1997–98 Cleveland Cavaliers season explained

Team:Cleveland Cavaliers
End Year:1998
Wins:47
Losses:35
Division:Central
Division Place:5
Conf Place:6
Coach:Mike Fratello
Gm:Wayne Embry
Owners:
Arena:Gund Arena
Playoffs:First round
(lost to Pacers 1–3)
Bbr Team:CLE
Television:
Radio:WTAM

The 1997–98 NBA season was the 28th season of the National Basketball Association in Cleveland, Ohio.[1] With the departure of their top players from last season, the Cavaliers added youth to their roster, with the addition of last season's first round draft pick Zydrunas Ilgauskas from Lithuania, who missed all of last season with a foot injury, top draft pick Derek Anderson from the University of Kentucky, first round draft pick Brevin Knight out of Stanford University, and second round draft pick Cedric Henderson from the University of Memphis in the 1997 NBA draft.[2] [3] [4] [5] In the off-season, the team acquired All-Star forward Shawn Kemp from the Seattle SuperSonics in a three-team trade,[6] [7] [8] [9] [10] acquired Wesley Person from the Phoenix Suns in another three-team trade,[11] [12] [13] [14] and signed free agent Mitchell Butler.

The Cavaliers struggled with a 4–6 start to the season, as Bob Sura went down with an ankle injury and only played just 46 games,[15] [16] and Butler was out for the remainder of the season with a neck injury after 18 games.[17] [18] However, the team posted a ten-game winning streak between November and December,[19] and later on held a 27–20 record at the All-Star break.[20] The Cavaliers played above .500 for the remainder of the season finishing 5th in the Central Division with a 47–35 record, qualifying for the playoffs after a one-year absence.[21] The Cavaliers had the best team defensive rating in the NBA.[22]

Kemp averaged 18.0 points, 9.3 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game, and was selected for the 1998 NBA All-Star Game, which would be his sixth and final All-Star appearance,[23] [24] [25] [26] [27] while Person averaged 14.7 points and 1.6 steals per game, and also led the league with 192 three-point field goals. In addition, Ilgauskas averaged 13.9 points, 8.8 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game, and won the MVP award in the Rookie Game during the All-Star Weekend in New York City, New York,[28] [29] [30] [31] while Knight provided the team with 9.0 points, 8.2 assists, and led the league with 196 total steals, averaging 2.5 per game. Anderson contributed 11.7 points and 1.3 steals per game off the bench, playing 66 games due to a knee injury,[32] [33] [34] while Henderson provided with 10.1 points per game, and second-year center Vitaly Potapenko averaged 7.1 points and 3.9 rebounds per game off the bench.[35] Both Ilgauskas and Knight were named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team, while Anderson and Henderson were both selected the NBA All-Rookie Second Team, and head coach Mike Fratello finished in third place in Coach of the Year voting.[36] [37]

However, in the Eastern Conference First Round of the playoffs, the Cavaliers would lose in four games to the Indiana Pacers,[38] [39] [40] [41] and they would not make it back to the postseason until 2006. For the season, the team slightly redesigned their uniforms, which remained in use until 1999.[42] [43]

Until 2023, this was the last time the Cavaliers made the playoffs without future All-Star LeBron James, who was selected by the team as the first overall pick in the 2003 NBA draft.

Offseason

Trades

Draft picks

See main article: 1997 NBA draft.

RoundPickPlayerPositionNationalitySchool/Club Team
113Derek AndersonSGKentucky
116*Brevin KnightPGStanford
245Cedric HendersonSFMemphis

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

|- align="center" bgcolor=|-|| || || || || |||-|- align="center" bgcolor=|-|| || || || || |||-|- align="center" bgcolor=|-|| || || || || |||-|- align="center" bgcolor=|-|| || || || || |||-|- align="center" bgcolor=|-|| || || || || |||-|- align="center" bgcolor=|-|| || || || || |||-|- align="center" bgcolor=|-|| || || || || |||-

Playoffs

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 1| April 23| @ Indiana| L 77–106| Shawn Kemp (25)| Shawn Kemp (13)| Brevin Knight (5)| Market Square Arena
16,644| 0–1|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 2| April 25| @ Indiana| L 86–92| Shawn Kemp (27)| Zydrunas Ilgauskas (10)| Brevin Knight (7)| Market Square Arena
16,617| 0–2|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 3| April 27| Indiana| W 86–77| Shawn Kemp (31)| Kemp, Knight (7)| three players tied (5)| Gund Arena
17,495| 1–2|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 4| April 30| Indiana| L 74–80| Shawn Kemp (21)| Shawn Kemp (12)| Brevin Knight (6)| Gund Arena
18,188| 1–3|-

Player stats

Regular season

PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
Shawn Kemp808034.644.525.072.79.32.51.41.118.0
Wesley Person828239.046.043.077.64.42.31.60.614.7
Zydrunas Ilgauskas828129.051.825.076.28.80.90.61.613.9
Derek Anderson661327.940.820.287.32.83.41.30.211.7
Cedric Henderson827130.848.00.071.64.02.01.20.510.1
Brevin Knight807631.044.10.080.13.28.22.50.29.0
Vitaly Potapenko80017.748.00.070.83.90.70.30.47.1
Bob Sura46420.537.731.756.52.03.71.00.25.8
Danny Ferry69315.039.533.380.01.70.90.40.24.2
Henry James2805.940.744.095.50.50.20.00.02.9
Carl Thomas2909.438.639.561.51.30.30.60.22.7
Greg Graham609.358.30.0100.00.21.00.20.02.7
Mitchell Butler18011.431.916.760.01.21.00.40.02.1
Tony Dumas706.750.050.00.00.70.70.00.02.0
Scott Brooks4307.342.445.590.00.71.10.40.11.8
Shawnelle Scott4104.644.40.066.71.40.20.10.21.1

Playoffs

PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
Shawn Kemp4438.046.50.084.410.32.01.31.026.0
Zydrunas Ilgauskas4436.857.10.052.07.50.50.51.317.3
Derek Anderson4025.845.50.088.52.32.81.30.310.8
Wesley Person4434.037.936.875.02.32.50.80.08.0
Cedric Henderson4439.339.30.061.54.32.81.50.07.5
Brevin Knight4433.028.60.060.04.05.82.50.34.5
Vitaly Potapenko4017.540.00.050.02.80.80.50.04.3
Carl Thomas1011.00.00.066.71.00.00.00.02.0
Scott Brooks108.00.00.0100.00.02.00.00.02.0
Shawnelle Scott103.050.00.00.00.00.00.01.02.0
Bob Sura3010.320.00.066.71.01.30.30.01.3
Danny Ferry303.30.00.00.00.30.00.00.00.0
Player Statistics Citation:

Awards and records

Awards

All-Star

Shawn Kemp – 1998 NBA All-Star Game

Transactions

Development League

References

Notes and References

  1. https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CLE/1998.html 1997-98 Cleveland Cavaliers
  2. News: Heisler . Mark . Draft Over, But Not Finished . Los Angeles Times . June 26, 1997 . January 2, 2023.
  3. News: First Round Selections in the 1997 NBA Draft Wednesday in Charlotte, N.C. . Hartford Courant . June 26, 1997 . June 2, 2023.
  4. News: Reed . William F. . No. 8: Cleveland Cavaliers . Sports Illustrated Vault . November 10, 1997 . January 9, 2023.
  5. Web site: 1997 NBA Draft . Basketball-Reference . January 2, 2023.
  6. News: Roberts . Selena . PRO BASKETBALL; Sonics' Kemp Gets Wish and Is Traded, to Cavs . The New York Times . September 26, 1997 . March 1, 2017.
  7. News: Baker . Chris . Kemp Is Key Player in Three-Way Trade . Los Angeles Times . September 26, 1997 . September 18, 2022.
  8. News: Sherwin . Bob . Shawn Kemp Moves On -- Reign Comes to an End -- Kemp Is a Cav, Baker Is a Sonic After 3-Way Deal . The Seattle Times . September 26, 1997 . May 16, 2022.
  9. News: Kemp Is Traded to Cavaliers in Three-Way Deal . The Washington Post . September 26, 1997 . December 3, 2022.
  10. News: Associated Press . Sonics Send Kemp to Cavs in 3-Way Deal . Deseret News . September 26, 1997 . June 20, 2023.
  11. News: Berger . Ken . Nuggets Send McDyess to Phoenix . Associated Press . October 1, 1997 . July 27, 2021.
  12. News: Associated Press . PLUS: IN THE NEWS -- PRO BASKETBALL; McDyess to Suns in Three-Team Deal . The New York Times . October 2, 1997 . December 4, 2022.
  13. News: Staff and Wire Reports . Suns Make Trade for McDyess . Los Angeles Times . October 2, 1997 . December 4, 2022.
  14. News: Associated Press . Nuggets Deal McDs to Phoenix . The Spokesman-Review . October 2, 1997 . June 24, 2023.
  15. News: Johnson . L.C. . Grant Hurt . Orlando Sentinel . November 20, 1997 . November 7, 2022.
  16. News: Associated Press . Ankle in Cast, Cavaliers' Sura Out for Weeks . Times Leader . December 10, 1997 . July 11, 2022.
  17. News: Associated Press . N.B.A.: YESTERDAY; Jordan's 47 Lead Bulls Into First . The New York Times . December 28, 1997 . January 28, 2023.
  18. News: Around the NBA . The Washington Post . December 31, 1997 . October 3, 2022.
  19. News: Associated Press . N.B.A.: LAST NIGHT; Cleveland Wins It at the Line . The New York Times . December 12, 1997 . October 22, 2021.
  20. News: NBA Games Played on February 5, 1998 . Basketball-Reference . July 19, 2022.
  21. Web site: 1997–98 Cleveland Cavaliers Schedule and Results. Basketball-Reference. June 21, 2021.
  22. Web site: Teams Defense. NBA.com. April 16, 2021.
  23. News: Armour . Terry . Jordan Top All-Star Vote-Getter; Bryant, 19, Youngest Ever Picked . Chicago Tribune . January 26, 1998 . December 27, 2022.
  24. News: Howard-Cooper . Scott . Lakers Get Four-Star Rating as Van Exel, Jones Honored . Los Angeles Times . January 28, 1998 . April 20, 2023.
  25. News: NBA.com Staff . 1998 NBA All-Star Recap . NBA.com . September 13, 2021 . May 16, 2023.
  26. Web site: 1997-98 All-Star Events and Contestants - in New York . Eskimo North . December 27, 2022.
  27. Web site: 1998 NBA All-Star Game: East 135, West 114 . Basketball-Reference . November 27, 2021.
  28. News: Popper . Steve . N.B.A. ALL-STAR WEEKEND: Kids Slam and Ham, But a Grown-Up Shoots for Dough; Houston Pair Win in 2Ball . The New York Times . February 8, 1998 . January 15, 2022.
  29. News: Howard-Cooper . Scott . Jordan Under the Weather, and Stern Is Under the Gun . Los Angeles Times . February 8, 1998 . December 5, 2022.
  30. News: Associated Press . All-Star Show Slow Out of Blocks . The Spokesman-Review . February 8, 1998 . March 21, 2023.
  31. Web site: 1998 NBA Rising Stars: East 85, West 80 . Basketball-Reference . January 15, 2022.
  32. News: Associated Press . N.B.A.: LAST NIGHT; Ilgauskas Scores 32 to Lead the Cavs . The New York Times . February 1, 1998 . January 28, 2023.
  33. News: Thompson . Jack . Cavs' Anderson Returns . Chicago Tribune . March 5, 1998 . October 5, 2022.
  34. News: Associated Press . Like Magic, Anderson Back and Orlando Gets a Victory . Los Angeles Times . March 5, 1998 . October 18, 2022.
  35. Web site: 1997–98 Cleveland Cavaliers Roster and Stats. Basketball-Reference. June 21, 2021.
  36. News: Associated Press . Bird Named Coach of the Year . The Washington Post . May 12, 1998 . October 6, 2022.
  37. News: Times Wire Services . Bird Draws Top Honor in His Rookie Season . Los Angeles Times . May 13, 1998 . February 2, 2023.
  38. News: Associated Press . N.B.A.: PLAYOFFS; Cleveland Ousted . The New York Times . May 1, 1998 . July 2, 2021.
  39. News: Associated Press . Indiana Seizes the Opportunity to Oust Young, Pesky Opponent . Deseret News . May 1, 1998 . June 3, 2022.
  40. News: Associated Press . Knicks, Heat Slug It Out Again . Los Angeles Times . May 1, 1998 . November 25, 2022.
  41. News: 1998 NBA Eastern Conference First Round: Cavaliers vs. Pacers . Basketball-Reference . February 3, 2023.
  42. News: Cleveland Cavaliers Uniform . Chris Creamer's Sports Logos Page - SportsLogos.Net. . January 22, 2022.
  43. News: Cleveland Cavaliers Uniform . Chris Creamer's Sports Logos Page - SportsLogos.Net. . January 22, 2022.
  44. http://www.nba.com/suns/history/00682881.html SUNS: Suns Rise Again in West

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