coliseum
8,036		 10–23
34 December 15 Portland L 95–96 Spencer Haywood (37) Seattle Center Coliseum
7,812		 10–24
35 December 17 Boston L 98–123 Spencer Haywood (34) Seattle Center Coliseum
10,633		 10–25
36 December 19 @ Milwaukee L 77–121 John Brisker (15) Milwaukee Arena
7,407		 10–26
37 December 20 @ Kansas City–Omaha L 110–121 Isaac Stallworth (32) Omaha, NE
4,067		 10–27
38 December 22 @ Detroit L 97–109 Fred Brown (21) Cobo Arena
3,779		 10–28
39 December 25 @ Portland L 113–116 Spencer Haywood (35) Memorial Coliseum
6,818		 10–29
40 December 26 @ Golden State W 97–95 Spencer Haywood (42) Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena
3,605		 11–29
41 December 29 Cleveland W 99–91 Spencer Haywood (31) Seattle Center Coliseum
12,738		 12–29
January : 5–9 (home: 3–5; road: 2–4)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
42 January 1 Los Angeles L 103–108 Spencer Haywood (28) Seattle Center Coliseum
8,751		 12–30
43 January 3 Kansas City–Omaha W 107–100 Spencer Haywood (51) Seattle Center Coliseum
10,266		 13–30
44 January 5 Golden State L 96–128 Fred Brown (20) Seattle Center Coliseum
9,087		 13–31
45 January 7 Philadelphia L 82–85 Spencer Haywood (18) Seattle Center Coliseum
12,150		 13–32
46 January 10 Baltimore L 86–98 Spencer Haywood (17) Seattle Center Coliseum
7,570		 13–33
47 January 12 Detroit W 113–104 Spencer Haywood (36) Seattle Center Coliseum
8,420		 14–33
48 January 14 New York Knicks L 84–86 Spencer Haywood (18) Seattle Center Coliseum
11,538		 14–34
49 January 16 @ Kansas City–Omaha W 125–122 Jim Fox, Spencer Haywood (23) Municipal Auditorium
4,468		 15–34
50 January 17 @ Detroit W 106–104 Spencer Haywood (28) Cobo Arena
2,630		 16–34
51 January 19 @ Boston L 104–124 Spencer Haywood (25) Boston Garden
14,190		 16–35
52 January 20 Baltimore L 106–126 Spencer Haywood (28) College Park, MD
12,084		 16–36
53 January 25 @ Phoenix L 109–112 Spencer Haywood (27) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
5,701		 16–37
54 January 28 @ Los Angeles L 94–130 Spencer Haywood (29) The Forum
17,107		 16–38
55 January 31 Houston W 118–109 Spencer Haywood (37) Seattle Center Coliseum
6,257		 17–38
February : 4–11 (home: 3–5; road: 1–6)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
56 February 2 Chicago W 118–104 John Brisker (24) Seattle Center Coliseum
8,818		 18–38
57 February 3 @ Golden State L 101–123 Spencer Haywood (34) Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena
3,261		 18–39
58 February 4 Kansas City–Omaha L 98–120 Spencer Haywood (27) Seattle Center Coliseum
11,140		 18–40
59 February 6 @ Portland W 118–117 Spencer Haywood (41) Memorial Coliseum
4,755		 19–40
60 February 8 @ Phoenix L 112–125 Spencer Haywood (31) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
7,084		 19–41
61 February 11 Buffalo L 125–128 Spencer Haywood (40) Seattle Center Coliseum
6,960		 19–42
62 February 13 @ Los Angeles L 98–101 Spencer Haywood (35) The Forum
13,127		 19–43
63 February 14 Baltimore L 106–107 Spencer Haywood (37) Seattle Center Coliseum
6,034		 19–44
64 February 16 Golden State W 114–108 (OT) Fred Brown (33) Seattle Center Coliseum
9,070		 20–44
65 February 18 Boston L 105–106 Spencer Haywood (32) Seattle Center Coliseum
12,905		 20–45
66 February 21 Houston L 107–139 Spencer Haywood (27) San Antonio, TX
4,179		 20–46
67 February 23 Atlanta W 124–120 Spencer Haywood (29) Seattle Center Coliseum
11,735		 21–46
68 February 25 Chicago L 85–88 Spencer Haywood (29) Seattle Center Coliseum
10,103		 21–47
69 February 27 @ Atlanta L 130–131 Spencer Haywood (33) Omni Coliseum
8,295		 21–48
70 February 28 @ Milwaukee L 110–124 Spencer Haywood (36) Milwaukee Arena
10,292		 21–49
March : 5–9 (home: 2–4; road: 3–5)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
71 March 2 @ Buffalo W 139–120 Spencer Haywood (35) Seattle Center Coliseum
5,563		 22–49
72 March 3 @ Detroit W 115–113 Spencer Haywood (33) Cobo Arena
5,044		 23–49
73 March 6 @ New York L 94–106 Spencer Haywood (25) Madison Square Garden
19,644		 23–50
74 March 10 @ Philadelphia W 106–96 Spencer Haywood (27) The Spectrum
4,942		 24–50
75 March 13 @ Chicago L 89–104 Spencer Haywood (31) Chicago Stadium
9,270		 24–51
76 March 16 Golden State W 116–106 Spencer Haywood (35) Seattle Center Coliseum
10,512		 25–51
77 March 18 Houston W 121–112 Spencer Haywood (38) Seattle Center Coliseum
8,956		 26–51
78 March 20 @ Golden State L 106–114 Spencer Haywood (39) Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena
2,992		 26–52
79 March 21 Milwaukee L 96–119 Spencer Haywood (29) Seattle Center Coliseum
11,407		 26–53
80 March 23 Portland L 112–118 Kennedy McIntosh (25) Seattle Center Coliseum
10,305		 26–54
81 March 25 Los Angeles L 93–109 Spencer Haywood (25) Seattle Center Coliseum
13,180		 26–55
82 March 28 Phoenix L 125–127 John Brisker (39) Seattle Center Coliseum
11,246		 26–56
1972–73 season 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
Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Butch Beard 73–19.2.439–.7142.43.4––6.6
John Brisker 70–23.3.435–.8224.62.1––12.8
Fred Brown 79–29.4.455–.8184.05.5––13.5
Pete Cross 26–5.1.286–.4442.2.4––.8
Charles Dudley 12–8.3.435–.875.51.3––2.8
Jim Fox 74–33.0.515–.80811.22.4––11.4
Spencer Haywood 77–42.3.476–.83912.92.5––29.2
Gar Heard 3–5.7.444–1.0002.0.7––3.0
Jim McDaniels 68–16.1.399–.7005.11.1––5.6
Kennedy McIntosh 56–19.7.326–.6154.0.9––4.5
Dick Snyder 82–37.3.463–.8613.93.8––13.8
Isaac Stallworth 77–15.9.379–.7542.9.8––6.3
Lee Winfield 53–20.0.431–.5742.43.5––6.6
Joby Wright 77–12.1.478–.4162.8.5––3.9

Awards and records

Transactions

Overview

Players Added Players Lost
Via draft

Via trade

Via free agency

 Via trade

Trades

August 23, 1972 To Seattle SuperSonics To Cleveland Cavaliers
Butch Beard Lenny Wilkens
Barry Clemens
September 18, 1972 To Seattle SuperSonics To Houston Rockets
Cash considerations Don Smith
October 20, 1972 To Seattle SuperSonics To Chicago Bulls
Kennedy McIntosh Gar Heard
1973 third round pick

References

  1. ↑ Supersonics fire Tom Nissalke, Star-News. January 11, 1973. Retrieved June 13, 2012.
  2. ↑ SuperSonics Trade Wilkens; Houbregs: 'difficult trade', Ellensburg Daily Record. August 24, 1972. Retrieved June 12, 2012.
  3. ↑ Ex-Sonic Wilkens may quit pro ball, Ellensburg Daily Record. August 31, 1972. Retrieved June 12, 2012.
  4. ↑ SuperSonics Fined For Signing Brisker, The Day. November 17, 1972. Retrieved June 12, 2012.
  5. ↑ "Seattle Regains First-Round Pick". The Pittsburgh Press. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: E. W. Scripps Company. April 19, 1973. Retrieved April 7, 2010.
  6. ↑ Seattle Inks Brisker, The Michigan Daily. August 9, 1972. Retrieved June 12, 2012.
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