1997–98 Phoenix Suns season

Last updated • 6 min readFrom Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia

1997–98   Phoenix Suns season
Head coach Danny Ainge
General manager Bryan Colangelo
Owner(s) Jerry Colangelo
Arena America West Arena
Results
Record56–26 (.683)
PlaceDivision: 3rd (Pacific)
Conference: 4th (Western)
Playoff finish First round
(lost to Spurs 1–3)
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
Television KUTP
Fox Sports Arizona
Cox Sports
RadioKTAR
< 1996–97 1998–99 >

The 1997–98 NBA season was the 30th season for the Phoenix Suns in the National Basketball Association. [1] In the off-season, the Suns acquired Antonio McDyess from the Denver Nuggets in a three-team trade, [2] [3] [4] [5] and signed free agents Clifford Robinson, [6] [7] [8] [9] and George McCloud. [10] [11] [12] The team also signed former Suns, and All-Star forward Tom Chambers, who played for the team from 1988 to 1993, and also appeared in the 1993 NBA Finals; however, he was out with a lower strained back injury before the regular season began. [13] [14] [15] [16] In November, Chambers got into trouble after punching Suns strength and conditioning coach Robin Pound during an altercation, [17] [16] [18] [19] and was soon traded to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for Slovenian rookie forward Marko Milič; Chambers would play one game for the 76ers before retiring from the NBA in December. [20] [21] [22] [16]

Contents

Danny Ainge returned for his first full season as the Suns head coach, as they won nine of their first eleven games, which included a 140–139 quadruple overtime road win over the Portland Trail Blazers on November 14, 1997. [23] [24] [25] [26] The Suns continued to play competitive basketball holding a 31–15 record at the All-Star break. [27] At mid-season, the team traded Cedric Ceballos to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for three-point specialist Dennis Scott, [28] [29] [30] [31] as they posted a ten-game winning streak between March and April, winning eleven of their final twelve games of the season. The Suns posted a 56–26 record as members of the Pacific Division, finishing in third place in their division, and in fourth place in the Western Conference. [32] All home games were played in America West Arena.

The team's top scorer Rex Chapman led the Suns with 15.9 points per game, and 120 three-point field goals, while McDyess averaged 15.1 points, 7.6 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game, and Robinson provided the team with 14.2 points and 5.1 rebounds per game. In addition, Jason Kidd contributed 11.6 points, 6.2 rebounds, 9.1 assists and 2.0 steals per game; he also finished second in the league in assists, while sixth man Danny Manning averaged 13.5 points and 5.6 rebounds per game off the bench, [33] and was named Sixth Man of the Year, but did not play in any of the Suns' playoff games due to a knee ligament. [34] [35] [36] [37] Meanwhile, Kevin Johnson only played in just 50 games, starting in just 12 of them due to tendinitis in his right knee, [38] [39] [40] as he averaged 9.5 points and 4.9 assists per game, while also off the bench, second-year guard Steve Nash contributed 9.1 points and 3.4 assists per game, and McCloud contributed 7.2 points per game. [33]

Kidd was the team's sole member to be selected for the 1998 NBA All-Star Game in New York City, New York, which was his second All-Star appearance; [41] [42] [43] [44] Kidd also finished tied in thirteenth place in Most Valuable Player voting, while Ainge finished tied in fifth place in Coach of the Year voting. [45] [46]

The Suns would make their tenth consecutive playoff appearance; in the Western Conference First Round, they faced off against the 5th-seeded San Antonio Spurs, who were led by David Robinson, and Rookie of the Year, Tim Duncan. Despite having home-court advantage in the series, the Suns would lose to the Spurs, three games to one. [47] [48] [49] [50]

Following the season, McDyess re-signed as a free agent with his former team, the Denver Nuggets, [51] [52] [53] [54] while Johnson retired after eleven seasons in the NBA, but would make a comeback late during the 1999–2000 season, [55] [56] [57] [58] Nash was traded to the Dallas Mavericks, [59] [60] [61] [62] Hot Rod Williams signed as a free agent with the Mavericks, [54] [63] [64] Scott signed with the New York Knicks, [65] [66] [67] and Mark Bryant was traded to the Chicago Bulls. [68] [69] [70]

Offseason

NBA draft

RoundPickPlayerPositionNationalityCollege
243 Stephen Jackson SF/SGFlag of the United States.svg United States Butler CC

The Suns used their only draft pick to select future star Stephen Jackson, who was waived before the start of the season. The Suns traded their first-round pick to the Cleveland Cavaliers in 1995 when they dealt Dan Majerle and Antonio Lang for John "Hot Rod" Williams.

Roster

1997–98 Phoenix Suns roster
PlayersCoaches
Pos.No.NameHeightWeightDOBFrom
C 45 Brown, Mike 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)257 lb (117 kg)1963–07–19 George Washington
C 2 Bryant, Mark 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)245 lb (111 kg)1965–04–25 Seton Hall
G/F 3 Chapman, Rex 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)185 lb (84 kg)1967–10–05 Kentucky
G 7 Johnson, Kevin 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)180 lb (82 kg)1966–03–04 California
G 32 Kidd, Jason 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)205 lb (93 kg)1973–03–23 California
C 17 Llamas, Horacio 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)285 lb (129 kg)1973–07–17 Grand Canyon
F/C 15 Manning, Danny  Cruz Roja.svg6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)230 lb (104 kg)1966–05–17 Kansas
F 21 McCloud, George 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)205 lb (93 kg)1967–05–27 Florida State
F 34 McDyess, Antonio 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)220 lb (100 kg)1974–09–07 Alabama
C 40 Meyer, Loren  Cruz Roja.svg (IN)6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)257 lb (117 kg)1972–12–30 Iowa State
F 20 Milič, Marko 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)235 lb (107 kg)1977–05–07 Slovenia
G 13 Nash, Steve 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)195 lb (88 kg)1974–02–07 Santa Clara
F 30 Robinson, Clifford 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)225 lb (102 kg)1966–12–16 Connecticut
F 4 Scott, Dennis 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)229 lb (104 kg)1968–09–05 Georgia Tech
C 18 Williams, John 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)215 lb (98 kg)1962–08–09 Tulane
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • (IN) Inactive
  • Cruz Roja.svg Injured

Roster Notes

Salaries

PlayerSalary
Kevin Johnson$8,000,000
Danny Manning$6,833,333
Jason Kidd$5,223,333
Hot Rod Williams$4,550,000
Antonio McDyess$2,876,640
Cedric Ceballos$2,605,000
Mark Bryant$2,250,000
Steve Nash$1,053,360
Clifford Robinson$1,000,000
Loren Meyer$722,760
Mario Bennett$630,000
Rex Chapman$326,700
Tom Chambers$272,250
George McCloud$272,250
Horacio Llamas$272,250
William Cunningham$50,000
Total$36,937,876

Regular season

Standings

Pacific Division
W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-Seattle SuperSonics 6121.744–35–626–1519–5
x-Los Angeles Lakers 6121.744 –33–828–1316–8
x-Phoenix Suns 5626.683530–1126–1517–7
x-Portland Trail Blazers 4636.5611526–1520–2114–10
Sacramento Kings 2755.3293421–206–356–18
Golden State Warriors 1963.2324212–297–346–18
Los Angeles Clippers 1765.2074411–306–356–18
#
Western Conference
Team W L PCT GB
1z-Utah Jazz 6220.756–
2y-Seattle SuperSonics 6121.7441
3x-Los Angeles Lakers 6121.7441
4x-Phoenix Suns 5626.6836
5x-San Antonio Spurs 5626.6836
6x-Portland Trail Blazers 4636.56116
7x-Minnesota Timberwolves 4537.54917
8x-Houston Rockets 4141.50021
9 Sacramento Kings 2755.32935
10 Dallas Mavericks 2062.24442
11 Vancouver Grizzlies 1963.23243
11 Golden State Warriors 1963.23243
13 Los Angeles Clippers 1765.20745
14 Denver Nuggets 1171.13451

Record vs. opponents

1997-98 NBA Records
TeamATLBOSCHACHICLEDALDENDETGSWHOUINDLACLALMIAMILMINNJNNYKORLPHIPHOPORSACSASSEATORUTAVANWAS
Atlanta —2–14–01–34–02–02–02–22–01–11–32–00–21–33–10–21–22–22–23–10–21–12–01–11–14–00–22–04–0
Boston 1–2—1–21–31–31–11–12–21–11–10–42–01–10–42–21–12–22–22–23–10–21–11–10–21–13–00–22–03–2
Charlotte 0–42–1—1–32–22–02–03–11–12–03–12–01–13–13–11–12–21–33–12–11–12–01–11–11–14–01–12–02–2
Chicago 3–13–13–1—2–21–12–03–12–02–02–22–01–12–14–01–14–04–03–12–11–11–12–02–01–14–00–22–03–1
Cleveland 0–43–12–22–2—1–12–03–12–01–12–22–01–11–32–22–03–11–22–23–12–01–12–00–20–23–11–12–01–2
Dallas 0–21–10–21–11–1—3–10–21–30–41–11–30–40–20–22–20–21–10–20–20–40–40–40–42–21–10–44–01–1
Denver 0–21–10–20–20–21–3—0–21–30–40–22–20–40–20–21–30–20–20–20–20–42–21–30–40–40–20–41–31–1
Detroit 2–22–21–31–31–32–02–0—2–01–11–32–00–21–22–20–22–22–21–23–11–10–21–11–10–24–00–20–22–2
Golden State 0–21–11–10–20–23–13–10–2—1–30–21–31–30–20–20–40–21–11–10–20–41–32–21–31–30–20–41–30–2
Houston 1–11–10–20–21–14–04–01–13–1—1–14–01–30–21–11–31–11–10–21–11–31–34–02–21–32–00–43–11–1
Indiana 3–14–01–32–22–21–12–03–12–01–1—2–00–23–14–02–02–12–13–14–01–11–12–00–20–24–01–12–04–0
L.A. Clippers 0–20–20–20–20–23–12–20–23–10–40–2—0–40–20–20–41–10–20–21–10–40–43–11–30–41–11–31–30–2
L.A. Lakers 2–01–11–11–11–14–04–02–03–13–12–04–0—1–12–04–01–11–11–10–22–22–24–04–01–32–03–14–01–1
Miami 3–14–01–31–23–12–02–02–12–02–01–32–01–1—3–11–13–12–23–14–00–22–02–00–20–24–01–12–02–2
Milwaukee 1–32–21–30–42–22–02–02–22–01–10–42–00–21–3—1–10–43–12–12–20–22–02–00–21–13–10–21–11–2
Minnesota 2–01–11–11–10–22–23–12–04–03–10–24–00–41–11–1—2–01–10–22–03–11–33–11–31–31–11–34–00–2
New Jersey 2–12–22–20–41–32–02–02–22–01–11–21–11–11–34–00–2—2–23–13–11–11–12–01–10–23–10–22–01–3
New York 2–22–23–10–42–11–12–02–21–11–11–22–01–12–21–31–12–2—4–02–22–01–11–10–21–13–10–22–01–3
Orlando 2–22–21–31–32–22–02–02–11–12–01–32–01–11–31–22–01–30–4—4–00–22–00–20–21–13–10–22–03–1
Philadelphia 1–31–31–21–21–32–02–01–32–01–10–41–12–00–42–20–21–32–20–4—1–11–11–10–20–22–20–22–03–1
Phoenix2–02–01–11–10–24–04–01–14–03–11–14–02–22–02–01–31–10–22–01–1—2–23–13–12–22–01–34–01–1
Portland 1–11–10–21–11–14–02–22–03–13–11–14–02–20–20–23–11–11–10–21–12–2—3–12–20–42–03–12–21–1
Sacramento 0–21–11–10–20–24–03–11–12–20–40–21–30–40–20–21–30–21–12–01–11–31–3—0–41–31–12–22–21–1
San Antonio 1–12–01–10–22–04–04–01–13–12–22–03–10–42–02–03–11–12–02–02–01–32–24–0—2–22–01–34–01–1
Seattle 1–11–11–11–12–02–24–02–03–13–12–04–03–12–01–13–12–01–11–12–02–24–03–12–2—2–02–24–01–1
Toronto 0–40–30–40–41–31–12–00–42–00–20–41–10–20–41–31–11–31–31–32–20–20–21–10–20–2—0–21–10–3
Utah 2–02–01–12–01–14–04–02–04–04–01–13–11–31–12–03–12–02–02–02–03–11–32–23–12–22–0—4–00–2
Vancouver 0–20–20–20–20–20–43–12–03–11–30–23–10–40–21–10–40–20–20–20–20–42–22–20–40–41–10–4—1–1
Washington 0–42–32–21–32–11–11–12–22–01–10–42–01–12–22–12–03–13–11–31–31–11–11–11–11–13–02–01–1—

Playoffs

Even with a 56–26 record, the Suns were the fourth seed in the West heading into the Playoffs. They would face the fifth-seeded San Antonio Spurs, headlined by star center David Robinson and Rookie of the Year forward Tim Duncan. Duncan led the Spurs to a game one upset in Phoenix, scoring 28 second-half points in a 102–96 victory. The Suns recovered to win game two 108–101. Antonio McDyess led the Suns with 21 points and 11 rebounds, while holding Duncan to 16 points with six turnovers. On the night he received the Rookie of the Year Award, Duncan again led the Spurs with 22 points, 14 rebounds and 3 blocks. Despite 26 points and 17 rebounds from McDyess, the Suns fell 88–100 and into a 1–2 series hole. The Spurs would clinch the series 3–1 in San Antonio, behind 30 points from Avery Johnson, 21 rebounds from Robinson, and 6 blocks from Duncan. McDyess pulled down 19 rebounds for the Suns, but shot only 5 of 14 from the field, while Kevin Johnson led the team with 18 points. [49]

Game log

1998 playoff game log
First Round: 1–3 (home: 1–1; road: 0–2)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Series
1April 23 San Antonio L 96–102 Kevin Johnson (18) George McCloud (9) Jason Kidd (11) America West Arena
19,023		0–1
2April 25 San Antonio W 108–101 George McCloud (22) Antonio McDyess (11) Jason Kidd (10) America West Arena
19,023		1–1
3April 27@ San Antonio L 88–100 Antonio McDyess (26) Antonio McDyess (17) Johnson, Kidd (6) Alamodome
20,486		1–2
4April 29@ San Antonio L 80–99 Kevin Johnson (18) Antonio McDyess (19) Steve Nash (5) Alamodome
27,528		1–3
1998 schedule

Awards and honors

Week/Month

All-Star

Season

Injuries/Missed games

Player statistics

Legend
  GPGames 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

Season

PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
Mark Bryant 702215.9.484.000.7683.50.7.5.24.2
Cedric Ceballos *351617.9.500.300.7144.31.0.6.29.5
Rex Chapman 686733.3.427.386.7812.53.01.0.215.9
Kevin Johnson 501225.8.447.154.8713.34.9.5.29.5
Jason Kidd 828238.0.416.313.7996.29.12.0.311.6
Horacio Llamas 805.3.381.333.7002.30.1.1.43.0
Danny Manning 701125.6.516.000.7395.62.01.0.713.5
George McCloud 631319.3.405.341.7653.51.3.9.27.2
Antonio McDyess 818130.1.536†.000.7027.61.31.21.715.1
Marko Milič 3304.9.609†.500^.6470.80.4.3.02.8
Steve Nash 76921.9.459.415^.8602.13.4.8.19.1
Clifford Robinson 806429.5.479.321.6895.12.11.21.114.2
Dennis Scott *29317.0.438.449^.6671.70.8.3.26.2
Brooks Thompson *1303.5.370.313.3330.40.2.3.02.0
John Williams 713018.8.470..6994.40.7.5.83.6

* – Stats with the Suns.
† – Minimum 300 field goals made.
^ – Minimum 55 three-pointers made.

Playoffs

PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
Mike Brown 101.0...0.00.0.0.00.0
Mark Bryant 4123.3.500..5005.80.31.0.510.0
Rex Chapman 2229.0.261.000.857^0.02.01.0.09.0
Kevin Johnson 4130.5.548†.250.6672.34.8.5.213.8
Jason Kidd 4442.8.379.000.813^5.87.84.0.514.3
George McCloud 4331.5.512.571.7504.82.0.2.214.3
Antonio McDyess 4436.8.477..64313.31.0.51.517.8
Marko Milič 202.0.667†..0.50.0.5.02.0
Steve Nash 4112.8.444.200.6252.51.8.5.05.5
Clifford Robinson 4423.0.273.000.7783.00.8.7.56.3
Dennis Scott 4015.5.412.375.2.00.3.2.04.3
John Williams 3011.0.286..6671.30.3.0.72.0

† – Minimum 20 field goals made.
^ – Minimum 10 free throws made.

Transactions

Trades

October 1, 1997To Denver Nuggets
1998 first-round draft pick ( Flag of the United States.svg Tyronn Lue)
1999 first-round draft pick ( Flag of the United States.svg James Posey)
2000 second-round draft pick ( Flag of the United States.svg Dan McClintock)
2001 first-round draft pick ( Flag of the United States.svg Joseph Forte)
2002 second-round draft pick ( Flag of the United States.svg Rod Grizzard)
To Phoenix Suns
Flag of the United States.svg Antonio McDyess
2005 first-round draft pick ( Flag of the United States.svg Sean May)
To Cleveland Cavaliers
Flag of the United States.svg Wesley Person
Flag of the United States.svg Tony Dumas
November 21, 1997To Philadelphia 76ers
Flag of the United States.svg Tom Chambers 		To Phoenix Suns
Flag of Slovenia.svg Marko Milič
February 18, 1998To Dallas Mavericks
Flag of the United States.svg Cedric Ceballos 		To Phoenix Suns
Flag of the United States.svg Dennis Scott

Free agents

Additions

DatePlayerContractFormer Team
June 23, 1997 Kevin Johnson Signed one-year contract for $8,000,000 Phoenix Suns
July 1, 1997 Mark Bryant Signed two-year contract for $4,300,000 Phoenix Suns
July 8, 1997 John "Hot Rod" Williams Signed one-year contract for $4,550,000 Phoenix Suns
July 8, 1997 Rex Chapman Signed one-year contract for $326,700 Phoenix Suns
July 8, 1997 Horacio Llamas Signed one-year contract for $272,250 Sioux Falls Skyforce
August 22, 1997 Tom Chambers Signed one-year contract for $272,250 Charlotte Hornets
August 22, 1997 William Cunningham Undisclosedn/a
August 25, 1997 Clifford Robinson Signed one-year contract for $1 million Portland Trail Blazers
September 2, 1997 George McCloud Signed one-year contract for $272,250 Los Angeles Lakers
December 11, 1997 Brooks Thompson Undisclosed Denver Nuggets
January 9, 1998 Brooks Thompson Signed two 10-day contracts Phoenix Suns
April 18, 1998 Mike Brown Signed for rest of seasonViola Reggio Calabria (Italy)

Subtractions

DatePlayerReason LeftNew Team
May 3, 1997 Kevin Johnson Retired Phoenix Suns
July 1, 1997 Wayman Tisdale Free agentn/a
July 1, 1997 Mike Brown Free agentViola Reggio Calabria (Italy)
September 29, 1997 Ben Davis Free agent Miami Heat
October 13, 1997 William Cunningham Waived Utah Jazz
October 30, 1997 Stephen Jackson Waived La Crosse Bobcats (CBA)
January 7, 1998 Brooks Thompson Waived Phoenix Suns
January 29, 1998 Brooks Thompson 10-day contract expired New York Knicks

Player Transactions Citation: [73]

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The 1997–98 NBA season was the Rockets' 31st season in the National Basketball Association, and 27th season in Houston. After a slow 3–5 start to the season, the Rockets went on a nine-game winning streak winning 12 of their first 17 games. The team traveled to Mexico City, Mexico, where they defeated the Dallas Mavericks, 108–106 on December 6, 1997, which was the first NBA regular season game played in Mexico.

The 1997–98 NBA season was the tenth season for the Charlotte Hornets in the National Basketball Association. During the off-season, the Hornets signed free agents David Wesley, and Bobby Phills, while re-signing former Hornets forward J.R. Reid. Early into the season, the team traded long-time Hornets guard Muggsy Bogues, along with second-year guard Tony Delk to the Golden State Warriors in exchange for B. J. Armstrong, who won three championships with the Chicago Bulls in the early 1990s.

The 1997–98 NBA season was the Lakers' 50th season in the National Basketball Association, and 38th in the city of Los Angeles. During the off-season, the Lakers signed free agents Rick Fox, and three-point specialist Jon Barry. The team got off to a fast start to the season winning their first eleven games, before losing Shaquille O'Neal to a strained stomach muscle that forced him to sit out 20 games; in his absence, the Lakers went 13–7. In January, Nick Van Exel went down with a knee injury missing 18 games, and was replaced with second-year guard Derek Fisher as the team's starting point guard for the remainder of the season. The Lakers held a 34–11 record at the All-Star break, and won 22 of their final 25 games to tie the Pacific Division title with the Seattle SuperSonics with a 61–21 record. It was the Lakers' best record since the 1989–90 season.

The 1988–89 NBA season was the Nuggets' 13th season in the NBA and 22nd season as a franchise. During the off-season, the team signed free agent All-Star guard Walter Davis. The Nuggets got off to an 11–4 start to the regular season, but played below .500 afterwards, as Bill Hanzlik only played just 41 games due to a back injury. At mid-season, the team traded Jay Vincent and Calvin Natt to the San Antonio Spurs in exchange for Dave Greenwood and Darwin Cook, and held a 25–23 record at the All-Star break. Despite losing six of their final eight games, the Nuggets finished in third place in the Midwest Division with a 44–38 record, while posting a very successful 35–6 home record at the McNichols Sports Arena.

The 1996–97 NBA season was the Nuggets' 21st season in the National Basketball Association, and 30th season as a franchise. In the off-season, the Nuggets acquired Mark Jackson and Ricky Pierce from the Indiana Pacers, acquired Šarūnas Marčiulionis from the Sacramento Kings, and signed free agents Ervin Johnson and Eric Murdock, although Murdock was released to free agency in November after just 12 games. However, after a 4–9 start to the season, Bernie Bickerstaff resigned as head coach and was replaced with Dick Motta, where the Nuggets then lost ten straight games, and held a 16–32 record at the All-Star break.

The 1998–99 NBA season was the Nuggets' 23rd season in the National Basketball Association, and 32nd season as a franchise. On March 23, 1998, the owners of all 29 NBA teams voted 27–2 to reopen the league's collective bargaining agreement, seeking changes to the league's salary cap system, and a ceiling on individual player salaries. The National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) opposed to the owners' plan, and wanted raises for players who earned the league's minimum salary. After both sides failed to reach an agreement, the owners called for a lockout, which began on July 1, 1998, putting a hold on all team trades, free agent signings and training camp workouts, and cancelling many NBA regular season and preseason games. Due to the lockout, the NBA All-Star Game, which was scheduled to be played in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on February 14, 1999, was also cancelled.

The 1997–98 NBA season was the Timberwolves' 9th season in the National Basketball Association. During the off-season, the Timberwolves acquired Stanley Roberts from the Los Angeles Clippers, and later on signed free agent Tom Hammonds in November. In October, All-Star forward Kevin Garnett signed a six-year contract extension with the Timberwolves, which was worth $126 million.

The 1995–96 NBA season was the Mavericks' 16th season in the National Basketball Association. The Mavericks had the twelfth overall pick in the 1995 NBA draft, and selected Cherokee Parks out of Duke University. The team got off to a fast start winning their first four games. However, after a 5–1 start to the season, they struggled losing 21 of their next 24 games, as Jamal Mashburn went down with a knee injury after playing just 18 games, averaging 23.4 points per game. Mashburn, second-year star Jason Kidd and Jim Jackson all had trouble getting along as teammates, as Mashburn and Jackson both feuded with each other, and Jackson and Kidd both feuded with each other; there were rumors that R&B singer Toni Braxton was involved in Kidd and Jackson's feud.

The 1996–97 NBA season was the Mavericks' 17th season in the National Basketball Association. The Mavericks had the ninth overall pick in the 1996 NBA draft, and selected Samaki Walker from the University of Louisville. In the off-season, the team signed free agents Chris Gatling, Oliver Miller, and former Mavs guard Derek Harper, and acquired Eric Montross from the Boston Celtics, and signed undrafted rookie guard Erick Strickland. Under new head coach Jim Cleamons, the Mavericks struggles continued with a 4–10 start in November. With the team not showing any improvement, they traded All-Star guard Jason Kidd to the Phoenix Suns in exchange for second-year star Michael Finley, Sam Cassell and A.C. Green in late December. The Mavericks continued to struggle as they held a 16–28 record at the All-Star break.

The 1997–98 NBA season was the Mavericks' 18th season in the National Basketball Association. In the off-season, the Mavericks acquired three-point specialist Dennis Scott from the Orlando Magic, and signed free agent Hubert Davis. After winning their first three games of the regular season, the Mavericks struggled once again losing ten straight in November. Head coach Jim Cleamons was fired, and replaced with General Manager Don Nelson after a 4–12 start. Along the way, forward A.C. Green broke the NBA's Iron Man record of most consecutive games played, breaking Randy Smith's record, which was 906 consecutive games. After winning their first game under Nelson, which was a 105–91 home victory over the New York Knicks on December 4, 1997, the Mavericks traveled to Mexico City, Mexico, where they lost to the Houston Rockets, 108–106 on December 6, which was the first NBA regular season game played in Mexico.

References

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  2. ↑ Berger, Ken (October 1, 1997). "Nuggets Send McDyess to Phoenix". Associated Press. Retrieved September 17, 2022.
  3. ↑ "PLUS: IN THE NEWS -- PRO BASKETBALL; McDyess to Suns in Three-Team Deal". The New York Times. Associated Press. October 2, 1997. Retrieved December 4, 2022.
  4. ↑ "Suns Make Trade for McDyess". Los Angeles Times. Staff and Wire Reports. October 2, 1997. Retrieved December 4, 2022.
  5. ↑ "Nuggets Deal McDs to Phoenix". The Spokesman-Review. Associated Press. October 2, 1997. Retrieved June 24, 2023.
  6. ↑ "Robinson Joins Suns". The New York Times. Associated Press. August 26, 1997. Retrieved June 24, 2023.
  7. ↑ "Robinson Takes Pay Cut to Sign with Suns". Los Angeles Times. Staff and Wire Reports. August 26, 1997. Retrieved July 17, 2022.
  8. ↑ Thompson, Jack (August 26, 1997). "Suns Sign Clifford Robinson". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved October 13, 2021.
  9. ↑ "Parish Ends NBA Career After 21 Seasons and 1,611 Games". The Spokesman-Review. Wire Services. August 26, 1997. Retrieved December 3, 2022.
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  11. ↑ Springer, Steve (October 31, 1997). "Season's Greetings". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
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