1997–98 San Antonio Spurs season explained

The 1997–98 NBA season was the Spurs' 22nd season in the National Basketball Association, and 31st season as a franchise.[1] This season is most memorable when the Spurs selected Tim Duncan out of Wake Forest University with the first overall pick in the 1997 NBA draft.[2] [3] [4] [5] [6] After finishing with the third-worst record in 1996–97, the Spurs won the 1997 NBA Draft Lottery, dubbed as the "Tim Duncan Sweepstakes".[7] [8] During the off-season, the team signed free agents, three-point specialist Jaren Jackson, and second-year forward Malik Rose.[9]

The Spurs got off to a mediocre 10–10 start, but then won 17 of their next 19 games, and held a 34–14 record at the All-Star break.[10] Despite losing Sean Elliott for the remainder of the season to a knee injury after 36 games,[11] [12] the Spurs finished second in the Midwest Division with a 56–26 record, and returned to the playoffs after a one-year absence.[13] The Spurs had the second best team defensive rating in the NBA.[14]

Duncan averaged 21.1 points, 11.9 rebounds and 2.7 blocks per game, and was named Rookie of the Year,[15] [16] [17] [18] and was also named to the All-NBA First Team and NBA All-Rookie First Team, while David Robinson averaged 21.6 points, 10.6 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game, and was named to the All-NBA Second Team. In addition, Avery Johnson provided the team with 10.2 points and 7.9 assists per game, while Vinny Del Negro contributed 9.5 points per game, and Elliott provided with 9.3 points per game. Off the bench, Jackson contributed 8.8 points per game, while three-point specialist Chuck Person contributed 6.7 points per game, and Will Perdue averaged 5.0 points and 6.8 rebounds per game.[19] Both Duncan and Robinson were named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team, and selected for the 1998 NBA All-Star Game, which was Duncan's first ever All-Star appearance.[20] [21] [22] [23] [24] Duncan finished in fifth place in Most Valuable Player voting,[25] while Robinson finished in seventh place. Robinson also finished in third place in Defensive Player of the Year voting,[26] [27] while Duncan finished tied in fifth place.[28]

In the playoffs, the Spurs defeated the 4th-seeded Phoenix Suns, 3–1 in the Western Conference First Round,[29] [30] [31] [32] but lost 4–1 to the Utah Jazz in the Western Conference Semi-finals.[33] [34] [35] [36] The Jazz would go on to lose in six games to the Chicago Bulls in the NBA Finals for the second consecutive year.[37] [38] [39] [40] [41] Following the season, Del Negro signed as a free agent with the Milwaukee Bucks,[42] [43] while Person signed with the Charlotte Hornets,[44] Monty Williams was released to free agency, and Carl Herrera was traded to the Vancouver Grizzlies.[45]

Following the 1997–98 season, the Spurs enjoyed immense levels of success, winning five championships between 1999 and 2014, and qualifying for the playoffs every year until 2019, the longest playoff streak in NBA history, tied with the Syracuse Nationals/Philadelphia 76ers from 1950 to 1971.

NBA draft

See main article: 1997 NBA draft.

Regular season

Tim Duncan

The Spurs were coming off a poor 1996–97 NBA season; in which their best player, David Robinson—himself a number one draft pick in 1987—was sidelined for most of the year with an injury. The Spurs had finished with a 20–62 win–loss record.[46] However, as the 1997–98 NBA season approached, the Spurs were considered a notable threat in the NBA. With both an experienced center in Robinson and the number one pick in Duncan, the Spurs featured one of the best frontcourts in the NBA. Duncan and Robinson became known as the "Twin Towers", having earned a reputation for their exceptional defense close to the basket, forcing opponents to take lower percentage shots from outside. From the beginning, Duncan established himself as a quality player: in his second-ever road game, he grabbed 22 rebounds against opposing Chicago Bulls power forward Dennis Rodman, a multiple rebounding champion and NBA Defensive Player of the Year.[47]

Later, when Duncan played against opposing Houston Rockets Hall-of-Fame power forward Charles Barkley, Barkley was so impressed he said: "I have seen the future and he wears number 21 [Duncan's jersey number]."[48] In his rookie season, Duncan lived up the expectations of being the number one draft pick, starting in all 82 regular-season games, and averaging 21.1 points, 11.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.5 blocks per game. His defensive contributions ensured that he was elected to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team and was also named NBA Rookie of the Year. Spurs coach Gregg Popovich lauded Duncan's mental toughness, stating his rookie's "demeanor was singularly remarkable", Duncan always "put things into perspective" and never got "too upbeat or too depressed."[49] Center Robinson was equally impressed with Duncan: "He's the real thing. I'm proud of his attitude and effort. He gives all the extra effort and work and wants to become a better player."[50]

Record vs. opponents

1997-98 NBA Records
width=100TeamATLBOSCHACHICLEDALDENDETGSWHOUINDLACLALMIAMILMINNJNNYKORLPHIPHOPORSACSASSEATORUTAVANWAS
— 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
1–2 — 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
0–4 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
3–1 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
0–4 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
0–2 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
0–2 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
2–2 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
0–2 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
1–1 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
3–1 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
0–2 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
3–1 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
1–3 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
2–0 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
2–1 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
2–2 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
2–2 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
1–3 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
2–0 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
1–1 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
0–2 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
1–1 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
0–4 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
2–0 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
0–2 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="#ccffcc"| 1| April 23| @ Phoenix| W 102–96| Tim Duncan (32)| David Robinson (15)| Vinny Del Negro (6)| America West Arena
19,023| 1–0|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 2| April 25| @ Phoenix| L 101–108| David Robinson (23)| David Robinson (16)| Avery Johnson (8)| America West Arena
19,023| 1–1|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 3| April 27| Phoenix| W 100–88| Tim Duncan (22)| Tim Duncan (14)| Avery Johnson (5)| Alamodome
20,486| 2–1|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 4| April 29| Phoenix| W 99–80| Avery Johnson (30)| David Robinson (21)| Avery Johnson (7)| Alamodome
27,528| 3–1|-|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 1| May 5| @ Utah| L 82–83| Tim Duncan (33)| David Robinson (16)| Avery Johnson (8)| Delta Center
19,911| 0–1|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 2| May 7| @ Utah| L 106–109| Tim Duncan (26)| David Robinson (14)| Vinny Del Negro (5)| Delta Center
19,911| 0–2|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 3| May 9| Utah| W 86–64| David Robinson (21)| Will Perdue (11)| Avery Johnson (5)| Alamodome
26,086| 1–2|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 4| May 10| Utah| L 73–82| Tim Duncan (22)| David Robinson (11)| Avery Johnson (7)| Alamodome
28,587| 1–3|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 5| May 12| @ Utah| L 77–87| David Robinson (21)| David Robinson (13)| Avery Johnson (8)| Delta Center
19,911| 1–4|-

Player statistics

Ragular season

Player
PF82 82 3,204 977 224 55 206 1,731 39.1 11.9 2.7 .7 2.5 21.1
SG82 45 2,226 210 156 60 8 722 27.1 2.6 1.9 .7 .1 8.8
C79 30 1,491 535 57 22 50 394 18.9 6.8 .7 .3 .6 5.0
PG75 73 2,674 150 591 84 18 766 35.7 2.0 7.9 1.1 .2 10.2
C73 73 2,457 775 199 64 192 1,574 33.7 10.6 2.7 .9 2.6 21.6
SF72 16 1,314 179 89 34 24 453 18.3 2.5 1.2 .5 .3 6.3
PG62 2 685 67 74 37 12 152 11.0 1.1 1.2 .6 .2 2.5
PF61 11 1,455 204 86 29 10 409 23.9 3.3 1.4 .5 .2 6.7
PF58 1 516 91 22 19 12 170 8.9 1.6 .4 .3 .2 2.9
SG54 38 1,721 152 183 39 6 513 31.9 2.8 3.4 .7 .1 9.5
PF53 0 429 90 19 21 7 158 8.1 1.7 .4 .4 .1 3.0
†PG37 3 501 47 71 25 5 165 13.5 1.3 1.9 .7 .1 4.5
SF36 36 1,012 124 62 24 14 334 28.1 3.4 1.7 .7 .4 9.3
SF13 0 43 9 1 2 2 27 3.3 .7 .1 .2 .2 2.1
PF9 0 102 12 5 1 2 19 11.3 1.3 .6 .1 .2 2.1

Playoffs

Player
PF9 9 374 81 17 5 23 186 41.6 9.0 1.9 .6 2.6 20.7
C9 9 353 127 23 11 30 175 39.2 14.1 2.6 1.2 3.3 19.4
PG9 9 342 13 55 9 0 156 38.0 1.4 6.1 1.0 .0 17.3
SG9 8 319 39 14 5 1 92 35.4 4.3 1.6 .6 .1 10.2
C9 7 191 60 1 6 9 36 21.2 6.7 .1 .7 1.0 4.0
SG9 3 283 24 29 8 0 96 31.4 2.7 3.2 .9 .0 10.7
PF9 0 196 27 7 4 0 52 21.8 3.0 .8 .4 .0 5.8
PG7 0 46 2 6 1 0 9 6.6 .3 .9 .1 .0 1.3
SF5 0 28 6 1 0 0 12 5.6 1.2 .2 .0 .0 2.4
PF5 0 25 4 1 0 0 2 5.0 .8 .2 .0 .0 .4
PF5 0 18 7 1 1 0 10 3.6 1.4 .2 .2 .0 2.0
PF4 0 10 2 1 1 0 0 2.5 .5 .3 .3 .0 .0

Award winners

References

Notes and References

  1. https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/SAS/1998.html 1997-98 San Antonio Spurs
  2. News: Wise . Mike . After Duncan, Utah Forward Steals Show . The New York Times . June 26, 1997 . July 25, 2021.
  3. News: Heisler . Mark . Draft Over, But Not Finished . Los Angeles Times . June 26, 1997 . December 1, 2022.
  4. News: Cotton . Anthony . No. 1 Pick Turns Duncan Into Spur of Moment . The Washington Post . June 26, 1997 . June 30, 2022.
  5. News: First Round Selections in the 1997 NBA Draft Wednesday in Charlotte, N.C. . Hartford Courant . June 26, 1997 . June 2, 2023.
  6. Web site: 1997 NBA Draft . Basketball-Reference . December 1, 2022.
  7. News: El-Bashir . Tarik . Spurs Win the Tim Duncan Sweepstakes . The New York Times . May 19, 1997 . May 5, 2022.
  8. News: Associated Press . Spurs Win Big with Top Pick . Los Angeles Times . May 19, 1997 . November 9, 2022.
  9. News: Broussard . Chris . N.B.A. FINALS; For Spurs' Jackson, Depth Is the Key . The New York Times . June 18, 1999 . November 18, 2022.
  10. News: NBA Games Played on February 5, 1998 . Basketball-Reference . July 20, 2022.
  11. News: Spurs 109, Clippers 86 . The Oklahoman . January 29, 1998 . May 24, 2022.
  12. News: Associated Press . Spurs Satisfied, But Have Work to Do . Deseret News . May 14, 1998 . January 4, 2023.
  13. Web site: 1997–98 San Antonio Spurs Schedule and Results. Basketball-Reference. June 21, 2021.
  14. Web site: Teams Defense. NBA.com. April 16, 2021.
  15. News: Associated Press . Duncan Wins Rookie of Year Award . The Washington Post . April 27, 1998 . July 17, 2021.
  16. News: Duncan's Top Rookie . Deseret News . April 27, 1998 . October 3, 2022.
  17. News: Duncan Is Landslide Rookie Winner . United Press International . April 27, 1998 . February 2, 2023.
  18. News: NBA & ABA Rookie of the Year Award Winners . Basketball-Reference . November 29, 2022.
  19. Web site: 1997–98 San Antonio Spurs Roster and Stats. Basketball-Reference. June 21, 2021.
  20. News: Howard-Cooper . Scott . Lakers Get Four-Star Rating as Van Exel, Jones Honored . Los Angeles Times . January 28, 1998 . April 20, 2023.
  21. News: Associated Press . N.B.A.: LAST NIGHT; Walker Beats Webber and Wizards at Buzzer . The New York Times . January 29, 1998 . November 18, 2022.
  22. News: NBA.com Staff . 1998 NBA All-Star Recap . NBA.com . September 13, 2021 . May 16, 2023.
  23. Web site: 1997-98 All-Star Events and Contestants - in New York . Eskimo North . December 27, 2022.
  24. Web site: 1998 NBA All-Star Game: East 135, West 114 . Basketball-Reference . October 23, 2021.
  25. News: Wise . Mike . THE N.B.A. PLAYOFFS; Jordan Is Winner of M.V.P. a 5th Time . The New York Times . May 19, 1998 . September 23, 2022.
  26. News: Associated Press . Mutombo NBA's Top Defensive Player . The Washington Post . May 5, 1998 . October 3, 2022.
  27. News: Associated Press . Mutombo Earns Defensive Honor . Los Angeles Times . May 6, 1998 . December 15, 2022.
  28. News: 1997–98 NBA Awards Voting . Basketball-Reference . January 1, 2022.
  29. News: Associated Press . Jordan Finishes Off the Nets; Rockets Put Jazz on the Ropes . Los Angeles Times . April 30, 1998 . November 25, 2022.
  30. News: Associated Press . Spurs Stun Suns, Take Series . CBS News . April 30, 1998 . May 30, 2022.
  31. News: Associated Press . Spurs' Johnson Soars In Game of 'Small Ball' . Deseret News . April 30, 1998 . July 2, 2021.
  32. News: 1998 NBA Western Conference First Round: Spurs vs. Suns . Basketball-Reference . February 4, 2023.
  33. News: Associated Press . THE N.B.A. PLAYOFFS; The Finals In the West: It's Jazz Vs. Lakers . The New York Times . May 13, 1998 . May 5, 2022.
  34. News: Heisler . Mark . Worth Getting Jazzed About . Los Angeles Times . May 13, 1998 . May 30, 2022.
  35. News: Bucher . Ric . Malone, Jazz Put Spurs Out of Their Misery . The Washington Post . May 13, 1998 . November 25, 2022.
  36. News: 1998 NBA Western Conference Semifinals: Spurs vs. Jazz . Basketball-Reference . February 4, 2023.
  37. 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 . May 5, 2022.
  38. News: Howard-Cooper . Scott . A Rousing Six-cess . Los Angeles Times . June 15, 1998 . July 25, 2022.
  39. 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 . May 30, 2022.
  40. News: Robinson . Doug . M.J.'s Moment: A Finals Finale . Deseret News . June 15, 1998 . December 12, 2022.
  41. News: 1998 NBA Finals: Bulls vs. Jazz . Basketball-Reference . February 4, 2023.
  42. News: Associated Press . Del Negro Leaves Italy for Milwaukee . Los Angeles Times . January 31, 1999 . October 22, 2022.
  43. News: Del Negro Becomes a Buck . CBS News . January 30, 1999 . January 22, 2022.
  44. News: Associated Press . 'Rifleman' Signed by Charlotte . CBS News . January 26, 1999 . November 16, 2022.
  45. News: Wise . Mike . PRO BASKETBALL; A Scrum for the Title . The New York Times . February 4, 1999 . June 28, 2022.
  46. http://www.nba.com/history/standings/19961997.html 1996-97 Standings
  47. Book: Kernan, Kevin . Slam Duncan . 2000 . 47 . Sports Pub . 978-1-58261-179-2 .
  48. Book: Kernan, Kevin . Slam Duncan . 2000 . 13 . Sports Pub . 978-1-58261-179-2 .
  49. Book: Kernan, Kevin . Slam Duncan . 2000 . 25 . Sports Pub . 978-1-58261-179-2 .
  50. Book: Kernan, Kevin . Slam Duncan . 2000 . 44 . Sports Pub . 978-1-58261-179-2 .

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