1996–97 Sacramento Kings season

The 1996–97 NBA season was the Kings' 48th season in the National Basketball Association, and 12th season in Sacramento.[1] During the off-season, the Kings acquired Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf from the Denver Nuggets,[2][3][4][5] and signed free agent Jeff Grayer in January.[6][7] Coming off their first playoff appearance in ten years, expectations in Sacramento were high. However, the Kings struggled with an 8–17 start to the season, as Brian Grant only played just 24 games due to a shoulder injury,[8][9][10] and Billy Owens missed 16 games early into the season with a groin injury.[11][12][13] The Kings would rebound to get back into playoff contention, holding a 21–28 record at the All-Star break.[14] However, after holding a 28–32 record as of March 5,[15] the team went on a 7-game losing streak as head coach Garry St. Jean was fired, and replaced with assistant Eddie Jordan for the remainder of the season.[16][17][18] The Kings finished sixth in the Pacific Division with a 34–48 record, missing the playoffs by finishing just two games behind the 8th-seeded Los Angeles Clippers.[19]

1996–97 Sacramento Kings season
Head coach
General managerGeoff Petrie
PresidentGeoff Petrie
Owner(s)Jim Thomas
ArenaARCO Arena
Results
Record34–48 (.415)
PlaceDivision: 6th (Pacific)
Conference: 9th (Western)
Playoff finishDid not qualify

Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
Television
RadioKHTK
< 1995–96 1997–98 >

Mitch Richmond averaged 25.9 points and 1.5 steals per game, and was named to the All-NBA Second Team, and selected for the 1997 NBA All-Star Game,[20][21][22][23] while Abdul-Rauf finished second on the team in scoring with 13.7 points per game, and Olden Polynice provided the team with 12.5 points and 9.4 rebounds per game. In addition, second-year forward Corliss Williamson showed improvement averaging 11.6 points per game, while Owens provided with 11.0 points and 5.9 rebounds per game, Grant contributed 10.5 points and 5.9 rebounds per game, Michael Smith averaged 6.6 points and 9.5 rebounds per game, and second-year guard Tyus Edney contributed 6.9 points and 3.2 assists per game off the bench.[24]

Following the season, Grant signed as a free agent with the Portland Trail Blazers,[25][26][27][28] while Edney signed with the Boston Celtics,[29][30][31] Duane Causwell was traded to the Miami Heat,[32][33][34] Grayer was released to free agency, and Lionel Simmons retired due to knee surgery, after playing seven seasons in the NBA with the Kings.[35][36][37]

Draft picks edit

RoundPickPlayerPositionNationalityCollege
114Peja StojakovićSF  Yugoslavia
241Jason SasserSF  United StatesTexas Tech

Roster edit

1996–97 Sacramento Kings roster
PlayersCoaches
Pos.No.NameHeightWeightDOBFrom
G3Abdul-Rauf, Mahmoud6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)162 lb (73 kg)1969–03–09LSU
C31Causwell, Duane7 ft 0 in (2.13 m)240 lb (109 kg)1968–05–31Temple
G5Edney, Tyus5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)152 lb (69 kg)1973–02–14UCLA
G/F40Gamble, Kevin6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)210 lb (95 kg)1965–11–13Iowa
F33Grant, Brian6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)254 lb (115 kg)1972–03–05Xavier
G20Grayer, Jeff6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)200 lb (91 kg)1965–12–17Iowa State
G7Hurley, Bobby6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)165 lb (75 kg)1971–06–28Duke
F30Owens, Billy6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)220 lb (100 kg)1969–05–01Syracuse
C0Polynice, Olden6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)220 lb (100 kg)1964–11–21Virginia
G2Richmond, Mitch6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)215 lb (98 kg)1965–06–30Kansas State
C32Salvadori, Kevin7 ft 0 in (2.13 m)231 lb (105 kg)1970–12–30North Carolina
F22Simmons, Lionel6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)210 lb (95 kg)1968–11–14La Salle
F34Smith, Michael6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)230 lb (104 kg)1972–03–28Providence
F4Williamson, Corliss6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)245 lb (111 kg)1973–12–04Arkansas
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)

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

Roster
Last transaction: March 21, 1997

Regular season edit

Season standings edit

W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-Seattle SuperSonics5725.69531–1026–1516–8
x-Los Angeles Lakers5626.683131–1025–1618–6
x-Portland Trail Blazers4933.598829–1220–2115–9
x-Phoenix Suns4042.4881725–1615–2613–11
x-Los Angeles Clippers3646.4392121–2015–2610–14
Sacramento Kings3448.4152322–1912–298–16
Golden State Warriors3052.3662718–2312–294–20
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 edit

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 edit

Player statistics edit

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

NOTE: Please write the players statistics in alphabetical order by last name.

PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3FG%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG

Awards and records edit

Transactions edit

References edit

  1. ^ 1996-97 Sacramento Kings
  2. ^ "Nuggets Trade Abdul-Rauf to Sacramento". United Press International. June 13, 1996. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
  3. ^ "PRO BASKETBALL; Nuggets Trade Abdul-Rauf, Acquire Pacers' Jackson". The New York Times. Associated Press. June 14, 1996. Retrieved July 31, 2021.
  4. ^ "In One of Two Deals, Abdul-Rauf Is Traded". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. June 14, 1996. Retrieved July 17, 2022.
  5. ^ "Rose, Abdul-Rauf Traded". The Spokesman-Review. Wire Reports. June 14, 1996. Retrieved June 20, 2023.
  6. ^ "Results Plus". The New York Times. February 4, 1997. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
  7. ^ "Kings 85, Spurs 79". The Oklahoman. February 4, 1997. Retrieved December 25, 2023.
  8. ^ Massel, Craig (November 11, 1996). "Kemp Is Too Much for Kings: Injured Grant Watches as He Goes Wild in First". Recordnet.com. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
  9. ^ "Kings' Grant to Have Shoulder Surgery". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. November 15, 1996. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
  10. ^ Baker, Chris (December 14, 1996). "Clippers Tonight". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 28, 2021.
  11. ^ Massel, Craig (October 8, 1996). "Owner Likes Having Camp in Stockton". Recordnet.com. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
  12. ^ Massel, Craig (October 11, 1996). "Owens, Grant Are Out: Ailing Forwards Will Rest Tonight". Recordnet.com. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
  13. ^ Steele, David (October 12, 1996). "Fresh Warriors Overthrow Kings". SFGate. Retrieved May 1, 2023.
  14. ^ "NBA Games Played on February 6, 1997". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  15. ^ "Denver Nuggets at Sacramento Kings Box Score, March 5, 1997". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved July 12, 2022.
  16. ^ "Kings Fire St. Jean". The New York Times. Associated Press. March 21, 1997. Retrieved June 6, 2022.
  17. ^ "St. Jean Fired as Coach of Fading Kings". Los Angeles Times. Times Wire Services. March 21, 1997. Retrieved February 28, 2017.
  18. ^ Harris, Rich (March 21, 1997). "Kings Fire Garry St. Jean". Associated Press. Retrieved March 21, 2023.
  19. ^ "1996–97 Sacramento Kings Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
  20. ^ Jorgensen, Loren (February 8, 1997). "No Offense, But Malone Would Rather Be Home". Deseret News. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
  21. ^ Fry, Darrell (February 8, 1997). "On to the Next Stage". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
  22. ^ "1997 NBA All-Star Recap". NBA.com. NBA.com Staff. September 13, 2021. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  23. ^ "1997 NBA All-Star Game: East 132, West 120". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved November 27, 2021.
  24. ^ "1996–97 Sacramento Kings Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
  25. ^ "Trail Blazers Sign Grant to 7-Year, $63-Million Deal". Los Angeles Times. Staff and Wire Reports. August 24, 1997. Retrieved July 28, 2021.
  26. ^ "NBA -- Blazers Sign Brian Grant; Clifford Robinson Is Out". The Seattle Times. Associated Press. August 24, 1997. Retrieved June 20, 2023.
  27. ^ "Blazers Sign Brian Grant". The Spokesman-Review. Wire Services. August 24, 1997. Retrieved July 17, 2022.
  28. ^ "Blazers Get Grant for $63-Million". Tampa Bay Times. August 24, 1997. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
  29. ^ "Celtics Sign Chris Mills and Tyus Edney". Associated Press. August 22, 1997. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
  30. ^ "Celtics Sign 2 Free Agents". The New York Times. Bloomberg News. August 23, 1997. Retrieved January 19, 2022.
  31. ^ "Transactions". Hartford Courant. August 23, 1997. Retrieved October 4, 2022.
  32. ^ "Heat Acquires Causwell". The New York Times. Associated Press. August 13, 1997. Retrieved October 4, 2022.
  33. ^ "Mullin to Join Bird in Indiana". The Spokesman-Review. Wire Reports. August 13, 1997. Retrieved June 20, 2023.
  34. ^ Russo, Michael (August 14, 1997). "Heat Deals 2 Reserves to Kings for 7-Foot Causwell". Sun Sentinel. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
  35. ^ "Transactions". The New York Times. October 31, 1997. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
  36. ^ "Hill, Payton Head Team". The Spokesman-Review. Wire Reports. October 31, 1997. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
  37. ^ "N.B.A.: LAST NIGHT; Barkley's Back for the Rockets". The New York Times. Associated Press. November 1, 1997. Retrieved December 1, 2022.

See also edit