1977–78 Kansas City Kings season
NBA team season
NBA professional basketball team season
The 1977–78 Kansas City Kings season was their sixth season in Kansas City. The Kings had a losing record for the third consecutive season which resulted in missing the playoffs. The club started the season with 13 wins and 24 losses, which led to the dismissal of coach Phil Johnson. Under his replacement Larry Staverman the Kings would not play any better as they finished in last place with a 31–51 record.[ 4]
Draft picks
Round
Pick
Player
Position
Nationality
College
1
2
Otis Birdsong
United States
University of Houston
2
31
Eddie Owens
United States
University of Nevada Las Vegas
3
45
Bill Paterno
United States
Notre Dame
3
53
John Kuester
United States
University of North Carolina
4
75
Larry Williams
United States
Texas Southern University
5
97
Bob Chapman
United States
Michigan State University
7
139
Bruce Jenner
United States
Graceland College
[ 5]
Roster
1977–78 Kansas City Kings roster
Players
Coaches
Pos.
No.
Name
Height
Weight
DOB
From
G
42
Allen, Lucius
6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
175 lb (79 kg)
UCLA
G
10
Birdsong, Otis
6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
190 lb (86 kg)
Houston
G
24
Boone, Ron
6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
200 lb (91 kg)
Idaho State
C
16
Burleson, Tom
7 ft 2 in (2.18 m)
225 lb (102 kg)
NC State
G
5
Kuester, John
6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
180 lb (82 kg)
North Carolina
C
44
Lacey, Sam
6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)
235 lb (107 kg)
New Mexico State
F
55
Nash, Bob
6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
195 lb (88 kg)
Hawaiʻi
F
18
Restani, Kevin
6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
225 lb (102 kg)
San Francisco
F
52
Robinzine, Bill
6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
230 lb (104 kg)
DePaul
F
31
Washington, Richard
6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)
220 lb (100 kg)
UCLA
F
15
Wedman, Scott
6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
215 lb (98 kg)
Colorado
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
(DP) Unsigned draft pick(FA) Free agent(S) Suspended Injured
Regular season
Season standings
Record vs. opponents
1977–78 NBA records
Team
ATL
BOS
BUF
CHI
CLE
DEN
DET
GSW
HOU
IND
KCK
LAL
MIL
NJN
NOJ
NYK
PHI
PHO
POR
SAS
SEA
WAS
Atlanta
–
2–2
3–1
1–3
1–3
1–3
2–2
1–3
3–1
3–1
2–1
3–1
2–2
3–1
2–2
2–2
2–2
3–1
1–3
1–3
2–1
1–3
Boston
2–2
–
3–1
1–3
1–3
1–3
1–3
2–2
2–2
2–1
2–2
1–2
3–1
3–1
2–2
2–2
0–4
2–2
1–3
0–4
0–4
1–3
Buffalo
1–3
1–3
–
3–1
1–3
1–3
1–3
0–3
3–1
1–3
1–2
1–3
1–3
2–2
2–2
3–1
1–3
0–4
1–3
1–3
1–3
1–3
Chicago
3–1
3–1
1–3
–
3–1
2–2
2–2
1–3
3–1
3–1
0–4
2–2
1–3
1–2
2–2
1–3
3–0
2–2
1–3
2–2
2–2
2–1
Cleveland
3–1
3–1
3–1
1–3
–
3–1
2–2
2–2
2–2
2–1
2–2
2–2
3–1
3–1
2–2
3–1
1–3
1–2
0–4
0–4
3–1
2–2
Denver
3–1
3–1
3–1
2–2
1–3
–
2–2
2–2
3–0
2–2
2–2
3–1
3–1
3–1
3–1
1–3
1–3
2–2
3–1
2–1
1–3
3–1
Detroit
2–2
3–1
3–1
2–2
2–2
2–2
–
2–2
3–1
1–3
1–3
2–2
2–2
3–1
3–0
0–4
0–4
2–2
1–3
1–3
1–3
2–2
Golden State
3–1
2–2
3–0
3–1
2–2
2–2
2–2
–
2–1
3–1
3–1
0–4
2–2
3–1
0–4
2–2
1–3
2–2
1–3
3–1
2–2
2–2
Houston
1–3
2–2
1–3
1–3
2–2
0–3
1–3
1–2
–
3–1
2–2
1–3
1–3
2–2
1–3
2–2
2–2
1–3
2–2
1–3
0–4
1–3
Indiana
1–3
1–2
3–1
1–3
1–2
2–2
3–1
1–3
1–3
–
2–2
1–3
0–4
2–2
2–2
1–3
2–2
1–3
1–3
1–3
1–3
3–1
Kansas City
1–2
2–2
2–1
4–0
2–2
2–2
3–1
1–3
2–2
2–2
–
2–2
0–4
2–2
2–2
0–4
1–3
0–4
0–4
0–4
1–3
2–2
Los Angeles
1–3
2–1
3–1
2–2
2–2
1–3
2–2
4–0
3–1
3–1
2–2
–
3–1
4–0
2–1
3–1
2–2
1–3
0–4
2–2
1–3
2–2
Milwaukee
2–2
1–3
3–1
3–1
1–3
1–3
2–2
2–2
3–1
4–0
4–0
1–3
–
3–1
2–1
3–1
1–2
1–3
1–3
2–2
1–3
3–1
New Jersey
1–3
1–3
2–2
2–1
1–3
1–3
1–3
1–3
2–2
2–2
2–2
0–4
1–3
–
0–4
1–3
0–4
2–2
0–3
0–4
2–2
2–2
New Orleans
2–2
2–2
2–2
2–2
2–2
1–3
1–3
4–0
3–1
2–2
2–2
1–2
1–2
4–0
–
1–3
2–2
1–3
3–1
1–3
2–2
0–4
New York
2–2
2–2
1–3
3–1
1–3
3–1
3–0
2–2
2–2
3–1
4–0
1–3
1–3
3–1
3–1
–
1–3
1–3
1–3
2–2
2–1
2–2
Philadelphia
2–2
4–0
3–1
1–3
3–1
3–1
4–0
3–1
2–2
2–2
3–1
2–2
2–1
4–0
2–2
3–1
–
2–1
2–2
3–1
3–1
2–2
Phoenix
1–3
2–2
4–0
2–2
2–1
2–2
2–2
2–2
3–1
3–1
4–0
3–1
3–1
2–2
3–1
3–1
1–2
–
1–3
2–2
2–2
2–2
Portland
3–1
3–1
3–1
3–1
4–0
1–3
3–1
3–1
2–2
3–1
4–0
4–0
3–1
3–1
1–3
3–0
2–2
3–1
–
2–2
3–1
2–1
San Antonio
3–1
4–0
3–1
2–2
4–0
1–2
2–1
1–3
3–1
3–1
4–0
2–2
2–2
4–0
3–1
2–2
1–3
2–2
2–2
–
2–2
2–2
Seattle
1–2
4–0
3–1
2–2
1–3
3–1
3–1
2–2
4–0
3–1
3–1
3–1
3–1
2–2
2–1
1–3
1–3
2–2
1–3
2–2
–
1–3
Washington
3–1
3–1
3–1
1–2
2–2
1–3
2–2
2–2
3–1
1–3
2–2
2–2
1–3
2–2
4–0
2–2
2–2
2–2
1–2
2–2
3–1
—
Game log
Regular season
1977–78 game log Total: 31–51 (home: 22–19; road: 9–32)
October: 3–4 (home: 2–0; road: 1–4)
November: 4–9 (home: 2–4; road: 2–5)
Game
Date
Team
Score
High points
High rebounds
High assists
Location Attendance
Record
8
November 1, 1977
@ Milwaukee
L 95–115
MECCA Arena
3–5
9
November 2, 1977
New Orleans
W 104–102
Kemper Arena
4–5
10
November 4, 1977
Atlanta
L 110–111
Kemper Arena
4–6
11
November 6, 1977
@ Seattle
W 99–83
Seattle Center Coliseum
5–6
12
November 8, 1977
@ Portland
L 104–130
Memorial Coliseum
5–7
13
November 11, 1977
@ Golden State
W 106–105
Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena
6–7
14
November 12, 1977
@ Denver
L 114–119
McNichols Sports Arena
6–8
15
November 15, 1977
@ San Antonio
L 107–113
HemisFair Arena
6–9
16
November 19, 1977 7:35 p.m. CST
Washington (at Omaha, Nebraska )
L 125–131 (OT)
Omaha Civic Auditorium 6,534
6–10
17
November 23, 1977
Milwaukee
L 116–122
Kemper Arena
6–11
18
November 26, 1977
Boston
W 110–108
Kemper Arena
7–11
19
November 27, 1977
@ New Orleans
L 106–115
Louisiana Superdome
7–12
20
November 30, 1977
Seattle
L 84–86
Kemper Arena
7–13
December: 6–8 (home: 6–3; road: 0–5)
Game
Date
Team
Score
High points
High rebounds
High assists
Location Attendance
Record
21
December 2, 1977
Detroit
W 108–97
Kemper Arena
8–13
22
December 3, 1977
New Jersey (at Omaha, Nebraska )
W 118–115 (OT)
Omaha Civic Auditorium
9–13
23
December 6, 1977
Phoenix
L 92–103
Kemper Arena
9–14
24
December 7, 1977
@ Boston
L 109–113
Boston Garden
9–15
25
December 9, 1977
@ New Jersey
L 114–122
Rutgers Athletic Center
9–16
26
December 10, 1977
Golden State
L 92–97 (OT)
Kemper Arena
9–17
27
December 14, 1977
Denver
W 124–98
Kemper Arena
10–17
28
December 17, 1977
New Orleans (at Omaha, Nebraska )
W 115–93
Omaha Civic Auditorium
12–16
29
December 18, 1977
Indiana
W 115–114
Kemper Arena
12–17
30
December 22, 1977
Chicago
W 113–110
Kemper Arena
13–17
31
December 25, 1977
Milwaukee
L 122–131
Kemper Arena
13–18
32
December 26, 1977
@ Houston
L 99–113
The Summit
13–19
33
December 29, 1977
@ Phoenix
L 104–110
Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
13–20
34
December 30, 1977
@ Los Angeles
L 109–119
The Forum
13–21
January: 3–10 (home: 2–5; road: 1–5)
Game
Date
Team
Score
High points
High rebounds
High assists
Location Attendance
Record
35
January 1, 1978
@ Portland
L 102–107
Memorial Coliseum
13–22
36
January 4, 1978
@ Seattle
L 110–116
Seattle Center Coliseum
13–23
37
January 7, 1978
New York
L 93–100
Kemper Arena
13–24
38
January 8, 1978
@ Milwaukee
L 123–133
MECCA Arena
13–25
39
January 10, 1978 7:05 p.m. CST
@ Washington
L 115–123
Capital Centre 7,700
13–26
40
January 11, 1978
Los Angeles
W 102–94
Kemper Arena
14–26
41
January 13, 1978
@ Indiana
L 106–108
Market Square Arena
14–27
42
January 14, 1978
Atlanta
W 110–101
Kemper Arena
15–27
43
January 17, 1978
@ Atlanta
L 90–111
The Omni
15–28
44
January 18, 1978
Philadelphia
L 106–126
Kemper Arena
15–29
45
January 22, 1978
@ New Jersey
W 105–97
Rutgers Athletic Center
16–29
46
January 24, 1978
Portland
L 97–120
Kemper Arena
16–30
47
January 26, 1978
@ New York
L 105–112
Madison Square Garden
16–31
48
January 27, 1978
@ New Orleans
L 117–134
Louisiana Superdome
16–32
49
January 29, 1978
San Antonio
L 113–127
Kemper Arena
16–33
50
January 31, 1978
Phoenix (at Omaha, Nebraska )
L 102–112
Omaha Civic Auditorium
16–34
February: 8–4 (home: 6–2; road: 2–2)
Game
Date
Team
Score
High points
High rebounds
High assists
Location Attendance
Record
51
February 2, 1978
Detroit
W 113–101
Kemper Arena
17–34
All-Star Break
52
February 8, 1978
Boston
W 104–100
Kemper Arena
18–34
53
February 10, 1978
Chicago
W 106–93
Kemper Arena
19–34
54
February 11, 1978
@ Chicago
W 95–90
Chicago Stadium
20–34
55
February 12, 1978
Cleveland
W 101–88
Kemper Arena
21–34
56
February 14, 1978
Houston
W 125–102
Kemper Arena
22–34
57
February 17, 1978
@ Buffalo
W 108–100
Buffalo Memorial Auditorium
23–34
58
February 18, 1978
@ Cleveland
L 101–105
Richfield Coliseum
23–35
59
February 19, 1978
@ Detroit
L 107–110
Cobo Arena
23–36
60
February 22, 1978
Los Angeles
W 127–122 (OT)
Kemper Arena
24–36
61
February 24, 1978
Portland
L 96–107
Kemper Arena
24–37
62
February 28, 1978
Seattle (at Omaha, Nebraska )
L 107–114 (OT)
Omaha Civic Auditorium
24–38
March: 7–8 (home: 4–3; road: 3–5)
Game
Date
Team
Score
High points
High rebounds
High assists
Location Attendance
Record
63
March 4, 1978
@ Denver
L 114–123
McNichols Sports Arena
24–39
64
March 6, 1978
Indiana
W 98–88
Kemper Arena
25–39
65
March 8, 1978
New Jersey
L 121–123
Kemper Arena
25–40
66
March 10, 1978
Denver
W 126–120
Kemper Arena
26–40
67
March 12, 1978
Golden State
L 106–113
Kemper Arena
26–41
68
March 17, 1978
@ Philadelphia
L 112–123
The Spectrum
26–42
69
March 18, 1978
@ Boston
L 110–117
Boston Garden
26–43
70
March 19, 1978
Buffalo
W 122–108
Kemper Arena
27–43
71
March 21, 1978
@ Detroit
W 116–111
Cobo Arena
28–43
72
March 22, 1978
Philadelphia
W 120–108
Kemper Arena
29–43
73
March 24, 1978
@ Houston
L 103–107
The Summit
29–44
74
March 25, 1978
San Antonio (at Omaha, Nebraska )
L 130–132
Omaha Civic Auditorium
29–45
75
March 28, 1978
@ Chicago
W 128–105
Chicago Stadium
30–45
76
March 29, 1978 7:05 p.m. CST
@ Washington
W 108–105 (OT)
Capital Centre 6,717
31–45
77
March 31, 1978
@ Phoenix
L 112–136
Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
31–46
April: 0–5 (home: 0–2; road: 0–3)
1977–78 schedule
References
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