1996–97 Minnesota Timberwolves season

1996–97 Minnesota Timberwolves season
Head coachFlip Saunders
General managerKevin McHale
OwnerGlen Taylor
ArenaTarget Center
Results
Record40–42 (.488)
PlaceDivision: 3rd (Midwest)
Conference: 6th (Western)
Playoff finishFirst round
(lost to Rockets 0–3)
Stats at Basketball Reference
Local media
TelevisionKARE
KLGT-TV
Midwest Sports Channel
RadioKFAN

The 1996–97 Minnesota Timberwolves season was the eighth season for the Minnesota Timberwolves in the National Basketball Association.[1] The Timberwolves received the fifth overall pick in the 1996 NBA draft, and selected shooting guard Ray Allen from the University of Connecticut, but soon traded him to the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for rookie point guard, and top draft pick Stephon Marbury out of Georgia Tech University.[2][3][4] The team also acquired James Robinson from the Portland Trail Blazers,[5][6] and second-year center Cherokee Parks from the Dallas Mavericks,[7][8] while signing free agents, rookie center Dean Garrett,[9] second-year guard Chris Carr, and Stojko Vrankovic during the off-season.[10] However, Michael Williams would miss the entire regular season due to a strained plantar fascia in his left heel.[11][12]

With the addition of Marbury, Garrett and Robinson, the Timberwolves got off to a 7–8 start to the regular season. However, the team posted a six-game losing streak afterwards, while losing nine of their next ten games, leading to an 8–17 start to the season. The Timberwolves soon recovered and later on held a 23–25 record at the All-Star break.[13] The Timberwolves showed improvement by finishing in third place in the Midwest Division with a 40–42 record, which was below .500 in winning percentage, but still good enough to earn the sixth seed in the Western Conference, as the team qualified for their first ever NBA playoff appearance in franchise history.[14]

Tom Gugliotta averaged 20.6 points, 8.7 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.6 steals per game, while second-year star Kevin Garnett showed improvement averaging 17.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 1.4 steals and 2.1 blocks per game, and Marbury provided the team with 15.8 points and 7.8 assists per game, and contributed 102 three-point field goals, playing in 67 games due to ankle and thigh injuries,[15][16][17] as he was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team. In addition, Sam Mitchell played a sixth man role off the bench, averaging 9.3 points and 4.0 rebounds per game, while Garrett provided with 8.0 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game, and Doug West contributed 7.8 points per game. Off the bench, Robinson contributed 8.3 points per game and 102 three-point field goals, while Terry Porter provided with 6.9 points and 3.6 assists per game, Carr contributed 6.1 points per game, and Vrankovic averaged 3.4 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game, starting at center for half of the regular season.[18]

During the NBA All-Star weekend at the Gund Arena in Cleveland, Ohio, Gugliotta and Garnett were both selected for the 1997 NBA All-Star Game, as members of the Western Conference All-Star team; it was Garnett's first ever All-Star appearance, and the first and only All-Star appearance for Gugliotta.[19][20][21] Meanwhile, Marbury was selected for the NBA Rookie Game, as a member of the Western Conference Rookie team, but did not participate due to a thigh injury,[22][23] and Carr participated in the NBA Slam Dunk Contest.[19][24] Gugliotta finished tied in 17th place in Most Valuable Player voting, while Garnett finished in eighth place in Most Improved Player voting, with Gugliotta finishing tied in ninth place;[25] Marbury finished in second place in Rookie of the Year voting, behind Allen Iverson of the Philadelphia 76ers,[26][25] and head coach Flip Saunders finished tied in sixth place in Coach of the Year voting.[25]

In the Western Conference First Round of the 1997 NBA playoffs, the Timberwolves faced off against the 3rd–seeded Houston Rockets, who were led by the All-Star trio of Hakeem Olajuwon, Charles Barkley and Clyde Drexler. The Timberwolves lost the first two games to the Rockets on the road at The Summit, before losing Game 3 at home, 125–120 at the Target Center, thus losing the series in a three-game sweep. It was also Garnett's first ever NBA playoff appearance.[27][28][29]

The Timberwolves finished 14th in the NBA in home-game attendance, with an attendance of 697,727 at the Target Center during the regular season.[18][30] Following the season, Garrett signed as a free agent with the Denver Nuggets,[31][32][9] while Robinson signed with the Los Angeles Clippers,[33][34] and Vrankovic was traded to the Clippers.[35][36]

For the season, the Timberwolves revealed a new primary logo of a gray wolf with pine trees,[37] and changed their uniforms, adding dark blue and black to their color scheme of green and silver.[38][39] The team's new primary logo, and new uniforms would both remain in use until 2008.

Draft picks

Main article: 1996 NBA draft
Round Pick Player Position Nationality College
1 5 Ray Allen SG  United States Connecticut

Roster

1996–97 Minnesota Timberwolves roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Player Height Weight DOB From
G 43 Chris Carr 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 207 lb (94 kg) 1974–03–12 Southern Illinois
F 17 Bill Curley  (IN) 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1972–05–29 Boston College
F 21 Kevin Garnett 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1976–05–19 Farragut Academy HS (IL)
C 22 Dean Garrett 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1966–11–27 Indiana
F 24 Tom Gugliotta 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 240 lb (109 kg) 1969–12–19 NC State
G 10 Shane Heal 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1970–09–06 Upper Yarra Secondary College (HS)
G 31 Reggie Jordan 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1968–01–26 New Mexico State
G 3 Stephon Marbury 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1977–02–20 Georgia Tech
F 42 Sam Mitchell 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1963–09–02 Mercer
C 44 Cherokee Parks 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 235 lb (107 kg) 1972–10–11 Duke
G 30 Terry Porter 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1963–04–08 UW–Stevens Point
G 26 James Robinson 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1970–08–31 Alabama
C 11 Stojko Vranković 7 ft 2 in (2.18 m) 260 lb (118 kg) 1964–01–22 Croatia
G 5 Doug West 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 1967–05–27 Villanova
G 4 Micheal Williams  (IN) 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 1966–07–23 Baylor
Head coach
Assistant(s)
Legend
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • (IN) Inactive
  • Injured

Roster

Roster Notes

  • Power forward Bill Curley was on the injured reserve list rehabilitating from surgery on his right knee, and missed the entire regular season.[40][41]
  • Point guard Michael Williams was on the injured reserve list due to a sore left heel injury, and missed the entire regular season.

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

Playoffs

1997 playoff game log
First round: 0–3 (home: 0–1; road: 0–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Series
1 April 24 @ Houston L 95–112 Stephon Marbury (28) Kevin Garnett (9) three players tied (4) The Summit
16,285 		0–1
2 April 26 @ Houston L 84–96 Stephon Marbury (22) Dean Garrett (14) Stephon Marbury (6) The Summit
16,285 		0–2
3 April 29 Houston L 120–125 Tom Gugliotta (27) Dean Garrett (15) Stephon Marbury (13) Target Center
19,006 		0–3
1997 schedule

Player statistics

Ragular season

Player POS GP GS MP REB AST STL BLK PTS MPG RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Terry Porter PG 82 20 1,568 176 295 54 11 568 19.1 2.1 3.6 .7 .1 6.9
Sam Mitchell SF 82 5 2,044 326 79 51 20 766 24.9 4.0 1.0 .6 .2 9.3
Tom Gugliotta PF 81 81 3,131 702 335 130 89 1,672 38.7 8.7 4.1 1.6 1.1 20.6
Kevin Garnett SF 77 77 2,995 618 236 105 163 1,309 38.9 8.0 3.1 1.4 2.1 17.0
Cherokee Parks PF 76 0 961 195 34 41 48 252 12.6 2.6 .4 .5 .6 3.3
James Robinson PG 69 5 1,309 112 126 30 8 572 19.0 1.6 1.8 .4 .1 8.3
Doug West SG 68 66 1,920 148 113 61 24 531 28.2 2.2 1.7 .9 .4 7.8
Dean Garrett C 68 47 1,665 495 38 40 95 542 24.5 7.3 .6 .6 1.4 8.0
Stephon Marbury PG 67 64 2,324 184 522 67 19 1,057 34.7 2.7 7.8 1.0 .3 15.8
Chris Carr SG 55 10 830 113 48 24 10 337 15.1 2.1 .9 .4 .2 6.1
Stojko Vranković C 53 35 766 168 14 10 67 181 14.5 3.2 .3 .2 1.3 3.4
Shane Heal PG 43 0 236 18 33 3 3 75 5.5 .4 .8 .1 .1 1.7
Reggie Jordan† SG 10 0 31 4 1 2 0 20 3.1 .4 .1 .2 .0 2.0
  • † Denotes player spent time with another team in the season. Stats reflect time with the Timberwolves only.

Playoffs

Player POS GP GS MP REB AST STL BLK PTS MPG RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Kevin Garnett SF 3 3 125 28 11 4 3 52 41.7 9.3 3.7 1.3 1.0 17.3
Tom Gugliotta PF 3 3 121 16 13 7 2 55 40.3 5.3 4.3 2.3 .7 18.3
Dean Garrett C 3 3 118 35 4 2 3 38 39.3 11.7 1.3 .7 1.0 12.7
Stephon Marbury PG 3 3 117 12 23 2 0 64 39.0 4.0 7.7 .7 .0 21.3
Doug West SG 3 3 87 4 6 2 1 33 29.0 1.3 2.0 .7 .3 11.0
Sam Mitchell SF 3 0 47 7 1 1 1 17 15.7 2.3 .3 .3 .3 5.7
Terry Porter PG 3 0 46 3 9 2 2 16 15.3 1.0 3.0 .7 .7 5.3
James Robinson PG 2 0 31 3 3 2 0 14 15.5 1.5 1.5 1.0 .0 7.0
Shane Heal PG 2 0 3 0 1 0 0 6 1.5 .0 .5 .0 .0 3.0
Cherokee Parks PF 1 0 11 5 0 1 0 4 11.0 5.0 .0 1.0 .0 4.0
Chris Carr SG 1 0 8 2 1 0 0 0 8.0 2.0 1.0 .0 .0 .0
Stojko Vranković C 1 0 6 1 0 0 0 0 6.0 1.0 .0 .0 .0 .0

Awards and records

References

  1. ^ 1996-97 Minnesota Timberwolves
  2. ^ Brown, Clifton (June 27, 1996). "PRO BASKETBALL; Big Trade and Some Twists in N.B.A. Youth Parade". The New York Times. Retrieved July 12, 2022.
  3. ^ Heisler, Mark (June 27, 1996). "The Surprises Are Few". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
  4. ^ "1996 NBA Draft". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
  5. ^ "Portland Gets Rider, Signs Anderson". Los Angeles Times. Staff and Wire Reports. July 24, 1996. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
  6. ^ "Rider Traded to Blazers for 2 Players". United Press International. July 24, 1996. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
  7. ^ Storm, Rich (June 30, 1996). "Mavs Deal Parks to Timberwolves". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved October 4, 2022.
  8. ^ "Mavs Trade Parks to T-Wolves". The Spokesman-Review. Wire Services. June 30, 1996. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
  9. ^ a b Kurkjian, Tim (November 10, 1997). "NO.5: Denver Nuggets". Sports Illustrated Vault. Retrieved September 25, 2023.
  10. ^ Steele, David (October 30, 1996). "WEDNESDAY SPECIAL -- NBA PREVIEW; 1996-97 NBA Team-by-Team". SFGate. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
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  12. ^ "Timberwolves' Williams Finally Returns". United Press International. December 12, 1997. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
  13. ^ "NBA Games Played on February 6, 1997". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  14. ^ "1996–97 Minnesota Timberwolves Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  15. ^ Bembry, Jerry (November 28, 1996). "Marbury Step Slow in Move; Rookie: Only an Ankle Injury Is Stopping Minnesota's Stephon Marbury from Getting a Foot Up in the NBA". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  16. ^ "Marbury Is Sidelined". The New York Times. Associated Press. January 24, 1997. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  17. ^ "O'Neal Gets 12, Then Leaves with Injury". The New York Times. Associated Press. February 13, 1997. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  18. ^ a b "1996–97 Minnesota Timberwolves Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  19. ^ a b Fry, Darrell (February 8, 1997). "On to the Next Stage". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
  20. ^ "1997 NBA All-Star Recap". NBA.com. NBA.com Staff. September 13, 2021. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
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  27. ^ "Rockets Eliminate Wolves; Suns Take Lead Over Sonics". Chicago Tribune. Tribune News Services. April 30, 1997. Retrieved June 3, 2022.
  28. ^ "Houston Moves On; Orlando Stays Alive". Deseret News. Associated Press. April 30, 1997. Retrieved July 2, 2021.
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  30. ^ "1996–97 NBA Season Summary". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 22, 2026.
  31. ^ "The Denver Nuggets Continued Their Massive Rebuilding..." Los Angeles Times. Staff and Wire Reports. September 6, 1997. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
  32. ^ Harding, Jim (September 7, 1997). "Garrett Latest Addition to New-Look Nuggets". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved August 26, 2022.
  33. ^ "Clippers Sign James Robinson for $10.5 Million". Los Angeles Times. August 17, 1997. Retrieved September 17, 2022.
  34. ^ Baker, Chris (December 28, 1997). "Robinson Resuscitates Clippers". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
  35. ^ Gardner, Kris (June 25, 1997). "ARCHIVE: Houston Roundball Review NBA Trade Analyses -- 1997 NBA Draft Day Deals". The Houston Roundball Review. Retrieved September 25, 2023.
  36. ^ Howard-Cooper, Scott (June 26, 1997). "Draft Over, But Not Finished". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
  37. ^ "Minnesota Timberwolves Logo". Chris Creamer's Sports Logos Page - SportsLogos.Net. Retrieved July 7, 2021.
  38. ^ "Minnesota Timberwolves Uniform". Chris Creamer's Sports Logos Page - SportsLogos.Net. Retrieved July 7, 2021.
  39. ^ "Minnesota Timberwolves Uniform". Chris Creamer's Sports Logos Page - SportsLogos.Net. Retrieved July 7, 2021.
  40. ^ "Injuries Threat to Ford's Job". The Spokesman-Review. Wire Reports. March 17, 1998. Retrieved May 1, 2023.
  41. ^ "Spurs Tame T'Wolves 92-76". CBS News. CBS News.com Staff. March 19, 1998. Retrieved May 1, 2023.

See also

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