Lead Story - 5/7/2026

1988 Draft Lottery Results

The Draft Lottery determines the order of selection for the first three teams only or the teams who originally held the rights if they were traded. The remaining non-playoff teams are selected in inverse order of the win–loss record for the remaining teams, or the teams who originally held the rights if they were traded. Therefore, the team with the worst record in the league is assured of a selection no worse than fourth, the team with the second worst record no worse than fifth and so on.

1. San Antonio Spurs (10 Balls) Even
2. Cleveland Cavaliers (3 Balls) +6
3. New York Nets (6 Balls) +2
4. Chicago Bulls (9 Balls) -2
5. Portland Trail Blazers (8 Balls) -2
6. Atlanta Hawks (7 Balls) -2
7. Seattle SuperSonics (5 Balls) -1
8. Phoenix Suns (4 Balls) -1
9. Milwaukee Bucks (2 Balls) Even
10. Philadelphia 76ers (1 Ball) Even

1988 “Nothing But Net” Draft Lottery Results

5/3/2026

1988: "Nothing But Net" Playoff Schedule

Playoff Schedule
Wednesday May 6th: First Round
Thursday May 7th: Conference Semifinals
Friday May 8th: Conference Finals
Saturday May 9th: NBN Championship Finals

First Round
(Best-of-5 in the 2-2-1 format)
* (Division Winner)
# (Set by Tie Breaker Rules)

Simulation Times (Pacific Standard Time)
8 AM – Game 1
10 AM – Game 2
12 PM – Game 3
2 PM – Game 4 (If Necessary)
4 PM – Game 5 (If Necessary)

Eastern Conference
(1) *New Orleans Jazz (Bye – Central Division Champion)
(2) *Buffalo Braves (Bye – Atlantic Division Champion)
(3) Washington Bullets vs. (6) New York Knicks (Bullets advance 3-0)
(4) Boston Celtics vs. (5) Houston Rockets (Rockets advance 3-2)

Western Conference
(1) *Indiana Pacers (Bye – Midwest Division Champion)
(2) *Golden State Warriors (Bye – Pacific Division Champion)
(3) Detroit Pistons (6) Los Angeles Lakers (Pistons advance 3-0)
(4) Denver Nuggets vs. (5) Kansas City Kings (Nuggets advance 3-1)

Semifinals, Finals, Championship
(Best-of-7 in the 2-3-2 format)
* (Division Winner)

Simulation Times (Pacific Standard Time)
6 AM – Game 1
8 AM – Game 2
10 AM – Game 3
12 PM – Game 4
2 PM – Game 5 (If Necessary)
4 PM – Game 6 (If Necessary)
6 PM – Game 7 (If Necessary)

Eastern Conference

(1) *New Orleans Jazz vs. (5) Houston Rockets (Jazz advance 4-0)
(2) *Buffalo Braves vs. (3) Washington Bullets (Braves advance 4-3)

Western Conference

(1) *Indiana Pacers vs. (4) Denver Nuggets (Pacers advance 4-0)
(2) *Golden State Warriors vs. (3) Detroit Pistons (Warriors advance 4-1)

Conference Finals

Eastern Conference
(1) *New Orleans Jazz vs. (2) *Buffalo Braves

Western Conference
(1) *Indiana Pacers vs. (2) *Golden State Warriors

5/3/2026

1988: "Nothing But Net" Final Season Standings

1. *New Orleans Jazz (76-6) E1- Central Division Champion
2. *Indiana Pacers (63-19) W1 - Midwest Division Champion
3. *#Golden State Warriors (55-27) W2 – Pacific Division Champion
4. #Washington Bullets (55-27) E3
5. *Buffalo Braves (54-28) E2 – Atlantic Division Champion
6. #Detroit Pistons (53-29) W3
7. #Boston Celtics (53-29) E4
8. Houston Rockets (51-31) E5
9. Denver Nuggets (47-35) W4
10. New York Knicks (45-37) E6
11. #Philadelphia 76ers (44-38) 1 LB (1.8%)
12. #Kansas City Kings (44-38) W5
13. Los Angeles Lakers (42-40) W6
14. Milwaukee Bucks (34-48) 2 LB (3.6%)
15. Cleveland Cavaliers (33-49) 3 LB (5.5%)
16. #Phoenix Suns (26-56) 4 LB (7.3%)
17. #Seattle SuperSonics (26-56) 5 LB (9.1%)
18. #New York Nets (22-60) 6 LB (10.9%)
19. #Atlanta Hawks (22-60) 7 LB (12.7%)
20. Portland Trail Blazers (21-61) 8 LB (14.5%)
21. #Chicago Bulls (18-64) 9 LB (16.4%)
22. #San Antonio Spurs (18-64) 10 LB (18.2%)

*Division Winners
#Tied Records

NOTES: (Tiebreakers Rules: 1. Head-to-Head 2. Points For 3. Points Against)

#Golden State Warriors (3-1) over #Washington Bullets (1-3) H2H
#Detroit Pistons (3-1) over #Boston Celtics (1-3) H2H
#Philadelphia 76ers (9212) over #Kansas City Kings (8622) PF
#Phoenix Suns (8174) over #Seattle SuperSonics (8009) PF
#New York Nets (8501) over #Atlanta Hawks (8332) PF
#Chicago Bulls (3-1) over #San Antonio Spurs (1-3) H2H

4/27/2026

1988: “Nothing But Net” All-Star Game

The East defeated the West 118–109 with Michael Jordan of the New Orleans Jazz taking home the Most Valuable Player Award. Jordan led the East with 24 points, 7 assists, 6 rebounds, and 2 blocked shots. Moses Malone of the Washington Bullets followed up with 20 points and 14 rebounds

Larry Bird of the Phoenix Suns led the West with 27 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists. Hakeem Olajuwon of the Golden State Warriors contributed 18 points, 11 rebounds, and 2 blocked shots in a losing effort.

1988: "Nothing But Net" All-Star Game

3/30/2026

1988: “Nothing But Net” Draft Order

ROUND 1
1. San Antonio Spurs (10 Balls) Even
2. Cleveland Cavaliers (3 Balls) +6
3. New York Nets (6 Balls) +2
4. Chicago Bulls (9 Balls) -2
5. Portland Trail Blazers (8 Balls) -2
6. Atlanta Hawks (7 Balls) -2
7. Seattle SuperSonics (5 Balls) -1
8. Phoenix Suns (4 Balls) -1
9. Milwaukee Bucks (2 Balls) Even
10. Philadelphia 76ers (1 Ball) Even
11. Los Angeles Lakers (42-40)
12. Kansas City Kings (44-38)
13. New York Knicks (45-37)
14. Denver Nuggets (47-35)
15. Houston Rockets (51-31)
16. Boston Celtics (53-29)
17. Detroit Pistons (53-29) – Traded to Atlanta Hawks
18. Buffalo Braves (54-28)
19. Washington Bullets (55-27)
20. Golden State Warriors (55-27)
21. Indiana Pacers (63-19)
22. New Orleans Jazz (76-6)

ROUND 2
1. San Antonio Spurs (18-64)
2. Chicago Bulls (18-64)
3. Portland Trail Blazers (21-61)
4. Atlanta Hawks (22-60)
5. New York Nets (22-60)
6. Seattle SuperSonics (26-56)
7. Phoenix Suns (26-56)
8. Cleveland Cavaliers (33-49)
9. Milwaukee Bucks (34-48)
10. Los Angeles Lakers (42-40)
11. Kansas City Kings (44-38)
12. Philadelphia 76ers (44-38)
13. New York Knicks (45-37)
14. Denver Nuggets (47-35)
15. Houston Rockets (51-31)
16. Boston Celtics (53-29)
17. Detroit Pistons (53-29)
18. Buffalo Braves (54-28)
19. Washington Bullets (55-27)
20. Golden State Warriors (55-27)
21. Indiana Pacers (63-19)
22. New Orleans Jazz (76-6)

2/21/2025

1987: “Nothing But Net” Awards

MVP – Larry Bird (Phoenix Suns)
Defensive POY – Hakeem Olajuwon (Golden State Warriors)
Sixth Man – Alex English (Golden State Warriors)
Rookie of the Year – Ron Harper (Los Angeles Lakers)
All-Star MVP – Michael Jordan (New Orleans Jazz)
Finals MVP – Michael Jordan (New Orleans Jazz)

ALL-NBA Team (MVP Points)
PG Magic Johnson (Houston Rockets)
SG Michael Jordan (New Orleans Jazz)
SF Larry Bird (Phoenix Suns)
PF Kevin McHale (Kansas City Kings)
C Hakeem Olajuwon (Golden State Warriors)

ALL-Defensive Team (DOY Points)
PG Fat Lever (New Orleans Jazz)
SG Michael Jordan (New Orleans Jazz)
SF Larry Bird (Phoenix Suns)
PF Karl Malone (Washington Bullets)
C Hakeem Olajuwon (Golden State Warriors)

ALL – Rookie Team
PG Nate McMillian (Philadelphia 76ers)
SG Ron Harper (Los Angeles Lakers)
SF Chuck Person (Detroit Pistons)
PF Hot Rod Williams (Washington Bullets)
C Brad Daugherty (Denver Nuggets)

Division Winners
Atlantic Division Champion – Boston Celtics
Central Division Champion – New Orleans Jazz
Midwest Division Champion – Detroit Pistons
Pacific Division Champion – Golden State Warriors

Conference Winners
Eastern Conference Champs – New Orleans Jazz
Western Conference Champs – Kansas City Kings

1987: “Nothing But Net” Champions – New Orleans Jazz

"Nothing But Net" League History

2/8/2025

Traded Picks

1977
Phoenix Suns take Boston Celtics 1977 1st Round Pick (Thompson/Wicks)

1978
Atlanta Hawks take Houston Rockets 1978 1st Round Pick (Nater/Landsburger)
Indiana Pacers take Portland Trail Blazers 1978 1st Round Pick (Dave Cowens)
Kansas City Kings take Indiana Pacers 1978 1st Round Pick (Silas_Heard)
Kansas City Kings take Indiana Pacers 1978 2nd Round Pick (Silas_Heard)

1979
Kansas City Kings take Seattle SuperSonics 1979 1st Round Pick (Rick Barry)
Atlanta Hawks take Houston Rockets 1979 1st Round Pick (Williamson/Beard)
Via Atlanta Hawks: Phoenix Suns take Houston Rockets 1979 1st Round Pick (Rickey Green)
Atlanta Hawks take New Orleans Jazz 1979 1st Round Pick (Edwards/Mitchell)
Via Atlanta Hawks: Phoenix Suns take New Orleans Jazz 1979 1st Round Pick (Rickey Green)
Chicago Bulls take Atlanta Hawks 1979 2nd Round Pick (Davis/Richardson)
Chicago Bulls take Boston Celtics 1979 1st Round Pick#7 (Clifford Ray)
Boston Celtics take Chicago Bulls 1979 1st Round Pick #5 (Clifford Ray)

1980
Houston Rockets take Boston Celtics 1980 1st Round Pick (Fernsten/Nater)
Houston Rockets take Atlanta Hawks 1980 1st Round Pick (Whitehead/Hayes)
Atlanta Hawks take New Orleans Jazz 1980 1st Round Pick (Edwards/Mitchell)
Via Atlanta Hawks: Chicago Bulls take New Orleans Jazz 1980 1st Round Pick (Davis/Richardson)
New Orleans Jazz take Atlanta Hawks 1980 2nd Round Pick (Edwards/Mitchell)
Via New Orleans Jazz: Indiana Pacers take Atlanta Hawks 1980 2nd Round Pick (Issel/Edwards)
Indiana Pacers take New Orleans Jazz 1980 2nd Round Pick (Issel/Edwards)
Indiana Pacers take Portland Trail Blazers 1980 1st Round Pick (Calvin Murphy)

1981
Milwaukee Bucks take Atlanta Hawks 1981 1st Round Pick (Kramer/Jackson)
Detroit Pistons take Atlanta Hawks 1981 2nd Round Pick (Johnson/Tomjanovich)
Portland Trail Blazers take Boston Celtics 1st Round Pick (Landsberger/Johnson)
Los Angeles Lakers take Chicago Bulls 1981 1st Round Pick (Calvin Natt)
Chicago Bulls take Los Angeles Lakers 1981 1st Round Pick (Calvin Natt)
Detroit Pistons take Los Angeles Lakers (Via Chicago Bulls) 1981 1st Round Pick (Artis Gilmore)

1982
Los Angeles Lakers take Chicago Bulls 1982 1st Round Pick (Calvin Natt)
Chicago Bulls take Los Angeles Lakers 1982 1st Round Pick (Calvin Natt)
Boston Celtics take Los Angeles Lakers 1982 (Via Chicago Bulls) 1st Round Pick (Erving/Moore)
Indiana Pacers take Atlanta Hawks 1982 2nd Round Pick (Butch Carter)

1983
Boston Celtics take Portland Trail Blazers 1983 1st Round Pick (King/Pierce)

1984
New Orleans Jazz take Phoenix Suns 1984 1st Round Pick (Cedric Maxwell)

1985
Milwaukee Bucks take Phoenix Suns 1985 1st Round Pick (Marques Johnson)
Milwaukee Bucks take Phoenix Suns 1985 2nd Round Pick (Marques Johnson)
Philadelphia 76ers take Boston Celtics 1985 1st Round Pick (Carr/Williams)

1986
Philadelphia 76ers take Boston Celtics 1986 1st Round Pick (Carr/Williams)

1987
Chicago Bulls take Boston Celtics 1987 1st Round Pick (Ballard/Natt)
Atlanta Hawks take Detroit Pistons 1987 1st Round Pick (Person/Tarpley)
Atlanta Hawks take New Orleans Jazz 1987 1st Round Pick (Jones/Lucas)

1988
Atlanta Hawks take Detroit Pistons 1988 1st Round Pick (Person/Tarpley)

2/28/2023

ABA-NBA Merger

The ABA-NBA merger was a major pro sports business maneuver in 1976 when the American Basketball Association combined with the National Basketball Association, after multiple attempts over several years. The NBA and ABA had entered merger talks as early as 1970, but an antitrust suit filed by the head of the NBA players union, Robertson v. National Basketball Ass'n, blocked the merger until 1976. The NBA agreed to accept four of the remaining six ABA teams: the Denver Nuggets, Indiana Pacers, New York Nets, and San Antonio Spurs. The remaining two ABA teams, the Kentucky Colonels and the Spirits of St. Louis, folded, with their players entering a dispersal draft.