1997–98 Dallas Mavericks season explained

The 1997–98 NBA season was the Mavericks' 18th season in the National Basketball Association.[1] In the off-season, the Mavericks acquired three-point specialist Dennis Scott from the Orlando Magic,[2] [3] [4] [5] and signed free agent Hubert Davis.[6] [7] [8] After winning their first three games of the season, the Mavericks struggled once again losing ten straight in November. Head coach Jim Cleamons was fired, and replaced with General Manager Don Nelson after a 4–12 start.[9] [10] [11] [12] Along the way, forward A.C. Green broke the NBA's Iron Man record of most consecutive games played, breaking Randy Smith's record, which was 906 consecutive games.[13] [14] [15] [16] After winning their first game under Nelson, which was a 105–91 home victory over the New York Knicks on December 4, 1997, the Mavericks traveled to Mexico City, Mexico, where they lost to the Houston Rockets, 108–106 on December 6, which was the first NBA regular season game played in Mexico.[17] [18] [19] [20]

The Mavericks posted a 15-game losing streak between December and January, which led to a dreadful 5–27 start, then later holding a 9–38 record at the All-Star break.[21] Players like Shawn Bradley, Robert Pack, Kurt Thomas and second-year forward Samaki Walker all missed large parts of the season with injuries.[22] At mid-season, the team traded Scott to the Phoenix Suns in exchange for Cedric Ceballos,[23] [24] [25] [26] who only played just 12 games before sitting out the remainder of the season with a knee injury.[27] [28] The team also signed free agent Shawn Respert, who was previously released by the Toronto Raptors.[29] The Mavericks played .500 basketball posting an 8–8 record in March, but then lost eight of their final nine games, finishing fifth in the Midwest Division with a 20–62 record.[30]

Michael Finley averaged 21.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 1.6 steals per game, and finished tied in fourth place in Most Improved Player voting,[31] [32] while Bradley averaged 11.4 points, 8.1 rebounds and 3.3 blocks per game, and Davis contributed 11.1 points per game. In addition, Walker provided the team with 8.9 points and 7.4 rebounds per game in only just 41 games, while Khalid Reeves contributed 8.7 points per game, second-year guard Erick Strickland contributed 7.6 points per game, and Green provided with 7.3 points and 8.1 rebounds per game.[33]

Following the season, Thomas signed as a free agent with the New York Knicks,[34] [35] [36] while second-year forward Martin Muursepp and rookie forward Bubba Wells were both traded to the Phoenix Suns,[37] [38] [39] and Respert was released to free agency.

One notable highlight of the season was a game against the 2-time defending champion Chicago Bulls at the United Center on December 29, 1997, where Wells fouled out of the game in just three minutes, which was an NBA record for fouling out in the shortest amount of time. Nelson used a strategy for Wells to foul Bulls forward and rebound-specialist Dennis Rodman, who is known as a poor free throw shooter. However, the plan backfired as Rodman shot 9–12 from the foul line, and the Bulls defeated the Mavericks, 111–105.[40] [41] [42] [43] The Bulls would go on to defeat the Utah Jazz in six games in the NBA Finals for their third consecutive championship, and sixth overall in eight years.[44] [45] [46] [47] [48]

Offseason

Draft picks

See main article: article and 1997 NBA draft.

RoundPickPlayerPositionNationalityCollege
1 15 C Iowa State
2 34 SF/SG Austin Peay State

Roster

Roster Notes

Regular season

Season standings

z - clinched division title

y - clinched division title

x - clinched playoff spot

Record vs. opponents

1997-98 NBA Records
width=100TeamATLBOSCHACHICLEDALDENDETGSWHOUINDLACLALMIAMILMINNJNNYKORLPHIPHOPORSACSASSEATORUTAVANWAS
Atlanta— 2–1 4–0 1–3 4–0 2–0 2–0 2–2 2–0 1–1 1–3 2–0 0–2 1–3 3–1 0–2 1–2 2–2 2–2 3–1 0–2 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 4–0 0–2 2–0 4–0
Boston1–2 — 1–2 1–3 1–3 1–1 1–1 2–2 1–1 1–1 0–4 2–0 1–1 0–4 2–2 1–1 2–2 2–2 2–2 3–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 3–0 0–2 2–0 3–2
Charlotte0–4 2–1 — 1–3 2–2 2–0 2–0 3–1 1–1 2–0 3–1 2–0 1–1 3–1 3–1 1–1 2–2 1–3 3–1 2–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 4–0 1–1 2–0 2–2
Chicago3–1 3–1 3–1 — 2–2 1–1 2–0 3–1 2–0 2–0 2–2 2–0 1–1 2–1 4–0 1–1 4–0 4–0 3–1 2–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 2–0 1–1 4–0 0–2 2–0 3–1
Cleveland0–4 3–1 2–2 2–2 — 1–1 2–0 3–1 2–0 1–1 2–2 2–0 1–1 1–3 2–2 2–0 3–1 1–2 2–2 3–1 2–0 1–1 2–0 0–2 0–2 3–1 1–1 2–0 1–2
Dallas0–2 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 — 3–1 0–2 1–3 0–4 1–1 1–3 0–4 0–2 0–2 2–2 0–2 1–1 0–2 0–2 0–4 0–4 0–4 0–4 2–2 1–1 0–4 4–0 1–1
Denver0–2 1–1 0–2 0–2 0–2 1–3 — 0–2 1–3 0–4 0–2 2–2 0–4 0–2 0–2 1–3 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–4 2–2 1–3 0–4 0–4 0–2 0–4 1–3 1–1
Detroit2–2 2–2 1–3 1–3 1–3 2–0 2–0 — 2–0 1–1 1–3 2–0 0–2 1–2 2–2 0–2 2–2 2–2 1–2 3–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 4–0 0–2 0–2 2–2
Golden State0–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–2 3–1 3–1 0–2 — 1–3 0–2 1–3 1–3 0–2 0–2 0–4 0–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–4 1–3 2–2 1–3 1–3 0–2 0–4 1–3 0–2
Houston1–1 1–1 0–2 0–2 1–1 4–0 4–0 1–1 3–1 — 1–1 4–0 1–3 0–2 1–1 1–3 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–3 1–3 4–0 2–2 1–3 2–0 0–4 3–1 1–1
Indiana3–1 4–0 1–3 2–2 2–2 1–1 2–0 3–1 2–0 1–1 — 2–0 0–2 3–1 4–0 2–0 2–1 2–1 3–1 4–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 0–2 0–2 4–0 1–1 2–0 4–0
L.A. Clippers0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 3–1 2–2 0–2 3–1 0–4 0–2 — 0–4 0–2 0–2 0–4 1–1 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–4 0–4 3–1 1–3 0–4 1–1 1–3 1–3 0–2
L.A. Lakers2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 4–0 4–0 2–0 3–1 3–1 2–0 4–0 — 1–1 2–0 4–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 2–2 2–2 4–0 4–0 1–3 2–0 3–1 4–0 1–1
Miami3–1 4–0 1–3 1–2 3–1 2–0 2–0 2–1 2–0 2–0 1–3 2–0 1–1 — 3–1 1–1 3–1 2–2 3–1 4–0 0–2 2–0 2–0 0–2 0–2 4–0 1–1 2–0 2–2
Milwaukee1–3 2–2 1–3 0–4 2–2 2–0 2–0 2–2 2–0 1–1 0–4 2–0 0–2 1–3 — 1–1 0–4 3–1 2–1 2–2 0–2 2–0 2–0 0–2 1–1 3–1 0–2 1–1 1–2
Minnesota2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 2–2 3–1 2–0 4–0 3–1 0–2 4–0 0–4 1–1 1–1 — 2–0 1–1 0–2 2–0 3–1 1–3 3–1 1–3 1–3 1–1 1–3 4–0 0–2
New Jersey2–1 2–2 2–2 0–4 1–3 2–0 2–0 2–2 2–0 1–1 1–2 1–1 1–1 1–3 4–0 0–2 — 2–2 3–1 3–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 0–2 3–1 0–2 2–0 1–3
New York2–2 2–2 3–1 0–4 2–1 1–1 2–0 2–2 1–1 1–1 1–2 2–0 1–1 2–2 1–3 1–1 2–2 — 4–0 2–2 2–0 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 3–1 0–2 2–0 1–3
Orlando2–2 2–2 1–3 1–3 2–2 2–0 2–0 2–1 1–1 2–0 1–3 2–0 1–1 1–3 1–2 2–0 1–3 0–4 — 4–0 0–2 2–0 0–2 0–2 1–1 3–1 0–2 2–0 3–1
Philadelphia1–3 1–3 1–2 1–2 1–3 2–0 2–0 1–3 2–0 1–1 0–4 1–1 2–0 0–4 2–2 0–2 1–3 2–2 0–4 — 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–2 2–2 0–2 2–0 3–1
Phoenix2–0 2–0 1–1 1–1 0–2 4–0 4–0 1–1 4–0 3–1 1–1 4–0 2–2 2–0 2–0 1–3 1–1 0–2 2–0 1–1 — 2–2 3–1 3–1 2–2 2–0 1–3 4–0 1–1
Portland1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 4–0 2–2 2–0 3–1 3–1 1–1 4–0 2–2 0–2 0–2 3–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 2–2 — 3–1 2–2 0–4 2–0 3–1 2–2 1–1
Sacramento0–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–2 4–0 3–1 1–1 2–2 0–4 0–2 1–3 0–4 0–2 0–2 1–3 0–2 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–3 1–3 — 0–4 1–3 1–1 2–2 2–2 1–1
San Antonio1–1 2–0 1–1 0–2 2–0 4–0 4–0 1–1 3–1 2–2 2–0 3–1 0–4 2–0 2–0 3–1 1–1 2–0 2–0 2–0 1–3 2–2 4–0 — 2–2 2–0 1–3 4–0 1–1
Seattle1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 2–2 4–0 2–0 3–1 3–1 2–0 4–0 3–1 2–0 1–1 3–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 2–2 4–0 3–1 2–2 — 2–0 2–2 4–0 1–1
Toronto0–4 0–3 0–4 0–4 1–3 1–1 2–0 0–4 2–0 0–2 0–4 1–1 0–2 0–4 1–3 1–1 1–3 1–3 1–3 2–2 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–2 0–2 — 0–2 1–1 0–3
Utah2–0 2–0 1–1 2–0 1–1 4–0 4–0 2–0 4–0 4–0 1–1 3–1 1–3 1–1 2–0 3–1 2–0 2–0 2–0 2–0 3–1 1–3 2–2 3–1 2–2 2–0 — 4–0 0–2
Vancouver0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–4 3–1 2–0 3–1 1–3 0–2 3–1 0–4 0–2 1–1 0–4 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–4 2–2 2–2 0–4 0–4 1–1 0–4 — 1–1
Washington0–4 2–3 2–2 1–3 2–1 1–1 1–1 2–2 2–0 1–1 0–4 2–0 1–1 2–2 2–1 2–0 3–1 3–1 1–3 1–3 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 3–0 2–0 1–1 —

Game log

Player statistics

Ragular season

Player
SF82 82 3,394 438 405 132 30 1,763 41.4 5.3 4.9 1.6 .4 21.5
PF82 68 2,649 668 123 78 27 600 32.3 8.1 1.5 1.0 .3 7.3
PG82 54 1,950 185 230 80 10 717 23.8 2.3 2.8 1.0 .1 8.7
SG81 30 2,378 169 157 43 5 898 29.4 2.1 1.9 .5 .1 11.1
SG67 19 1,505 161 167 56 8 511 22.5 2.4 2.5 .8 .1 7.6
C64 46 1,822 518 60 51 214 731 28.5 8.1 .9 .8 3.3 11.4
†SF52 42 1,797 197 129 43 32 707 34.6 3.8 2.5 .8 .6 13.6
PF41 19 1,027 302 24 30 40 365 25.0 7.4 .6 .7 1.0 8.9
C41 8 680 157 35 31 27 240 16.6 3.8 .9 .8 .7 5.9
PF41 7 603 114 30 29 14 233 14.7 2.8 .7 .7 .3 5.7
C39 14 544 133 22 15 46 139 13.9 3.4 .6 .4 1.2 3.6
SG39 2 395 68 34 15 4 128 10.1 1.7 .9 .4 .1 3.3
†PG16 0 214 21 32 6 0 46 13.4 1.3 2.0 .4 .0 2.9
PG12 10 292 34 42 20 1 94 24.3 2.8 3.5 1.7 .1 7.8
†SF12 9 364 72 25 11 8 203 30.3 6.0 2.1 .9 .7 16.9
†SG10 0 215 27 17 5 0 82 21.5 2.7 1.7 .5 .0 8.2
PF5 0 73 24 3 1 0 37 14.6 4.8 .6 .2 .0 7.4
PF1 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 3.0 .0 .0 .0 .0 .0

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 1997-98 Dallas Mavericks . Basketball-reference.com . 2012-06-11.
  2. News: Associated Press . PLUS: BASKETBALL; Dallas-Orlando Trade . The New York Times . September 25, 1997 . December 5, 2022.
  3. News: Staff and Wire Reports . Nelson Still Dealing, Gets Scott from Magic . Los Angeles Times . September 25, 1997 . June 23, 2023.
  4. News: Johnson . L.C. . Trade Lets Magic Get Rid of Scott . Orlando Sentinel . September 25, 1997 . September 23, 2022.
  5. News: Mavericks Send Harper, O'Bannon to Magic for Scott, Cash . Associated Press . September 25, 1997 . July 31, 2021.
  6. News: Associated Press . Two Free Agents Sign . The New York Times . September 5, 1997 . January 1, 2022.
  7. News: Shapiro . Mark . 76ers Sign Cummings to 2-Year Deal . Chicago Tribune . September 5, 1997 . January 13, 2023.
  8. News: Staff and Wire Reports . NBA Referee Pleads Guilty to Filing False Tax Returns . Los Angeles Times . September 5, 1997 . January 13, 2023.
  9. News: Associated Press . Nelson Replaces Cleamons . Los Angeles Times . December 5, 1997 . November 18, 2022.
  10. News: Smith . Sam . Nelson Fires Cleamons, Then Defeats Knicks . Chicago Tribune . December 5, 1997 . December 12, 2022.
  11. News: Aron . Jamie . Mavericks Name Don Nelson Coach . Associated Press . December 5, 1997 . October 13, 2021.
  12. News: Wire Reports . Mavs Respond to Change . The Spokesman-Review . December 5, 1997 . November 12, 2023.
  13. News: Aron . Jamie . A.C. Green Makes Mark as NBA Iron Man -- Thursday Will Mark 907th Game in a Row . The Seattle Times . November 16, 1997 . October 7, 2022.
  14. News: Farber . Michael . Ironman, Move Over, Cal Ripken. A.C. Green of the Mavericks Is Working on Two Streaks: Consecutive Games Played and Temptations Resisted . Sports Illustrated Vault . November 17, 1997 . February 5, 2023.
  15. News: Associated Press . They're Iron Men at Heart . Los Angeles Times . November 21, 1997 . March 1, 2017.
  16. News: Ortiz . Jorge L. . Even at 6-Foot-9, Green Overshadowed by Ripken . SFGate . November 23, 1997 . February 5, 2023.
  17. News: Associated Press . N.B.A.: YESTERDAY; Rockets Win as N.B.A. Makes Debut in Mexico . The New York Times . December 7, 1997 . May 16, 2022.
  18. News: Associated Press . 20,635 See Rockets Win in Mexico . Los Angeles Times . December 7, 1997 . November 18, 2022.
  19. News: In Mexico, Rockets Edge Mavs . The Washington Post . December 7, 1997 . July 8, 2021.
  20. News: Associated Press . Rockets Edge Mavericks in Mexico City Contest . Deseret News . December 7, 1997 . January 29, 2023.
  21. Web site: NBA Games Played on February 5, 1998 . Basketball-Reference . July 20, 2022.
  22. News: Springer . Steve . Piatkowski's Place Is on Injured List . Los Angeles Times . March 30, 1998 . June 30, 2022.
  23. News: Gardner . Kris . Dennis Scott Goes to Phoenix . The Houston Roundball Review . February 18, 1998 . September 17, 2022.
  24. News: Associated Press . Celtics Land Anderson in Deal with Raptors . Los Angeles Times . February 19, 1998 . July 31, 2021.
  25. News: Heisler . Mark . It's a Big Deal for Clippers: There Are No Slam Dunks in the Flurry of NBA Deals . Los Angeles Times . February 20, 1998 . December 5, 2022.
  26. News: Smith . Sam . NBA's Rash of Trades Ends with Another Seikaly Deal . Chicago Tribune . February 20, 1998 . June 22, 2023.
  27. News: Springer . Steve . Piatkowski's Place Is on Injured List . Los Angeles Times . March 30, 1998 . June 30, 2022.
  28. News: Springer . Steve . Tonight . Los Angeles Times . March 29, 1998 . October 18, 2022.
  29. Web site: 1997-98 Misc News . Eskimo.com . November 9, 2022.
  30. Web site: 1997–98 Dallas Mavericks Schedule and Results. Basketball-Reference. June 28, 2021.
  31. News: Povtak . Tim . Hawks' Henderson Wins Most Improved . Orlando Sentinel . May 1, 1998 . December 27, 2022.
  32. News: 1997–98 NBA Awards Voting . Basketball-Reference . December 27, 2022.
  33. Web site: 1997–98 Dallas Mavericks Roster and Stats. Basketball-Reference. June 28, 2021.
  34. News: Associated Press . NBA DEALINGS: McDyess, Divac and Smith Sign . Kitsap Sun . January 23, 1999 . June 25, 2023.
  35. News: Roberts . Selena . Pro Basketball; Thomas Elbows Way Into the Oakley Role . The New York Times . February 3, 1999 . June 25, 2022.
  36. News: Lewis . Brian . Thomas Volunteers for Oakley's Role . New York Post . February 3, 1999 . December 5, 2022.
  37. News: CBS News.com Staff . Clippers Pick Olowokandi No. 1 . CBS News . June 24, 1998 . June 25, 2023.
  38. News: Gardner . Kris . Steve Nash Dealt to Dallas . The Houston Roundball Review . June 24, 1998 . December 5, 2022.
  39. News: Wise . Mike . PRO BASKETBALL; 7 Feet 1 Inch of Potential at No. 1 . The New York Times . June 25, 1998 . June 25, 2023.
  40. News: Armour . Terry . Bulls 111, Mavericks 105 . Chicago Tribune . December 30, 1997 . June 29, 2022.
  41. News: Associated Press . Jordan Scores 41, Rodman Fouls Up Nelson Strategy . Los Angeles Times . December 30, 1997 . June 29, 2022.
  42. News: Associated Press . Jordan Scores 41 to Tie Mark . The Spokesman-Review . December 30, 1997 . February 4, 2023.
  43. News: Jordan Ties Record in Win . Tampa Bay Times . December 30, 1997 . December 12, 2022.
  44. News: Araton . Harvey . Sports of the Times; At the End, Jordan Lifts Bulls to Their Sixth N.B.A. Title . The New York Times . June 15, 1998 . July 18, 2022.
  45. News: Howard-Cooper . Scott . A Rousing Six-cess . Los Angeles Times . June 15, 1998 . July 25, 2022.
  46. News: Armour . Terry . Michael Jordan Hits 'The Shot', and the Chicago Bulls Beat Utah Jazz for Their 6th NBA Championship . Chicago Tribune . June 15, 1998 . July 18, 2022.
  47. News: Robinson . Doug . M.J.'s Moment: A Finals Finale . Deseret News . June 15, 1998 . December 12, 2022.
  48. News: 1998 NBA Finals: Bulls vs. Jazz . Basketball-Reference . February 4, 2023.
  49. News: Mavericks Sign Forward Ace Custis . Associated Press . October 5, 2000 . May 1, 2023.

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