1990–91 Seattle SuperSonics season

The 1990–91 NBA season was the 23rd season for the Seattle SuperSonics in the National Basketball Association.^[1] Head coach Bernie Bickerstaff was replaced by his former assistant K. C. Jones, and went on to occupy the desk of vice-president of Basketball Operations for Seattle,^[2] resigning months later to accept a job as General Manager of the Denver Nuggets.^[3] The Draft Lottery gave the SuperSonics the No. 2 pick, which was used to select future All-Star point guard Gary Payton out of Oregon State in the 1990 NBA draft.^[4][5][6]

1990–91 Seattle SuperSonics season
Head coach	K. C. Jones
General manager	Bob Whitsitt
Arena	Seattle Center Coliseum
Results
Record	41–41 (.500)
Place	Division: 5th (Pacific) Conference: 8th (Western)
Playoff finish	West First Round (lost to Trail Blazers 2–3)
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
Television	KING-TV KTZZ-TV Prime Sports Northwest
Radio	KJR
< 1989–90 1991–92 >

Substantial changes were made on the roster, first by trading Sonics referent Xavier McDaniel to the Phoenix Suns in exchange for Eddie Johnson during the first months of competition.^{[7][8][9][10]} Following the All-Star break, the team traded Dale Ellis, whose off-the-court problems were the focus of much unwanted attention,^[11][12] to the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for Ricky Pierce,^{[13][14][15][16]} and sent center Olden Polynice to the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for Benoit Benjamin.^[17][18][19] The Sonics held a 22–23 record at the All-Star break,^[20] and would finish with a 41–41 record like the previous season, this time being able to reach the playoffs as the #8 seed in the Western Conference, where they lost in the Western Conference First Round to the top-seeded Portland Trail Blazers in five games.^{[21][22][23][24]}

Johnson averaged 17.4 points per game with the team after the trade, while Derrick McKey averaged 15.3 points and 5.8 rebounds per game, and second-year forward Shawn Kemp showed improvement, averaging 15.0 points, 8.4 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game. In addition, Sedale Threatt contributed 12.7 points and 1.4 steals per game, while Payton provided with 7.2 points, 6.4 assists and 2.0 steals per game, and was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team, and Michael Cage averaged 6.4 points and 6.8 rebounds per game.^[25] Following the season, Threatt was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers.^[26][27]

Offseason

Draft picks

Main article: 1990 NBA draft

Of the 3 players Seattle picked in the draft only Gary Payton would stay with the team, since Jud Buechler was traded to the New Jersey Nets and Abdul Shamsid-Deen went to Europe to play for the French team Paris Basket Racing.

Round	Pick	Player	Position	Nationality	College
1	2	Gary Payton	PG	United States	Oregon State
2	38	Jud Buechler	SF/SG	United States	Arizona
2	53	Abdul Shamsid-Deen	C	United States	Providence

Pre-season

1990 Pre-season Game Log: 5–3
#	Date	Opponent	Score	Location	Record	Recap
1	October 12	Golden State Warriors	L 111–134	Spokane Coliseum	0–1
2	October 15	Golden State Warriors	L 97–117	Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena	0–2
3	October 18	Chicago Bulls	W 109–103	Florida Suncoast Dome	1–2
4	October 21	Detroit Pistons	W 101–82	East Lansing, Michigan	2–2
5	October 23	Chicago Bulls	L 90–102	The Kingdome	2–3
6	October 24	Chicago Bulls	W 109–87	Pacific Coliseum	3–3
7	October 27	Sacramento Kings	W 98–89	ARCO Arena	4–3
8	October 29	Sacramento Kings	W 117–116	Chico, California	5–3

Roster

1990–91 Seattle SuperSonics roster

Players

Coaches

Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB From G 11 Barros, Dana 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 163 lb (74 kg) 1967–04–13 Boston College C 00 Benjamin, Benoit 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 250 lb (113 kg) 1964–11–22 Creighton F/C 44 Cage, Michael 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 224 lb (102 kg) 1962–01–28 San Diego State C 42 Corzine, Dave  6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 250 lb (113 kg) 1956–04–25 DePaul G 20 Dailey, Quintin 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1961–01–22 San Francisco F 22 Johnson, Eddie 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1959–05–01 Illinois F 40 Kemp, Shawn 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 230 lb (104 kg) 1969–11–26 Trinity Valley CC F 31 McKey, Derrick 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 1966–10–10 Alabama G 10 McMillan, Nate 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1964–08–03 NC State F 8 Meents, Scott 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1964–01–04 Illinois G 2 Payton, Gary 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1968–07–23 Oregon State G 21 Pierce, Ricky 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 1959–08–19 Rice G 4 Threatt, Sedale 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 1961–09–10 West Virginia Tech

Head coach K. C. Jones Assistant coach(es) Bob Kloppenburg Kip Motta Gary Wortman Legend (DP) Unsigned draft pick (FA) Free agent (S) Suspended Injured

Regular season

Season standings

Pacific Division v t e	W	L	PCT	GB	Home	Road	Div
y-Portland Trail Blazers	63	19	.768	—	36–5	27–14	18-10
x-Los Angeles Lakers	58	24	.707	5	33–8	25-16	19-9
x-Phoenix Suns	55	27	.671	8	32–9	23-18	17–11
x-Golden State Warriors	44	38	.537	19	30–11	14–27	13–15
x-Seattle SuperSonics	41	41	.500	22	28-13	13–28	12-16
Los Angeles Clippers	31	51	.378	32	23–18	8-33	10-18
Sacramento Kings	25	57	.305	38	24-17	1–40	9–19

y – clinched division title

x – clinched playoff spot

#	Western Conference v t e
	Team	W	L	PCT	GB
1	z-Portland Trail Blazers	63	19	.768	–
2	y-San Antonio Spurs	55	27	.671	8
3	x-Los Angeles Lakers	58	24	.707	5
4	x-Phoenix Suns	55	27	.671	8
5	x-Utah Jazz	54	28	.659	9
6	x-Houston Rockets	52	30	.634	11
7	x-Golden State Warriors	44	38	.537	19
8	x-Seattle SuperSonics	41	41	.500	22
9	Orlando Magic	31	51	.378	32
10	Los Angeles Clippers	31	51	.378	32
11	Minnesota Timberwolves	29	53	.354	34
12	Dallas Mavericks	28	54	.341	35
13	Sacramento Kings	25	57	.305	38
14	Denver Nuggets	20	62	.244	43

z – clinched division title

y – clinched division title

x – clinched playoff spot

Record vs. opponents

1990–91 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	–	3–1	1–4	1–4	3–2	2–0	1–1	0–5	1–1	1–1	4–1	2–0	1–1	4–0	2–3	1–1	3–1	3–1	1–1	0–4	0–2	1–1	2–0	2–0	1–1	1–1	2–2
Boston	1–3	–	3–1	2–2	3–1	2–0	2–0	2–2	1–1	2–0	2–2	2–0	1–1	4–1	2–2	2–0	4–1	5–0	1–1	2–3	1–1	1–1	2–0	1–1	2–0	1–1	5–1
Charlotte	4–1	1–3	–	0–5	1–4	1–1	0–2	1–4	1–1	0–2	0–5	1–1	0–2	2–2	2–3	1–1	2–2	0–4	2–0	2–2	0–2	0–2	2–0	1–1	0–2	0–2	2–2
Chicago	4–1	2–2	5–0	–	5–0	2–0	2–0	3–2	1–1	0–2	4–1	2–0	1–1	4–0	4–1	2–0	3–1	4–0	2–0	1–3	1–1	0–2	2–0	0–2	2–0	2–0	3–1
Cleveland	2–3	1–3	4–1	0–5	–	2–0	1–1	2–3	0–2	0–2	1–4	1–1	1–1	3–1	2–3	1–1	2–2	3–1	2–0	2–2	0–2	0–2	1–1	0–2	1–1	0–2	1–3
Dallas	0–2	0–2	1–1	0–2	0–2	–	3–1	0–2	2–2	1–3	2–0	1–3	2–2	0–2	1–1	1–4	2–0	2–0	1–4	1–1	0–4	1–3	2–2	1–4	2–2	0–5	2–0
Denver	1–1	0–2	2–0	0–2	1–1	1–3	–	0–2	1–3	0–5	0–2	0–4	0–4	0–2	1–1	3–2	1–1	1–1	2–3	0–2	0–4	0–4	3–1	1–4	0–4	1–3	1–1
Detroit	5–0	2–2	4–1	2–3	3–2	2–0	2–0	–	1–1	2–0	3–2	2–0	0–2	3–1	2–3	2–0	3–1	1–3	2–0	2–2	0–2	1–1	2–0	0–2	1–1	0–2	3–1
Golden State	1–1	1–1	1–1	1–1	2–0	2–2	3–1	1–1	–	2–2	1–1	3–2	2–3	2–0	1–1	3–1	1–1	2–0	2–2	2–0	1–3	2–3	2–3	2–2	3–1	1–3	0–2
Houston	1–1	0–2	2–0	2–0	2–0	3–1	5–0	0–2	2–2	–	1–1	2–2	1–3	2–0	2–0	5–0	2–0	2–0	3–2	2–0	3–1	0–4	3–1	2–3	2–2	2–2	1–1
Indiana	1–4	2–2	5–0	1–4	4–1	0–2	2–0	2–3	1–1	1–1	–	1–1	0–2	2–2	2–3	1–1	3–1	2–2	1–1	1–3	1–1	0–2	2–0	1–1	1–1	2–0	2–2
L.A. Clippers	0–2	0–2	1–1	0–2	1–1	3–1	4–0	0–2	2–3	2–2	1–1	–	0–4	0–2	1–1	3–1	1–1	0–2	1–3	0–2	2–3	1–3	3–2	2–2	2–3	1–3	0–2
L.A. Lakers	1–1	1–1	2–0	1–1	1–1	2–2	4–0	2–0	3–2	3–1	2–0	4–0	–	2–0	0–2	3–1	2–0	1–1	4–0	1–1	3–2	2–3	4–0	3–1	3–2	2–2	2–0
Miami	0–4	1–4	2–2	0–4	1–3	2–0	2–0	1–3	0–2	0–2	2–2	2–0	0–2	–	0–4	0–2	3–3	1–4	1–1	1–4	0–2	0–2	1–1	0–2	0–2	1–1	3–2
Milwaukee	3–2	2–2	3–2	1–4	3–2	1–1	1–1	3–2	1–1	0–2	3–2	1–1	2–0	4–0	–	1–1	2–2	4–0	2–0	2–2	1–1	1–1	1–1	1–1	1–1	1–1	3–1
Minnesota	1–1	0–2	1–1	0–2	1–1	4–1	2–3	0–2	1–3	0–5	1–1	1–3	1–3	2–0	1–1	–	1–1	1–1	2–2	2–0	0–4	0–4	3–1	0–4	2–2	1–4	1–1
New Jersey	1–3	1–4	2–2	1–3	2–2	0–2	1–1	1–3	1–1	0–2	1–3	1–1	0–2	3–3	2–2	1–1	–	0–5	1–1	2–3	1–1	0–2	1–1	0–2	1–1	0–2	2–3
New York	1–3	0–5	4–0	0–4	1–3	0–2	1–1	3–1	0–2	0–2	2–2	2–0	1–1	4–1	0–4	1–1	5–0	–	0–2	5–1	0–2	0–2	2–0	1–1	1–1	2–0	3–2
Orlando	1–1	1–1	0–2	0–2	0–2	4–1	3–2	0–2	2–2	2–3	1–1	3–1	0–4	1–1	0–2	2–2	1–1	2–0	–	0–2	2–2	0–4	2–2	1–3	1–3	1–4	1–1
Philadelphia	4–0	3–2	2–2	3–1	2–2	1–1	2–0	2–2	0–2	0–2	3–1	2–0	1–1	4–1	2–2	0–2	3–2	1–5	2–0	–	1–1	1–1	1–1	0–2	1–1	0–2	3–2
Phoenix	2–0	1–1	2–0	1–1	2–0	4–0	4–0	2–0	3–1	1–3	1–1	3–2	2–3	2–0	1–1	4–0	1–1	2–0	2–2	1–1	–	3–2	3–1	1–3	3–2	2–2	2–0
Portland	1–1	1–1	2–0	2–0	2–0	3–1	4–0	1–1	3–2	4–0	2–0	3–1	3–2	2–0	1–1	4–0	2–0	2–0	4–0	1–1	2–3	–	3–2	2–2	4–0	3–1	2–0
Sacramento	0–2	0–2	0–2	0–2	1–1	2–2	1–3	0–2	3–2	1–3	0–2	2–3	0–4	1–1	1–1	1–3	1–1	0–2	2–2	1–1	1–3	2–3	–	1–3	1–4	1–3	2–0
San Antonio	0–2	1–1	1–1	2–0	2–0	4–1	4–1	2–0	2–2	3–2	1–1	2–2	1–3	2–0	1–1	4–0	2–0	1–1	3–1	2–0	3–1	2–2	3–1	–	3–1	2–3	2–0
Seattle	1–1	0–2	2–0	0–2	1–1	2–2	4–0	1–1	1–3	2–2	1–1	3–2	2–3	2–0	1–1	2–2	1–1	1–1	3–1	1–1	2–3	0–4	4–1	1–3	–	1–3	2–0
Utah	1–1	1–1	2–0	0–2	2–0	5–0	3–1	2–0	3–1	2–2	0–2	3–1	2–2	1–1	1–1	4–1	2–0	0–2	4–1	2–0	2–2	1–3	3–1	3–2	3–1	–	2–0
Washington	2–2	1–5	2–2	1–3	3–1	0–2	1–1	1–3	2–0	1–1	2–2	2–0	0–2	2–3	1–3	1–1	3–2	2–3	1–1	2–3	0–2	0–2	0–2	0–2	0–2	0–2	—

Game log

1990–91 game log Total: 41–41 (home: 28–13; road: 13–28)
November: 4–7 (home: 3–4; road: 1–3) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Record 1 November 3 Houston Rockets W 118–106 X. McDaniel (24) S. Kemp (10) X. McDaniel, S. Threatt (7) Seattle Center Coliseum 13,922 1–0 2 November 6 Detroit Pistons W 100–92 X. McDaniel (24) S. Kemp (13) G. Payton (6) Seattle Center Coliseum 13,078 2–0 3 November 9 @ Denver Nuggets W 135–129 X. McDaniel (27) D. McKey (14) G. Payton (10) McNichols Sports Arena 10,571 3–0 4 November 10 Golden State Warriors L 100–117 X. McDaniel (26) X. McDaniel, D. McKey (9) G. Payton (9) Tacoma Dome 13,130 3–1 5 November 13 New York Knicks L 100-116 (OT) S. Threatt (24) X. McDaniel (10) G. Payton (7) Seattle Center Coliseum 12,352 3–2 6 November 17 Chicago Bulls L 95–116 X. McDaniel (17) M. Cage (7) G. Payton (5) Seattle Center Coliseum 14,692 3–3 7 November 18 @ Los Angeles Clippers L 65–78 S. Kemp (11) M. Cage (10) G. Payton (5) Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena 10,980 3–4 8 November 20 New Jersey Nets W 105–88 X. McDaniel (35) S. Kemp (8) G. Payton (9) Seattle Center Coliseum 10,466 4–4 9 November 23 @ Utah Jazz L 96–97 X. McDaniel (33) D. McKey (11) S. Threatt (12) Salt Palace 12,616 4–5 10 November 27 San Antonio Spurs L 111–124 Q. Dailey (29) M. Cage (8) G. Payton (8) Seattle Center Coliseum 13,293 4–6 11 November 29 @ Phoenix L 110–128 D. McKey (26) S. Kemp (11) G. Payton (6) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 14,487 4–7
December : 8–8 (home: 4–1; road: 4–7) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Record 12 December 1 Portland Trail Blazers L 124-130 (3 OT) X. McDaniel (41) M. Cage (15) G. Payton (8) Seattle Center Coliseum 14,674 4–8 13 December 3 @ Boston Celtics L 102–135 S. Threatt (20) O. Polynice (9) D. Barros (6) Boston Garden 14,890 4–9 14 December 4 @ New Jersey Nets L 102–106 S. Threatt (20) M. Cage (14) G. Payton (9) Brendan Byrne Arena 7,029 4–10 15 December 6 @ Miami Heat W 105–103 S. Threatt (18) S. Kemp (8) S. Threatt (11) Miami Arena 15,008 5–10 16 December 7 @ Orlando Magic L 100–106 D. McKey (24) M. Cage (9) G. Payton (7) Orlando Arena 15,077 5–11 17 December 9 @ Milwaukee Bucks L 99–105 S. Kemp (31) S. Kemp, D. McKey (10) N. McMillan, G. Payton (6) Bradley Center 14,327 5–12 18 December 12 Indiana Pacers W 99–90 S. Kemp, D. McKey (18) S. Kemp (11) N. McMillan (9) Seattle Center Coliseum 10,729 6–12 19 December 13 @ Golden State Warriors L 106–129 D. Barros (24) O. Polynice (7) D. Barros, D. Ellis (4) Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena 15,025 6–13 20 December 15 Dallas Mavericks W 106–105 S. Kemp (22) M. Cage (8) N. McMillan (10) Seattle Center Coliseum 10,009 7–13 21 December 18 Orlando Magic W 122–105 D. McKey (33) S. Kemp (11) N. McMillan (14) Seattle Center Coliseum 1,568 8–13 22 December 20 @ Sacramento Kings W 110–75 D. Ellis (22) S. Kemp (10) G. Payton (12) ARCO Arena 17,014 9–13 23 December 22 Sacramento Kings W 121–93 E. Johnson (25) O. Polynice (11) N. McMillan (9) Seattle Center Coliseum 10,315 10–13 24 December 26 @ Cleveland Cavaliers W 99–97 S. Kemp (19) M. Cage (8) G. Payton (7) Coliseum at Richfield 14,839 11–13 25 December 27 @ Washington Bullets W 125–120 E. Johnson (22) S. Kemp (12) G. Payton (11) Capital Centre 2,413 12–13 26 December 29 @ Chicago Bulls L 91–116 D. McKey (22) S. Kemp (7) G. Payton (6) Chicago Stadium 18,676 12–14 27 December 30 @ Minnesota Timberwolves L 106–126 D. Ellis (25) S. Kemp (11) G. Payton (6) Target Center 19,006 12–15
January : 8–7 (home: 7–1; road: 1–6) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Record 28 January 3 Philadelphia 76ers W 127–99 D. McKey (24) M. Cage (12) G. Payton (11) Seattle Center Coliseum 13,048 13–15 29 January 4 Miami Heat W 112–86 S. Threatt (30) M. Cage (13) G. Payton (12) Seattle Center Coliseum 12,074 14–15 30 January 6 @ Portland Trail Blazers L 111–114 S. Kemp (25) S. Kemp (9) G. Payton (7) Memorial Coliseum 12,884 14–16 31 January 8 Los Angeles Lakers W 96–88 D. McKey (29) O. Polynice (11) N. McMillan (10) Seattle Center Coliseum 14,441 15–16 32 January 10 Golden State Warriors L 103–113 D. McKey (19) S. Kemp, O. Polynice (12) N. McMillan (7) Seattle Center Coliseum 10,813 15–17 33 January 12 @ Sacramento Kings L 85–101 D. McKey (20) O. Polynice (14) G. Payton (9) ARCO Arena 17,014 15–18 34 January 15 Denver Nuggets W 146–99 D. Barros, D. Ellis (22) S. Kemp (12) N. McMillan (9) Seattle Center Coliseum 9,618 16–18 35 January 18 @ Los Angeles Lakers L 96–105 D. McKey (24) S. Kemp (8) G. Payton (11) Great Western Forum 17,505 16–19 36 January 19 Washington Bullets W 111–89 O. Polynice (27) S. Kemp (13) N. McMillan (8) Seattle Center Coliseum 13,369 17–19 37 January 22 Milwaukee Bucks W 132–101 E. Johnson (29) M. Cage (9) G. Payton (9) Seattle Center Coliseum 9,469 18–19 38 January 25 @ Phoenix Suns L 113–128 E. Johnson (25) S. Kemp (13) N. McMillan (7) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 14,487 18–20 39 January 26 Atlanta Hawks W 103–102 D. McKey (23) D. McKey (8) N. McMillan, G. Payton (9) Seattle Center Coliseum 12,792 19–20 40 January 28 @ San Antonio Spurs L 107–119 E. Johnson (21) D. McKey (14) G. Payton (11) HemisFair Arena 15,908 19–21 41 January 29 @ Dallas Mavericks L 112–117 D. McKey (24) O. Polynice (6) N. McMillan (8) Reunion Arena 15,820 19–22 42 January 31 @ Houston Rockets W 97–94 S. Threatt (18) S. Kemp (17) D. McKey, D. McKey (6) The Summit 14,659 20–22
February : 6–6 (home: 3–2; road: 3–4) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Record 43 February 2 @ Indiana Pacers L 100–106 G. Payton (19) D. McKey (7) G. Payton (5) Market Square Arena 13,064 20–23 44 February 4 @ Charlotte Hornets W 100–93 E. Johnson (34) M. Cage (18) G. Payton (9) Charlotte Coliseum 23,901 21–23 45 February 6 Los Angeles Clippers W 107–104 E. Johnson (27) S. Kemp (7) G. Payton (9) Seattle Center Coliseum 12,021 22–23 46 February 12 Boston Celtics L 111–114 E. Johnson (29) M. Cage (10) G. Payton (13) Seattle Center Coliseum 14,594 22–24 47 February 14 @ Orlando Magic W 102–90 D. McKey (21) D. McKey, O. Polynice (9) N. McMillan (7) Orlando Arena 15,077 23–24 48 February 16 @ Atlanta Hawks L 113–122 D. McKey (30) O. Polynice (9) S. Threatt (9) Omni Coliseum 15,924 23–25 49 February 18 @ Detroit Pistons L 83–85 E. Johnson (20) S. Kemp (13) N. McMillan (7) The Palace of Auburn Hills 21,454 23–26 50 February 19 @ Philadelphia 76ers L 104-107 (OT) R. Pierce (18) S. Kemp (12) G. Payton (7) The Spectrum 15,248 23–27 51 February 21 @ New York Knicks W 120–101 R. Pierce (26) S. Kemp (13) N. McMillan, G. Payton, S. Threatt (5) Madison Square Garden 12,515 24–27 52 February 23 Phoenix Suns L 110–120 S. Kemp (25) S. Kemp (11) G. Payton (11) Seattle Center Coliseum 14,692 24–28 53 February 24 Utah Jazz W 103–91 S. Threatt (30) M. Cage (14) G. Payton (16) Seattle Center Coliseum 12,080 25–28 54 February 26 Los Angeles Clippers W 93–81 S. Threatt (31) S. Kemp (15) N. McMillan (9) Seattle Center Coliseum 11,305 26–28
March : 8–9 (home: 5–4; road: 3–5) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Record 55 March 1 Charlotte Hornets W 122–105 R. Pierce (25) B. Benjamin (13) N. McMillan (9) Seattle Center Coliseum 13,320 27–28 56 March 2 Sacramento Kings W 120–106 E. Johnson (31) B. Benjamin (16) N. McMillan, G. Payton (8) Seattle Center Coliseum 12,182 28-28 57 March 4 @ Golden State Warriors W 105–99 S. Threatt (24) B. Benjamin (11) G. Payton (10) Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena 15,025 29–28 58 March 5 Cleveland Cavaliers L 111-113 (OT) E. Johnson (28) B. Benjamin, S. Kemp (13) N. McMillan, G. Payton (7) Seattle Center Coliseum 10,623 29-29 59 March 7 @ Minnesota Timberwolves W 91–86 R. Pierce (25) N. McMillan (11) N. McMillan (8) Target Center 19,006 30–29 60 March 9 @ San Antonio Spurs L 99–112 E. Johnson (19) E. Johnson (7) D. Barros (5) HemisFair Arena 15,908 30-30 61 March 12 @ Houston Rockets L 91–93 S. Kemp (23) S. Kemp (16) D. McKey (6) The Summit 15,508 30–31 62 March 13 @ Dallas Mavericks L 96–98 S. Kemp (24) S. Kemp (13) S. Threatt (9) Reunion Arena 15,813 30–32 63 March 15 Minnesota Timberwolves L 96-100 (OT) D. McKey (20) B. Benjamin (10) G. Payton (4) Seattle Center Coliseum 11,497 30–33 64 March 16 Utah Jazz L 98-104 (OT) E. Johnson (19) D. McKey (9) G. Payton (5) Seattle Center Coliseum 15,535 30–34 65 March 20 Los Angeles Lakers W 114–106 B. Benjamin (28) D. McKey (10) G. Payton (12) Seattle Center Coliseum 14,392 31–34 66 March 22 @ Phoenix Suns W 111–105 E. Johnson (34) B. Benjamin (14) N. McMillan, G. Payton (8) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 14,487 32–34 67 March 24 @ Los Angeles Lakers L 96–113 S. Kemp (21) B. Benjamin, M. Cage (7) S. Threatt (7) Great Western Forum 17,505 32–35 68 March 26 @ Portland Trail Blazers L 113–126 R. Pierce (21) M. Cage (8) R. Pierce, S. Threatt (4) Memorial Coliseum 12,884 32–36 69 March 27 Portland Trail Blazers L 107–112 R. Pierce (24) S. Kemp (10) G. Payton (6) Tacoma Dome 18,167 32–37 70 March 29 Minnesota Timberwolves W 117–107 E. Johnson, R. Pierce (24) N. McMillan (7) G. Payton (7) Seattle Center Coliseum 12,968 33–37 71 March 30 Dallas Mavericks W 115–102 S. Kemp (23) B. Benjamin (7) S. Kemp, S. Threatt (4) Seattle Center Coliseum 11,756 34–37
April : 7–4 (home: 6–1; road: 1–3) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Record 72 April 3 Sacramento Kings W 106–91 E. Johnson, S. Kemp (20) S. Kemp (14) N. McMillan, S. Threatt (6) Seattle Center Coliseum 11,987 35–37 73 April 5 @ Los Angeles Clippers L 90–109 E. Johnson (19) S. Kemp (12) N. McMillan (4) Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena 12,932 35–38 74 April 7 W 124–117 @ Denver Nuggets E. Johnson (31) S. Kemp (10) D. McKey (4) McNichols Sports Arena 13,779 36–38 75 April 8 Denver Nuggets W 118–112 B. Benjamin, E. Johnson, R. Pierce (19) B. Benjamin, S. Kemp (10) N. McMillan, G. Payton (8) Seattle Center Coliseum 12,811 37–38 76 April 10 Los Angeles Clippers W 140–108 B. Benjamin (22) B. Benjamin (11) S. Threatt (9) Tacoma Dome 5,714 38–38 77 April 12 San Antonio Spurs W 100–99 R. Pierce (21) B. Benjamin, S. Kemp (8) G. Payton (7) Seattle Center Coliseum 13,340 39–38 78 April 13 Orlando Magic W 105–96 S. Kemp (21) S. Kemp (7) D. Barros (7) Seattle Center Coliseum 13,073 40–38 79 April 15 Houston Rockets L 93–97 E. Johnson (22) M. Cage (8) S. Threatt (7) Seattle Center Coliseum 13,760 40–39 80 April 18 @ Utah Jazz L 103–130 E. Johnson (17) B. Benjamin (8) S. Threatt (6) Salt Palace 12,616 40–40 81 April 19 Phoenix Suns W 104–93 R. Pierce (23) B. Benjamin (10) N. McMillan (7) Seattle Center Coliseum 12,591 41–40 82 April 21 @ Los Angeles Lakers L 100–103 E. Johnson (18) B. Benjamin (12) N. McMillan (8) Great Western Forum 17,505 41-41
1990–91 season schedule

Playoffs

1991 playoff game log
First round: 2–3 (home: 2–0; road: 0–3) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Series 1 April 26 @ Portland L 102–110 Eddie Johnson (33) Benoit Benjamin (9) Gary Payton (8) Memorial Coliseum 12,884 0–1 2 April 28 @ Portland L 106–115 Eddie Johnson (28) Cage, Kemp (11) McMillan, Payton (6) Memorial Coliseum 12,884 0–2 3 April 30 Portland W 102–99 Sedale Threatt (29) Shawn Kemp (9) Nate McMillan (6) Seattle Center Coliseum 14,476 1–2 4 May 2 Portland W 101–89 Eddie Johnson (34) Benjamin, McKey (9) Gary Payton (7) Seattle Center Coliseum 13,367 2–2 5 May 4 @ Portland L 107–119 Johnson, Kemp (17) Benoit Benjamin (6) Gary Payton (7) Memorial Coliseum 12,884 2–3
1991 schedule

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

Season

Player	GP	GS	MPG	FG%	3P%	FT%	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	PPG
Dana Barros	66	0	11.4	.495	.395	.918	1.1	1.7	0.3	0.0	6.3
Benoit Benjamin*	31	27	29.0	.502	.000	.690	8.2	1.5	0.9	1.7	12.9
Michael Cage	82	55	26.1	.508	.000	.625	6.8	1.1	1.0	0.7	6.4
Dave Corzine	28	0	5.3	.447	.000	.591	1.2	0.1	0.2	0.2	1.7
Quintin Dailey	30	0	10.0	.471	.000	.613	1.1	0.5	0.2	0.0	6.1
Dale Ellis*	30	24	26.7	.463	.303	.738	3.1	2.1	1.1	0.1	15.0
Eddie Johnson*	66	27	26.9	.486	.333	.912	3.4	1.4	0.7	0.1	17.4
Shawn Kemp	81	66	30.1	.508	.167	.661	8.4	1.8	1.0	1.5	15.0
Xavier McDaniel*	15	15	35.3	.479	.000	.710	5.4	2.5	1.7	0.3	21.8
Derrick McKey	73	55	34.3	.517	.211	.845	5.8	2.3	1.2	0.8	15.3
Nate McMillan	78	0	18.4	.433	.354	.613	3.2	4.8	1.3	0.3	4.3
Scott Meents	13	0	4.1	.250	1.000	.500	0.8	0.6	0.5	0.3	1.3
Gary Payton	82	82	27.4	.450	.077	.711	3.0	6.4	2.0	0.2	7.2
Ricky Pierce*	32	2	26.3	.463	.391	.925	2.3	2.3	0.7	0.1	17.5
Olden Polynice*	48	0	20.0	.545	.000	.588	5.6	0.3	0.5	0.4	8.3
Sedale Threatt	80	57	25.8	.519	.286	.792	1.2	3.4	1.4	0.1	12.7

*Statistics with the Seattle SuperSonics.

Playoffs

Player	GP	GS	MPG	FG%	3P%	FT%	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	PPG
Dana Barros	3	0	8.3	.692	.400	.750	1.3	1.7	1.0	0.0	7.7
Benoit Benjamin	5	5	32.6	.488	.000	.906	6.6	0.2	0.6	0.2	13.8
Michael Cage	5	0	16.0	.429	.000	.765	16.0	4.2	0.6	0.4	5.0
Dave Corzine	2	0	6.0	.667	.000	1.000	0.5	0.0	0.0	0.0	2.5
Eddie Johnson	5	5	34.2	.517	.267	.828	4.2	1.4	1.4	0.2	24.0
Shawn Kemp	5	5	29.8	.386	.000	.815	7.2	1.2	0.6	0.8	13.2
Derrick McKey	4	0	28.5	.571	.000	.545	5.8	2.0	0.6	0.0	9.5
Nate McMillan	5	0	19.0	.261	.000	.500	3.6	4.4	1.2	0.2	2.8
Scott Meents	2	0	4.0	.500	.000	.000	0.5	0.0	0.5	0.0	2.0
Gary Payton	5	5	27.0	.407	.000	1.000	2.6	6.4	1.6	0.2	4.8
Ricky Pierce	5	0	22.4	.333	.300	.941	2.8	0.8	0.8	0.2	11.4
Sedale Threatt	5	5	27.2	.536	.364	.900	1.6	3.4	1.0	0.0	14.6

Awards and records

Awards

• Gary Payton was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team.

Records

• Ricky Pierce finished the season with a franchise record .925 in free throw percentage.^[28]

Transactions

Overview

Players Added Via draft Gary Payton Via free agency Dave Corzine Via trade Benoit Benjamin Eddie Johnson Ricky Pierce

Players Lost Via free agency Steve Johnson Via trade Dale Ellis Avery Johnson Xavier McDaniel Olden Polynice

Trades

June 27, 1990[29]	To Seattle SuperSonics Nets' agreement not to draft Dennis Scott or Gary Payton with their No. 1 pick. Conditional 2nd round picks for 1993 and 1995	To New Jersey Nets Jud Buechler To Orlando Magic Sonics' agreement not to draft Dennis Scott with their No. 2 pick.
October 24, 1990	To Seattle SuperSonics Conditional 1997 second round pick	To Denver Nuggets Avery Johnson
December 7, 1990	To Seattle SuperSonics Eddie Johnson Conditional 1991 and 1994 first-round picks	To Phoenix Suns Xavier McDaniel
February 15, 1991	To Seattle SuperSonics Ricky Pierce	To Milwaukee Bucks Dale Ellis
February 20, 1991	To Seattle SuperSonics Benoit Benjamin	To Los Angeles Clippers Olden Polynice Conditional 1991 and 1994 first-round picks

Free agents

Additions Player Signed Former team Dave Corzine October 4 Orlando Magic

Subtractions Player Left New team Jim Farmer October 4 Denver Nuggets Steve Johnson October 25 Golden State Warriors

Player Transactions Citation:^[30]

References

1. "1990–91 Seattle SuperSonics".
2. Sonics Make Move to K.C. -- Coaching Switch Moves Bickerstaff to Front Office, The Seattle Times, March 15, 1990.
3. Bickerstaff to Accept Denver Job -- Ex-Sonic Coach to Become GM, The Seattle Times, July 11, 1990.
4. Cotton, Anthony (June 28, 1990). "Coleman No. 1 to Nets, Then the Guards Go Forward". The Washington Post. Retrieved January 3, 2022.
5. "Clippers Go with Kimble: NBA Draft: Derrick Coleman, as Expected, Is No. 1 Overall with Nets. Clippers Also Grab Michigan's Vaught with 13th Pick". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. June 28, 1990. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
6. "SPORTS PEOPLE: BASKETBALL; Payton and Sonics Reach Accord on Pact". The New York Times. October 10, 1990. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
7. "X Marks Suns' Spot in Trade with Seattle: Pro Basketball: McDaniel to Phoenix. SuperSonics Get Eddie Johnson, Two No. 1 Picks". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. December 8, 1990. Retrieved December 15, 2021.
8. Peoples, John (December 8, 1990). "Sonics Say So Long to X-Man -- McDaniel Traded to Suns". The Seattle Times. Retrieved September 5, 2022.
9. "X-Man Traded to Suns for E.J., 2 1st-Round Picks". Deseret News. Associated Press. December 8, 1990. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
10. "McDaniel Traded for Eddie Johnson". Tampa Bay Times. December 8, 1990. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
11. Ellis Drinking, Speeding Before Crash, Jurors Told, The Seattle Times, September 25, 1990.
12. Ellis and McDaniel in Fight, The Seattle Times, November 22, 1990.
13. "SPORTS PEOPLE: PRO BASKETBALL; Bucks Trade Pierce for Sonics' Ellis". The New York Times. February 16, 1991. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
14. "Bucks Trade Pierce to SuperSonics for Ellis In an Exchange of Guards". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. February 16, 1991. Retrieved September 5, 2022.
15. Peoples, John (February 16, 1991). "Ellis Exits In Trade with Bucks -- Ricky Pierce Newest Sonic in Swap of Unhappy Guards". The Seattle Times. Retrieved September 5, 2022.
16. "SuperSonics Trade Ellis to Milwaukee for Pierce". Deseret News. February 16, 1991. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
17. Barnes, Mike (February 20, 1991). "Clippers Swap Benjamin for Polynice, Picks". United Press International. Retrieved December 31, 2022.
18. Goldaper, Sam (February 21, 1991). "PRO BASKETBALL; Sonics Trade Polynice to Acquire Benjamin". The New York Times. Retrieved December 15, 2021.
19. Howard-Cooper, Scott (February 21, 1991). "Clippers Give Up on Benjamin: Pro Basketball: A day After He Says He Will Become an Unrestricted Free Agent at Season's End, They Trade Him to Seattle for Polynice and Two Draft Choices". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
20. "NBA Games Played on February 7, 1991". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
21. "Trail Blazers 119, SuperSonics 107". United Press International. May 4, 1991. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
22. "BASKETBALL; Blazers Finally Win Series from Stubborn SuperSonics". The New York Times. Associated Press. May 5, 1991. Retrieved October 16, 2021.
23. Hafner, Dan (May 5, 1991). "NBA ROUNDUP: Blazers Take Sonics to Court, Win Series". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 27, 2022.
24. "1991 NBA Western Conference First Round: SuperSonics vs. Trail Blazers". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
25. "1990–91 Seattle SuperSonics Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 4, 2022.
26. Heisler, Mark (October 3, 1991). "Lakers Acquire Seattle's Threatt: NBA: They Trade Three Second-Round Picks for Veteran Guard. Drew, Thompson Waived". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 20, 2022.
27. "SPORTS PEOPLE: PRO BASKETBALL; An Expensive Rookie". The New York Times. October 5, 1991. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
28. "Oklahoma City Thunder Season Leaders".
29. Sonics Face Tall Order Next -- With Payton At Point, Attention Turns To Center Spot, The Seattle Times, June 28, 1990.
30. "1990–91 Seattle SuperSonics Transactions". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved October 16, 2021.

External links

• 1990–91 Seattle SuperSonics season at Basketball Reference

See also

• 1990–91 NBA season