1977–78 Philadelphia 76ers season

NBA professional basketball team season

NBA professional basketball team season

1977–78 Philadelphia 76ers season

Division champions

Head coach|

* Gene Shue (fired)
* Billy Cunningham

General manager| Pat Williams
Arena| The Spectrum
Results
Record| 55-27 (.671)
Place| Division: 1st (Atlantic)
Conference: 1st (Eastern)
Playoff finish| Conference finals
(lost to Bullets 2–4)

* * *

Stats at Basketball Reference
Local media
Television| WKBS-TV
PRISM
Radio| WCAU
| < 1976–77  | 1978–79 >

|

The 1977–78 NBA season was the 76ers 29th season in the NBA and 15th season in Philadelphia. The team finished the regular season with a record of 55–27. Head coach Gene Shue was replaced only 6 games into the season, by former Sixers player Billy Cunningham, who was only 34 years old at the time he replaced Shue. In the playoffs, the Sixers would sweep the New York Knicks, but lose in the Eastern Conference finals to the Washington Bullets, a team with 11 fewer wins, 4 games to 2.

Following the season, George McGinnis was traded to the Denver Nuggets for Bobby Jones and World B. Free was dealt to the San Diego Clippers for a 1984 first round draft pick which would become Charles Barkley.

## Offseason

[edit]

### Draft picks

[edit]

Main article: 1977 NBA draft

Round  | Pick  | Player  | Position  | Nationality  | College

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1 | 20 | Glenn Mosley | PF |  United States | Seton Hall
2 | 25 | Wilson Washington | PF/C |  United States | Old Dominion
2 | 42 | Bob Elliott | C/PF |  United States | Arizona
2 | 43 | Herm Harris | F |  United States | Arizona
3 | 64 | Arnold Dugger | SG |  United States | Oral Roberts
4 | 86 | Jack Jones | PG |  United States | Utah
5 | 108 | Teko Wynder |  |  United States | Tulsa
6 | 129 | George Gibson |  |  United States | Winston-Salem State
7 | 149 | Dennin Forest |  |  United States | Omaha
8 | 168 | John Olive | SF |  United States | Villanova

## Roster

[edit]

Philadelphia 76ers roster

* v
* t
* e

Players  | Coaches

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| Pos. | No. | Player  | Height  | Weight  | DOB | From

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PG | 14 | Henry Bibby | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)  | 185 lb (84 kg)  |  | UCLA
PF | 23 | Joe Bryant | 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)  | 215 lb (98 kg)  |  | La Salle
C | 42 | Harvey Catchings | 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)  | 218 lb (99 kg)  |  | Hardin–Simmons
SG | 20 | Doug Collins | 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)  | 180 lb (82 kg)  |  | Illinois State
C | 53 | Darryl Dawkins | 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)  | 251 lb (114 kg)  |  |
SF | 6 | Julius Erving | 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)  | 240 lb (109 kg)  |  | UMass
SG | 21 | World B. Free | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)  | 185 lb (84 kg)  |  | Guilford
C | 11 | Caldwell Jones | 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)  | 217 lb (98 kg)  |  | Albany State
PG | 12 | Ted McClain | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)  | 190 lb (86 kg)  |  | Tennessee State
PF | 30 | George McGinnis | 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)  | 235 lb (107 kg)  |  | Indiana
SF | 50 | Steve Mix | 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)  | 215 lb (98 kg)  |  | Toledo
PF | 34 | Glenn Mosley | 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)  | 195 lb (88 kg)  |  | Seton Hall
PF | 52 | Wilson Washington | 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)  | 227 lb (103 kg)  |  | Old Dominion

Head coach

* Billy Cunningham

* * *

Legend

* (DP) Unsigned draft pick
* (FA) Free agent
* (S) Suspended
* Injured

## Regular season

[edit]

### Season standings

[edit]

Atlantic Division

* v
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* e

|  W  |  L  |  PCT  |  GB  |  Home  |  Road  |  Div

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y-Philadelphia 76ers | 55 | 27 | .671 | – | 37–4 | 18–23 | 14–2
x-New York Knicks | 43 | 39 | .524 | 12 | 29–12 | 14–27 | 7–9
Boston Celtics | 32 | 50 | .390 | 23 | 24–17 | 8–33 | 8–8
Buffalo Braves | 27 | 55 | .329 | 28 | 20–21 | 7–34 | 7–9
New Jersey Nets | 24 | 58 | .293 | 31 | 18–23 | 6–35 | 4–12
#  |

Eastern Conference

* v
* t
* e

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Team  |  W  |  L  |  PCT  |  GB
1  | z-Philadelphia 76ers | 55 | 27 | .671 | –
2  | y-San Antonio Spurs | 52 | 30 | .634 | 3
3  | x-Washington Bullets | 44 | 38 | .537 | 11
4  | x-Cleveland Cavaliers | 43 | 39 | .524 | 12
5  | x-New York Knicks | 43 | 39 | .524 | 12
6  | x-Atlanta Hawks | 41 | 41 | .500 | 14
7  | New Orleans Jazz | 39 | 43 | .476 | 16
8  | Boston Celtics | 32 | 50 | .390 | 23
9  | Houston Rockets | 28 | 54 | .341 | 27
10  | Buffalo Braves | 27 | 55 | .329 | 28
11  | New Jersey Nets | 24 | 58 | .293 | 31

z – clinched division title
y – clinched division title
x – clinched playoff spot

### Record vs. opponents

[edit]

1977–78 NBA Records

Team  | ATL  | BOS  | BUF  | CHI  | CLE  | DEN  | DET  | GSW  | HOU  | IND  | KCK  | LAL  | MIL  | NJN  | NOJ  | NYK  | PHI  | PHO  | POR  | SAS  | SEA  | WAS
Atlanta | — | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 2–1 | 1–3
Boston | 2–2 | — | 3–1 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–1 | 2–2 | 1–2 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 1–3
Buffalo | 1–3 | 1–3 | — | 3–1 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 0–3 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 1–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–3
Chicago | 3–1 | 3–1 | 1–3 | — | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 1–2 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 3–0 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–1
Cleveland | 3–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 1–3 | — | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 1–2 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 3–1 | 2–2
Denver | 3–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 1–3 | — | 2–2 | 2–2 | 3–0 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 2–1 | 1–3 | 3–1
Detroit | 2–2 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | — | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 3–0 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 2–2
Golden State | 3–1 | 2–2 | 3–0 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | — | 2–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–2
Houston | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 0–3 | 1–3 | 1–2 | — | 3–1 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 1–3
Indiana | 1–3 | 1–2 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 1–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 1–3 | — | 2–2 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 3–1
Kansas City | 1–2 | 2–2 | 2–1 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–2 | — | 2–2 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 2–2
Los Angeles | 1–3 | 2–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | — | 3–1 | 4–0 | 2–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–2
Milwaukee | 2–2 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 4–0 | 1–3 | — | 3–1 | 2–1 | 3–1 | 1–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 3–1
New Jersey | 1–3 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–1 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 1–3 | — | 0–4 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 0–3 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 2–2
New Orleans | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–2 | 1–2 | 4–0 | — | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 0–4
New York | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 3–0 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 3–1 | — | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–1 | 2–2
Philadelphia | 2–2 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–1 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 3–1 | — | 2–1 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2–2
Phoenix | 1–3 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 2–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 1–2 | — | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–2
Portland | 3–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 3–0 | 2–2 | 3–1 | — | 2–2 | 3–1 | 2–1
San Antonio | 3–1 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 1–2 | 2–1 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–2 | — | 2–2 | 2–2
Seattle | 1–2 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–1 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | — | 1–3
Washington | 3–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 1–2 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | —

## Playoffs

[edit]

1978 playoff game log

Conference semifinals: 4–0 (home: 2–0; road: 2–0)

| Game | Date | Team | Score | High points | High rebounds | High assists | Location
Attendance | Series

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1  | April 16  | New York | W 130–90 | Steve Mix (19)  | Caldwell Jones (16)  | Steve Mix (7)  | Spectrum
13,011  | 1–0
2  | April 18  | New York | W 119–100 | Julius Erving (22)  | Caldwell Jones (11)  | Darryl Dawkins (6)  | Spectrum
15,853  | 2–0
3  | April 20  | @ New York | W 137–126 | McGinnis, Free (29)  | Julius Erving (10)  | Collins, Erving (7)  | Madison Square Garden
18,697  | 3–0
4  | April 23  | @ New York | W 112–107 | Doug Collins (24)  | Caldwell Jones (14)  | Collins, Erving (4)  | Madison Square Garden
16,307  | 4–0

Conference finals: 2–4 (home: 2–1; road: 0–3)

| Game | Date | Team | Score | High points | High rebounds | High assists | Location
Attendance | Series

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1  | April 30  | Washington | L 117–122 (OT) | Julius Erving (25)  | George McGinnis (15)  | three players tied (5)  | Spectrum
13,708  | 0–1
2  | May 3  | Washington | W 110–104 | Doug Collins (28)  | Erving, Dawkins (11)  | Henry Bibby (9)  | Spectrum
18,276  | 1–1
3  | May 5  | @ Washington | L 108–123 | George McGinnis (16)  | Julius Erving (10)  | Henry Bibby (5)  | Capital Centre
19,035  | 1–2
4  | May 7  | @ Washington | L 105–121 | Julius Erving (24)  | Caldwell Jones (13)  | World B. Free (6)  | Capital Centre
19,035  | 1–3
5  | May 10  | Washington | W 107–94 | Collins, Erving (24)  | Caldwell Jones (15)  | Henry Bibby (10)  | Spectrum
18,276  | 2–3
6  | May 12  | @ Washington | L 99–101 | Doug Collins (33)  | Erving, McGinnis (8)  | Henry Bibby (5)  | Capital Centre
19,035  | 2–4

1978 schedule

## Awards and records

[edit]

* Julius Erving, All-NBA First Team

## References

[edit]

* v
* t
* e

1977–78 NBA season by team

* 1977 NBA draft
* All-Star Game
* Playoffs
* Finals
* Transactions

Eastern|

| Atlantic|

* Boston
* Buffalo
* New Jersey
* New York
* Philadelphia

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Central|

* Atlanta
* Cleveland
* Houston
* New Orleans
* San Antonio
* Washington

Western|

| Midwest|

* Chicago
* Denver
* Detroit
* Indiana
* Kansas City
* Milwaukee

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Pacific|

* Golden State
* Los Angeles
* Phoenix
* Portland
* Seattle

* v
* t
* e

Philadelphia 76ers seasons

* Franchise
* Seasons

1940s|

|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  1946–47 |  1947–48 |  1948–49

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1950s|

|  1949–50 |  1950–51 |  1951–52 |  1952–53 |  1953–54 |  1954–55 |  1955–56 |  1956–57 |  1957–58 |  1958–59

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1960s|

|  1959–60 |  1960–61 |  1961–62 |  1962–63 |  1963–64 |  1964–65 |  1965–66 |  1966–67 |  1967–68 |  1968–69

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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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1980s|

|  1979–80 |  1980–81 |  1981–82 |  1982–83 |  1983–84 |  1984–85 |  1985–86 |  1986–87 |  1987–88 |  1988–89

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1990s|

|  1989–90 |  1990–91 |  1991–92 |  1992–93 |  1993–94 |  1994–95 |  1995–96 |  1996–97 |  1997–98 |  1998–99

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2000s|

|  1999–00 |  2000–01 |  2001–02 |  2002–03 |  2003–04 |  2004–05 |  2005–06 |  2006–07 |  2007–08 |  2008–09

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2010s|

|  2009–10 |  2010–11 |  2011–12 |  2012–13 |  2013–14 |  2014–15 |  2015–16 |  2016–17 |  2017–18 |  2018–19

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2020s|

|  2019–20 |  2020–21 |  2021–22 |  2022–23 |  2023–24 |  2024–25 |  |  |  |

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Bold indicates NBA Finals victory
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template
*[Pos.]: Position
*[No.]: Jersey number
*[DOB]: Date of birth
*[ W ]: Games won
*[ L ]: Games lost
*[ PCT ]: Winning percentage
*[ GB ]: Games behind
*[ Home ]: Home record
*[ Road ]: Road record
*[ Div ]: Division record