| 1978–79 Los Angeles Lakers season | |
|---|---|
| Head coach | Jerry West |
| General manager | Bill Sharman |
| Owner | Jack Kent Cooke |
| Arena | The Forum |
| Results | |
| Record | 47–35 (.573) |
| Place | Division: 3rd (Pacific) Conference: 5th (Western) |
| Playoff finish | Conference semifinals (lost to SuperSonics 1–4) |
Stats at Basketball Reference | |
| Local media | |
| Television | KHJ-TV |
| Radio | KLAC |
The 1978–79 Los Angeles Lakers season was the Lakers' 31st season in the NBA and 19th season in Los Angeles.[1]
The Lakers improved their win total from the prior year to 47–35, but lost once again in the postseason to division rival Seattle, who would win the title that year.
It was the final season for the team under the ownership of Jack Kent Cooke, who sold the team to Jerry Buss the following summer. It was also the final season for former Laker legend Jerry West as coach; he returned to the organization three years later as general manager.
Offseason
[edit]Draft picks
[edit]| Round | Pick | Player | Nationality | College |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 26 | Ron Carter |  United States |
Virginia Military |
| 2 | 38 | Lew Massey | United States |
North Carolina |
| 3 | 60 | Michael Cooper | United States |
New Mexico |
| 4 | 82 | Harold Robertson | United States |
Lincoln University |
| 5 | 104 | Carlos Terry | United States |
Winston-Salem |
| 6 | 126 | Kim Stewart | United States |
Washington |
| 7 | 147 | Larry Paige | United States |
Colorado |
Roster
[edit]| Players | Coaches | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Head coach
Assistant(s)
Legend
Roster |
Regular season
[edit]Season standings
[edit]| W | L | PCT | GB | Home | Road | Div | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| y-Seattle SuperSonics | 52 | 30 | .634 | – | 31–10 | 21–20 | 11–9 |
| x-Phoenix Suns | 50 | 32 | .610 | 2 | 32–9 | 18–23 | 11–9 |
| x-Los Angeles Lakers | 47 | 35 | .573 | 5 | 31–10 | 16–25 | 11–9 |
| x-Portland Trail Blazers | 45 | 37 | .549 | 7 | 33–8 | 12–29 | 8–12 |
| San Diego Clippers | 43 | 39 | .524 | 9 | 29–12 | 14–27 | 11–9 |
| Golden State Warriors | 38 | 44 | .463 | 14 | 23–18 | 15–26 | 8–12 |
| # | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team | W | L | PCT | GB | |
| 1 | z-Seattle SuperSonics | 52 | 30 | .634 | – |
| 2 | y-Kansas City Kings | 48 | 34 | .585 | 4 |
| 3 | x-Phoenix Suns | 50 | 32 | .610 | 2 |
| 4 | x-Denver Nuggets | 47 | 35 | .573 | 5 |
| 5 | x-Los Angeles Lakers | 47 | 35 | .573 | 5 |
| 6 | x-Portland Trail Blazers | 45 | 37 | .549 | 7 |
| 7 | San Diego Clippers | 43 | 39 | .524 | 9 |
| 8 | Indiana Pacers | 38 | 44 | .463 | 14 |
| 9 | Milwaukee Bucks | 38 | 44 | .463 | 14 |
| 10 | Golden State Warriors | 38 | 44 | .463 | 14 |
| 11 | Chicago Bulls | 31 | 51 | .378 | 21 |
- z - clinched division title
- y - clinched division title
- x - clinched playoff spot
Playoffs
[edit]Awards and records
[edit]- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, All-NBA Second Team
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, NBA All-Defensive First Team
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, NBA All-Star Game
References
[edit]External links
[edit]- 1978–79 Los Angeles Lakers Roster and Stats at basketball-reference.com