2007–08 NBA season explained

2007–08 NBA season
League:National Basketball Association
Sport:Basketball
Duration:October 30, 2007 – April 16, 2008
April 19 – May 30, 2008 (Playoffs)
June 5 – 17, 2008 (Finals)
No Of Games:82
No Of Teams:30
Tv:ABC, TNT, ESPN, NBA TV
Draft:Draft
Draft Link:2007 NBA draft
Top Pick:Greg Oden (did not play until 2008–09 season)
Top Pick Link:List of first overall NBA draft picks
Picked By:Portland Trail Blazers
Season:Regular season
Top Seed:Boston Celtics
Mvp:Kobe Bryant (L.A. Lakers)
Mvp Link:NBA Most Valuable Player Award
Top Scorer:LeBron James (Cleveland)
Top Scorer Link:List of National Basketball Association season scoring leaders
Playoffs:Playoffs
Playoffs Link:2008 NBA playoffs
Conf1:Eastern
Conf1 Link:Eastern Conference (NBA)
Conf1 Champ:Boston Celtics
Conf1 Runner-Up:Detroit Pistons
Conf2:Western
Conf2 Link:Western Conference (NBA)
Conf2 Champ:Los Angeles Lakers
Conf2 Runner-Up:San Antonio Spurs
Finals:Finals
Finals Link:2008 NBA Finals
Finals Champ:Boston Celtics
Finals Runner-Up:Los Angeles Lakers
Finals Mvp:Paul Pierce (Boston)
Finals Mvp Link:Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award
Seasonslist:List of NBA seasons
Seasonslistnames:NBA
Prevseason Link:2006–07 NBA season
Prevseason Year:2006–07
Nextseason Link:2008–09 NBA season
Nextseason Year:2008–09

The 2007–08 NBA season was the 62nd season of the National Basketball Association (NBA). The Boston Celtics defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 131–92 to win the 2008 NBA Finals, four games to two. The 2007 NBA draft was held on June 28, 2007 and Greg Oden was selected first overall by the Portland Trail Blazers. However, he missed the entire season due to knee surgery.[1]

This season was notable for being one of the most competitive Western Conference playoff races in NBA history. Up until April 4, 2008, not a single Western Conference team had secured a playoff spot, and the eighth-seeded team was a mere 6.5 games behind the first seed. Additionally, the quality of the teams ensured that the Golden State Warriors finished with the highest winning percentage of any non-playoff team in NBA history since the switch to the eight-team playoff format, beating out the 2000–01 Houston Rockets. This was later tied by the 2013–14 Phoenix Suns. The all-time record is held by the 1971–72 Phoenix Suns (49–33), which was during the four-team playoff era.

Notable occurrences

Coaching changes

Offseason
Team2006–07 coach2007–08 coach
Charlotte BobcatsBernie BickerstaffSam Vincent
Houston RocketsJeff Van GundyRick Adelman
Indiana PacersRick CarlisleJim O'Brien
Memphis GrizzliesTony BaroneMarc Iavaroni
Orlando MagicBrian HillStan Van Gundy
Sacramento KingsEric MusselmanReggie Theus
Seattle SuperSonicsBob HillP. J. Carlesimo
In-season
TeamOutgoing coachIncoming coach
Chicago BullsScott SkilesPete Myers
Pete MyersJim Boylan

2007–08 logo and uniform changes

Final standings

By division

Eastern Conference
Western Conference

By conference

Notes

Playoffs

See main article: 2008 NBA playoffs. Teams in bold advanced to the next round. The numbers to the left of each team indicate the team's seeding in its conference, and the numbers to the right indicate the number of games the team won in that round. The division champions are marked by an asterisk. Home-court advantage does not necessarily belong to the higher-seeded team, but instead the team with the better regular season record; teams enjoying the home advantage are shown in italics.

Statistics leaders

Category Player Team Stat
Points per game 30.0
Rebounds per game 14.2
Assists per game 11.6
Steals per game Chris Paul New Orleans Hornets 2.71
Blocks per game 3.61
Field goal percentage .626
Free throw percentage New Orleans Hornets .929
Three-point field goal percentage .483

NBA awards

Yearly awards

Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers[23]

Kevin Durant, Seattle SuperSonics[24]

Kevin Garnett, Boston Celtics[25]

Manu Ginóbili, San Antonio Spurs[26]

Hedo Türkoğlu, Orlando Magic[27]

Byron Scott, New Orleans Hornets[28]

Danny Ainge, Boston Celtics[29]

Grant Hill, Phoenix Suns[30]

Players of the week

The following players were named the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week.

WeekEastern ConferenceWestern Conferenceclass=unsortableRef.
Oct. 30 – Nov. 4 (Indiana Pacers) (1/1) (Houston Rockets) (1/2)
Nov. 5 – Nov. 11 (Boston Celtics) (1/3) (Houston Rockets) (1/1)
Nov. 12 – Nov. 18 (Orlando Magic) (1/2) (Denver Nuggets) (1/3)
Nov. 19 – Nov. 25 (Cleveland Cavaliers) (1/3) (San Antonio Spurs) (1/1)
Nov. 26 – Dec. 2 (Orlando Magic) (2/2) (Golden State Warriors) (1/1)
Dec. 3 – Dec. 9 (Atlanta Hawks) (1/1) (Portland Trail Blazers) (1/2)
Dec. 10 – Dec. 16 (Boston Celtics) (1/2) (Portland Trail Blazers) (2/2)
Dec. 17 – Dec. 23 (Atlanta Hawks) (1/2) (Denver Nuggets) (1/2)
Dec. 24 – Dec. 30 (Boston Celtics) (2/2) (New Orleans Hornets) (1/2)
Dec. 31 – Jan. 6 (Cleveland Cavaliers) (2/3) (Denver Nuggets) (2/3)
Jan. 7 – Jan. 13 (Toronto Raptors) (1/1) (Los Angeles Lakers) (1/3)
Jan. 14 – Jan. 20 (Charlotte Bobcats) (1/1) (Golden State Warriors) (1/1)
Jan. 21 – Jan. 27 (Orlando Magic) (1/2) (Minnesota Timberwolves) (1/1)
Jan. 28 – Feb. 3 (Orlando Magic) (2/2) (Sacramento Kings) (1/1)
Feb. 4 – Feb. 10 (Philadelphia 76ers) (1/2) (Phoenix Suns) (1/2)
Feb. 19 – Feb. 24 (Cleveland Cavaliers) (3/3) (San Antonio Spurs) (1/1)
Feb. 25 – Mar. 2 (Philadelphia 76ers) (2/2) (Los Angeles Lakers) (2/3)
Mar. 3 – Mar. 9 (Charlotte Bobcats) (1/2) (Houston Rockets) (2/2)
Mar. 10 – Mar. 16 (Washington Wizards) (1/1) (Phoenix Suns) (2/2)
Mar. 17 – Mar. 23 (Boston Celtics) (2/3) (New Orleans Hornets) (2/2)
Mar. 24 – Mar. 30 (Charlotte Bobcats) (2/2) (Denver Nuggets) (2/2)
Mar. 31 – Apr. 6 (Atlanta Hawks) (2/2) (Los Angeles Lakers) (3/3)
Apr. 7 – Apr. 13 (Boston Celtics) (3/3) (Denver Nuggets) (3/3)

Players of the month

The following players were named the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Month.

MonthEastern ConferenceWestern Conferenceclass=unsortableRef.
October – November (Orlando Magic) (1/2) (Utah Jazz) (1/1)
December (Orlando Magic) (2/2) (New Orleans Hornets) (1/2)
January (Cleveland Cavaliers) (1/2) (Houston Rockets) (1/1)
February (Cleveland Cavaliers) (2/2) (Los Angeles Lakers) (1/2)
March (Atlanta Hawks) (1/1) (New Orleans Hornets) (2/2)
April (Orlando Magic) (1/1) (Los Angeles Lakers) (2/2)

Rookies of the month

The following players were named the Eastern and Western Conference Rookies of the Month.

MonthEastern ConferenceWestern Conferenceclass=unsortableRef.
October – November (Atlanta Hawks) (1/3) (Seattle SuperSonics) (1/5)[34]
December (Milwaukee Bucks) (1/1) (Seattle SuperSonics) (2/5)[35]
January (Toronto Raptors) (1/1) (Seattle SuperSonics) (3/5)[36]
February (Atlanta Hawks) (2/3) (Houston Rockets) (1/1)[37]
March (Atlanta Hawks) (3/3) (Seattle SuperSonics) (4/5)[38]
April (Milwaukee Bucks) (1/1) (Seattle SuperSonics) (5/5)[39]

Coaches of the month

The following coaches were named the Eastern and Western Conference Coaches of the Month.

MonthEastern ConferenceWestern Conferenceclass=unsortableRef.
October – November (Boston Celtics) (1/3) (San Antonio Spurs) (1/1)
December (Detroit Pistons) (1/2) (Portland Trail Blazers) (1/1)
January (Cleveland Cavaliers) (1/1) (New Orleans Hornets) (1/1)
February (Detroit Pistons) (2/2) (Houston Rockets) (1/1)
March (Boston Celtics) (2/3) (Utah Jazz) (1/1)
April (Boston Celtics) (3/3) (Los Angeles Lakers) (1/1)

See also

Notes and References

  1. https://www.espn.com/nba/story?id=3018765 Top draft pick Greg Oden to miss rookie season with Trail Blazers
  2. https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=2936623 Jackson, Artest suspended following court pleas
  3. Web site: Orlando OKs venues; big hurdle awaits . 2007-10-27 . https://web.archive.org/web/20071113155829/http://www.orlandosentinel.com/community/news/downtown/orl-venues2407jul24,0,2226250.story?coll=orl_tab01_layout . 2007-11-13 . dead .
  4. News: Sonics tell NBA of intent to move SuperSonics to Oklahoma City . Associated Press . ESPN.com . 2007-11-03 . 2023-04-06.
  5. News: Kobe Bryant Reaches 20,000-Point Plateau. 2007-12-23. NBA. 2007-12-24. https://web.archive.org/web/20101231042720/http://www.nba.com/news/kbryant_20000_points.html. 2010-12-31. dead.
  6. News: Sports People: Chicago Bulls fire coach Scott Skiles . 2007-12-24 . . 2007-12-25 . https://web.archive.org/web/20071228064524/http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/cs-071224chicagobullsfirecoachscottskiles%2C0%2C6113811.story?coll=chi-site-nav . 2007-12-28 . dead .
  7. https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=3192421 Heat, Hawks to replay final minute of Dec. 19 game later this year
  8. http://www.nba.com/nba_news/replay_080304.html NBA Sets Guidelines for Heat-Hawks Replay
  9. https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=3226203 In dire need of frontcourt help, Lakers acquire Gasol from Grizzlies
  10. http://www.nba.com/suns/news/release_080206.html Suns trade Marion and Banks for O'Neal to the Heat
  11. Web site: HAWKS: Hawks Acquire Mike Bibby From Sacramento . 2008-02-17. https://web.archive.org/web/20080220061523/http://www.nba.com/hawks/news/Hawks_Acquire_Bibby_021608.html. 20 February 2008 . live.
  12. http://www.nba.com/mavericks/news/Kidd_trade_021908.html Mavs acquire Kidd from Nets
  13. http://www.nba.com/spurs/news/spurs_obtain_kurt_thomas_080220.html Duncan receives help, Spurs trade Elson and Barry for Thomas
  14. http://www.nba.com/bulls/news/hughes_gooden_080221.html three-way trade deal for Chicago, Cleveland, and Seattle
  15. http://www.nba.com/hornets/news/HORNETS_ACQUIRE_WELLS_AND_JAME-258879-31.html Hornets acquire Wells and James/Jackson reunited with Adelman
  16. https://www.espn.com/espn/wire?section=nba&id=3268130 James hits milestone but Cavaliers fall to Celtics 92–87
  17. Mark Murphy, C’s can do as they please – Stars sit, but team still clinches homecourt, Boston Herald, April 6, 2008.
  18. https://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=280405030No Big Three, but Celts still get top seed, complete NBA's biggest turnaround
  19. Lisa Brooks, Celtics: From Worst To First, ESPN.com, April 2, 2008.
  20. https://www.espn.com.au/nba/recap/_/gameId/280415001 Hawks fall short to Evans, Magic as postseason nears
  21. http://www.nba.com/heat/news/riley_spoelstra_080428.html Riley Steps Down, Spoelstra Named Head Coach
  22. http://www.nba.com/pistons/news/saunders_080603.html Flip Saunders Not To Return As Pistons’ Coach
  23. http://www.nba.com//news/kobe_mvp_080506.html Kobe Bryant Wins Most Valuable Player Award
  24. http://www.nba.com//nbatvaffiliates/durant_roy_080501.html Kevin Durant Named Rookie of the Year
  25. http://www.nba.com/news/garnett_defensive_080422.html Kevin Garnett Wins Kia Defensive Player of the Year
  26. http://www.nba.com/news/sixthman_080421.html Ginobili Wins 2007–08 Sixth Man of the Year Award Presented by Kia Motors
  27. http://www.nba.com/news/hedo_mip_080428.html Hedo Turkoglu Wins Most Improved Player Award
  28. http://www.nba.com/news/scott_coy_080428.html Byron Scott wins 2007–08 NBA Coach of the Year award
  29. http://www.nba.com//ainge_executive_080514.html Boston’s Danny Ainge Named 2007–08 NBA Executive of the Year
  30. http://www.nba.com/news/hill_sportsmanship_080425.html Suns’ Hill Wins 2007–08 NBA Sportsmanship Award
  31. http://www.nba.com/news/all_nba_080508.html MVP Kobe Bryant highlights All-NBA First team
  32. http://www.nba.com/news/defensive_team_080512.html Kobe, Garnett Headline All-Defensive Team
  33. http://www.nba.com/news/all_rookie_080513.html Durant, Horford Headline T-Mobile All-Rookie Team
  34. Web site: Horford, Durant Named Rookies of the Month. NBA . 2007-12-03. 2010-03-05.
  35. Web site: Yi, Durant Named Rookies of the Month. NBA . 2010-01-02 . 2010-03-05.
  36. Web site: Yi, Durant Named Rookies of the Month. NBA . 2010-02-01 . 2010-03-05.
  37. Web site: Al Horford, Luis Scola Named Rookies of the Month. NBA. 2010-03-03. 2010-03-05. https://web.archive.org/web/20101204122436/http://www.nba.com/2010/news/03/01/rookies.month/. 2010-12-04. dead.
  38. Web site: Horford, Durant Named T-Mobile Rookies of the Month. NBA Press Release . NBA . 2008-04-01 . 2009-03-05.
  39. Web site: Sessions, Durant Named T-Mobile Rookies of the Month. NBA Press Release . NBA . 2008-04-17 . 2009-03-05.