Emerged as the clear primary offensive engine — top‑5 scorer league‑wide in 1978‑79. Showed scoring efficiency (55 FG%) and also provided all‑around value with rebounds, passing, and defense.
AS, All‑NBA 1st Team
Brian Winters
Secondary Scorer / 2nd‑Option
32.6
High‑Mid
19.8
2.2
4.8
1.6 (1.1+0.5)
14.20
Functioned as the secondary scoring and playmaking option — high usage though lower rebounding. Offered steady offense and assist burden, helping balance the attack when Johnson rested.
–
Kent Benson
Frontcourt Starter
26.0
Mid
12.3
7.1
2.5
2.1 (1.1+1.0)
11.20
As starting center, offered inside presence: good rebounding, interior scoring, and rim protection. Less usage offensively, but provided steady two‑way frontcourt minutes.
–
Junior Bridgeman
3rd‑Option Wing / 6th Man Type
23.9
Mid‑Low
15.5
3.6
2.0
1.6 (1.1+0.5)
11.35
Reliable scoring punch off the wing or from second unit, offered efficient FG% (≈ 50.6 FG%) and enough defense to support starters. Helped bridge bench-to-starters as a secondary offensive contributor.
–
Ernie Grunfeld
Role Wing / Rotation
21.7
Low‑Mid
10.3
4.4
2.6
0.9 (0.7+0.2)
8.60
Provided rotational depth: capable of contributing modest scoring, rebounding and playmaking in backup minutes; useful as a versatile wing off the bench.
–
Quinn Buckner
Primary Ball‑Handler / Defensive PG
21.7
Low‑Mid
7.2
2.6
5.8
2.1 (1.9+0.2)
8.85
Served as the backup/secondary point guard — led the bench in assists, played with defensive activity (steals), and helped manage pace when starters rested.
–
John Gianelli
Backup Center
25.1
Low
7.1
5.0
2.0
1.2 (0.5+0.7)
7.65
Offered reliable frontcourt minutes behind Benson: solid rebounding and interior defense, giving rest to starters without large dropoff.
–
Kevin Restani
Reserve Big / Depth
19.7
Low
7.1
4.8
1.5
0.7 (0.4+0.3)
6.55
Provided occasional frontcourt depth; modest but useful rebounding and defensive support in limited minutes.
–
George Johnson
Bench Forward/Big
17.3
Low
6.2
5.4
1.2
1.8 (1.1+0.7)
7.30
Gave rotational frontcourt minutes, with respectable rebounding and some defensive activity (steals + blocks) relative to low scoring role.
–
Lloyd Walton
Bench PG / Role‑Player
18.4
Low
5.0
1.4
4.7
1.1 (1.0+0.1)
6.10
As a reserve guard, contributed assists and modest defense; likely used to give rest to Buckner or shift guard rotations.
–
Sam Smith
Deep Reserve Wing
7.8
Very Low
3.5
0.6
1.0
0.9 (0.5+0.4)
4.50
Hardly played; minimal impact but provided occasional minutes as a reserve wing during rotation holes.
–
Otis Howard
Emergency/Spot Minutes
7.3
Very Low
3.3
2.3
0.3
0.0 (0+0)
2.95
Appeared only 3 games — negligible impact; likely used in rare depth or garbage time situations.
–
Norm Van Lier
Short‑Stint Backup Guard
14.6
Very Low
2.8
1.1
4.2
1.2 (1.1+0.1)
4.55
Played only 38 games with limited minutes — provided some playmaking and perimeter defense in spot appearances.
