From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

1996–97  Portland Trail Blazers season
Head coach P. J. Carlesimo
Arena Rose Garden Arena
Results
Record49–33 (.598)
PlaceDivision: 3rd ( Pacific)
Conference: 5th ( Western)
Playoff finish West First Round
(lost to Lakers 1–3)
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
Television KGW
Fox Sports Northwest
Radio KEX
< 1995–96 1997–98 >

The 1996–97 NBA season was the 27th season for the Portland Trail Blazers in the National Basketball Association. [1] During the off-season, the Trail Blazers signed free agent Kenny Anderson, acquired Isaiah Rider from the Minnesota Timberwolves, [2] [3] [4] [5] and acquired second-year forward Rasheed Wallace and Mitchell Butler from the Washington Bullets. [6] [7] [8] [9] This season is also notable for the team drafting high school basketball star Jermaine O'Neal with the 17th overall pick in the 1996 NBA draft. [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] The Blazers would hover around .500 for most of the first half of the season, holding a 25–23 record at the All-Star break. [15] At midseason, the team traded Aaron McKie to the Detroit Pistons in exchange for Stacey Augmon. [16] [17] [18] [19] The Blazers then posted a 13–2 record in March, which included an 11-game winning streak, [20] then won their final four games of the season. The Blazers finished third in the Pacific Division, and fifth in the Western Conference with a 49–33 record. [21] Making their 15th straight trip to the postseason and 20th in 21 years. [22]

Anderson led the team with 17.5 points, 7.1 assists and 2.0 steals per game, while Rider finished second on the team in scoring with 16.1 points per game, and Clifford Robinson contributed 15.1 points per game. In addition, Wallace averaged 15.1 points and 6.8 rebounds per game, but only played 62 games due to a broken thumb, [23] [24] [25] while second-year center Arvydas Sabonis provided the team with 13.4 points and 7.9 rebounds per game. Off the bench, second-year forward Gary Trent provided with 10.8 points and 5.2 rebounds per game, and Chris Dudley contributed 7.3 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game. [26] Wallace also finished in third place in Most Improved Player voting. [27] [28] [29] The Trail Blazers had the seventh best team defensive rating in the NBA. [30]

The Blazers faced the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference First Round of the NBA Playoffs, and were defeated 1–3, marking the fifth straight year they were eliminated in the first round. [31] [32] [33] [34]

Following the season, head coach P. J. Carlesimo was fired after three seasons with the Blazers, [35] [36] [37] while Robinson signed as a free agent with the Phoenix Suns after eight seasons in Portland, [38] [39] [40] [41] Dudley was traded to the New York Knicks in a three-team trade, [42] [43] [44] and Butler signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Draft picks

Main article: 1996 NBA draft
Round Pick Player Position Nationality School/Club Team
1 17 Jermaine O'Neal PF/C   United States Eau Claire HS ( Columbia, SC)
2 46 Marcus Brown PG   United States Murray State

Roster

1996–97 Portland Trail Blazers roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB From
G 7 Anderson, Kenny 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 168 lb (76 kg) 1970–10–09 Georgia Tech
G/F 2 Augmon, Stacey 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 1968–08–01 UNLV
G 4 Brown, Marcus Injured 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1974–04–03 Murray State
G 6 Butler, Mitchell 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1970–12–15 UCLA
C 20 Dudley, Chris 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 235 lb (107 kg) 1965–02–22 Yale
F/C 5 O'Neal, Jermaine 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 226 lb (103 kg) 1978–10–13 Eau Claire HS (SC)
G 34 Rider, Isaiah 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1971–03–12 UNLV
F 3 Robinson, Clifford 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1966–12–16 Connecticut
G 21 Robinson, Rumeal 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1966–11–13 Michigan
C 11 Sabonis, Arvydas 7 ft 3 in (2.21 m) 279 lb (127 kg) 1964–12–19 Lithuania
F 33 Trent, Gary 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 250 lb (113 kg) 1974–09–22 Ohio
F 30 Wallace, Rasheed 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1974–09–17 North Carolina
G 8 Whatley, Ennis 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 177 lb (80 kg) 1962–08–11 Alabama
F 10 Wingfield, Dontonio 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 256 lb (116 kg) 1974–06–23 Cincinnati
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured Injured

Roster
Last transaction: {{{access-date}}}

Regular season

Season standings

Pacific Division
 W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y- Seattle SuperSonics 57 25 .695 – 31–10 26–15 16–8
x- Los Angeles Lakers 56 26 .683 1 31–10 25–16 18–6
x- Portland Trail Blazers 49 33 .598 8 29–12 20–21 15–9
x- Phoenix Suns 40 42 .488 17 25–16 15–26 13–11
x- Los Angeles Clippers 36 46 .439 21 21–20 15–26 10–14
Sacramento Kings 34 48 .415 23 22–19 12–29 8–16
Golden State Warriors 30 52 .366 27 18–23 12–29 4–20
1996–97 NBA West standings
#
Western Conference
Team W L PCT GB
1 c- Utah Jazz 64 18 .780 –
2 y- Seattle SuperSonics 57 25 .695 7
3 x- Houston Rockets 57 25 .695 7
4 x- Los Angeles Lakers 56 26 .683 8
5 x- Portland Trail Blazers 49 33 .598 15
6 x- Minnesota Timberwolves 40 42 .488 24
7 x- Phoenix Suns 40 42 .488 24
8 x- Los Angeles Clippers 36 46 .439 28
9 Sacramento Kings 34 48 .415 30
10 Golden State Warriors 30 52 .366 34
11 Dallas Mavericks 24 58 .293 40
12 Denver Nuggets 21 61 .256 43
13 San Antonio Spurs 20 62 .244 44
14 Vancouver Grizzlies 14 68 .171 50
z - clinched division title
y - clinched division title
x - clinched playoff spot

Record vs. opponents

1996-97 NBA Records
Team ATL BOS CHA CHI CLE DAL DEN DET GSW HOU IND LAC LAL MIA MIL MIN NJN NYK ORL PHI PHO POR SAC SAS SEA TOR UTA VAN WAS
Atlanta – 3–1 1–3 1–3 3–1 2–0 1–1 1–3 2–0 1–1 3–1 2–0 1–1 1–2 4–0 2–0 3–1 1–3 3–1 4–0 1–1 2–0 2–0 2–0 1–1 4–0 1–1 2–0 2–1
Boston 1–3 – 0–4 0–4 1–2 1–1 1–1 0–4 1–1 0–2 1–2 0–2 1–1 0–4 1–3 0–2 0–4 0–4 0–4 1–3 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 0–2 3–1 0–2 0–2 0–4
Charlotte 3–1 4–0 – 0–4 3–1 1–1 2–0 2–2 2–0 2–0 2–2 1–1 1–1 1–2 2–2 2–0 4–0 3–1 1–2 4–0 1–1 0–2 2–0 2–0 2–0 2–2 0–2 2–0 3–1
Chicago 3–1 4–0 4–0 – 3–1 2–0 2–0 3–1 2–0 1–1 4–0 2–0 1–1 2–2 4–0 2–0 3–1 2–2 3–0 4–0 2–0 2–0 2–0 2–0 2–0 3–1 1–1 2–0 2–1
Cleveland 1–3 2–1 1–3 1–3 – 2–0 1–1 2–2 1–1 0–2 3–1 2–0 1–1 0–4 2–2 2–0 4–0 1–3 2–2 3–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 0–2 0–2 3–1 1–1 2–0 1–3
Dallas 0–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–2 – 3–1 0–2 0–4 0–4 1–1 2–2 0–4 0–2 0–2 1–3 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–3 1–3 2–2 1–3 1–3 0–2 1–3 3–1 0–2
Denver 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–2 1–1 1–3 – 0–2 1–3 1–3 0–2 1–3 0–4 0–2 1–1 0–4 1–1 0–2 0–2 1–1 2–2 0–4 2–2 2–2 0–4 1–1 0–4 3–1 1–1
Detroit 3–1 4–0 2–2 1–3 2–2 2–0 2–0 – 2–0 1–1 3–1 2–0 1–1 0–4 3–1 2–0 4–0 1–2 2–2 2–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 3–1 1–1 2–0 4–0
Golden State 0–2 1–1 0–2 0–2 1–1 4–0 3–1 0–2 – 0–4 1–1 1–3 0–4 0–2 1–1 1–3 2–0 0–2 1–1 2–0 0–4 2–2 1–3 4–0 0–4 2–0 0–4 3–1 0–2
Houston 1–1 2–0 0–2 1–1 2–0 4–0 3–1 1–1 4–0 – 1–1 3–1 3–1 0–2 1–1 4–0 2–0 1–1 0–2 2–0 2–2 2–2 4–0 3–1 3–1 1–1 2–2 3–1 2–0
Indiana 1–3 2–1 2–2 0–4 1–3 1–1 2–0 1–3 1–1 1–1 – 2–0 1–1 1–3 2–2 2–0 2–2 1–3 1–3 3–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 4–0 0–2 2–0 1–3
L.A. Clippers 0–2 2–0 1–1 0–2 0–2 2–2 3–1 0–2 3–1 1–3 0–2 – 2–2 0–2 2–0 1–3 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 2–2 0–4 2–2 4–0 1–3 2–0 1–3 4–0 0–2
L.A. Lakers 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 4–0 4–0 1–1 4–0 1–3 1–1 2–2 – 1–1 2–0 3–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 4–0 1–3 4–0 2–2 3–1 1–1 1–3 4–0 2–0
Miami 2–1 4–0 2–1 2–2 4–0 2–0 2–0 4–0 2–0 2–0 3–1 2–0 1–1 – 4–0 1–1 3–1 1–3 2–2 3–1 2–0 1–1 2–0 2–0 0–2 3–1 0–2 2–0 3–1
Milwaukee 0–4 3–1 2–2 0–4 2–2 2–0 1–1 1–3 1–1 1–1 2–2 0–2 0–2 0–4 – 0–2 2–1 1–2 2–2 3–1 1–1 0–2 0–2 1–1 1–1 3–1 1–1 2–0 1–3
Minnesota 0–2 2–0 0–2 0–2 0–2 3–1 4–0 0–2 3–1 0–4 0–2 3–1 1–3 1–1 2–0 – 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 3–1 2–2 0–4 4–0 0–4 1–1 1–3 4–0 1–1
New Jersey 1–3 4–0 0–4 1–3 0–4 1–1 1–1 0–4 0–2 0–2 2–2 1–1 0–2 1–3 1–2 0–2 – 2–2 1–3 2–2 1–1 0–2 1–1 2–0 1–1 0–3 0–2 2–0 1–3
New York 3–1 4–0 1–3 2–2 3–1 1–1 2–0 2–1 2–0 1–1 3–1 2–0 1–1 3–1 2–1 1–1 2–2 – 3–1 3–2 1–1 1–1 2–0 2–0 0–2 3–0 1–1 2–0 4–0
Orlando 1–3 4–0 2–1 0–3 2–2 1–1 2–0 2–2 1–1 2–0 3–1 1–1 1–1 2–2 2–2 1–1 3–1 1–3 – 2–2 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 4–0 0–2 1–1 1–3
Philadelphia 0–4 3–1 0–4 0–4 0–3 0–2 1–1 1–2 0–2 0–2 0–3 1–1 0–2 1–3 1–3 1–1 2–2 2–3 2–2 – 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 0–2 1–3 0–2 2–0 1–3
Phoenix 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 3–1 2–2 2–0 4–0 2–2 1–1 2–2 0–4 0–2 1–1 1–3 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 – 1–3 4–0 3–1 2–2 0–2 1–3 2–2 1–1
Portland 0–2 1–1 2–0 0–2 1–1 3–1 4–0 1–1 2–2 2–2 1–1 4–0 3–1 1–1 2–0 2–2 2–0 1–1 0–2 1–1 3–1 – 2–2 4–0 1–3 0–2 2–2 4–0 0–2
Sacramento 0–2 2–0 0–2 0–2 0–2 2–2 2–2 1–1 3–1 0–4 1–1 2–2 0–4 0–2 2–0 4–0 1–1 0–2 1–1 2–0 0–4 2–2 – 3–1 1–3 1–1 0–4 4–0 0–2
San Antonio 0–2 1–1 0–2 0–2 2–0 3–1 2–2 0–2 0–4 1–3 1–1 0–4 2–2 0–2 1–1 0–4 0–2 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–3 0–4 1–3 – 0–4 1–1 1–3 1–3 0–2
Seattle 1–1 2–0 0–2 0–2 2–0 3–1 4–0 1–1 4–0 1–3 1–1 3–1 1–3 2–0 1–1 4–0 1–1 2–0 1–1 2–0 2–2 3–1 3–1 4–0 – 2–0 1–3 4–0 2–0
Toronto 0–4 1–3 2–2 1–3 1–3 2–0 1–1 1–3 0–2 1–1 0–4 0–2 1–1 1–3 1–3 1–1 3–0 0–3 0–4 3–1 2–0 2–0 1–1 1–1 0–2 – 1–1 1–1 2–2
Utah 1–1 2–0 2–0 1–1 1–1 3–1 4–0 1–1 4–0 2–2 2–0 3–1 3–1 2–0 1–1 3–1 2–0 1–1 2–0 2–0 3–1 2–2 4–0 3–1 3–1 1–1 – 4–0 2–0
Vancouver 0–2 2–0 0–2 0–2 0–2 1–3 1–3 0–2 1–3 1–3 0–2 0–4 0–4 0–2 0–2 0–4 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–2 2–2 0–4 0–4 3–1 0–4 1–1 0–4 – 1–1
Washington 1–2 4–0 1–3 1–2 3–1 2–0 1–1 0–4 2–0 0–2 3–1 2–0 0–2 1–3 3–1 1–1 3–1 0–4 3–1 3–1 1–1 2–0 2–0 2–0 0–2 2–2 0–2 1–1 —

Game log

Playoffs

1997 playoff game log
First round
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Series home_wins = 1 home_losses = 1 road_wins = 0 road_losses = 2

}}

1 April 25 @ L.A. Lakers L 77–95 Wallace, Sabonis (18) Chris Dudley (11) Isaiah Rider (5) Great Western Forum
17,505 		0–1
2 April 27 @ L.A. Lakers L 93–107 Rasheed Wallace (20) Clifford Robinson (10) Kenny Anderson (7) Great Western Forum
17,505 		0–2
3 April 30 L.A. Lakers W 98–90 Kenny Anderson (30) Chris Dudley (7) Kenny Anderson (5) Rose Garden
21,538 		1–2
4 May 2 L.A. Lakers L 91–95 Arvydas Sabonis (23) Arvydas Sabonis (10) Kenny Anderson (5) Rose Garden
21,538 		1–3
1997 schedule

Player statistics

Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field-goal percentage  3P%  3-point field-goal percentage  FT%  Free-throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game

NOTE: Please write the players statistics in alphabetical order by last name.

Season

Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG

Playoffs

Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG

Awards and records

Transactions

Trades

July 15, 1996 To Portland Trail Blazers
Mitchell Butler
Rasheed Wallace 		To Washington Bullets
Harvey Grant
Rod Strickland
July 23, 1996 To Portland Trail Blazers
Isaiah Rider 		To Minnesota Timberwolves
Bill Curley
James Robinson
1997 1st-round pick
January 24, 1997 To Portland Trail Blazers
Stacey Augmon 		To Detroit Pistons
Randolph Childress
Reggie Jordan
Aaron McKie

Free agents

Additions
Player Date signed Former team
Kenny Anderson July 23 Charlotte Hornets
Reggie Jordan August 30 Atlanta Hawks
Aleksandar Đorđević September 20 Fortitudo Bologna (Italy)
Ennis Whatley (10-day) January 24 Presto Tivolis (Philippines)
Ruben Nembhard (10-day) January 30 none
Rumeal Robinson (10-day) February 24 Connecticut Pride ( CBA)
Subtractions
Player Date signed New Team
Buck Williams July 23 New York Knicks
Rumeal Robinson signed with team later in season
Elmore Spencer Seattle SuperSonics
Jason Sasser October 16 Sioux Falls Skyforce ( CBA)
Aleksandar Đorđević December 27 FC Barcelona ( Spain)

Player Transactions Citation: [45]

References

  1. ^ 1996-97 Portland Trail Blazers
  2. ^ "Anderson Near Deal with Trail Blazers". The Washington Post. July 18, 1996. Retrieved December 3, 2022.
  3. ^ "SPORTS PEOPLE: PRO BASKETBALL; Rider, Then Anderson, Join the Trail Blazers". The New York Times. July 24, 1996. Retrieved January 1, 2022.
  4. ^ "Portland Gets Rider, Signs Anderson". Los Angeles Times. Staff and Wire Reports. July 24, 1996. Retrieved September 24, 2022.
  5. ^ "Rider, Anderson to Blazers". Tampa Bay Times. July 24, 1996. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
  6. ^ Bembry, Jerry (July 16, 1996). "Bullets Get Strickland, Grant from Trail Blazers; Washington Deals Wallace and Butler, Signs Murray; Rockets Get Brent Price". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved December 3, 2022.
  7. ^ Hall, Landon (July 16, 1996). "Blazers Send Strickland, Grant to Bullets for Wallace, Butler". Associated Press. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
  8. ^ "Blazers Trade Strickland to Bullets". Tampa Bay Times. July 16, 1996. Retrieved June 20, 2023.
  9. ^ Asher, Mark (July 22, 1996). "Strickland Decision Has Bullets on Hold". The Washington Post. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
  10. ^ Brown, Clifton (June 27, 1996). "PRO BASKETBALL; Big Trade and Some Twists in N.B.A. Youth Parade". The New York Times. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
  11. ^ Heisler, Mark (June 27, 1996). "The Surprises Are Few". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
  12. ^ Cotton, Anthony (June 27, 1996). "For 76ers, Iverson Is No. 1 Choice". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
  13. ^ Bembry, Jerry (June 27, 1996). "76ers Make Iverson the 1, Philadelphia Takes Georgetown Guard; Camby Goes Second". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  14. ^ "1996 NBA Draft". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved October 7, 2022.
  15. ^ "NBA Games Played on February 6, 1997". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved July 19, 2022.
  16. ^ "Blazers Obtain Augmon". The New York Times. Associated Press. January 25, 1997. Retrieved September 17, 2022.
  17. ^ "Winters Out in Vancouver; Augmon Traded to Portland". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. January 25, 1997. Retrieved July 17, 2021.
  18. ^ "Griz End Winters of Their Discontent". The Spokesman-Review. Wire Reports. January 25, 1997. Retrieved February 21, 2024.
  19. ^ "Basketball Briefs". Deseret News. January 25, 1997. Retrieved December 12, 2022.
  20. ^ "Trail Blazers 97, Bucks 78". United Press International. March 20, 1997. Retrieved June 28, 2022.
  21. ^ "1996–97 Portland Trail Blazers Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  22. ^ "Portland Trail Blazers". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 19, 2022.
  23. ^ "Wallace Breaks Thumb". The New York Times. December 25, 1996. Retrieved October 22, 2022.
  24. ^ "Trail Blazers Lose Wallace as Forward Breaks Thumb". Los Angeles Times. Staff and Wire Reports. December 25, 1996. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
  25. ^ Baker, Chris (January 21, 1997). "Clippers Tonight". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 10, 2022.
  26. ^ "1996–97 Portland Trail Blazers Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  27. ^ "Austin 'Most Improved'". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. May 4, 1997. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
  28. ^ "Sports Briefly". Deseret News. May 4, 1997. Retrieved February 2, 2023.
  29. ^ "1996–97 NBA Awards Voting". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 2, 2022.
  30. ^ "Teams Defense". NBA.com. Retrieved April 17, 2021.
  31. ^ "Lakers Bury Blazers with Free Throws". The New York Times. Associated Press. May 3, 1997. Retrieved June 3, 2022.
  32. ^ Howard-Cooper, Scott (May 3, 1997). "Lakers Go Fourth". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 13, 2022.
  33. ^ "Lakers 95, Trail Blazers 91". The Washington Post. May 3, 1997. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  34. ^ "1997 NBA Western Conference First Round: Trail Blazers vs. Lakers". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  35. ^ "Blazers Fire Carlesimo, Newspaper, Radio Station Report". Associated Press. May 8, 1997. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
  36. ^ "Trail Blazers Fire Too-Slow Carlesimo". Chicago Tribune. Tribune News Services. May 9, 1997. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  37. ^ "Dunleavy Named Blazers' Coach". The New York Times. Associated Press. May 14, 1997. Retrieved May 12, 2022.
  38. ^ "Robinson Joins Suns". The New York Times. Associated Press. August 26, 1997. Retrieved June 24, 2023.
  39. ^ "Robinson Takes Pay Cut to Sign with Suns". Los Angeles Times. Staff and Wire Reports. August 26, 1997. Retrieved July 17, 2022.
  40. ^ Thompson, Jack (August 26, 1997). "Suns Sign Clifford Robinson". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
  41. ^ "Parish Ends NBA Career After 21 Seasons and 1,611 Games". The Spokesman-Review. Wire Services. August 26, 1997. Retrieved December 3, 2022.
  42. ^ Shapiro, Mark (September 8, 1997). "Dudley's Trade to Knicks Approved". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
  43. ^ Sheridan, Chris (October 9, 1997). "Appeals Panel Clears Dudley Trade". Associated Press. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
  44. ^ Roberts, Selena (October 10, 1997). "PRO BASKETBALL; Knicks Finally Get Wish: Dudley". The New York Times. Retrieved October 7, 2022.
  45. ^ "1996–97 Portland Trail Blazers Transactions". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved July 3, 2021.
Retrieved from " https://en.wikipedia.org/?title=1996–97_Portland_Trail_Blazers_season&oldid=1209442194"