1995–96 Los Angeles Lakers season

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1995–96 Los Angeles Lakers season
Head coachDel Harris
General managerJerry West
Owner(s)Jerry Buss
ArenaGreat Western Forum
Results
Record53–29 (.646)
PlaceDivision: 2nd (Pacific)
Conference: 4th (Western)
Playoff finishFirst round
(Lost to Rockets 1–3)
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
TelevisionPrime Sports West, KCAL
RadioAM 570 KLAC
< 1994–95 1996–97 >

The 1995–96 NBA season was the Lakers' 48th season in the National Basketball Association, and 36th in the city of Los Angeles.[1] It was also the highlight of retired All-Star guard and Lakers legend Magic Johnson making a comeback.[2][3] The Lakers played around .500 in the first few months before Johnson's arrival on January 30, in a 128–118 home victory over the Golden State Warriors.[4] The team won ten of their twelve games in February, which included an 8-game winning streak. However, in March, after a game against the Seattle SuperSonics, scoring leader Cedric Ceballos missed the team's charter flight to Seattle without explanation. The Lakers were scheduled to play the Sonics again. Ceballos went missing for a few days, and was suspended without pay.[5] Their troubles continued as Nick Van Exel shoved a referee during a road game against the Denver Nuggets on April 9, and was suspended for the final seven games of the regular season.[6] Magic was also suspended for three games for bumping into a referee during a home game against the Phoenix Suns on April 14.[7] The Lakers finished second in the Pacific Division with a 53–29 record.[8]

Ceballos led the team in scoring averaging 21.2 points per game, while Van Exel provided the team with 14.9 points and 6.9 assists per game, and Johnson played a sixth man role averaging 14.6 points, 5.7 rebounds and 6.9 assists per game off the bench in 32 games, starting in just nine of them. He also finished in fifth place in Sixth Man of the Year voting.[9] In addition, Elden Campbell averaged 13.9 points, 7.6 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game, while Vlade Divac provided with 12.9 points, 8.6 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game, and second-year guard Eddie Jones contributed 12.8 points and 1.8 steals per game.[10]

However, in the Western Conference First Round of the playoffs, the Lakers lost to the 5th-seeded, and reigning champion Houston Rockets in four games. After the defeat, Magic decided to retire for the second time and for good.[11][12] Following the season, Divac was traded to the Charlotte Hornets for 1996 NBA draftee, and high school basketball star Kobe Bryant,[13] while Anthony Peeler and George Lynch were both dealt to the Vancouver Grizzlies,[14] and Sedale Threatt was released to free agency.

NBA Draft[]

Main article: 1995 NBA Draft
Round Pick Player Position Nationality College
2 37 Frankie King Guard  United States Western Carolina

Roster[]

1995–96 Los Angeles Lakers roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB (YYYY-MM-DD) From
F 43 Blount, Corie 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 240 lb (109 kg) 1969–01–04 Cincinnati
F/C 41 Campbell, Elden 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1968–07–23 Clemson
F 23 Ceballos, Cedric 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1969–08–02 Cal State Fullerton
C 12 Divac, Vlade 7 ft 1 in (2.16 m) 243 lb (110 kg) 1968–02–03 Yugoslavia
F 32 Johnson, Magic 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1959–08–14 Michigan State
G 25 Jones, Eddie 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1971–10–20 Temple
G 4 King, Frankie Injured 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1972–06–06 Western Carolina
F 34 Lynch, George 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 218 lb (99 kg) 1970–09–03 North Carolina
F 2 Miller, Anthony Injured 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1971–10–22 Michigan State
G 1 Peeler, Anthony 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 208 lb (94 kg) 1969–11–25 Missouri
C 24 Roberts, Fred 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 218 lb (99 kg) 1960–08–14 BYU
F 7 Strong, Derek 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1968–02–09 Xavier
G 3 Threatt, Sedale 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 1961–09–10 West Virginia Tech
G 9 Van Exel, Nick 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 1971–11–27 Cincinnati
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured Injured

Roster

Regular season[]

Magic's Comeback[]

In the 1995–96 NBA season, Johnson made a short-lived second comeback as a player from January 1996 to May 1996. In this time, he had bulked up from his self-reported weight of 235 lb in 1992[15] to 255 lb in order to play power forward, a much more physical position than his usual point guard role. At age 36, Johnson played the last 32 games of the season, averaging 14.6 points, 6.9 assists, and 5.7 rebounds per game. The Lakers lost to the Houston Rockets in the first round of the playoffs, and Johnson retired for good. Johnson explained his comeback with the words: "I am going out on my terms, something I couldn't say when I aborted a comeback in 1992."[16]

Season standings[]

Pacific Division
W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-Seattle SuperSonics 64 18 .780 – 38–3 26–15 21–3
x-Los Angeles Lakers 53 29 .646 11 30–11 23–18 17–7
x-Portland Trail Blazers 44 38 .537 20 26–15 18–23 11–13
x-Phoenix Suns 41 41 .500 23 25–16 16–25 9–15
x-Sacramento Kings 39 43 .476 25 26–15 13–28 11–13
Golden State Warriors 36 46 .439 28 23–18 13–28 7–17
Los Angeles Clippers 29 53 .354 35 19–22 10–31 7–17
Western Conference
# Team W L PCT GB GP
1 c-Seattle SuperSonics * 64 18 .780 – 82
2 y-San Antonio Spurs * 59 23 .720 5 82
3 x-Utah Jazz 55 27 .671 9 82
4 x-Los Angeles Lakers 53 29 .646 11 82
5 x-Houston Rockets 48 34 .585 16 82
6 x-Portland Trail Blazers 44 38 .537 20 82
7 x-Phoenix Suns 41 41 .500 23 82
8 x-Sacramento Kings 39 43 .476 25 82
9 Golden State Warriors 36 46 .439 28 82
10 Denver Nuggets 35 47 .427 29 82
11 Los Angeles Clippers 29 53 .354 35 82
12 Minnesota Timberwolves 26 56 .317 38 82
13 Dallas Mavericks 26 56 .317 38 82
14 Vancouver Grizzlies 15 67 .183 49 82


Record vs. opponents[]

1995-96 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 TOR UTA VAN WAS
Atlanta – 4–0 3–1 0–4 3–1 1–1 1–1 2–2 1–1 1–1 1–3 2–0 0–2 2–2 2–2 1–1 4–0 2–1 2–2 2–1 0–2 2–0 2–0 0–2 0–2 4–0 1–1 2–0 1–3
Boston 0–4 – 2–2 0–3 1–3 0–2 1–1 2–1 0–2 1–1 0–4 2–0 0–2 3–1 3–1 2–0 2–2 0–4 1–3 4–0 1–1 0–2 2–0 0–2 0–2 3–1 0–2 1–1 2–2
Charlotte 1–3 2–2 – 1–3 3–1 2–0 2–0 1–3 0–2 0–2 1–3 1–1 2–0 2–2 3–1 1–1 0–3 3–0 0–4 3–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–2 3–1 1–1 2–0 3–1
Chicago 4–0 3–0 3–1 – 4–0 2–0 1–1 4–0 2–0 2–0 2–2 2–0 2–0 3–1 4–0 2–0 3–0 3–1 3–1 4–0 1–1 2–0 2–0 2–0 1–1 3–1 2–0 2–0 4–0
Cleveland 1–3 3–1 1–3 0–4 – 2–0 1–1 2–2 2–0 1–1 2–2 2–0 2–0 1–3 4–0 2–0 1–2 3–1 1–2 4–0 2–0 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–2 3–1 0–2 2–0 3–1
Dallas 1–1 2–0 0–2 0–2 0–2 – 2–2 0–2 2–2 1–3 0–2 2–2 0–4 0–2 1–1 0–4 1–1 0–2 1–1 0–2 1–3 0–4 2–2 2–2 2–2 1–1 1–3 4–0 0–2
Denver 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 2–2 – 1–1 2–2 1–3 0–2 1–3 2–2 0–2 1–1 4–0 0–2 1–1 1–1 2–0 3–1 0–4 0–4 0–4 1–3 2–0 3–1 3–1 1–1
Detroit 2–2 1–2 3–1 0–4 2–2 2–0 1–1 – 2–0 1–1 2–2 2–0 0–2 1–3 2–2 1–1 4–0 0–4 1–3 4–0 2–0 2–0 1–1 2–0 1–1 4–0 0–2 2–0 1–2
Golden State 1–1 2–0 2–0 0–2 0–2 2–2 2–2 0–2 – 2–2 1–1 3–1 1–3 1–1 1–1 3–1 2–0 0–2 0–2 2–0 1–3 1–3 1–3 1–3 0–4 1–1 1–3 4–0 1–1
Houston 1–1 1–1 2–0 0–2 1–1 3–1 3–1 1–1 2–2 – 2–0 4–0 3–1 0–2 2–0 2–2 2–0 0–2 0–2 2–0 3–1 2–2 2–2 1–3 0–4 2–0 2–2 4–0 1–1
Indiana 3–1 4–0 3–1 2–2 2–2 2–0 2–0 2–2 1–1 0–2 – 2–0 1–1 3–0 3–1 1–1 1–3 1–3 2–2 3–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 2–0 4–0 0–2 2–0 3–0
L.A. Clippers 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–2 0–2 2–2 3–1 0–2 1–3 0–4 0–2 – 0–4 1–1 1–1 3–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 2–0 3–1 2–2 2–2 1–3 0–4 0–2 1–3 3–1 1–1
L.A. Lakers 2–0 2–0 0–2 0–2 0–2 4–0 2–2 2–0 3–1 1–3 1–1 4–0 – 2–0 2–0 3–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 3–1 2–2 3–1 1–3 2–2 2–0 2–2 4–0 1–1
Miami 2–2 1–3 2–2 1–3 3–1 2–0 2–0 3–1 1–1 2–0 0–3 1–1 0–2 – 3–0 1–1 5–0 1–3 1–3 3–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 2–1 0–2 1–1 2–2
Milwaukee 2–2 1–3 1–3 0–4 0–4 1–1 1–1 2–2 1–1 0–2 1–3 1–1 0–2 0–3 – 1–1 1–3 2–2 1–3 2–1 0–2 2–0 0–2 1–1 0–2 2–2 0–2 1–1 1–3
Minnesota 1–1 0–2 1–1 0–2 0–2 4–0 0–4 1–1 1–3 2–2 1–1 1–3 1–3 1–1 1–1 – 1–1 0–2 0–2 1–1 1–3 0–4 3–1 1–3 0–4 1–1 1–3 2–2 0–2
New Jersey 0–4 2–2 3–0 0–3 2–1 1–1 2–0 0–4 0–2 0–2 3–1 1–1 0–2 0–5 3–1 1–1 – 2–2 0–4 2–2 0–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–2 2–2 0–2 2–0 2–2
New York 1–2 4–0 0–3 1–3 1–3 2–0 1–1 4–0 2–0 2–0 3–1 1–1 1–1 3–1 2–2 2–0 2–2 – 1–3 3–1 0–2 0–2 0–2 1–1 1–1 4–0 1–1 1–1 3–1
Orlando 2–2 3–1 4–0 1–3 2–1 1–1 1–1 3–1 2–0 2–0 2–2 2–0 1–1 3–1 3–1 2–0 4–0 3–1 – 4–0 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–1 1–1 2–0 4–0
Philadelphia 1–2 0–4 1–3 0–4 0–4 2–0 0–2 0–4 0–2 0–2 1–3 0–2 1–1 1–3 1–2 1–1 2–2 1–3 0–4 – 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 3–1 1–1 1–1 1–3
Phoenix 2–0 1–1 0–2 1–1 0–2 3–1 1–3 0–2 3–1 1–3 1–1 1–3 1–3 1–1 2–0 3–1 2–0 2–0 0–2 2–0 – 2–2 2–2 1–3 0–4 2–0 1–3 4–0 2–0
Portland 0–2 2–0 1–1 0–2 1–1 4–0 4–0 0–2 3–1 2–2 1–1 2–2 2–2 2–0 0–2 4–0 1–1 2–0 1–1 2–0 2–2 – 1–3 1–3 1–3 2–0 1–3 2–2 0–2
Sacramento 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–2 1–1 2–2 4–0 1–1 3–1 2–2 2–0 2–2 1–3 1–1 2–0 1–3 1–1 2–0 1–1 2–0 2–2 3–1 – 1–3 0–4 2–0 0–4 2–2 0–2
San Antonio 2–0 2–0 2–0 0–2 2–0 2–2 4–0 0–2 3–1 3–1 1–1 3–1 3–1 1–1 1–1 3–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 3–1 3–1 3–1 – 2–2 2–0 3–1 4–0 1–1
Seattle 2–0 2–0 2–0 1–1 2–0 2–2 3–1 1–1 4–0 4–0 0–2 4–0 2–2 2–0 2–0 4–0 2–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 4–0 3–1 4–0 2–2 – 1–1 3–1 3–1 1–1
Toronto 0–4 1–3 1–3 1–3 1–3 1–1 0–2 0–4 1–1 0–2 0–4 2–0 0–2 1–2 2–2 1–1 2–2 0–4 1–2 1–3 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 1–1 – 0–2 1–1 3–1
Utah 1–1 2–0 1–1 0–2 2–0 3–1 1–3 2–0 3–1 2–2 2–0 3–1 2–2 2–0 2–0 3–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 3–1 3–1 4–0 1–3 1–3 2–0 – 4–0 1–1
Vancouver 0–2 1–1 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–4 1–3 0–2 0–4 0–4 0–2 1–3 0–4 1–1 1–1 2–2 0–2 1–1 0–2 1–1 0–4 2–2 2–2 0–4 1–3 1–1 0–4 – 0–2
Washington 3–1 2–2 1–3 0–4 1–3 2–0 1–1 2–1 1–1 1–1 0–3 1–1 1–1 2–2 3–1 2–0 2–2 1–3 0–4 3–1 0–2 2–0 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–3 1–1 2–0 —

Game log[]

Playoffs[]

1996 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 25 Houston L 83–87 Cedric Ceballos (22) Cedric Ceballos (12) Nick Van Exel (8) Great Western Forum
17,505 		0–1
2 April 27 Houston W 104–94 Magic Johnson (26) Vlade Divac (12) Magic Johnson (5) Great Western Forum
17,505 		1–1
3 April 30 @ Houston L 98–104 Elden Campbell (18) Elden Campbell (10) Magic Johnson (13) The Summit
16,285 		1–2
4 May 2 @ Houston L 94–102 Cedric Ceballos (25) Cedric Ceballos (12) Nick Van Exel (11) The Summit
16,285 		1–3
1996 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
Corie Blount
Elden Campbell
Cedric Ceballos
Vlade Divac
Magic Johnson
Eddie Jones
Frankie King
George Lynch
Anthony Miller
Anthony Peeler
Fred Roberts
Derek Strong
Sedale Threatt
Nick Van Exel

Playoffs[]

Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Elden Campbell
Cedric Ceballos
Vlade Divac
Magic Johnson
Eddie Jones
George Lynch
Anthony Peeler
Fred Roberts
Sedale Threatt
Nick Van Exel

Award winners[]

Salaries[]

Player Salary
Vlade Divac $3,333,000
Sedale Threatt $2,400,000
Cedric Ceballos $2,245,000
Elden Campbell $2,200,000
Nick Van Exel $1,900,000
George Lynch $1,760,000
Eddie Jones $1,600,000
Anthony Peeler $1,330,000
Corie Blount $1,040,000
Derek Strong $1,000,000
Anthony Miller $550,000
Fred Roberts $225,000
Frankie King $200,000

Player Salaries Citation:[17]

Transactions[]

References[]

  1. ^ 1995-96 Los Angeles Lakers
  2. ^ "Johnson Finally Says the Magic Words: 'It's On'". The New York Times. January 30, 1996. Retrieved December 11, 2021.
  3. ^ "Simply Magical : Johnson Makes Emotional --and Hugely Successful--Return in Laker Victory". Los Angeles Times. January 31, 1996. Retrieved June 19, 2021.
  4. ^ "PRO BASKETBALL; The Stars Are Out: It's Showtime Again for Lakers". New York Times. January 31, 1996. Retrieved January 15, 2022.
  5. ^ "Ceballos Is Missing, Suspended". Los Angeles Times. March 22, 1996. Retrieved November 1, 2016.
  6. ^ "Hitting Referee Costs Van Exel $187,000". Los Angeles Times. April 11, 1996. Retrieved February 24, 2017.
  7. ^ "PRO BASKETBALL; Lakers' Johnson Is Banned, Fined And Apologetic". New York Times. April 16, 1996. Retrieved January 15, 2022.
  8. ^ "1995–96 Los Angeles Lakers Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  9. ^ "1995–96 NBA Awards Voting". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 2, 2022.
  10. ^ "1995–96 Los Angeles Lakers Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  11. ^ "NBA PLAYOFFS; Rockets Move On. Magic Might, Too". New York Times. May 3, 1996. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
  12. ^ "PRO BASKETBALL; Leaving on His Terms, Johnson Retires Again". New York Times. May 15, 1996. Retrieved January 15, 2022.
  13. ^ "A New Day for Vlade". Los Angeles Times. July 21, 1996. Retrieved July 26, 2021.
  14. ^ "Laker Trade May Signal Big Deal". Los Angeles Times. July 17, 1996. Retrieved January 1, 2022.
  15. ^ NY Times, Johnson, Unbowed by H.I.V., Will Return to Pro Basketball , accessed June 1, 2007.
  16. ^ Schwartz, Larry. "Magic made Showtime a show". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on 12 September 2007. Retrieved 2007-09-13.
  17. ^ "1995–96 Los Angeles Lakers Salaries". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 19, 2022.
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