The 1990–91 NBA season was the 76ers 42nd season in the National Basketball Association , and 28th season in Philadelphia .[ 1] During the off-season, the Sixers acquired 7' 7" center Manute Bol from the Golden State Warriors ,[ 2] [ 3] and signed free agent Ricky Green .[ 4] The Sixers got off to a 19–8 start to the season, but would lose 10 of their next 16 games. Johnny Dawkins sustained a major knee injury early in the season after only just four games, and was replaced by Green as the team's starting point guard,[ 5] [ 6] while Mike Gminski was traded to the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for Armen Gilliam at midseason.[ 7] [ 8] [ 9] However, the team posted a 7-game winning streak between February and March, held a 25–21 record at the All-Star break,[ 10] and finished second in the Atlantic Division with a record of 44–38, which was nine wins less than the previous season.[ 11]
Charles Barkley averaged 27.6 points, 10.1 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game, and was named to the All-NBA First Team, while Hersey Hawkins finished second on the team in scoring with 22.1 points, and led them with 2.2 steals per game. Barkley and Hawkins were both selected for the 1991 NBA All-Star Game , in which Barkley was named the game's MVP.[ 12] [ 13] [ 14] [ 15] In addition, sixth man Ron Anderson provided the team with 14.6 points per game off the bench, while Green contributed 10.0 points and 5.2 assists per game, Rick Mahorn provided with 8.9 points and 7.8 rebounds per game, and Bol led the team with 3.0 blocks per game.[ 16] Barkley also finished in fourth place in Most Valuable Player voting.[ 17] [ 18] [ 19]
In the playoffs , the Sixers swept the 4th-seeded Milwaukee Bucks , 3–0 in the Eastern Conference First Round,[ 20] [ 21] [ 22] [ 23] but for the second consecutive year, they would be eliminated by Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls , 4–1 in the Eastern Conference Semi-finals.[ 24] [ 25] [ 26] [ 27] The Bulls would reach the NBA Finals for the first time, and defeat the Los Angeles Lakers in five games, winning their first ever championship.[ 28] [ 29] [ 30] [ 31] [ 32]
This season would be the last playoff appearance for the Sixers until 1999 . The seven consecutive seasons in which they did not make the playoffs during this span were more than the franchise had missed in total since their inaugural season of 1950, five (missed playoffs in 1972–1975, and in 1988).[ 33] Following the season, Mahorn left to play overseas in Italy ,[ 34] [ 35] and Green retired in 1992 after a brief stint with the Celtics.
1990–91 Philadelphia 76ers roster
Players
Coaches
Pos.
No.
Name
Height
Weight
DOB
From
F
20
Anderson, Ron
6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
215 lb (98 kg)
1958–10–15
Fresno State
F
34
Barkley, Charles
6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
252 lb (114 kg)
1963–02–20
Auburn
C
11
Bol, Manute
7 ft 7 in (2.31 m)
200 lb (91 kg)
1962–10–16
Bridgeport
G
12
Dawkins, Johnny
6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
165 lb (75 kg)
1963–09–28
Duke
F
35
Gilliam, Armen
6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
230 lb (104 kg)
1964–05–28
UNLV
G
9
Green, Rickey
6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
170 lb (77 kg)
1954–08–18
Michigan
G
33
Hawkins, Hersey
6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
190 lb (86 kg)
1966–09–29
Bradley
C
40
Hoppen, Dave
6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)
235 lb (107 kg)
1964–03–13
Nebraska
C
44
Mahorn, Rick
6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)
240 lb (109 kg)
1958–09–21
Hampton
G
31
Oliver, Brian
6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
210 lb (95 kg)
1968–06–01
Georgia Tech
F
21
Payne, Kenny
6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
195 lb (88 kg)
1966–11–25
Louisville
F
50
Reid, Robert
6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
205 lb (93 kg)
1955–08–30
Saint Mary's
G
4
Turner, Andre
5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
160 lb (73 kg)
1964–12–13
Memphis
F
55
Williams, Jayson
6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
240 lb (109 kg)
1968–02–22
St. John's
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
(DP) Unsigned draft pick(FA) Free agent(S) Suspended Injured
y - clinched division title
x - clinched playoff spot
z - clinched division title
y - clinched division title
x - clinched playoff spot
Record vs. opponents
edit
1990-91 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
1–4
1–4
3–2
2–0
1–1
0–5
1–1
1–1
4–1
2–0
1–1
4–0
2–3
1–1
3–1
3–1
1–1
0–4
0–2
1–1
2–0
2–0
1–1
1–1
2–2
Boston
1–3
—
3–1
2–2
3–1
2–0
2–0
2–2
1–1
2–0
2–2
2–0
1–1
4–1
2–2
2–0
4–1
5–0
1–1
2–3
1–1
1–1
2–0
1–1
2–0
1–1
5–1
Charlotte
4–1
1–3
—
0–5
1–4
1–1
0–2
1–4
1–1
0–2
0–5
1–1
0–2
2–2
2–3
1–1
2–2
0–4
2–0
2–2
0–2
0–2
2–0
1–1
0–2
0–2
2–2
Chicago
4–1
2–2
5–0
—
5–0
2–0
2–0
3–2
1–1
0–2
4–1
2–0
1–1
4–0
4–1
2–0
3–1
4–0
2–0
1–3
1–1
0–2
2–0
0–2
2–0
2–0
3–1
Cleveland
2–3
1–3
4–1
0–5
—
2–0
1–1
2–3
0–2
0–2
1–4
1–1
1–1
3–1
2–3
1–1
2–2
3–1
2–0
2–2
0–2
0–2
1–1
0–2
1–1
0–2
1–3
Dallas
0–2
0–2
1–1
0–2
0–2
—
3–1
0–2
2–2
1–3
2–0
1–3
2–2
0–2
1–1
1–4
2–0
2–0
1–4
1–1
0–4
1–3
2–2
1–4
2–2
0–5
2–0
Denver
1–1
0–2
2–0
0–2
1–1
1–3
—
0–2
1–3
0–5
0–2
0–4
0–4
0–2
1–1
3–2
1–1
1–1
2–3
0–2
0–4
0–4
3–1
1–4
0–4
1–3
1–1
Detroit
5–0
2–2
4–1
2–3
3–2
2–0
2–0
—
1–1
2–0
3–2
2–0
0–2
3–1
2–3
2–0
3–1
1–3
2–0
2–2
0–2
1–1
2–0
0–2
1–1
0–2
3–1
Golden State
1–1
1–1
1–1
1–1
2–0
2–2
3–1
1–1
—
2–2
1–1
3–2
2–3
2–0
1–1
3–1
1–1
2–0
2–2
2–0
1–3
2–3
2–3
2–2
3–1
1–3
0–2
Houston
1–1
0–2
2–0
2–0
2–0
3–1
5–0
0–2
2–2
—
1–1
2–2
1–3
2–0
2–0
5–0
2–0
2–0
3–2
2–0
3–1
0–4
3–1
2–3
2–2
2–2
1–1
Indiana
1–4
2–2
5–0
1–4
4–1
0–2
2–0
2–3
1–1
1–1
—
1–1
0–2
2–2
2–3
1–1
3–1
2–2
1–1
1–3
1–1
0–2
2–0
1–1
1–1
2–0
2–2
L.A. Clippers
0–2
0–2
1–1
0–2
1–1
3–1
4–0
0–2
2–3
2–2
1–1
—
0–4
0–2
1–1
3–1
1–1
0–2
1–3
0–2
2–3
1–3
3–2
2–2
2–3
1–3
0–2
L.A. Lakers
1–1
1–1
2–0
1–1
1–1
2–2
4–0
2–0
3–2
3–1
2–0
4–0
—
2–0
0–2
3–1
2–0
1–1
4–0
1–1
3–2
2–3
4–0
3–1
3–2
2–2
2–0
Miami
0–4
1–4
2–2
0–4
1–3
2–0
2–0
1–3
0–2
0–2
2–2
2–0
0–2
—
0–4
0–2
3–3
1–4
1–1
1–4
0–2
0–2
1–1
0–2
0–2
1–1
3–2
Milwaukee
3–2
2–2
3–2
1–4
3–2
1–1
1–1
3–2
1–1
0–2
3–2
1–1
2–0
4–0
—
1–1
2–2
4–0
2–0
2–2
1–1
1–1
1–1
1–1
1–1
1–1
3–1
Minnesota
1–1
0–2
1–1
0–2
1–1
4–1
2–3
0–2
1–3
0–5
1–1
1–3
1–3
2–0
1–1
—
1–1
1–1
2–2
2–0
0–4
0–4
3–1
0–4
2–2
1–4
1–1
New Jersey
1–3
1–4
2–2
1–3
2–2
0–2
1–1
1–3
1–1
0–2
1–3
1–1
0–2
3–3
2–2
1–1
—
0–5
1–1
2–3
1–1
0–2
1–1
0–2
1–1
0–2
2–3
New York
1–3
0–5
4–0
0–4
1–3
0–2
1–1
3–1
0–2
0–2
2–2
2–0
1–1
4–1
0–4
1–1
5–0
—
0–2
5–1
0–2
0–2
2–0
1–1
1–1
2–0
3–2
Orlando
1–1
1–1
0–2
0–2
0–2
4–1
3–2
0–2
2–2
2–3
1–1
3–1
0–4
1–1
0–2
2–2
1–1
2–0
—
0–2
2–2
0–4
2–2
1–3
1–3
1–4
1–1
Philadelphia
4–0
3–2
2–2
3–1
2–2
1–1
2–0
2–2
0–2
0–2
3–1
2–0
1–1
4–1
2–2
0–2
3–2
1–5
2–0
—
1–1
1–1
1–1
0–2
1–1
0–2
3–2
Phoenix
2–0
1–1
2–0
1–1
2–0
4–0
4–0
2–0
3–1
1–3
1–1
3–2
2–3
2–0
1–1
4–0
1–1
2–0
2–2
1–1
—
3–2
3–1
1–3
3–2
2–2
2–0
Portland
1–1
1–1
2–0
2–0
2–0
3–1
4–0
1–1
3–2
4–0
2–0
3–1
3–2
2–0
1–1
4–0
2–0
2–0
4–0
1–1
2–3
—
3–2
2–2
4–0
3–1
2–0
Sacramento
0–2
0–2
0–2
0–2
1–1
2–2
1–3
0–2
3–2
1–3
0–2
2–3
0–4
1–1
1–1
1–3
1–1
0–2
2–2
1–1
1–3
2–3
—
1–3
1–4
1–3
2–0
San Antonio
0–2
1–1
1–1
2–0
2–0
4–1
4–1
2–0
2–2
3–2
1–1
2–2
1–3
2–0
1–1
4–0
2–0
1–1
3–1
2–0
3–1
2–2
3–1
—
3–1
2–3
2–0
Seattle
1–1
0–2
2–0
0–2
1–1
2–2
4–0
1–1
1–3
2–2
1–1
3–2
2–3
2–0
1–1
2–2
1–1
1–1
3–1
1–1
2–3
0–4
4–1
1–3
—
1–3
2–0
Utah
1–1
1–1
2–0
0–2
2–0
5–0
3–1
2–0
3–1
2–2
0–2
3–1
2–2
1–1
1–1
4–1
2–0
0–2
4–1
2–0
2–2
1–3
3–1
3–2
3–1
—
2–0
Washington
2–2
1–5
2–2
1–3
3–1
0–2
1–1
1–3
2–0
1–1
2–2
2–0
0–2
2–3
1–3
1–1
3–2
2–3
1–1
2–3
0–2
0–2
0–2
0–2
0–2
0–2
—
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(January 2011 )
1991 playoff game log
First Round: 3–0 (home: 1–0; road: 2–0)
Conference semifinals: 1–4 (home: 1–1; road: 0–3)
1991 schedule
† Denotes player spent time with another team in the season. Stats reflect time with the 7ers only.
^ 1990-91 Philadelphia 76ers
^ "A Trading Flurry Uncapped in NBA: Basketball: Ainge Goes to Portland, Schayes to Milwaukee, Pressey to San Antonio, Bol to Philadelphia After Salary Cap Raised by Nearly $2 Million" . Los Angeles Times . Associated Press. August 2, 2021. Retrieved December 15, 2021 .
^ Hente, Karl (August 2, 1990). "As Salary Cap Rises, Players Fly Around NBA" . The Washington Post . Retrieved November 22, 2022 .
^ "76ers Sign Dawkins, Rickey Green" . Deseret News . October 5, 1990. Retrieved November 22, 2022 .
^ "SPORTS PEOPLE: PRO BASKETBALL; Knee Injury Sidelines Philadelphia's Dawkins" . The New York Times . November 10, 1990. Retrieved July 26, 2017 .
^ "76ers Lose Dawkins for Season" . The Washington Post . November 10, 1990. Retrieved November 22, 2022 .
^ "BASKETBALL; 76ers Trade Gminski to Hornets" . The New York Times . Associated Press. January 5, 1991. Retrieved December 15, 2021 .
^ "76ers Get Gilliam, Hoppen for Gminski" . Los Angeles Times . Associated Press. January 5, 1991. Retrieved November 22, 2022 .
^ "Around the NBA" . The Washington Post . January 5, 1991. Retrieved December 31, 2022 .
^ "NBA Games Played on February 7, 1991" . Basketball-Reference . Retrieved November 21, 2022 .
^ "1990–91 Philadelphia 76ers Schedule and Results" . Basketball-Reference. Retrieved October 16, 2021 .
^ Brown, Clifton (February 11, 1991). "ALL-STAR NOTEBOOK; Barkley Overcomes Pain to Win M.V.P." The New York Times . Retrieved November 22, 2022 .
^ Howard-Cooper, Scott (February 11, 1991). "MVP Barkley Helps East Save Face, 116-114: NBA All-Stars: His 22 Rebounds, 17 Points Provide a Rare Bright Spot in an Error-Plagued Game" . Los Angeles Times . Retrieved November 22, 2022 .
^ "1991 NBA All-Star Game: East 116, West 114" . Basketball-Reference . Retrieved December 2, 2021 .
^ "NBA & ABA All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award Winners" . Basketball-Reference . Retrieved December 31, 2022 .
^ "1990–91 Philadelphia 76ers Roster and Stats" . Basketball-Reference. Retrieved October 16, 2021 .
^ Howard-Cooper, Scott (May 21, 1991). "NBA PLAYOFFS: Jordan Is MVP in Landslide Vote" . Los Angeles Times . Retrieved November 22, 2022 .
^ Smith, Sam (May 21, 1991). "Jordan MVP by a Landslide" . Chicago Tribune . Retrieved November 22, 2022 .
^ "1990–91 NBA Awards Voting" . Basketball-Reference . Retrieved January 3, 2022 .
^ "BASKETBALL; Barkley and 76ers Complete a Knockout" . The New York Times . Associated Press. May 1, 1991. Retrieved October 16, 2021 .
^ "76ers, Lakers Post Sweeps" . The Washington Post . May 1, 1991. Retrieved April 10, 2023 .
^ Glauber, Bill (May 1, 1991). "76ers Roll Over Bucks, 121-100, to Sweep Series" . The Baltimore Sun . Retrieved September 5, 2022 .
^ "1991 NBA Eastern Conference First Round: 76ers vs. Bucks" . Basketball-Reference . Retrieved April 10, 2023 .
^ Murphy, Robert J. (May 14, 1991). "Bulls 100, 76ers 95" . United Press International . Retrieved August 27, 2022 .
^ Brown, Clifton (May 15, 1991). "BASKETBALL: THREE TEAMS ADVANCE TO CONFERENCE FINALS; Jordan's Punch Knocks Out the 76ers" . The New York Times . Retrieved October 16, 2021 .
^ "Jordan's 38 Points, 19 Rebounds Fuel Bulls: Eastern Conference: He Takes Advantage of 76ers' Limping Hawkins as Chicago Advances with a 100-95 Victory" . Los Angeles Times . Associated Press. May 15, 1991. Retrieved December 31, 2022 .
^ "1991 NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals: 76ers vs. Bulls" . Basketball-Reference . Retrieved April 10, 2023 .
^ Barnes, Mike (June 12, 1991). "Bulls Beat Lakers for Title, 108-101" . United Press International . Retrieved December 31, 2022 .
^ Brown, Clifton (June 13, 1991). "Jordan Crowns Career and Bulls Reign in N.B.A." The New York Times . Retrieved December 31, 2022 .
^ Heisler, Mark (June 13, 1991). "NBA FINALS: LAKERS vs. CHICAGO BULLS: Bulls' Decree: Jordan Rules: Game 5: Chicago Wins First Championship by Sweeping at Forum, 108-101, But Depleted Lakers Go Down Fighting" . Los Angeles Times . Retrieved September 22, 2022 .
^ Aldridge, David (June 13, 1991). "Jordan, Co. Complete NBA Title Run, 108-101" . The Washington Post . Retrieved September 22, 2022 .
^ "1991 NBA Finals: Lakers vs. Bulls" . Basketball-Reference . Retrieved April 10, 2023 .
^ "Philadelphia 76ers" . Basketball-Reference . Retrieved January 31, 2022 .
^ "Names in the News" . Los Angeles Times . July 20, 1991. Retrieved November 22, 2022 .
^ "Sidelines" . The New York Times . July 27, 1991. Retrieved January 3, 2022 .