1996–97 NBA season
The NBA 1996/97 season was the 51st season of the National Basketball Association. Therefore, the 50th anniversary was celebrated in the NBA this season and the team of the 50 best NBA players of all time was announced. This was also the debut season of Allen Iverson, Ray Allen, Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash and Jermaine O'Neal. At the end of the season the Chicago Bulls were 4-2 in the Finals against the Utah Jazz Master.
Season notes
- With a score of 69-13 missed the Chicago Bulls narrowly two seasons in succession to finish it with 70 victories, but still had so the second best record (along with the Los Angeles Lakers ) that has ever been achieved.
- The Philadelphia 76ers played their first season in the CoreStates Center (now the Wells Fargo Center )
- Allen Iverson was the first rookie, who made one after the other 40 points in five games.
Due to the renovation of the Oakland Arena, the Golden State Warriors wore their home games at the San Jose Arena (now in HP Pavilion renamed) from.
- Dennis Rodman was suspended for 11 games, as he had kicked a cameraman for the away game against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
- Through a three - point shot in the last second of John Stockton in Game 6 of the Western Conference finals, the Utah Jazz reached the finals for the first time.
- In Game 4 of the Western Conference Semifinals against the Los Angeles Lakers Karl Malone set a record, as he turned all of his 18 free throws. This record was later broken by Paul Pierce.
- After seven seasons, the Minnesota Timberwolves reached the playoffs for the first time, making them the last team of the NBA 's expansion in den1980er that reached the playoffs.
The other team then Miami, Orlando and Charlotte reached this season and the playoffs.
- The Atlanta Hawks played their last season in the Omni Coliseum.
- The season was the 50th anniversary of the NBA. Therefore, the teams wore mostly retro jerseys and the NBA logo on the shirts was adorned with gold. Furthermore, it was given at half time of the All- Star Games, the team of the 50 best NBA player ever known.
End figures
W = Wins, L = Losses, PCT = percentage share of victory, P = behind Division leaders
In parentheses are the rankings in the seedings of the respective Conference playoffs are listed.
Honors
- Most Valuable Player: Karl Malone, Utah Jazz
- Rookie of the Year: Allen Iverson, Philadelphia 76ers
- Defensive Player of the Year: Dikembe Mutombo, Atlanta Hawks
- Sixth Man of the Year: John Starks, New York Knicks
- Most Improved Player: Isaac Austin, Miami Heat
- Coach of the Year: Pat Riley, Miami Heat
- All- NBA First Team: F - Karl Malone, Utah Jazz
- F - Grant Hill, Detroit Pistons
- C - Hakeem Olajuwon, Houston Rockets
- G - Michael Jordan, Chicago Bulls
- G - Tim Hardaway Miami Heat
- F Scottie Pippen, Chicago Bulls
- F Glen Rice Charlotte Hornets
- C Patrick Ewing, New York Knicks
- G Gary Payton, Seattle Supersonics
- G Mitch Richmond, Sacramento Kings
- F Anthony Mason, Charlotte Hornets
- F Vin Baker Milwaukee Bucks
- C Shaquille O'Neal, Los Angeles Lakers
- G John Stockton, Utah Jazz
- G Anfernee Hardaway, Orlando Magic
- F Scottie Pippen, Chicago Bulls
- F Karl Malone, Utah Jazz
- C Dikembe Mutombo, Atlanta Hawks
- G Michael Jordan Chicago Bulls
- G Gary Payton, Seattle Supersonics
- F Anthony Mason, Charlotte Hornets
- F P. J. Brown, Miami Heat
- C Hakeem Olajuwon, Houston Rockets
- G Mookie Blaylock, Atlanta Hawks
- G John Stockton, Utah Jazz
- Shareef Abdur - Rahim, Vancouver Grizzlies
- Allen Iverson, Philadelphia 76ers
- Stephon Marbury, Minnesota Timberwolves
- Marcus Camby, Toronto Raptors
- Antoine Walker, Boston Celtics
- Kerry Kittles, New Jersey Nets
- Ray Allen, Milwaukee Bucks
- Travis Knight, Los Angeles Lakers
- Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers
- Matt Maloney, Houston Rockets
Play-offs
The first play-off round was played in best- of-five format. All other rounds were best- of-seven series. After seven years in the NBA, the Minnesota Timberwolves started for the first time in the postseason.