1996–97 Los Angeles Clippers season explained

Team:Los Angeles Clippers
League:National Basketball Association
End Year:1997
Wins:36
Losses:46
Division:Pacific
Division Place:5
Conf Place:8
Coach:Bill Fitch
Arena:Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena
Arrowhead Pond
Owners:Donald Sterling
Television:KCAL-TV
(Ralph Lawler, Bill Walton)
Radio:KNNS
(Rory Markas)
Playoffs:West First Round
(lost to Jazz 0–3)
Bbr Team:LAC

The 1996–97 NBA season was the Clippers' 27th season in the National Basketball Association, 13th in Los Angeles and 3rd in which they played occasional home games in Anaheim.[1] The Clippers had the seventh overall pick in the 1996 NBA draft, and selected Lorenzen Wright from the University of Memphis.[2] [3] [4] [5] [6] During the off-season, the team signed free agents Darrick Martin,[7] [8] and former All-Star center Kevin Duckworth.[9] [10]

With the loss of Brian Williams to free agency, the Clippers were expected to sink in the bottom of the NBA again. After a 6–4 start to the season, the team lost ten of their next eleven games, as Duckworth only played just 26 games due to a sore heel injury, and Stanley Roberts only played just 18 games due to a back injury.[11] [12] [13] However, with the continued solid play of Loy Vaught, who once again led the team in scoring and rebounding, the Clippers held a 19–25 record at the All-Star break,[14] and managed to slip into the playoffs as the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference with a below .500 record of 36–46, fifth in the Pacific Division.[15]

Vaught led the team with 14.9 points and 10.0 rebounds per game, while Malik Sealy averaged 13.5 points and 1.6 steals per game, and Rodney Rogers provided the team with 13.2 points and 5.1 rebounds per game. In addition, Martin contributed 10.9 points and 4.1 assists per game, and Wright provided with 7.3 points and 6.1 rebounds per game. Off the bench, Roberts averaged 9.5 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game, while Bo Outlaw provided with 7.6 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game, second-year guard Brent Barry contributed 7.5 points per game, but only played 59 games due to thumb and ankle injuries,[16] [17] [18] and Lamond Murray contributed 7.4 points per game.[19]

However, in the Western Conference First Round of the playoffs, the Clippers were swept by the top-seeded Utah Jazz in three straight games.[20] [21] [22] [23] The Jazz would reach the NBA Finals for the first time, but would lose to the defending champion Chicago Bulls in six games.[24] [25] [26] [27] [28] This would also be the Clippers' final playoff appearance until 2006.

Following the season, Sealy signed as a free agent with the Detroit Pistons,[29] [30] [31] while Roberts was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves,[32] [33] [34] Outlaw signed with the Orlando Magic,[35] [36] [37] Terry Dehere signed with the Sacramento Kings,[38] [39] [40] and Duckworth retired.

Draft picks

See main article: 1996 NBA draft.

RoundPickPlayerPositionNationalityCollege
1 7 C/PF Memphis
2 36 F UConn

Roster

Roster Notes

A number of players from the 1996–97 roster have either died prematurely, or ended up in unfortunate circumstances; these players are:

[41]

Interestingly enough, one player, Brent Barry, would enjoy a long and productive career in the NBA, winning two titles (2005 and 2007) with the San Antonio Spurs, as well as being a consistent starter for the Seattle SuperSonics in the 2000s, but was divorced from his wife Erin in 2011, allegedly due to an extra-marital affair with his Spurs teammate Tony Parker.

Regular season

Season standings

z – clinched division title

y – clinched division title

x – clinched playoff spot

Record vs. opponents

1996-97 NBA Records
width=100TeamATLBOSCHACHICLEDALDENDETGSWHOUINDLACLALMIAMILMINNJNNYKORLPHIPHOPORSACSASSEATORUTAVANWAS
Atlanta– 3–1 1–3 1–3 3–1 2–0 1–1 1–3 2–0 1–1 3–1 2–0 1–1 1–2 4–0 2–0 3–1 1–3 3–1 4–0 1–1 2–0 2–0 2–0 1–1 4–0 1–1 2–0 2–1
Boston1–3 – 0–4 0–4 1–2 1–1 1–1 0–4 1–1 0–2 1–2 0–2 1–1 0–4 1–3 0–2 0–4 0–4 0–4 1–3 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 0–2 3–1 0–2 0–2 0–4
Charlotte3–1 4–0 – 0–4 3–1 1–1 2–0 2–2 2–0 2–0 2–2 1–1 1–1 1–2 2–2 2–0 4–0 3–1 1–2 4–0 1–1 0–2 2–0 2–0 2–0 2–2 0–2 2–0 3–1
Chicago3–1 4–0 4–0 – 3–1 2–0 2–0 3–1 2–0 1–1 4–0 2–0 1–1 2–2 4–0 2–0 3–1 2–2 3–0 4–0 2–0 2–0 2–0 2–0 2–0 3–1 1–1 2–0 2–1
Cleveland1–3 2–1 1–3 1–3 – 2–0 1–1 2–2 1–1 0–2 3–1 2–0 1–1 0–4 2–2 2–0 4–0 1–3 2–2 3–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 0–2 0–2 3–1 1–1 2–0 1–3
Dallas0–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–2 – 3–1 0–2 0–4 0–4 1–1 2–2 0–4 0–2 0–2 1–3 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–3 1–3 2–2 1–3 1–3 0–2 1–3 3–1 0–2
Denver1–1 1–1 0–2 0–2 1–1 1–3 – 0–2 1–3 1–3 0–2 1–3 0–4 0–2 1–1 0–4 1–1 0–2 0–2 1–1 2–2 0–4 2–2 2–2 0–4 1–1 0–4 3–1 1–1
Detroit3–1 4–0 2–2 1–3 2–2 2–0 2–0 – 2–0 1–1 3–1 2–0 1–1 0–4 3–1 2–0 4–0 1–2 2–2 2–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 3–1 1–1 2–0 4–0
Golden State0–2 1–1 0–2 0–2 1–1 4–0 3–1 0–2 – 0–4 1–1 1–3 0–4 0–2 1–1 1–3 2–0 0–2 1–1 2–0 0–4 2–2 1–3 4–0 0–4 2–0 0–4 3–1 0–2
Houston1–1 2–0 0–2 1–1 2–0 4–0 3–1 1–1 4–0 – 1–1 3–1 3–1 0–2 1–1 4–0 2–0 1–1 0–2 2–0 2–2 2–2 4–0 3–1 3–1 1–1 2–2 3–1 2–0
Indiana1–3 2–1 2–2 0–4 1–3 1–1 2–0 1–3 1–1 1–1 – 2–0 1–1 1–3 2–2 2–0 2–2 1–3 1–3 3–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 4–0 0–2 2–0 1–3
L.A. Clippers0–2 2–0 1–1 0–2 0–2 2–2 3–1 0–2 3–1 1–3 0–2 – 2–2 0–2 2–0 1–3 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 2–2 0–4 2–2 4–0 1–3 2–0 1–3 4–0 0–2
L.A. Lakers1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 4–0 4–0 1–1 4–0 1–3 1–1 2–2 – 1–1 2–0 3–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 4–0 1–3 4–0 2–2 3–1 1–1 1–3 4–0 2–0
Miami2–1 4–0 2–1 2–2 4–0 2–0 2–0 4–0 2–0 2–0 3–1 2–0 1–1 – 4–0 1–1 3–1 1–3 2–2 3–1 2–0 1–1 2–0 2–0 0–2 3–1 0–2 2–0 3–1
Milwaukee0–4 3–1 2–2 0–4 2–2 2–0 1–1 1–3 1–1 1–1 2–2 0–2 0–2 0–4 – 0–2 2–1 1–2 2–2 3–1 1–1 0–2 0–2 1–1 1–1 3–1 1–1 2–0 1–3
Minnesota0–2 2–0 0–2 0–2 0–2 3–1 4–0 0–2 3–1 0–4 0–2 3–1 1–3 1–1 2–0 – 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 3–1 2–2 0–4 4–0 0–4 1–1 1–3 4–0 1–1
New Jersey1–3 4–0 0–4 1–3 0–4 1–1 1–1 0–4 0–2 0–2 2–2 1–1 0–2 1–3 1–2 0–2 – 2–2 1–3 2–2 1–1 0–2 1–1 2–0 1–1 0–3 0–2 2–0 1–3
New York3–1 4–0 1–3 2–2 3–1 1–1 2–0 2–1 2–0 1–1 3–1 2–0 1–1 3–1 2–1 1–1 2–2 – 3–1 3–2 1–1 1–1 2–0 2–0 0–2 3–0 1–1 2–0 4–0
Orlando1–3 4–0 2–1 0–3 2–2 1–1 2–0 2–2 1–1 2–0 3–1 1–1 1–1 2–2 2–2 1–1 3–1 1–3 – 2–2 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 4–0 0–2 1–1 1–3
Philadelphia0–4 3–1 0–4 0–4 0–3 0–2 1–1 1–2 0–2 0–2 0–3 1–1 0–2 1–3 1–3 1–1 2–2 2–3 2–2 – 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 0–2 1–3 0–2 2–0 1–3
Phoenix1–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 3–1 2–2 2–0 4–0 2–2 1–1 2–2 0–4 0–2 1–1 1–3 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 – 1–3 4–0 3–1 2–2 0–2 1–3 2–2 1–1
Portland0–2 1–1 2–0 0–2 1–1 3–1 4–0 1–1 2–2 2–2 1–1 4–0 3–1 1–1 2–0 2–2 2–0 1–1 0–2 1–1 3–1 – 2–2 4–0 1–3 0–2 2–2 4–0 0–2
Sacramento0–2 2–0 0–2 0–2 0–2 2–2 2–2 1–1 3–1 0–4 1–1 2–2 0–4 0–2 2–0 4–0 1–1 0–2 1–1 2–0 0–4 2–2 – 3–1 1–3 1–1 0–4 4–0 0–2
San Antonio0–2 1–1 0–2 0–2 2–0 3–1 2–2 0–2 0–4 1–3 1–1 0–4 2–2 0–2 1–1 0–4 0–2 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–3 0–4 1–3 – 0–4 1–1 1–3 1–3 0–2
Seattle1–1 2–0 0–2 0–2 2–0 3–1 4–0 1–1 4–0 1–3 1–1 3–1 1–3 2–0 1–1 4–0 1–1 2–0 1–1 2–0 2–2 3–1 3–1 4–0 – 2–0 1–3 4–0 2–0
Toronto0–4 1–3 2–2 1–3 1–3 2–0 1–1 1–3 0–2 1–1 0–4 0–2 1–1 1–3 1–3 1–1 3–0 0–3 0–4 3–1 2–0 2–0 1–1 1–1 0–2 – 1–1 1–1 2–2
Utah1–1 2–0 2–0 1–1 1–1 3–1 4–0 1–1 4–0 2–2 2–0 3–1 3–1 2–0 1–1 3–1 2–0 1–1 2–0 2–0 3–1 2–2 4–0 3–1 3–1 1–1 – 4–0 2–0
Vancouver0–2 2–0 0–2 0–2 0–2 1–3 1–3 0–2 1–3 1–3 0–2 0–4 0–4 0–2 0–2 0–4 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–2 2–2 0–4 0–4 3–1 0–4 1–1 0–4 – 1–1
Washington1–2 4–0 1–3 1–2 3–1 2–0 1–1 0–4 2–0 0–2 3–1 2–0 0–2 1–3 3–1 1–1 3–1 0–4 3–1 3–1 1–1 2–0 2–0 2–0 0–2 2–2 0–2 1–1 —

Game log

Playoffs

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 1| April 24| @ Utah| L 86–106| Loy Vaught (20)| Loy Vaught (11)| three players tied (3)| Delta Center
19,911| 0–1|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 2| April 26| @ Utah| L 99–105| Lorenzen Wright (17)| Loy Vaught (9)| Darrick Martin (6)| Delta Center
19,911| 0–2|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 3| April 28| Utah| L 92–104| Loy Vaught (20)| Vaught, Wright (9)| Darrick Martin (5)| Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena
11,747| 0–3|-

Player statistics

Season

PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
59 0 18.5 .409 .324 .817 1.9 2.6 .9 .3 7.5
73 3 14.4 .386 .325 .824 1.3 2.2 .4 .0 6.4
26 22 14.8 .437 .750 .688 2.3 .6 .3 .4 4.0
10 1 7.3 .412 .000 .500 1.6 .1 .1 .1 3.1
82 64 22.2 .407 .389 .872 1.4 4.1 .7 .0 10.9
74 1 17.5 .416 .341 .739 3.1 .8 .7 .4 7.4
82 25 26.8 .609 .000 .504 5.5 1.9 1.1 1.7 7.6
65 0 11.5 .450 .425 .821 1.6 .8 .5 .2 6.0
59 18 18.1 .381 .328 .605 1.7 2.9 .9 .1 5.6
18 2 21.0 .426 . .703 5.1 .5 .4 1.3 9.5
81 62 30.6 .462 .361 .663 5.1 2.7 1.1 .8 13.2
15 0 7.7 .361 .500 .875 1.5 .3 .1 .6 2.3
80 79 30.7 .396 .356 .876 3.0 2.1 1.6 .6 13.5
82 82 34.6 .500 .167 .702 10.0 1.3 1.0 .3 14.9
77 51 25.1 .481 .250 .587 6.1 .6 .6 .8 7.3

Playoffs

PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
3 0 28.0 .407 .455 .889 2.3 3.3 1.3 .0 11.7
2 0 2.5 .000 .000 . .5 .0 .0 .0 .0
3 0 7.0 .222 . .833 1.3 .3 .0 .3 3.0
3 3 25.7 .440 .556 .667 .7 4.3 .0 .0 11.0
3 0 21.7 .300 .250 1.000 3.7 1.0 .7 1.0 7.0
3 0 22.0 .545 .000 .300 4.7 1.3 .3 .7 5.0
3 0 12.7 .364 .400 .857 .7 .0 .3 .0 5.3
2 0 9.0 .500 .000 .000 .0 1.5 .5 .0 2.0
3 3 28.3 .414 .200 .750 2.3 2.0 1.3 1.0 10.7
3 3 26.3 .480 .200 .733 1.0 1.7 .0 .0 12.0
3 3 30.0 .613 .333 .667 9.0 .7 1.0 .7 15.0
3 3 30.7 .406 . 1.000 7.3 .7 1.0 .7 10.3

Transactions

The Clippers have been involved in the following transactions during the 1996–97 season.

Trades

No trades occurred for this team this season.

Free agents

Additions

Player Signed Former team
July 11 Vancouver Grizzlies
September 19 Indiana Pacers
October 10 Milwaukee Bucks
April 1 Vancouver Grizzlies

Subtractions

Player Left New team
waived, July 11 Milwaukee Bucks
free agency, November 15 Seattle SuperSonics
free agency, April 2 Chicago Bulls

Player Transactions Citation:[42]

See also

Notes and References

  1. https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/LAC/1997.html 1996-97 Los Angeles Clippers
  2. News: Brown . Clifton . PRO BASKETBALL; Big Trade and Some Twists in N.B.A. Youth Parade . The New York Times . June 27, 1996 . July 12, 2022.
  3. News: Heisler . Mark . The Surprises Are Few . Los Angeles Times . June 27, 1996 . December 1, 2022.
  4. News: Cotton . Anthony . For 76ers, Iverson Is No. 1 Choice . The Washington Post . June 27, 1996 . July 25, 2021.
  5. News: Bembry . Jerry . 76ers Make Iverson the 1, Philadelphia Takes Georgetown Guard; Camby Goes Second . The Baltimore Sun . June 27, 1996 . June 2, 2023.
  6. Web site: 1996 NBA Draft . Basketball-Reference . December 1, 2022.
  7. News: Baker . Chris . Clippers Sign Former Bruin . Los Angeles Times . September 20, 1996 . July 17, 2022.
  8. News: Baker . Chris . He's Tiny, But His Presence Is Huge . Los Angeles Times . February 11, 1997 . November 8, 2022.
  9. News: Baker . Chris . They Cut to the Fat--Sign Duckworth . Los Angeles Times . October 11, 1996 . July 17, 2022.
  10. News: Baker . Chris . Long Season? Try an Eternity . Los Angeles Times . November 1, 1996 . December 27, 2022.
  11. News: Baker . Chris . Roberts Missing on Next Trip . Los Angeles Times . December 4, 1996 . April 4, 2023.
  12. News: Baker . Chris . Fitch Extends Holiday Break . Los Angeles Times . December 24, 1996 . April 4, 2023.
  13. News: Heisler . Mark . Wright Script, Wrong Result for Clippers . Los Angeles Times . December 28, 1996 . October 13, 2021.
  14. News: NBA Games Played on February 6, 1997 . Basketball-Reference . January 2, 2023.
  15. Web site: 1996–97 Los Angeles Clippers Schedule and Results. Basketball-Reference. June 21, 2021.
  16. News: Baker . Chris . Barry's Injured Thumb Put in a Cast . Los Angeles Times . October 18, 1996 . November 9, 2022.
  17. News: Baker . Chris . Thumb Injury Sidelines Barry . Los Angeles Times . October 22, 1996 . November 9, 2022.
  18. News: Baker . Chris . Barry Suffering Another Setback . Los Angeles Times . January 28, 1997 . May 1, 2023.
  19. Web site: 1996–97 Los Angeles Clippers Roster and Stats. Basketball-Reference. June 21, 2021.
  20. News: Associated Press . Jazz Gets a Sweep of Its Own . The New York Times . April 29, 1997 . May 13, 2022.
  21. News: Plaschke . Bill . It's Over, But at Least There Is Hope Now . Los Angeles Times . April 29, 1997 . May 30, 2022.
  22. News: Jazz 104, Clippers 92 . United Press International . April 29, 1997 . November 25, 2022.
  23. News: 1997 NBA Western Conference First Round: Clippers vs. Jazz . Basketball-Reference . February 4, 2023.
  24. News: Wise . Mike . A Fistful of Rings: Bulls Grab Fifth Title of 90's . The New York Times . June 14, 1997 . June 4, 2022.
  25. News: Howard-Cooper . Scott . June 14, 1997 . Bulls Get Fifth Element . Los Angeles Times . July 25, 2022.
  26. News: Johnson . K.C. . Bulls Got There, Because They'd Been There . Chicago Tribune . June 16, 1997 . June 4, 2022.
  27. News: Benson . Lee . Chicago Heartbreaker . Deseret News . June 14, 1997 . December 12, 2022.
  28. News: 1997 NBA Finals: Jazz vs. Bulls . Basketball-Reference . February 4, 2023.
  29. News: Associated Press . Pistons Sign Sealy . The New York Times . August 26, 1997 . January 15, 2022.
  30. News: Staff and Wire Reports . Robinson Takes Pay Cut to Sign with Suns . Los Angeles Times . August 26, 1997 . October 3, 2022.
  31. News: Thompson . Jack . Suns Sign Clifford Robinson . Chicago Tribune . August 26, 1997 . January 28, 2023.
  32. News: Gardner . Kris . ARCHIVE: Houston Roundball Review NBA Trade Analyses -- 1997 NBA Draft Day Deals . The Houston Roundball Review . June 25, 1997 . September 25, 2023.
  33. News: Howard-Cooper . Scott . Draft Over, But Not Finished . Los Angeles Times . June 26, 1997 . January 15, 2022.
  34. News: Howard-Cooper . Scott . Goodbye, Stanley, We Barely Knew You . Los Angeles Times . June 27, 1997 . November 18, 2022.
  35. News: Baker . Chris . Just Like Magic, Versatile Outlaw Leaves Clippers . Los Angeles Times . September 6, 1997 . October 22, 2022.
  36. News: Magic Corrals Outlaw . Tampa Bay Times . September 6, 1997 . June 3, 2022.
  37. News: Outlaw Breaks Free to Spark Magic . Orlando Sentinel . November 9, 1997 . September 25, 2023.
  38. News: Barkley Is Cleared in Cleveland Brawl . The Washington Post . August 2, 1997 . August 3, 2023.
  39. News: Popper . Steve . Two Guys from Jersey on Same Road Again . The New York Times . August 10, 1997 . October 5, 2022.
  40. News: Atlantic Division . Sun Sentinel . October 31, 1997 . December 25, 2023.
  41. News: 1996–97 Los Angeles Clippers Tragic Team . MaceoBarry90 . February 2014 . June 24, 2021 .
  42. Web site: 1996–97 Los Angeles Clippers Transactions. Basketball-Reference. July 3, 2021.

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