1987–88 Philadelphia 76ers season

The 1987–88 Philadelphia 76ers season was the 39th season for the Philadelphia 76ers in the National Basketball Association, and their 25th season in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This was the first season of the post-Julius Erving era, after the All-Star guard had retired after the previous season. == Season summary == === Off-season === The 76ers had the 16th overall pick in the 1987 NBA draft, and selected center Chris Welp from the University of Washington. In November, the team signed free agent Albert King, then in December, signed Gerald Henderson and released Steve Colter to free agency; Colter later on signed with the Washington Bullets. === Regular season === With the addition of King, the 76ers got off to a 12–10 start to the regular season, but then posted a five-game losing streak between December and January afterwards. The team won six of their next seven games, but then posted another five-game losing streak afterwards, falling below .500 in winning percentage. At mid-season, the 76ers traded Roy Hinson, and Tim McCormick to the New Jersey Nets in exchange for Mike Gminski and Ben Coleman. Before the trade, Hinson averaged 11.6 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game in 29 games, while McCormick provided with 7.8 points and 6.3 rebounds per game in 23 games. After holding a 20–23 record at the All-Star break, head coach Matt Goukas was fired and replaced with assistant coach Jim Lynam. The 76ers finished in fourth place in the Atlantic Division with a disappointing 36–46 record, and failed to qualify for the NBA playoffs for the first time since the 1974–75 season, ending a 12-year playoff streak. Charles Barkley averaged 28.3 points, 11.9 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 1.3 blocks per game, and was named to the All-NBA First Team. In addition, Cliff Robinson averaged 19.0 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game, while Gminski provided the team with 16.9 points, 10.5 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game in 47 games after the trade, and Maurice Cheeks provided with 13.7 points, 8.0 assists and 2.1 steals per game. Meanwhile, second-year guard David Wingate contributed 8.9 points per game, Henderson contributed 8.4 points and 3.2 assists per game, Andrew Toney averaged 7.3 points and 3.7 assists per game, but only played just 29 games due to continuing foot injuries, King averaged 7.2 points per game, and Coleman provided with 6.9 points and 4.1 rebounds per game in 43 games. During the NBA All-Star weekend at the Chicago Stadium in Chicago, Illinois, Barkley and Cheeks were both selected for the 1988 NBA All-Star Game, as members of the Eastern Conference All-Star team; it was Cheeks' final All-Star appearance. Barkley finished in fourth place in Most Valuable Player voting, while Cheeks finished tied in eighth place in Defensive Player of the Year voting. The 76ers finished eleventh in the NBA in home-game attendance, with an attendance of 505,245 at The Spectrum during the regular season. === Aftermath === Following the season, King was traded to the San Antonio Spurs, and Toney retired due to his foot injuries, and a dispute with the 76ers management. == Draft picks == == Roster == == Regular season == === Season standings === z - clinched division title y - clinched division title x - clinched playoff spot == Game log == === Regular season === == Player statistics == == Awards and records == Charles Barkley, All-NBA First Team == References == == See also == 1987-88 NBA season