The 1996–97 NBA season was the Rockets' 30th season in the National Basketball Association, and 26th season in Houston.[1] During the off-season, the Rockets acquired All-Star forward Charles Barkley from the Phoenix Suns,[2][3][4][5][6] and signed free agents Kevin Willis,[7][8][9] Brent Price,[10][11] undrafted rookie guard Matt Maloney,[12] and re-signed former Rockets forward and three-point specialist Matt Bullard, who was a member of the championship team from the 1994 NBA Finals. The Rockets began the season with a 21–2 start, but later on struggled posting a six-game losing streak between January and February, and held a 32–16 record at the All-Star break.[13] At midseason, the team signed free agents Eddie Johnson and Sedale Threatt,[14][15] as the Rockets won 14 of their final 17 games, finishing second in the Midwest Division with a 57–25 record.[16]
1996–97 Houston Rockets season | |
---|---|
Head coach | Rudy Tomjanovich |
General manager | Carroll Dawson |
Owner(s) | Leslie Alexander |
Arena | The Summit |
Results | |
Record | 57–25 (.695) |
Place | Division: 2nd (Midwest) Conference: 3rd (Western) |
Playoff finish | Western Conference finals (lost to Jazz 2–4) |
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com | |
Local media | |
Television | |
Radio | KTRH |
Hakeem Olajuwon averaged 23.2 points, 9.2 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game, and was named to the All-NBA First Team, NBA All-Defensive Second Team, and finished in seventh place in Most Valuable Player voting,[17][18] while Barkley averaged 19.2 points and 13.5 rebounds per game, but only played 53 games due to ankle and hip injuries,[19][20][21][22] and Clyde Drexler provided the team with 18.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 1.9 steals per game, but only played 62 games due to a hamstring injury.[19][20][23] Olajuwon, Barkley, Drexler and head coach Rudy Tomjanovich all represented the Western Conference during the 1997 NBA All-Star Game.[24][25] However, Barkley and Drexler did not play due to injuries;[26][27][28][29] it was also the final All-Star selections for Olajuwon, Barkley and Drexler. In addition, Mario Elie contributed 11.7 points per game, while Willis provided with 11.2 points and 7.5 rebounds per game, and Maloney contributed 9.4 points per game, led the team with 154 three-point field goals, and was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team.[30]
In the Western Conference First Round of the playoffs, the Rockets swept the Minnesota Timberwolves in three straight games.[31][32][33][34] In the Western Conference Semi-finals, they jumped out to a 3–1 series lead over the Seattle SuperSonics.[35][36][37] However, the Sonics would win the next two games to even the series at three games a piece.[38][39][40] The Rockets would win Game 7 and advanced to the Western Conference finals,[41][42][43][44] where they faced regular season MVP Karl Malone, John Stockton and the Utah Jazz. The Jazz won the first two games at home,[45][46][47] but the Rockets would even the series at two games a piece as Johnson hit a three-point buzzer beater to win Game 4, 95–92 at home.[48][49][50] However, the Rockets would lose to the Jazz in six games.[51][52][53][54] The Jazz lost in the NBA Finals to the defending champion Chicago Bulls in six games.[55][56][57][58][59]
Following the season, Threatt retired and three-point specialist Sam Mack was traded to the Vancouver Grizzlies.[60][61] The Rockets did not reach the conference finals again until 2015, where they were defeated by the Golden State Warriors in five games.[citation needed]
Offseason
editDuring the 1996 offseason, Charles Barkley was traded from the Phoenix Suns in exchange for Sam Cassell, Robert Horry, Mark Bryant, and Chucky Brown. Barkley chose Houston specifically because he hoped to win an NBA Championship with the team.
Draft picks
editRound | Pick | Player | Position | Nationality | College |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2 | 30 | Othella Harrington | PF/C | United States | Georgetown |
2 | 42 | Randy Livingston | SG/PG | United States | LSU |
2 | 50 | Terrell Bell | C | United States | Georgia |
Roster
editPlayers | Coaches | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Regular season
editIn his first game with the Houston Rockets, Charles Barkley got 33 rebounds, a career high.[62]
Season standings
editW | L | PCT | GB | Home | Road | Div | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
y-Utah Jazz | 64 | 18 | .780 | – | 38–3 | 26–15 | 19–5 |
x-Houston Rockets | 57 | 25 | .695 | 7 | 30–11 | 27–14 | 19–5 |
x-Minnesota Timberwolves | 40 | 42 | .488 | 24 | 25–16 | 15–26 | 16–8 |
Dallas Mavericks | 24 | 58 | .293 | 40 | 14–27 | 10–31 | 9–15 |
Denver Nuggets | 21 | 61 | .256 | 43 | 12–29 | 9–32 | 7–17 |
San Antonio Spurs | 20 | 62 | .244 | 44 | 12–29 | 8–33 | 8–16 |
Vancouver Grizzlies | 14 | 68 | .171 | 50 | 8–33 | 6–35 | 6–18 |
# | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
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 |
- c – clinched conference title
- y – clinched division title
- x – clinched playoff spot
Record vs. opponents
edit1996–97 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
editGame | Date | Opponent | Result | Team points | Opponent score | Record | Streak | OT |
1 | November 1 | vs Sacramento | Win | 96 | 85 | 1-0 | Won 1 | |
2 | November 2 | at Phoenix | Win | 110 | 95 | 2-0 | Won 2 | |
3 | November 4 | at Utah | Win | 75 | 72 | 3-0 | Won 3 | |
4 | November 5 | at Sacramento | Win | 102 | 80 | 4-0 | Won 4 | |
5 | November 7 | at Denver | Win | 110 | 108 | 5-0 | Won 5 | OT |
6 | November 9 | vs Utah | Win | 91 | 85 | 6-0 | Won 6 | |
7 | November 12 | vs LA Lakers | Loss | 115 | 126 | 6-1 | Lost 1 | 2OT |
8 | November 14 | vs Indiana | Win | 90 | 88 | 7-1 | Won 1 | |
9 | November 16 | vs Golden State | Win | 115 | 103 | 8-1 | Won 2 | |
10 | November 19 | vs Minnesota | Win | 122 | 93 | 9-1 | Won 3 | |
11 | November 21 | vs Phoenix | Win | 115 | 105 | 10-1 | Won 4 | |
12 | November 23 | at Golden State | Win | 120 | 115 | 11-1 | Won 5 | OT |
13 | November 24 | at LA Lakers | Win | 90 | 85 | 12-1 | Won 6 | |
14 | November 26 | vs Portland | Win | 102 | 101 | 13-1 | Won 7 | OT |
15 | November 29 | at Boston | Win | 120 | 94 | 14-1 | Won 8 | |
16 | November 30 | at Washington | Win | 103 | 99 | 15-1 | Won 9 | |
17 | December 2 | at Toronto | Loss | 89 | 100 | 15-2 | Lost 1 | |
18 | December 4 | vs Boston | Win | 94 | 89 | 16-2 | Won 1 | |
19 | December 7 | vs Philadelphia | Win | 123 | 108 | 17-2 | Won 2 | |
20 | December 10 | at Minnesota | Win | 96 | 94 | 18-2 | Won 3 | |
21 | December 12 | vs Detroit | Win | 115 | 96 | 19-2 | Won 4 | |
22 | December 14 | at Seattle | Win | 109 | 100 | 20-2 | Won 5 | |
23 | December 15 | at Portland | Win | 99 | 89 | 21-2 | Won 6 | |
24 | December 17 | at Vancouver | Loss | 92 | 93 | 21-3 | Lost 1 | |
25 | December 19 | vs San Antonio | Loss | 101 | 115 | 21-4 | Lost 2 | |
26 | December 21 | vs Miami | Loss | 66 | 86 | 21-5 | Lost 3 | |
27 | December 23 | vs Milwaukee | Loss | 76 | 81 | 21-6 | Lost 4 | |
28 | December 26 | at Milwaukee | Win | 101 | 90 | 22-6 | Won 1 | |
29 | December 28 | vs Golden State | Win | 104 | 95 | 23-6 | Won 2 | |
30 | December 30 | vs Seattle | Win | 99 | 91 | 24-6 | Won 3 | |
31 | January 2 | vs Portland | Loss | 96 | 112 | 24-7 | Lost 1 | |
32 | January 4 | vs LA Clippers | Loss | 91 | 95 | 24-8 | Lost 2 | |
33 | January 7 | at Minnesota | Win | 104 | 95 | 25-8 | Won 1 | |
34 | January 8 | at Cleveland | Win | 81 | 78 | 26-8 | Won 2 | |
35 | January 10 | at Philadelphia | Win | 120 | 99 | 27-8 | Won 3 | |
36 | January 11 | at Chicago | Loss | 86 | 110 | 27-9 | Lost 1 | |
37 | January 14 | vs New York | Win | 106 | 86 | 28-9 | Won 1 | |
38 | January 16 | vs Sacramento | Win | 89 | 80 | 29-9 | Won 2 | |
39 | January 17 | at Dallas | Win | 88 | 78 | 30-9 | Won 3 | |
40 | January 19 | vs Chicago | Win | 102 | 86 | 31-9 | Won 4 | |
41 | January 21 | at Charlotte | Loss | 108 | 114 | 31-10 | Lost 1 | |
42 | January 23 | vs New Jersey | Win | 111 | 104 | 32-10 | Won 1 | |
43 | January 25 | vs Utah | Loss | 100 | 105 | 32-11 | Lost 1 | OT |
44 | January 30 | vs Denver | Loss | 109 | 113 | 32-12 | Lost 2 | |
45 | January 31 | at Indiana | Loss | 74 | 100 | 32-13 | Lost 3 | |
46 | February 2 | at Orlando | Loss | 90 | 103 | 32-14 | Lost 4 | |
47 | February 4 | at New York | Loss | 95 | 99 | 32-15 | Lost 5 | |
48 | February 6 | at Detroit | Loss | 87 | 96 | 32-16 | Lost 6 | |
49 | February 11 | vs Vancouver | Win | 106 | 97 | 33-16 | Won 1 | |
50 | February 14 | at Seattle | Loss | 85 | 105 | 33-17 | Lost 1 | |
51 | February 15 | at Portland | Loss | 105 | 109 | 33-18 | Lost 2 | |
52 | February 17 | vs Atlanta | Win | 127 | 98 | 34-18 | Won 1 | |
53 | February 20 | vs Toronto | Win | 107 | 97 | 35-18 | Won 2 | |
54 | February 21 | at Atlanta | Loss | 74 | 76 | 35-19 | Lost 1 | |
55 | February 23 | vs San Antonio | Win | 95 | 85 | 36-19 | Won 1 | |
56 | February 25 | vs LA Lakers | Win | 100 | 96 | 37-19 | Won 2 | |
57 | February 27 | vs Charlotte | Loss | 95 | 106 | 37-20 | Lost 1 | |
58 | March 1 | vs Dallas | Win | 89 | 80 | 38-20 | Won 1 | |
59 | March 4 | at LA Clippers | Win | 113 | 109 | 39-20 | Won 2 | |
60 | March 5 | at Golden State | Win | 90 | 85 | 40-20 | Won 3 | |
61 | March 7 | at LA Lakers | Win | 111 | 90 | 41-20 | Won 4 | |
62 | March 9 | at Dallas | Win | 88 | 83 | 42-20 | Won 5 | |
63 | March 11 | at San Antonio | Win | 103 | 79 | 43-20 | Won 6 | |
64 | March 12 | vs Orlando | Loss | 95 | 96 | 43-21 | Lost 1 | |
65 | March 16 | at Miami | Loss | 80 | 101 | 43-22 | Lost 2 | |
66 | March 18 | at New Jersey | Win | 97 | 89 | 44-22 | Won 1 | |
67 | March 20 | vs Washington | Win | 96 | 90 | 45-22 | Won 2 | |
68 | March 22 | vs Phoenix | Loss | 99 | 104 | 45-23 | Lost 1 | |
69 | March 25 | vs Minnesota | Win | 112 | 103 | 46-23 | Won 1 | |
70 | March 27 | vs Cleveland | Win | 107 | 89 | 47-23 | Won 2 | |
71 | March 29 | vs Denver | Win | 120 | 105 | 48-23 | Won 3 | |
72 | April 1 | at Denver | Win | 116 | 99 | 49-23 | Won 4 | |
73 | April 2 | at Phoenix | Loss | 96 | 109 | 49-24 | Lost 1 | |
74 | April 4 | at Sacramento | Win | 108 | 94 | 50-24 | Won 1 | |
75 | April 6 | at Vancouver | Win | 94 | 85 | 51-24 | Won 2 | |
76 | April 8 | at LA Clippers | Win | 127 | 117 | 52-24 | Won 3 | |
77 | April 10 | vs Vancouver | Win | 102 | 94 | 53-24 | Won 4 | |
78 | April 11 | at Utah | Loss | 83 | 104 | 53-25 | Lost 1 | |
79 | April 13 | vs Seattle | Win | 113 | 73 | 54-25 | Won 1 | |
80 | April 15 | vs LA Clippers | Win | 123 | 119 | 55-25 | Won 2 | |
81 | April 18 | vs Dallas | Win | 112 | 102 | 56-25 | Won 3 | OT |
82 | April 20 | at San Antonio | Win | 103 | 99 | 57-25 | Won 4 |
Playoffs
edit1997 playoff game log | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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First Round: 3–0 (home: 2–0; road: 1–0)
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Conference semifinals: 4–3 (home: 2–2; road: 2–1)
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Conference finals: 2–4 (home: 2–1; road: 0–3)
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1997 schedule |
Player statistics
editGP | 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
editPlayer | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3FG% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Charles Barkley | 53 | 53 | 37.9 | .484 | .283 | .694 | 13.5 | 4.7 | 1.3 | .5 | 19.2 |
Elmer Bennett† | 4 | 0 | 4.0 | .333 | .333 | .833 | .3 | 1.0 | .5 | .0 | 2.5 |
Matt Bullard | 71 | 12 | 14.4 | .401 | .366 | .735 | 1.6 | .9 | .3 | .3 | 4.5 |
Emanual Davis | 13 | 0 | 17.7 | .444 | .444 | .625 | 1.7 | 2.0 | .7 | .2 | 5.0 |
Clyde Drexler | 62 | 62 | 36.6 | .442 | .355 | .750 | 6.0 | 5.7 | 1.9 | .6 | 18.0 |
Mario Elie | 78 | 77 | 34.4 | .497 | .420 | .896 | 3.0 | 4.0 | 1.2 | .2 | 11.7 |
Othella Harrington | 57 | 1 | 15.1 | .549 | .000 | .605 | 3.5 | .3 | .2 | .4 | 4.8 |
Eddie Johnson† | 24 | 2 | 25.3 | .447 | .388 | .854 | 4.1 | 1.5 | .4 | .0 | 11.5 |
Charles Jones | 12 | 0 | 7.8 | .400 | 1.1 | .3 | .2 | .3 | .3 | ||
Randy Livingston | 64 | 0 | 15.3 | .437 | .409 | .646 | 1.5 | 2.4 | .6 | .2 | 3.9 |
Sam Mack | 52 | 10 | 17.4 | .401 | .331 | .833 | 2.0 | 1.1 | .6 | .1 | 5.6 |
Matt Maloney | 82 | 82 | 29.1 | .441 | .404 | .763 | 2.0 | 3.7 | 1.0 | .0 | 9.4 |
Tracy Moore | 27 | 1 | 8.8 | .388 | .256 | .710 | 1.0 | .7 | .2 | .0 | 3.7 |
Hakeem Olajuwon | 78 | 78 | 36.6 | .510 | .313 | .787 | 9.2 | 3.0 | 1.5 | 2.2 | 23.2 |
Brent Price | 25 | 0 | 15.6 | .419 | .321 | 1.000 | 1.2 | 2.6 | .7 | .0 | 5.0 |
Joe Stephens | 2 | 0 | 4.5 | .200 | .333 | 1.5 | .0 | 1.5 | .0 | 1.5 | |
Sedale Threatt | 21 | 0 | 15.9 | .378 | .400 | .750 | 1.1 | 1.9 | .7 | .1 | 3.3 |
Kevin Willis | 75 | 32 | 26.2 | .481 | .143 | .693 | 7.5 | .9 | .6 | .4 | 11.2 |
Playoffs
editPlayer | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3FG% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Charles Barkley | 16 | 16 | 37.8 | .434 | .289 | .769 | 12.0 | 3.4 | 1.2 | .4 | 17.9 |
Matt Bullard | 2 | 0 | 3.5 | 1.000 | 1.000 | 1.0 | .0 | .0 | .0 | 3.0 | |
Clyde Drexler | 16 | 16 | 38.9 | .436 | .373 | .778 | 5.6 | 4.8 | 1.6 | .4 | 18.1 |
Mario Elie | 16 | 16 | 37.4 | .466 | .400 | .839 | 3.5 | 3.8 | .9 | .3 | 11.5 |
Othella Harrington | 7 | 0 | 2.1 | .500 | .700 | .6 | .0 | .0 | .0 | 1.3 | |
Eddie Johnson | 16 | 0 | 17.8 | .410 | .298 | .958 | 2.3 | .6 | .3 | .0 | 8.3 |
Charles Jones | 1 | 0 | 2.0 | .0 | 1.0 | .0 | .0 | .0 | |||
Randy Livingston | 2 | 0 | 7.5 | .250 | 1.000 | .0 | 2.0 | .5 | .0 | 1.5 | |
Matt Maloney | 16 | 16 | 32.9 | .399 | .398 | .667 | 1.2 | 3.1 | .6 | .2 | 11.2 |
Hakeem Olajuwon | 16 | 16 | 39.3 | .590 | .000 | .731 | 10.9 | 3.4 | 2.1 | 2.6 | 23.1 |
Sedale Threatt | 16 | 0 | 16.6 | .393 | .300 | .750 | 1.1 | 3.0 | .4 | .3 | 3.7 |
Kevin Willis | 16 | 0 | 18.4 | .400 | .000 | .684 | 4.7 | .7 | .6 | .3 | 6.4 |
Awards and records
editAwards
edit- Hakeem Olajuwon, All-NBA First Team
- Hakeem Olajuwon, NBA All-Defensive Second Team
- Matt Maloney, NBA All-Rookie Team 2nd Team
Records
editTransactions
editTrades
editAugust 19, 1996 | To Houston Rockets Charles Barkley |
To Phoenix Suns Robert Horry Sam Cassell Mark Bryant Chucky Brown |
Free agents
editPlayer Transactions Citation:[63]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ 1996-97 Houston Rockets
- ^ "Barkley Confirms His Trade to Rockets". The New York Times. Associated Press. August 19, 1996. Retrieved February 28, 2017.
- ^ "Suns Unload Barkley, Get Four Players from Rockets". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. August 19, 1996. Retrieved May 15, 2022.
- ^ "Barkley Traded to the Rockets". The Washington Post. August 19, 1996. Retrieved December 3, 2022.
- ^ Sharpio, Mark (August 19, 1996). "Rockets to Trade 4 for Barkley". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved June 29, 2022.
- ^ "Rockets Make Barkley Feel All Warm and Fuzzy". Deseret News. Associated Press. August 20, 1996. Retrieved June 20, 2023.
- ^ Howard-Cooper, Scott (August 19, 1996). "With Barkley, Rockets Have Twin Power". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 24, 2022.
- ^ Graczyk, Michael (August 20, 1996). "Barkley Gets His Wish: He's on the Rockets". Associated Press. Retrieved December 30, 2021.
- ^ Heisler, Mark (October 31, 1996). "NBA Preview". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
- ^ "Hawks Sign Mutombo, Trade Augmon, Long". Tampa Bay Times. July 16, 1996. Retrieved June 20, 2023.
- ^ "Rockets Sign Free Agent G Brent Price". United Press International. July 16, 1996. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
- ^ Lanman, Scott (October 3, 1996). "Maloney Signs with Rockets". The Daily Pennsylvanian. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
- ^ "NBA Games Played on February 6, 1997". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved July 19, 2022.
- ^ "Foot Injury Sidelines Bulls' Kukoc". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. March 4, 1997. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
- ^ Roberts, Selena (May 24, 1997). "Johnson Gives Rockets a Boost from the Bench". The New York Times. Retrieved January 2, 2022.
- ^ "1996–97 Houston Rockets Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
- ^ Kawakami, Tim (May 19, 1997). "MVP: Malone, the Standout Jazz Forward Known as Mailman, Edges Jordan in the Voting to Earn Stamp of Greatness". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 24, 2022.
- ^ "1996–97 NBA Awards Voting". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 2, 2022.
- ^ a b "Barkley and Drexler Are Injured". The New York Times. Associated Press. January 29, 1997. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
- ^ a b "Injuries Cast Pall on Rockets". The Spokesman-Review. Associated Press. January 29, 1997. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
- ^ "Barkley Is Latest Casualty". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. March 2, 1997. Retrieved April 4, 2023.
- ^ "Rockets Unsure When Barkley Can Return". United Press International. March 25, 1997. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
- ^ "Rockets' Drexler Re-Injures Hamstring". United Press International. February 5, 1997. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
- ^ "1997 NBA All-Star Recap". NBA.com. NBA.com Staff. September 13, 2021. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
- ^ "1997 NBA All-Star Game: East 132, West 120". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved October 13, 2021.
- ^ Brown, Clifton (February 6, 1997). "Ewing, Still Injured, Quits All-Star Roster". The New York Times. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
- ^ "Mourning Latest All-Star Casualty; Dumars on Team". Chicago Tribune. Tribune News Services. February 7, 1997. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
- ^ Jorgensen, Loren (February 8, 1997). "No Offense, But Malone Would Rather Be Home". Deseret News. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
- ^ Fry, Darrell (February 8, 1997). "On to the Next Stage". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
- ^ "1996–97 Houston Rockets Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
- ^ "Rockets Eliminate Wolves; Suns Take Lead Over Sonics". Chicago Tribune. Tribune News Services. April 30, 1997. Retrieved June 3, 2022.
- ^ "Houston Moves On; Orlando Stays Alive". Deseret News. Associated Press. April 30, 1997. Retrieved July 2, 2021.
- ^ "1997 NBA Western Conference First Round Game 3: Houston Rockets at Minnesota Timberwolves Box Score, April 29, 1997". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
- ^ "1997 NBA Western Conference First Round: Timberwolves vs. Rockets". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
- ^ "Rockets Are Almost Home Free After Overtime Victory". The New York Times. Associated Press. May 12, 1997. Retrieved January 19, 2022.
- ^ Adande, J.A. (May 12, 1997). "Rockets 110, SuperSonics 106". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
- ^ "After Blowing Lead, Rockets Get OT Victory". Deseret News. Associated Press. May 12, 1997. Retrieved February 24, 2023.
- ^ Friend, Tom (May 16, 1997). "Fisticuffs Fever Spreads to Seattle". The New York Times. Retrieved January 19, 2022.
- ^ "It Gets Worse for Rockets". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. May 16, 1997. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
- ^ "SuperSonics 99, Rockets 96". The Washington Post. May 16, 1997. Retrieved February 24, 2023.
- ^ Howe Verhovek, Sam (May 18, 1997). "Barkley Closer to Goal as Rockets Move Ahead". The New York Times. Retrieved May 13, 2022.
- ^ "Rockets Survive SuperSonic Scare". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. May 18, 1997. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
- ^ Shipley, Amy (May 18, 1997). "Rockets K.O. Sonics in Game 7, 96-91". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
- ^ "1997 NBA Western Conference Semifinals: SuperSonics vs. Rockets". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
- ^ Sheridan, Chris (May 21, 1997). "Jazz 104, Rockets 92". Associated Press. Retrieved February 24, 2023.
- ^ Friend, Tom (May 22, 1997). "Jazz No-Names Introduce Themselves to Rockets". The New York Times. Retrieved January 18, 2022.
- ^ Howard-Cooper, Scott (May 22, 1997). "Rockets Bruised, Battered by Jazz". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
- ^ Sheridan, Chris (May 25, 1997). "Rockets 95, Jazz 92". Associated Press. Retrieved February 24, 2023.
- ^ Roberts, Selena (May 26, 1997). "A Bolt of 0.2-Second Lightning in Houston". The New York Times. Retrieved May 13, 2022.
- ^ Howard-Cooper, Scott (May 26, 1997). "Rockets Are No Longer a Longshot". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
- ^ Friend, Tom (May 30, 1997). "Stockton Sends Jazz to Finals at Last Second". The New York Times. Retrieved July 24, 2017.
- ^ Howard-Cooper, Scott (May 30, 1997). "Jazz Toots Its Own Horn, Now Gets to Face the Music". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
- ^ Jorgensen, Loren (May 30, 1997). "Clyde Ticked at Pick, Says He Was 'Hugged'". Deseret News. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
- ^ "1997 NBA Western Conference Finals: Rockets vs. Jazz". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
- ^ Wise, Mike (June 14, 1997). "A Fistful of Rings: Bulls Grab Fifth Title of 90's". The New York Times. Retrieved June 4, 2022.
- ^ Howard-Cooper, Scott (June 14, 1997). "Bulls Get Fifth Element". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 25, 2022.
- ^ Johnson, K.C. (June 16, 1997). "Bulls Got There, Because They'd Been There". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved June 4, 2022.
- ^ Benson, Lee (June 14, 1997). "Chicago Heartbreaker". Deseret News. Retrieved December 12, 2022.
- ^ "1997 NBA Finals: Jazz vs. Bulls". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
- ^ "Grizzlies Acquire Massenburg, Mack". Associated Press. October 28, 1997. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
- ^ Gardner, Kris (October 28, 1997). "Two Minor Deals Completed on October 28, 1997". The Houston Roundball Review. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
- ^ Ferraro, Michael X.; Veneziano, John (2007). Numbelievable!. Chicago: Triumph Books. p. 101. ISBN 978-1-57243-990-0.
- ^ "1996–97 Houston Rockets Transactions". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 1, 2022.