1988–89 New Jersey Nets season

The 1988–89 New Jersey Nets season was the Nets' 13th season in the NBA.^[1] The Nets had the fourth overall pick in the 1988 NBA draft, and selected Chris Morris from the University of Auburn.^{[2][3][4][5][6]} During the off-season, the Nets acquired Walter Berry from the San Antonio Spurs,^[7][8][9] and acquired Mike McGee from the Sacramento Kings.^[10][11][12] Before the start of the season, the team acquired Joe Barry Carroll and Lester Conner from the Houston Rockets.^[13][14][15] However, Berry was later on released to free agency after 29 games with the Nets, and signed with the Rockets midway through the season.^[16][17][18] The Nets held an 18–29 record at the All-Star break,^[19] but struggled for the remainder of the season, posting an 8–27 record, and finishing fifth in the Atlantic Division with a 26–56 record.^[20]

1988–89 New Jersey Nets season
Head coach	Willis Reed
General manager	Harry Weltman
Arena	Brendan Byrne Arena
Results
Record	26–56 (.317)
Place	Division: 5th (Atlantic) Conference: 11th (Eastern)
Playoff finish	Did not qualify
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
Television	WWOR-TV SportsChannel New York (Steve Albert, Bill Raftery, Jim Spanarkel)
Radio	WNEW (Howard David, Jim Spanarkel, Mike O'Koren)
< 1987–88 1989–90 >

A ticket for a December 1988 game between the Nets and the Charlotte Hornets.

Roy Hinson averaged 16.0 points and 6.4 rebounds per game, while Morris averaged 14.1 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game, was selected to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team, and finished in third place in Rookie of the Year voting,^[21][22][23] and Buck Williams provided the team with 13.0 points and 9.4 rebounds per game. In addition, Carroll averaged 14.1 points, 7.4 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game, while McGee contributed 13.0 points per game, second-year guard Dennis Hopson provided with 12.7 points per game, and Conner contributed 10.3 points, 7.4 assists and 2.2 steals per game.^[24]

Following the season, Williams was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers,^{[25][26][27][28]} while McGee was released to free agency, and John Bagley was traded to the Boston Celtics.^[29][30][31]

Draft picks

Main article: 1988 NBA draft

Round	Pick	Player	Position	Nationality	College
1	4	Chris Morris	SF	United States	Auburn
2	32	Charles Shackleford	PF/C	United States	North Carolina State
3	52	Derrick Hamilton	SF	United States	Southern Mississippi

Roster

1988–89 New Jersey Nets roster

Players

Coaches

Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB From G 5 Bagley, John 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1960-04-23 Boston College C 11 Carroll, Joe Barry 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1958-07-24 Purdue G 15 Conner, Lester 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1959-09-17 Oregon State G 12 Gaines, Corey 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1965-06-01 Loyola Marymount F 23 Hinson, Roy 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1961-05-02 Rutgers G 2 Hopson, Dennis 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 1965-04-22 Ohio State F 20 Jones, Bill 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 1966-03-18 Iowa F 24 Lee, Keith 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1962-12-28 Memphis G 22 McGee, Mike 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1959-07-29 Michigan F 34 Morris, Chris 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1966-01-20 Auburn C 33 Shackleford, Charles 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1966-04-22 NC State F 52 Williams, Buck 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1960-03-08 Maryland

Head coach Willis Reed Assistant coach(es) Butch Beard Lee Rose Paul Silas Legend (DP) Unsigned draft pick (FA) Free agent (S) Suspended   Injured Roster Last transaction: {{{access-date}}}

Regular season

Season standings

Atlantic Division v t e	W	L	PCT	GB	Home	Road	Div
y-New York Knicks	52	30	.634	–	35–6	17–24	18–12
x-Philadelphia 76ers	46	36	.561	6	30–11	16–25	19–11
x-Boston Celtics	42	40	.512	10	32–9	10–31	19–11
Washington Bullets	40	42	.488	12	30–11	10–31	17–13
New Jersey Nets	26	56	.317	26	17–24	9–32	9–21
Charlotte Hornets	20	62	.244	32	12–29	8–33	8–22

#	Eastern Conference v t e
	Team	W	L	PCT	GB
1	z-Detroit Pistons	63	19	.768	–
2	y-New York Knicks	52	30	.634	11
3	x-Cleveland Cavaliers	57	25	.695	6
4	x-Atlanta Hawks	52	30	.634	11
5	x-Milwaukee Bucks	49	33	.598	14
6	x-Chicago Bulls	47	35	.573	16
7	x-Philadelphia 76ers	46	36	.561	17
8	x-Boston Celtics	42	40	.512	21
9	Washington Bullets	40	42	.488	23
10	Indiana Pacers	28	54	.341	35
11	New Jersey Nets	26	56	.317	37
12	Charlotte Hornets	20	62	.244	43

z – clinched division title

y – clinched division title

x – clinched playoff spot

Record vs. opponents

1988-89 NBA Records
Team	ATL	BOS	CHA	CHI	CLE	DAL	DEN	DET	GSW	HOU	IND	LAC	LAL	MIA	MIL	NJN	NYK	PHI	PHO	POR	SAC	SAS	SEA	UTA	WAS
Atlanta	–	3–1	4–1	4–2	4–2	1–1	0–2	1–5	1–1	1–1	5–1	2–0	1–1	1–1	6–0	4–1	2–2	2–2	1–1	1–1	2–0	1–1	1–1	1–1	3–1
Boston	1–3	–	6–0	1–3	1–4	1–1	1–1	1–3	1–1	1–1	2–3	2–0	1–1	2–0	2–2	5–1	3–3	3–3	0–2	1–1	2–0	2–0	0–2	1–1	2–4
Charlotte	1–4	0–6	–	1–4	0–4	0–2	0–2	0–4	0–2	0–2	2–2	2–0	0–2	1–1	0–4	2–4	2–4	3–3	0–2	0–2	1–1	2–0	1–1	1–1	1–5
Chicago	2–4	3–1	4–1	–	0–6	2–0	1–1	0–6	1–1	1–1	4–2	1–1	2–0	2–0	6–0	2–2	3–2	1–3	1–1	2–0	2–0	2–0	2–0	0–2	3–1
Cleveland	2–4	4–1	4–0	6–0	–	2–0	2–0	3–3	1–1	1–1	5–1	1–1	0–2	2–0	3–3	4–0	2–2	3–2	2–0	2–0	2–0	2–0	1–1	1–1	2–2
Dallas	1–1	1–1	2–0	0–2	0–2	–	3–3	0–2	1–3	1–5	1–1	3–1	0–4	6–0	0–2	1–1	0–2	1–1	1–3	2–2	2–2	5–1	2–2	4–2	1–1
Denver	2–0	1–1	2–0	1–1	0–2	3–3	–	1–1	3–1	4–2	1–1	2–2	1–3	5–1	0–2	1–1	1–1	1–1	1–3	2–2	3–1	3–3	2–2	3–3	1–1
Detroit	5–1	3–1	4–0	6–0	3–3	2–0	1–1	–	1–1	1–1	4–2	2–0	2–0	2–0	2–4	4–0	0–4	5–0	2–0	1–1	2–0	2–0	2–0	2–0	5–0
Golden State	1–1	1–1	2–0	1–1	1–1	3–1	1–3	1–1	–	1–3	1–1	5–1	2–3	4–0	0–2	2–0	2–0	1–1	2–4	2–4	2–3	3–1	2–4	2–2	1–1
Houston	1–1	1–1	2–0	1–1	1–1	5–1	2–4	1–1	3–1	–	2–0	2–2	1–3	4–2	1–1	2–0	0–2	0–2	1–3	3–1	2–2	6–0	2–2	2–4	0–2
Indiana	1–5	3–2	2–2	2–4	1–5	1–1	1–1	2–4	1–1	0–2	–	1–1	0–2	1–1	2–4	1–3	0–5	0–4	1–1	2–0	1–1	2–0	1–1	1–1	1–3
L.A. Clippers	0–2	0–2	0–2	1–1	1–1	1–3	2–2	0–2	1–5	2–2	1–1	–	1–5	1–3	0–2	1–1	0–2	0–2	1–5	1–5	2–3	3–1	1–4	1–3	0–2
L.A. Lakers	1–1	1–1	2–0	0–2	2–0	4–0	3–1	0–2	3–2	3–1	2–0	5–1	–	4–0	1–1	1–1	1–1	2–0	3–3	5–0	5–1	3–1	4–2	1–3	1–1
Miami	1–1	0–2	1–1	0–2	0–2	0–6	1–5	0–2	0–4	2–4	1–1	3–1	0–4	–	0–2	1–1	1–1	0–2	0–4	0–4	1–3	2–4	0–4	1–5	0–2
Milwaukee	0–6	2–2	4–0	0–6	3–3	2–0	2–0	4–2	2–0	1–1	4–2	2–0	1–1	2–0	–	4–1	1–3	3–1	1–1	2–0	2–0	1–1	1–1	1–1	4–1
New Jersey	1–4	1–5	4–2	2–2	0–4	1–1	1–1	0–4	0–2	0–2	3–1	1–1	1–1	1–1	1–4	–	2–4	1–5	1–1	0–2	1–1	1–1	2–0	0–2	1–5
New York	2–2	3–3	4–2	2–3	2–2	2–0	1–1	4–0	0–2	2–0	5–0	2–0	1–1	1–1	3–1	4–2	–	2–4	1–1	2–0	1–1	1–1	1–1	1–1	5–1
Philadelphia	2–2	3–3	3–3	3–1	2–3	1–1	1–1	0–5	1–1	2–0	4–0	2–0	0–2	2–0	1–3	5–1	4–2	–	0–2	1–1	2–0	1–1	1–1	1–1	4–2
Phoenix	1–1	2–0	2–0	1–1	0–2	3–1	3–1	0–2	4–2	3–1	1–1	5–1	3–3	4–0	1–1	1–1	1–1	2–0	–	2–3	5–1	3–1	4–1	2–2	2–0
Portland	1–1	1–1	2–0	0–2	0–2	2–2	2–2	1–1	4–2	1–3	0–2	5–1	0–5	4–0	0–2	2–0	0–2	1–1	3–2	–	3–3	4–0	2–4	0–4	1–1
Sacramento	0–2	0–2	1–1	0–2	0–2	2–2	1–3	0–2	3–2	2–2	1–1	3–2	1–5	3–1	0–2	1–1	1–1	0–2	1–5	3–3	–	2–2	1–5	1–3	0–2
San Antonio	1–1	0–2	0–2	0–2	0–2	1–5	3–3	0–2	1–3	0–6	0–2	1–3	1–3	4–2	1–1	1–1	1–1	1–1	1–3	0–4	2–2	–	0–4	1–5	1–1
Seattle	1–1	2–0	1–1	0–2	1–1	2–2	2–2	0–2	4–2	2–2	1–1	4–1	2–4	4–0	1–1	0–2	1–1	1–1	1–4	4–2	5–1	4–0	–	3–1	1–1
Utah	1–1	1–1	1–1	2–0	1–1	2–4	3–3	0–2	2–2	4–2	1–1	3–1	3–1	5–1	1–1	2–0	1–1	1–1	2–2	4–0	3–1	5–1	1–3	–	2–0
Washington	1–3	4–2	5–1	1–3	2–2	1–1	1–1	0–5	1–1	2–0	3–1	2–0	1–1	2–0	1–4	5–1	1–5	2–4	0–2	1–1	2–0	1–1	1–1	0–2	—

Awards and records

• Chris Morris, NBA All-Rookie Team 2nd Team

Transactions

• June 23, 1988: Dwayne Washington drafted in the NBA expansion draft by the Miami Heat.
• July 1, 1988: Released Dudley Bradley.
• July 19, 1988: Signed Anthony Bowie as a free agent.
• August 10, 1988: Orlando Woolridge signed as an unrestricted free agent with the Los Angeles Lakers.
• August 29, 1988: Traded Dallas Comegys to the San Antonio Spurs for Walter Berry.
• August 30, 1988: Signed Kevin Williams as a free agent.
• August 31, 1988: Waived Otis Birdsong.
• October 4, 1988: Signed Frank Johnson as a free agent.
• October 31, 1988: Traded a 1991 2nd round draft pick and a 1996 2nd round draft pick to the Sacramento Kings for Mike McGee.
• November 1, 1988: Waived Anthony Bowie.
• November 2, 1988: Traded Tony Brown, Frank Johnson, Tim McCormick and Lorenzo Romar to the Houston Rockets for Joe Barry Carroll and Lester Conner.
• November 23, 1988: Signed Ron Cavenall as a free agent.
• December 27, 1988: Waived Ron Cavenall.
• January 30, 1989: Waived Walter Berry.
• January 31, 1989: Signed Bill Jones as a free agent.
• February 7, 1989: Signed Corey Gaines to the first of two 10-day contracts.
• February 27, 1989: Signed Corey Gaines as a free agent.
• March 3, 1989: Waived Kevin Williams.

Player Transactions Citation:^[32]

References

1. 1988-89 New Jersey Nets
2. Goldaper, Sam (June 29, 1988). "N.B.A. Draft; Manning, Then 3-Way Trade Give Hope to Lowly Clippers". The New York Times. Retrieved February 14, 2022.
3. Baker, Chris (June 29, 1988). "1988 NBA DRAFT: Clippers Choose Manning, Then Play for Position: They Trade Cage, End Up with Smith and Grant". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
4. Love, Ian (June 29, 1988). "The Los Angeles Clippers Gave Up the League's Best..." United Press International. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
5. Brown, Clifton (November 2, 1988). "Nets Hope a New Cast Will Improve the Show". The New York Times. Retrieved June 20, 2023.
6. "1988 NBA Draft". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
7. "Nets Get Walter Berry". The New York Times. August 30, 1988. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
8. "Spurs Trade Berry to Nets for Comegys". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. August 30, 1988. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
9. Goldaper, Sam (October 30, 1988). "N.B.A. '88-'89; League Is Changing, But Lakers Are Still on Top". The New York Times. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
10. "Nets Acquire Kings' McGee". The New York Times. November 1, 1988. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
11. "The Sacramento Kings Traded Guard Mike McGee..." Los Angeles Times. November 1, 1988. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
12. "Mike McGee Scored a Game-High 29 Points Against His..." United Press International. November 27, 1988. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
13. Goldaper, Sam (November 3, 1988). "Nets Acquire Rockets' Carroll". The New York Times. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
14. "Rockets Send Joe Barry Carroll to the Nets in a Six-Player Trade". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. November 3, 1988. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
15. "Nets Obtain Carroll from Rockets in 6-Player Deal". Los Angeles Times. November 3, 1988. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
16. Brown, Clifton (January 31, 1989). "Unhappy Berry Is Waived by Nets". The New York Times. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
17. "Sports Digest". United Press International. February 2, 1989. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
18. Valenti, John (February 26, 1989). "Berry Starts Fourth "New Beginning"". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
19. "NBA Games Played on February 9, 1989". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
20. "1988–89 New Jersey Nets Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
21. "IN BRIEF: Richmond Wins Gottlieb Trophy". Los Angeles Times. Times Wire Services. May 1, 1989. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
22. "NBA Honors Richmond as Top Rookie". Deseret News. May 1, 1989. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
23. "1988–89 NBA Awards Voting". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
24. "1988–89 New Jersey Nets Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
25. "Trail Blazers Trade Bowie and First-Round Pick for Nets' Williams". United Press International. June 24, 1989. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
26. Brown, Clifton (June 25, 1989). "PRO-BASKETBALL; Nets Get Bowie for Buck Williams". The New York Times. Retrieved February 14, 2022.
27. "Trail Blazers Trade Bowie, No. 12 Pick in Draft to Nets for Buck Williams". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. June 25, 1989. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
28. "Blazers Trade Bowie, No. 12 Pick for Williams". Deseret News. Associated Press. June 25, 1989. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
29. "For the Record". The Washington Post. October 5, 1989. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
30. "Nets Trade Bagley to Celtics". United Press International. October 5, 1989. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
31. "Celtics Get Bagley in Trade with Nets". United Press International. October 6, 1989. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
32. "1988–89 New Jersey Nets Transactions". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 11, 2022.