1996–97 Dallas Mavericks season

1996–97 Dallas Mavericks season
Head coachJim Cleamons
General manager
  • Frank Zaccanelli (through February 7, 1997)
  • Don Nelson (after February 7, 1997)
OwnerRoss Perot Jr.
ArenaReunion Arena
Results
Record24–58 (.293)
PlaceDivision: 4th (Midwest)
Conference: 11th (Western)
Playoff finishDid not qualify
Stats at Basketball Reference
Local media
TelevisionKXTX-TV
Fox Sports Southwest
RadioWBAP

The 1996–97 Dallas Mavericks season was the 17th season for the Dallas Mavericks in the National Basketball Association.[1] The Mavericks received the ninth overall pick in the 1996 NBA draft, and selected power forward Samaki Walker from the University of Louisville.[2][3][4] During the off-season, the team signed free agents Chris Gatling,[5][6][7] Oliver Miller,[8][9] and former Mavericks guard Derek Harper,[10][11][12] acquired Eric Montross from the Boston Celtics,[13][14][15] and signed undrafted rookie point guard Erick Strickland. The team also hired Jim Cleamons as their new head coach.[16][17]

Under Cleamons, and with the addition of Gatling, Harper, Montross, Miller and Walker, the Mavericks continued to struggle losing 10 of their first 14 games of the regular season in November. In late December, the team traded All-Star guard Jason Kidd, Tony Dumas, and second-year center Loren Meyer to the Phoenix Suns in exchange for second-year star Michael Finley, Sam Cassell and A.C. Green.[18][19][20] The Mavericks lost 11 of their 15 games in January, and later on held a 16–28 record at the All-Star break.[21]

Gatling played a sixth man role off the bench, averaging 19.1 points and 7.9 rebounds per game during the first half of the season.[22] At mid-season, the Mavericks traded Gatling, Cassell, Montross, Jim Jackson and George McCloud to the New Jersey Nets in exchange for Shawn Bradley, Robert Pack, Khalid Reeves and second-year forward Ed O'Bannon;[23][24][25] the team also traded Jamal Mashburn to the Miami Heat in exchange for second-year guard Sasha Danilovic, second-year forward Kurt Thomas, and rookie power forward Martin Muursepp,[26][27][28] while Miller was released to free agency, and re-signed as a free agent with his former team, the Toronto Raptors.[29][30] In February, former Milwaukee Bucks and Golden State Warriors head coach Don Nelson became the team's General Manager.[31][32][33] The Mavericks posted a seven-game losing streak between February and March, then suffered an 11-game losing streak between March and April, and lost 16 of their final 18 games of the season. The Mavericks finished in fourth place in the Midwest Division with a 24–58 record, and missed the NBA playoffs for the seventh consecutive year.[34]

For the players who were acquired in trades during the regular season, Finley averaged 15.6 points per game in 56 games with the Mavericks, while Bradley averaged 14.6 points, 8.7 rebounds and 2.7 blocks per game in 32 games, Pack contributed 11.5 points, 6.4 assists and 1.8 steals per game in 20 games, and Green contributed 7.9 points and 9.1 rebounds per game in 56 games. In addition, for the players who spent the entire season with the Mavericks this season, Harper provided with 10.0 points and 4.3 assists per game, and Strickland contributed 10.6 points per game in only just 28 games.[22]

During the NBA All-Star weekend at the Gund Arena in Cleveland, Ohio, and before the mid-season trade, Gatling was selected for the 1997 NBA All-Star Game, as a member of the Western Conference All-Star team; it was his first and only All-Star appearance.[35][36][37] Meanwhile, Finley participated in the NBA Slam Dunk Contest for the second consecutive year,[35][38] and Walker was selected for the NBA Rookie Game, as a member of the Western Conference Rookie team, but did not participate due to a knee injury.[39][40]

The Mavericks finished 24th in the NBA in home-game attendance, with an attendance of 619,178 at the Reunion Arena during the regular season.[22][41] Following the season, Harper and O'Bannon were both traded to the Orlando Magic, who released O'Bannon to free agency,[42][43][44] and Danilovic was released after only two seasons in the NBA. On April 6, 1997, the Mavericks only scored just two points in the third quarter in an 87–80 road loss to the Los Angeles Lakers; it was the fewest points scored in a quarter of a game in NBA history.[45][46][47]

Offseason

Draft picks

Main article: 1996 NBA draft
Round Pick Player Position Nationality College
1 9 Samaki Walker PF  United States Louisville
2 34 Shawn Harvey G  United States West Virginia State University
2 56 Darnell Robinson F  United States Arkansas

Roster

1996–97 Dallas Mavericks roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Player Height Weight DOB From
C 44 Shawn Bradley 7 ft 6 in (2.29 m) 235 lb (107 kg) 1972–03–22 BYU
G 5 Sasha Danilovic 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 1970–02–26 Serbia
C 50 Greg Dreiling 7 ft 1 in (2.16 m) 250 lb (113 kg) 1962–11–07 Kansas
F 4 Michael Finley 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1973–03–06 Wisconsin
F 45 A.C. Green 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1963–10–04 Oregon State
G 12 Derek Harper 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1961–10–13 Illinois
C 33 Stacey King 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 230 lb (104 kg) 1967–01–29 Oklahoma
F 13 Martin Müürsepp 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 235 lb (107 kg) 1974–09–26 Estonia
F 31 Ed O'Bannon 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 222 lb (101 kg) 1972–08–14 UCLA
G 14 Robert Pack 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1969–02–03 USC
G 6 Khalid Reeves 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 199 lb (90 kg) 1972–07–15 Arizona
G 20 Erick Strickland 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1973–11–25 Nebraska
F/C 40 Kurt Thomas  (IN) 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 230 lb (104 kg) 1972–10–04 TCU
F 52 Samaki Walker  6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 240 lb (109 kg) 1976–02–25 Louisville
Head coach
Assistant(s)
Legend
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • (IN) Inactive
  • Injured

Roster
Updated: April 15, 1997

Roster Notes

  • Center Shawn Bradley holds both American and German citizenship.
  • Power forward Kurt Thomas was acquired by the Mavericks from the Miami Heat in a mid-season trade, but was placed on the injured reserve list due to an ankle injury he sustained with the Heat, and did not play with the Mavericks this season.[48][49]

Regular season

Season standings

Midwest Division
 W 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
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

Game log

1996–97 game log
Total: 24–58 (Home: 0–0; Road: 0–0)
November: 4–10 (home: 3–4; road: 1–6)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
1 November 1 @ Denver W 92–91 Jim Jackson (28) Jim Jackson (11) Jason Kidd (9) McNichols Sports Arena
16,104 		1–0
2 November 2 Sacramento L 94–107 Jim Jackson (26) Jim Jackson (10) Jason Kidd (9) Reunion Arena
18,042 		1–1
3 November 5 @ Toronto L 96–100 Chris Gatling (22) Chris Gatling (11) Jason Kidd (5) SkyDome
17,065 		1–2
4 November 6 @ Detroit L 84–103 Tony Dumas (15) George McCloud (8) Jim Jackson (4) The Palace of Auburn Hills
14,473 		1–3
5 November 9 Miami L 84–91 Jamal Mashburn (19) Chris Gatling (11) Jason Kidd (8) Reunion Arena
15,021 		1–4
6 November 12 Indiana W 103–82 Derek Harper (17) Oliver Miller (11) Jason Kidd (11) Reunion Arena
14,153 		2–4
7 November 14 @ Minnesota L 90–100 Chris Gatling (26) Chris Gatling (14) Jamal Washburn (8) Target Center
14,079 		2–5
8 November 16 Utah L 87–88 Chris Gatling (23) Chris Gatling (20) Kidd, Harper (7) Reunion Arena
15,947 		2–6
9 November 19 @ Milwaukee L 97–100 Jason Kidd (25) Jason Kidd (13) Jason Kidd (8) Bradley Center
13,225 		2–7
10 November 21 L. A. Clippers W 105–94 Chris Gatling (27) Chris Gatling (9) Jason Kidd (9) Reunion Arena
13,510 		3–7
11 November 23 @ New Jersey L 91–114 George McCloud (13) Loren Meyer (9) Jason Kidd (12) Continental Airlines Arena
15,701 		3–8
12 November 24 @ Boston L 91–105 Jackson, Gatling (23) Chris Gatling (11) Jason Kidd (8) Fleet Center
15,244 		3–9
13 November 26 San Antonio W 105–101 Chris Gatling (26) Chris Gatling (6) Jason Kidd (10) Reunion Arena
14,567 		4–9
14 November 29 Chicago L 96–116 Chris Gatling (35) Chris Gatling (11) Jason Kidd (17) Reunion Arena
18,042 		4–10
December: 0–0 (home: 0–0; road: 0–0)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
January: 0–0 (home: 0–0; road: 0–0)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
February: 0–0 (home: 0–0; road: 0–0)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
March: 0–0 (home: 0–0; road: 0–0)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
April: 2–9 (home: 1–5; road: 1–4)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
72 April 1 Detroit L 82–100 Finley, Pack (15) A. C. Green (10) Robert Pack (9) Reunion Arena
15,291 		22–50
73 April 3 @ Golden State L 90–106 Derek Harper (19) A. C. Green (8) Derek Harper (7) San Jose Arena
13,669 		22–51
74 April 5 @ Seattle L 84–103 Sasha Danilović (18) Shawn Bradley (10) Derek Harper (4) KeyArena at Seattle Center
17,072 		22–52
75 April 6 @ L. A. Lakers L 80–87 Derek Harper (18) A. C. Green (14) Robert Pack (10) Great Western Forum
17,364 		22–53
76 April 8 Portland W 87–82 Sasha Danilović (22) Robert Pack (9) A. C. Green (14) Reunion Arena
13,590 		23–53
77 April 10 Seattle L 82–90 Michael Finley (25) Shawn Bradley (8) Robert Pack (5) Reunion Arena
13,687 		23–54
78 April 12 Vancouver L 85–96 Robert Pack (22) Shawn Bradley (13) Robert Pack (6) Reunion Arena
14,060 		23–55
79 April 14 L. A. Clippers L 93–99 Shawn Bradley (32) Shawn Bradley (16) Michael Finley (6) Reunion Arena
15,461 		23–56
80 April 16 @ Minnesota W 92–77 Michael Finley (19) A. C. Green (14) Michael Finley (4) Target Center
16,444 		24–56
81 April 18 @ Houston L 102–112 Sasha Danilović (23) A. C. Green (13) Robert Pack (12) The Summit
16,285 		24–57
82 April 19 Denver L 95–100 Shawn Bradley (25) Robert Pack (9) Shawn Bradley (16) Reunion Arena
16,183 		24–58
1996–97 schedule

Player statistics

Ragular season

Player POS GP GS MP REB AST STL BLK PTS MPG RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Derek Harper PG 75 29 2,210 137 321 92 12 753 29.5 1.8 4.3 1.2 .2 10.0
A. C. Green† PF 56 54 1,944 518 52 52 15 444 34.7 9.3 .9 .9 .3 7.9
Michael Finley† SF 56 36 1,994 252 156 50 20 897 35.6 4.5 2.8 .9 .4 16.0
Eric Montross† C 47 46 984 236 32 9 34 182 20.9 5.0 .7 .2 .7 3.9
Jim Jackson† SG 46 46 1,676 227 156 57 15 714 36.4 4.9 3.4 1.2 .3 15.5
Chris Gatling† PF 44 1 1,191 348 25 35 31 840 27.1 7.9 .6 .8 .7 19.1
Samaki Walker PF 43 12 602 147 17 15 22 214 14.0 3.4 .4 .3 .5 5.0
Oliver Miller† C 42 0 836 233 58 34 50 180 19.9 5.5 1.4 .8 1.2 4.3
George McCloud† SF 41 26 1,207 143 92 52 8 563 29.4 3.5 2.2 1.3 .2 13.7
Greg Dreiling C 40 3 389 76 11 8 7 80 9.7 1.9 .3 .2 .2 2.0
Jamal Mashburn† SF 37 21 975 115 93 35 5 394 26.4 3.1 2.5 .9 .1 10.6
Shawn Bradley† C 33 32 1,060 286 32 17 88 482 32.1 8.7 1.0 .5 2.7 14.6
Martin Müürsepp† PF 32 0 321 62 17 12 10 139 10.0 1.9 .5 .4 .3 4.3
Erick Strickland SG 28 15 759 90 68 27 5 297 27.1 3.2 2.4 1.0 .2 10.6
Jason Kidd† PG 22 22 791 90 200 45 8 217 36.0 4.1 9.1 2.0 .4 9.9
Robert Pack† PG 20 11 597 60 127 35 3 229 29.9 3.0 6.4 1.8 .2 11.5
Loren Meyer† PF 19 16 259 49 7 6 3 78 13.6 2.6 .4 .3 .2 4.1
Ed O'Bannon† SF 19 0 175 36 11 5 2 46 9.2 1.9 .6 .3 .1 2.4
Tony Dumas† SG 18 0 227 14 22 10 1 72 12.6 .8 1.2 .6 .1 4.0
Sam Cassell† PG 16 13 398 50 57 17 6 197 24.9 3.1 3.6 1.1 .4 12.3
Khalid Reeves† PG 13 12 384 31 56 11 2 102 29.5 2.4 4.3 .8 .2 7.8
Predrag Danilović† SG 13 9 438 34 25 15 1 216 33.7 2.6 1.9 1.2 .1 16.6
Fred Roberts PF 12 0 40 10 0 0 1 22 3.3 .8 .0 .0 .1 1.8
Jamie Watson† SF 10 6 211 29 23 11 2 45 21.1 2.9 2.3 1.1 .2 4.5
Stevin Smith SG 8 0 60 10 4 1 0 14 7.5 1.3 .5 .1 .0 1.8
Stacey King† C 6 0 70 18 0 2 0 12 11.7 3.0 .0 .3 .0 2.0
Jason Sasser† SF 2 0 7 1 1 1 0 2 3.5 .5 .5 .5 .0 1.0
  • † Denotes player spent time with another team in the season. Stats reflect time with the Mavericks only.

References

  1. ^ "1996-97 Dallas Mavericks". Basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 11, 2012.
  2. ^ Heisler, Mark (June 27, 1996). "The Surprises Are Few". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
  3. ^ Cotton, Anthony (June 27, 1996). "For 76ers, Iverson Is No. 1 Choice". The Washington Post. Retrieved July 25, 2021.
  4. ^ "1996 NBA Draft". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
  5. ^ "Mavericks Sign Gatling to 5-Year Deal". United Press International. July 17, 1996. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
  6. ^ Brown, Clifton (July 18, 1996). "PRO BASKETBALL; Lakers Up Offer to O'Neal to $140 Million". The New York Times. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
  7. ^ "Magic Said to Be Keeping Grant". Los Angeles Times. Times News Services. July 18, 1996. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
  8. ^ "Mavericks Sign Miller to One-Year Deal". United Press International. October 17, 1996. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
  9. ^ Sheridan, Chris (October 27, 1996). "Winners and Losers in Off-Season Action". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
  10. ^ Brown, Clifton (July 26, 1996). "BASKETBALL; Harper Appears Headed to Mavs". The New York Times. Retrieved July 31, 2021.
  11. ^ "Harper Returns to Mavericks". United Press International. July 26, 1996. Retrieved October 10, 2022.
  12. ^ "SPORTS PEOPLE: BASKETBALL; Harper Back with Mavericks". The New York Times. July 27, 1996. Retrieved January 13, 2023.
  13. ^ "SPORTS PEOPLE: BASKETBALL; Celtics Trade Montross to Mavericks". The New York Times. June 22, 1996. Retrieved June 29, 2022.
  14. ^ "Celtics Trade Montross, Move Up in Draft". Los Angeles Times. Staff and Wire Reports. June 22, 1996. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
  15. ^ Greenberg, Alan (June 22, 1996). "Mavs Trade Sixth Pick to Celtics". Hartford Courant. Retrieved January 13, 2023.
  16. ^ "SPORTS PEOPLE: BASKETBALL; Mavericks Hire Bulls' Cleamons". The New York Times. May 31, 1996. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
  17. ^ "Mavericks to Hire Cleamons; Kupchak Interviews for GM Job". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. May 31, 1996. Retrieved May 1, 2023.
  18. ^ "Kidd Traded to Suns in a Six-Player Deal". The New York Times. Associated Press. December 27, 1996. Retrieved May 16, 2022.
  19. ^ "Kidd Is Traded to Suns for Cassell, Finley, Green". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. December 27, 1996. Retrieved February 28, 2017.
  20. ^ "Kidd Sent to Suns in 6-Player Deal". The Washington Post. December 27, 1996. Retrieved July 11, 2022.
  21. ^ "NBA Games Played on February 6, 1997". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  22. ^ a b c "1996–97 Dallas Mavericks Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 28, 2021.
  23. ^ Roberts, Selena (February 18, 1997). "Nets and Mavericks Clean House and Start Over". The New York Times. Retrieved July 3, 2021.
  24. ^ "Overhaul Ends for Mavericks". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. February 18, 1997. Retrieved September 16, 2022.
  25. ^ Canavan, Tom (February 18, 1997). "Mavericks, Nets Swap 9 Players". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
  26. ^ Brown, Clifton (February 15, 1997). "Miami Acquires Mashburn from Dallas to Bolster Its Firepower". The New York Times. Retrieved September 16, 2022.
  27. ^ "Heat Acquires Mashburn from Mavericks". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. February 15, 1997. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
  28. ^ "A Move Forward: Mashburn". Sun Sentinel. February 15, 1997. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
  29. ^ "Sloan Gets a Longer Deal". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. February 14, 1997. Retrieved February 2, 2023.
  30. ^ "Raptors Sign Center Oliver Miller". Associated Press. November 28, 1997. Archived from the original on June 30, 2022. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
  31. ^ "Don Nelson Named Dallas Mavericks' G.M." United Press International. February 7, 1997. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  32. ^ Roberts, Selena (February 8, 1997). "All-Stars Are Tepid on Return of Nelson". The New York Times. Retrieved May 16, 2022.
  33. ^ Heisler, Mark (February 19, 1997). "A Tiny Comfort Zone in Dallas". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
  34. ^ "1996–97 Dallas Mavericks Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 28, 2021.
  35. ^ a b Fry, Darrell (February 8, 1997). "On to the Next Stage". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
  36. ^ "1997 NBA All-Star Recap". NBA.com. NBA.com Staff. September 13, 2021. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  37. ^ "1997 NBA All-Star Game: East 132, West 120". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved November 27, 2021.
  38. ^ "NBA & ABA All-Star Game Contest Winners". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved September 19, 2025.
  39. ^ "Stars Are Out for Ewing; Groin Injury K.O.'s Patrick". New York Daily News. February 6, 1997. Retrieved September 19, 2025.
  40. ^ "1997 NBA Rising Stars: East 96, West 91". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved September 19, 2025.
  41. ^ "1996–97 NBA Season Summary". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 22, 2026.
  42. ^ "PLUS: BASKETBALL; Dallas-Orlando Trade". The New York Times. Associated Press. September 25, 1997. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
  43. ^ "Nelson Still Dealing, Gets Scott from Magic". Los Angeles Times. Staff and Wire Reports. September 25, 1997. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
  44. ^ Johnson, L.C. (September 25, 1997). "Trade Lets Magic Get Rid of Scott". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved September 23, 2022.
  45. ^ "Mavs Score Just 2 Points in a Quarter". The New York Times. Associated Press. April 7, 1997. Retrieved February 28, 2017.
  46. ^ Howard-Cooper, Scott (April 7, 1997). "Lakers Exploit the Bad and Ugly". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 4, 2023.
  47. ^ "Dallas Mavericks at Los Angeles Lakers Box Score, April 6, 1997". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 4, 2023.
  48. ^ "Mavs' Thomas Breaks Ankle Again". Associated Press. November 14, 1997. Archived from the original on May 1, 2023. Retrieved May 1, 2023.
  49. ^ "Mavs' Thomas Breaks Ankle Again". United Press International. November 14, 1997. Retrieved May 1, 2023.

See also

This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 unless otherwise noted. Additional terms may apply for the media files.