From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

1987–88  Washington Bullets season
Head coach
General manager Bob Ferry
Owner(s) Abe Pollin
Arena Capital Centre
Results
Record38–44 (.463)
PlaceDivision: 2nd ( Atlantic)
Conference: 7th ( Eastern)
Playoff finish First round
(lost to Pistons 2–3)

Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
Television
Radio WTOP
< 1986–87 1988–89 >

The 1987–88 NBA season was the Bullets' 27th season in the NBA and their 15th season in the city of Washington, D.C. [1] After Kevin Loughery was replaced by Wes Unseld during the season, the Bullets finished second in the Atlantic Division with a 38–44 record. In the first round of the playoffs, they lost to the Detroit Pistons in five games. This would be their final playoff appearance until 1997. Following the season, Moses Malone, who was selected for the 1988 NBA All-Star Game, signed as an unrestricted free agent with the Atlanta Hawks.

This season saw the team draft 5'3 Muggsy Bogues with the 12th overall pick in the 1987 NBA draft. He is the shortest player in NBA history. After his rookie season, Bogues left for the 1988 Expansion Draft.

Draft picks

Round Pick Player Position Nationality College
1 12 Muggsy Bogues PG   United States Wake Forest
2 36 Duane Washington   United States Middle Tennessee State
2 37 Derrick Dowell   United States Southern California
3 59 Danny Pearson   United States Jacksonville
4 81 Scott Thompson C   United States San Diego
5 106 Patrick Fairs   United States Texas
6 128 Dwayne Scholten   United States Washington State
7 150 Jamie Dixon   United States Texas Christian

Roster

1987–88 Washington Bullets roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB From
PF 31 Alarie, Mark 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 217 lb (98 kg) 1963-12-11 Duke
PG 1 Bogues, Muggsy 5 ft 3 in (1.60 m) 136 lb (62 kg) 1965-01-09 Wake Forest
C 10 Bol, Manute 7 ft 6 in (2.29 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 1962-10-16 Bridgeport
PF 33 Catledge, Terry 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1963-08-22 South Alabama
PG 20 Colter, Steve 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 165 lb (75 kg) 1962-07-24 New Mexico State
PG 15 Johnson, Frank 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1958-11-23 Wake Forest
PF 23 Jones, Charles 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1957-04-03 Albany State
SF 30 King, Bernard (C) 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 1956-12-04 Tennessee
SG 24 Malone, Jeff 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 1961-06-28 Mississippi State
C 4 Malone, Moses (C) 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1955-03-23 Petersburg HS (VA)
PF 42 Murphy, Jay 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1962-06-26 Boston College
SG 5 Walker, Darrell 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1961-03-09 Arkansas
SF 34 Williams, John 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 235 lb (107 kg) 1966-10-26 LSU
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)

Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured Injured

Roster
Last transaction: January 21, 1988

Regular season

Season standings

W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y- Boston Celtics 57 25 .695 36–5 21–20 19–5
x- Washington Bullets 38 44 .463 19 25–16 13–28 13–11
x- New York Knicks 38 44 .463 19 29–12 9–32 10–14
Philadelphia 76ers 36 46 .439 21 27–14 9–32 12–12
New Jersey Nets 19 63 .232 38 16–25 3–38 6–18
#
Team W L PCT GB
1 c- Boston Celtics 57 25 .695
2 y- Detroit Pistons 54 28 .659 3
3 x- Chicago Bulls 50 32 .610 7
4 x- Atlanta Hawks 50 32 .610 7
5 x- Milwaukee Bucks 42 40 .512 15
6 x- Cleveland Cavaliers 42 40 .512 15
7 x- Washington Bullets 38 44 .463 19
8 x- New York Knicks 38 44 .463 19
9 Indiana Pacers 38 44 .463 19
10 Philadelphia 76ers 36 46 .439 21
11 New Jersey Nets 19 63 .232 38

Notes

  • z, y – division champions
  • x – clinched playoff spot

Record vs. opponents

1987-88 NBA Records
Team ATL BOS CHI CLE DAL DEN DET GSW HOU IND LAC LAL MIL NJN NYK PHI PHO POR SAC SAS SEA UTA WAS
Atlanta 2–4 2–3 5–1 2–0 1–1 2–4 2–0 1–1 4–2 2–0 0–2 3–3 5–0 3–3 6–0 1–1 0–2 1–1 2–0 2–0 1–1 3–3
Boston 4–2 3–3 2–3 2–0 0–2 3–3 2–0 1–1 5–0 2–0 0–2 3–3 5–1 5–1 4–2 2–0 2–0 2–0 2–0 1–1 2–0 5–1
Chicago 3–2 3–3 3–3 0–2 1–1 2–4 2–0 2–0 3–3 2–0 1–1 5–1 5–1 3–2 4–2 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 3–3
Cleveland 1–5 3–2 3–3 1–1 1–1 1–5 0–2 1–1 4–2 1–1 1–1 2–4 5–1 2–4 3–2 1–1 1–1 2–0 2–0 1–1 0–2 6–0
Dallas 0–2 0–2 2–0 1–1 3–3 1–1 4–1 4–2 2–0 5–0 1–4 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 5–0 3–2 5–1 5–1 3–2 3–3 1–1
Denver 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 3–3 1–1 4–1 4–2 1–1 5–0 3–2 1–1 2–0 1–1 2–0 3–2 2–3 4–2 5–1 4–1 2–4 2–0
Detroit 4–2 3–3 4–2 5–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 3–3 1–1 0–2 4–2 5–1 4–2 4–1 2–0 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 3–2
Golden State 0–2 0–2 0–2 2–0 1–4 1–4 0–2 0–5 0–2 3–3 0–6 0–2 2–0 0–2 1–1 2–4 1–5 2–3 3–2 1–5 1–4 0–2
Houston 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 2–4 2–4 1–1 5–0 2–0 3–2 1–4 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 4–1 4–1 4–2 2–4 3–2 3–3 2–0
Indiana 2–4 0–5 3–3 2–4 0–2 1–1 3–3 2–0 0–2 1–1 1–1 3–3 6–0 2–3 2–4 2–0 0–2 2–0 2–0 1–1 1–1 2–4
L.A. Clippers 0–2 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–5 0–5 1–1 3–3 2–3 1–1 1–5 0–2 0–2 0–2 1–1 2–4 0–6 3–2 0–5 1–5 1–4 0–2
L.A. Lakers 2–0 2–0 1–1 1–1 4–1 2–3 2–0 6–0 4–1 1–1 5–1 0–2 2–0 2–0 2–0 5–1 3–3 4–1 5–0 4–2 4–1 1–1
Milwaukee 3–3 3–3 1–5 4–2 0–2 1–1 2–4 2–0 0–2 3–3 2–0 2–0 3–2 3–3 2–4 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 4–1
New Jersey 0–5 1–5 1–5 1–5 1–1 0–2 1–5 0–2 1–1 0–6 2–0 0–2 2–3 3–3 2–4 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 0–6
New York 3–3 1–5 2–3 4–2 1–1 1–1 2–4 2–0 1–1 3–2 2–0 0–2 3–3 3–3 3–3 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 3–3
Philadelphia 0–6 2–4 2–4 2–3 1–1 0–2 1–4 1–1 1–1 4–2 1–1 0–2 4–2 4–2 3–3 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 3–3
Phoenix 1–1 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–5 2–3 0–2 4–2 1–4 0–2 4–2 1–5 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 0–6 3–2 2–3 2–4 2–3 0–2
Portland 2–0 0–2 1–1 1–1 2–3 3–2 1–1 5–1 1–4 2–0 6–0 3–3 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 6–0 4–1 5–0 3–3 1–4 2–0
Sacramento 1–1 0–2 1–1 0–2 1–5 2–4 0–2 3–2 2–4 0–2 2–3 1–4 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–3 1–4 3–3 1–4 1–5 0–2
San Antonio 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–2 1–5 1–5 1–1 2–3 4–2 0–2 5–0 0–5 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 3–2 0–5 3–3 3–2 3–3 0–2
Seattle 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–3 1–4 1–1 5–1 2–3 1–1 5–1 2–4 1–1 2–0 2–0 1–1 4–2 3–3 4–1 2–3 1–4 2–0
Utah 1–1 0–2 0–2 2–0 3–3 4–2 0–2 4–1 3–3 1–1 4–1 1–4 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 3–2 4–1 5–1 3–3 4–1 2–0
Washington 3–3 1–5 3–3 0–6 1–1 0–2 2–3 2–0 0–2 4–2 2–0 1–1 1–4 6–0 3–3 3–3 2–0 0–2 2–0 2–0 0–2 0–2

Game log

Regular season

1987–88 game log
Total: 38–44 (home: 25–16; road: 13–28)
November: 4–8 (home: 2–2; road: 2–6)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
1 November 6, 1987
7:30 p.m. EST
@ Atlanta L 97–114 M. Malone (32) M. Malone (12) Bogues (6) The Omni
16,064
0–1
2 November 7, 1987
7:30 p.m. EST
Boston L 139–140 (2OT) M. Malone (32) M. Malone (13) Bogues (7) Capital Centre
19,643
0–2
3 November 10, 1987
8:30 p.m. CST
@ Milwaukee L 100–115 J. Malone (18) M. Malone (14) Bogues (11) MECCA Arena
10,586
0–3
4 November 13 New York W 108–101 Capital Centre 1–3
5 November 15 @ New Jersey W 113–109 Brendan Byrne Arena 2–3
6 November 17, 1987
8:30 p.m. EST
@ Chicago L 101–105 J. Malone (26) M. Malone (9) Bogues (6) Chicago Stadium
17,081
2–4
7 November 18, 1987
7:30 p.m. EST
Chicago L 82–84 Williams (17) Williams (14) Bogues (6) Capital Centre
13,721
2–5
8 November 20 @ Portland L 101–120 Memorial Coliseum 2–6
9 November 21 @ Seattle L 103–124 Seattle Center Coliseum 2–7
10 November 24, 1987
9:30 p.m. EST
@ Utah L 83–100 M. Malone (17) M. Malone (10) Walker (4) Salt Palace
12,212
2–8
11 November 25 @ L.A. Clippers W 101–96 Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena 3–8
12 November 28, 1987
7:30 p.m. EST
Detroit W 124–102 Williams (21) M. Malone (9) Johnson (7) Capital Centre
13,028
4–8
December: 4–9 (home: 3–5; road: 1–4)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
13 December 2 @ Indiana L 102–108 Market Square Arena 4–9
14 December 3, 1987
7:30 p.m. EST
Atlanta L 94–102 J. Malone (28) M. Malone (15) Bogues (7) Capital Centre
6,464
4–10
15 December 5 Seattle L 99–115 Capital Centre 4–11
16 December 8 @ New York L 92–116 Madison Square Garden 4–12
17 December 9, 1987
7:30 p.m. EST
L.A. Lakers W 120–112 (OT) J. Malone (29) Catledge (15) Bogues (9) Capital Centre
18,643
5–12
18 December 11, 1987
7:30 p.m. EST
@ Detroit L 108–114 Catledge (26) Bol,
Catledge,
M. Malone (8)
Bogues,
Johnson,
Walker (4)
Pontiac Silverdome
17,884
5–13
19 December 12 @ New Jersey W 122–107 Brendan Byrne Arena 6–13
20 December 15, 1987
7:30 p.m. EST
Boston L 102–122 M. Malone (21) M. Malone (10) Walker (5) Capital Centre
15,890
6–14
21 December 17 Indiana W 115–111 (OT) Capital Centre 7–14
22 December 19, 1987
7:30 p.m. EST
Chicago W 109–96 King (28) M. Malone (9) Johnson (11) Capital Centre
14,353
8–14
23 December 22, 1987
7:30 p.m. EST
Cleveland L 102–106 J. Malone (27) M. Malone (12) Johnson (9) Capital Centre
4,464
8–15
24 December 26, 1987
9:00 p.m. EST
@ Milwaukee L 97–102 King (24) Bol (8) J. Malone,
Williams (5)
MECCA Arena
11,052
8–16
25 December 30 Portland L 112–117 Capital Centre 8–17
January: 9–6 (home: 8–2; road: 1–4)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
26 January 1, 1988
8:00 p.m. EST
Denver L 109–124 Catledge (27) M. Malone (15) Bogues (10) Capital Centre
5,326
8–18
27 January 2 Houston L 100–111 Capital Centre 8–19
28 January 5 New Jersey W 101–97 Capital Centre 9–19
29 January 8, 1988
7:30 p.m. EST
@ Boston L 109–125 J. Malone (31) M. Malone (13) Colter,
J. Malone (5)
Boston Garden
14,890
9–20
30 January 9 L.A. Clippers W 108–76 Capital Centre 10–20
31 January 14, 1988
7:30 p.m. EST
Milwaukee W 136–107 M. Malone (36) M. Malone (14) Bogues (9) Capital Centre
8,316
11–20
32 January 17 Sacramento W 130–113 Capital Centre 12–20
33 January 18, 1988
8:30 p.m. EST
@ Chicago L 103–117 King (25) Catledge,
M. Malone (8)
Colter (7) Chicago Stadium
17,767
12–21
34 January 20 @ Philadelphia W 110–98 The Spectrum 13–21
35 January 22 Golden State W 115–91 Capital Centre 14–21
36 January 24 Philadelphia W 131–99 Capital Centre 15–21
37 January 25 Philadelphia W 118–117 (OT) Capital Centre 16–21
38 January 27, 1988
7:30 p.m. EST
@ Boston L 100–106 King (32) M. Malone (11) Bogues (5) Boston Garden
14,890
16–22
39 January 28 New York W 104–90 Capital Centre 17–22
40 January 30, 1988
7:30 p.m. EST
@ Cleveland L 126–128 (OT) Catledge (23) Catledge (13) Bogues (12) Richfield Coliseum
18,749
17–23
February: 5–9 (home: 1–2; road: 4–7)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
41 February 2 @ New York L 106–110 Madison Square Garden 17–24
42 February 3, 1988
7:30 p.m. EST
Cleveland L 106–107 J. Malone (27) M. Malone (13) Colter,
King (5)
Capital Centre
6,806
17–25
All-Star Break
43 February 9 New Jersey W 126–117 (OT) Capital Centre 18–25
44 February 10, 1988
7:30 p.m. EST
@ Cleveland L 102–118 J. Malone (34) Catledge (10) J. Malone (7) Richfield Coliseum
9,179
18–26
45 February 13, 1988
7:30 p.m. EST
@ Atlanta L 103–105 J. Malone (29) Williams (10) Colter (5) The Omni
16,451
18–27
46 February 15, 1988
1:00 p.m. EST
Milwaukee L 110–114 Williams (28) Williams (8) Bogues (4) Capital Centre
9,564
18–28
47 February 17, 1988
8:30 p.m. EST
@ Dallas L 108–123 Williams (22) Jones,
M. Malone (10)
Catledge,
Colter,
King,
J. Malone (4)
Reunion Arena
17,007
18–29
48 February 19 @ San Antonio W 106–102 HemisFair Arena 19–29
49 February 20 @ Houston L 109–115 The Summit 19–30
50 February 22, 1988
9:30 p.m. EST
@ Denver L 87–100 Johnson,
M. Malone (17)
M. Malone (13) Johnson (6) McNichols Sports Arena
10,553
19–31
51 February 23, 1988
10:30 p.m. EST
@ L.A. Lakers L 100–111 J. Malone (26) Jones (14) Colter (8) The Forum
17,505
19–32
52 February 25 @ Sacramento W 129–110 ARCO Arena 20–32
53 February 27 @ Phoenix W 116–106 Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 21–32
54 February 29 @ Golden State W 110–105 Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena 22–32
March: 8–7 (home: 7–3; road: 1–4)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
55 March 2 Indiana W 111–102 Capital Centre 23–32
56 March 4 @ Indiana W 95–88 Market Square Arena 24–32
57 March 5, 1988
7:30 p.m. EST
Detroit W 101–97 J. Malone,
M. Malone (21)
M. Malone (13) Bogues (6) Capital Centre
15,656
25–32
58 March 9 Phoenix W 115–111 Capital Centre 26–32
59 March 11, 1988
8:00 p.m. EST
Utah L 107–109 J. Malone (31) M. Malone (17) Colter,
Williams (5)
Capital Centre
10,775
26–33
60 March 13 @ Philadelphia L 96–104 The Spectrum 26–34
61 March 14 San Antonio W 112–106 Capital Centre 27–34
62 March 16, 1988
7:30 p.m. EST
Chicago W 106–103 J. Malone,
Williams (28)
M. Malone (13) Colter (8) Capital Centre
16,515
28–34
63 March 17 @ Indiana L 95–99 Market Square Arena 28–35
64 March 19 Philadelphia L 89–94 Capital Centre 28–36
65 March 20, 1988
7:00 p.m. EST
@ Detroit L 110–118 J. Malone (39) M. Malone (11) Colter (8) Pontiac Silverdome
22,075
28–37
66 March 23, 1988
7:30 p.m. EST
@ Boston L 89–104 Williams (27) M. Malone (8) Bogues (8) Boston Garden
14,890
28–38
67 March 24, 1988
7:30 p.m. EST
Atlanta W 94–91 J. Malone (21) M. Malone (11) J. Malone (5) Capital Centre
13,629
29–38
68 March 26 New Jersey W 99–88 Capital Centre 30–38
69 March 30, 1988
7:30 p.m. EST
Cleveland L 96–107 J. Malone (20) M. Malone (15) Bogues,
Colter,
Williams (5)
Capital Centre
8,387
30–39
April: 7–5 (home: 3–2; road: 4–3)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
70 April 1, 1988
8:00 p.m. EST
Dallas W 118–103 M. Malone (27) M. Malone (9) Bogues (7) Capital Centre
13,783
31–39
71 April 3 @ New Jersey W 105–103 Brendan Byrne Arena 32–39
72 April 5, 1988
8:30 p.m. EDT
@ Chicago W 105–94 Williams (23) M. Malone (13) Bogues (12) Chicago Stadium
17,773
33–39
73 April 6, 1988
7:30 p.m. EDT
@ Cleveland L 87–98 Colter (29) Jones (8) Williams (5) Richfield Coliseum
10,165
33–40
74 April 8 Indiana W 107–100 Capital Centre 34–40
75 April 10 New York L 98–118 Capital Centre 35–40
76 April 11, 1988
7:30 p.m. EDT
@ Atlanta W 86–85 Walker (19) Williams (14) J. Malone (9) The Omni
10,473
35–41
77 April 13 @ Philadelphia L 97–98 (OT) The Spectrum 35–42
78 April 15 @ New York W 106–97 Madison Square Garden 36–42
79 April 17, 1988
3:30 p.m. EDT
Boston W 98–92 M. Malone (24) M. Malone (14) Walker (7) Capital Centre
18,643
37–42
80 April 20, 1988
8:30 p.m. EDT
@ Milwaukee L 94–132 Alarie,
King (14)
Bol (8) Bogues (9) MECCA Arena
11,052
37–43
81 April 21, 1988
7:30 p.m. EDT
Detroit L 87–99 M. Malone (23) M. Malone (11) Walker (7) Capital Centre
11,713
37–44
82 April 23, 1988
7:30 p.m. EDT
Atlanta W 106–96 J. Malone,
M. Malone (24)
Jones,
M. Malone (7)
J. Malone (7) Capital Centre
15,638
38–44
1987–88 schedule

Playoffs

1988 playoff game log
Eastern Conference First Round: 2–3 (home: 2–0; road: 0–3)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Series
1 April 28, 1988
7:30 p.m. EDT
@ Detroit L 87–96 J. Malone (33) M. Malone (13) Williams (9) Pontiac Silverdome
17,356
0–1
2 April 30, 1988
8:00 p.m. EDT
@ Detroit L 101–102 J. Malone (31) M. Malone (14) J. Malone (4) Pontiac Silverdome
18,293
0–2
3 May 2, 1988
8:00 p.m. EDT
Detroit W 114–106 (OT) J. Malone (35) M. Malone (9) Colter (6) Capital Centre
9,673
1–2
4 May 4, 1988
8:00 p.m. EDT
Detroit W 106–103 J. Malone (25) M. Malone (8) Walker (5) Capital Centre
10,513
2–2
5 May 8, 1988
3:30 p.m. EDT
@ Detroit L 78–99 KIng (18) M. Malone (12) M. Malone,
Walker,
Williams (3)
Pontiac Silverdome
18,403
2–3
1988 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

Season

Playoffs

Awards and records

Transactions

References

  1. ^ "1987-88 Washington Bullets Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved November 16, 2021.

See also