1994–95 San Antonio Spurs season

Last updated • 4 min readFrom Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia

1994–95   San Antonio Spurs season
Division champions
Head coach Bob Hill
General manager Gregg Popovich
PresidentGregg Popovich (vice)
Owner(s) Peter Holt
Arena Alamodome
Results
Record6220 (.756)
PlaceDivision: 1st (Midwest)
Conference: 1st (Western)
Playoff finish Western Conference finals
(lost to Rockets 2–4)

Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
Television KSAT-TV
KABB
Prime Sports Southwest
Radio WOAI
< 1993–94 1995–96 >

The 1994–95 NBA season was the Spurs' 19th season in the National Basketball Association, and 28th season as a franchise. [1] During the off-season, the Spurs hired Bob Hill as head coach, [2] [3] [4] re-acquired Sean Elliott after playing one year with the Detroit Pistons, [5] [6] [7] re-signed Avery Johnson after one season with the Golden State Warriors, [8] and signed free agents Chuck Person, [9] [10] and former All-Star forward Moses Malone. [11] [12] Early into the season, they signed free agent Doc Rivers, who was previously released by the New York Knicks. [13] [14]

Contents

With Dennis Rodman serving two suspensions early into the season, [15] [16] [17] [18] the Spurs struggled and played below .500 with a 7–9 start. However, they would win 13 of their next 14 games, hold a 30–15 record at the All-Star break, [19] then later on post a 15-game winning streak between March and April, and win 21 of their final 23 games, finishing with the league's best record of 62–20. [20] It was also their best regular season record in franchise history, surpassing the 56-win 1989–90 season, which would be surpassed 11 seasons later by the 2005-06 team (63–19), then 10 seasons later by the 2015-16 squad (67–15).

David Robinson averaged 27.6 points, 10.8 rebounds and 3.2 blocks per game, and was named Most Valuable Player of the Year, [21] [22] [23] and made the All-NBA First Team. He was also selected for the 1995 NBA All-Star Game. [24] [25] [26] [27] In addition, Rodman, who only played just 49 games, contributed 7.1 points, and led the league with 16.8 rebounds per game, and was named to the All-NBA Third Team, while Elliott finished second on the team in scoring with 18.1 points per game, Johnson provided the team with 13.4 points, 8.2 assists and 1.4 steals per game, and Vinny Del Negro contributed 12.5 points per game. Off the bench, Person played a sixth man role, averaging 10.8 points per game and led the team with 172 three-point field-goals, while J.R. Reid averaged 7.0 points and 4.9 rebounds per game, and Terry Cummings provided with 6.8 points and 5.0 rebounds per game. [28] Both Robinson and Rodman were selected to the NBA All-Defensive First Team. Robinson also finished in fourth place in Defensive Player of the Year voting, while Rodman finished in fifth place, and Person finished in third place in Sixth Man of the Year voting. [29] [30] [31]

In the Western Conference First Round of the playoffs, the Spurs swept the Denver Nuggets in three straight games. [32] [33] [34] [35] In the Western Conference Semi-finals, they defeated the 5th-seeded Los Angeles Lakers in six games. [36] [37] [38] [39] However, in the Western Conference finals, they would lose to the 6th-seeded and defending champion Houston Rockets in six games. [40] [41] [42] [43] The Rockets would go on to defeat the Orlando Magic in four straight games in the NBA Finals, winning their second consecutive championship. [44] [45] [46] [47] [48]

Following the season, the Spurs traded Rodman to the Chicago Bulls, no longer being able to handle the distractions that came along with the NBA's top rebounder. [49] [50] [51] [52] [53] Also following the season, Terry Cummings re-signed as a free agent with his former team, the Milwaukee Bucks, [54] [55] [56] [57] while Willie Anderson was left unprotected in the 1995 NBA Expansion Draft, where he was selected by the newly expansion Toronto Raptors, [58] [59] [60] [61] [62] and Malone, who only played just 17 games this season due to a ruptured tendon in his right leg, [63] [64] retired after playing 19 seasons in the NBA.

Draft picks

RoundPickPlayerPositionNationalityCollege
122 Bill Curley ForwardFlag of the United States.svg United States Boston College

Roster

1994–95 San Antonio Spurs roster
PlayersCoaches
Pos.No.NameHeightWeightDOBFrom
G/F 40 Anderson, Willie 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)190 lb (86 kg)1967–01–08 Georgia
F/C 34 Cummings, Terry 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)220 lb (100 kg)1961–03–15 DePaul
G 15 Del Negro, Vinny 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)185 lb (84 kg)1966–08–09 NC State
F 32 Elliott, Sean 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)205 lb (93 kg)1968–02–02 Arizona
F/C 54 Haley, Jack 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)240 lb (109 kg)1964–01–27 UCLA
G 6 Johnson, Avery 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)175 lb (79 kg)1965–03–25 Southern
C 2 Malone, Moses  Cruz Roja.svg6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)215 lb (98 kg)1955–03–23 Petersburg HS (VA)
C 00 Nwosu, Julius 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)255 lb (116 kg)1971–05–01 Liberty
F 45 Person, Chuck 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)220 lb (100 kg)1964–06–27 Auburn
F/C 7 Reid, J. R. 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)247 lb (112 kg)1968–03–31 North Carolina
G 25 Rivers, Doc 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)185 lb (84 kg)1961–10–13 Marquette
C 50 Robinson, David 7 ft 1 in (2.16 m)235 lb (107 kg)1965–08–06 Navy
F 10 Rodman, Dennis 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)210 lb (95 kg)1961–05–13 SE Oklahoma State
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)

Legend
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Cruz Roja.svg Injured

Roster

Regular season

Season standings

W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y- San Antonio Spurs 6220.75633–829–1220–6
x- Utah Jazz 6022.732233–827–1417–9
x- Houston Rockets 4735.5731525–1622–1913–13
x- Denver Nuggets 4141.5002123–1818–2313–13
Dallas Mavericks 3646.4392619–2217–2411–15
Minnesota Timberwolves 2161.2564113–288–334–22
#
Team W L PCT GB
1x-San Antonio Spurs 6220.756
2y-Phoenix Suns 5923.7203
3x-Utah Jazz 6022.7322
4x-Seattle SuperSonics 5725.6955
5x-Los Angeles Lakers 4834.58514
6x-Houston Rockets 4735.57315
7x-Portland Trail Blazers 4438.53718
8x-Denver Nuggets 4141.50021
9 Sacramento Kings 3943.47623
10 Dallas Mavericks 3646.43926
11 Golden State Warriors 2656.31736
12 Minnesota Timberwolves 2161.25641
13 Los Angeles Clippers 1765.20745

Season opener delayed

The Spurs' season opener against the Golden State Warriors on November 4, 1994, was delayed more than 50 minutes after the Alamodome's sprinkler system accidentally went off. The cause was a sensor getting triggered by the fireworks display the team put on during the player introductions. Most of those soaked were the fans who were seated in the season ticket area, and they took it in stride. The game eventually went on as scheduled, with Golden State winning 123–118. [65] [66] [67]

Dennis Rodman

Dennis Rodman helped San Antonio to their then-franchise best win–loss record of 62–20, and they made it to the Western Conference finals. However, his increasingly erratic off-court life, including a brief but heavily publicized relationship with singer Madonna, and on-court antics, such as dyeing his hair and starting on-court arguments resulted in him being traded to the Chicago Bulls after only two years with the Spurs.

Record vs. opponents

1994-95 NBA Records
TeamATLBOSCHACHICLEDALDENDETGSWHOUINDLACLALMIAMILMINNJNNYKORLPHIPHOPORSACSASSEAUTAWAS
Atlanta 3–12–21–41–42–02–03–22–00–21–42–00–22–21–32–04–02–21–33–11–11–11–11–10–20–24–0
Boston 1–31–30–42–21–11–13–12–01–12–20–21–14–11–32–02–30–52–33–11–10–21–10–21–10–23–1
Charlotte 2–23–12–23–20–21–15–02–00–21–42–00–23–14–11–13–13–11–33–10–22–01–11–12–02–03–1
Chicago 4–14–02–22–31–11–15–02–01–12–21–11–13–11–42–02–23–11–34–01–11–10–21–10–20–22–2
Cleveland 4–12–22–33–20–21–12–22–00–22–31–11–11–34–01–14–02–21–33–11–11–11–10–20–21–13–1
Dallas 0–21–12–01–12–01–41–13–12–31–13–11–30–21–14–11–10–20–22–00–43–12–22–30–42–41–1
Denver 0–21–11–11–11–14–11–11–31–41–14–02–22–02–06–01–10–20–21–11–33–12–21–41–31–42–0
Detroit 2–31–30–50–52–21–11–11–10–22–21–10–21–32–31–12–21–31–34–01–10–21–10–20–20–23–1
Golden State 0–20–20–20–20–21–33–11–10–40–23–23–21–10–21–31–11–10–21–13–21–40–51–31–42–22–0
Houston 2–01–12–01–12–03–24–12–04–01–13–10–42–01–13–22–00–20–22–03–11–33–11–50–42–32–0
Indiana 4–12–24–12–23–21–11–12–22–01–12–01–12–23–22–03–11–32–24–01–11–12–02–01–10–23–1
L.A. Clippers 0–22–00–21–11–11–30–41–12–31–30–22–30–21–11–30–20–20–21–11–40–51–40–40–51–30–2
L.A. Lakers 2–01–12–01–11–13–12–22–02–34–01–13–21–11–13–12–00–21–11–11–42–33–21–34–12–22–0
Miami 2–21–41–31–33–12–00–23–11–10–22–22–01–14–01–11–31–41–31–40–20–20–20–20–20–24–1
Milwaukee 3–13–11–44–10–41–10–23–22–01–12–31–11–10–41–12–22–20–43–10–20–21–10–20–20–23–1
Minnesota 0–20–21–10–21–11–40–61–13–12–30–23–11–31–11–11–10–21–11–10–40–41–30–50–41–41–1
New Jersey 0–43–21–32–20–41–11–12–21–10–21–32–00–23–12–21–11–42–22–30–21–11–10–21–10–22–3
New York 2–25–01–31–32–22–02–03–11–12–03–12–02–04–12–22–04–12–34–01–11–12–01–10–20–24–0
Orlando 3–13–23–13–13–12–02–03–12–02–02–22–01–13–14–01–12–23–24–11–12–01–11–10–21–13–2
Philadelphia 1–31–31–30–41–30–21–10–41–10–20–41–11–14–11–31–13–20–41–40–22–01–10–20–20–23–2
Phoenix 1–11–12–01–11–14–03–11–12–31–31–14–14–12–02–04–02–01–11–12–05–04–12–24–12–22–0
Portland 1–12–00–21–11–11–31–32–04–13–11–15–03–22–02–04–01–11–10–20–20–53–21–32–31–32–0
Sacramento 1–11–11–12–01–12–22–21–15–01–30–24–12–32–01–13–11–10–21–11–11–42–30–43–20–41–1
San Antonio1–12–01–11–12–03–24–12–03–15–10–24–03–12–02–05–02–01–11–12–02–23–14–02–23–22–0
Seattle 2–01–10–22–02–04–03–12–04–14–01–15–01–42–02–04–01–12–02–02–01–43–22–32–21–32–0
Utah 2–02–00–22–01–14–24–12–02–23–22–03–12–22–02–04–12–02–01–12–02–23–14–02–33–12–0
Washington 0–41–31–32–21–31–10–21–30–20–21–32–00–21–41–31–13–20–42–32–30–20–21–10–20–20–2

Game log

Regular season

1994–95 game log
Total: 62–20 (home: 33–8; road: 29–12)
November: 6–7 (home: 5–3; road: 1–4)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
December: 9–3 (home: 5–2; road: 4–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
17December 10, 1994
7:30 p.m. CST
@ Houston W 108–96 Johnson (24) David Robinson\Robinson (11) Johnson (11) The Summit
16,611
8–9
22December 23, 1994
7:30 p.m. CST
Houston W 98–96 Del Negro (26) Reid, Robinson (10) Johnson (11) Alamodome
31,514
13–9
January: 11–4 (home: 4–1; road: 7–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
31January 13, 1995
7:30 p.m. CST
@ Houston L 100–103 Robinson (23) Robinson (10) Johnson (9) The Summit
16,611
20–11
38January 26, 1995
7:30 p.m. CST
Houston W 103–100 Elliott (26) Rodman (22) Johnson (11) Alamodome
33,360
24–14
February: 11–2 (home: 7–0; road: 4–2)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
All-Star Break
49February 21, 1995
7:00 p.m. CST
@ Houston W 98–97 Del Negro (23) Rodman (30) Johnson (8) The Summit
16,611
33–16
March: 14–2 (home: 8–1; road: 6–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
54March 3, 1995
7:30 p.m. CST
Orlando W 112–111 Robinson (24) Rodman (20) Johnson (9) Alamodome
35,818
38–16
55March 5, 1995
12 Noon CST
Houston W 124–103 Robinson (31) Rodman (27) Johnson (10) Alamodome
35,818
39–16
59March 12, 1995
11:00 a.m. CST
@ Orlando L 104–110 Robinson (34) Rodman (23) Johnson (6) Orlando Arena
16,010
41–18
April: 11–2 (home: 4–1; road: 7–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
1994–95 schedule

Playoffs

1995 playoff game log
First Round: 3–0 (home: 2–0; road: 1–0)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Series
1April 28 Denver W 104–88 Sean Elliott (21) Dennis Rodman (11) Avery Johnson (8) Alamodome
25,235
1–0
2April 30 Denver W 122–96 Robinson, Rodman (19) Dennis Rodman (16) Avery Johnson (9) Alamodome 2–0
3May 2@ Denver W 99–95 Robinson, Johnson (24) Dennis Rodman (13) David Robinson (5) McNichols Sports Arena
17,171
3–0
Conference semifinals: 4–2 (home: 2–1; road: 2–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Series
1May 6 L.A. Lakers W 110–94 David Robinson (33) Dennis Rodman (12) Avery Johnson (12) Alamodome
24,002
1–0
2May 8 L.A. Lakers W 97–90 (OT) Robinson, Rodman (22) Dennis Rodman (22) Avery Johnson (9) Alamodome
26,127
2–0
3May 12@ L.A. Lakers L 85–92 David Robinson (34) David Robinson (13) Avery Johnson (8) Great Western Forum
17,505
2–1
4May 14@ L.A. Lakers W 80–71 David Robinson (26) David Robinson (22) Avery Johnson (7) Great Western Forum
17,505
3–1
5May 16 L.A. Lakers L 96–98 (OT) David Robinson (34) David Robinson (17) Avery Johnson (12) Alamodome
35,888
3–2
6May 18@ L.A. Lakers W 100–88 David Robinson (31) David Robinson (15) Avery Johnson (11) Great Western Forum
17,505
4–2
Conference finals: 2–4 (home: 0–3; road: 2–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Series
1May 22, 1995
7:30 p.m. CDT
Houston L 93–94 Elliott (24) Rodman (20) Johnson (9) Alamodome
33,337
0–1
2May 24, 1995
7:30 p.m. CDT
Houston L 96–106 Robinson (32) Robinson (12) Elliott, Anderson (5) Alamodome
35,888
0–2
3May 26, 1995
8:00 p.m. CDT
@ Houston W 107–102 Robinson (29) Rodman (14) Johnson (13) The Summit
16,611
1–2
4May 28, 1995
2:30 p.m. CDT
@ Houston W 103–81 Robinson (20) Rodman (19) Johnson, Del Negro (4) The Summit
16,611
2–2
5May 30, 1995
8:00 p.m. CDT
Houston L 90–111 Robinson (22) Robinson, Rodman (12) Johnson (7) Alamodome
35,888
2–3
6June 1, 1995
8:00 p.m. CDT
@ Houston L 95–100 Robinson, Johnson (19) Rodman (17) Johnson (10) The Summit
16,611
2–4
1995 schedule

Player statistics

Ragular season

Player POS GP GS MP REB AST STL BLK PTS MPG RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Avery Johnson PG82823,011208670114131,10136.72.58.21.4.213.4
David Robinson C81813,0748772361342622,23838.010.82.91.73.227.6
Sean Elliott SF81812,85828720678381,46635.33.52.51.0.518.1
J. R. Reid PF81371,56639355603256319.34.9.7.7.47.0
Chuck Person SF8112,033258106451287225.13.21.3.6.110.8
Terry Cummings PF76201,27337859361952016.85.0.8.5.36.8
Vinny Del Negro SG75712,360192226611493831.52.63.0.8.212.5
Doc Rivers PG600942100154612130215.71.72.61.0.45.0
Dennis Rodman PF49261,56882397312334932.016.82.0.6.57.1
Willie Anderson SG38115565552261018514.61.41.4.7.34.9
Jack Haley PF31011727235733.8.9.1.1.22.4
Chris Whitney PG250179132840427.2.51.1.2.01.7
Julius Nwosu C2308424303313.71.0.1.0.11.3
Moses Malone C17014946623498.82.7.4.1.22.9
Howard Eisley PG150566180173.7.41.2.0.1.5
Corey Crowder SF7029311064.1.4.1.1.0.9
  • 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
David Robinson C151562318247223938041.512.13.11.52.625.3
Avery Johnson PG15155753212520621838.32.18.31.3.414.5
Sean Elliott SF1515574724010726038.34.82.7.7.517.3
Vinny Del Negro SG151538232378213125.52.12.5.5.18.7
Terry Cummings PF15213531451589.02.1.3.3.13.9
J. R. Reid PF151209429749113.92.8.6.5.36.1
Doc Rivers PG150318292414911721.21.91.6.9.67.8
Chuck Person SF150258278477517.21.8.5.3.55.0
Dennis Rodman PF14124592071812012432.814.81.3.9.08.9
Willie Anderson SG11097121050208.81.1.9.5.01.8
Jack Haley PF4013600133.31.5.0.0.3.8
Julius Nwosu C207200003.51.0.0.0.0.0

Awards and records

Transactions

Related Research Articles

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The 1990–91 NBA season was the Spurs' 15th season in the National Basketball Association, and 24th season as a franchise. During the off-season, the Spurs acquired Paul Pressey from the Milwaukee Bucks. After a promising rookie season from second-year star David Robinson, the Spurs would win 17 of their first 22 games, holding a 32–13 record at the All-Star break. However, with Terry Cummings and Rod Strickland lost for long stretched games due to hand injuries, the team struggled in February with a 4–7 record. At midseason, the team released Reggie Williams to free agency, and signed free agent Avery Johnson, who was previously released by the Denver Nuggets. The Spurs would bounce back winning 13 of their final 17 games as they won the Midwest Division with a solid 55–27 record.

The 1992–93 NBA season was the Detroit Pistons' 45th season in the National Basketball Association, and 36th season in the city of Detroit. During the off-season, the Pistons signed free agent Terry Mills, and acquired Olden Polynice from the Los Angeles Clippers. Under new head coach Ron Rothstein, the Pistons years of battle would catch up with them as they lost nine of their first eleven games. However, they would win ten of their next eleven games to climb back into playoff connection, but then slip below .500 holding a 21–29 record at the All-Star break. At midseason, the team traded Orlando Woolridge to the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for All-Star guard Alvin Robertson. After posting many winning and losing streaks throughout the entire season, the Pistons missed the playoffs for the first time in ten years, finishing sixth in the Central Division with a 40–42 record.

The 1992–93 NBA season was the Rockets' 26th season in the National Basketball Association, and 22nd season in Houston. After missing the playoffs the previous year, the Rockets selected Robert Horry from the University of Alabama with the eleventh overall pick in the 1992 NBA draft. During the off-season, the team acquired Scott Brooks from the Minnesota Timberwolves. For the season opener, the Rockets traveled overseas to Yokohama, Japan to play their first two games against the Seattle SuperSonics. The Rockets got off to a 14–9 start to the season, but then struggled posting a 7-game losing streak between December and January. However, they won eight consecutive games afterwards, and held a 30–21 record at the All-Star break. The Rockets went 25–6 for the remainder of the season, posting a 15-game winning streak between February and March, and then posting an 11-game winning streak in April, as the team signed free agent Terry Teagle, who played in the final two games of the regular season. The Rockets finished first place in the Midwest Division with a 55–27 record.

The 1992–93 NBA season was the Spurs' 17th season in the National Basketball Association, and 26th season as a franchise. During the off-season, the Spurs acquired Dale Ellis from the Milwaukee Bucks, signed free agents Vinny Del Negro and undrafted rookie guard Lloyd Daniels, and re-signed Avery Johnson after a brief stint with the Houston Rockets. However, prior to the start of the season, Terry Cummings suffered a serious knee injury during a pick-up game, and only played in the final eight games of the season.

The 1994–95 NBA season was the 27th season for the Phoenix Suns in the National Basketball Association. During the off-season, the Suns signed free agents, All-Star forward Danny Manning, Wayman Tisdale, and Danny Schayes. The team was led by Paul Westphal, in his third year as head coach of the Suns. The Suns held the league's best record at 38–10 before the All-Star break, and finished the regular season with 59 wins and 23 losses, the first time in the franchise's history they had ended the season with 55 or more wins for three consecutive seasons. All home games were played at America West Arena.

The 1994–95 NBA season was the Jazz's 21st season in the National Basketball Association, and 16th season in Salt Lake City, Utah. During the off-season, the Jazz signed free agent Antoine Carr, and acquired Adam Keefe from the Atlanta Hawks. The Jazz struggled losing four of their first six games, but then won seven of their next eight games, then won eight straight games in December. The team posted a 14–1 record in January, which included a 14-game winning streak which ended in early February, as the Jazz held a 35–13 record at the All-Star break. At midseason, the team traded Jay Humphries to the Boston Celtics in exchange for former Jazz guard Blue Edwards. The Jazz posted a nine-game winning streak between February and March, then won their final seven games of the season, finishing second in the Midwest Division with a 60–22 record. They made their 12th consecutive trip to the playoffs.

The 1994–95 NBA season was the 25th season for the Portland Trail Blazers in the National Basketball Association. The Blazers 25th season was marked by change as they played their final season at the Memorial Coliseum with new head coach P.J. Carlesimo. The team also had the 17th overall pick in the 1994 NBA draft, and selected Aaron McKie out of Temple University. The Blazers started their season defeating the Los Angeles Clippers in their first two games, which were played in Yokohama, Japan. The team got off to a 6–6 start, and played around .500 for the first half of the season, holding a 25–20 record at the All-Star break, as Terry Porter only played just 35 games due to an ankle injury.

The 1994–95 NBA season was the Lakers' 47th season in the National Basketball Association, and 35th in the city of Los Angeles. This was the first season since 1981–82 that All-Star forward James Worthy was not on the team, as he announced his retirement in November. After missing the playoffs the previous season, the Lakers had the tenth overall pick in the 1994 NBA draft, and selected Eddie Jones out of Temple University. With new head coach Del Harris, along with the off-season acquisition of Cedric Ceballos from the Phoenix Suns, the Lakers struggled with a 3–5 start, but then won ten of their next twelve games, and held a 29–16 record at the All-Star break. Despite losing seven of their final eight games, the Lakers finished third in the Pacific Division with a 48–34 record, and returned to the playoffs after a one-year absence. Harris was named Coach of the Year.

The 1993–94 NBA season was the Pistons' 46th season in the National Basketball Association, and 37th season in the city of Detroit. In the 1993 NBA draft, the Pistons selected Lindsey Hunter out of Jackson State with the tenth overall pick, and selected Allan Houston from the University of Tennessee with the eleventh overall pick. During the off-season, the Pistons acquired Sean Elliott from the San Antonio Spurs, signed free agent Greg Anderson, and hired Don Chaney as head coach.

The 1993–94 NBA season was the Spurs' 18th season in the National Basketball Association, and 27th season as a franchise. It was also their first season playing at the Alamodome. During the off-season, the Spurs acquired controversial All-Star forward and rebound specialist Dennis Rodman from the Detroit Pistons, signed free agent Sleepy Floyd, and acquired Negele Knight from the Phoenix Suns during the first month of the regular season. The Spurs went on an 8-game winning streak between November and December after a 4–5 start to the season. The team would then win 13 consecutive games between January and February, holding a 35–14 record at the All-Star break, but then lose seven of their final ten games, finishing second in the Midwest Division with a 55–27 record.

The 1995–96 NBA season was the Spurs' 20th season in the National Basketball Association, and 29th season as a franchise. San Antonio hosted the 1996 NBA All-Star Game at the Alamodome. During the off-season, the team signed free agents Carl Herrera, who previously won two championships with the Houston Rockets, former Spurs center Greg Anderson, and three-point specialist Brad Lohaus. Without Dennis Rodman, who was dealt to the Chicago Bulls in exchange for Will Perdue during the off-season, the Spurs had a solid team chemistry led by reigning MVP David Robinson and Sean Elliott, who were both selected for the All-Star Game. The team got off to a solid 11–4 start, holding a 31–14 record at the All-Star break. At midseason, they traded Lohaus and J.R. Reid to the New York Knicks in exchange for Charles D. Smith and second-year forward Monty Williams. The Spurs posted a 17-game winning streak in March, where they went undefeated posting a 16–0 record, which matched the 1971–72 Los Angeles Lakers' record. The Spurs went on to win their second straight Midwest Division title with a 59–23 record.

The 1989–90 NBA season was the Rockets' 23rd season in the National Basketball Association, and 19th season in the city of Houston. After a 9–6 start to the season, the Rockets would struggle posting a 12–18 record as they entered the New Year. However, they would manage to win seven of their next nine games, holding a 22–25 record at the All-Star break. At midseason, the team acquired second-year guard Vernon Maxwell from the San Antonio Spurs, as they continued to play .500 basketball for the rest of the season. The Rockets finished fifth in the Midwest Division with a 41–41 record, winning a tie-breaker over the Seattle SuperSonics for the #8 seed in the Western Conference.

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