1979–80 New York Knicks season

1979–80 New York Knicks season
Head coach Red Holzman
Arena Madison Square Garden
Results
Record 39–43 (.476)
Place Division: 4th (Atlantic)
Conference: 7th (Eastern)
Playoff finish Did not qualify
Stats @ Basketball-Reference.com
New York Knicks seasons
< 1978–79 1980–81 >

The 1979–80 New York Knicks season was the 34th season for the team in the National Basketball Association (NBA). In the regular season, the Knicks finished in a tie for third place in the Atlantic Division with a 39–43 win–loss record, and did not qualify for the 1980 NBA Playoffs. Bill Cartwright led the team in scoring (21.7 points per game) and rebounding, while Micheal Ray Richardson led the NBA in assists (10.2 per game) and steals (3.23 per game).[1]

New York had three first-round picks in the 1979 NBA Draft, and selected Cartwright, Larry Demic, and Sly Williams.[2] At the end of the season, the Knicks lost five of their last six games; they followed a three-game losing streak with a win against the Cleveland Cavaliers,[3] but then lost to the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers.[4][5] In the game against the 76ers, Julius Erving made the winning basket with one second remaining, after the Knicks had committed a turnover on an inbounds pass five seconds earlier with the score tied at 101–101.[5] The Washington Bullets gained the last playoff berth in the Eastern Conference over the Knicks because of a better record against other teams in the conference; the teams' overall win–loss records were identical.[6]

References

  1. ^ The Sporting News 2001–2002 Official NBA Guide. St. Louis, Missouri: Sporting News. 2001. pp. 517–526. ISBN 0-89204-656-2. 
  2. ^ "Complete First Round Results – 1970–79". National Basketball Association. http://www.nba.com/history/draft_round1_1970s.html. Retrieved May 30, 2011. 
  3. ^ "Knicks Snap Cavs' Winning Streak". The Press-Courier. Associated Press. March 26, 1980. http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=b8VKAAAAIBAJ&sjid=WyINAAAAIBAJ&pg=6722,6043829. Retrieved May 30, 2011. 
  4. ^ "Celtics Nick Knicks' Hopes". The Pittsburgh Press. United Press International. March 27, 1980. http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=AbUqAAAAIBAJ&sjid=I2MEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6851,6729237. Retrieved May 30, 2011. 
  5. ^ a b "Blown throw-in could cost Knicks". The Leader-Post. Canadian Press. March 28, 1980. http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=22xVAAAAIBAJ&sjid=6j4NAAAAIBAJ&pg=1265,3437767. Retrieved May 30, 2011. 
  6. ^ "Bullets win to gain final playoff spot". St. Petersburg Times. March 31, 1980. http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Ks4nAAAAIBAJ&sjid=KVoDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6371,6908374. Retrieved May 30, 2011. 
1979 NBA Draft • All-Star Game • Playoffs • Finals • Transactions
Eastern
Boston • New Jersey • New York • Philadelphia • Washington
Atlanta • Cleveland • Detroit • Houston • Indiana • San Antonio
Western
Chicago • Denver • Kansas City • Milwaukee • Utah
Golden State • Los Angeles • Phoenix • Portland • San Diego • Seattle
Franchise • History • Seasons
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