1976-77 San Antonio Spurs season

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The 1976-77 season was the Spurs first season in the NBA. Months earlier, the Spurs were part of the American Basketball Association. The ABA had ended its ninth and last campaign. Of the seven remaining ABA teams, the four strongest franchises, the Denver Nuggets, New York Nets, San Antonio Spurs and Indiana Pacers joined the NBA. ^[1] The Kentucky Colonels, Spirits of St. Louis and Virginia Squires agreed to take a cash settlement and cease operations. Immediately, the ABA players were dispersed across the new 22-team league. ^[2]

The Spurs made their debut on October 22nd stunning the 76ers in Philadelphia by a score of 121-118.^[3] 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. ^[4] 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. ^[5]In the playoffs, the Spurs were swept in 2 straight by the defending world champion Boston Celtics.

[edit] Offseason

[edit] NBA Draft

[edit] 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, Kentucky and St. Louis, which folded had their players assigned to a dispersal draft for draft purposes.

Pick	Player	Nationality	NBA Team	ABA Team	Purchase Price
10	Lou Dampier (PG)	United States	San Antonio Spurs	Kentucky Colonels	$20,000

[edit] Regular season

[edit] Season Standings

^[6]

[edit] Game log

[edit] October

Record: 2-4; Home: 1-1; Road: 1–3

^[7]

[edit] November

Record: 9-5; Home: 8–0; Road: 1–5

^[8]

[edit] December

Record: 7–7; Home: 4–1; Road: 3–6

^[9]

[edit] References

• Spurs on Basketball Reference