1988–89 New Jersey Nets season explained

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 got off to a 7–7 start to the season, but then lost six straight games afterwards, and held an 18–29 record at the All-Star break.^[19] The team struggled for the remainder of the season, posting an 8–27 record, plus a 10-game losing streak in March, and finishing fifth in the Atlantic Division with a 26–56 record.^[20]

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

See main article: article and 1988 NBA draft.

Round	Pick	Player	Position	Nationality	College
1	4		SF		Auburn
2	32		PF/C		North Carolina State
3	52		SF		Southern Mississippi

Regular season

Season standings

z – clinched division title

y – clinched division title

x – clinched playoff spot

Record vs. opponents

1988-89 NBA Records
width=100	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]

Notes and References

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