1995–96 Philadelphia 76ers season

1995–96 Philadelphia 76ers season
Head coachJohn Lucas
ArenaCoreStates Spectrum
Results
Record18–64 (.220)
PlaceDivision: 7th (Atlantic)
Conference: 15th (Eastern)
Playoff finishDid not qualify
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
TelevisionWPSG
SportsChannel Philadelphia
PRISM
RadioWIP
< 1994–95 1996–97 >

The 1995–96 NBA season was the 76ers 47th season in the National Basketball Association, and 33rd season in Philadelphia.[1] The 76ers had the third overall pick in the 1995 NBA draft, and selected Jerry Stackhouse from the University of North Carolina.[2][3][4][5][6] During the off-season, the team signed free agents Vernon Maxwell,[7][8][9] Richard Dumas, then later on in December, signed second-year guard Trevor Ruffin,[10][11] and veteran point guard Scott Skiles, who then retired in January after only just ten games with the team.[12]

Stackhouse and Clarence Weatherspoon both provided a nice young nucleus from which to build. However, finding talent to surround them was often difficult, as the Sixers suffered an 11-game losing streak after a 2–2 start. Early into the season, Shawn Bradley was traded along with Greg Graham, and Tim Perry to the New Jersey Nets in exchange for Derrick Coleman, Rex Walters and Sean Higgins; Coleman only played in just eleven games with the Sixers due to an irregular heartbeat.[13][14][15][16]

At midseason, second-year forward Sharone Wright was dealt to the expansion Toronto Raptors in exchange for Tony Massenburg and Ed Pinckney,[17][18][19][20] while Jeff Malone was released to free agency, and later signed as a free agent with the Miami Heat.[21] The Sixers went on a nine-game losing streak in January, lost seven straight games in February, held a 9–36 record at the All-Star break,[22] then lost eight straight in March, and had their worst season since the infamous 73-loss 1972–73 season, finishing last place in the Atlantic Division with an 18–64 record.[23]

Stackhouse averaged 19.2 points and 3.9 assists per game, was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team, and finished tied in fourth place in Rookie of the Year voting,[24][25][26] while Weatherspoon averaged 16.7 points, 9.7 rebounds and 1.4 steals and blocks per game each, and Maxwell provided the team with 16.2 points, 4.4 assists and 1.3 steals per game. In addition, Ruffin contributed 12.8 points and 4.4 assists per game, while Coleman provided with 11.2 points and 6.5 rebounds per game, Higgins contributed 8.0 points per game off the bench, and second-year center Derrick Alston averaged 6.2 points and 4.1 rebounds per game.[27] This would also be the final season the Sixers would play in The Spectrum.

Following the season, Maxwell re-signed with his former team, the San Antonio Spurs,[28][29][30] while Massenburg signed with the New Jersey Nets,[31] head coach John Lucas II was fired,[32][33] and Ruffin, Pinckney, Dumas, Higgins and Alston were all released to free agency. (In Dumas' case, he would be permanently banned from the NBA due to him violating a clause that forbade him from drinking alcohol, which was his third strike in terms of drug violations in the NBA).

Offseason

Draft picks

Main article: 1995 NBA draft
Round Pick Player Position Nationality School/Club Team
1 3 Jerry Stackhouse SG  United States North Carolina

Roster

1995–96 Philadelphia 76ers roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB From
C 21 Alston, Derrick 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 225 lb (102 kg) –– Duquesne
F 44 Coleman, Derrick Injured 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 230 lb (104 kg) –– Syracuse
F 7 Dumas, Richard 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 200 lb (91 kg) –– Oklahoma State
F 9 Higgins, Sean 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 205 lb (93 kg) –– Michigan
F 30 Massenburg, Tony 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 220 lb (100 kg) –– Maryland
G 11 Maxwell, Vernon 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 180 lb (82 kg) –– Florida
F 54 Pinckney, Ed 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 195 lb (88 kg) –– Villanova
G 8 Ruffin, Trevor 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 185 lb (84 kg) –– Hawaiʻi
G 5 Skiles, Scott 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 180 lb (82 kg) –– Michigan State
G 42 Stackhouse, Jerry 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 218 lb (99 kg) –– North Carolina
G 20 Sutton, Greg 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 170 lb (77 kg) –– Oral Roberts
C 41 Thompson, LaSalle 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 245 lb (111 kg) –– Texas
G 23 Walters, Rex 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 190 lb (86 kg) –– Kansas
F 35 Weatherspoon, Clarence 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 240 lb (109 kg) –– Southern Miss
C 55 Williams, Scott Injured 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 230 lb (104 kg) –– North Carolina
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured Injured

Roster

Roster Notes

Regular season

Season standings

Atlantic DivisionWLPCTGBHomeRoadDivGP
y–Orlando Magic6022.73212.037‍–‍423‍–‍1821–382
x–New York Knicks4735.57325.026‍–‍1521‍–‍2016–882
x–Miami Heat4240.51230.026‍–‍1516‍–‍2513–1282
Washington Bullets3943.47633.025‍–‍1614‍–‍2710–1482
Boston Celtics3349.40239.018‍–‍2315‍–‍2612–1282
New Jersey Nets3052.36642.020‍–‍2110‍–‍318–1782
Philadelphia 76ers1864.22054.011‍–‍307‍–‍345–1982
Eastern Conference
#TeamWLPCTGBGP
1z–Chicago Bulls7210.878–82
2y–Orlando Magic6022.73212.082
3x–Indiana Pacers5230.63420.082
4x–Cleveland Cavaliers4735.57325.082
5x–New York Knicks4735.57325.082
6x–Atlanta Hawks4636.56126.082
7x–Detroit Pistons4636.56126.082
8x–Miami Heat4240.51230.082
9Charlotte Hornets4141.50031.082
10Washington Bullets3943.47633.082
11Boston Celtics3349.40239.082
12New Jersey Nets3052.36642.082
13Milwaukee Bucks2557.30547.082
14Toronto Raptors2161.25651.082
15Philadelphia 76ers1864.22054.082
z - clinched division title
y - clinched division title
x - clinched playoff spot

Record vs. opponents

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 —

Awards and records

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

Player GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Derrick Alston 73 41 22.1 .512 .333 .491 4.1 .8 .8 .7 6.2
Elmer Bennett 8 0 8.3 .235 .750 .6 1.0 .1 .1 1.4
Shawn Bradley† 12 11 27.8 .443 .760 8.8 .7 .7 3.2 8.8
Mike Brown 9 1 18.0 .563 .471 4.1 .3 .3 .2 2.9
Derrick Coleman 11 11 26.7 .407 .333 .625 6.5 2.8 .4 .9 11.2
Richard Dumas 39 14 18.9 .468 .222 .700 2.5 1.1 1.1 .2 6.2
Greg Graham† 8 3 16.0 .531 .500 .882 1.9 1.4 .6 .0 7.0
Greg Grant† 11 2 25.5 .375 .222 .833 1.9 5.5 1.1 .2 4.1
Sean Higgins 44 4 20.8 .415 .372 .946 2.1 1.3 .5 .3 8.0
Jeff Malone† 25 3 16.3 .394 .313 .923 1.3 .8 .5 .0 6.2
Tony Massenburg† 30 8 26.8 .483 .000 .739 6.2 .4 .5 .4 9.9
Vernon Maxwell 75 57 32.9 .390 .317 .756 3.1 4.4 1.3 .2 16.2
Tim Perry† 8 0 10.9 .444 1.000 .667 1.6 .3 .3 .4 2.4
Ed Pinckney† 27 23 25.1 .529 .764 6.5 .8 1.2 .4 5.6
Trevor Ruffin 61 23 25.4 .406 .366 .813 2.2 4.4 .7 .0 12.8
Scott Skiles 10 9 23.6 .351 .441 .800 1.6 3.8 .7 .0 6.3
Jerry Stackhouse 72 71 37.5 .414 .318 .747 3.7 3.9 1.1 1.1 19.2
Greg Sutton† 30 2 15.5 .389 .417 .741 1.2 2.1 .6 .1 6.3
LaSalle Thompson 44 11 17.6 .398 .792 4.5 .6 .4 .5 1.9
Rex Walters† 33 8 15.8 .426 .352 .783 1.5 2.9 .7 .1 4.6
Clarence Weatherspoon 78 75 39.7 .484 .000 .746 9.7 2.0 1.4 1.4 16.7
Scott Williams 13 1 14.8 .517 .000 .833 3.5 .4 .5 .5 3.1
Trevor Wilson 6 0 13.2 .500 .750 2.3 .7 .5 .0 3.8
Sharone Wright† 46 32 24.7 .477 .629 6.5 .6 .5 .8 10.5
  • † Denotes player spent time with another team in the season. Stats reflect time with the 76ers only.

Transactions

References

  1. ^ 1995-96 Philadelphia 76ers
  2. ^ Wise, Mike (June 29, 1995). "PRO BASKETBALL; Underclassmen Rule Atop N.B.A. Draft Board". The New York Times. Retrieved July 25, 2021.
  3. ^ Heisler, Mark (June 29, 1995). "NBA Is a Young Man's Game: Draft: Smith, McDyess, Stackhouse, Wallace and Garnett Lead the Way". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 3, 2022.
  4. ^ "NBA DRAFT: Clippers Deal No. 2 McDyess to Nuggets: Pro Basketball: L.A. Gets Rodney Rogers and Rights to Oregon State's Brent Barry. O'Bannon Goes Ninth to New Jersey, and Zidek Is Selected No. 22 by Charlotte". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. June 29, 1995. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
  5. ^ Nakamura, David (June 29, 1995). "Joe Goes West as Warriors Make Smith No. 1 Pick". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 3, 2023.
  6. ^ "1995 NBA Draft". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
  7. ^ "SPORTS PEOPLE: PRO BASKETBALL; Lucas and 76ers Give Maxwell a Shot". The New York Times. September 27, 1995. Retrieved January 1, 2022.
  8. ^ "'Mad Max' Is Gone, Now It's Good Old Maxwell". Deseret News. Associated Press. September 27, 1995. Retrieved September 24, 2022.
  9. ^ Long, Ernie (September 27, 1995). "Sixers Sign Another Project in Maxwell; Ex-Rocket Will Play Point Guard". The Morning Call. Retrieved December 21, 2022.
  10. ^ "Ruffin Is Surprise for 76ers". The Washington Post. December 21, 1995. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
  11. ^ "NBA Unknowns Take Center Stage". The Durant Daily Democrat. Associated Press. December 21, 1995. p. Page 3. Retrieved October 30, 2024.
  12. ^ "SPORTS PEOPLE: PRO BASKETBALL; Sixers Sign Skiles". The New York Times. December 13, 1995. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
  13. ^ Brown, Clifton (December 1, 1995). "PRO BASKETBALL; Nets Grant Coleman's Wish with Trade to Sixers". The New York Times. Retrieved July 21, 2017.
  14. ^ Heisler, Mark (December 1, 1995). "Coleman Dealt to Philadelphia: Pro Basketball: New Jersey Swaps Brilliant, But Unhappy Forward for Center Bradley in Six-Player Trade". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 3, 2022.
  15. ^ "Nets' Coleman to 76ers for Bradley". The Washington Post. December 1, 1995. Retrieved September 24, 2022.
  16. ^ "76ers Trade Bradley for Coleman". Deseret News. Associated Press. December 1, 1995. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  17. ^ "Toronto Sends Pinckney and Massenburg to Philadelphia for Wright". Associated Press. February 22, 1996. Retrieved July 29, 2021.
  18. ^ "Wright to Raptors". United Press International. February 22, 1996. Retrieved December 13, 2022.
  19. ^ "Hardaway Heads for the Heat in Trade". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. February 23, 1996. Retrieved September 24, 2022.
  20. ^ "Riley's Heat The Big Movers on D-Day". Deseret News. Associated Press. February 23, 1996. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  21. ^ Winderman, Ira (January 6, 1996). "Mourning Travels West". Sun Sentinel. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
  22. ^ "NBA Games Played on February 8, 1996". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  23. ^ "1995–96 Philadelphia 76ers Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved July 1, 2021.
  24. ^ "Stoudamire Named Top Rookie After Lukewarm NBA Reception". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. May 16, 1996. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
  25. ^ "Raptors' Stoudamire Easily Captures Rookie Honors". Chicago Tribune. Tribune News Services. May 16, 1996. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
  26. ^ "1995–96 NBA Awards Voting". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
  27. ^ "1995–96 Philadelphia 76ers Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved July 1, 2021.
  28. ^ "Spurs Add a Dose of Vernon Maxwell". Tampa Bay Times. August 30, 1996. Retrieved January 18, 2022.
  29. ^ "Spurs Add Some Grit with Maxwell". SFGate. August 30, 1996. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
  30. ^ "Unseld Testifies in Name Change". The Spokesman-Review. Wire Services. August 30, 1996. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
  31. ^ "Hungary Faked Qualifying Meet for Olympic Swimming". Los Angeles Times. Staff and Wire Reports. September 11, 1996. Retrieved October 10, 2022.
  32. ^ "NBA PLAYOFFS; 76ers Dismiss Lucas as Coach". The New York Times. May 14, 1996. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
  33. ^ "Lucas Fired as Coach of 76ers". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. May 14, 1996. Retrieved February 1, 2023.

See also