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1991–92 Los Angeles Lakers season

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1991–92 Los Angeles Lakers season
Head coachMike Dunleavy Sr.
General managerJerry West
Owner(s)Jerry Buss
ArenaGreat Western Forum
Results
Record43–39 (.524)
PlaceDivision: 6th (Pacific)
Conference: 8th (Western)
Playoff finishFirst Round
(Lost to Trail Blazers 1–3)
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
TelevisionKCAL-TV
Prime Ticket
RadioKLAC
< 1990–91 1992–93 >

The 1991–92 NBA season was the Lakers' 44th season in the National Basketball Association, and 32nd in the city of Los Angeles.[1] This was the start of a new era for the Los Angeles Lakers, as they were coming from an NBA Finals defeat to the Chicago Bulls in five games, but also with the sudden retirement of their long-time superstar, Magic Johnson, after he announced that he was HIV positive.[2][3][4][5] Johnson would briefly come back and play in the 1992 NBA All-Star Game in Orlando despite controversy;[6][7][8] he was selected along with teammate James Worthy, and won the All-Star MVP award, as the Western Conference defeated the Eastern Conference, 153–113.[9][10][11]

During the off-season, the Lakers acquired Sedale Threatt from the Seattle SuperSonics.[12][13] Starting the season without Johnson for the first time since 1979, the Lakers won 10 of their first 13 games, including a nine-game winning streak, and held a 28–18 record at the All-Star break.[14] However, they struggled in February, losing seven straight games and posting a 3–9 record during the month. The Lakers ultimately finished sixth in the Pacific Division with a 43–39 record,[15] which was their worst record since the 1975–76 season.[16]

Worthy averaged 19.9 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 1.4 steals per game, but only played 54 games due to a knee injury,[17][18] while Sam Perkins averaged 16.5 points and 8.8 rebounds per game, and Threatt provided the team with 15.1 points, 7.2 assists and 2.0 steals. In addition, Byron Scott averaged 14.9 points and 1.3 steals per game, while A.C. Green provided the team with 13.6 points and 9.3 rebounds per game, Vlade Divac contributed 11.3 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game, but only played just 36 games due to a back injury,[19][20] and sixth man Terry Teagle averaged 10.7 points per game off the bench.[21]

As the #8 seed in the Western Conference, the Lakers were defeated in the Western Conference First Round of the playoffs by the Portland Trail Blazers, 3–1.[22][23] The Blazers would lose in six games to the defending champion Chicago Bulls in the NBA Finals.[24][25][26] Following the season, head coach Mike Dunleavy left and took a coaching job with the Milwaukee Bucks,[27][28] and Teagle was released to free agency.

Draft picks

Round Pick Player Position Nationality College
2 52 Anthony Jones Forward  United States Oral Roberts

Roster

1991–92 Los Angeles Lakers roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB From
SF 6 Brown, Chucky 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 214 lb (97 kg) 1968–02–29 NC State
C 41 Campbell, Elden 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1968–07–23 Clemson
C 12 Divac, Vlade 7 ft 1 in (2.16 m) 243 lb (110 kg) 1968–02–03 Serbia
PF 45 Green, A. C. 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1963–10–04 Oregon State
C 54 Haley, Jack 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 240 lb (109 kg) 1964–01–27 UCLA
SF 25 Owens, Keith 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1969–05–31 UCLA
PF 14 Perkins, Sam Injured 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 235 lb (107 kg) 1961–06–14 North Carolina
PF 43 Robinson, Cliff 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1960–03–13 USC
SG 4 Scott, Byron 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1961–03–28 Arizona State
SG 34 Smith, Tony 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1968–06–14 Marquette
PG 2 Sparrow, Rory 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 1958–06–12 Villanova
SG 20 Teagle, Terry 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1960–04–10 Baylor
PG 3 Threatt, Sedale 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 1961–09–10 West Virginia Tech
SF 42 Worthy, James Injured 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1961–02–27 North Carolina
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured Injured

Roster
Last transaction: 1992–04–08

Regular season

Season standings

Pacific Division
 W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-Portland Trail Blazers 57 25 .695 — 33–8 24–17 21–9
x-Golden State Warriors 55 27 .671 2 31–10 24–17 19–11
x-Phoenix Suns 53 29 .646 4 36–5 17–24 17–13
x-Seattle SuperSonics 47 35 .573 10 28–13 19–22 16–14
x-Los Angeles Clippers 45 37 .549 12 29–12 16–25 13–17
x-Los Angeles Lakers 43 39 .524 14 24–17 19–22 13–17
Sacramento Kings 29 53 .354 28 21–20 8–33 6–24
y - clinched division title
x - clinched playoff spot
#
Western Conference
Team W L PCT GB
1 c-Portland Trail Blazers 57 25 .695 –
2 y-Utah Jazz 55 27 .671 2
3 x-Golden State Warriors 55 27 .671 2
4 x-Phoenix Suns 53 29 .646 4
5 x-San Antonio Spurs 47 35 .573 10
6 x-Seattle SuperSonics 47 35 .573 10
7 x-Los Angeles Clippers 45 37 .549 12
8 x-Los Angeles Lakers 43 39 .524 14
9 Houston Rockets 42 40 .512 15
10 Sacramento Kings 29 53 .354 28
11 Denver Nuggets 24 58 .293 33
12 Dallas Mavericks 22 60 .268 35
13 Minnesota Timberwolves 15 67 .183 42
z - clinched division title
y - clinched division title
x - clinched playoff spot

Record vs. opponents

The Lakers were the first team in NBA history to start the season with three straight overtime games, with their season opener being a double-overtime loss to the Houston Rockets. They went 1-2 during that time. After a third loss, to the Phoenix Suns, they went on a nine-game winning streak to finish November with an 11-4 record, which would be their longest winning streak of the season. They struggled in February, going 3-9, with a seven-game losing streak. They would finish the season with a 43-39 record, placing sixth in the Pacific Division and clinching the eighth and final seed for the playoffs.

1991-92 NBA Records
Team ATL BOS CHA CHI CLE DAL DEN DET GSW HOU IND LAC LAL MIA MIL MIN NJN NYK ORL PHI PHO POR SAC SAS SEA UTA WAS
Atlanta — 3–1 2–2 0–5 0–5 2–0 2–0 1–4 1–1 2–0 1–4 1–1 0–2 2–2 3–1 2–0 3–1 2–2 2–2 2–2 2–0 0–2 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 2–2
Boston 1–3 — 3–1 1–3 3–1 1–1 1–1 4–0 1–1 1–1 2–2 2–0 2–0 3–2 2–2 0–2 2–3 3–2 5–0 3–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 2–0 1–1 3–1
Charlotte 2–2 1–3 — 0–4 2–3 1–1 1–1 1–4 1–1 0–2 3–2 0–2 1–1 1–3 2–3 1–1 1–3 0–4 3–1 3–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 2–0 1–1 0–2 2–2
Chicago 5–0 3–1 4–0 — 3–2 2–0 2–0 4–1 1–1 1–1 3–1 2–0 1–1 4–0 3–2 2–0 4–0 4–0 3–1 3–1 1–1 2–0 2–0 1–1 2–0 1–1 4–0
Cleveland 5–0 1–3 3–2 2–3 — 1–1 1–1 3–1 1–1 1–1 5–0 1–1 2–0 3–1 3–1 2–0 2–2 4–0 3–1 4–0 1–1 0–2 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 4–0
Dallas 0–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 — 3–2 0–2 0–4 4–2 1–1 1–3 0–4 1–1 1–1 3–2 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–2 2–2 0–4 1–3 0–5 0–4 1–4 0–2
Denver 0–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 2–3 — 0–2 0–4 2–3 0–2 0–4 1–3 0–2 1–1 2–3 1–1 0–2 2–0 2–0 1–3 1–3 2–2 1–4 1–3 1–5 1–1
Detroit 4–1 0–4 4–1 1–4 1–3 2–0 2–0 — 1–1 2–0 2–2 0–2 2–0 2–2 3–2 1–1 2–2 2–2 4–0 3–1 0–2 2–0 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 3–1
Golden State 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 4–0 4–0 1–1 — 2–2 2–0 3–2 3–2 1–1 2–0 4–0 2–0 1–1 2–0 1–1 3–2 2–3 5–0 2–2 3–2 1–3 2–0
Houston 0–2 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 2–4 3–2 0–2 2–2 — 1–1 2–2 2–2 2–0 1–1 3–2 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–3 3–1 3–1 3–2 1–3 1–4 2–0
Indiana 4–1 2–2 2–3 1–3 0–5 1–1 2–0 2–2 0–2 1–1 — 0–2 2–0 3–1 4–1 2–0 2–2 1–3 2–2 2–2 1–1 0–2 1–1 2–0 0–2 1–1 2–2
L.A. Clippers 1–1 0–2 2–0 0–2 1–1 3–1 4–0 2–0 2–3 2–2 2–0 — 2–3 2–0 2–0 4–0 1–1 0–2 2–0 1–1 3–2 2–3 2–3 2–2 2–3 1–3 0–2
L.A. Lakers 2–0 0–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 4–0 3–1 0–2 2–3 2–2 0–2 3–2 — 2–0 1–1 3–1 2–0 2–0 2–0 2–0 2–3 1–4 4–1 1–3 1–4 1–3 1–1
Miami 2–2 2–3 3–1 0–4 1–3 1–1 2–0 2–2 1–1 0–2 1–3 0–2 0–2 — 4–0 2–0 2–2 1–4 3–1 1–4 0–2 0–2 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 5–0
Milwaukee 1–3 2–2 3–2 2–3 1–3 1–1 1–1 2–3 0–2 1–1 1–4 0–2 1–1 0–4 — 2–0 0–4 1–3 3–1 3–1 0–2 0–2 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 3–1
Minnesota 0–2 2–0 1–1 0–2 0–2 2–3 3–2 1–1 0–4 2–3 0–2 0–4 1–3 0–2 0–2 — 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–4 0–4 1–3 0–6 0–4 2–3 0–2
New Jersey 1–3 3–2 3–1 0–4 2–2 2–0 1–1 2–2 0–2 1–1 2–2 1–1 0–2 2–2 4–0 2–0 — 2–3 3–1 3–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–2 2–3
New York 2–2 2–3 4–0 0–4 0–4 2–0 2–0 2–2 1–1 1–1 3–1 2–0 0–2 4–1 3–1 2–0 3–2 — 4–1 3–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 2–0 2–0 4–0
Orlando 2–2 0–5 1–3 1–3 1–3 1–1 0–2 0–4 0–2 0–2 2–2 0–2 0–2 1–3 1–3 2–0 1–3 1–4 — 3–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 2–3
Philadelphia 2–2 1–3 1–3 1–3 0–4 2–0 0–2 1–3 1–1 1–1 2–2 1–1 0–2 4–1 1–3 2–0 2–3 1–3 2–3 — 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 0–2 5–0
Phoenix 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–2 3–1 2–0 2–3 3–1 1–1 2–3 3–2 2–0 2–0 4–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 2–0 — 3–2 4–1 3–1 3–2 2–2 2–0
Portland 2–0 1–1 2–0 0–2 2–0 4–0 3–1 0–2 3–2 1–3 2–0 3–2 4–1 2–0 2–0 4–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 2–3 — 5–0 2–2 4–1 2–2 2–0
Sacramento 1–1 0–2 1–1 0–2 0–2 3–1 2–2 0–2 0–5 1–3 1–1 3–2 1–4 0–2 2–0 3–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–4 0–5 — 1–3 1–4 1–3 2–0
San Antonio 2–0 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 5–0 4–1 1–1 2–2 2–3 0–2 2–2 3–1 1–1 1–1 6–0 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–3 2–2 3–1 — 3–1 1–4 0–2
Seattle 1–1 0–2 1–1 0–2 1–1 4–0 3–1 1–1 2–3 3–1 2–0 3–2 4–1 1–1 1–1 4–0 2–0 0–2 1–1 0–2 2–3 1–4 4–1 1–3 — 3–1 2–0
Utah 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 4–1 5–1 1–1 3–1 4–1 1–1 3–1 3–1 1–1 1–1 3–2 2–0 0–2 2–0 2–0 2–2 2–2 3–1 4–1 1–3 — 2–0
Washington 2–2 1–3 2–2 0–4 0–4 2–0 1–1 1–3 0–2 0–2 2–2 2–0 1–1 0–5 1–3 2–0 3–2 0–4 3–2 0–5 0–2 0–2 0–2 2–0 0–2 0–2 —

Game log

Playoffs

1992 playoff game log
First Round: 1–3 (home: 1–1; road: 0–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Series
1 April 23 @ Portland L 102–115 Scott, Teagle (22) A. C. Green (10) Byron Scott (5) Memorial Coliseum
12,888 		0–1
2 April 25 @ Portland L 79–101 Byron Scott (16) Elden Campbell (12) Divac, Sparrow (4) Memorial Coliseum
12,888 		0–2
3 April 29 Portland W 121–119 (OT) Terry Teagle (26) A. C. Green (10) Sedale Threatt (6) Great Western Forum
16,690 		1–2
4 May 3 Portland L 76–102 Sedale Threatt (17) A. C. Green (14) three players tied (4) Thomas & Mack Center
15,478 		1–3
1992 schedule

Player statistics

Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field-goal percentage  3P%  3-point field-goal percentage  FT%  Free-throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game

NOTE: Please write the players statistics in alphabetical order by last name.

Season

Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG

Playoffs

Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG

Magic’s retirement

Starting point guard Magic Johnson missed the first three games with an unspecified "stomach ailment". On November 7, 1991, Johnson announced that he had tested positive for HIV and would immediately retire.[2][3][4][5] Johnson discovered his condition after attempting to purchase life insurance and failing the HIV test conducted by Lakers team doctor. During the press conference, he stated that his wife Cookie and unborn child were HIV negative and that he would become an advocate for HIV education and prevention. The NBA world was shocked; U. S. president George H. W. Bush said: "For me, Magic is a hero, a hero for anyone who loves sports."[29] Johnson was still listed on the roster, as an injured reserve, and continued to be paid.

Johnson was voted in on the West team for the 1992 NBA All-Star Game. Columnists and other people speculated on whether he would play. Because HIV is spread through blood, some players voiced concerns about being infected if Johnson were to get a bleeding wound and touch them. Utah Jazz forward Karl Malone was the most vocal player to express concern.[6][7][8][30] Nevertheless, Johnson played in the All-Star Game, leading the West to a 153-113 win and being named the All-Star Most Valuable Player (MVP). The game ended with 14.5 seconds remaining; when Johnson drained a last-minute three-pointer, other players ran on the court to congratulate Johnson and exchange high-fives.[9][10][11] It would be Johnson's last game until he made a brief return at the end of the 1995–96 season.[31]

Magic and the Dream Team

Despite being HIV positive, Johnson was chosen for the US team for the 1992 Summer Olympics. The squad was quickly dubbed the Dream Team because of its abundance of NBA stars such as Jordan, Karl Malone and Bird, but Johnson was the main attraction.[32] At the Olympic Opening Ceremony, German tennis player Steffi Graf ordered colleague Barbara Rittner to photograph her with Johnson, and in the match against Spain, Spanish captain Juan Antonio San Epifanio and his squad demonstratively hugged him, showing that his HIV infection did not matter to them. During the tournament, Johnson struggled with knee problems and played for only a fraction of the games. The point guard position was mostly run by Utah Jazz all-time assist leader John Stockton, but Johnson's presence alone was enough to provoke standing ovations from the crowd. He used the spotlight to attempt to inspire HIV positive people in several interviews.[citation needed]

Awards and Records

Transactions

References

  1. ^ 1990-91 Los Angeles Lakers
  2. ^ a b Stevenson, Richard W. (November 8, 1991). "BASKETBALL; Magic Johnson Ends His Career, Saying He Has AIDS Infection". The New York Times. Retrieved November 20, 2022.
  3. ^ a b Brown, Clifton (November 8, 1991). "BASKETBALL; A Career of Impact, a Player with Heart". The New York Times. Retrieved January 19, 2022.
  4. ^ a b Heisler, Mark (November 8, 1991). "Magic Johnson's Career Ended by HIV-Positive Test: Sports: The Announcement Stuns His Public. The Lakers Star Emphasizes That He Does Not Have AIDS. 'I Plan to Go on Living for a Long Time,' He Says". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 20, 2022.
  5. ^ a b "Magic Blames Weakness in Numbers: HIV: He Says He Can't Pinpoint When He Was Infected, Because There Were Many Women. He Says He Had No Homosexual Experiences". Los Angeles Times. November 13, 1991. Retrieved November 20, 2022.
  6. ^ a b Almond, Elliott (January 24, 1992). "Opponents Weigh the Risk of Playing Against Magic: Basketball: AIDS Researchers Say Chances of Transmitting Disease Minor. But Chaney Says Johnson, Voted to the All-Star Team, Shouldn't Play". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 20, 2022.
  7. ^ a b Almond, Elliott (January 29, 1992). "Magic's Decision to Play Continues to Spur Controversy: Pro Basketball: Readers Surveyed in Orlando Are Against His All-Star Participation". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 20, 2022.
  8. ^ a b Brown, Clifton (February 5, 1992). "BASKETBALL; Criticism Won't Stop Johnson's All-Star Bid". The New York Times. Retrieved November 20, 2022.
  9. ^ a b Brown, Clifton (February 10, 1992). "For One Stirring Afternoon, Magic Johnson Dazzles Again". The New York Times. Retrieved January 15, 2022.
  10. ^ a b Howard-Cooper, Scott (February 10, 1992). "Who Else Could Have Been MVP?: Pro Basketball: Players, Coaches Are Moved by Johnson's Presence Before the Game, and by His Three-Point Punctuation to History". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 20, 2022.
  11. ^ a b "1992 NBA All-Star Game: West 153, East 113". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved November 27, 2021.
  12. ^ Heisler, Mark (October 3, 1991). "Lakers Acquire Seattle's Threatt: NBA: They Trade Three Second-Round Picks for Veteran Guard. Drew, Thompson Waived". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 20, 2022.
  13. ^ "SPORTS PEOPLE: PRO BASKETBALL; An Expensive Rookie". The New York Times. October 5, 1991. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  14. ^ "NBA Games Played on February 6, 1992". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  15. ^ "1991–92 Los Angeles Lakers Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved December 1, 2021.
  16. ^ Los Angeles Lakers Franchise Index at basketball-reference.com
  17. ^ "SPORTS PEOPLE: PRO BASKETBALL; Lakers Lose Worthy". The New York Times. March 4, 1992. Retrieved January 15, 2022.
  18. ^ Harvey, Randy (March 19, 1992). "Worthy to Have Knee Surgery". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 20, 2022.
  19. ^ Heisler, Mark (November 13, 1991). "Lakers' Pain Is Real, Too: Pro Basketball: Lingering Injuries to Divac, Smith Add to the Team's Emotional Burden. No Trades Are Expected Soon". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 20, 2022.
  20. ^ Heisler, Mark (November 28, 1991). "Divac Out for at Least Six Weeks". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 20, 2022.
  21. ^ "1991–92 Los Angeles Lakers Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 5, 2022.
  22. ^ Press, Associated (May 4, 1992). "PRO BASKETBALL; Long Lakers Season Comes to a Close". The New York Times. Retrieved July 26, 2022.
  23. ^ Heisler, Mark (May 4, 1992). "Lakers Haven't the Vegas Idea How to Slow Runnin' Blazers: Game 4: Portland Is Simply Too Much for L.A. to Handle as Lakers' Strange Season Comes to an End, 102-76". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 26, 2022.
  24. ^ Brown, Clifton (June 15, 1992). "With Jordan Starring, Bulls Make It a Rerun". The New York Times. Retrieved September 22, 2022.
  25. ^ Heisler, Mark (June 15, 1992). "Bull Reserves Take Title by Horns: Game 6: Along with Pippen, They Go on a Late 14-2 Run That Carries Chicago to a 97-93 Victory". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 22, 2022.
  26. ^ Isaacson, Melissa (June 15, 1992). "Bulls Find Repeat Sweet". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved September 22, 2022.
  27. ^ Cherwa, John (May 12, 1992). "Bucks Reportedly Hire Dunleavy: Pro Basketball: Laker Coach for Two Seasons Said to Be Leaving to Become Milwaukee Coach and General Manager". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 20, 2022.
  28. ^ Press, Associated (May 19, 1992). "SPORTS PEOPLE: PRO BASKETBALL; Pfund Chosen to Succeed Dunleavy". The New York Times. Retrieved December 15, 2021.
  29. ^ "On Capitol Hill, the Battle for AIDS Funds Heats Up". The New York Times. November 9, 1991.
  30. ^ Bork (1994), pp. 90-94
  31. ^ "Johnson Finally Says the Magic Words: 'It's On'". The New York Times. January 30, 1996.
  32. ^ Brown, Clifton (September 22, 1991). "BASKETBALL; U.S., in No Surprise, Will Go with the Best". The New York Times. Retrieved January 19, 2022.
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