1980–81 San Antonio Spurs season

1980–81 San Antonio Spurs season
Division champions
Head coachStan Albeck
General managerBob Bass
Owner(s)Angelo Drossos
ArenaHemisFair Arena
Results
Record52–30 (.634)
PlaceDivision: 1st (Midwest)
Conference: 2nd (Western)
Playoff finishConference semifinals
(lost to Rockets 3–4)
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
TelevisionKMOL
RadioKCTI
< 1979–80 1981–82 >

The 1980–81 NBA season was the fifth season in the NBA, the seventh in San Antonio and the 13th as a franchise. It was a landmark season in many ways. The San Antonio Spurs moved to the Western Conference along with the Houston Rockets. The Spurs won their first Midwest Division title, and their third division title overall (they had won the Central Division in 1977-78 and 1978–79). The Spurs had the fourth best team offensive rating in the NBA.

Draft picks

Round Pick Player Position Nationality School/Club Team
1 15 Reggie Johnson[1] PF/C  United States Tennessee
2 39 Michael Wiley  United States California State-Long Beach
4 83 Calvin Roberts  United States California State-Fullerton
5 107 Gib Hinz  United States Wisconsin-Eau Claire
6 129 Dean Uthoff  United States Iowa State
7 153 Allan Zahn  United States Arkansas
8 172 Bill Bailey  United States Texas Pan-American
9 192 Al Williams  United States North Texas State
10 209 Steve Schall  United States Arkansas

Roster

1980–81 San Antonio Spurs roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB From
G 10 Brewer, Ron 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1955–07–16 Arkansas
C 40 Corzine, Dave 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 250 lb (113 kg) 1956–04–25 DePaul
G/F 44 Gervin, George 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1952–04–27 Eastern Michigan
F/C 30 Griffin, Paul 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 1954–01–20 Western Michigan
F/C 52 Johnson, George 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 1948–12–18 Dillard
F 32 Johnson, Reggie 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 1957–06–25 Tennessee
G 00 Moore, Johnny 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 1958–03–03 Texas
F 53 Olberding, Mark 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1956–04–21 Minnesota
F/C 31 Restani, Kevin 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1951–12–23 San Francisco
G 13 Silas, James 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1949–02–11 Stephen F. Austin
F 33 Wiley, Michael 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 1957–10–16 Long Beach State
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured Injured

Roster
Last transaction: March 2, 1981

Regular season

Under realignment, the Spurs were shifted to the Midwest Division in the Western Conference.[2] Looking to improve on the previous season, the Spurs looked to shore up the defense by acquiring Dave Corzine, Dave Johnson, and Reggie Johnson. The moves paid immediate dividends as the Spurs got off to a 10–2 start, on the way to a Division Crown with a 52–30 record.[2] In the playoffs, the Spurs lost in 7 games to the cross-state rival Houston Rockets.

  • The 1980-81 San Antonio Spurs scored 9209 points and allowed 8973 points
  • The Spurs Points Per 100 Possessions on Offense was 109.7, which ranked 1st out of 23 teams. Their Points Per 100 Possessions on the Defense was 104.5, ranking them 8th out of 23.

Season standings

Midwest Division
 W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-San Antonio Spurs 52 30 .634 – 34–7 18–23 21–9
x-Kansas City Kings 40 42 .488 12.0 24–17 16–25 19–11
x-Houston Rockets 40 42 .488 12.0 25–16 15–26 19–11
Denver Nuggets 37 45 .451 15.0 23–18 14–27 13–17
Utah Jazz 28 54 .341 24.0 20–21 8–33 13–17
Dallas Mavericks 15 67 .183 37.0 11–30 4–37 5–25
#
Western Conference
Team W L PCT GB
1 c-Phoenix Suns 57 25 .695 –
2 y-San Antonio Spurs 52 30 .634 5
3 x-Los Angeles Lakers 54 28 .659 3
4 x-Portland Trail Blazers 45 37 .549 12
5 x-Kansas City Kings 40 42 .488 17
6 x-Houston Rockets 40 42 .488 17
7 Golden State Warriors 39 43 .476 18
8 Denver Nuggets 37 45 .451 20
9 San Diego Clippers 36 46 .439 21
10 Seattle SuperSonics 34 48 .415 23
11 Utah Jazz 28 54 .341 29
12 Dallas Mavericks 15 67 .183 42

Notes

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

Record vs. opponents

1980-81 NBA Records
Team ATL BOS CHI CLE DAL DEN DET GSW HOU IND KCK LAL MIL NJN NYK PHI PHO POR SAS SDC SEA UTA WAS
Atlanta — 2–4 2–4 1–5 2–0 1–1 4–2 2–0 1–1 1–5 1–1 0–2 1–5 3–2 2–4 1–5 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–4
Boston 4–2 — 5–1 4–1 2–0 2–0 4–1 1–1 2–0 3–3 1–1 2–0 3–3 6–0 5–1 3–3 2–0 2–0 2–0 2–0 1–1 1–1 5–1
Chicago 4–2 1–5 — 5–1 1–1 1–1 5–1 1–1 1–1 3–2 2–0 1–1 3–3 3–2 3–3 2–4 0–2 0–2 0–2 1–1 1–1 2–0 5–1
Cleveland 5–1 1–4 1–5 — 2–0 1–1 3–3 1–1 0–2 2–4 0–2 0–2 0–6 3–3 0–5 0–6 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 4–2
Dallas 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–2 — 3–3 0–2 2–3 0–6 0–2 0–6 0–5 0–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–4 1–4 1–5 2–3 1–4 1–5 0–2
Denver 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 3–3 — 2–0 3–2 2–4 1–1 4–2 3–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–4 2–3 2–4 3–2 3–2 2–4 0–2
Detroit 2–4 1–4 1–5 3–3 2–0 0–2 — 0–2 1–1 2–4 1–1 0–2 1–5 3–3 1–5 1–4 0–2 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–2 0–2 1–5
Golden State 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 3–2 2–3 2–0 — 3–2 1–1 5–0 1–5 1–1 1–1 2–0 0–2 2–4 2–4 1–4 2–4 3–3 4–1 1–1
Houston 1–1 0–2 1–1 2–0 6–0 4–2 1–1 2–3 — 1–1 2–4 2–3 0–2 2–0 0–2 0–2 1–4 3–2 3–3 1–4 4–1 4–2 0–2
Indiana 5–1 3–3 2–3 4–2 2–0 1–1 4–2 1–1 1–1 — 2–0 0–2 2–4 5–1 3–2 0–6 1–1 0–2 2–0 1–1 0–2 1–1 4–2
Kansas City 1–1 1–1 0–2 2–0 6–0 2–4 1–1 0–5 4–2 0–2 — 0–5 1–1 2–0 1–1 0–2 3–2 3–2 2–4 3–2 2–3 5–1 1–1
Los Angeles 2–0 0–2 1–1 2–0 5–0 2–3 2–0 5–1 3–2 2–0 5–0 — 0–2 2–0 2–0 1–1 2–4 3–3 2–3 3–3 6–0 3–2 1–1
Milwaukee 5–1 3–3 3–3 6–0 2–0 1–1 5–1 1–1 2–0 4–2 1–1 2–0 — 5–1 3–3 3–2 1–1 2–0 1–1 2–0 2–0 2–0 4–1
New Jersey 2–3 0–6 2–3 3–3 1–1 1–1 3–3 1–1 0–2 1–5 0–2 0–2 1–5 — 0–6 1–5 1–1 2–0 0–2 0–2 1–1 1–1 3–3
New York 4–2 1–5 3–3 5–0 1–1 2–0 5–1 0–2 2–0 2–3 1–1 0–2 3–3 6–0 — 3–3 1–1 1–1 0–2 2–0 2–0 2–0 4–2
Philadelphia 5–1 3–3 4–2 6–0 2–0 1–1 4–1 2–0 2–0 6–0 2–0 1–1 2–3 5–1 3–3 — 1–1 1–1 2–0 2–0 2–0 2–0 4–2
Phoenix 2–0 0–2 2–0 1–1 4–1 4–1 2–0 4–2 4–1 1–1 2–3 4–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 — 3–3 3–2 6–0 5–1 5–0 1–1
Portland 1–1 0–2 2–0 1–1 4–1 3–2 2–0 4–2 2–3 2–0 2–3 3–3 0–2 0–2 1–1 1–1 3–3 — 2–3 4–2 4–2 2–3 2–0
San Antonio 1–1 0–2 2–0 1–1 5–1 4–2 2–0 4–1 3–3 0–2 4–2 3–2 1–1 2–0 2–0 0–2 2–3 3–2 — 4–1 3–2 5–1 1–1
San Diego 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 3–2 2–3 1–1 4–2 4–1 1–1 2–3 3–3 0–2 2–0 0–2 0–2 0–6 2–4 1–4 — 5–1 3–2 0–2
Seattle 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 4–1 2–3 2–0 3–3 1–4 2–0 3–2 0–6 0–2 1–1 0–2 0–2 1–5 2–4 2–3 1–5 — 4–1 1–1
Utah 0–2 1–1 0–2 1–1 5–1 4–2 2–0 1–4 2–4 1–1 1–5 2–3 0–2 1–1 0–2 0–2 0–5 3–2 1–5 2–3 1–4 — 0–2
Washington 4–1 1–5 1–5 2–4 2–0 2–0 5–1 1–1 2–0 2–4 1–1 1–1 1–4 3–3 2–4 2–4 1–1 0–2 1–1 2–0 1–1 2–0 —

Game log

Regular season

1980–81 game log
Total: 52–30 (home: 34–7; road: 18–23)
October: 10–2 (home: 5–0; road: 5–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
1 October 10 @ Denver W 113–112 McNichols Sports Arena 1–0
2 October 11 @ Dallas L 92–103 Reunion Arena 1–1
3 October 14 Kansas City W 109–103 HemisFair Arena 2–1
4 October 16 @ Detroit W 102–99 Pontiac Silverdome 3–1
5 October 18 Dallas W 110–96 HemisFair Arena 4–1
6 October 21 San Diego W 123–120 HemisFair Arena 5–1
7 October 23 Golden State W 128–109 HemisFair Arena 6–1
8 October 25 @ San Diego W 116–98 San Diego Sports Arena 7–1
9 October 26 @ Los Angeles W 108–102 The Forum 8–1
10 October 28 Portland W 120–112 HemisFair Arena 9–1
11 October 29 @ Utah L 96–109 Salt Palace Acord Arena 9–2
12 October 31 @ Seattle W 112–96 Kingdome 10–2
November: 7–6 (home: 4–3; road: 3–3)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
13 November 1 @ Golden State L 108–123 Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena 10–3
14 November 5 Phoenix W 114–84 HemisFair Arena 11–3
15 November 8 Los Angeles W 112–109 HemisFair Arena 12–3
16 November 11 Indiana L 113–119 HemisFair Arena 12–4
17 November 12 @ Phoenix L 127–130 Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 12–5
18 November 13 @ San Diego W 113–107 San Diego Sports Arena 13–5
19 November 15 Utah W 120–104 HemisFair Arena 14–5
20 November 18 @ Atlanta L 93–97 The Omni 14–6
21 November 19 @ New Jersey W 112–104 (OT) Rutgers Athletic Center 15–6
22 November 22 Philadelphia L 101–108 HemisFair Arena 15–7
23 November 26 Chicago W 125–122 HemisFair Arena 16–7
24 November 28 Houston L 115–124 HemisFair Arena 16–8
25 November 29 @ Kansas City W 106–104 Kemper Arena 17–8
December: 9–6 (home: 6–1; road: 3–5)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
26 December 2 Phoenix L 107–122 HemisFair Arena 17–9
27 December 4 Cleveland W 130–100 HemisFair Arena 18–9
28 December 7 @ Portland L 115–116 Memorial Coliseum 18–10
29 December 8 @ Seattle L 99–104 Kingdome 18–11
30 December 9 @ Utah W 115–90 Salt Palace Acord Arena 19–11
31 December 11 Kansas City W 122–104 HemisFair Arena 20–11
32 December 13 Denver W 147–123 HemisFair Arena 21–11
33 December 14 @ Milwaukee L 98–115 MECCA Arena 21–12
34 December 16 @ Dallas W 89–83 Reunion Arena 22–12
35 December 17 @ Houston W 113–107 The Summit 23–12
36 December 19 Golden State W 126–111 HemisFair Arena 24–12
37 December 21 @ Los Angeles L 122–135 The Forum 24–13
38 December 25 @ Phoenix L 111–131 Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 24–14
39 December 27 Utah W 142–117 HemisFair Arena 25–14
40 December 30 Seattle W 102–100 HemisFair Arena 26–14
January: 8–6 (home: 6–0; road: 2–6)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
41 January 2 Los Angeles W 118–112 HemisFair Arena 27–14
42 January 3 @ Chicago W 119–111 Chicago Stadium 28–14
43 January 6 @ New York W 113–108 Madison Square Garden 29–14
44 January 7 @ Philadelphia L 102–135 The Spectrum 29–15
45 January 9 Portland W 102–86 HemisFair Arena 30–15
46 January 11 Washington W 137–106 HemisFair Arena 31–15
47 January 14 New York W 116–105 HemisFair Arena 32–15
48 January 16 @ Boston L 85–94 Boston Garden 32–16
49 January 17 @ Washington L 93–103 Capital Centre 32–17
50 January 20 Phoenix W 119–112 (OT) HemisFair Arena 33–17
51 January 21 @ Kansas City L 108–115 Kemper Arena 33–18
52 January 24 @ Denver L 115–129 McNichols Sports Arena 33–19
53 January 25 @ Portland L 100–118 Memorial Coliseum 33–20
54 January 29 New Jersey W 122–108 HemisFair Arena 34–20
February: 10–4 (home: 8–1; road: 2–3)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
55 February 3 Detroit W 102–99 HemisFair Arena 35–20
56 February 4 @ Denver W 135–132 McNichols Sports Arena 36–20
57 February 6 Portland W 122–96 HemisFair Arena 37–20
58 February 8 Dallas W 102–98 HemisFair Arena 38–20
59 February 11 @ Houston L 89–108 The Summit 38–21
60 February 12 Atlanta W 110–109 HemisFair Arena 39–21
61 February 14 @ Dallas W 107–99 Reunion Arena 40–21
62 February 15 Milwaukee W 110–108 HemisFair Arena 41–21
63 February 17 Boston L 116–128 HemisFair Arena 41–22
64 February 19 @ Cleveland L 104–118 Richfield Coliseum 41–23
65 February 20 @ Indiana L 106–109 Market Square Arena 41–24
66 February 22 Denver W 133–129 (OT) HemisFair Arena 42–24
67 February 24 Golden State W 131–126 HemisFair Arena 43–24
68 February 26 Seattle W 123–113 HemisFair Arena 44–24
March: 8–6 (home: 5–2; road: 3–4)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
69 March 1 Houston W 102–86 HemisFair Arena 45–24
70 March 4 Kansas City L 97–111 HemisFair Arena 45–25
71 March 6 @ Seattle L 94–102 Kingdome 45–26
72 March 8 Dallas W 133–108 HemisFair Arena 46–26
73 March 10 @ Los Angeles L 104–118 The Forum 46–27
74 March 14 @ San Diego L 118–126 San Diego Sports Arena 46–28
75 March 15 @ Golden State W 114–112 (OT) Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena 47–28
76 March 17 Utah W 94–86 HemisFair Arena 48–28
77 March 20 @ Kansas City W 114–111 (OT) Kemper Arena 49–28
78 March 22 San Diego W 107–99 HemisFair Arena 50–28
79 March 24 Denver L 123–125 HemisFair Arena 50–29
80 March 25 @ Houston L 111–117 The Summit 50–30
81 March 26 @ Utah W 98–97 Salt Palace Acord Arena 51–30
82 March 29 Houston W 135–109 HemisFair Arena 52–30
1980–81 schedule

Playoffs

1981 playoff game log
Conference semifinals: 3–4 (home: 1–3; road: 2–1)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Series
1 April 7 Houston L 98–107 George Gervin (30) George Johnson (12) Paul Griffin (7) HemisFair Arena
13,319 		0–1
2 April 8 Houston W 125–113 Mark Olberding (34) G. Johnson, Griffin (7) Dave Corzine (7) HemisFair Arena
12,128 		1–1
3 April 10 @ Houston L 99–112 George Gervin (33) Gervin, G. Johnson (8) Mark Olberding (5) The Summit
16,121 		1–2
4 April 12 @ Houston W 114–112 George Gervin (33) Dave Corzine (11) Mark Olberding (6) The Summit
16,121 		2–2
5 April 14 Houston L 117–123 Reggie Johnson (25) George Johnson (11) George Gervin (9) HemisFair Arena
16,114 		2–3
6 April 15 @ Houston W 101–96 George Gervin (26) three players tied (8) Mark Olberding (6) The Summit
16,121 		3–3
7 April 17 Houston L 100–105 George Gervin (21) George Johnson (10) Johnny Moore (10) HemisFair Arena
16,114 		3–4
1981 schedule

Player statistics

Ragular season

Player POS GP GS MP REB AST STL BLK PTS MPG RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
George Gervin SG 82 82 2,765 419 260 94 56 2,221 33.7 5.1 3.2 1.1 .7 27.1
Mark Olberding SF 82 82 2,408 471 277 75 31 1,012 29.4 5.7 3.4 .9 .4 12.3
George T. Johnson C 82 82 1,935 602 92 47 278 408 23.6 7.3 1.1 .6 3.4 5.0
Dave Corzine C 82 1,960 636 117 42 99 857 23.9 7.8 1.4 .5 1.2 10.5
Paul Griffin PF 82 1,930 505 249 77 38 502 23.5 6.2 3.0 .9 .5 6.1
Johnny Moore PG 82 1,578 196 373 120 22 604 19.2 2.4 4.5 1.5 .3 7.4
Reggie Johnson PF 79 1,716 358 78 45 48 808 21.7 4.5 1.0 .6 .6 10.2
James Silas PG 75 2,055 231 285 51 12 1,326 27.4 3.1 3.8 .7 .2 17.7
Kevin Restani SF 64 999 174 81 16 14 449 15.6 2.7 1.3 .3 .2 7.0
Ron Brewer† SG 46 904 53 93 27 25 425 19.7 1.2 2.0 .6 .5 9.2
Mike Gale† PG 35 636 52 99 55 2 192 18.2 1.5 2.8 1.6 .1 5.5
Michael Wiley PF 33 271 64 11 8 6 188 8.2 1.9 .3 .2 .2 5.7
John Shumate† PF 22 519 87 24 21 9 165 23.6 4.0 1.1 1.0 .4 7.5
Gus Gerard† SF 11 129 38 9 7 3 52 11.7 3.5 .8 .6 .3 4.7
  • † Denotes player spent time with another team in the season. Stats reflect time with the Spurs only.

Playoffs

Player POS GP GS MP REB AST STL BLK PTS MPG RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
George Gervin SG 7 274 35 24 5 5 190 39.1 5.0 3.4 .7 .7 27.1
Mark Olberding SF 7 254 41 30 4 0 138 36.3 5.9 4.3 .6 .0 19.7
Reggie Johnson PF 7 224 34 16 4 5 89 32.0 4.9 2.3 .6 .7 12.7
Paul Griffin PF 7 183 40 29 6 5 37 26.1 5.7 4.1 .9 .7 5.3
George T. Johnson C 7 165 63 6 3 16 31 23.6 9.0 .9 .4 2.3 4.4
James Silas PG 7 161 15 19 4 0 80 23.0 2.1 2.7 .6 .0 11.4
Dave Corzine C 7 161 48 16 4 8 63 23.0 6.9 2.3 .6 1.1 9.0
Johnny Moore PG 7 124 13 27 10 1 42 17.7 1.9 3.9 1.4 .1 6.0
Ron Brewer SG 7 118 5 13 1 6 80 16.9 .7 1.9 .1 .9 11.4
Kevin Restani SF 3 11 2 0 0 1 2 3.7 .7 .0 .0 .3 .7
Michael Wiley PF 3 5 0 0 0 0 2 1.7 .0 .0 .0 .0 .7

Award winners

  • George Gervin, All-NBA First Team
  • George Johnson, NBA Leader Blocks per Game, 3.4

Transactions

References

  1. ^ "Complete First Round Results — 1980-89". NBA.com. Archived from the original on March 21, 2010. Retrieved April 15, 2009.
  2. ^ a b San Antonio Spurs (1973-Present)