1995–96 Philadelphia 76ers season

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] and veteran point guard Scott Skiles, who then retired in January after only just ten games with the team.^[11]

1995–96 Philadelphia 76ers season
Head coach	John Lucas
Arena	CoreStates Spectrum
Results
Record	18–64 (.220)
Place	Division: 7th (Atlantic) Conference: 15th (Eastern)
Playoff finish	Did not qualify
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
Television	WPSG SportsChannel Philadelphia PRISM
Radio	WIP
< 1994–95 1996–97 >

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.^{[12][13][14][15]} At midseason, second-year forward Sharone Wright was dealt to the expansion Toronto Raptors in exchange for Tony Massenburg and Ed Pinckney,^{[16][17][18][19]} while Jeff Malone was released to free agency, and later signed as a free agent with the Miami Heat.^[20] 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,^[21] 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.^[22]

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,^[23][24][25] 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.^[26] 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,^[27][28][29] while Massenburg signed with the New Jersey Nets,^[30] head coach John Lucas II was fired,^[31][32] and Ruffin, Pinckney, Dumas, Higgins and Alston were all released to free agency.

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   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   6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 230 lb (104 kg) –– North Carolina

Head coach John Lucas II Assistant coach(es) Ron Adams Maurice Cheeks Tom Thibodeau Legend (DP) Unsigned draft pick (FA) Free agent (S) Suspended   Injured Roster Last transaction: {{{access-date}}}

Roster Notes

• Point guard Scott Skiles retired on January 6.

Regular season

Season standings

Atlantic Division	W	L	PCT	GB	Home	Road	Div	GP
y – Orlando Magic	60	22	.732	12.0	37‍–‍4	23‍–‍18	21–3	82
x – New York Knicks	47	35	.573	25.0	26‍–‍15	21‍–‍20	16–8	82
x – Miami Heat	42	40	.512	30.0	26‍–‍15	16‍–‍25	13–12	82
Washington Bullets	39	43	.476	33.0	25‍–‍16	14‍–‍27	10–14	82
Boston Celtics	33	49	.402	39.0	18‍–‍23	15‍–‍26	12–12	82
New Jersey Nets	30	52	.366	42.0	20‍–‍21	10‍–‍31	8–17	82
Philadelphia 76ers	18	64	.220	54.0	11‍–‍30	7‍–‍34	5–19	82

Eastern Conference
#	Team	W	L	PCT	GB	GP
1	z – Chicago Bulls	72	10	.878	–	82
2	y – Orlando Magic	60	22	.732	12.0	82
3	x – Indiana Pacers	52	30	.634	20.0	82
4	x – Cleveland Cavaliers	47	35	.573	25.0	82
5	x – New York Knicks	47	35	.573	25.0	82
6	x – Atlanta Hawks	46	36	.561	26.0	82
7	x – Detroit Pistons	46	36	.561	26.0	82
8	x – Miami Heat	42	40	.512	30.0	82
9	Charlotte Hornets	41	41	.500	31.0	82
10	Washington Bullets	39	43	.476	33.0	82
11	Boston Celtics	33	49	.402	39.0	82
12	New Jersey Nets	30	52	.366	42.0	82
13	Milwaukee Bucks	25	57	.305	47.0	82
14	Toronto Raptors	21	61	.256	51.0	82
15	Philadelphia 76ers	18	64	.220	54.0	82

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

• Jerry Stackhouse, NBA All-Rookie Team 1st Team

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. "SPORTS PEOPLE: PRO BASKETBALL; Sixers Sign Skiles". The New York Times. December 13, 1995. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
12. Brown, Clifton (December 1, 1995). "PRO BASKETBALL; Nets Grant Coleman's Wish with Trade to Sixers". The New York Times. Retrieved July 21, 2017.
13. 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.
14. "Nets' Coleman to 76ers for Bradley". The Washington Post. December 1, 1995. Retrieved September 24, 2022.
15. "76ers Trade Bradley for Coleman". Deseret News. Associated Press. December 1, 1995. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
16. "Toronto Sends Pinckney and Massenburg to Philadelphia for Wright". Associated Press. February 22, 1996. Retrieved July 29, 2021.
17. "Wright to Raptors". United Press International. February 22, 1996. Retrieved December 13, 2022.
18. "Hardaway Heads for the Heat in Trade". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. February 23, 1996. Retrieved September 24, 2022.
19. "Riley's Heat The Big Movers on D-Day". Deseret News. Associated Press. February 23, 1996. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
20. Winderman, Ira (January 6, 1996). "Mourning Travels West". Sun Sentinel. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
21. "NBA Games Played on February 8, 1996". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
22. "1995–96 Philadelphia 76ers Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved July 1, 2021.
23. "Stoudamire Named Top Rookie After Lukewarm NBA Reception". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. May 16, 1996. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
24. "Raptors' Stoudamire Easily Captures Rookie Honors". Chicago Tribune. Tribune News Services. May 16, 1996. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
25. "1995–96 NBA Awards Voting". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
26. "1995–96 Philadelphia 76ers Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved July 1, 2021.
27. "Spurs Add a Dose of Vernon Maxwell". Tampa Bay Times. August 30, 1996. Retrieved January 18, 2022.
28. "Spurs Add Some Grit with Maxwell". SFGate. August 30, 1996. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
29. "Unseld Testifies in Name Change". The Spokesman-Review. Wire Services. August 30, 1996. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
30. "Hungary Faked Qualifying Meet for Olympic Swimming". Los Angeles Times. Staff and Wire Reports. September 11, 1996. Retrieved October 10, 2022.
31. "NBA PLAYOFFS; 76ers Dismiss Lucas as Coach". The New York Times. May 14, 1996. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
32. "Lucas Fired as Coach of 76ers". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. May 14, 1996. Retrieved February 1, 2023.

See also

• 1995-96 NBA season