1996–97 Orlando Magic season

The 1996–97 NBA season was the Magic's eighth season in the National Basketball Association.[1] After losing Shaquille O'Neal via free agency to the Los Angeles Lakers in the off-season, the Magic acquired Felton Spencer from the Utah Jazz,[2][3][4] and signed free agents Gerald Wilkins,[5][6][7] Derek Strong,[8][9] and Danny Schayes.[10] However, after playing just one game for the team, Spencer was then dealt along with Donald Royal and Jon Koncak to the Golden State Warriors in exchange for Rony Seikaly.[11][12][13][14] Early into the season, the Magic played two games overseas against the New Jersey Nets in Tokyo, Japan.[15][16][17][18] After an 8–4 start in November, the Magic struggled losing 10 of their 12 games in December, and held a 24–20 record at the All-Star break.[19] The team lost five straight after the All-Star break, as head coach Brian Hill was fired 49 games into the season, and Penny Hardaway was generally blamed for leading a player revolt that resulted in his dismissal.[20][21][22] Hill was replaced with assistant Richie Adubato for the remainder of the season, as the Magic finished third in the Atlantic Division with a 45–37 record.[23]

1996–97 Orlando Magic season
Head coachBrian Hill (fired)
Richie Adubato (interim)
General managerJohn Gabriel
PresidentBob Vander Weide
Owner(s)Richard DeVos
ArenaOrlando Arena
Results
Record45–37 (.549)
PlaceDivision: 3rd (Atlantic)
Conference: 7th (Eastern)
Playoff finishFirst round
(lost to Heat 2–3)

Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
TelevisionWKCF
Sunshine Network
RadioWDBO
< 1995–96 1997–98 >

Hardaway averaged 20.5 points, 5.6 assists and 1.6 steals per game, and was named to the All-NBA Third Team, and was selected for the 1997 NBA All-Star Game,[24][25][26][27] despite only playing 59 games due to knee injuries,[28][29][30][31] while Seikaly averaged 17.3 points, 9.5 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game, and Horace Grant provided the team with 12.6 points, 9.0 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game. In addition, three-point specialist Dennis Scott contributed 12.5 points per game, and Nick Anderson provided with 12.0 points and 1.9 steals per game, but struggled shooting just .404 in free-throw percentage. Off the bench, Wilkins contributed 10.6 points per game, while Strong averaged 8.5 points and 6.3 rebounds per game, and Brian Shaw provided with 7.2 points and 4.1 assists per game.[32]

The Magic entered the playoffs without Grant, who was out with a wrist injury, and was replaced with Strong as the team's starting power forward.[33][34][35] In the Eastern Conference First Round, the Magic faced off against their in-state rivals, the Miami Heat. After losing the first two games on the road to the Heat, the Magic would win the next two games at home to tie the series at 2–2; Hardaway scored 42 points in Game 3, and 41 points in Game 4.[36][37] However, the Magic lost Game 5 on the road to the Heat, 91–83.[38][39][40][41] As of 2023, this was the only playoff matchup between both teams from Florida.

Following the season, Scott was traded to the Dallas Mavericks after a meltdown about a contract dispute at a basketball camp during the off-season,[42][43][44][45][46] while Shaw was dealt to the Golden State Warriors,[47][48][49] and Adubato was fired as head coach.[50]

Draft picks

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RoundPickPlayerPositionNationalitySchool/Club Team
127Brian EvansSF  United StatesIndiana
249Amal McCaskillC  United StatesMarquette

Roster

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1996–97 Orlando Magic roster
PlayersCoaches
Pos.No.NameHeightWeightDOBFrom
G/F25Anderson, Nick6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)205 lb (93 kg)1968–01–20Illinois
G10Armstrong, Darrell6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)170 lb (77 kg)1968–06–22Fayetteville State
G5Demps, Dell6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)205 lb (93 kg)1970–02–12Pacific
F34Evans, Brian6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)220 lb (100 kg)1970–09–13Indiana
F54Grant, Horace6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)215 lb (98 kg)1965–07–04Clemson
G1Hardaway, Penny6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)195 lb (88 kg)1971–07–18Memphis
C00McCaskill, Amal6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)235 lb (107 kg)1973–10–28Marquette
F24Schayes, Danny6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)235 lb (107 kg)1959–05–10Syracuse
G/F3Scott, Dennis6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)229 lb (104 kg)1968–09–05Georgia Tech
C4Seikaly, Rony6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)230 lb (104 kg)1965–05–10Syracuse
G20Shaw, Brian6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)190 lb (86 kg)1966–03–22UC Santa Barbara
F33Strong, Derek6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)220 lb (100 kg)1968–02–09Xavier
F42Vaughn, David6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)240 lb (109 kg)1973–03–23Memphis
G21Wilkins, Gerald6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)185 lb (84 kg)1963–09–11Chattanooga
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)

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

Roster
Last transaction: February 18, 1997

Regular season

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Season standings

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W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-Miami Heat6121.74429–1232–916–8
x-New York Knicks5725.695431–1026–1519–6
x-Orlando Magic4537.5491626–1519–2213–11
x-Washington Bullets4438.5371725–1619–2214–10
New Jersey Nets2656.3173516–2510–3111–13
Philadelphia 76ers2260.2683911–3011–3011–14
Boston Celtics1567.1834611–304–371–23
1996–97 NBA East standings
#
Team W L PCT GB
1z-Chicago Bulls6913.841
2y-Miami Heat6121.7448
3x-New York Knicks5725.69512
4x-Atlanta Hawks5626.68313
5x-Detroit Pistons5428.65915
6x-Charlotte Hornets5428.65915
7x-Orlando Magic4537.54924
8x-Washington Bullets4438.53725
9Cleveland Cavaliers4240.51227
10Indiana Pacers3943.47630
11Milwaukee Bucks3349.40236
12Toronto Raptors3052.36639
13New Jersey Nets2656.31743
14Philadelphia 76ers2260.26847
15Boston Celtics1567.18354
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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Playoffs

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1997 playoff game log
First round: 2–3 (home: 2–0; road: 0–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Series
1April 24@ MiamiL 64–99Derek Strong (15)Nick Anderson (12)Penny Hardaway (3)Miami Arena
15,200
0–1
2April 27@ MiamiL 87–104Penny Hardaway (26)Derek Strong (16)Brian Shaw (4)Miami Arena
15,200
0–2
3April 29MiamiW 88–75Penny Hardaway (42)Penny Hardaway (8)Darrell Armstrong (8)Orlando Arena
17,248
1–2
4May 1MiamiW 99–91Penny Hardaway (41)Darrell Armstrong (9)Penny Hardaway (4)Orlando Arena
16,555
2–2
5May 4@ MiamiL 83–91Penny Hardaway (33)Derek Strong (12)Penny Hardaway (6)Miami Arena
15,200
2–3
1997 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

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

Season

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PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3FG%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG

Playoffs

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PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3FG%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG

Awards and honors

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Transactions

edit

References

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  1. ^ "1996-97 Orlando Magic".
  2. ^ Evans, Richard (August 10, 1996). "Jazz Deal Away Spencer in Trade with Orlando". Deseret News. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
  3. ^ "Jazz, Magic Make Trade". The Spokesman-Review. Wire Services. August 10, 1996. Retrieved January 18, 2022.
  4. ^ Povtak, Tim (August 11, 1996). "It's Spencer for Hire". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
  5. ^ "League Voids Howard's Contract with Heat". Tampa Bay Times. August 1, 1996. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
  6. ^ "Orlando Signs Gerald Wilkins". United Press International. August 1, 1996. Retrieved December 21, 2022.
  7. ^ Povtak, Tim (November 13, 1996). "Wilkins Is Back Knock on Wood". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
  8. ^ Povtak, Tim (August 27, 1996). "Magic Add Strong, Delete Wolf". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved July 11, 2022.
  9. ^ "Furthermore". The Washington Post. August 27, 1996. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
  10. ^ Johnson, L.C. (October 23, 1996). "Heat's Hardaway Less Than Impressed". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved October 7, 2022.
  11. ^ "Seikaly Traded to the Magic". The New York Times. Associated Press. November 3, 1996. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
  12. ^ "Seikaly Gets Wish, Goes to Magic". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. November 3, 1996. Retrieved December 3, 2022.
  13. ^ Johnson, L.C. (November 3, 1996). "All Aboard...Seikaly". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved September 16, 2022.
  14. ^ "Golden State Grants Seikaly His Trade Wish". The Spokesman-Review. Associated Press. November 3, 1996. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
  15. ^ Brown, Phil (November 7, 1996). "Magic Defeat Nets, 108-95". Associated Press. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
  16. ^ Pollack, Andrew (November 8, 1996). "Before 38,600 Fans in Tokyo, Nets Run Out of Luck". The New York Times. Retrieved May 16, 2022.
  17. ^ Johnson, L.C. (November 8, 1996). "Magic Beat the Clock, the Nets". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved October 10, 2022.
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  19. ^ "NBA Games Played on February 6, 1997". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved July 19, 2022.
  20. ^ "Magic Complaints Send Hill Packing". The New York Times. Associated Press. February 19, 1997. Retrieved October 7, 2022.
  21. ^ Guest, Larry (March 31, 1997). "The Last Days of Brian Hill". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
  22. ^ "Magic Players Were United Against Hill". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. April 1, 1997. Retrieved December 3, 2022.
  23. ^ "1996–97 Orlando Magic Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  24. ^ Jorgensen, Loren (February 8, 1997). "No Offense, But Malone Would Rather Be Home". Deseret News. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
  25. ^ Fry, Darrell (February 8, 1997). "On to the Next Stage". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
  26. ^ "1997 NBA All-Star Recap". NBA.com. NBA.com Staff. September 13, 2021. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  27. ^ "1997 NBA All-Star Game: East 132, West 120". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved November 27, 2021.
  28. ^ Johnson, L.C. (November 16, 1996). "Surgery to Sideline Hardaway 2-6 Weeks". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved December 3, 2022.
  29. ^ Fry, Darrell (November 16, 1996). "Magic Now a Penny Short". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  30. ^ "Hardaway on Injured List". The New York Times. December 19, 1996. Retrieved May 12, 2022.
  31. ^ "Hardaway Back with Magic". The New York Times. Associated Press. January 7, 1997. Retrieved May 12, 2022.
  32. ^ "1996–97 Orlando Magic Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  33. ^ Perkins, Chris (April 25, 1997). "Grant Misses Opener with Wrist Injury". Sun Sentinel. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  34. ^ Povtak, Tim (April 30, 1997). "Grant Accuses Team of Fouling Up Injury". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved July 26, 2017.
  35. ^ Perkins, Chris (April 30, 1997). "Doctors Debate Grant Injury". Sun Sentinel. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
  36. ^ "Hardaway Scores 42 to Keep Magic Alive". The Washington Post. April 30, 1997. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
  37. ^ "Magic 99, Heat 91". The Washington Post. May 2, 1997. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
  38. ^ Wine, Steven (May 4, 1997). "Heat 91, Magic 83". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 3, 2022.
  39. ^ Brown, Clifton (May 5, 1997). "The Other Hardaway Insures a Heat-Knicks Series". The New York Times. Retrieved May 12, 2022.
  40. ^ "Heat 91, Magic 83". Chicago Tribune. Sun Sentinel. May 5, 1997. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  41. ^ "1997 NBA Eastern Conference First Round: Magic vs. Heat". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  42. ^ "PLUS: BASKETBALL; Dallas-Orlando Trade". The New York Times. Associated Press. September 25, 1997. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
  43. ^ "Nelson Still Dealing, Gets Scott from Magic". Los Angeles Times. Staff and Wire Reports. September 25, 1997. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
  44. ^ Johnson, L.C. (September 25, 1997). "Trade Lets Magic Get Rid of Scott". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved September 23, 2022.
  45. ^ "Mavericks Send Harper, O'Bannon to Magic for Scott, Cash". Associated Press. September 25, 1997. Retrieved July 31, 2021.
  46. ^ "Scott Gives Himself a Bad Rap". Orlando Sentinel. Staff Reports. July 13, 1997. Retrieved February 28, 2017.
  47. ^ "PRO BASKETBALL; Warriors Send Price to Magic". The New York Times. Associated Press. October 28, 1997. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
  48. ^ Johnson, L.C. (October 28, 1997). "Magic Pay Price for Scoring". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved October 22, 2021.
  49. ^ Steele, David (October 28, 1997). "Warriors Ship Out Price; Point-Guard Glut Gone; Magic Deal Shaw, Vaughn". SFGate. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
  50. ^ Dame, Mike (May 5, 1997). "Magic Players Want to Keep Adubato Around". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved November 9, 2022.