1997–98 Portland Trail Blazers season explained

The 1997–98 NBA season was the 28th season for the Portland Trail Blazers in the National Basketball Association.[1] During the off-season, the Blazers signed free agents Brian Grant,[2] [3] [4] [5] and Vincent Askew,[6] [7] and hired former Milwaukee Bucks General Manager and head coach Mike Dunleavy as their new coach.[8] [9] [10] [11] After losing their season opener, the Blazers went on a five-game winning streak, which ended with a 140–139 quadruple overtime home loss to the Phoenix Suns on November 14, 1997.[12] [13] [14] [15] The Blazers continued to play above .500 for the remainder of the season, holding a 26–20 record at the All-Star break.[16]

At midseason, the team traded Kenny Anderson along with Gary Trent, and rookie guard Alvin Williams to the Toronto Raptors in exchange for Damon Stoudamire, Carlos Rogers and Walt Williams;[17] [18] [19] [20] Anderson never played for the Raptors, as he was soon traded to the Boston Celtics.[21] [22] [23] [24] The Blazers later on signed free agent Gary Grant in March,[25] [26] while Askew was released to free agency after 30 games. The Blazers finished with a 46–36 record,[27] fourth in the Pacific Division and sixth in the Western Conference, making their sixteenth straight trip to the postseason and 21st in 22 years.[28] Isaiah Rider led the team in scoring with 19.7 points per game, while Arvydas Sabonis averaged 16.0 points and 10.0 rebounds per game, Rasheed Wallace provided the team with 14.6 points and 6.2 rebounds per game, and Brian Grant contributed 12.1 points and 9.1 rebounds per game,[29] despite only playing 61 games due to a leg injury.[30] [31] [32]

For the second straight season, the Blazers were pitted against the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference First Round of the NBA Playoffs, and the result was identical to that of the previous year, as Portland fell one game to three. It was also the sixth consecutive year that the Blazers lost in the opening round of the playoffs.[33] [34] [35] [36]

The Blazers also set an ignominious record during a road game against the Indiana Pacers. The teams' February 27, 1998 game ended with a Pacer win by the embarrassing score of 124–59, the only time in NBA history where a team has had their score doubled.[37] [38] [39] [40]

NBA draft

See main article: 1997 NBA draft.

RoundPickPlayerPositionNationalitySchool/Club Team
118Chris AnsteyC
248Alvin WilliamsSGVillanova

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

Playoffs

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 1| April 24| @ L.A. Lakers| L 102–104| Isaiah Rider (25)| Brian Grant (12)| Damon Stoudamire (10)| Great Western Forum
17,505| 0–1|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 2| April 26| @ L.A. Lakers| L 99–108| Isaiah Rider (24)| three players tied (7)| Damon Stoudamire (14)| Great Western Forum
17,505| 0–2|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 3| April 28| L.A. Lakers| W 99–94| Rider, Stoudamire (18)| Brian Grant (12)| Damon Stoudamire (6)| Rose Garden
21,558| 1–2|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 4| April 30| L.A. Lakers| L 99–110| Damon Stoudamire (24)| Brian Grant (12)| Damon Stoudamire (8)| Rose Garden
21,558| 1–3|-

Player statistics

Regular season

PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
77 77 37.6 .533 .205 .662 6.2 2.5 1.0 1.1 14.6
74 66 37.6 .423 .321 .828 4.7 3.1 .7 .3 19.7
74 8 13.6 .428 .000 .688 3.4 .3 .4 1.3 3.8
73 73 32.0 .493 .261 .798 10.0 3.0 .9 1.1 16.0
71 23 20.4 .414 .143 .603 3.3 1.2 .8 .5 5.7
61 49 31.5 .508 .000 .750 9.1 1.4 .7 .7 12.1
60 9 13.5 .485 .000 .506 3.4 .3 .3 1.0 4.5
†45 40 32.7 .387 .353 .772 3.0 5.4 1.4 .0 12.6
†41 13 24.5 .493 .444 .693 5.7 1.4 .7 .5 11.5
†41 10 21.1 .458 .292 .734 1.5 2.0 .7 .0 6.9
38 10 16.4 .348 .361 .677 1.5 2.6 .7 .1 4.3
†31 1 19.2 .378 .344 .908 2.6 1.7 .6 .4 8.4
30 5 14.8 .352 .000 .718 2.3 1.3 .6 .2 2.2
26 2 14.6 .322 .300 .941 1.2 2.4 .4 .0 3.7
†22 22 36.6 .364 .263 .787 3.7 8.2 1.5 .1 12.4
22 2 16.3 .462 .368 .857 2.2 3.8 .8 .1 4.8
7 0 6.3 .375 1.6 .1 .1 .1 .9
†3 0 8.3 .500 .000 .7 .7 .3 .0 1.3
3 0 3.0 .000 .500 1.3 .0 .0 .0 .3
2 0 6.0 .000 .000 .0 .0 1.0 .0 .0

Playoffs

PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
4 4 41.5 .418 .091 .769 5.0 4.3 1.3 .0 19.3
4 4 41.5 .397 .364 1.000 4.3 9.5 1.3 .3 17.8
4 4 39.3 .489 .800 .500 4.8 2.8 .5 .5 14.5
4 4 33.8 .528 .833 10.8 1.5 1.0 .8 13.3
4 4 26.8 .450 .500 .857 7.8 1.5 1.8 .8 12.3
4 0 25.5 .548 .533 .786 3.5 2.3 .3 .0 13.3
4 0 14.5 .529 .000 .727 3.0 .3 .3 1.8 6.5
4 0 7.0 .500 .500 .8 .3 .5 .3 1.3
4 0 6.8 .286 .250 1.3 1.8 .3 .3 1.3
2 0 5.5 .333 1.0 .0 .0 .5 1.0
1 0 3.0 .000 .000 1.0 .0 .0 2.0 .0

Notes and References

  1. https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/POR/1998.html 1997-98 Portland Trail Blazers
  2. News: Staff and Wire Reports . Trail Blazers Sign Grant to 7-Year, $63-Million Deal . Los Angeles Times . August 24, 1997 . July 28, 2021.
  3. News: Associated Press . NBA -- Blazers Sign Brian Grant; Clifford Robinson Is Out . The Seattle Times . August 24, 1997 . June 21, 2023.
  4. News: Wire Services . Blazers Sign Brian Grant . The Spokesman-Review . August 24, 1997 . July 17, 2022.
  5. News: Blazers Get Grant for $63-Million . Tampa Bay Times . August 24, 1997 . December 1, 2022.
  6. News: Furthermore . The Washington Post . September 27, 1997 . February 2, 2023.
  7. News: Basketball Briefs . Deseret News . September 27, 1997 . June 28, 2022.
  8. News: Dunleavy Gets Portland Job . SFGate . May 13, 1997 . April 2, 2023.
  9. News: Associated Press . Dunleavy Named Blazers' Coach . The New York Times . May 14, 1997 . December 30, 2021.
  10. News: Associated Press . Trail Blazers Hire Dunleavy . Los Angeles Times . May 14, 1997 . October 18, 2022.
  11. News: Wire Services . Dunleavy Agrees to Take Reins of Temperamental Trail Blazers . The Spokesman-Review . May 14, 1997 . December 15, 2022.
  12. News: Associated Press . Portland Falls in Fourth OT . Los Angeles Times . November 15, 1997 . January 4, 2023.
  13. News: Baum . Bob . Suns 140, Trail Blazers 139, 4OT . Associated Press . November 15, 1997 . July 8, 2021.
  14. News: Associated Press . Hawks Remain Unbeaten . The Spokesman-Review . November 15, 1997 . January 29, 2023.
  15. News: Phoenix Suns at Portland Trail Blazers Box Score, November 14, 1997 . Basketball-Reference . October 22, 2022.
  16. News: NBA Games Played on February 5, 1998 . Basketball-Reference . July 20, 2022.
  17. News: Popper . Steve . PRO BASKETBALL; The Trade Comes, to Stoudamire's Relief . The New York Times . February 14, 1998 . July 1, 2022.
  18. News: Associated Press . Stoudamire Finally Traded to Portland . Los Angeles Times . February 14, 1998 . June 19, 2021.
  19. News: Raptors Deal Stoudamire for Blazers' Anderson . The Washington Post . February 14, 1998 . December 5, 2022.
  20. 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 . June 22, 2023.
  21. News: Wise . Mike . BASKETBALL; Kenny Anderson Is Traded to Celtics in 7-Player Deal . The New York Times . February 19, 1998 . July 21, 2017.
  22. News: Associated Press . Celtics Land Anderson in Deal with Raptors . Los Angeles Times . February 19, 1998 . October 6, 2022.
  23. News: In Seven-Player Swap, Raptors Trade Anderson to the Celtics . The Washington Post . February 19, 1998 . December 5, 2022.
  24. News: Smith . Sam . NBA's Rash of Trades Ends with Another Seikaly Deal . Chicago Tribune . February 20, 1998 . June 22, 2023.
  25. News: Blazers Sign Grant, Waive Wingfield . Associated Press . March 5, 1998 . January 18, 2022.
  26. News: Sports Briefs . Deseret News . March 26, 1998 . February 2, 2023.
  27. Web site: 1997–98 Portland Trail Blazers Schedule and Results. Basketball-Reference. June 21, 2021.
  28. News: Portland Trail Blazers . Basketball-Reference . January 19, 2022.
  29. Web site: 1997–98 Portland Trail Blazers Roster and Stats. Basketball-Reference. June 21, 2021.
  30. News: Associated Press . N.B.A.: LAST NIGHT; Chicago Is No Match for the Balanced Heat . The New York Times . January 8, 1998 . January 15, 2022.
  31. News: Associated Press . One Half Enough for Bulls' Jackson . Los Angeles Times . January 8, 1998 . October 3, 2022.
  32. News: Baum . Bob . As They Lose Games, Blazers Lose Spirit . South Coast Today . January 14, 1998 . January 8, 2023.
  33. News: Howard-Cooper . Scott . On In a Blaze of Glory . Los Angeles Times . May 1, 1998 . July 4, 2021.
  34. News: Lakers 110, Trail Blazers 99 . Orlando Sentinel . May 1, 1998 . November 25, 2022.
  35. News: Lakers 110, Trail Blazers 99 . United Press International . May 1, 1998 . May 30, 2022.
  36. News: 1998 NBA Western Conference First Round: Trail Blazers vs. Lakers . Basketball-Reference . February 4, 2023.
  37. News: Associated Press . N.B.A.: LAST NIGHT; Pacers Make History in Doubling Portland . The New York Times . February 28, 1998 . July 26, 2017.
  38. News: Associated Press . Indiana Doubles Its Pleasure in Victory . Los Angeles Times . February 28, 1998 . May 25, 2022.
  39. News: Indiana Doubles Portland's Pain, 124-59 . The Washington Post . February 28, 1998 . January 4, 2023.
  40. News: Portland Trail Blazers at Indiana Pacers Box Score, February 27, 1998 . Basketball-Reference . November 18, 2022.

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