1996-97 NBA season
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The 1996-97 NBA season is the 51st season of the National Basketball Association. The league used this season to mark its 50th anniversary, which included the unveiling of the league's list of its 50 greatest players. The season ended with the Chicago Bulls defeating the Utah Jazz 4 games to 2 in the NBA Finals to win the franchise's 5th championship.
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[edit] Notable occurrences
- The NBA All-Star Game was played at Gund Arena in Cleveland, Ohio, with the East defeating the West 132-120. Glen Rice of the Charlotte Hornets was named the game's MVP.
- The Philadelphia 76ers play their first game at the Core States Center (now Wachovia Center)
- Due to extensive renovations at Oakland Arena, the Golden State Warriors play their home games at the San Jose Arena.
[edit] Final standings
[edit] Eastern Conference
| Team | W | L | PCT. | GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miami Heat | 61 | 21 | .744 | - |
| New York Knicks | 57 | 25 | .695 | 4 |
| Orlando Magic | 45 | 37 | .549 | 16 |
| Washington Bullets | 44 | 38 | .537 | 17 |
| New Jersey Nets | 26 | 56 | .317 | 35 |
| Philadelphia 76ers | 22 | 60 | .268 | 39 |
| Boston Celtics | 15 | 67 | .183 | 46 |
| Team | W | L | PCT. | GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago Bulls C | 69 | 13 | .841 | - |
| Atlanta Hawks | 56 | 26 | .683 | 13 |
| Charlotte Hornets | 54 | 28 | .659 | 15 |
| Detroit Pistons | 54 | 28 | .659 | 15 |
| Cleveland Cavaliers | 42 | 40 | .512 | 27 |
| Indiana Pacers | 39 | 43 | .476 | 30 |
| Milwaukee Bucks | 33 | 49 | .402 | 36 |
| Toronto Raptors | 30 | 52 | .366 | 39 |
[edit] Western Conference
| Team | W | L | PCT. | GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Utah Jazz | 64 | 18 | .780 | - |
| Houston Rockets | 57 | 25 | .695 | 7 |
| Minnesota Timberwolves | 40 | 42 | .488 | 24 |
| Dallas Mavericks | 24 | 58 | .293 | 40 |
| Denver Nuggets | 21 | 61 | .256 | 43 |
| San Antonio Spurs | 20 | 62 | .244 | 44 |
| Vancouver Grizzlies | 14 | 68 | .171 | 50 |
| Team | W | L | PCT. | GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle SuperSonics | 57 | 25 | .695 | - |
| Los Angeles Lakers | 56 | 26 | .683 | 1 |
| Portland Trail Blazers | 49 | 33 | .598 | 8 |
| Phoenix Suns | 40 | 42 | .488 | 17 |
| Los Angeles Clippers | 36 | 46 | .439 | 21 |
| Sacramento Kings | 34 | 48 | .415 | 23 |
| Golden State Warriors | 30 | 52 | .366 | 27 |
C - NBA Champions
[edit] NBA awards
- 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
- All-NBA Rookie Team:
- Shareef Abdur-Rahim, Vancouver Grizzlies
- Allen Iverson, Philadelphia 76ers
- Stephon Marbury, Minnesota Timberwolves
- Marcus Camby, Toronto Raptors
- Antoine Walker, Boston Celtics
Note: All information on this page was obtained from the History section of NBA.com
