1995–96 Golden State Warriors season

NBA professional basketball team season March 2026 August 2023 Golden State Warriors 1996 36 46 Pacific 6 9 Rick Adelman Chris Cohan Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena KPIX-TVKICU-TVSportsChannel Pacific KNBR Did not qualify GSW The 1995–96 Golden State Warriors season was the 50th season for the Golden State Warriors in the National Basketball Association, and their 34th season in the San Francisco Bay Area. Golden State Warriors Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/GSW/ August 6, 2026 Season summary Off-season The Warriors won the NBA draft lottery, Diamos Jason Pro Basketball: Warriors Win Something: First Pick in a Deep Draft The New York Times May 22, 1995 https://www.nytimes.com/1995/05/22/sports/pro-basketball-warriors-win-something-first-pick-in-a-deep-draft.html November 10, 2022 Baker Chris Clippers Second in Lottery: NBA Draft: Warriors Get First Pick, But Fitch Says There's No Clear-Cut Top Choice This Year Los Angeles Times May 22, 1995 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-05-22-sp-4619-story.html May 25, 2022 and selected power forward Joe Smith from the University of Maryland with the first overall pick in the 1995 NBA draft. Wise Mike Pro Basketball: Underclassmen Rule Atop N.B.A. Draft Board The New York Times June 29, 1995 https://www.nytimes.com/1995/06/29/sports/pro-basketball-underclassmen-rule-atop-nba-draft-board.html July 25, 2021 Heisler Mark NBA Is a Young Man's Game: Draft: Smith, McDyess, Stackhouse, Wallace and Garnett Lead the Way Los Angeles Times June 29, 1995 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-06-29-sp-18377-story.html December 3, 2022 1995 NBA Draft Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1995.html December 1, 2022 During the off-season, the team acquired B. J. Armstrong from the expansion Toronto Raptors, Hillyer John Warriors Get Armstrong SFGate September 18, 1995 https://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/Warriors-get-Armstrong-3131611.php January 30, 2023 NBA's Raptors Trade First Pick Armstrong to Warriors for Pair Greensboro News and Record September 18, 1995 https://greensboro.com/nbas-raptors-trade-first-pick-armstrong-to-warriors-for-pair/article_ad8a7d6c-2edf-5586-87ce-7b8a281b6331.html November 10, 2022 Associated Press Toronto Expands Quickly, Getting Five for Armstrong Los Angeles Times September 19, 1995 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-09-19-sp-47464-story.html May 25, 2022 signed free agents Jerome Kersey, Hillyer John Warriors Sign Jerome Kersey SFGate October 18, 1995 https://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/Warriors-sign-Jerome-Kersey-3125706.php June 27, 2022 Basketball: Golden State Warriors: Signed F Jerome Kersey.... The Baltimore Sun October 26, 1995 https://www.baltimoresun.com/1995/10/26/basketballgolden-state-warriors-signed-f-jerome-kersey/ January 30, 2023 and Jon Barry, Heisler Mark Going Their Own Way: The Barry Brothers, Including Clippers' Brent and Warriors' Jon, Succeeded Despite, Not Because of, Their Father Rick Los Angeles Times November 19, 1995 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-11-19-sp-5128-story.html September 24, 2022 Long Ernie New Lineup, Old Result for Sixers The Morning Call November 26, 1995 https://www.mcall.com/news/mc-xpm-1995-11-26-3061556-story.html January 30, 2023 and hired Rick Adelman as their new head coach; Adelman had led the Portland Trail Blazers to two NBA Finals appearances between 1990 and 1992. Associated Press Golden State Hires Adelman, Ex-Portland Coach, Papers Report The Spokesman-Review May 19, 1995 https://www.spokesman.com/stories/1995/may/19/golden-state-hires-adelman-ex-portland-coach/ December 21, 2022 Steele David Upbeat Warriors Start Over: New Coach, G.M., Attitude SFGate November 1, 1995 https://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/Upbeat-Warriors-start-over-new-coach-GM-3021105.php July 25, 2022 Regular season Under Adelman and with the addition of Smith, Armstrong and Kersey, the Warriors struggled losing eight of their first eleven games of the regular season. However, the team later on won 8 of their 13 games in February, and held a 21–26 record at the All-Star break. NBA Games Played on February 8, 1996 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/index.fcgi?month=2&day=8&year=1996 January 2, 2023 With Armstrong and Kersey both in the starting lineup at point guard, and small forward respectively, Tim Hardaway and Chris Mullin both played off the bench for most of the season. At mid-season, the Warriors traded Hardaway, and Chris Gatling to the Miami Heat in exchange for Kevin Willis, and Bimbo Coles. Brown Clifton Pro Basketball: On Deadline, Riley Makes Bold Moves The New York Times February 23, 1996 https://www.nytimes.com/1996/02/23/sports/pro-basketball-on-deadline-riley-makes-bold-moves.html July 24, 2022 Associated Press Hardaway Heads for the Heat in Trade Los Angeles Times February 23, 1996 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-02-23-sp-39177-story.html October 13, 2017 Patton Robes Heat's Months of Preparation Pay Off on Trading Day Sun Sentinel February 24, 1996 https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1996-02-24-9602240031-story.html December 3, 2022 The Warriors were in playoff position with a 26–28 record as of February 24, 1996, but then lost 18 of their final 28 games of the season, finishing in sixth place in the Pacific Division with a 36–46 record, which was a 10-game improvement over the previous season; however, the team failed to qualify for the NBA playoffs by finishing three games behind the 8th–seeded Sacramento Kings. 1995–96 Golden State Warriors Schedule and Results Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/GSW/1996_games.html June 22, 2021 Latrell Sprewell averaged 18.9 points, 4.2 assists and 1.6 steals per game, while Smith averaged 15.3 points, 8.7 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game, and was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team, and Mullin provided the team with 13.3 points, 3.5 assists and 1.4 steals per game, but only played 55 games due to a finger injury. Hillyer John Mullin's Loss Adds Injury to Insult SFGate March 4, 1996 https://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/Mullin-s-loss-adds-injury-to-insult-3157738.php May 25, 2022 Brown Clifton Basketball: It's Nothing Personal, Nelson Says, But Starks Will Stay on the Bench The New York Times March 5, 1996 https://www.nytimes.com/1996/03/05/sports/basketball-it-s-nothing-personal-nelson-says-but-starks-will-stay-on-the-bench.html January 13, 2023 Associated Press Golden State Loses Mullin for Season The Spokesman-Review March 5, 1996 https://www.spokesman.com/stories/1996/mar/05/golden-state-loses-mullin-for-season/ January 13, 2023 In addition, Armstrong contributed 12.3 points and 4.9 assists per game, and shot .473 in three-point field-goal percentage, while Rony Seikaly provided with 12.1 points and 7.8 rebounds per game, and Willis averaged 11.3 points and 7.8 rebounds per game in 28 games after the trade. Meanwhile, Coles contributed 7.9 points and 4.3 assists per game in 29 games, Kersey provided with 6.7 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game, and second-year forward Donyell Marshall averaged 5.5 points and 3.4 rebounds per game. 1995–96 Golden State Warriors Roster and Stats Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/GSW/1996.html June 22, 2021 During the NBA All-Star weekend at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, Smith was selected for the NBA Rookie Game, as a member of the Western Conference Rookie team. Smith scored 20 points along with 6 rebounds and 2 blocks, despite the Western Conference losing to the Eastern Conference, 94–92. Pro Basketball The Gainesville Sun February 10, 1996 15 https://books.google.com/books?id=n0RWAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA31&dq=1996+nba+rookie+game+stoudamire+stackhouse+wallace+henderson&article_id=3767,2375962&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiSk6WGtuCPAxVxmYkEHfeFOUcQ6AF6BAgGEAM#v=onepage&q=1996%20nba%20rookie%20game%20stoudamire%20stackhouse%20wallace%20henderson&f=false September 18, 2025 Wise Mike Pro Basketball: Notebook: The Clippers' Barry Hits the High Notes in His Jam Session The New York Times February 11, 1996 https://www.nytimes.com/1996/02/11/sports/pro-basketball-notebook-clippers-barry-hits-high-notes-his-jam-session.html September 18, 2025 1996 NBA Rising Stars: East 94, West 92 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/allstar/NBA_1996_rookie.html September 18, 2025 Sprewell finished tied in eighth place in Defensive Player of the Year voting, 1995–96 NBA Awards Voting Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/awards_1996.html January 6, 2025 while Smith finished in third place in Rookie of the Year voting. Associated Press Stoudamire Named Top Rookie After Lukewarm NBA Reception Los Angeles Times May 16, 1996 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-05-16-sp-4846-story.html February 1, 2023 The Warriors finished 24th in the NBA in home-game attendance, with an attendance of 616,025 at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena during the regular season. 1995–96 NBA Season Summary Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1996.html January 22, 2026 Aftermath Following the season, Willis signed as a free agent with the Houston Rockets, Howard-Cooper Scott With Barkley, Rockets Have Twin Power Los Angeles Times August 19, 1996 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-08-19-sp-35695-story.html September 24, 2022 Graczyk Michael Barkley Gets His Wish: He's on the Rockets Associated Press August 20, 1996 https://apnews.com/article/25f064440a0c158494d1a640d7bbc968 January 16, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220410201415/https://apnews.com/article/25f064440a0c158494d1a640d7bbc968 April 10, 2022 dead Heisler Mark NBA Preview Los Angeles Times October 31, 1996 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-10-31-sp-59693-story.html January 30, 2023 while Kersey signed with the Los Angeles Lakers, Staff and Wire Reports Lakers Pick Up Kersey for Their Bench Los Angeles Times August 13, 1996 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-08-13-sp-33750-story.html June 28, 2022 Shapiro Mark NCAA Rules Maine Can Keep '93 Hockey Championship Chicago Tribune August 13, 1996 https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1996-08-13-9608130226-story.html February 5, 2023 and Barry signed with the Atlanta Hawks. Sports Briefs Deseret News August 14, 1996 https://www.deseret.com/1996/8/14/19260016/sports-briefs September 24, 2022 Johnson K.C. Team of Cohesive Elements Pours from Hawks' Beaker Chicago Tribune May 6, 1997 https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1997-05-06-9705060343-story.html January 30, 2023 Offseason Draft picks 1995 NBA draft Round Pick Player Position Nationality College 1 1 Joe Smith PF Maryland 2 34 Andrew DeClercq C Florida 2 40 Dwayne Whitfield PF Jackson State 2 50 Martin Lewis SG/SF Seward Community College 2 55 Michael McDonald C New Orleans Roster Golden State Warriors 1995–96 #003399 #FFFFFF #FFCC33 #000000 11 B. J. Armstrong G 6 2 175 1967–09–09 Iowa 20 Jon Barry G 6 4 195 1969–07–25 Georgia Tech 21 Robert Churchwell G 6 6 195 1972–02–20 Georgetown 12 Bimbo Coles G 6 1 180 1968–04–22 Virginia Tech 55 Andrew DeClercq C 6 10 230 1973–02–01 Florida 43 Geert Hammink C 7 0 262 1969–07–12 LSU 7 Jerome Kersey F 6 7 215 1962–06–26 Longwood 3 Donyell Marshall F 6 9 218 1973–05–18 Connecticut 17 Chris Mullin basketball F 6 6 200 1963–07–30 St. John's 44 Clifford Rozier C 6 11 245 1972–10–31 Louisville 4 Rony Seikaly C 6 11 230 1965–05–10 Syracuse 32 Joe Smith basketball F 6 10 225 1975–07–26 Maryland 15 Latrell Sprewell G 6 5 190 1970–09–08 Alabama 41 Kevin Willis F 7 0 220 1962–09–06 Michigan State Rick Adelman George Irvine Rod Higgins John Wetzel https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/GSW/1996.html Regular season Season standings GSW GSW z - clinched division title y - clinched division title x - clinched playoff spot Game log January 2011 Player statistics Regular season PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPGJoe Smith basketball 82 82 34.4 .458 .357 .773 8.7 1.0 1.0 1.6 15.3B. J. Armstrong 82 64 27.6 .468 .473 .839 2.2 4.9 .8 .1 12.3Latrell Sprewell 78 78 39.3 .428 .323 .789 4.9 4.2 1.6 .6 18.9Jerome Kersey 76 58 21.3 .410 .176 .660 4.8 1.5 1.2 .6 6.7Jon Barry 68 0 10.5 .492 .473 .838 .9 1.3 .5 .2 3.8Rony Seikaly 64 60 28.3 .502 .667 .723 7.8 1.1 .6 1.1 12.1Donyell Marshall 62 6 15.1 .398 .298 .771 3.4 .8 .4 .5 5.5Clifford Rozier 59 1 12.3 .585 .000 .473 2.9 .4 .3 .5 3.1Chris Mullin 55 19 29.4 .499 .393 .856 2.9 3.5 1.4 .6 13.3Tim Hardaway† 52 18 28.6 .421 .366 .769 2.5 6.9 1.4 .2 14.1Chris Gatling† 47 2 18.3 .555 .000 .636 5.1 .6 .4 .6 9.1Bimbo Coles† 29 3 25.3 .399 .305 .763 2.0 4.3 1.1 .2 7.9Kevin Willis† 28 18 27.8 .433 .250 .701 7.8 .7 .5 .6 11.3Andrew DeClercq 22 1 9.2 .480 .000 .579 1.8 .4 .3 .2 2.7David Wood basketball† 21 0 4.6 .500 .333 .875 .8 .2 .1 .0 1.0Robert Churchwell 4 0 5.0 .375 .8 .3 .0 .0 1.5Geert Hammink† 3 0 3.3 .500 .667 .3 .0 .0 .0 1.3 † Denotes player spent time with another team in the season. Stats reflect time with the Warriors only. Player statistics citation: Awards and records January 2011 Transactions Trades November 2, 1995 To Golden State WarriorsB. J. Armstrong To Toronto RaptorsVictor AlexanderMartin LewisMichael McDonaldCarlos RogersDwayne Whitfield February 20, 1996 To Golden State WarriorsBimbo ColesKevin Willis To Miami HeatTim HardawayChris Gatling Free agents AdditionsPlayerDate signedFormer teamJon BarryOctober 4Milwaukee BucksKevin OllienoneMatt MaloneyOctober 6noneJerome KerseyOctober 18Portland Trail BlazersRobert Churchwell (10-day)March 14Chicago Rockers (CBA)Geert Hammink (10-day)March 25Omaha Racers (CBA)Robert Churchwell (rest of season)April 3Golden State WarriorsGeert Hammink (rest of season)April 14Golden State Warriors SubtractionsPlayerDate signedNew TeamTim LeglerSeptember 27Washington BulletsRicky PierceOctober 3Indiana PacersKevin OllieOctober 11Connecticut Pride (CBA)Matt MaloneyNovember 1Grand Rapids Mackers (CBA)David WoodJanuary 15Phoenix Suns Player transactions citation: 1995–96 Golden State Warriors Transactions Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/GSW/1996_transactions.html July 14, 2021 References See also 1995-96 NBA season Category:Golden State Warriors seasons Golden Golden Golden State Category:1990s in Oakland, California