John MacBeth Paxson is an American basketball administrator and former player who was vice president of basketball operations for the Chicago Bulls of the National Basketball Association (NBA) from 2009 to 2020. He was their general manager from 2003 to 2009. Paxson played eleven NBA seasons for the San Antonio Spurs and Chicago Bulls, winning three championships as a member of the Bulls. He was an All-American college player at the University of Notre Dame.
Ronald Eugene Mercer is an American former professional basketball player. After his career at the University of Kentucky, Mercer played for several teams in the National Basketball Association (NBA); he ended his career with the New Jersey Nets in 2005.
The 2005 NBA playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 2004–05 season. The tournament concluded with the Western Conference champion San Antonio Spurs defeating the Eastern Conference champion Detroit Pistons 4 games to 3 in the NBA Finals. Tim Duncan was named Finals MVP.
Ronald Harper Sr. is an American former professional basketball player. He played for four teams in the National Basketball Association (NBA) between 1986 and 2001 and is a five-time NBA champion.
Christopher Allen Jefferies is an American former professional basketball player. He played for the Toronto Raptors and the Chicago Bulls in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Arkansas Razorbacks and Fresno State Bulldogs.
Frank Alan Hamblen II was an American basketball coach and scout. He played college basketball at Syracuse. He served as an NBA coach for various teams from 1969-2011, including stints as the interim head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks (1991-1992) and the Los Angeles Lakers (2005).
The 1998 NBA playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 1997–98 season. The tournament concluded with the two-time defending NBA champion and Eastern Conference champion Chicago Bulls defeating the Western Conference champion Utah Jazz 4 games to 2 in the NBA Finals. The Bulls achieved a second three peat, a goal unrivaled since the Boston Celtics in 1966. Michael Jordan was named NBA Finals MVP for the sixth and final time.
The 1996 NBA playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 1995–96 season. The tournament concluded with the Eastern Conference champion Chicago Bulls defeating the Western Conference champion Seattle SuperSonics 4 games to 2. Michael Jordan was named NBA Finals MVP for a then record fourth time.
Arthur James "A. J." Guyton is an American former professional basketball player and now basketball coach. He played college basketball for Indiana University.
Jawann Oldham is an American former professional basketball player who played center. After being selected by the Denver Nuggets in the second round of the 1980 NBA draft, he went on to play in ten National Basketball Association (NBA) seasons for eight teams.
Tracy Cordell Jackson is an American former professional basketball player who played in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He attended Paint Branch High School in Burtonsville, Maryland, and was named to the inaugural McDonald's All-American team, which played in the 1977 Capital Classic. He played college basketball for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
George Wilson was an American professional basketball player. Wilson played as a center for the Cincinnati Royals, Chicago Bulls, Seattle SuperSonics, Phoenix Suns, Philadelphia 76ers, and Buffalo Braves of the National Basketball Association (NBA) from 1964 to 1971. Before turning professional, he played college basketball for the Cincinnati Bearcats and won a gold medal in the 1964 Summer Olympics.
Robert Lee Wilkerson is a retired American professional basketball player.
Steven Michael Green is an American retired professional basketball player. He was a 6-foot-7-inch (2.01 m), 220-pound (100 kg) small forward. He played college basketball at Indiana University where he was first-year head coach Bob Knight's first recruit in 1971. Green attended Silver Creek High School in Sellersburg, Indiana.
John "Jumpin' Johnny" Baum is a retired American basketball player. Born in Philadelphia, he played collegiately for Temple University.
Roger Allen Burkman is a retired American basketball player and athletic director at Spalding University in Louisville, Kentucky. Born in Indianapolis, Indiana, he played high school basketball at Franklin Central High School. He played collegiately for the University of Louisville, and was a member of the school's 1980 national championship team. Burkman was selected by the Chicago Bulls in the 6th round of the 1981 NBA draft. He played for the Bulls (1981–82) in the NBA for 6 games. Burkman played for the Anchorage Northern Knights of the Continental Basketball Association during the 1981–81 season.
William C. Smith is a retired American professional basketball player. He was a 6'2" 170 lb (77 kg) guard and played collegiately at Seminole Junior College and the University of Missouri, where he earned All-America honors. Smith, nicknamed "Mister Magic", averaged 25.3 points per game during the 1976 season as he led Mizzou to a Big Eight Conference basketball championship.
The 1997–98 NBA season was the Pacers' 22nd season in the National Basketball Association, and 31st season as a franchise. In the off-season, the Pacers hired former Indiana State and Boston Celtics legend Larry Bird as head coach, acquired All-Star forward Chris Mullin from the Golden State Warriors, and signed free agent Mark West. Bird and Mullin were once teammates on the "Dream Team" from the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain. The Pacers struggled early in the season losing five of their first seven games, but then won 15 of their next 18 games, and held the best record in the Eastern Conference at 33–13 before the All-Star break. The Pacers won nine of their final eleven games, and returned to the playoffs after a one-year absence finishing second in the Central Division with a 58–24 record. It was also the first time since joining the NBA that the Pacers finished with a winning road record. The Pacers had the fifth best team defensive rating in the NBA.
Terry Taylor is an American professional basketball player who last played for the Chicago Bulls of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Austin Peay Governors.
