1994–95 Los Angeles Lakers season
The 1994–95 NBA season was the Lakers' 47th season in the National Basketball Association, and 35th in the city of Los Angeles. This was the first season since 1981–82 that All-Star forward James Worthy was not on the team, as he announced his retirement in November. After missing the playoffs the previous season, the Lakers had the tenth overall pick in the 1994 NBA draft, and selected Eddie Jones out of Temple University. With new head coach Del Harris, along with the off-season acquisition of Cedric Ceballos from the Phoenix Suns, the Lakers struggled with a 3–5 start, but then won ten of their next twelve games, and held a 29–16 record at the All-Star break. Despite losing seven of their final eight games, the Lakers finished third in the Pacific Division with a 48–34 record, and returned to the playoffs after a one-year absence. Harris was named Coach of the Year.
| 1994–95 Los Angeles Lakers season | |
|---|---|
| Head coach | Del Harris |
| General manager | Jerry West |
| Owner(s) | Jerry Buss |
| Arena | Great Western Forum |
| Results | |
| Record | 48–34 (.585) |
| Place | Division: 3rd (Pacific) Conference: 5th (Western) |
| Playoff finish | Conference semifinals (lost to Spurs 2–4) |
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com | |
| Local media | |
| Television | KCAL-TV Prime Sports West |
| Radio | KLAC |
Ceballos averaged 21.7 points and 8.0 rebounds per game, but only played 58 games due to a thumb injury, and was also selected for the 1995 NBA All-Star Game, but did not play due to injury, while second-year star Nick Van Exel emerged as one of the best point guards in the league, averaging 16.9 points and 8.3 assists per game, and Vlade Divac provided the team with 16.0 points, 10.4 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game. In addition, Jones contributed 14.0 points and 2.0 steals per game, was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team, and also won the MVP award in the Rookie Game during the All-Star Weekend in Phoenix, Arizona, but only played 64 games due to a shoulder injury, while Elden Campbell provided with 12.5 points, 6.1 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game, Anthony Peeler contributed 10.4 points per game, and Sedale Threatt averaged 9.5 points and 4.2 assists per game off the bench.
In the Western Conference First Round of the playoffs, the Lakers lost Game 1 to the 4th-seeded Seattle SuperSonics on the road, 96–71, but would win the next three games, thus the series. However, they would lose in the Western Conference Semi-finals to the San Antonio Spurs in six games.
Following the season, Sam Bowie retired, while Kurt Rambis was released to free agency, and Tony Smith signed as a free agent with the Phoenix Suns.