1978–79 San Diego Clippers season

NBA professional basketball team season August 2023 March 2026 San Diego Clippers 1979 43 39 Pacific 5 7 Gene Shue San Diego Sports Arena XETV KGB Did not qualify SDC Buffalo Braves The 1978–79 San Diego Clippers season was the 9th season of the team formerly known as the Buffalo Braves in the NBA.1978-79 San Diego Clippers They had moved from Buffalo, New York to San Diego, California and rechristened themselves as the San Diego Clippers. Draft picks 1978 NBA draft Round Pick Player Position Nationality School/Club team 2 41 Jerome Whitehead Forward United States Marquette 3 48 Mike Santos Forward United States Utah State 3 51 Ricky Gallon Center United States Louisville 3 65 Marvin Delph Guard United States Arkansas 4 68 Jim Boylan Guard United States Marquette 4 73 Larry Harris Forward United States Pittsburgh 4 76 Leroy McDonald Guard United States Wake Forest 5 90 David Thompson Forward United States Florida State 6 112 Bob Misevicius Forward United States Providence 7 133 Stan Pietkiewicz Guard United States Auburn 8 154 Felton Young Center United States Jacksonville 9 172 Bobby White Forward United States Centenary (LA) Roster San Diego Clippers 1978–79 #6BB3E6 white #FA4518 white 32 Bob Bigelow F 6 7 215 Pennsylvania 24 Lloyd Free World B. Free G 6 2 185 Guilford College 44 Kevin Kunnert C 7 0 231 Iowa 45 Scott Lloyd C 6 10 230 Arizona State 31 Swen Nater C 6 11 240 UCLA 11 Connie Norman Coniel Norman G 6 3 176 Arizona 40 John Olive F 6 7 210 Villanova 22 Stan Pietkiewicz F 6 5 200 Auburn 9 Randy Smith basketball G 6 3 185 Buffalo State 14 Brian Taylor Brian Taylor (basketball) G 6 2 185 Princeton 42 Kermit Washington F 6 8 230 American University 12 Nick Weatherspoon F 6 7 197 Illinois 33 Jerome Whitehead C 6 10 225 Marquette 21 Sidney Wicks F 6 9 225 UCLA 20 Freeman Williams G 6 4 185 Portland State Gene Shue Bob Weiss Roster notes This was Kevin Kunnert's second stint with the franchise; he previously played for the Buffalo Braves in 1973–74. Regular season Game log background:#6BB3E6; color:#FFFFFF; 1978-79 Regular Season Game Log (43–39) (Home: 29–12; Road: 14–27) y background:#FA4518;color:#FFFFFF; October (5–6) (Home: 4–2; Road: 1–4) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Record Report |- | 1 || October 13 || @ Suns || L 114–128 || Kermit Washington (25) || Kermit Washington (11)|| Randy Smith (11) || Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 11,217 || 0–1 || |- | 2 || October 14 || @ Warriors || L 89–117 || Tied (21) || Kermit Washington (14)|| Randy Smith (7) || Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena 10,254 || 0–2 || |- | 3 || October 15 || Nuggets || L 94–98|| Randy Smith (28) || Swen Nater (12)|| Lloyd Free (4) || San Diego Sports Arena 8,362 || 0–3 || |- | 4 || October 17 || Bulls || W 99–94 || Lloyd Free (29) || Tied (14)|| Tied (4) || San Diego Sports Arena 4,944 || 1–3 || |- | 5 || October 18 || Spurs || L 125–127 || Lloyd Free (29) || Kermit Washington (16)|| Lloyd Free (8) || San Diego Sports Arena 5,614 || 1–4 || |- | 6 || October 20 || @ Bulls || W 110–94 || Nick Weatherspoon (19) || Kermit Washington (13)|| World B. Free (9) || Chicago Stadium 12,412 || 2–4 || |- | 7 || October 21 || @ Pacers || L 119–125 || Lloyd Free (35) || Tied (12)|| Lloyd Free (6) || Market Square Arena 9,243 || 2–5 || |- | 8 || October 24 || Lakers || W 124–123 || Lloyd Free (35) || Kevin Kunnert (9)|| Lloyd Free (7) || San Diego Sports Arena 11,637 || 3–5 || |- | 9 || October 25 || Bucks || W 125–116 || Lloyd Free (38) || Swen Nater (15)|| Lloyd Free (9) || San Diego Sports Arena 8,051 || 4–5 || |- | 10 || October 27 || @ Lakers || L 101–113 || Lloyd Free (26) || Swen Nater (10)|| Lloyd Free (5) || The Forum 9,246 || 4–6 || |- | 11 || October 29|| SuperSonics || W 103–100 || Randy Smith (26) || Kevin Kunnert (10)|| Randy Smith (6) || San Diego Sports Arena 9,469 || 5–6 || |- y background:#FA4518;color:#FFFFFF; November (6–9) (Home: 4–4; Road: 2–5) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Record Report |- | 12 || November 2 || Knicks || L 122–127 || Lloyd Free (42) || Kermit Washington (10)|| Lloyd Free (7) || San Diego Sports Arena 9,744 || 5–7 || |- | 13 || November 3 || @ Trail Blazers || L 98–119 || Randy Smith (22) || Kermit Washington (11)|| Randy Smith (4) || Memorial Coliseum 12,666 || 5–8 || |- | 14 || November 4 || Cavaliers || L 106–112 || Lloyd Free (24) || Kermit Washington (14)|| Lloyd Free (6) || San Diego Sports Arena 9,791 || 5–9 || |- | 15 || November 7 || @ Jazz || W 121–115 || Lloyd Free (29) || Nick Weatherspoon (16)|| Lloyd Free (6) || New Orleans Superdome 6,411 || 6–9 || |- | 16 || November 8 || @ Spurs || L 125–163 || Lloyd Free (26) || Swen Nater (9)|| Tied (5) || HemisFair Arena 11,358 || 6–10 || |- | 17 || November 9 || @ Hawks || L 101–125 || Nick Weatherspoon (25) || Swen Nater (10)|| Tied (4) || Omni Coliseum 5,082 || 6–11 || |- | 18 || November 11 || @ Rockets || L 123–136 || Lloyd Free (31) || Tied (6)|| Randy Smith (11) || The Summit 9,179 || 6–12 || |- | 19 || November 14 || Pacers || W 109–106 || Kermit Washington (29) || Swen Nater (12)|| Lloyd Free (5) || San Diego Sports Arena 6,381 || 7–12 || |- | 20 || November 16 || Warriors || W 112–109 || Lloyd Free (29) || Kermit Washington (10)|| Lloyd Free (5) || San Diego Sports Arena 8,483 || 8–12 || |- | 21 || November 18 || Jazz || W 114–111 || Randy Smith (36) || Swen Nater (17)|| Randy Smith (6) || San Diego Sports Arena 8,151 || 9–12 || |- | 22 || November 21 || Hawks || L 107–113 || Lloyd Free (26) || Kevin Kunnert (13)|| Lloyd Free (6) || San Diego Sports Arena 6,730 || 9–13 || |- | 23 || November 24 || @ 76ers || L 120–134 || Lloyd Free (33) || Kermit Washington (11)|| Lloyd Free (8) || The Spectrum 18,276 || 9–14 || |- | 24 || November 25 || @ Kings || W 87–86 || Lloyd Free (28) || Kevin Kunnert (15)|| Tied (4) || Kemper Arena 11,320 || 10–14 || |- | 25 || November 26 || Celtics || W 105–103 || LLoyd Free (28) || Kermit Washington (9)|| Randy Smith (7) || San Diego Sports Arena 7,042 || 11–14 || |- | 26 || November 30 || Rockets || L 104–113 || Nick Weatherspoon (22) || Nick Weatherspoon (11)|| Randy Smith (7) || San Diego Sports Arena 6,597 || 11–15 || |- y background:#FA4518;color:#FFFFFF; December (7–6) (Home: 2–2; Road: 5–4) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Record Report |- | 27 || December 2 || Pistons || L 113–120 || Tied (25) || Tied (13)|| Randy Smith (9) || San Diego Sports Arena 6,433 || 11–16 || |- | 28 || December 6 || @ Celtics || L 111–117 || Lloyd Free (25) || Tied (11)|| Randy Smith (10) || Boston Garden 7,688 || 11–17 || |- | 29 || December 9 || @ Nets || L 120–125 || Lloyd Free (38) || Swen Nater (10)|| Lloyd Free (4) || Rutgers Athletic Center 4,286 || 11–18 || |- | 30 || December 10 || @ Bucks || W 107–106 || Lloyd Free (28) || Tied (12)|| Lloyd Free (5) || MECCA Arena 10,889 || 12–18 || |- | 31 || December 12 || @ Knicks || W 105–103 || Randy Smith (28) || Tied (9)|| Lloyd Free (8) || Madison Square Garden 11,981 || 13–18 || |- | 32 || December 13 || @ Bullets || L 117–134 || Randy Smith (29) || Swen Nater (9)|| Randy Smith (6) || Capital Centre 7,621 || 13–19 || |- | 33 || December 17 || Suns || W 116–100 || Lloyd Free (30) || Swen Nater (13)|| Randy Smith (5) || San Diego Sports Arena 6,068 || 14–19 || |- | 34 || December 19 || 76ers || L 113–124 || Lloyd Free (35) || Swen Nater (10) || Swen Nater (3) || San Diego Sports Arena 13,822 || 14–20 || |- | 35 || December 25 || @ SuperSonics || W 123–118 || Randy Smith (29) || Swen Nater (13) || Randy Smith (12) || Kingdome 11,910 || 15–20 || |- | 36 || December 26 || Bulls || W 115–109 || Lloyd Free (36) || Kermit Washington (10) || Lloyd Free (5) || San Diego Sports Arena 8,582 || 16–20 || |- | 37 || December 28 || @ Cavaliers || L 114–116 || Lloyd Free (36) || Kevin Kunnert (9) || Lloyd Free (6) || Richfield Coliseum 11,091 || 16–21 || |- | 38 || December 29 || @ Pistons || W 111–107 || Lloyd Free (35) || Swen Nater (14) || Randy Smith (8) || Pontiac Silverdome 10,284 || 17–21 || |- | 39 || December 30 || @ Pacers || W 114–111 || Lloyd Free (30) || Kevin Kunnert (13) || Sidney Wicks (6) || Market Square Arena 7,263 || 18–21 || |- y background:#FA4518;color:#FFFFFF; January (8–6) (Home: 5–0; Road: 3–6) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Record Report |- | 40 || January 2 || Pistons || W 137–119 || Lloyd Free (33) || Kermit Washington (17) || Kermit Washington (5) || San Diego Sports Arena 6,139 || 19–21 || |- | 41 || January 4 || @ Kings || L 99–108 || Randy Smith (37) || Kermit Washington (15) || Randy Smith (3) || Kemper Arena 6,647 || 19–22 || |- | 42 || January 6 || @ Bucks || L 93–104 || Freeman Williams (26) || Kermit Washington (14) || Randy Smith (6) || MECCA Arena 10,938 || 19–23 || |- | 43 || January 9 || @ Jazz || W 114–107 || Lloyd Free (34) || Kermit Washington (10) || Tied (7) || New Orleans Superdome 6,342 || 20–23 || |- | 44 || January 11 || @ Spurs || L 111–140 || Nick Weatherspoon (38) || Nick Weatherspoon (9) || Randy Smith (12) || HemisFair Arena 11,008 || 20–24 || |- | 45 || January 13 || @ Hawks || L 119–124 || Lloyd Free (46) || Kermit Washington (17) || Tied (3) || Omni Coliseum 7,681 || 20–25 || |- | 46 || January 14 || @ Bullets || L 91–125 || Randy Smith (24) || Kermit Washington (13) || Randy Smith (8) || Capital Centre 9,588 || 20–26 || |- | 47 || January 17 || Lakers || W 119–117 || Lloyd Free (31) || Tied (11) || Tied (4) || San Diego Sports Arena 13,073 || 21–26 || |- | 48 || January 24 || Trail Blazers || W 122–121 || Lloyd Free (35) || Nick Weatherspoon (11) || Lloyd Free (5) || San Diego Sports Arena 9,659 || 22–26 || |- | 49 || January 26 || @ Bulls || W 107–91 || Lloyd Free (28) || Swen Nater (15) || Tied (5) || Chicago Stadium 8,523 || 23–26 || |- | 50 || January 27 || @ Cavaliers || W 111–110 || Lloyd Free (38) || Kermit Washington (15) || Lloyd Free (4) || Richfield Coliseum 10,523 || 24–26 || |- | 51 || January 28 || @ Pistons || L 118–128 || Lloyd Free (23) || Swen Nater (10) || Sidney Wicks (6) || Pontiac Silverdome 9,279 || 24–27 || |- | 52 || January 30 || Bucks || W 117–113 || Randy Smith (26) || Kevin Kunnert (14) || Tied (7) || San Diego Sports Arena 8,431 || 25–27 || |- | 53 || January 31 || Nets || W 112–104 || Lloyd Free (25) || Kermit Washington (14) || Randy Smith (6) || San Diego Sports Arena 7,227 || 26–27 || |- y background:#FA4518;color:#FFFFFF; February (8-4) (Home: 7–2; Road: 1–2) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Record Report |- | 54 || February 2 || Nuggets || W 124–100 || Lloyd Free (49) || Kevin Kunnert (12) || Randy Smith (5) || San Diego Sports Arena 11,763 || 27–28 || |- | 55 || February 7 || Spurs || L 113–126 || Lloyd Free (25) || Kermit Washington (10) || Tied (4) || San Diego Sports Arena 8,498 || 27–28 || |- | 56 || February 9 || @ 76ers || L 106–117 || Randy Smith (25) || Nick Weatherspoon (13) || Nick Weatherspoon (5) || The Spectrum 15,823 || 27–29 || |- | 57 || February 11 || @ Nets || L 98–104 || Lloyd Free (22) || Swen Nater (18) || Lloyd Free (6) || Rutgers Athletic Center 14,749 || 27–30 || |- | 58 || February 13 || Bullets || L 136–138 2OT || Lloyd Free (45) || Nick Weatherspoon (10) || Lloyd Free (4) || San Diego Sports Arena 8,111 || 27–31 || |- | 59 || February 15 || Jazz || W 122–112 || Lloyd Free (30) || Swen Nater (10) || Randy Smith (5) || San Diego Sports Arena 5,827 || 28–31 || |- | 60 || February 16 || @ Nuggets || W 118–104 || Randy Smith (25) || Kermit Washington (14) || Tied (5) || McNichols Sports Arena 15,119 || 29–31 || |- | 61 || February 18 || Hawks || W 116–101 || Lloyd Free (26) || Sidney Wicks (13) || Randy Smith (4) || San Diego Sports Arena 6,959 || 30–31 || |- | 62 || February 23 || 76ers || W 117–116 || Lloyd Free (26) || Swen Nater (10) || Tied (3) || San Diego Sports Arena 13,783 || 31–31 || |- | 63 || February 25 || Celtics || W 131–116 || Lloyd Free (38) || Kevin Kunnert (10) || Tied (6) || San Diego Sports Arena 10,671 || 32–31 || |- | 64 || February 27 || Pacers || W 124–107 || Lloyd Free (28) || Tied (9) || Kermit Washington (6) || San Diego Sports Arena 6,156 || 33–31 || |- | 65 || February 28 || Kings || W 122–120 || Randy Smith (22) || Swen Nater (8) || Randy Smith (7) || San Diego Sports Arena 9,051 || 34–31 || |- y background:#FA4518;color:#FFFFFF; March (7–6) (Home: 5–1; Road: 2–5) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Record Report |- | 66 || March 2 || @ Celtics || W 106–99 || Lloyd Free (28) || Kermit Washington (15) || Randy Smith (6) || Boston Garden 14,345 || 35–31 || |- | 67 || March 3 || @ Knicks || L 108–111 || Lloyd Free (34) || Kevin Kunnert (23) || Tied (6) || Madison Square Garden 11,488 || 35–32 || |- | 68 || March 7 || Rockets || W 138–115 || Lloyd Free (34) || Swen Nater (10) || Tied (5) || San Diego Sports Arena 19,911 || 36–32 || |- | 69 || March 10 || Cavaliers || W 121–115 || Lloyd Free (33) || Swen Nater (12) || Tied (3) || San Diego Sports Arena 13,783 || 37–32 || |- | 70 || March 14 || Trail Blazers || W 110–105 || Lloyd Free (29) || Kevin Kunnert (12) || Randy Smith (9) || San Diego Sports Arena 13,401 || 38–32 || |- | 71 || March 17 || Warriors || W 106–103 || Lloyd Free (23) || Kevin Kunnert (11) || Tied (4) || San Diego Sports Arena 11,332 || 39–32 || |- | 72 || March 18 || Nets || W 110–98 || Lloyd Free (31) || Nick Weatherspoon (17) || Randy Smith (5) || San Diego Sports Arena 18,538 || 40–32 || |- | 73 || March 20 || @ Trail Blazers || L 109–115 || Randy Smith (28) || Swen Nater (12) || Randy Smith (12) || Memorial Coliseum 12,666 || 40–33 || |- | 74 || March 21 || @ Warriors || W 106–103 || Lloyd Free (35) || Kevin Kunnert (17) || Tied (5) || Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena 7,813 || 41–33 || |- | 75 || March 23 || @ Lakers || L 119–156 || Randy Smith (33) || Kermit Washington (17) || Kermit Washington (6) || The Forum 14,212 || 41–34 || |- | 76 || March 27 || @ SuperSonics || L 109–115 || Lloyd Free (28) || Tied (9) || Lloyd Free (4) || Kingdome 20,087 || 41–35 || |- | 77 || March 29 || Kings || L 111–116 || Lloyd Free (37) || Kermit Washington (15) || Brian Taylor (4) || San Diego Sports Arena 13,189 || 41–36 || |- | 78 || March 30 || @ Nuggets || L 121–130 || Lloyd Free (42) || Kevin Kunnert (13) || Lloyd Free (6) || McNichols Sports Arena 17,607 || 41–37 || |- y background:#FA4518;color:#FFFFFF; April (2–2) (Home: 2–1; Road: 0–1) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Record Report |- | 79 || April 1 || Knicks || W 126–116 || Lloyd Free (28) || Kevin Kunnert (15) || Tied (4) || San Diego Sports Arena 8,371 || 42–37 || |- | 80 || April 4 || SuperSonics || L 107–115 || Nick Weatherspoon (25) || Kermit Washington (13) || Randy Smith (5) || San Diego Sports Arena 20,087 || 42–38 || |- | 81 || April 6 || @ Suns || L 117–118 || Lloyd Free (29) || Swen Nater (10) || Tied (4) || Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 12,660 || 42–39 || |- | 82 || April 7 || Suns || W 120–116 || Lloyd Free (36) || Swen Nater (12) || Brian Taylor (3) || San Diego Sports Arena 11,614 || 43–39 || |- Season standings SDC SDC Notes z, y – division champions x – clinched playoff spot Player stats +LegendGPGames playedMPGMinutes per gameFGField-goals per gameFGAField-goals attempted per GameFG%Field-goal percentageFTFree-throws per gameFTAFree-throws attempted per GameFT%Free-throw percentageORPGOffensive rebounds per gameDRPGDefensive rebounds per gameRPGRebounds per gameAPGAssists per gameSPGSteals per gameBPGBlocks per gamePFPGPersonal fouls per gamePPGPoints per game Player GP MPG FG FGA FG% FT FTA FT% ORPG DRPG RPG APG SPG BPG PFPG PPG Lloyd Free World B. Free 7837.910.221.20.4818.411.10.7561.62.23.94.41.40.43.228.8 Randy Smith Randy Smith (basketball) 8237.98.518.60.4553.64.40.8131.22.43.64.82.20.12.220.5 Kermit Washington 8233.74.37.60.5622.84.00.6883.66.19.81.51.01.53.911.3 Nick Weatherspoon 8232.25.812.20.4802.12.90.7392.23.45.51.61.00.53.513.8 Sidney Wicks 7925.63.98.60.4621.92.90.6502.03.15.11.60.90.53.59.8 Swen Nater 7925.44.57.90.5691.72.10.8002.86.18.91.80.50.43.110.7 Kevin Kunnert 8120.82.96.20.4670.71.00.6592.54.57.01.40.61.53.86.5 Freeman Williams 7216.64.79.50.4901.11.40.7760.70.71.41.20.60.01.210.4 Connie Norman Coniel Norman 2214.73.27.50.4300.91.00.8260.60.91.51.10.50.11.67.3 Bob Bigelow 2914.21.23.10.4000.40.70.6190.51.11.60.90.40.11.32.9 Brian Taylor Brian Taylor (basketball) 2010.61.54.20.3610.80.90.8890.70.71.31.01.20.01.73.8 Stan Pietkiewicz 48.00.32.00.1250.50.51.0000.01.51.50.80.30.01.31.0 Scott Lloyd 56.20.00.40.0000.00.0 0.20.40.60.00.20.01.20.0 John Olive 345.60.41.20.3250.50.70.7830.10.50.60.10.10.00.91.3 Jerome Whitehead 314.90.51.10.4410.30.60.4440.51.11.60.20.10.10.91.2 Awards and records Lloyd Free, All-NBA Second Team Transactions The Clippers were involved in the following transactions during the 1978–79 season. Coaching Change Offseason Outgoing Coach Date Removed 1977-78 Record Incoming Coach Cotton Fitzsimmons Fired, May 9, 1978 27–55 Gene Shue Trades June 7, 1978 To San Diego Clippers Tom Abernethy To Los Angeles Lakers A 1978 second round draft pick July 15, 1978 To San Diego Clippers A 1978 second round draft pick as compensation To Golden State Warriors The right to sign Tom Abernethy as a veteran free agent August 4, 1978 To San Diego Clippers Kermit Washington, Kevin Kunnert, Sidney Wicks & draft rights to Freeman Williams To Boston Celtics Nate Archibald, Marvin Barnes, Billy Knight, and a 1981 & 1983 second round draft picks. October 12, 1978 To San Diego Clippers Lloyd Free To Philadelphia 76ers A 1984 first round draft pick October 26, 1978 To San Diego Clippers A 1981 third round draft pick To Chicago Bulls Scott Lloyd February 15, 1979 To San Diego Clippers The right to sign Brian Taylor as a veteran free agent To Denver Nuggets Two 1979 second round draft picks as compensation Free agents 52% Additions Player Signed Former team Nick Weatherspoon June 1 Chicago Bulls Connie Norman September 19 Philadelphia 76ers Bob Bigelow October 26 Boston Celtics John Olive December 5 Philadelphia 76ers Subtractions Player Left New team Mike Glenn free agency, June 12 New York Knickerbockers Tom Abernethy free agency, July 15 Golden State Warriors Larry McNeill waived, September 25 Rochester Zeniths(CBA) Eddie Owens waived, October 7 Rochester Zeniths (CBA) Bird Averitt waived, October 12 Montana Sky (WBA) Wil Jones waived, October 12 Retired Bill Willoughby waived, October 12 Cleveland Cavaliers Stan Pietkiewicz waived, November 26 Anchorage Northern Knights (CBA) Connie Norman waived, December 5 Lancaster Red Roses (CBA) References Category:Los Angeles Clippers seasons San Diego