1995–96 Seattle SuperSonics season

NBA basketball team season

NBA professional basketball team season

1995–96 Seattle SuperSonics season

Conference champions

Division champions

Head coach| George Karl
General manager| Wally Walker
Arena| KeyArena at Seattle Center
Results
Record| 64-18 (.780)
Place| Division: 1st (Pacific)
Conference: 1st (Western)
Playoff finish| NBA Finals
(lost to Bulls 2–4)

* * *

Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
Television| KSTW
Prime Sports Northwest
Radio| KJR
| < 1994–95  | 1996–97 >

|

The 1995–96 NBA season was the 28th season for the Seattle SuperSonics in the National Basketball Association.[1] During the off-season, the Sonics acquired shooting guards Hersey Hawkins and David Wingate from the Charlotte Hornets,[2][3][4][5] and re-acquired Frank Brickowski from the Sacramento Kings.[6][7][8] The team returned to what had now become the KeyArena at Seattle Center after spending the previous season in the Tacoma Dome, while the KeyArena was being renovated.[9][10] After two consecutive playoffs appearances losing in the first round, the Sonics got off to a 9–6 start in November, but later on posted a 14-game winning streak between February and March,[11] then won nine straight games between March and April. The team held a 34–12 record at the All-Star break,[12] then won 30 of their final 36 games afterwards to finish the regular season with a franchise best 64–18 record,[13] surpassing the record from the 1993–94 season, and earned their third number one seed in the Western Conference in franchise history. They also posted a 38–3 record at home, which was second best in the league.

Point guard and Defensive Player of the Year Gary Payton, and power forward Shawn Kemp were both selected for the 1996 NBA All-Star Game, with head coach George Karl coaching the Western Conference.[14][15][16][17] Both players were also selected to the All-NBA Second Team. Payton was named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team, averaging 19.3 points, 7.5 assists and 2.9 steals per game, and became the first point guard ever to win the Defensive Player of the Year award,[18][19][20] while Kemp led the team with 19.6 points, 11.4 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game. Payton also finished in sixth place in Most Valuable Player voting,[21] while Kemp finished in eighth place.[22] In addition, Detlef Schrempf averaged 17.1 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game, but only played 63 games due to a knee injury,[23][24][25] while Hawkins provided the team with 15.6 points and 1.8 steals per game, sixth man Sam Perkins provided with 11.8 points and 4.5 rebounds per game, and starting center Ervin Johnson contributed 5.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game. Also off the bench, Vincent Askew averaged 8.4 points per game, and defensive guard Nate McMillan contributed 5.0 points, 3.6 assists and 1.7 steals per game.[26] This Sonics team is regarded as one of the best defensive teams in the late 90s.

Led by Kemp and Payton, the two formed "Sonic Boom", one of the most electrifying tandems in NBA history. In the playoffs, the SuperSonics faced the 8th-seeded Sacramento Kings in the Western Conference First Round. Despite losing Game 2 at home, 90–81,[27][28][29] the Sonics defeated the Kings in four games, advancing to the second round for the first time in three years.[30][31][32][33] In the Western Conference Semi-finals, they swept the 5th-seeded and reigning champions Houston Rockets in four straight games to advance to the Western Conference finals,[34][35][36][37] where they defeated the Utah Jazz in seven games to reach their first NBA Finals since 1979.[38][39][40][41]

In the Finals, they would face off against the Chicago Bulls, who posted the league's best record at 72–10, and were led by Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman. After an 0–3 start in the series,[42][43][44] Seattle managed to win their next two home games,[45][46] but eventually lost the series in Game 6 in Chicago.[47][48][49][50][51] Following the season, Johnson signed as a free agent with the Denver Nuggets,[52][53][54] while Askew was traded to the New Jersey Nets,[55][56] and Brickowski signed with the Boston Celtics.[57] This Sonics team has been featured in the video game series NBA 2K.

For the season, the Sonics featured a new primary logo of a dark green oval with the Space Needle forming the letter "I" in Sonics,[58] plus adding new uniforms, and added dark green and red to their color scheme.[59][60] The logo and uniforms would both remain in use until 2001.

## Draft picks

[edit]

Main article: 1995 NBA draft

Round  | Pick  | Player  | Position  | Nationality  | College

|
|
|
|
|

1 | 26 | Sherell Ford | SF |  United States | Illinois–Chicago
2 | 54 | Eurelijus Žukauskas | C |  Lithuania | Neptūnas Klaipėda

## Roster

[edit]

1995–96 Seattle SuperSonics roster Players  | Coaches

|

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

|
|
|
|
|
|

F | 2 | Askew, Vincent | 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)  | 210 lb (95 kg)  | 1966–02–28  | Memphis
F | 34 | Brickowski, Frank | 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)  | 240 lb (109 kg)  | 1959–08–14  | Penn State
F | 1 | Ford, Sherell | 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)  | 210 lb (95 kg)  | 1972–08–26  | UIC
G | 33 | Hawkins, Hersey | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)  | 190 lb (86 kg)  | 1966–09–29  | Bradley
C | 50 | Johnson, Ervin | 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)  | 245 lb (111 kg)  | 1967–12–21  | New Orleans
F | 40 | Kemp, Shawn | 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)  | 230 lb (104 kg)  | 1969–11–26  | Trinity Valley CC
G | 10 | McMillan, Nate | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)  | 195 lb (88 kg)  | 1964–08–03  | NC State
G | 20 | Payton, Gary | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)  | 180 lb (82 kg)  | 1968–07–23  | Oregon State
C | 14 | Perkins, Sam | 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)  | 235 lb (107 kg)  | 1961–06–14  | North Carolina
C | 55 | Scheffler, Steve | 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)  | 250 lb (113 kg)  | 1967–09–03  | Purdue
F | 11 | Schrempf, Detlef | 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)  | 214 lb (97 kg)  | 1963–01–21  | Washington
G | 3 | Snow, Eric | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)  | 190 lb (86 kg)  | 1973–04–24  | Michigan State
G | 25 | Wingate, David | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)  | 185 lb (84 kg)  | 1963–12–15  | Georgetown

Head coach

* George Karl

Assistant coach(es)

* Dwane Casey
* Tim Grgurich
* Terry Stotts
* Bob Weiss

* * *

Legend

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

* * *

Roster
Last transaction: October 31, 1995

## Regular season

[edit]

### Season standings

[edit]

Pacific Division

* v
* t
* e

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

|
|
|
|
|
|
|

y-Seattle SuperSonics | 64 | 18 | .780 | – | 38–3 | 26–15 | 21–3
x-Los Angeles Lakers | 53 | 29 | .646 | 11 | 30–11 | 23–18 | 17–7
x-Portland Trail Blazers | 44 | 38 | .537 | 20 | 26–15 | 18–23 | 11–13
x-Phoenix Suns | 41 | 41 | .500 | 23 | 25–16 | 16–25 | 9–15
x-Sacramento Kings | 39 | 43 | .476 | 25 | 26–15 | 13–28 | 11–13
Golden State Warriors | 36 | 46 | .439 | 28 | 23–18 | 13–28 | 7–17
Los Angeles Clippers | 29 | 53 | .354 | 35 | 19–22 | 10–31 | 7–17

Western Conference

* v
* t
* e

#  | Team  |  W  |  L  |  PCT  |  GB  |  GP
1  | c-Seattle SuperSonics * | 64 | 18 | .780 | – | 82
2  | y-San Antonio Spurs * | 59 | 23 | .720 | 5 | 82
3  | x-Utah Jazz | 55 | 27 | .671 | 9 | 82
4  | x-Los Angeles Lakers | 53 | 29 | .646 | 11 | 82
5  | x-Houston Rockets | 48 | 34 | .585 | 16 | 82
6  | x-Portland Trail Blazers | 44 | 38 | .537 | 20 | 82
7  | x-Phoenix Suns | 41 | 41 | .500 | 23 | 82
8  | x-Sacramento Kings | 39 | 43 | .476 | 25 | 82
|  |  |  |  |  |
9  | Golden State Warriors | 36 | 46 | .439 | 28 | 82
10  | Denver Nuggets | 35 | 47 | .427 | 29 | 82
11  | Los Angeles Clippers | 29 | 53 | .354 | 35 | 82
12  | Minnesota Timberwolves | 26 | 56 | .317 | 38 | 82
13  | Dallas Mavericks | 26 | 56 | .317 | 38 | 82
14  | Vancouver Grizzlies | 15 | 67 | .183 | 49 | 82

### Record vs. opponents

[edit]

1995–96 NBA records

Team  | ATL  | BOS  | CHA  | CHI  | CLE  | DAL  | DEN  | DET  | GSW  | HOU  | IND  | LAC  | LAL  | MIA  | MIL  | MIN  | NJN  | NYK  | ORL  | PHI  | PHO  | POR  | SAC  | SAS  | SEA  | TOR  | UTA  | VAN  | WAS
Atlanta | – | 4–0 | 3–1 | 0–4 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 2–1 | 2–2 | 2–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–3
Boston | 0–4 | – | 2–2 | 0–3 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–2
Charlotte | 1–3 | 2–2 | – | 1–3 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 0–3 | 3–0 | 0–4 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 3–1
Chicago | 4–0 | 3–0 | 3–1 | – | 4–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 3–0 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 4–0
Cleveland | 1–3 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 0–4 | – | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 1–2 | 3–1 | 1–2 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 3–1
Dallas | 1–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | – | 2–2 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 4–0 | 0–2
Denver | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | – | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 1–1
Detroit | 2–2 | 1–2 | 3–1 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | – | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–2
Golden State | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 0–2 | – | 2–2 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 4–0 | 1–1
Houston | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | – | 2–0 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 1–1
Indiana | 3–1 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | – | 2–0 | 1–1 | 3–0 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 3–0
L.A. Clippers | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 0–2 | – | 0–4 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 1–1
L.A. Lakers | 2–0 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 4–0 | – | 2–0 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 1–1
Miami | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 0–3 | 1–1 | 0–2 | – | 3–0 | 1–1 | 5–0 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–2
Milwaukee | 2–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–3 | – | 1–1 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–3
Minnesota | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 4–0 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | – | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 0–2
New Jersey | 0–4 | 2–2 | 3–0 | 0–3 | 2–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–5 | 3–1 | 1–1 | – | 2–2 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 2–2
New York | 1–2 | 4–0 | 0–3 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 2–2 | – | 1–3 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–1
Orlando | 2–2 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 1–3 | 2–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 3–1 | – | 4–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 4–0
Philadelphia | 1–2 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 1–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 0–4 | – | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–3
Phoenix | 2–0 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 2–0 | – | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 4–0 | 2–0
Portland | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 4–0 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | – | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 0–2
Sacramento | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 3–1 | – | 1–3 | 0–4 | 2–0 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 0–2
San Antonio | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | – | 2–2 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 1–1
Seattle  | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 4–0 | 0–2 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 2–2 | – | 1–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 1–1
Toronto | 0–4 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–2 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 1–2 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | – | 0–2 | 1–1 | 3–1
Utah | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 2–0 | – | 4–0 | 1–1
Vancouver | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 0–4 | – | 0–2
Washington | 3–1 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 2–0 | —

### Game log

[edit]

1995–96 game log
Total: 64–18 (home: 38–3; road: 26–15)

November: 0–0 (home: 0–0; road: 0–0)

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

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

December: 0–0 (home: 0–0; road: 0–0)

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

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

January: 0–0 (home: 0–0; road: 0–0)

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

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

February: 0–0 (home: 0–0; road: 0–0)

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

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

March: 0–0 (home: 0–0; road: 0–0)

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

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

April: 0–0 (home: 0–0; road: 0–0)

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

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

1995–96 schedule

### Season Synopsis

[edit]

#### November

[edit]

The SuperSonics started their season on November 3 on the road wherein they faced the Utah Jazz in Salt Lake City. They started the game well after leading the Jazz in the 1st Quarter, but the Jazz fought back and never looked back as they defeated the Sonics, 112–94. The Sonics now went back home to play the two Los Angeles teams, the Los Angeles Lakers and the L.A. Clippers. The SuperSonics won both of their home games, as they were now up 2-1 for the season. On November 26, the SuperSonics hosted the Michael Jordan-led Chicago Bulls. The visiting Bulls hold a double-digit lead at halftime but the Sonics fought back and only allowed 28 2nd half PTS for the Bulls as they won the game, 97–92. The month of November for the Sonics ended in a disappointing way because they were defeated by a point by the visiting Indiana Pacers led by Reggie Miller. Overall, the Sonics posted a record of 9–6 in 15 games played during that month.[13]

## Playoffs

[edit]

1996 playoff game log

First round: 3–1 (home: 1–1; road: 2–0)

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

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

1  | April 26  | Sacramento | W 97–85 | Gary Payton (29)  | Ervin Johnson (10)  | Gary Payton (9)  | KeyArena
17,072  | 1–0
2  | April 28  | Sacramento | L 81–90 | Shawn Kemp (21)  | Shawn Kemp (8)  | Gary Payton (7)  | KeyArena
17,072  | 1–1
3  | April 30  | @ Sacramento | W 96–89 | Sam Perkins (17)  | Shawn Kemp (9)  | Gary Payton (7)  | ARCO Arena
17,317  | 2–1
4  | May 2  | @ Sacramento | W 101–87 | Gary Payton (29)  | Detlef Schrempf (10)  | Detlef Schrempf (9)  | ARCO Arena
17,317  | 3–1

Conference Semi-finals: 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  | May 4  | Houston | W 108–75 | Gary Payton (28)  | Shawn Kemp (12)  | Gary Payton (7)  | KeyArena
17,072  | 1–0
2  | May 6  | Houston | W 105–101 | Detlef Schrempf (21)  | Schrempf, Kemp (10)  | Schrempf, Payton (5)  | KeyArena
17,072  | 2–0
3  | May 10  | @ Houston | W 115–112 | Gary Payton (28)  | Shawn Kemp (18)  | Gary Payton (8)  | The Summit
16,285  | 3–0
4  | May 12  | @ Houston | W 114–107 (OT) | Shawn Kemp (32)  | Shawn Kemp (15)  | Gary Payton (11)  | The Summit
16,611  | 4–0

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

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

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

1  | May 18  | Utah | W 102–72 | Payton, Kemp (21)  | Shawn Kemp (11)  | Gary Payton (7)  | KeyArena
17,072  | 1–0
2  | May 20  | Utah | W 91–87 | Gary Payton (18)  | Nate McMillan (5)  | Gary Payton (8)  | KeyArena
17,072  | 2–0
3  | May 24  | @ Utah | L 76–96 | Gary Payton (25)  | Payton, Hawkins (6)  | Gary Payton (3)  | Delta Center
19,911  | 2–1
4  | May 26  | @ Utah | W 88–86 | Gary Payton (19)  | Shawn Kemp (8)  | Gary Payton (6)  | Delta Center
19,911  | 3–1
5  | May 28  | Utah | L 95–98 (OT) | Gary Payton (31)  | Shawn Kemp (13)  | Gary Payton (6)  | KeyArena
17,072  | 3–2
6  | May 30  | @ Utah | L 83–118 | Shawn Kemp (26)  | Shawn Kemp (14)  | Gary Payton (7)  | Delta Center
19,911  | 3–3
7  | June 2  | Utah | W 90–86 | Shawn Kemp (26)  | Shawn Kemp (14)  | Gary Payton (5)  | KeyArena
17,072  | 4–3

NBA Finals: 2–4 (home: 2–1; road: 0–3)

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

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

1  | June 5  | @ Chicago | L 90–107 | Shawn Kemp (32)  | Gary Payton (10)  | Gary Payton (6)  | United Center
24,544  | 0–1
2  | June 7  | @ Chicago | L 88–92 | Shawn Kemp (29)  | Shawn Kemp (13)  | Payton, Schrempf (3)  | United Center
24,544  | 0–2
3  | June 9  | Chicago | L 86–108 | Detlef Schrempf (20)  | Payton, Brickowski (7)  | Gary Payton (9)  | KeyArena
17,072  | 0–3
4  | June 12  | Chicago | W 107–86 | Shawn Kemp (25)  | Shawn Kemp (11)  | Gary Payton (11)  | KeyArena
17,072  | 1–3
5  | June 14  | Chicago | W 89–78 | Gary Payton (23)  | Shawn Kemp (10)  | Gary Payton (6)  | KeyArena
17,072  | 2–3
6  | June 16  | @ Chicago | L 75–87 | Detlef Schrempf (23)  | Shawn Kemp (14)  | Gary Payton (7)  | United Center
24,544  | 2–4

1996 schedule

## Player statistics

[edit]

Legend  GP  | Games played  |  GS | Games started  |  MPG | Minutes per game

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FG% | Field-goal percentage  |  3P% | 3-point field-goal percentage  |  FT% | Free-throw percentage
RPG | Rebounds per game  |  APG | Assists per game  |  SPG | Steals per game
BPG | Blocks per game  |  PPG | Points per game  |  |

### Season

[edit]

Player  | GP  | GS  | MPG  | FG%  | 3P%  | FT%  | RPG  | APG  | SPG  | BPG  | PPG

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Vincent Askew | 69 | 2 | 25.0 | .493 | .337 | .764 | 3.2 | 2.4 | .7 | .2 | 8.4
Frank Brickowski | 63 | 8 | 15.7 | .488 | .405 | .709 | 2.4 | .9 | .4 | .1 | 5.4
Sherell Ford | 28 | 1 | 5.0 | .375 | .160 | .765 | .9 | .2 | .3 | .0 | 3.2
Hersey Hawkins | 82 | 82 | 34.4 | .473 | .384 | .874 | 3.6 | 2.7 | 1.8 | .2 | 15.6
Ervin Johnson | 81 | 60 | 18.8 | .511 | .333 | .669 | 5.3 | .6 | .5 | 1.6 | 5.5
Shawn Kemp | 79 | 76 | 33.3 | .561 | .417 | .742 | 11.4 | 2.2 | 1.2 | 1.6 | 19.6
Nate McMillan | 55 | 14 | 22.9 | .420 | .380 | .707 | 3.8 | 3.6 | 1.7 | .3 | 5.0
Gary Payton | 81 | 81 | 39.0 | .484 | .328 | .748 | 4.2 | 7.5 | 2.9 | .2 | 19.3
Sam Perkins | 82 | 20 | 26.5 | .408 | .355 | .793 | 4.5 | 1.5 | 1.0 | .6 | 11.8
Steve Scheffler | 35 | 2 | 5.2 | .533 | .200 | .474 | .9 | .1 | .2 | .1 | 1.7
Detlef Schrempf | 63 | 60 | 34.9 | .486 | .408 | .776 | 5.2 | 4.4 | .9 | .1 | 17.1
Eric Snow | 43 | 1 | 9.0 | .420 | .200 | .592 | 1.0 | 1.7 | .7 | .0 | 2.7
David Wingate | 60 | 3 | 11.6 | .415 | .441 | .780 | .9 | 1.0 | .3 | .1 | 3.7

### Playoffs

[edit]

Player  | GP  | GS  | MPG  | FG%  | 3P%  | FT%  | RPG  | APG  | SPG  | BPG  | PPG

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Vincent Askew | 19 | 0 | 18.2 | .343 | .261 | .607 | 2.2 | 1.4 | .7 | .4 | 3.7
Frank Brickowski | 21 | 3 | 9.8 | .421 | .273 | .750 | 1.4 | .5 | .3 | .2 | 2.0
Hersey Hawkins | 21 | 21 | 34.0 | .452 | .344 | .895 | 3.0 | 2.2 | 1.3 | .2 | 12.3
Ervin Johnson | 18 | 18 | 14.1 | .371 | .000 | .818 | 3.8 | .4 | .3 | .8 | 3.1
Shawn Kemp | 20 | 20 | 36.0 | .570 | .000 | .795 | 10.4 | 1.5 | 1.2 | 2.0 | 20.9
Nate McMillan | 19 | 0 | 20.3 | .406 | .475 | .643 | 3.7 | 2.7 | 1.2 | .3 | 4.4
Gary Payton | 21 | 21 | 43.4 | .485 | .410 | .633 | 5.1 | 6.8 | 1.8 | .3 | 20.7
Sam Perkins | 21 | 1 | 31.1 | .459 | .368 | .754 | 4.3 | 1.7 | .7 | .3 | 12.3
Steve Scheffler | 8 | 0 | 2.8 | .000 | .000 | .000 | .8 | .3 | .1 | .0 | .0
Detlef Schrempf | 21 | 21 | 37.6 | .475 | .368 | .750 | 5.0 | 3.2 | .7 | .2 | 16.0
Eric Snow | 10 | 0 | 2.4 | .143 | .000 | .000 | .4 | .6 | .2 | .0 | .2
David Wingate | 13 | 0 | 5.2 | .438 | .500 | 1.000 | .2 | .0 | .0 | .0 | 1.5

## Awards and records

[edit]

### Awards

[edit]

* Gary Payton was named the Defensive Player of the Year and led the league in total steals and steals per game.

All-NBA Teams

* Shawn Kemp – All-NBA Second Team
* Gary Payton – All-NBA Second Team

NBA All-Defensive Teams

* Gary Payton – All-Defensive First Team

1996 NBA All-Star Game

* Shawn Kemp (fourth appearance, second start)
* Gary Payton (third appearance)

### Records

[edit]

## Transactions

[edit]

Main article: List of 1995–96 NBA season transactions

### Trades

[edit]

June 27, 1995  | To Seattle SuperSonics

* * *

Hersey Hawkins
David Wingate | To Charlotte Hornets

* * *

Kendall Gill

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|

June 28, 1995  | To Seattle SuperSonics

* * *

Eric Snow | To Milwaukee Bucks

* * *

Aurelijus Zukauskas
1996 second-round pick
September 18, 1995  | To Seattle SuperSonics

* * *

Frank Brickowski | To Sacramento Kings

* * *

Byron Houston
Šarūnas Marčiulionis

### Free agents

[edit]

#### Additions

[edit]

| Player | Signed | Former team

|
|

Trevor Wilson | October 25 | Sacramento Kings

#### Subtractions

[edit]

| Player | Left | New team

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Dontonio Wingfield | expansion draft, June 24 | Toronto Raptors
Bill Cartwright | retired, July 5 |
Trevor Wilson | waived, October 31 | Somontano Huesca (LEB Oro)

Player Transactions Citation:[61]

## See also

[edit]

* 1995–96 NBA season

## References

[edit]

1. ^ 1995–96 Seattle SuperSonics
2. ^ "SPORTS PEOPLE: PRO BASKETBALL; Hornets Re-Acquire Gill in Trade with Sonics". The New York Times. June 28, 1995. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
3. ^ "Sonics Trade Gill Back to Hornets". The Washington Post. June 28, 1995. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
4. ^ Newnham, Blaine (June 28, 1995). "Sonics Kept Karl, So Gill Had to Go". The Seattle Times. Retrieved July 3, 2021.
5. ^ "Sonics Trade Gill to Get Hawkins; Hornets Throw in Veteran Wingate in Deal That Gives Seattle Outside Shot". The Spokesman-Review. Associated Press. June 28, 1995. Retrieved December 3, 2022.
6. ^ "Sonics Trade Houston, Marciulionis to Kings". The Seattle Times. September 18, 1995. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
7. ^ "Toronto Expands Quickly, Getting Five for Armstrong". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. September 19, 1995. Retrieved May 15, 2022.
8. ^ "Sonics Get Brickowski for Marciulionis". The Spokesman-Review. Wire Reports. September 19, 1995. Retrieved January 29, 2023.
9. ^ Lilly, Dick (March 16, 1994). "Sonics to Play '94-95 Games in Tacoma Dome, Says Official". The Seattle Times. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
10. ^ Berry, Tyler. "A Look Back at the History of KeyArena at Seattle Center". SeatGeek. Retrieved June 19, 2021.
11. ^ Melvin, Chuck (March 6, 1996). "SuperSonics 107, Cavaliers 101, 2OT". Associated Press. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
12. ^ "NBA Games Played on February 8, 1996". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
13. ^ a b "1995–96 Seattle SuperSonics Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
14. ^ Bembry, Jerry (January 31, 1996). "NBA Coaches Recognize Howard's Star Quality; Bullets' 2nd-Year Player Named Eastern Reserve". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
15. ^ Heisler, Mark (February 11, 1996). "NBA Has All-Stars in Its Eyes". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
16. ^ "1996 NBA All-Star Recap". NBA.com. NBA.com Staff. September 13, 2021. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
17. ^ "1996 NBA All-Star Game: East 129, West 118". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved October 13, 2021.
18. ^ "N.B.A. PLAYOFFS; Payton Honored for Defense". The New York Times. Associated Press. May 7, 1996. Retrieved July 25, 2022.
19. ^ "Payton Honored for Defensive Play". The Spokesman-Review. Wire Reports. May 7, 1996. Retrieved January 4, 2023.
20. ^ "NBA & ABA Defensive Player of the Year Award Winners". Basketball Reference. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
21. ^ "Jordan Named NBA MVP". United Press International. May 20, 1996. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
22. ^ "1995–96 NBA Awards Voting". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 2, 2022.
23. ^ "BASKETBALL; Sonics' Schrempf to Miss Six Weeks". The New York Times. Associated Press. December 12, 1995. Retrieved January 4, 2023.
24. ^ "Sonics Lose Schrempf for at Least Six Weeks". The Spokesman-Review. Associated Press. December 12, 1995. Retrieved January 4, 2023.
25. ^ "Mourning Could Miss 3 Weeks". Orlando Sentinel. December 12, 1995. Retrieved January 4, 2023.
26. ^ "1995–96 Seattle SuperSonics Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
27. ^ "NBA PLAYOFFS; Kings End 15-Year Drought in Playoff Upset of Sonics". The New York Times. Associated Press. April 29, 1996. Retrieved September 24, 2022.
28. ^ "Richmond Scores 37 to Help Sacramento Steal One in Seattle". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. April 29, 1996. Retrieved September 24, 2022.
29. ^ "Kings Latest to Lower Boom on Sonics". The Washington Post. April 29, 1996. Retrieved February 24, 2023.
30. ^ "Seattle Finally Reaches Round 2". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. May 3, 1996. Retrieved October 6, 2017.
31. ^ "Sonics Trounce Kings, Live to See Second Round; Payton, Kemp Guide Relieved Seattle Into Quarterfinals Against Houston". The Spokesman-Review. Associated Press. May 3, 1996. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
32. ^ "SuperSonics 101, Kings 87". United Press International. May 3, 1996. Retrieved June 4, 2022.
33. ^ "1996 NBA Western Conference First Round: Kings vs. SuperSonics". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 5, 2023.
34. ^ Friend, Tom (May 13, 1996). "N.B.A. PLAYOFFS; Rockets' Furious Rally Makes Sweep Interesting". The New York Times. Retrieved May 15, 2022.
35. ^ "Fired-Up Rockets Go Out with Bang". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. May 13, 1996. Retrieved June 4, 2022.
36. ^ Graczyk, Michael (May 13, 1996). "Rockets Are Dethroned by SuperSonics in OT". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
37. ^ "1996 NBA Western Conference semifinals: Rockets vs. SuperSonics". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 5, 2023.
38. ^ "SuperSonics Finally Put Away Jazz". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. June 3, 1996. Retrieved June 4, 2022.
39. ^ Cotton, Anthony (June 3, 1996). "SuperSonics Shake Jazz, Make a Final Statement". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
40. ^ Friend, Tom (June 4, 1996). "N.B.A. FINALS; Busy Sonics Count Ways to Stop Jordan". The New York Times. Retrieved May 15, 2022.
41. ^ "1996 NBA Western Conference finals: Jazz vs. SuperSonics". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 5, 2023.
42. ^ Friend, Tom (June 10, 1996). "N.B.A. FINALS; Sonics See Rodman, Rodman Everywhere". The New York Times. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
43. ^ Howard-Cooper, Scott (June 10, 1996). "Seattle Needled, Gored as Bulls Near the Ring". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
44. ^ Adande, J.A. (June 10, 1996). "Supersonics Get Caught in Bulls' Stampede, 108-86". The Washington Post. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
45. ^ Friend, Tom (June 13, 1996). "NBA FINALS; McMillan Puts Bulls' Brooms in Closet". The New York Times. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
46. ^ Wise, Mike (June 15, 1996). "N.B.A. FINALS; Bulls Can't Win as a One-Man Show". The New York Times. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
47. ^ Brown, Clifton (June 17, 1996). "N.B.A. FINALS; After a Few Anxious Days, Jordan and Bulls Get Their Title". The New York Times. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
48. ^ "Bulls Drown Out SuperSonics, 87-75". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. June 17, 1996. Retrieved June 28, 2022.
49. ^ Hirsley, Michael (June 17, 1996). "Game 6 Telecast Brings Happy Ending Home". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved December 12, 2022.
50. ^ Judd, Ron C. (June 17, 1996). "Not This Time -- Sonic Hopes End 87-75 as Bulls Win Fourth Title". The Seattle Times. Retrieved July 24, 2017.
51. ^ "1996 NBA Finals: SuperSonics vs. Bulls". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 5, 2023.
52. ^ "Grant Signs with Magic for $50 Million". Los Angeles Times. Times News Services. July 18, 1996. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
53. ^ "C Ervin Johnson Signs with Nuggets". United Press International. July 23, 1996. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
54. ^ Heisler, Mark (October 31, 1996). "NBA Preview". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
55. ^ Condotta, Bob (July 17, 1996). "Sonics Swap with Nets, Unload Brick, Johnson". The Spokesman-Review. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
56. ^ "Nets Acquire Askew from Seattle". United Press International. July 16, 1996. Retrieved January 1, 2022.
57. ^ "Transactions". Hartford Courant. August 2, 1996. Retrieved July 25, 2022.
58. ^ "Seattle SuperSonics Logo". Chris Creamer's Sports Logos Page - SportsLogos.Net. Retrieved July 7, 2021.
59. ^ "Seattle SuperSonics Uniform". Chris Creamer's Sports Logos Page - SportsLogos.Net. Retrieved July 7, 2021.
60. ^ "Seattle SuperSonics Uniform". Chris Creamer's Sports Logos Page - SportsLogos.Net. Retrieved July 7, 2021.
61. ^ "1995–96 Seattle SuperSonics Transactions". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved July 3, 2021.

* v
* t
* e

1995–96 NBA season by team

* 1995 NBA expansion draft
* 1995 NBA draft
* All-Star Game
* Playoffs
* Finals
* Transactions

Eastern|

| Atlantic|

* Boston
* Miami
* New Jersey
* New York
* Orlando
* Philadelphia
* Washington

|

Central|

* Atlanta
* Charlotte
* Chicago
* Cleveland
* Detroit
* Indiana
* Milwaukee
* Toronto

Western|

| Midwest|

* Dallas
* Denver
* Houston
* Minnesota
* San Antonio
* Utah
* Vancouver

|

Pacific|

* Golden State
* L.A. Clippers
* L.A. Lakers
* Phoenix
* Portland
* Sacramento
* Seattle

* v
* t
* e

Seattle SuperSonics seasons

* Franchise
* Seasons

1960s|

|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 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|

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

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Bold indicates NBA Finals victory
*[Pos.]: Position
*[No.]: Number
*[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
*[ GP ]: Games played