1997–98 Philadelphia 76ers season explained

The 1997–98 NBA season was the 76ers 49th season in the National Basketball Association, and 35th season in Philadelphia.[1] The 76ers had the second overall pick in the 1997 NBA draft, and selected Keith Van Horn from the University of Utah,[2] [3] [4] [5] [6] but soon traded him to the New Jersey Nets in exchange for Jim Jackson, Eric Montross, top draft pick Tim Thomas out of Villanova University, and first round draft pick Anthony Parker out of Bradley University.[7] [8] [9] [10] and signed free agent and former All-Star forward Terry Cummings during the off-season.[11] [12] [13] In November, the Sixers acquired former All-Star forward Tom Chambers from the Phoenix Suns. However, after only playing just one game for the team, Chambers retired in December.[14] [15] [16]

Under new head coach Larry Brown,[17] [18] [19] [20] the Sixers got off to a rough start losing their first five games. In late December, the team traded Montross along with Jerry Stackhouse to the Detroit Pistons in exchange for Theo Ratliff and Aaron McKie,[21] [22] [23] [24] then later on acquired Eric Snow from the Seattle SuperSonics in exchange for a draft pick.[25] At midseason, they traded Jackson along with Clarence Weatherspoon to the Golden State Warriors in exchange for Joe Smith and Brian Shaw,[26] [27] [28] [29] while Cummings was dealt to the New York Knicks in exchange for Herb Williams, who was released by the 76ers, and re-signed with the Knicks.[30] [31] [32] [33] With a 14–31 record at the All-Star break,[34] the Sixers showed improvement posting a 17–20 record for the remainder of the season, finishing last place in the Atlantic Division with a 31–51 record, missing the playoffs for seven straight seasons.[35]

Second-year star Allen Iverson had a stellar season leading the team with 22.0 points, 6.2 assists and 2.2 steals per game, while Derrick Coleman provided the team with 17.6 points and 9.9 rebounds per game, but only played 59 games due to an irregular heartbeat, and an ankle injury,[36] [37] [38] and Thomas contributed 11.0 points per game, and was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team.[39] The start of the rebuilding of the franchise began with the acquisitions of Ratliff, McKie and Snow. These three players blended well with coach Brown's philosophy, and this would be the last season in which the Sixers missed the postseason until 2004. Following the season, Coleman signed as a free agent with the Charlotte Hornets,[40] [41] [42] [43] while Smith signed with the Minnesota Timberwolves,[44] [45] [46] and Shaw and Mark Davis were both released to free agency.

For the season, the Sixers revealed a new primary logo with the team name "76ers" in gold,[47] and changed their uniforms, replacing the red and blue colors with black and gold in their color scheme.[48] [49] The jerseys were slightly redesigned in 2000, while the logo remained in use until 2009.

Offseason

Draft picks

See main article: 1997 NBA draft.

RoundPickPlayerPositionNationalityCollege
12Keith Van HornSF/PFUniversity of Utah
233Marko MiličSG/SF
235Kebu StewartPFCalifornia State University, Bakersfield
236James CollinsSGFlorida State University

Regular season

Season standings

z - clinched division title

y - clinched division title

x - clinched playoff spot

° - did not make playoffs

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 —

Player statistics

Regular season

PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
14 0 14.1 .537 .633 3.8 .2 .3 .3 4.5
1 0 10.0 1.000 1.000 2.0 .0 2.0 .0 6.0
59 58 36.2 .411 .265 .772 9.9 2.5 .8 1.2 17.6
†44 2 14.9 .458 .000 .672 3.4 .5 .5 .1 5.3
†1 0 1.0 2.0 .0 .0 .0 .0
71 12 12.8 .447 .000 .634 2.2 1.0 .7 .3 4.0
80 80 39.4 .461 .298 .729 3.7 6.2 2.2 .3 22.0
†48 47 37.3 .460 .348 .818 4.7 4.6 .9 .1 13.7
†57 31 23.5 .347 .196 .688 2.9 2.4 1.4 .2 3.9
†20 20 16.9 .395 .368 4.6 .4 .4 .6 3.4
23 2 12.0 .381 .000 .875 .6 1.6 .3 .0 2.7
37 0 5.3 .397 .321 .650 .7 .5 .3 .1 1.9
†58 55 32.1 .512 .706 7.3 .7 .7 3.5 11.2
†20 2 25.1 .367 .250 .632 3.2 4.4 .7 .2 6.1
†30 6 23.3 .448 .000 .788 4.4 .9 .6 .4 10.3
†47 0 18.0 .429 .125 .721 1.6 3.5 1.3 .1 3.9
†22 22 34.0 .452 .348 .802 3.5 3.0 1.4 1.0 16.0
15 0 7.3 .462 .640 2.1 .1 .3 .1 2.7
77 48 23.1 .447 .363 .740 3.7 1.2 .7 .2 11.0
†19 0 6.7 .379 .214 1.000 .5 1.1 .3 .0 2.2
†48 18 26.9 .426 .707 7.0 .8 .9 1.1 8.4
58 7 13.8 .437 .000 .810 3.6 .5 .3 .4 4.1

Awards and records

See also

Notes and References

  1. https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/PHI/1998.html 1997-98 Philadelphia 76ers
  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 . December 1, 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: NBA Trade Sends No. 2 Pick Van Horn to New Jersey . Chicago Tribune . June 27, 1997 . June 22, 2023.
  8. News: Roberts . Selena . The Nets Decide the Future Can't Wait . The New York Times . June 28, 1997 . June 22, 2023.
  9. News: Staff and Wire Reports . Van Horn Finally on His Way to New Jersey in 76er Trade . Los Angeles Times . June 28, 1997 . June 22, 2023.
  10. News: Kepner . Tyler . Nets Get Van Horn from 76ers . The Washington Post . June 28, 1997 . June 22, 2023.
  11. News: Associated Press . Two Free Agents Sign . The New York Times . September 5, 1997 . June 29, 2022.
  12. News: Shapiro . Mark . 76ers Sign Cummings to 2-Year Deal . Chicago Tribune . September 5, 1997 . January 4, 2023.
  13. News: Staff and Wire Reports . NBA Referee Pleads Guilty to Filing False Tax Returns . Los Angeles Times . September 5, 1997 . January 13, 2023.
  14. News: Gardner . Kris . Tom Chambers Goes from Phoenix to Philly . The Houston Roundball Review . November 21, 1997 . January 4, 2023.
  15. News: Associated Press . Sixers Should Give Thanks for Trade They Didn't Make . Deseret News . November 29, 1997 . January 4, 2023.
  16. News: Associated Press . Chambers Retires from Sixers, Eyes Possible Post with Suns . Deseret News . December 12, 1997 . January 4, 2023.
  17. News: Associated Press . Larry Brown Meets with 76ers' Brass . The New York Times . May 3, 1997 . January 18, 2022.
  18. News: Associated Press . Brown Expected to Coach 76ers . Los Angeles Times . May 5, 1997 . September 17, 2022.
  19. News: Associated Press . Sixers Set to Hire Larry Brown as Next Head Coach . Deseret News . May 5, 1997 . September 25, 2023.
  20. News: Adande . J.A. . 76ers Hire Brown for 5 Years . The Washington Post . May 6, 1997 . January 4, 2023.
  21. News: Philadelphia 76ers Trade Guard Jerry Stackhouse and Center Eric Montross to the Detroit Pistons . Associated Press . December 18, 1997 . June 20, 2023.
  22. News: Associated Press . PRO BASKETBALL; 76ers Send Stackhouse and Montross to Pistons . The New York Times . December 19, 1997 . July 26, 2017.
  23. News: Associated Press . 76ers Give Up on Backcourt, Deal Stackhouse to Pistons . Los Angeles Times . December 19, 1997 . July 11, 2022.
  24. News: Stackhouse to Pistons . The Washington Post . December 19, 1997 . December 5, 2022.
  25. News: 76ers Get Snow from the Sonics . The Washington Post . January 19, 1998 . January 18, 2022.
  26. News: Warriors Trade Joe Smith to 76ers . Associated Press . February 17, 1998 . July 27, 2021.
  27. News: Associated Press . 76ers Acquire Smith from the Warriors . Los Angeles Times . February 18, 1998 . September 17, 2022.
  28. News: 76ers Obtain J. Smith in Four-Player Swap . The Washington Post . February 18, 1998 . December 5, 2022.
  29. 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.
  30. News: Roberts . Selena . PRO BASKETBALL; Knicks Add Cummings to Fill a Hole . The New York Times . February 20, 1998 . June 29, 2022.
  31. News: Associated Press . Smith Arrives Right on Time for 76ers' Loss . Los Angeles Times . February 20, 1998 . January 6, 2024.
  32. News: Smith . Sam . NBA's Rash of Trades Ends with Another Seikaly Deal . Chicago Tribune . February 20, 1998 . December 27, 2022.
  33. News: "Terrible" Pacers Struggle, But Beat 76ers . The Washington Post . February 20, 1998 . June 21, 2023.
  34. News: NBA Games Played on February 5, 1998 . Basketball-Reference . July 19, 2022.
  35. Web site: 1997–98 Philadelphia 76ers Schedule and Results. Basketball-Reference. June 28, 2021.
  36. News: Associated Press . Coleman Is Cleared, But He Won't Play Yet . Los Angeles Times . December 17, 1997 . February 2, 2023.
  37. News: Long . Ernie . Magic Thump Sixers Without Derrick Coleman; Philadelphia Has No Answer for the Orlando Frontcourt . The Morning Call . March 10, 1998 . November 19, 2022.
  38. News: Basketball Briefs . Deseret News . March 11, 1998 . November 19, 2022.
  39. Web site: 1997–98 Philadelphia 76ers Roster and Stats. Basketball-Reference. June 28, 2021.
  40. News: CBS News.com Staff . Hornets Pick Up Derrick Coleman . CBS News . January 16, 1999 . June 25, 2023.
  41. News: Report: Coleman to Sign with Hornets . United Press International . January 16, 1999 . December 12, 2022.
  42. News: Wise . Mike . BASKETBALL; Derrick Coleman Could Be the Next to Cash In . The New York Times . January 17, 1999 . October 13, 2021.
  43. News: Associated Press . Divac Is Out in Hornet Shuffle . Los Angeles Times . January 17, 1999 . September 17, 2022.
  44. News: Kawakami . Tim . Lakers Propose Deal for Gugliotta . Los Angeles Times . January 23, 1999 . November 16, 2022.
  45. News: NBA Transactions . The Washington Post . January 23, 1999 . January 30, 2023.
  46. News: Wise . Mike . PRO BASKETBALL; A Scrum for the Title . The New York Times . February 4, 1999 . June 28, 2022.
  47. News: Philadelphia 76ers Logo . Chris Creamer's Sports Logos Page - SportsLogos.Net. July 8, 2021.
  48. News: Philadelphia 76ers Uniform . Chris Creamer's Sports Logos Page - SportsLogos.Net . July 8, 2021.
  49. News: Philadelphia 76ers Uniform . Chris Creamer's Sports Logos Page - SportsLogos.Net . July 8, 2021.

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