Every Sonics season summarized, from ‘67-’68 to ‘07'-08.
1967 - 1977: The Sonics are born, becoming Seattle’s first major professional sports team. Despite some early struggles, they are represented by legends of the game, including Lenny Wilkens, Spencer Haywood, and Bill Russell.
1967-68
Record: 23-59
Coach: Al Bianchi
All-Stars: Walt Hazzard
Per Game Leaders: Points - Walt Hazzard (24), Rebounds - Tom Meschery (10.2), Assists - Walt Hazzard (6.2)
1968-69
Record: 30-52
Coach: Al Bianchi
All-Stars: Lenny Wilkens
Per Game Leaders: Points - Bob Rule (24), Rebounds - Bob Rule (11.5), Assists - Lenny Wilkens (8.2)
1969-70
Record: 36-46
Coach: Lenny Wilkens
All-Stars: Lenny Wilkens, Bob Rule
Per Game Leaders: Points - Bob Rule (24.6), Rebounds - Bob Rule (10.3), Assists - Lenny Wilkens (9.1)
1970-71
Record: 38-44
Coach: Lenny Wilkens
All-Stars: Lenny Wilkens
Per Game Leaders: Points - Spencer Haywood (20/6), Rebounds - Spencer Haywood/Pete Cross (12), Assists - Lenny Wilkens (9.2)
1971-72
Record: 47-35
Coach: Lenny Wilkens
All-Stars: Spencer Haywood
All NBA: Spencer Haywood (1st Team)
Per Game Leaders: Points - Spencer Haywood (26.2), Rebounds - Spencer Haywood (12.7), Assists - Lenny Wilkens (9.6)
1972-73
Record: 26-56
Coach: Tom Nissalke, Bucky Buckwalter
All-Stars: Spencer Haywood
All NBA: Spencer Haywood (1st Team)
Per Game Leaders: Points - Spencer Haywood (29.2), Rebounds - Spencer Haywood (12.9), Assists - Fred Brown (5.5)
1973-74
Record: 36-46
Coach: Bill Russell
All-Stars: Spencer Haywood
All NBA: Spencer Haywood (2nd Team)
Per Game Leaders: Points - Spencer Haywood (23.5), Rebounds - Spencer Haywood (13.4), Assists - Slick Watts (5.7)
1975-76
Record: 43-39
Coach: Bill Russell
All-Stars: Fred Brown
Per Game Leaders: Points - Fred Brown (23.1), Rebounds - Tom Burleson (9), Assists - Slick Watts (8.1)
Playoffs: Conference Semifinals - Lost to Phoenix Suns (4-2)
1976-77
Record: 40-42
Coach: Bill Russell
Per Game Leaders: Points - Fred Brown (17.2), Rebounds - Nick Weatherspoon (7.9), Assists - Slick Watts (8)
1977 - 1986: The Golden Era of Sonics basketball. Lenny Wilkens returns to the sidelines; youngsters Jack Sikma, Gus Williams, and Dennis Johnson break out as stars, and the Sonics win the World Championship in 1979 while becoming a perennial playoff team.
1977-78
Record: 47-35
Coach: Bob Hopkins, Lenny Wilkens
Per Game Leaders: Points - Gus Williams (18.1), Rebounds - Marvin Webster (12.6), Assists - Slick Watts (4.2)
Playoffs: First Round - Defeated Los Angeles Lakers (2-1), Conference Semifinals - Defeated Portland Trail Blazers (4-2), Conference Finals - Defeated Denver Nuggets (4-2), NBA Finals - Lost to Washington Bullets (4-3)
1978-79
Record: 50-32
Coach: Lenny Wilkens
All-Stars: Jack Sikma, Dennis Johnson
Per Game Leaders: Points - Gus Williams (19.2), Rebounds - Jack Sikma (12.4), Assists - John Johnson (4.4)
Playoffs: Conference Semifinals - Defeated Los Angeles Lakers (4-1), Conference Finals - Defeated Phoenix Suns (4-3), NBA Finals - Defeated Washington Bullets (4-1)
1979-80
Record: 56-26
Coach: Lenny Wilkens
All-Stars: Dennis Johnson, Jack Sikma
All NBA: Dennis Johnson (2nd Team), Gus Williams (2nd Team)
Per Game Leaders: Points - Gus Williams (22.1), Rebounds - Jack Sikma (11.1), Assists - John Johnson (5.2)
Playoffs: First Round - Defeated Portland Trail Blazers (2-1), Conference Semifinals - Defeated Milwaukee Bucks (4-3), Conference Finals - Lost to Los Angeles Lakers (4-1)
1980-81
Record: 34-48
Coach: Lenny Wilkens
All-Stars: Jack Sikma, Paul Westphal
Per Game Leaders: Points - Jack Sikma (18.7), Rebounds - Jack Sikma (10.4), Assists - Vinnie Johnson (4.2)
1981-82
Record: 52-30
Coach: Lenny Wilkens
All-Stars: Gus Williams, Jack Sikma, Lonnie Shelton
All-NBA: Gus Williams (1st Team)
Per Game Leaders: Points - Gus Williams (23.4), Rebounds - Jack Sikma (12.7), Assists - Gus Williams (6.9)
Playoffs: First Round - Defeated Houston Rockets (2-1), Conference Semifinals - Lost to San Antonio Spurs (4-1)
1982-83
Record: 48-34
Coach: Lenny Wilkens
All-Stars: Gus Williams, Jack Sikma, David Thompson
Per Game Leaders: Points - Gus Williams (20), Rebounds - Jack Sikma (11.4), Assists - Gus Williams (8)
Playoffs: First Round - Lost to Portland Trail Blazers (2-0)
1983-84
Record: 42-40
Coach: Lenny Wilkens
All-Stars: Jack Sikma
Per Game Leaders: Points - Jack Sikma (19.1), Rebounds - Jack Sikma (11.1), Assists - Gus Williams (8.4)
Playoffs: First Round - Lost to Dallas Mavericks (3-2)
1984-85
Record: 31-51
Coach: Lenny Wilkens
All-Stars: Jack Sikma
Per Game Leaders: Points - Tom Chambers (21.5), Rebounds - Jack Sikma (10.6), Assists - Gerald Henderson (7.1)
1985-86
Record: 31-51
Coach: Bernie Bickerstaff
Per Game Leaders: Points - Tom Chambers (18.5), Rebounds - Jack Sikma (9.4), Assists - Gerald Henderson (5.9)
1986 - 1990: The Wilkens/Sikma/Williams era comes to a close as Bernie Bickerstaff takes the reigns as head coach. The Sonics rally around a new group of stars, including Xavier McDaniel, Dale Ellis, Tom Chambers, and Nate McMillan. In 1989, they draft a talented high schooler from Indiana by the name of Shawn Kemp.
1986-87
Record: 39-43
Coach: Bernie Bickerstaff
All-Stars: Tom Chambers
Per Game Leaders: Points - Dale Ellis (24.9), Rebounds - Alton Lister (9.4), Assists - Nate McMillan (8.2)
Playoffs: First Round - Defeated Dallas Mavericks (3-1), Conference Semifinals - Defeated Houston Rockets (4-2), Conference Finals - Lost to Los Angeles Lakers (4-0)
1987-88
Record: 44-38
Coach: Bernie Bickerstaff
All-Stars: Xavier McDaniel
Per Game Leaders: Points - Dale Ellis (25.8), Rebounds - Alton Lister (7.6), Assists - Nate McMillan (8.6)
Playoffs: First Round - Lost to Denver Nuggets (3-2)
1988-89
Record: 47-35
Coach: Bernie Bickerstaff
All-Stars: Dale Ellis
All-NBA: Dale Ellis (3rd Team)
Per Game Leaders: Points - Dale Ellis (27.5), Rebounds - Michael Cage (9.6), Assists - Nate McMillan (9.3)
Playoffs: First Round - Defeated Houston Rockets (3-1), Conference Semifinals - Lost to Los Angeles Lakers (4-0)
1989-90
Record: 41-41
Coach: Bernie Bickerstaff
Per Game Leaders: Points - Dale Ellis (23.5), Rebounds - Michael Cage (10), Assists - Nate McMillan (7.3)
1990 - 1997: The Sonics draft Gary Payton 2nd overall out of Oregon State and the Kemp/Payton era begins in earnest. George Karl is named Head Coach after the 1992 season and leads Seattle to 6 straight 55+ win seasons, deep playoff runs, and an NBA Finals. The dynamic Sonics soar in popularity and gain fans all over the world.
1990-91
Record: 41-41
Coach: K.C. Jones
Per Game Leaders: Points - Xavier McDaniel (21.8), Rebounds - Shawn Kemp (8.4), Assists - Gary Payton (6.4)
Playoffs: First Round - Lost to Portland Trail Blazers (3-2)
1991-92
Record: 47-35
Coach: K.C. Jones
Per Game Leaders: Points - Ricky Pierce (21.7), Rebounds - Shawn Kemp (10.4), Assists - Gary Payton (6.2)
Playoffs: First Round - Defeated Golden State Warriors (3-1), Conference Semifinals - Lost to Utah Jazz (4-1)
1992-93
Record: 55-27
Coach: George Karl
All-Stars: Shawn Kemp
Per Game Leaders: Points - Ricky Pierce (18.2), Rebounds - Shawn Kemp (10.7), Assists - Nate McMillan (5.3)
Playoffs: First Round - Defeated Utah Jazz (3-2), Conference Semifinals - Defeated Houston Rockets (4-3), Conference Finals - Lost to Phoenix Suns (4-3)
1993-94
Record: 63-19
Coach: George Karl
All-Stars: Shawn Kemp, Gary Payton
All-NBA: Shawn Kemp (2nd Team), Gary Payton (3rd Team)
Per Game Leaders: Points - Shawn Kemp (18.1), Rebounds - Shawn Kemp (10.8), Assists - Gary Payton (6)
Playoffs: First Round - Lost to Denver Nuggets (3-2)
1994-95
Record: 57-25
Coach: George Karl
All-Stars: Shawn Kemp, Gary Payton, Detlef Schrempf
All-NBA: Shawn Kemp (2nd Team), Gary Payton (2nd Team), Detlef Schrempf (3rd Team)
Per Game Leaders: Points - Ricky Pierce (21.7), Rebounds - Shawn Kemp (10.4), Assists - Gary Payton (6.2)
Playoffs: First Round - Lost to Los Angeles Lakers (3-1),
1995-96
Record: 64-18
Coach: George Karl
All-Stars: Shawn Kemp, Gary Payton
All-NBA: Shawn Kemp (2nd Team), Gary Payton (2nd Team)
Per Game Leaders: Points - Shawn Kemp (19.6), Rebounds - Shawn Kemp (11.4), Assists - Gary Payton (7.5)
Playoffs: First Round - Defeated Sacramento Kings (3-1), Conference Semifinals - Defeated Houston Rockets (4-0), Conference Finals - Defeated Utah Jazz (4-3), NBA Finals - Lost to Chicago Bulls (4-2)
1996-97
Record: 57-25
Coach: George Karl
All-Stars: Shawn Kemp, Gary Payton, Detlef Schrempf
All-NBA: Gary Payton (2nd Team)
Per Game Leaders: Points - Gary Payton (21.8), Rebounds - Shawn Kemp (10), Assists - Gary Payton (7.1)
Playoffs: First Round - Defeated Phoenix Suns (3-2), Conference Semifinals - Lost to Houston Rockets (4-3),
1997 - 2002: With the departures of Shawn Kemp and George Karl, the Sonics become Gary Payton’s team. The Glove cements himself as one of the NBA’s best-ever point guards as well as the greatest defensive guard to ever play the game.
1997-98
Record: 61-21
Coach: George Karl
All-Stars: Gary Payton, Vin Baker
All-NBA: Gary Payton (1st Team), Vin Baker (2nd Team)
Per Game Leaders: Points - Gary Payton/Vin Baker (19.2), Rebounds - Vin Baker (8), Assists - Gary Payton (8.3)
Playoffs: First Round - Defeated Minnesota Timberwolves (3-2), Conference Semifinals - Lost to Los Angeles Lakers (4-1)
1998-99
Record: 25-25 (season shortened by strike)
Coach: Paul Westphal
All-Stars: All-Star Game Cancelled
All-NBA: Gary Payton (2nd Team)
Per Game Leaders: Points - Gary Payton (21.7), Rebounds - Olden Polynice (8.9), Assists - Gary Payton (8.7)
1999-00
Record: 45-37
Coach: Paul Westphal
All-Stars: Gary Payton
All-NBA: Gary Payton (1st Team)
Per Game Leaders: Points - Gary Payton (24.2), Rebounds - Horace Grant (7.8), Assists - Gary Payton (8.9)
Playoffs: First Round - Lost to Utah Jazz (3-2)
2000-2001
Record: 44-38
Coach: Paul Westphal, Nate McMillan
All-Stars: Gary Payton
All-NBA: Gary Payton (3rd Team)
Per Game Leaders: Points - Gary Payton (23.1), Rebounds - Patrick Ewing (7.4), Assists - Gary Payton (8.1)
2001-02
Record: 45-37
Coach: Nate McMillan
All-Stars: Gary Payton
All-NBA: Gary Payton (2nd Team)
Per Game Leaders: Points - Gary Payton (22.1), Rebounds - Rashard Lewis (7), Assists - Gary Payton (9)
Playoffs: First Round - Lost to San Antonio Spurs (3-2)
2002 - 2008: The Sonics move on from the red uniform experiment. Gary Payton is traded for Ray Allen, who leads an exciting ‘05 playoff run. Seattle drafts Kevin Durant in 2007, who puts up one of the most impressive rookie years the league has ever seen.
2002-03
Record: 40-42
Coach: Nate McMillan
All-Stars: Gary Payton
Per Game Leaders: Points - Ray Allen (24.5), Rebounds - Reggie Evans (6.6), Assists - Gary Payton (8.8)
2003-2004
Record: 37-45
Coach: Nate McMillan
All-Stars: Ray Allen
Per Game Leaders: Points - Ray Allen (23), Rebounds - Rashard Lewis (6.5), Assists - Brent Barry (5.8)
2004-05
Record: 52-30
Coach: Nate McMillan
All-Stars: Ray Allen, Rashard Lewis
All-NBA: Ray Allen (2nd Team)
Per Game Leaders: Points - Ray Allen (23.9), Rebounds - Reggie Evans (9.3), Assists - Luke Ridnour (5.9)
Playoffs: First Round - Defeated Sacramento Kings (4-1), Conference Semifinals - Lost to San Antonio Spurs (4-2)
2005-06
Record: 35-47
Coach: Bob Weiss
All-Stars: Ray Allen
Per Game Leaders: Points - Ray Allen (25.1), Rebounds - Chris Wilcox (8.2), Assists - Luke Ridnour (7)
2006-2007
Record: 31-51
Coach: Bob Hill
All-Stars: Ray Allen
Per Game Leaders: Points - Ray Allen (26.4), Rebounds - Nick Collison (8.1), Assists - Earl Watson (5.7)
2007-08
Record: 20-62
Coach: P.J. Carlesimo
Rookie of the Year: Kevin Durant
Per Game Leaders: Points - Kevin Durant (20.3), Rebounds - Nick Collison (9.4), Assists - Earl Watson (6.8)