The 1996–97 NBA season was the Nuggets' 21st season in the National Basketball Association, and 30th season as a franchise.[1] In the offseason, the Nuggets acquired Mark Jackson and Ricky Pierce from the Indiana Pacers, and signed free agent Ervin Johnson. However, after a 4–9 start to the season, Bernie Bickerstaff was forced out as head coach and replaced with Dick Motta, where the Nuggets then lost ten straight games along the way. Midway through the season, Jackson was traded back to the Indiana Pacers, while Pierce was dealt to the Charlotte Hornets. Meanwhile, the Nuggets signed free agent Kenny Smith, who won championships with the Houston Rockets. As the season drew, the Nuggets still struggled losing 26 of their final 30 games, finishing fifth in the Midwest Division with a 21–61 record. Despite playing just 55 games due to a knee injury and a ruptured achilles tendon, LaPhonso Ellis led the team in scoring with a career high of 21.9 points per game.
Following the season, second-year star Antonio McDyess was traded to the Phoenix Suns,[2] Dale Ellis was traded back to the Seattle SuperSonics, Johnson was dealt to the Milwaukee Bucks, Tom Hammonds signed as a free agent with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Smith retired and Motta was fired as coach.
Roster
Denver Nuggets roster |
Players | Coaches |
Pos. | No. | Name | Height | Weight | DOB (YYYY-MM-DD) | From |
SG |
7001530000000000000♠53 |
|
Allen, Jerome |
7000193040000000000♠6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) |
184 lb (83 kg) |
|
Pennsylvania |
SG |
7001170000000000000♠17 |
|
Askew, Vincent |
7000198120000000000♠6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) |
210 lb (95 kg) |
|
Memphis |
SF |
7000300000000000000♠3 |
|
Ellis, Dale |
7000200659999999999♠6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) |
205 lb (93 kg) |
|
Tennessee |
SF |
7001200000000000000♠20 |
|
Ellis, LaPhonso |
7000203200000000000♠6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) |
240 lb (109 kg) |
|
Notre Dame |
PG |
7000500000000000000♠5 |
|
Goldwire, Anthony |
7000185420000000000♠6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) |
182 lb (83 kg) |
|
Houston |
PF |
7001210000000000000♠21 |
|
Hammonds, Tom |
7000205740000000000♠6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) |
215 lb (98 kg) |
|
Georgia Tech |
PG |
— |
|
Jennings, Keith (IN) |
7000170180000000000♠5 ft 7 in (1.70 m) |
160 lb (73 kg) |
|
East Tennessee State |
C |
7001500000000000000♠50 |
|
Johnson, Ervin |
7000210820000000000♠6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) |
245 lb (111 kg) |
|
New Orleans |
SG |
7001130000000000000♠13 |
|
King, Jimmy |
7000195580000000000♠6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) |
210 lb (95 kg) |
|
Michigan |
SG |
7000800000000000000♠8 |
|
Marčiulionis, Šarūnas |
7000195580000000000♠6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) |
200 lb (91 kg) |
|
Lithuania |
PF |
7001240000000000000♠24 |
|
McDyess, Antonio |
7000205740000000000♠6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) |
220 lb (100 kg) |
|
Alabama |
PG |
7001300000000000000♠30 |
|
Smith, Kenny |
7000190500000000000♠6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) |
170 lb (77 kg) |
|
North Carolina |
SG |
7001230000000000000♠23 |
|
Stith, Bryant |
7000195580000000000♠6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) |
208 lb (94 kg) |
|
Virginia |
SG |
7000600000000000000♠6 |
|
Thompson, Brooks |
7000193040000000000♠6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) |
193 lb (88 kg) |
|
Oklahoma State |
C |
7001250000000000000♠25 |
|
Zidek, George |
7000213360000000000♠7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) |
250 lb (113 kg) |
|
UCLA |
|
- Head coach
- Assistant coach(es)
- Legend
- (C) Team captain
- (DP) Unsigned draft pick
- (FA) Free agent
- (S) Suspended
- Injured
Roster |
Regular season
Season standings
- 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 | — |
Player statistics
Player |
GP |
GS |
MPG |
FG% |
3FG% |
FT% |
RPG |
APG |
SPG |
BPG |
PPG |
|
| | | | | | | | | | |
See also
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Arenas | |
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Retired numbers | |
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G League affiliate | |
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Culture | |
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Media | |
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- Franchise
- Denver Rockets (1967–1974)
- Denver Nuggets (1974–present)
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NBA | 1970s | |
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