1989–90 Washington Bullets season

The 1989–90 NBA season was the Bullets' 29th season in the National Basketball Association.[1] The Bullets had the ninth overall pick in the 1989 NBA draft, and selected Tom Hammonds out of Georgia Tech.[2][3][4][5] The Bullets got off to a fast start winning five of their first six games. However, they would struggle losing 10 of their next 13 games, but would climb back into playoff connection with a 12–11 record in mid December. However, their playoff hopes faded quickly as they lost 14 of their next 16 games, and held a 18–31 record at the All-Star break.[6] The Bullets finished fourth in the Atlantic Division with a 31–51 record,[7]

1989–90 Washington Bullets season
Head coachWes Unseld
General managerBob Ferry
Owner(s)Abe Pollin
ArenaCapital Centre (37 games)
Baltimore Arena (4 games)
Results
Record31–51 (.378)
PlaceDivision: 4th (Atlantic)
Conference: 10th (Eastern)
Playoff finishDid not qualify

Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
Television
RadioWTOP
< 1988–89 1990–91 >

Jeff Malone led the team in scoring averaging 24.3 points per game, while Bernard King averaged 22.3 points per game, and John "Hot Plate" Williams provided the team with 18.2 points, 7.6 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game, but went down with a knee injury after only playing just 18 games.[8][9][10] In addition, second-year guard Ledell Eackles contributed 13.5 points per game, while Mark Alarie averaged 10.5 points per game, Darrell Walker contributed 9.5 points, 8.8 rebounds, 8.0 assists and 1.7 steals per game, and Charles Jones provided with 6.2 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game.[11]

Following the season, Malone was traded to the Sacramento Kings, who then dealt him to the Utah Jazz after seven seasons with the Bullets.[12][13][14]

Draft picks

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Round Pick Player Position Nationality College
1 9 Tom Hammonds PF   United States Georgia Tech
2 39 Ed Horton PF   United States Iowa
2 41 Doug Roth C   United States Tennessee

Roster

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1989–90 Washington Bullets roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB From
F 31 Alarie, Mark 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 217 lb (98 kg) 1963–12–11 Duke
G 20 Colter, Steve 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 165 lb (75 kg) 1962–07–24 New Mexico State
G 21 Eackles, Ledell 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1966–11–24 New Orleans
F 44 Grant, Harvey 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1965–07–04 Oklahoma
F 12 Hammonds, Tom 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1967–03–27 Georgia Tech
F 32 Horton, Ed 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 230 lb (104 kg) 1967–12–17 Iowa
C 23 Jones, Charles 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1957–04–03 Albany State
F 30 King, Bernard 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 1956–12–04 Tennessee
G 24 Malone, Jeff 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 1961–06–28 Mississippi State
C 13 Roth, Doug 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 255 lb (116 kg) 1967–08–24 Tennessee
C 50 Turpin, Melvin 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 240 lb (109 kg) 1960–12–28 Kentucky
G 5 Walker, Darrell 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1961–03–09 Arkansas
F 34 Williams, John   6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 235 lb (107 kg) 1966–10–26 LSU
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)

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

Roster

Regular season

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Season standings

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W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-Philadelphia 76ers 53 29 .646 34–7 19–22 19–7
x-Boston Celtics 52 30 .634 1 30–11 22–19 19–7
x-New York Knicks 45 37 .549 8 29–12 16–25 17–9
Washington Bullets 31 51 .378 22 20–21 11–30 10–16
Miami Heat 18 64 .220 35 11–30 7–34 4–22
New Jersey Nets 17 65 .207 36 13–28 4–37 9–17
#
Team W L PCT GB
1 c-Detroit Pistons 59 23 .720
2 y-Philadelphia 76ers 53 29 .646 6
3 x-Chicago Bulls 55 27 .671 4
4 x-Boston Celtics 52 30 .634 7
5 x-New York Knicks 45 37 .549 14
6 x-Milwaukee Bucks 44 38 .537 15
7 x-Cleveland Cavaliers 42 40 .512 17
8 x-Indiana Pacers 42 40 .512 17
9 Atlanta Hawks 41 41 .500 18
10 Washington Bullets 31 51 .378 28
11 Miami Heat 18 64 .220 41
12 Orlando Magic 18 64 .220 41
13 New Jersey Nets 17 65 .207 42
z - clinched division title
y - clinched division title
x - clinched playoff spot

Record vs. opponents

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1989-90 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 1–3 2–0 0–5 2–3 0–2 1–1 3–2 2–0 2–0 2–3 1–1 0–2 4–0 3–2 1–1 2–2 1–3 5–0 2–2 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–2
Boston 3–1 2–0 2–2 3–1 1–1 1–1 2–2 1–1 2–0 1–3 1–1 0–2 5–0 2–2 1–1 5–1 4–1 4–0 3–2 1–1 0–2 2–0 1–1 2–0 1–1 2–3
Charlotte 0–2 0–2 0–2 1–1 1–3 3–2 0–2 2–2 1–4 1–1 2–2 0–4 1–1 0–2 2–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–3 0–4 1–3 0–5 0–4 0–5 0–2
Chicago 5–0 2–2 2–0 5–0 2–0 1–1 1–4 2–0 1–1 2–3 1–1 1–1 4–0 4–1 2–0 3–1 3–1 3–2 2–2 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 3–1
Cleveland 3–2 1–3 1–1 0–5 0–2 0–2 1–4 1–1 0–2 3–2 1–1 1–1 4–0 3–2 1–1 4–0 2–2 4–1 2–2 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 3–1
Dallas 2–0 1–1 3–1 0–2 2–0 2–3 1–1 3–1 4–1 2–0 3–1 0–4 2–0 1–1 4–1 2–0 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–3 0–4 3–1 3–2 2–2 1–3 1–1
Denver 1–1 1–1 2–3 1–1 2–0 3–2 0–2 2–2 4–1 0–2 2–2 0–4 2–0 1–1 5–0 2–0 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–3 2–2 4–0 1–3 2–2 0–4 1–1
Detroit 2–3 2–2 2–0 4–1 4–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 4–1 1–1 1–1 3–1 3–2 2–0 4–0 4–0 5–0 1–3 2–0 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 4–0
Golden State 0–2 1–1 2–2 0–2 1–1 1–3 2–2 1–1 2–2 1–1 3–1 1–4 2–0 1–1 3–1 2–0 0–2 2–0 1–1 0–5 2–2 3–2 1–3 2–3 2–2 1–1
Houston 0–2 0–2 4–1 1–1 2–0 1–4 1–4 1–1 2–2 1–1 2–2 2–2 1–1 1–1 2–2 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 2–2 1–3 4–0 2–2 2–2 3–2 1–1
Indiana 3–2 3–1 1–1 3–2 2–3 0–2 2–0 1–4 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–2 3–1 3–2 1–1 4–0 1–3 4–1 0–4 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 3–1
L.A. Clippers 1–1 1–1 2–2 1–1 1–1 1–3 2–2 1–1 1–3 2–2 2–0 1–4 0–2 1–1 3–1 2–0 0–2 2–0 0–2 0–4 0–5 2–3 0–4 3–2 0–4 1–1
L.A. Lakers 2–0 2–0 4–0 1–1 1–1 4–0 4–0 1–1 4–1 2–2 2–0 4–1 2–0 1–1 4–0 2–0 2–0 1–1 1–1 3–1 2–3 5–0 2–2 4–0 2–2 1–1
Miami 0–4 0–5 1–1 0–4 0–4 0–2 0–2 1–3 0–2 1–1 1–3 2–0 0–2 2–2 1–1 1–4 1–5 3–1 0–5 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–2 0–2 1–1 2–3
Milwaukee 2–3 2–2 2–0 1–4 2–3 1–1 1–1 2–3 1–1 1–1 2–3 1–1 1–1 2–2 2–0 4–0 2–2 5–0 1–3 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 0–2 3–1
Minnesota 1–1 1–1 2–2 0–2 1–1 1–4 0–5 0–2 1–3 2–2 1–1 1–3 0–4 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–4 1–3 2–2 1–4 1–3 0–5 1–1
New Jersey 2–2 1–5 1–1 1–3 0–4 0–2 0–2 0–4 0–2 1–1 0–4 0–2 0–2 4–1 0–4 1–1 1–4 1–3 1–4 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–2 0–2 0–2 2–3
New York 3–1 1–4 1–1 1–3 2–2 1–1 1–1 0–4 2–0 1–1 3–1 2–0 0–2 5–1 2–2 1–1 4–1 2–2 2–3 1–1 0–2 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 5–0
Orlando 0–5 0–4 1–1 2–3 1–4 0–2 0–2 0–5 0–2 0–2 1–4 0–2 1–1 1–3 0–5 1–1 3–1 2–2 2–2 0–2 0–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 0–4
Philadelphia 2–2 2–3 2–0 2–2 2–2 1–1 1–1 3–1 1–1 1–1 4–0 2–0 1–1 5–0 3–1 1–1 4–1 3–2 2–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 5–1
Phoenix 2–0 1–1 3–1 0–2 1–1 3–1 3–1 0–2 5–0 2–2 1–1 4–0 1–3 2–0 1–1 4–0 2–0 1–1 2–0 1–1 2–3 5–0 0–4 3–2 3–1 2–0
Portland 1–1 2–0 4–0 1–1 1–1 4–0 2–2 1–1 2–2 3–1 1–1 5–0 3–2 2–0 1–1 3–1 2–0 2–0 2–0 1–1 3–2 4–0 3–1 3–2 2–2 1–1
Sacramento 1–1 0–2 3–1 1–1 0–2 1–3 0–4 0–2 2–3 0–4 1–1 3–2 0–5 1–1 1–1 2–2 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 0–5 0–4 0–4 2–2 1–3 1–1
San Antonio 1–1 1–1 5–0 1–1 1–1 2–3 3–1 1–1 3–1 2–2 1–1 4–0 2–2 2–0 1–1 4–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 4–0 1–3 4–0 3–1 3–2 2–0
Seattle 1–1 0–2 4–0 1–1 1–1 2–2 2–2 1–1 3–2 2–2 1–1 2–3 0–4 2–0 0–2 3–1 2–0 1–1 2–0 1–1 2–3 2–3 2–2 1–3 1–3 2–0
Utah 1–1 1–1 5–0 2–0 1–1 3–1 4–0 1–1 2–2 2–3 1–1 4–0 2–2 1–1 2–0 5–0 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–3 2–2 3–1 2–3 3–1 2–0
Washington 2–2 3–2 2–0 1–3 1–3 1–1 1–1 0–4 1–1 1–1 1–3 1–1 1–1 3–2 1–3 1–1 3–2 0–5 4–0 1–5 0–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–2 0–2

Game log

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Regular season

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1989–90 game log
Total: 31–51 (Home: 20–21; Road: 11–30)
November: 7–9 (home: 4–2; road: 3–7)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
1 November 3 @ Charlotte W 116–96[permanent dead link] Charlotte Coliseum 1–0
2 November 4 Detroit L 93–95 Capital Centre 1–1
3 November 7 @ Atlanta W 118–114 The Omni 2–1
4 November 8 Boston W 112–103 Capital Centre 3–1
5 November 10 Cleveland
(at Baltimore, Maryland)
W 100–92 Baltimore Arena 4–1
6 November 12 @ Portland W 104–95 Memorial Coliseum 5–1
7 November 13 @ Utah L 93–106 Salt Palace 5–2
8 November 15 @ Denver L 98–109 McNichols Sports Arena 5–3
9 November 16 @ Seattle L 98–111[permanent dead link] Seattle Center Coliseum 5–4
10 November 18 @ Phoenix L 107–118 Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 5–5
11 November 19 @ L.A. Lakers L 115–120 Great Western Forum 5–6
12 November 21 Milwaukee W 97–91 Capital Centre 6–6
13 November 24 @ Philadelphia L 108–121 The Spectrum 6–7
14 November 25 Miami W 107–88 Capital Centre 7–7
15 November 28 @ Cleveland L 91–92 Richfield Coliseum 7–8
16 November 29 Atlanta L 104–111 Capital Centre 7–9
December: 5–7 (home: 5–4; road: 0–3)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
17 December 1 Philadelphia
(at Baltimore, Maryland)
W 107–90 Baltimore Arena 8–9
18 December 2 Utah L 98–100 Capital Centre 8–10
19 December 6 @ Detroit L 107–115 The Palace of Auburn Hills 8–11
20 December 9 L.A. Lakers W 103–101 Capital Centre 9–11
21 December 14 Charlotte W 105–101[permanent dead link] Capital Centre 10–11
22 December 16 Dallas W 112–108 Capital Centre 11–11
23 December 19 Minnesota W 112–99[permanent dead link] Capital Centre 12–11
24 December 20 @ Philadelphia L 111–118 The Spectrum 12–12
25 December 22 New York L 112–122 Capital Centre 12–13
26 December 26 @ New Jersey L 94–101 Brendan Byrne Arena 12–14
27 December 27 San Antonio L 97–107 Capital Centre 12–15
28 December 30 Chicago L 112–117 (OT) Capital Centre 12–16
January: 3–13 (home: 2–4; road: 1–9)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
29 January 2 New Jersey W 110–96 Capital Centre 13–26
30 January 3 @ Boston L 101–120 Boston Garden 13–17
31 January 5 @ Cleveland L 107–119 Richfield Coliseum 13–18
32 January 6 Boston L 88–102 Capital Centre 13–19
33 January 9 @ New York L 127–131 (OT) Madison Square Garden 13–20
34 January 11 @ Miami W 100–89 Miami Arena 14–20
35 January 13 Philadelphia L 101–120 Capital Centre 14–21
36 January 15 Miami L 105–111 Capital Centre 14–22
37 January 17 @ New Jersey L 106–115 Brendan Byrne Arena 14–23
38 January 18 Milwaukee L 112–115 Capital Centre 14–24
39 January 20 @ Houston L 107–127 The Summit 14–25
40 January 22 @ San Antonio L 115–124 HemisFair Arena 14–26
41 January 23 @ Dallas L 105–129 Reunion Arena 14–27
42 January 25 Boston W 112–103 Capital Centre 15–27
43 January 27 @ Philadelphia L 101–125 The Spectrum 15–28
44 January 31 @ Detroit L 109–133 The Palace of Auburn Hills 15–29
February: 7–6 (home: 4–3; road: 3–3)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
45 February 2 Sacramento W 108–99[permanent dead link] Capital Centre 16–29
46 February 3 Seattle L 92–94[permanent dead link] Capital Centre 16–30
47 February 5 Golden State W 135–129 Capital Centre 17–30
48 February 6 @ Miami W 118–100 Miami Arena 18–30
49 February 8 L.A. Clippers L 103–105[permanent dead link] Capital Centre 18–31
50 February 13 @ Sacramento L 98–106[permanent dead link] ARCO Arena 18–32
51 February 15 @ Golden State L 107–113 Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena 18–33
52 February 16 @ L.A. Clippers W 118–112 (OT)[permanent dead link] Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena 19–33
53 February 18 Indiana
(at Baltimore, Maryland)
W 116–97 Baltimore Arena 20–33
54 February 20 @ Atlanta W 110–107 The Omni 21–33
55 February 22 New York L 110–119[permanent dead link] Capital Centre 21–34
56 February 24 Orlando W 141–124 Capital Centre 22–34
57 February 27 @ Minnesota L 88–104[permanent dead link] Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome 22–35
March: 5–9 (home: 3–5; road: 2–4)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
58 March 1 Detroit L 85–99 Capital Centre 22–36
59 March 3 @ Orlando W 132–128 (2OT) Orlando Arena 23–36
60 March 6 @ Indiana L 98–113 Market Square Arena 23–37
61 March 7 Phoenix L 111–113 Capital Centre 23–38
62 March 9 @ Boston
(at Hartford, Connecticut)
W 115–108 Hartford Civic Center 24–38
63 March 10 Portland L 113–116 Capital Centre 24–39
64 March 15 @ Milwaukee L 91–96 Bradley Center 24–40
65 March 17 Atlanta
(at Baltimore, Maryland)
L 92–119 Baltimore Arena 24–41
66 March 20 @ Chicago L 97–122 Chicago Stadium 24–42
67 March 21 New Jersey W 136–106 Capital Centre 25–42
68 March 24 Philadelphia L 112–114 (OT) Capital Centre 25–43
69 March 27 @ New York L 100–119 Madison Square Garden 25–44
70 March 28 Denver W 113–99 Capital Centre 26–44
71 March 30 Orlando W 143–115 Capital Centre 27–44
April: 4–6 (home: 2–3; road: 2–3)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
72 April 1 @ New Jersey W 105–97 Brendan Byrne Arena 28–44
73 April 4 New York L 107–118 Capital Centre 28–45
74 April 6 Houston W 121–110 Capital Centre 29–45
75 April 7 @ Milwaukee L 100–110 Bradley Center 29–46
76 April 10 @ Indiana L 105–107 Market Square Arena 29–47
77 April 12 Cleveland L 100–102 Capital Centre 29–48
78 April 14 Chicago W 113–103 Capital Centre 30–48
79 April 17 @ Orlando W 129–127 Orlando Arena 31–48
80 April 19 @ Chicago L 117–120 Chicago Stadium 31–49
81 April 20 @ Miami L 112–117 Miami Arena 31–50
82 April 22 Indiana L 117–127 Capital Centre 31–51
1989–90 schedule

Player statistics

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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

Regular season

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Washington Bullets statistics
Player GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Mark Alarie 82 10 23.1 .473 .204 .812 4.6 1.7 .7 .5 10.5
Steve Colter 73 1 13.4 .478 .000 .811 2.4 2.0 .6 .1 4.9
Ledell Eackles 78 8 21.7 .439 .322 .750 2.2 2.3 .6 .1 13.5
Harvey Grant 81 25 22.8 .473 .000 .701 4.2 1.6 .6 .5 8.2
Tom Hammonds 61 8 13.2 .437 .000 .643 2.8 .8 .2 .2 5.3
Ed Horton 45 10 8.3 .494 .000 .609 2.4 .4 .2 .1 4.5
Charles Jones 81 81 27.7 .508 .648 6.2 1.7 .6 2.4 3.2
Bernard King 82 82 32.8 .487 .130 .803 4.9 4.6 .6 .1 22.4
Jeff Malone 75 74 34.2 .491 .167 .877 2.7 3.2 .6 .1 24.3
Doug Roth 42 0 9.8 .430 .000 .500 2.9 .5 .2 .3 1.9
Melvin Turpin 59 12 13.9 .526 .000 .789 3.7 .5 .3 .8 4.7
Darrell Walker 81 81 35.6 .454 .095 .687 8.8 8.0 1.7 .4 9.5
John Williams 18 18 35.1 .474 .111 .774 7.6 4.7 1.2 .5 18.2

Awards and records

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Transactions

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References

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  1. ^ 1989-90 Washington Bullets
  2. ^ Goldaper, Sam (June 28, 1989). "Kings Take Ellison First in N.B.A. Draft; Clippers Pick Ferry". The New York Times. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  3. ^ McManis, Sam (June 28, 1989). "THE NBA DRAFT: The Other Teams: Sacramento's Secret Is Out: It's Ellison". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
  4. ^ Cotton, Anthony (June 28, 1989). "Bullets Draft Hammonds". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 31, 2022.
  5. ^ "1989 NBA Draft". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved December 31, 2022.
  6. ^ "NBA Games Played on February 8, 1990". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
  7. ^ "1989–90 Washington Bullets Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  8. ^ Aldridge, David (December 4, 1989). "Bullets' Williams to Miss Up to 8 Weeks with Knee Injury". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 31, 2022.
  9. ^ Aldridge, David (December 8, 1989). "Modern Medicine, Time Are on Williams's Side". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 31, 2022.
  10. ^ Aldridge, David (March 15, 1990). "Bullets Don't Expect Williams to Return". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 31, 2022.
  11. ^ "1989–90 Washington Bullets Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  12. ^ Brady, Jim (June 25, 1990). "Bullets, Jazz, Kings Make Three-Way Deal". United Press International. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
  13. ^ "Bullets Get Pervis Ellison in Three-Way Trade: Pro Basketball: Jeff Malone Goes to Jazz, with Hansen and Leckner Going to Sacramento. Nets Deal for Theus, Meaning They Will Probably Pick Coleman". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. June 26, 1990. Retrieved December 15, 2021.
  14. ^ Aldridge, David (June 26, 1990). "Bullets Trade Malone in 3-Team Deal for Ellison". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 23, 2022.

See also

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