1992–93 Washington Bullets season

1992–93 Washington Bullets season
Head coachWes Unseld
ArenaCapital Centre (37 games)
Baltimore Arena (4 games)
Results
Record22–60 (.268)
PlaceDivision: 7th (Atlantic)
Conference: 14th (Eastern)
Playoff finishDid not qualify
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
TelevisionWDCA
Home Team Sports
RadioWTOP
< 1991–92 1993–94 >

The 1992–93 NBA season was the Bullets' 32nd season in the National Basketball Association.[1] In the 1992 NBA draft, the Bullets selected Tom Gugliotta out of North Carolina State University with the sixth overall pick.[2][3][4][5][6] In the off-season, the team acquired top draft pick Don MacLean out of the University of California, Los Angeles from the Los Angeles Clippers, who had acquired him from the Detroit Pistons,[7][8] and signed free agents Buck Johnson,[9][10] and rookie guard Doug Overton.[11] However, Ledell Eackles would miss the entire season due to weight problems.[12][13]

The Bullets got off to a 7–10 start to the season, but then struggled posting a nine-game losing streak in December, and held a 15–36 record at the All-Star break.[14] In January, All-Star forward Bernard King was released to free agency, and later on signed as a free agent with the New Jersey Nets.[15][16][17] The team struggled with injuries as Pervis Ellison only played just 49 games due to a knee injury, Rex Chapman only played 60 games due to an ankle injury, and Overton only played just 45 games due to a thumb injury.[18][19] The Bullets lost ten of their final eleven games, finishing last place in the Atlantic Division with a 22–60 record.[20]

Despite their struggles, Harvey Grant led the team in scoring averaging 18.6 points per game, while Michael Adams averaged 14.8 points, 7.5 assists and 1.4 steals per game, and Gugliotta provided the team with 14.7 points, 9.6 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game, and was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team. In addition, Ellison averaged 17.4 points, 8.8 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game, while Chapman contributed 12.5 points per game, second-year forward Larry Stewart provided with 9.8 points and 4.7 rebounds per game, and second-year guard LaBradford Smith contributed 9.3 points per game.[21] Following the season, Grant was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers,[22][23][24][25] and Johnson, Eackles and Charles Jones were all released to free agency.

One notable highlight of the season was Smith scoring a career-high of 37 points against Michael Jordan, and the Chicago Bulls at the Chicago Stadium on March 19, 1993. Smith shot 15–20 from the field, while Jordan struggled shooting just 9–27 from the field. However, the Bullets lost to the Bulls, 104–99.[26][27][28][29]

NBA draft

Main article: 1992 NBA draft
Round Pick Player Position Nationality College
1 6 Tom Gugliotta PF  United States North Carolina State
2 32 Brent Price PG  United States Oklahoma

Roster

1992–93 Washington Bullets roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB From
C 42 Acres, Mark 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 220 lb (100 kg) –– Oral Roberts
PG 10 Adams, Michael 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) 162 lb (73 kg) –– Boston College
SG 3 Chapman, Rex 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 185 lb (84 kg) –– Kentucky
SG 21 Eackles, Ledell (IN) 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 220 lb (100 kg) –– New Orleans
C 43 Ellison, Pervis 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 210 lb (95 kg) –– Louisville
SF 44 Grant, Harvey 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 195 lb (88 kg) –– Oklahoma
PF 24 Gugliotta, Tom 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 240 lb (109 kg) –– NC State
SF 2 Johnson, Buck 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 190 lb (86 kg) –– Alabama
C 23 Jones, Charles 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 215 lb (98 kg) –– Albany State
PF 34 MacLean, Don 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 235 lb (107 kg) –– UCLA
PG 14 Overton, Doug 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 190 lb (86 kg) –– La Salle
PG 20 Price, Brent 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 165 lb (75 kg) –– Oklahoma
SG 22 Smith, LaBradford 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 200 lb (91 kg) –– Louisville
PF 33 Stewart, Larry 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 220 lb (100 kg) –– Coppin State
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • (IN) Inactive
  • Injured Injured

Roster

Roster Notes

  • Shooting guard Ledell Eackles missed the entire season due to weight problems.

Regular season

Season standings

Atlantic Division
 W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-New York Knicks 60 22 .732 — 37–4 23–18 23–5
x-Boston Celtics 48 34 .585 12 28–13 20–21 19–9
x-New Jersey Nets 43 39 .524 17 26–15 17–24 14–14
Orlando Magic 41 41 .500 19 27–14 14–27 15–13
Miami Heat 36 46 .439 24 26–15 10–31 9–19
Philadelphia 76ers 26 56 .317 34 15–26 11–30 11–17
Washington Bullets 22 60 .268 38 15–26 7–34 7–21
y - clinched division title
x - clinched playoff spot
#
Eastern Conference
Team W L PCT GB
1 c-New York Knicks 60 22 .732 –
2 y-Chicago Bulls 57 25 .695 3
3 x-Cleveland Cavaliers 54 28 .659 6
4 x-Boston Celtics 48 34 .585 12
5 x-Charlotte Hornets 44 38 .537 16
6 x-New Jersey Nets 43 39 .524 17
7 x-Atlanta Hawks 43 39 .524 17
8 x-Indiana Pacers 41 41 .500 19
9 Orlando Magic 41 41 .500 19
10 Detroit Pistons 40 42 .488 20
11 Miami Heat 36 46 .439 24
12 Milwaukee Bucks 28 54 .341 32
13 Philadelphia 76ers 26 56 .317 36
14 Washington Bullets 22 60 .268 38
z - clinched division title
y - clinched division title
x - clinched playoff spot

Record vs. opponents

1992-93 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 UTA WAS
Atlanta — 2–2 3–2 2–2 0–5 1–1 2–0 2–3 2–0 1–1 2–2 1–1 1–1 3–1 3–2 2–0 1–3 2–2 1–3 3–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 2–0 2–2
Boston 2–2 — 3–1 1–3 3–1 2–0 2–0 1–3 2–0 1–1 2–2 1–1 1–1 3–1 2–2 2–0 4–0 1–4 3–2 4–1 0–2 2–0 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–2 4–1
Charlotte 2–3 1–3 — 2–3 1–3 2–0 1–1 4–1 2–0 0–2 0–5 1–1 1–1 2–2 3–1 2–0 2–2 1–3 3–1 4–0 0–2 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 4–0
Chicago 2–2 3–1 3–2 — 2–3 2–0 1–1 3–1 2–0 0–2 5–0 2–0 0–2 3–1 4–1 2–0 4–0 1–3 3–1 2–2 1–1 2–0 2–0 0–2 2–0 2–0 4–0
Cleveland 5–0 1–3 3–1 3–2 — 2–0 1–1 3–2 2–0 1–1 4–0 1–1 2–0 2–2 4–1 2–0 2–2 1–3 2–2 4–0 2–0 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 3–1
Dallas 1–1 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 — 1–5 1–1 0–4 1–4 1–1 0–4 1–3 0–2 0–2 1–4 0–2 0–2 1–1 1–1 0–4 0–4 0–4 0–5 1–3 0–5 1–1
Denver 0–2 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 5–1 — 1–1 3–1 2–3 1–1 2–2 1–3 0–2 1–1 3–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–3 1–3 3–1 1–4 1–3 2–3 2–0
Detroit 3–2 3–1 1–4 1–3 2–3 1–1 1–1 — 0–2 1–1 3–2 1–1 1–1 1–3 2–2 1–1 3–1 2–2 3–1 3–1 0–2 1–1 2–0 0–2 0–2 0–2 4–0
Golden State 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 4–0 1–3 2–0 — 2–2 0–2 2–3 1–4 2–0 1–1 3–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–4 0–5 4–1 3–1 1–4 3–1 1–1
Houston 1–1 1–1 2–0 2–0 1–1 4–1 3–2 1–1 2–2 — 2–0 4–0 3–1 2–0 1–1 4–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 2–2 1–3 4–0 4–1 1–3 4–1 1–1
Indiana 2–2 2–2 5–0 0–5 0–4 1–1 1–1 2–3 2–0 0–2 — 1–1 1–1 2–2 2–3 1–1 3–1 1–3 2–2 3–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 2–0 0–2 3–1
L.A. Clippers 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 4–0 2–2 1–1 3–2 0–4 1–1 — 3–2 0–2 2–0 4–0 0–2 2–0 1–1 1–1 3–2 2–3 3–2 0–4 1–4 2–2 2–0
L.A. Lakers 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 0–2 3–1 3–1 1–1 4–1 1–3 1–1 2–3 — 0–2 1–1 3–1 0–2 0–2 1–1 2–0 0–5 3–2 3–2 2–2 1–4 1–3 2–0
Miami 1–3 1–3 2–2 1–3 2–2 2–0 2–0 3–1 0–2 0–2 2–2 2–0 2–0 — 2–2 2–0 2–3 0–5 3–2 1–3 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 2–3
Milwaukee 2–3 2–2 1–3 1–4 1–4 2–0 1–1 2–2 1–1 1–1 3–2 0–2 1–1 2–2 — 1–1 0–4 1–3 2–2 2–2 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–2 0–2 0–2 1–3
Minnesota 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 4–1 2–3 1–1 1–3 2–4 1–1 0–4 1–3 0–2 1–1 — 1–1 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–4 1–3 1–3 1–4 0–4 1–4 1–1
New Jersey 3–1 0–4 2–2 0–4 2–2 2–0 1–1 1–3 1–1 1–1 1–3 2–0 2–0 3–2 4–0 1–1 — 1–3 3–2 3–2 1–1 0–2 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 4–1
New York 2–2 4–1 3–1 3–1 3–1 2–0 1–1 2–2 2–0 1–1 3–1 0–2 2–0 5–0 3–1 2–0 3–1 — 2–2 5–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 2–0 1–1 1–1 4–1
Orlando 3–1 2–3 1–3 1–3 2–2 1–1 2–0 1–3 1–1 1–1 2–2 1–1 1–1 2–3 2–2 2–0 2–3 2–2 — 3–2 0–2 2–0 2–0 0–2 0–2 1–1 4–0
Philadelphia 1–3 1–4 0–4 2–2 0–4 1–1 1–1 1–3 1–1 0–2 1–3 1–1 0–2 3–1 2–2 2–0 2–3 0–5 2–3 — 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–2 1–1 0–2 3–1
Phoenix 2–0 2–0 2–0 1–1 0–2 4–0 3–1 2–0 4–1 2–2 1–1 2–3 5–0 2–0 2–0 4–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 2–0 — 3–2 5–0 3–1 2–3 3–1 2–0
Portland 1–1 0–2 1–1 0–2 2–0 4–0 3–1 1–1 5–0 3–1 1–1 3–2 2–3 1–1 2–0 3–1 2–0 1–1 0–2 2–0 2–3 — 5–0 2–2 2–3 2–2 1–1
Sacramento 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–2 1–1 4–0 1–3 0–2 1–4 0–4 0–2 2–3 2–3 1–1 1–1 3–1 0–2 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–5 0–5 — 2–2 1–4 2–2 1–1
San Antonio 0–2 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 5–0 4–1 2–0 1–3 1–4 1–1 4–0 2–2 1–1 2–0 4–1 1–1 0–2 2–0 2–0 1–3 2–2 2–2 — 3–1 3–3 1–1
Seattle 1–1 2–0 1–1 0–2 1–1 3–1 3–1 2–0 4–1 3–1 0–2 4–1 4–1 1–1 2–0 4–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 3–2 3–2 4–1 1–3 — 2–2 2–0
Utah 0–2 2–0 1–1 0–2 1–1 5–0 3–2 2–0 1–3 1–4 2–0 2–2 3–1 2–0 2–0 4–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–3 2–2 2–2 3–3 2–2 — 1–1
Washington 2–2 1–4 0–4 0–4 1–3 1–1 0–2 0–4 1–1 1–1 1–3 0–2 0–2 3–2 3–1 1–1 1–4 1–4 0–4 1–3 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 —

Game log

Player statistics

Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 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

Regular season

Washington Bullets statistics
Player GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Mark Acres† 12 7 20.5 .600 .714 5.1 .4 .3 .5 4.8
Michael Adams 70 70 35.7 .439 .321 .856 3.4 7.5 1.4 .1 14.8
Steve Burtt Sr. 4 0 8.8 .385 .333 .800 .8 1.5 .5 .0 7.3
Rex Chapman 60 23 21.7 .477 .371 .810 1.5 1.9 .6 .2 12.5
Chris Corchiani† 1 0 3.0 1.000 .0 .0 .0 .0 2.0
Pervis Ellison 49 48 34.7 .521 .000 .702 8.8 2.4 .9 2.2 17.4
Greg Foster† 10 0 9.3 .440 .667 2.7 1.1 .0 .5 2.4
Harvey Grant 72 72 37.0 .487 .100 .727 5.7 2.8 1.0 .6 18.6
Tom Gugliotta 81 81 34.5 .426 .281 .644 9.6 3.8 1.7 .4 14.7
Byron Irvin 4 2 11.3 .500 1.000 .500 1.0 .5 .3 .0 5.5
Buck Johnson 73 19 17.6 .479 .000 .730 2.7 1.2 .5 .2 6.5
Charles Jones 67 21 18.0 .524 .000 .579 4.1 .6 .6 1.1 1.3
Don MacLean 62 4 10.9 .435 .500 .811 2.0 .6 .2 .1 6.6
Alan Ogg† 3 0 1.0 .500 .500 1.3 .0 .0 .0 1.7
Doug Overton 45 13 22.0 .471 .231 .728 2.4 3.5 .7 .1 8.1
Brent Price 68 9 12.6 .358 .167 .794 1.5 2.3 .8 .0 3.9
Larry Robinson 4 0 8.3 .375 .000 .600 .8 .8 .3 .3 3.8
LaBradford Smith 69 33 22.4 .458 .348 .858 1.5 2.7 .8 .1 9.3
Larry Stewart 81 8 22.5 .543 .000 .727 4.7 1.8 .6 .4 9.8
  • † Denotes player spent time with another team in the season. Stats reflect time with the Bullets only.

Awards and records

Transactions

See also

References

  1. ^ 1992-93 Washington Wizards
  2. ^ Araton, Harvey (June 25, 1992). "BASKETBALL; Draft Sticks to Program Until the 5th Pick, That Is". The New York Times. Retrieved December 4, 2022.
  3. ^ "After Big Men Go First, Locals Go in First Round: NBA Draft: Miner Goes to Heat at No. 12. Lakers Take Peeler. Clippers Select: La Salle's Woods with Their First Pick". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. June 25, 1992. Retrieved July 25, 2022.
  4. ^ Wojciechowski, Gene (June 25, 1992). "Miner Didn't Realize Heat Would Be on Like This: NBA Draft: USC Star Waits Longer Than Expected Before Miami Makes Him the 12th Overall Selection. UCLA's Murray Goes to San Antonio, Pepperdine's Christie to Seattle". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
  5. ^ Aldridge, David (June 25, 1992). "O'Neal, Mourning 1-2". The Washington Post. Retrieved July 31, 2021.
  6. ^ "1992 NBA Draft". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved December 4, 2022.
  7. ^ Howard-Cooper, Scott (October 9, 1992). "Clippers Make Sizable Deal, Get John Williams: Pro Basketball: L.A. Trades Rights to Rookie Forward Don MacLean, and Backup Center William Bedford to the Bullets for former crenshaw High Star Troubled with Weight Problems". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
  8. ^ Howard-Cooper, Scott (June 25, 1992). "Clippers Go Forward to MacLean: NBA Draft: Polynice Is Traded to..." Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
  9. ^ Aldridge, David (September 22, 1992). "Johnson Set to Sign on Bullets' Frontline". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
  10. ^ "SPORTS PEOPLE: PRO BASKETBALL; Bullets Sign Buck Johnson, a Free Agent". The New York Times. Associated Press. September 23, 1992. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  11. ^ Aldridge, David (October 24, 1992). "Overton Makes Most of His Opportunity". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
  12. ^ Aldridge, David (September 15, 1992). "Bullets Look at Eackles, Johnson". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
  13. ^ Aldridge, David (September 18, 1992). "Eackles Would Like to Stay a Bullet". The Washington Post. Retrieved January 31, 2022.
  14. ^ "NBA Games Played on February 18, 1993". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
  15. ^ Araton, Harvey (February 6, 1993). "PRO BASKETBALL; Nets Are Close to Signing Bernard King". The New York Times. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
  16. ^ Aldridge, David (February 6, 1993). "Former Bullet King Ready to Join Nets". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 16, 2022.
  17. ^ Harvin, Al (February 7, 1993). "PRO BASKETBALL; Interview Goes Well, So King Gets the Call". The New York Times. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
  18. ^ Aldridge, David (February 27, 1993). "Last-Second Magic Catches Bullets". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 16, 2022.
  19. ^ Wilbon, Michael (March 2, 1993). "Sparse Bullets Try to Reload". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 16, 2022.
  20. ^ "1992–93 Washington Bullets Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved September 20, 2021.
  21. ^ "1992–93 Washington Bullets Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved September 20, 2021.
  22. ^ "SPORTS PEOPLE: PRO BASKETBALL; Bullets Get Duckworth for Grant". The New York Times. June 25, 1993. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  23. ^ Aldridge, David (June 25, 1993). "Bullets Trade Grant to Get Duckworth". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 31, 2021.
  24. ^ "Bullets Trade Grant, Acquire Duckworth". Los Angeles Times. Staff and Wire Reports. June 25, 1993. Retrieved July 23, 2022.
  25. ^ Goldstein, Alan (June 25, 1993). "Bullets Fill Hole in Middle by Dealing for Duckworth; Forward Grant Sent to Blazers in Trade". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved December 4, 2022.
  26. ^ Aldridge, David (March 20, 1993). "Bullets' Smith Scores 37, But Jordan Boosts Bulls". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 31, 2021.
  27. ^ Isaacson, Melissa (March 20, 1993). "Washington Bullets' LaBradford Smith Scores 37 Points Against Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
  28. ^ Goldstein, Alan (March 21, 1993). "Jordan Scores 36 in First Half, Bulls Handle Bullets, 126-101". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
  29. ^ "Washington Bullets at Chicago Bulls Box Score, March 19, 1993". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 6, 2023.