1978–79 San Diego Clippers season

NBA professional basketball team season

NBA professional basketball team season

1978–79 San Diego Clippers season

Head coach| Gene Shue
Arena| San Diego Sports Arena
Results
Record| 43-39 (.524)
Place| Division: 5th (Pacific)
Conference: 7th (Western)
Playoff finish| Did not qualify

* * *

Stats at Basketball Reference
Local media
Television| XETV
Radio| KGB
| < 1977–78  | 1979–80 >

|

The 1978–79 NBA season was the 9th season of the team formerly known as the Buffalo Braves in the NBA.[1] They had moved from Buffalo, New York to San Diego, California and rechristened themselves as the San Diego Clippers.

## Draft picks

[edit]

Main article: 1978 NBA draft

Round  | Pick  | Player  | Position  | Nationality  | School/Club Team

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2 | 41 | Jerome Whitehead | Forward |  United States | Marquette
3 | 48 | Mike Santos | Forward |  United States | Utah State
3 | 51 | Ricky Gallon | Center |  United States | Louisville
3 | 65 | Marvin Delph | Guard |  United States | Arkansas
4 | 68 | Jim Boylan | Guard |  United States | Marquette
4 | 73 | Larry Harris | Forward |  United States | Pittsburgh
4 | 76 | Leroy McDonald | Guard |  United States | Wake Forest
5 | 90 | David Thompson | Forward |  United States | Florida State
6 | 112 | Bob Misevicius | Forward |  United States | Providence
7 | 133 | Stan Pietkiewicz | Guard |  United States | Auburn
8 | 154 | Felton Young | Center |  United States | Jacksonville
9 | 172 | Bobby White | Forward |  United States | Centenary (LA)

## Roster

[edit]

1978–79 San Diego Clippers roster Players  | Coaches

|

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

|
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|

F | 32 | Bob Bigelow | 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)  | 215 lb (98 kg)  |  | Penn
G | 24 | Lloyd Free | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)  | 185 lb (84 kg)  |  | Guilford
C | 44 | Kevin Kunnert | 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m)  | 231 lb (105 kg)  |  | Iowa
C | 45 | Scott Lloyd | 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)  | 230 lb (104 kg)  |  | Arizona State
C | 31 | Swen Nater | 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)  | 240 lb (109 kg)  |  | UCLA
G | 11 | Connie Norman | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)  | 176 lb (80 kg)  |  | Arizona
F | 40 | John Olive | 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)  | 210 lb (95 kg)  |  | Villanova
F | 22 | Stan Pietkiewicz | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)  | 200 lb (91 kg)  |  | Auburn
G | 9 | Randy Smith | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)  | 185 lb (84 kg)  |  | Buffalo State
G | 14 | Brian Taylor | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)  | 185 lb (84 kg)  |  | Princeton
F | 42 | Kermit Washington | 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)  | 230 lb (104 kg)  |  | American
F | 12 | Nick Weatherspoon | 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)  | 197 lb (89 kg)  |  | Illinois
C | 33 | Jerome Whitehead | 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)  | 225 lb (102 kg)  |  | Marquette
F | 21 | Sidney Wicks | 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)  | 225 lb (102 kg)  |  | UCLA
G | 20 | Freeman Williams | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)  | 185 lb (84 kg)  |  | Portland State

Head coach

* Gene Shue

Assistant(s)

* Bob Weiss

* * *

Legend

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

### Roster notes

[edit]

* This was Kevin Kunnert's second stint with the franchise; he previously played for the Buffalo Braves in 1973–74.

## Regular season

[edit]

### Game log

[edit]

1978-79 Regular Season Game Log (43–39) (Home: 29–12; Road: 14–27)

October (5–6) (Home: 4–2; Road: 1–4)

| Game | Date | Team | Score | High points | High rebounds | High assists | Location Attendance | Record | Report

|
|
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|
|

1 | October 13 | @ Suns | L 114–128 | Kermit Washington (25) | Kermit Washington (11) | Randy Smith (11) | Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
11,217 | 0–1 | [1]
2 | October 14 | @ Warriors | L 89–117 | Tied (21) | Kermit Washington (14) | Randy Smith (7) | Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena
10,254 | 0–2 | [2]
3 | October 15 | Nuggets | L 94–98 | Randy Smith (28) | Swen Nater (12) | Lloyd Free (4) | San Diego Sports Arena
8,362 | 0–3 | [3]
4 | October 17 | Bulls | W 99–94 | Lloyd Free (29) | Tied (14) | Tied (4) | San Diego Sports Arena
4,944 | 1–3 | [4]
5 | October 18 | Spurs | L 125–127 | Lloyd Free (29) | Kermit Washington (16) | Lloyd Free (8) | San Diego Sports Arena
5,614 | 1–4 | [5]
6 | October 20 | @ Bulls | W 110–94 | Nick Weatherspoon (19) | Kermit Washington (13) | World B. Free (9) | Chicago Stadium
12,412 | 2–4 | [6]
7 | October 21 | @ Pacers | L 119–125 | Lloyd Free (35) | Tied (12) | Lloyd Free (6) | Market Square Arena
9,243 | 2–5 | [7]
8 | October 24 | Lakers | W 124–123 | Lloyd Free (35) | Kevin Kunnert (9) | Lloyd Free (7) | San Diego Sports Arena
11,637 | 3–5 | [8]
9 | October 25 | Bucks | W 125–116 | Lloyd Free (38) | Swen Nater (15) | Lloyd Free (9) | San Diego Sports Arena
8,051 | 4–5 | [9]
10 | October 27 | @ Lakers | L 101–113 | Lloyd Free (26) | Swen Nater (10) | Lloyd Free (5) | The Forum
9,246 | 4–6 | [10]
11 | October 29 | SuperSonics | W 103–100 | Randy Smith (26) | Kevin Kunnert (10) | Randy Smith (6) | San Diego Sports Arena
9,469 | 5–6 | [11]

November (6–9) (Home: 4–4; Road: 2–5)

| Game | Date | Team | Score | High points | High rebounds | High assists | Location Attendance | Record | Report

|
|
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12 | November 2 | Knicks | L 122–127 | Lloyd Free (42) | Kermit Washington (10) | Lloyd Free (7) | San Diego Sports Arena
9,744 | 5–7 | [12]
13 | November 3 | @ Trail Blazers | L 98–119 | Randy Smith (22) | Kermit Washington (11) | Randy Smith (4) | Memorial Coliseum
12,666 | 5–8 | [13]
14 | November 4 | Cavaliers | L 106–112 | Lloyd Free (24) | Kermit Washington (14) | Lloyd Free (6) | San Diego Sports Arena
9,791 | 5–9 | [14]
15 | November 7 | @ Jazz | W 121–115 | Lloyd Free (29) | Nick Weatherspoon (16) | Lloyd Free (6) | New Orleans Superdome
6,411 | 6–9 | [15]
16 | November 8 | @ Spurs | L 125–163 | Lloyd Free (26) | Swen Nater (9) | Tied (5) | HemisFair Arena
11,358 | 6–10 | [16]
17 | November 9 | @ Hawks | L 101–125 | Nick Weatherspoon (25) | Swen Nater (10) | Tied (4) | Omni Coliseum
5,082 | 6–11 | [17]
18 | November 11 | @ Rockets | L 123–136 | Lloyd Free (31) | Tied (6) | Randy Smith (11) | The Summit
9,179 | 6–12 | [18]
19 | November 14 | Pacers | W 109–106 | Kermit Washington (29) | Swen Nater (12) | Lloyd Free (5) | San Diego Sports Arena
6,381 | 7–12 | [19]
20 | November 16 | Warriors | W 112–109 | Lloyd Free (29) | Kermit Washington (10) | Lloyd Free (5) | San Diego Sports Arena
8,483 | 8–12 | [20]
21 | November 18 | Jazz | W 114–111 | Randy Smith (36) | Swen Nater (17) | Randy Smith (6) | San Diego Sports Arena
8,151 | 9–12 | [21]
22 | November 21 | Hawks | L 107–113 | Lloyd Free (26) | Kevin Kunnert (13) | Lloyd Free (6) | San Diego Sports Arena
6,730 | 9–13 | [22]
23 | November 24 | @ 76ers | L 120–134 | Lloyd Free (33) | Kermit Washington (11) | Lloyd Free (8) | The Spectrum
18,276 | 9–14 | [23]
24 | November 25 | @ Kings | W 87–86 | Lloyd Free (28) | Kevin Kunnert (15) | Tied (4) | Kemper Arena
11,320 | 10–14 | [24]
25 | November 26 | Celtics | W 105–103 | LLoyd Free (28) | Kermit Washington (9) | Randy Smith (7) | San Diego Sports Arena
7,042 | 11–14 | [25]
26 | November 30 | Rockets | L 104–113 | Nick Weatherspoon (22) | Nick Weatherspoon (11) | Randy Smith (7) | San Diego Sports Arena
6,597 | 11–15 | [26]

December (7–6) (Home: 2–2; Road: 5–4)

| Game | Date | Team | Score | High points | High rebounds | High assists | Location Attendance | Record | Report

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27 | December 2 | Pistons | L 113–120 | Tied (25) | Tied (13) | Randy Smith (9) | San Diego Sports Arena
6,433 | 11–16 | [27]
28 | December 6 | @ Celtics | L 111–117 | Lloyd Free (25) | Tied (11) | Randy Smith (10) | Boston Garden
7,688 | 11–17 | [28]
29 | December 9 | @ Nets | L 120–125 | Lloyd Free (38) | Swen Nater (10) | Lloyd Free (4) | Rutgers Athletic Center
4,286 | 11–18 | [29]
30 | December 10 | @ Bucks | W 107–106 | Lloyd Free (28) | Tied (12) | Lloyd Free (5) | MECCA Arena
10,889 | 12–18 | [30]
31 | December 12 | @ Knicks | W 105–103 | Randy Smith (28) | Tied (9) | Lloyd Free (8) | Madison Square Garden
11,981 | 13–18 | [31]
32 | December 13 | @ Bullets | L 117–134 | Randy Smith (29) | Swen Nater (9) | Randy Smith (6) | Capital Centre
7,621 | 13–19 | [32]
33 | December 17 | Suns | W 116–100 | Lloyd Free (30) | Swen Nater (13) | Randy Smith (5) | San Diego Sports Arena
6,068 | 14–19 | [33]
34 | December 19 | 76ers | L 113–124 | Lloyd Free (35) | Swen Nater (10) | Swen Nater (3) | San Diego Sports Arena
13,822 | 14–20 | [34]
35 | December 25 | @ SuperSonics | W 123–118 | Randy Smith (29) | Swen Nater (13) | Randy Smith (12) | Kingdome
11,910 | 15–20 | [35]
36 | December 26 | Bulls | W 115–109 | Lloyd Free (36) | Kermit Washington (10) | Lloyd Free (5) | San Diego Sports Arena
8,582 | 16–20 | [36]
37 | December 28 | @ Cavaliers | L 114–116 | Lloyd Free (36) | Kevin Kunnert (9) | Lloyd Free (6) | Richfield Coliseum
11,091 | 16–21 | [37]
38 | December 29 | @ Pistons | W 111–107 | Lloyd Free (35) | Swen Nater (14) | Randy Smith (8) | Pontiac Silverdome
10,284 | 17–21 | [38]
39 | December 30 | @ Pacers | W 114–111 | Lloyd Free (30) | Kevin Kunnert (13) | Sidney Wicks (6) | Market Square Arena
7,263 | 18–21 | [39]

January (8–6) (Home: 5–0; Road: 3–6)

| Game | Date | Team | Score | High points | High rebounds | High assists | Location Attendance | Record | Report

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40 | January 2 | Pistons | W 137–119 | Lloyd Free (33) | Kermit Washington (17) | Kermit Washington (5) | San Diego Sports Arena
6,139 | 19–21 | [40]
41 | January 4 | @ Kings | L 99–108 | Randy Smith (37) | Kermit Washington (15) | Randy Smith (3) | Kemper Arena
6,647 | 19–22 | [41]
42 | January 6 | @ Bucks | L 93–104 | Freeman Williams (26) | Kermit Washington (14) | Randy Smith (6) | MECCA Arena
10,938 | 19–23 | [42]
43 | January 9 | @ Jazz | W 114–107 | Lloyd Free (34) | Kermit Washington (10) | Tied (7) | New Orleans Superdome
6,342 | 20–23 | [43]
44 | January 11 | @ Spurs | L 111–140 | Nick Weatherspoon (38) | Nick Weatherspoon (9) | Randy Smith (12) | HemisFair Arena
11,008 | 20–24 | [44]
45 | January 13 | @ Hawks | L 119–124 | Lloyd Free (46) | Kermit Washington (17) | Tied (3) | Omni Coliseum
7,681 | 20–25 | [45]
46 | January 14 | @ Bullets | L 91–125 | Randy Smith (24) | Kermit Washington (13) | Randy Smith (8) | Capital Centre
9,588 | 20–26 | [46]
47 | January 17 | Lakers | W 119–117 | Lloyd Free (31) | Tied (11) | Tied (4) | San Diego Sports Arena
13,073 | 21–26 | [47]
48 | January 24 | Trail Blazers | W 122–121 | Lloyd Free (35) | Nick Weatherspoon (11) | Lloyd Free (5) | San Diego Sports Arena
9,659 | 22–26 | [48]
49 | January 26 | @ Bulls | W 107–91 | Lloyd Free (28) | Swen Nater (15) | Tied (5) | Chicago Stadium
8,523 | 23–26 | [49]
50 | January 27 | @ Cavaliers | W 111–110 | Lloyd Free (38) | Kermit Washington (15) | Lloyd Free (4) | Richfield Coliseum
10,523 | 24–26 | [50]
51 | January 28 | @ Pistons | L 118–128 | Lloyd Free (23) | Swen Nater (10) | Sidney Wicks (6) | Pontiac Silverdome
9,279 | 24–27 | [51]
52 | January 30 | Bucks | W 117–113 | Randy Smith (26) | Kevin Kunnert (14) | Tied (7) | San Diego Sports Arena
8,431 | 25–27 | [52]
53 | January 31 | Nets | W 112–104 | Lloyd Free (25) | Kermit Washington (14) | Randy Smith (6) | San Diego Sports Arena
7,227 | 26–27 | [53]

February (8-4) (Home: 7–2; Road: 1–2)

| Game | Date | Team | Score | High points | High rebounds | High assists | Location Attendance | Record | Report

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54 | February 2 | Nuggets | W 124–100 | Lloyd Free (49) | Kevin Kunnert (12) | Randy Smith (5) | San Diego Sports Arena
11,763 | 27–28 | [54]
55 | February 7 | Spurs | L 113–126 | Lloyd Free (25) | Kermit Washington (10) | Tied (4) | San Diego Sports Arena
8,498 | 27–28 | [55]
56 | February 9 | @ 76ers | L 106–117 | Randy Smith (25) | Nick Weatherspoon (13) | Nick Weatherspoon (5) | The Spectrum
15,823 | 27–29 | [56]
57 | February 11 | @ Nets | L 98–104 | Lloyd Free (22) | Swen Nater (18) | Lloyd Free (6) | Rutgers Athletic Center
14,749 | 27–30 | [57]
58 | February 13 | Bullets | L 136–138  2OT | Lloyd Free (45) | Nick Weatherspoon (10) | Lloyd Free (4) | San Diego Sports Arena
8,111 | 27–31 | [58]
59 | February 15 | Jazz | W 122–112 | Lloyd Free (30) | Swen Nater (10) | Randy Smith (5) | San Diego Sports Arena
5,827 | 28–31 | [59]
60 | February 16 | @ Nuggets | W 118–104 | Randy Smith (25) | Kermit Washington (14) | Tied (5) | McNichols Sports Arena
15,119 | 29–31 | [60]
61 | February 18 | Hawks | W 116–101 | Lloyd Free (26) | Sidney Wicks (13) | Randy Smith (4) | San Diego Sports Arena
6,959 | 30–31 | [61]
62 | February 23 | 76ers | W 117–116 | Lloyd Free (26) | Swen Nater (10) | Tied (3) | San Diego Sports Arena
13,783 | 31–31 | [62]
63 | February 25 | Celtics | W 131–116 | Lloyd Free (38) | Kevin Kunnert (10) | Tied (6) | San Diego Sports Arena
10,671 | 32–31 | [63]
64 | February 27 | Pacers | W 124–107 | Lloyd Free (28) | Tied (9) | Kermit Washington (6) | San Diego Sports Arena
6,156 | 33–31 | [64]
65 | February 28 | Kings | W 122–120 | Randy Smith (22) | Swen Nater (8) | Randy Smith (7) | San Diego Sports Arena
9,051 | 34–31 | [65]

March (7–6) (Home: 5–1; Road: 2–5)

| Game | Date | Team | Score | High points | High rebounds | High assists | Location Attendance | Record | Report

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66 | March 2 | @ Celtics | W 106–99 | Lloyd Free (28) | Kermit Washington (15) | Randy Smith (6) | Boston Garden
14,345 | 35–31 | [66]
67 | March 3 | @ Knicks | L 108–111 | Lloyd Free (34) | Kevin Kunnert (23) | Tied (6) | Madison Square Garden
11,488 | 35–32 | [67]
68 | March 7 | Rockets | W 138–115 | Lloyd Free (34) | Swen Nater (10) | Tied (5) | San Diego Sports Arena
19,911 | 36–32 | [68]
69 | March 10 | Cavaliers | W 121–115 | Lloyd Free (33) | Swen Nater (12) | Tied (3) | San Diego Sports Arena
13,783 | 37–32 | [69]
70 | March 14 | Trail Blazers | W 110–105 | Lloyd Free (29) | Kevin Kunnert (12) | Randy Smith (9) | San Diego Sports Arena
13,401 | 38–32 | [70]
71 | March 17 | Warriors | W 106–103 | Lloyd Free (23) | Kevin Kunnert (11) | Tied (4) | San Diego Sports Arena
11,332 | 39–32 | [71]
72 | March 18 | Nets | W 110–98 | Lloyd Free (31) | Nick Weatherspoon (17) | Randy Smith (5) | San Diego Sports Arena
18,538 | 40–32 | [72]
73 | March 20 | @ Trail Blazers | L 109–115 | Randy Smith (28) | Swen Nater (12) | Randy Smith (12) | Memorial Coliseum
12,666 | 40–33 | [73]
74 | March 21 | @ Warriors | W 106–103 | Lloyd Free (35) | Kevin Kunnert (17) | Tied (5) | Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena
7,813 | 41–33 | [74]
75 | March 23 | @ Lakers | L 119–156 | Randy Smith (33) | Kermit Washington (17) | Kermit Washington (6) | The Forum
14,212 | 41–34 | [75]
76 | March 27 | @ SuperSonics | L 109–115 | Lloyd Free (28) | Tied (9) | Lloyd Free (4) | Kingdome
20,087 | 41–35 | [76]
77 | March 29 | Kings | L 111–116 | Lloyd Free (37) | Kermit Washington (15) | Brian Taylor (4) | San Diego Sports Arena
13,189 | 41–36 | [77]
78 | March 30 | @ Nuggets | L 121–130 | Lloyd Free (42) | Kevin Kunnert (13) | Lloyd Free (6) | McNichols Sports Arena
17,607 | 41–37 | [78]

April (2–2) (Home: 2–1; Road: 0–1)

| Game | Date | Team | Score | High points | High rebounds | High assists | Location Attendance | Record | Report

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79 | April 1 | Knicks | W 126–116 | Lloyd Free (28) | Kevin Kunnert (15) | Tied (4) | San Diego Sports Arena
8,371 | 42–37 | [79]
80 | April 4 | SuperSonics | L 107–115 | Nick Weatherspoon (25) | Kermit Washington (13) | Randy Smith (5) | San Diego Sports Arena
20,087 | 42–38 | [80]
81 | April 6 | @ Suns | L 117–118 | Lloyd Free (29) | Swen Nater (10) | Tied (4) | Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660 | 42–39 | [81]
82 | April 7 | Suns | W 120–116 | Lloyd Free (36) | Swen Nater (12) | Brian Taylor (3) | San Diego Sports Arena
11,614 | 43–39 | [82]

### Season standings

[edit]

Pacific Division

* v
* t
* e

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

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y-Seattle SuperSonics | 52 | 30 | .634 | – | 31–10 | 21–20 | 11–9
x-Phoenix Suns | 50 | 32 | .610 | 2 | 32–9 | 18–23 | 11–9
x-Los Angeles Lakers | 47 | 35 | .573 | 5 | 31–10 | 16–25 | 11–9
x-Portland Trail Blazers | 45 | 37 | .549 | 7 | 33–8 | 12–29 | 8–12
San Diego Clippers | 43 | 39 | .524 | 9 | 29–12 | 14–27 | 11–9
Golden State Warriors | 38 | 44 | .463 | 14 | 23–18 | 15–26 | 8–12
#  |

Western Conference

* v
* t
* e

|

Team  |  W  |  L  |  PCT  |  GB
1  | z-Seattle SuperSonics | 52 | 30 | .634 | –
2  | y-Kansas City Kings | 48 | 34 | .585 | 4
3  | x-Phoenix Suns | 50 | 32 | .610 | 2
4  | x-Denver Nuggets | 47 | 35 | .573 | 5
5  | x-Los Angeles Lakers | 47 | 35 | .573 | 5
6  | x-Portland Trail Blazers | 45 | 37 | .549 | 7
7  | San Diego Clippers | 43 | 39 | .524 | 9
8  | Indiana Pacers | 38 | 44 | .463 | 14
9  | Milwaukee Bucks | 38 | 44 | .463 | 14
10  | Golden State Warriors | 38 | 44 | .463 | 14
11  | Chicago Bulls | 31 | 51 | .378 | 21

Notes

* z, y – division champions
* x – clinched playoff spot

### Record vs. opponents

[edit]

1978-79 NBA Records

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

## Player stats

[edit]

Legend  GP  | Games played  | MPG  | Minutes per game  | FG  | Field-goals per game  | FGA  | Field-goals attempted per Game

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FG%  | Field-goal percentage  | FT  | Free-throws per game  | FTA  | Free-throws attempted per Game  | FT%  | Free-throw percentage
ORPG  | Offensive rebounds per game  | DRPG  | Defensive rebounds per game  | RPG  | Rebounds per game  | APG  | Assists per game
SPG  | Steals per game  | BPG  | Blocks per game  | PFPG  | Personal fouls per game  | PPG  | Points per game
Player  | GP  | MPG  | FG  | FGA  | FG%  | FT  | FTA  | FT%  | ORPG  | DRPG  | RPG  | APG  | SPG  | BPG  | PFPG  | PPG

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Lloyd Free | 78 | 37.9 | 10.2 | 21.2 | 0.481 | 8.4 | 11.1 | 0.756 | 1.6 | 2.2 | 3.9 | 4.4 | 1.4 | 0.4 | 3.2 | 28.8
Randy Smith | 82 | 37.9 | 8.5 | 18.6 | 0.455 | 3.6 | 4.4 | 0.813 | 1.2 | 2.4 | 3.6 | 4.8 | 2.2 | 0.1 | 2.2 | 20.5
Kermit Washington | 82 | 33.7 | 4.3 | 7.6 | 0.562 | 2.8 | 4.0 | 0.688 | 3.6 | 6.1 | 9.8 | 1.5 | 1.0 | 1.5 | 3.9 | 11.3
Nick Weatherspoon | 82 | 32.2 | 5.8 | 12.2 | 0.480 | 2.1 | 2.9 | 0.739 | 2.2 | 3.4 | 5.5 | 1.6 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 3.5 | 13.8
Sidney Wicks | 79 | 25.6 | 3.9 | 8.6 | 0.462 | 1.9 | 2.9 | 0.650 | 2.0 | 3.1 | 5.1 | 1.6 | 0.9 | 0.5 | 3.5 | 9.8
Swen Nater | 79 | 25.4 | 4.5 | 7.9 | 0.569 | 1.7 | 2.1 | 0.800 | 2.8 | 6.1 | 8.9 | 1.8 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 3.1 | 10.7
Kevin Kunnert | 81 | 20.8 | 2.9 | 6.2 | 0.467 | 0.7 | 1.0 | 0.659 | 2.5 | 4.5 | 7.0 | 1.4 | 0.6 | 1.5 | 3.8 | 6.5
Freeman Williams | 72 | 16.6 | 4.7 | 9.5 | 0.490 | 1.1 | 1.4 | 0.776 | 0.7 | 0.7 | 1.4 | 1.2 | 0.6 | 0.0 | 1.2 | 10.4
Connie Norman | 22 | 14.7 | 3.2 | 7.5 | 0.430 | 0.9 | 1.0 | 0.826 | 0.6 | 0.9 | 1.5 | 1.1 | 0.5 | 0.1 | 1.6 | 7.3
Bob Bigelow | 29 | 14.2 | 1.2 | 3.1 | 0.400 | 0.4 | 0.7 | 0.619 | 0.5 | 1.1 | 1.6 | 0.9 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 1.3 | 2.9
Brian Taylor | 20 | 10.6 | 1.5 | 4.2 | 0.361 | 0.8 | 0.9 | 0.889 | 0.7 | 0.7 | 1.3 | 1.0 | 1.2 | 0.0 | 1.7 | 3.8
Stan Pietkiewicz | 4 | 8.0 | 0.3 | 2.0 | 0.125 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 1.000 | 0.0 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 0.8 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 1.3 | 1.0
Scott Lloyd | 5 | 6.2 | 0.0 | 0.4 | 0.000 | 0.0 | 0.0 |  | 0.2 | 0.4 | 0.6 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 1.2 | 0.0
John Olive | 34 | 5.6 | 0.4 | 1.2 | 0.325 | 0.5 | 0.7 | 0.783 | 0.1 | 0.5 | 0.6 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.9 | 1.3
Jerome Whitehead | 31 | 4.9 | 0.5 | 1.1 | 0.441 | 0.3 | 0.6 | 0.444 | 0.5 | 1.1 | 1.6 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.9 | 1.2

## Awards and records

[edit]

* Lloyd Free, All-NBA Second Team

## Transactions

[edit]

The Clippers were involved in the following transactions during the 1978–79 season.

### Coaching Change

[edit]

Offseason

Outgoing Coach  | Date Removed  | 1977-78 Record  | Incoming Coach
Cotton Fitzsimmons | Fired, May 9, 1978  | 27–55  | Gene Shue

### Trades

[edit]

June 7, 1978 | To San Diego Clippers

* * *

* Tom Abernethy

| To Los Angeles Lakers

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* A 1978 second round draft pick

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July 15, 1978 | To San Diego Clippers

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* A 1978 second round draft pick as compensation

| To Golden State Warriors

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* The right to sign Tom Abernethy as a veteran free agent

August 4, 1978 | To San Diego Clippers

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* Kermit Washington, Kevin Kunnert, Sidney Wicks & draft rights to Freeman Williams

| To Boston Celtics

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* Nate Archibald, Marvin Barnes, Billy Knight, and a 1981 & 1983 second round draft picks.

October 12, 1978 | To San Diego Clippers

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* Lloyd Free

| To Philadelphia 76ers

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* A 1984 first round draft pick

October 26, 1978 | To San Diego Clippers

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* A 1981 third round draft pick

| To Chicago Bulls

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* Scott Lloyd

February 15, 1979  | To San Diego Clippers

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* The right to sign Brian Taylor as a veteran free agent

| To Denver Nuggets

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* Two 1979 second round draft picks as compensation

### Free agents

[edit]

#### Additions

[edit]

| Player | Signed | Former team

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Nick Weatherspoon | June 1 | Chicago Bulls
Connie Norman | September 19 | Philadelphia 76ers
Bob Bigelow | October 26 | Boston Celtics
John Olive | December 5 | Philadelphia 76ers

#### Subtractions

[edit]

| Player | Left | New team

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Mike Glenn | free agency, June 12 | New York Knickerbockers
Tom Abernethy | free agency, July 15 | Golden State Warriors
Larry McNeill | waived, September 25 | Rochester Zeniths(CBA)
Eddie Owens | waived, October 7 | Rochester Zeniths (CBA)
Bird Averitt | waived, October 12 | Montana Sky (WBA)
Wil Jones | waived, October 12 | Retired
Bill Willoughby | waived, October 12 | Cleveland Cavaliers
Stan Pietkiewicz | waived, November 26 | Anchorage Northern Knights (CBA)
Connie Norman | waived, December 5 | Lancaster Red Roses (CBA)

## References

[edit]

1. ^ 1978-79 San Diego Clippers

* v
* t
* e

Los Angeles Clippers

* Founded in 1970
* Formerly the Buffalo Braves (1970–1978) and played in San Diego (1978–1984)
* Based in Inglewood, California

Franchise|

* All-time roster
* Draft history
* 1970
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Arenas|

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* Intuit Dome

Personnel|

Owner(s)
Steve Ballmer
President
Lawrence Frank
General manager
Trent Redden
Head coach
Tyronn Lue

G League affiliate|

* San Diego Clippers

Rivalries|

* Los Angeles Lakers

Culture and lore|

* Broadcasters
* Buffalo Braves
* Clipper Darrell
* Lob City
* Billy Crystal
* Donald Sterling
* Steve Ballmer
* L.A. Clippers Dance Squad
* Ralph Lawler
* Mister Cartoon
* Clipped

* Category

* v
* t
* e

Los Angeles Clippers seasons

* Franchise
* History
* Seasons

1970s|

|  |  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 |  2025–26 |  |  |

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* v
* t
* e

1978–79 NBA season by team

* 1978 NBA draft
* All-Star Game
* Playoffs
* Finals
* Transactions

Eastern|

| Atlantic|

* Boston
* New Jersey
* New York
* Philadelphia
* Washington

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Central|

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

Western|

| Midwest|

* Chicago
* Denver
* Indiana
* Kansas City
* Milwaukee

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Pacific|

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

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