1996–97 Dallas Mavericks season

The 1996–97 NBA season was the Mavericks' 17th season in the National Basketball Association.[1] The Mavericks had the ninth overall pick in the 1996 NBA draft, and selected Samaki Walker from the University of Louisville.[2][3][4][5] In the off-season, the team signed free agents Chris Gatling,[6][7][8] Oliver Miller,[9][10] and former Mavs guard Derek Harper,[11][12][13] and acquired Eric Montross from the Boston Celtics,[14][15][16] and signed undrafted rookie guard Erick Strickland. Under new head coach Jim Cleamons,[17][18] 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.[19][20][21][22][23] The Mavericks continued to struggle as they held a 16–28 record at the All-Star break.[24]

1996–97 Dallas Mavericks season
Head coachJim Cleamons
General manager
  • Frank Zaccanelli (through February 7, 1997)
  • Don Nelson (after February 7, 1997)
Owner(s)Ross Perot Jr.
ArenaReunion Arena
Results
Record24–58 (.293)
PlaceDivision: 4th (Midwest)
Conference: 11th (Western)
Playoff finishDid not qualify

Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
TelevisionKXTX-TV
Fox Sports Southwest
RadioWBAP
< 1995–96 1997–98 >

Gatling played a sixth man role, averaging 19.1 points and 7.9 rebounds per game off the bench during the first half of the season, and was selected for the 1997 NBA All-Star Game.[25][26][27][28][29] At midseason, he was traded along with Cassell, Montross, Jim Jackson and George McCloud to the New Jersey Nets in exchange for Shawn Bradley, Robert Pack, Khalid Reeves and second-year forward Ed O'Bannon,[30][31][32][33] while Jamal Mashburn was dealt to the Miami Heat in exchange for second-year guard Sasha Danilovic, second-year forward Kurt Thomas, and rookie forward Martin Muursepp,[34][35][36][37] and Miller was released to free agency, and re-signed as a free agent with his former team, the Toronto Raptors.[38][39] In February, former Milwaukee Bucks and Golden State Warriors coach Don Nelson became the team's General Manager.[40][41][42] The Mavericks suffered an 11-game losing streak between March and April, and lost 16 of their final 18 games, finishing fourth in the Midwest Division with a 24–58 record.[43]

For the players who were acquired in trades during the season, Finley averaged 15.6 points per game in 56 games with the Mavericks, while Bradley averaged 14.6 points, 8.7 rebounds and 2.7 blocks per game in 32 games, Pack contributed 11.5 points, 6.4 assists and 1.8 steals per game in 20 games, and Green contributed 7.9 points and 9.1 rebounds per game in 56 games. In addition, for the players who spent the entire season with the Mavericks this season, Harper provided with 10.0 points and 4.3 assists per game, and Strickland contributed 10.6 points per game in only just 28 games.[28] Following the season, Harper and O'Bannon were both traded to the Orlando Magic, who released O'Bannon to free agency,[44][45][46][47] and Danilovic was released after just two seasons in the NBA.

On April 6, 1997, the Mavericks only scored just two points in the third quarter in an 87–80 road loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. It was the fewest points scored in a quarter of a game in NBA history.[48][49][50][51]

Offseason

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Draft picks

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RoundPickPlayerPositionNationalityCollege
19Samaki WalkerPF  United StatesLouisville
234Shawn HarveyG  United StatesWest Virginia State University
256Darnell RobinsonF  United StatesArkansas

Roster

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1996–97 Dallas Mavericks roster
PlayersCoaches
Pos.No.NameHeightWeightDOBFrom
C44Bradley, Shawn7 ft 6 in (2.29 m)235 lb (107 kg)1972–03–22BYU
G5Danilovic, Sasha6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)200 lb (91 kg)1970–02–26Serbia
C50Dreiling, Greg7 ft 1 in (2.16 m)250 lb (113 kg)1962–11–07Kansas
F4Finley, Michael6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)215 lb (98 kg)1973–03–06Wisconsin
F45Green, A.C.6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)220 lb (100 kg)1963–10–04Oregon State
G12Harper, Derek6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)185 lb (84 kg)1961–10–13Illinois
C33King, Stacey6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)230 lb (104 kg)1967–01–29Oklahoma
F13Muursepp, Martin6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)235 lb (107 kg)1974–09–26Estonia
F31O'Bannon, Ed6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)222 lb (101 kg)1972–08–14UCLA
G14Pack, Robert6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)180 lb (82 kg)1969–02–03USC
G6Reeves, Khalid6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)199 lb (90 kg)1972–07–15Arizona
G20Strickland, Erick6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)210 lb (95 kg)1973–11–25Nebraska
F/C40Thomas, Kurt   (IN)6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)230 lb (104 kg)1972–10–04TCU
F52Walker, Samaki  6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)240 lb (109 kg)1976–02–25Louisville
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)

Legend
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • (IN) Inactive
  • Injured

Roster
Last transaction: April 15, 1997

Roster Notes

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  • Center Shawn Bradley holds both American and German citizenship.
  • Power forward Kurt Thomas was acquired from the Miami Heat at midseason, but did not play with the Mavericks this season due to an ankle injury.[52][53]

Regular season

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Season standings

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W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-Utah Jazz6418.78038–326–1519–5
x-Houston Rockets5725.695730–1127–1419–5
x-Minnesota Timberwolves4042.4882425–1615–2616–8
Dallas Mavericks2458.2934014–2710–319–15
Denver Nuggets2161.2564312–299–327–17
San Antonio Spurs2062.2444412–298–338–16
Vancouver Grizzlies1468.171508–336–356–18
1996–97 NBA West standings
#
Team W L PCT GB
1c-Utah Jazz6418.780
2y-Seattle SuperSonics5725.6957
3x-Houston Rockets5725.6957
4x-Los Angeles Lakers5626.6838
5x-Portland Trail Blazers4933.59815
6x-Minnesota Timberwolves4042.48824
7x-Phoenix Suns4042.48824
8x-Los Angeles Clippers3646.43928
9Sacramento Kings3448.41530
10Golden State Warriors3052.36634
11Dallas Mavericks2458.29340
12Denver Nuggets2161.25643
13San Antonio Spurs2062.24444
14Vancouver Grizzlies1468.17150
z - clinched division title
y - clinched division title
x - clinched playoff spot

Record vs. opponents

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1996-97 NBA Records
TeamATLBOSCHACHICLEDALDENDETGSWHOUINDLACLALMIAMILMINNJNNYKORLPHIPHOPORSACSASSEATORUTAVANWAS
Atlanta3–11–31–33–12–01–11–32–01–13–12–01–11–24–02–03–11–33–14–01–12–02–02–01–14–01–12–02–1
Boston1–30–40–41–21–11–10–41–10–21–20–21–10–41–30–20–40–40–41–31–11–10–21–10–23–10–20–20–4
Charlotte3–14–00–43–11–12–02–22–02–02–21–11–11–22–22–04–03–11–24–01–10–22–02–02–02–20–22–03–1
Chicago3–14–04–03–12–02–03–12–01–14–02–01–12–24–02–03–12–23–04–02–02–02–02–02–03–11–12–02–1
Cleveland1–32–11–31–32–01–12–21–10–23–12–01–10–42–22–04–01–32–23–01–11–12–00–20–23–11–12–01–3
Dallas0–21–11–10–20–23–10–20–40–41–12–20–40–20–21–31–11–11–12–01–31–32–21–31–30–21–33–10–2
Denver1–11–10–20–21–11–30–21–31–30–21–30–40–21–10–41–10–20–21–12–20–42–22–20–41–10–43–11–1
Detroit3–14–02–21–32–22–02–02–01–13–12–01–10–43–12–04–01–22–22–10–21–11–12–01–13–11–12–04–0
Golden State0–21–10–20–21–14–03–10–20–41–11–30–40–21–11–32–00–21–12–00–42–21–34–00–42–00–43–10–2
Houston1–12–00–21–12–04–03–11–14–01–13–13–10–21–14–02–01–10–22–02–22–24–03–13–11–12–23–12–0
Indiana1–32–12–20–41–31–12–01–31–11–12–01–11–32–22–02–21–31–33–01–11–11–11–11–14–00–22–01–3
L.A. Clippers0–22–01–10–20–22–23–10–23–11–30–22–20–22–01–31–10–21–11–12–20–42–24–01–32–01–34–00–2
L.A. Lakers1–11–11–11–11–14–04–01–14–01–31–12–21–12–03–12–01–11–12–04–01–34–02–23–11–11–34–02–0
Miami2–14–02–12–24–02–02–04–02–02–03–12–01–14–01–13–11–32–23–12–01–12–02–00–23–10–22–03–1
Milwaukee0–43–12–20–42–22–01–11–31–11–12–20–20–20–40–22–11–22–23–11–10–20–21–11–13–11–12–01–3
Minnesota0–22–00–20–20–23–14–00–23–10–40–23–11–31–12–02–01–11–11–13–12–20–44–00–41–11–34–01–1
New Jersey1–34–00–41–30–41–11–10–40–20–22–21–10–21–31–20–22–21–32–21–10–21–12–01–10–30–22–01–3
New York3–14–01–32–23–11–12–02–12–01–13–12–01–13–12–11–12–23–13–21–11–12–02–00–23–01–12–04–0
Orlando1–34–02–10–32–21–12–02–21–12–03–11–11–12–22–21–13–11–32–21–12–01–11–11–14–00–21–11–3
Philadelphia0–43–10–40–40–30–21–11–20–20–20–31–10–21–31–31–12–22–32–21–11–10–21–10–21–30–22–01–3
Phoenix1–11–11–10–21–13–12–22–04–02–21–12–20–40–21–11–31–11–11–11–11–34–03–12–20–21–32–21–1
Portland0–21–12–00–21–13–14–01–12–22–21–14–03–11–12–02–22–01–10–21–13–12–24–01–30–22–24–00–2
Sacramento0–22–00–20–20–22–22–21–13–10–41–12–20–40–22–04–01–10–21–12–00–42–23–11–31–10–44–00–2
San Antonio0–21–10–20–22–03–12–20–20–41–31–10–42–20–21–10–40–20–21–11–11–30–41–30–41–11–31–30–2
Seattle1–12–00–20–22–03–14–01–14–01–31–13–11–32–01–14–01–12–01–12–02–23–13–14–02–01–34–02–0
Toronto0–41–32–21–31–32–01–11–30–21–10–40–21–11–31–31–13–00–30–43–12–02–01–11–10–21–11–12–2
Utah1–12–02–01–11–13–14–01–14–02–22–03–13–12–01–13–12–01–12–02–03–12–24–03–13–11–14–02–0
Vancouver0–22–00–20–20–21–31–30–21–31–30–20–40–40–20–20–40–20–21–10–22–20–40–43–10–41–10–41–1
Washington1–24–01–31–23–12–01–10–42–00–23–12–00–21–33–11–13–10–43–13–11–12–02–02–00–22–20–21–1

Game log

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1996–97 game log
Total: 24–58 (Home: 0–0; Road: 0–0)
November: 0–0 (home: 0–0; road: 0–0)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
December: 0–0 (home: 0–0; road: 0–0)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
January: 0–0 (home: 0–0; road: 0–0)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
February: 0–0 (home: 0–0; road: 0–0)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
March: 0–0 (home: 0–0; road: 0–0)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
April: 0–0 (home: 0–0; road: 0–0)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
1996–97 schedule

Player statistics

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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
PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3FG%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
Chris Gatling44127.153.316.770.67.90.60.80.719.1
Sasha Danilovic13933.742.036.784.22.61.91.20.116.6
Michael Finley563635.643.238.780.74.52.80.90.416.0
Jim Jackson464636.444.233.178.74.93.41.20.315.5
Shawn Bradley333232.146.10.064.28.71.00.52.714.6
George McCloud412629.442.338.083.73.52.21.30.213.7
Sam Cassell161324.942.430.684.03.13.61.10.412.3
Robert Pack201129.936.123.784.93.06.41.80.211.5
Erick Strickland281527.139.830.481.33.22.41.00.210.6
Jamal Mashburn372126.437.232.164.93.12.50.90.110.6
Derek Harper752929.544.434.174.21.84.31.20.210.0
Jason Kidd222236.036.932.366.74.19.12.00.49.9
A.C. Green565434.748.65.965.19.30.90.90.37.9
Khalid Reeves131229.538.720.075.02.44.30.80.27.8
Samaki Walker431214.044.40.064.93.40.40.30.55.0
Jamie Watson10621.142.633.350.02.92.31.10.24.5
Oliver Miller42019.949.40.052.85.51.40.81.24.3
Martin Muursepp32010.041.915.067.91.90.50.40.34.3
Loren Meyer191613.643.650.075.02.60.40.30.24.1
Tony Dumas18012.635.112.565.20.81.20.60.14.0
Eric Montross474620.946.00.029.45.00.70.20.73.9
Ed O'Bannon1909.223.610.091.71.90.60.30.12.4
Stacey King6011.740.00.00.03.00.00.30.02.0
Greg Dreiling4039.745.9100.040.71.90.30.20.22.0
Stevin Smith807.533.316.7100.01.30.50.10.01.8
Fred Roberts1203.340.00.071.40.80.00.00.11.8
Jason Sasser203.525.00.00.00.50.50.50.01.0

[28]

Transactions

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References

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  1. ^ "1996-97 Dallas Mavericks". Basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 11, 2012.
  2. ^ Heisler, Mark (June 27, 1996). "The Surprises Are Few". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
  3. ^ Cotton, Anthony (June 27, 1996). "For 76ers, Iverson Is No. 1 Choice". The Washington Post. Retrieved July 25, 2021.
  4. ^ Bembry, Jerry (June 27, 1996). "76ers Make Iverson the 1, Philadelphia Takes Georgetown Guard; Camby Goes Second". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  5. ^ "1996 NBA Draft". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
  6. ^ "Mavericks Sign Gatling to 5-Year Deal". United Press International. July 17, 1996. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
  7. ^ Brown, Clifton (July 18, 1996). "PRO BASKETBALL; Lakers Up Offer to O'Neal to $140 Million". The New York Times. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
  8. ^ "Magic Said to Be Keeping Grant". Los Angeles Times. Times News Services. July 18, 1996. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
  9. ^ "Mavericks Sign Miller to One-Year Deal". United Press International. October 17, 1996. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
  10. ^ Sheridan, Chris (October 27, 1996). "Winners and Losers in Off-Season Action". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
  11. ^ Brown, Clifton (July 26, 1996). "BASKETBALL; Harper Appears Headed to Mavs". The New York Times. Retrieved July 31, 2021.
  12. ^ "Harper Returns to Mavericks". United Press International. July 26, 1996. Retrieved October 10, 2022.
  13. ^ "SPORTS PEOPLE: BASKETBALL; Harper Back with Mavericks". The New York Times. July 27, 1996. Retrieved January 13, 2023.
  14. ^ "SPORTS PEOPLE: BASKETBALL; Celtics Trade Montross to Mavericks". The New York Times. June 22, 1996. Retrieved June 29, 2022.
  15. ^ "Celtics Trade Montross, Move Up in Draft". Los Angeles Times. Staff and Wire Reports. June 22, 1996. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
  16. ^ Greenberg, Alan (June 22, 1996). "Mavs Trade Sixth Pick to Celtics". Hartford Courant. Retrieved January 13, 2023.
  17. ^ "SPORTS PEOPLE: BASKETBALL; Mavericks Hire Bulls' Cleamons". The New York Times. May 31, 1996. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
  18. ^ "Mavericks to Hire Cleamons; Kupchak Interviews for GM Job". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. May 31, 1996. Retrieved May 1, 2023.
  19. ^ "Kidd Traded to Suns in a Six-Player Deal". The New York Times. Associated Press. December 27, 1996. Retrieved May 16, 2022.
  20. ^ "Kidd Is Traded to Suns for Cassell, Finley, Green". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. December 27, 1996. Retrieved February 28, 2017.
  21. ^ "Kidd Sent to Suns in 6-Player Deal". The Washington Post. December 27, 1996. Retrieved July 11, 2022.
  22. ^ "Mavericks Trade Kidd to Suns in Blockbuster". Tampa Bay Times. December 27, 1996. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
  23. ^ "Kidd, a Goat in Dallas, Sent to Suns". The Spokesman-Review. Associated Press. December 27, 1996. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
  24. ^ "NBA Games Played on February 6, 1997". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  25. ^ Jorgensen, Loren (February 8, 1997). "No Offense, But Malone Would Rather Be Home". Deseret News. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  26. ^ Fry, Darrell (February 8, 1997). "On to the Next Stage". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
  27. ^ "1997 NBA All-Star Recap". NBA.com. NBA.com Staff. September 13, 2021. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
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  29. ^ "1997 NBA All-Star Game: East 132, West 120". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved November 27, 2021.
  30. ^ Roberts, Selena (February 18, 1997). "Nets and Mavericks Clean House and Start Over". The New York Times. Retrieved July 3, 2021.
  31. ^ "Overhaul Ends for Mavericks". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. February 18, 1997. Retrieved September 16, 2022.
  32. ^ Canavan, Tom (February 18, 1997). "Mavericks, Nets Swap 9 Players". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
  33. ^ Thompson, Jack (February 18, 1997). "Mavericks Send Jackson, Gatling to New Jersey in 9-Player Swap". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
  34. ^ Lester, Will (February 14, 1997). "Heat Gets Mavericks' Mashburn for Three Players". Associated Press. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
  35. ^ Brown, Clifton (February 15, 1997). "Miami Acquires Mashburn from Dallas to Bolster Its Firepower". The New York Times. Retrieved September 16, 2022.
  36. ^ "Heat Acquires Mashburn from Mavericks". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. February 15, 1997. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
  37. ^ "A Move Forward: Mashburn". Sun Sentinel. February 15, 1997. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
  38. ^ "Sloan Gets a Longer Deal". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. February 14, 1997. Retrieved February 2, 2023.
  39. ^ "Raptors Sign Center Oliver Miller". Associated Press. November 28, 1997. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
  40. ^ "Don Nelson Named Dallas Mavericks' G.M." United Press International. February 7, 1997. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  41. ^ Roberts, Selena (February 8, 1997). "All-Stars Are Tepid on Return of Nelson". The New York Times. Retrieved May 16, 2022.
  42. ^ Heisler, Mark (February 19, 1997). "A Tiny Comfort Zone in Dallas". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
  43. ^ "1996–97 Dallas Mavericks Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 28, 2021.
  44. ^ "PLUS: BASKETBALL; Dallas-Orlando Trade". The New York Times. Associated Press. September 25, 1997. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
  45. ^ "Nelson Still Dealing, Gets Scott from Magic". Los Angeles Times. Staff and Wire Reports. September 25, 1997. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
  46. ^ Johnson, L.C. (September 25, 1997). "Trade Lets Magic Get Rid of Scott". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved September 23, 2022.
  47. ^ "Mavericks Send Harper, O'Bannon to Magic for Scott, Cash". Associated Press. September 25, 1997. Retrieved July 31, 2021.
  48. ^ "Mavs Score Just 2 Points in a Quarter". The New York Times. Associated Press. April 7, 1997. Retrieved February 28, 2017.
  49. ^ Howard-Cooper, Scott (April 7, 1997). "Lakers Exploit the Bad and Ugly". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 4, 2023.
  50. ^ "Lakers 87, Mavericks 80". United Press International. April 7, 1997. Retrieved October 10, 2022.
  51. ^ "Dallas Mavericks at Los Angeles Lakers Box Score, April 6, 1997". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 4, 2023.
  52. ^ "Mavs' Thomas Breaks Ankle Again". Associated Press. November 14, 1997. Retrieved May 1, 2023.
  53. ^ "Mavs' Thomas Breaks Ankle Again". United Press International. November 14, 1997. Retrieved May 1, 2023.

See also

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