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1996–97 Charlotte Hornets season

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1996–97 Charlotte Hornets season
Head coachDave Cowens
General managerBob Bass
Owner(s)George Shinn
ArenaCharlotte Coliseum
Results
Record54–28 (.659)
PlaceDivision: 4th (Central)
Conference: 6th (Eastern)
Playoff finishFirst round
(lost to Knicks 0–3)
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
Television
RadioWBT
< 1995–96 1997–98 >

The 1996–97 NBA season was the 9th season for the Charlotte Hornets in the National Basketball Association.[1] For the first time since the 1990–91 season, Larry Johnson was not on the team's opening day roster. The Hornets had the 13th overall pick in the 1996 NBA draft, and selected high school basketball star Kobe Bryant,[2][3][4][5][6] but soon traded him to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Vlade Divac,[7][8][9][10][11] acquired Anthony Mason from the New York Knicks,[12][13][14][15] and signed free agent Tony Smith during the off-season.[16] The team also hired former Boston Celtics star Dave Cowens as their new head coach.[17][18][19]

Under Cowens, and with the addition of Divac and Mason, the new-look Hornets played better than expected. After an 8–9 start to the season, the Hornets won 21 of their next 31 games, holding a 29–19 record at the All-Star break.[20] At mid-season, the team signed free agent and former All-Star forward Tom Chambers in January,[21][22][23] then traded Scott Burrell to the Golden State Warriors in exchange for Donald Royal, and dealt second-year guard Anthony Goldwire, and second-year center George Zidek to the Denver Nuggets in exchange for Ricky Pierce in February.[24][25][26][27] However, Chambers was released to free agency after 12 games. The Hornets posted a nine-game winning streak in April, and finished fourth in the Central Division with a franchise best record at 54–28, making it back to the playoffs after a one-year absence.[28]

Glen Rice had the best season of his career, finishing third in the league in scoring with a career-high of 26.8 points per game, while leading the Hornets with 207 three-point field goals, and shooting .470 in three-point percentage; he earned All-NBA Second Team honors, and finished in fifth place in Most Valuable Player voting.[29][30][31] Rice was also selected for the 1997 NBA All-Star Game,[32][33] where he set several scoring records and was selected the game's MVP.[34][35][36][37][38]

In addition, Mason averaged 16.2 points, 11.4 rebounds and 5.7 assists per game, and earned All-NBA Third Team and NBA All-Defensive Second Team honors, while Divac and Matt Geiger both provided the best center combo in the league, as Divac averaged 12.6 points, 9.0 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 2.2 blocks per game, and Geiger provided the team with 8.9 points and 5.3 rebounds per game, but only played just 49 games due to a back injury.[39][40] Sixth man Dell Curry contributed 14.8 points per game off the bench, while Muggsy Bogues provided with 8.0 points, 7.2 assists and 1.3 steals per game, and Smith contributed 5.0 points per game.[41] Curry also finished tied in fifth place in Sixth Man of the Year voting,[42][30][31] and Cowens finished in second place in Coach of the Year voting.[43][44][45][30]

However, in the Eastern Conference First Round of the playoffs, the Hornets were swept by the New York Knicks in three straight games.[46][47][48][49] The Hornets led the NBA in home-game attendance for the eighth, and final time during their history in Charlotte, with an attendance of 985,722 at the Charlotte Coliseum during the season; they also had the best three-point percentage in NBA history, shooting 42.8% from beyond the arch.[41][50]

Following the season, Pierce re-signed as a free agent with his former team, the Milwaukee Bucks during the next season,[51][52][53][54] and Smith and Royal were both released to free agency.

NBA draft

[edit]
Main article: 1996 NBA draft

In the 1996 NBA draft, the Hornets selected Kobe Bryant with the 13th overall pick. Before he was chosen by the Hornets, the 17-year-old Bryant had made a lasting impression on then-Lakers general manager Jerry West, who immediately foresaw potential in Bryant's basketball ability during pre-draft workouts. West even went on to state that Bryant's workouts were some of the best he had seen. Immediately after the draft, Dave Cowens expressed that the Hornets had no use for him. Fifteen days later, West traded his starting center, Vlade Divac to the Hornets for the young Kobe Bryant.[55]

Round Pick Player Position Nationality School
1 13 Kobe Bryant SG  United States Lower Merion HS
1 16 Tony Delk SG/PG  United States Kentucky
2 44 Malik Rose PF  United States Drexel

Roster

[edit]
1996–97 Charlotte Hornets roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB From
F 7 Addison, Rafael 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1964–07–22 Syracuse
G 1 Bogues, Muggsy 5 ft 3 in (1.60 m) 136 lb (62 kg) 1965–01–09 Wake Forest
G 30 Curry, Dell 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1964–06–25 Virginia Tech
G 00 Delk, Tony 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 189 lb (86 kg) 1974–01–28 Kentucky
C 12 Divac, Vlade 7 ft 1 in (2.16 m) 243 lb (110 kg) 1968–02–03 Yugoslavia
C 52 Geiger, Matt 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 243 lb (110 kg) 1969–09–10 Georgia Tech
F 14 Mason, Anthony 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 250 lb (113 kg) 1966–12–14 Tennessee State
G 21 Pierce, Ricky 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 1959–08–19 Rice
F 41 Rice, Glen 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1967–05–28 Michigan
F 31 Rose, Malik 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 250 lb (113 kg) 1974–11–23 Drexel
F 5 Royal, Donald 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1966–05–22 Notre Dame
G 34 Smith, Tony 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1968–06–14 Marquette
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured Injured

Roster
Last transaction: February 20, 1997

Roster Notes

[edit]

Regular season

[edit]

Season standings

[edit]
Central Division
 W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-Chicago Bulls 69 13 .841 – 39–2 30–11 24–4
x-Atlanta Hawks 56 26 .683 13 36–5 20–21 17–11
x-Detroit Pistons 54 28 .659 15 30–11 24–17 17–11
x-Charlotte Hornets 54 28 .659 15 30–11 24–17 14–14
Cleveland Cavaliers 42 40 .512 27 25–16 17–24 13–15
Indiana Pacers 39 43 .476 30 21–20 18–23 11–17
Milwaukee Bucks 33 49 .402 36 20–21 13–28 10–18
Toronto Raptors 30 52 .366 39 18–23 12–29 6–22
1996–97 NBA East standings
#
Eastern Conference
Team W L PCT GB
1 z-Chicago Bulls 69 13 .841 –
2 y-Miami Heat 61 21 .744 8
3 x-New York Knicks 57 25 .695 12
4 x-Atlanta Hawks 56 26 .683 13
5 x-Detroit Pistons 54 28 .659 15
6 x-Charlotte Hornets 54 28 .659 15
7 x-Orlando Magic 45 37 .549 24
8 x-Washington Bullets 44 38 .537 25
9 Cleveland Cavaliers 42 40 .512 27
10 Indiana Pacers 39 43 .476 30
11 Milwaukee Bucks 33 49 .402 36
12 Toronto Raptors 30 52 .366 39
13 New Jersey Nets 26 56 .317 43
14 Philadelphia 76ers 22 60 .268 47
15 Boston Celtics 15 67 .183 54

Record vs. opponents

[edit]
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 —

Game log

[edit]

Regular season

[edit]
1996–97 game log
Total: 54–28 (home: 30–11; road: 24–17)
November: 8–6 (home: 5–2; road: 3–4)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
1 November 2, 1996 Toronto W 109–98 Charlotte Coliseum 1–0
2 November 3, 1996 @ New York L 86–113 Madison Square Garden 1–1
3 November 6, 1996 L.A. Lakers W 88–78 Charlotte Coliseum 2–1
4 November 8, 1996 @ Washington W 102–87 US Airways Arena 3–1
5 November 9, 1996 Milwaukee L 98–100 Charlotte Coliseum 3–2
6 November 12, 1996 @ Miami L 72–93 Miami Arena 3–3
7 November 14, 1996 @ Orlando L 89–96 Orlando Arena 3–4
8 November 15, 1996 Chicago L 87–110 Charlotte Coliseum 3–5
9 November 20, 1996 New York W 93–86 Charlotte Coliseum 4–5
10 November 21, 1996 @ Indiana W 90–87 Market Square Arena 5–5
11 November 23, 1996 Detroit W 93–85 Charlotte Coliseum 6–5
12 November 26, 1996 Seattle W 97–89 Charlotte Coliseum 7–5
13 November 27, 1996 @ Toronto L 88–92 SkyDome 7–6
14 November 30, 1996 @ Milwaukee W 94–87 Bradley Center 8–6
December: 8–7 (home: 3–2; road: 5–5)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
15 December 2, 1996 @ Utah L 97–107 Delta Center 8–7
16 December 3, 1996 @ L.A. Clippers L 89–96 Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena 8–8
17 December 6, 1996 @ Portland L 93–97 Rose Garden Arena 8–9
18 December 7, 1996 @ Seattle W 94–92 KeyArena 9–9
19 December 9, 1996 @ Vancouver W 107–91 General Motors Place 10–9
20 December 11, 1996 Denver W 101–97 Charlotte Coliseum 11–9
21 December 13, 1996 Philadelphia W 84–75 Charlotte Coliseum 12–9
22 December 14, 1996 @ Chicago L 82–87 United Center 12–10
23 December 17, 1996 @ Philadelphia W 93–84 CoreStates Center 13–10
24 December 19, 1996 Chicago L 72–93 Charlotte Coliseum 13–11
25 December 21, 1996 Atlanta W 98–93 Charlotte Coliseum 14–11
26 December 22, 1996 @ Boston W 102–98 FleetCenter 15–11
27 December 27, 1996 Miami L 86–101 Charlotte Coliseum 15–12
28 December 28, 1996 @ Detroit L 75–97 The Palace of Auburn Hills 15–13
29 December 30, 1996 @ Washington W 101–92 US Airways Arena 16–13
January: 10–6 (home: 5–2; road: 5–4)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
30 January 2, 1997 Dallas W 107–97 Charlotte Coliseum 17–13
31 January 4, 1997 Washington L 93–104 Charlotte Coliseum 17–14
32 January 6, 1997 @ Golden State W 109–101 San Jose Arena 18–14
33 January 8, 1997 @ L.A. Lakers L 97–101 Great Western Forum 18–15
34 January 10, 1997 @ Phoenix L 90–102 America West Arena 18–16
35 January 12, 1997 @ Sacramento W 97–93 ARCO Arena 19–16
36 January 13, 1997 @ Denver W 102–100 (OT) McNichols Sports Arena 20–16
37 January 15, 1997 New Jersey W 116–104 Charlotte Coliseum 21–16
38 January 18, 1997 @ New Jersey W 102–92 Continental Airlines Arena 22–16
39 January 20, 1997 @ Atlanta L 97–106 The Omni 22–17
40 January 21, 1997 Houston W 114–108 Charlotte Coliseum 23–17
41 January 24, 1997 New York W 113–104 (OT) Charlotte Coliseum 24–17
42 January 25, 1997 @ Cleveland L 73–106 Gund Arena 24–18
43 January 28, 1997 @ Indiana W 98–97 Market Square Arena 25–18
44 January 29, 1997 Indiana L 95–106 Charlotte Coliseum 25–19
45 January 31, 1997 Milwaukee W 102–95 Charlotte Coliseum 26–19
February: 10–3 (home: 6–1; road: 4–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
46 February 2, 1997 @ New York W 99–93 Madison Square Garden 27–19
47 February 4, 1997 Minnesota W 115–101 Charlotte Coliseum 28–19
48 February 6, 1997 Sacramento W 115–100 Charlotte Coliseum 29–19
All-Star Break
49 February 11, 1997 @ Chicago L 100–103 United Center 29–20
50 February 12, 1997 New Jersey W 113–100 Charlotte Coliseum 30–20
51 February 14, 1997 Detroit L 103–109 Charlotte Coliseum 30–21
52 February 17, 1997 Orlando W 124–110 Charlotte Coliseum 31–21
53 February 19, 1997 Phoenix W 123–115 Charlotte Coliseum 32–21
54 February 21, 1997 L.A. Clippers W 114–96 Charlotte Coliseum 33–21
55 February 22, 1997 @ Atlanta W 93–92 The Omni 34–21
56 February 24, 1997 @ San Antonio W 96–84 Alamodome 35–21
57 February 25, 1997 @ Dallas L 84–86 Reunion Arena 35–22
58 February 27, 1997 @ Houston W 106–95 The Summit 36–22
March: 9–4 (home: 6–3; road: 3–1)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
59 March 2, 1997 @ Minnesota W 108–96 Target Center 37–22
60 March 4, 1997 San Antonio W 105–98 Charlotte Coliseum 38–22
61 March 6, 1997 Boston W 122–121 (OT) Charlotte Coliseum 39–22
62 March 9, 1997 Miami W 82–76 Charlotte Coliseum 40–22
63 March 11, 1997 Vancouver W 98–92 Charlotte Coliseum 41–22
64 March 14, 1997 @ Orlando L 81–86 Orlando Arena 41–23
65 March 15, 1997 @ Philadelphia W 107–99 CoreStates Center 42–23
66 March 17, 1997 Utah L 93–114 Charlotte Coliseum 42–24
67 March 19, 1997 Cleveland W 90–72 Charlotte Coliseum 43–24
68 March 21, 1997 @ Toronto W 102–97 SkyDome 44–24
69 March 22, 1997 Golden State W 100–93 (OT) Charlotte Coliseum 45–24
70 March 26, 1997 Portland L 87–88 Charlotte Coliseum 45–25
71 March 28, 1997 Indiana L 115–116 Charlotte Coliseum 45–26
April: 9–2 (home: 5–1; road: 4–1)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
72 April 2, 1997 Atlanta W 95–84 Charlotte Coliseum 46–26
73 April 3, 1997 @ New Jersey W 93–87 Continental Airlines Arena 47–26
74 April 5, 1997 Philadelphia W 115–113 Charlotte Coliseum 48–26
75 April 7, 1997 @ Cleveland W 110–105 (OT) Gund Arena 49–26
76 April 9, 1997 Boston W 136–111 Charlotte Coliseum 50–26
77 April 11, 1997 @ Detroit W 93–85 The Palace of Auburn Hills 51–26
78 April 12, 1997 Washington W 99–97 Charlotte Coliseum 52–26
79 April 14, 1997 Cleveland W 94–82 Charlotte Coliseum 53–26
80 April 16, 1997 @ Boston W 108–102 FleetCenter 54–26
81 April 18, 1997 Toronto L 100–108 Charlotte Coliseum 54–27
82 April 20, 1997 @ Milwaukee L 100–120 Bradley Center 54–28
1996–97 schedule

Playoffs

[edit]
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, 1997 @ New York L 99–109 Vlade Divac (27) Anthony Mason (13) Anthony Mason (5) Madison Square Garden
19,763 		0–1
2 April 26, 1997 @ New York L 93–100 Glen Rice (39) Divac, Mason (12) four players tied (2) Madison Square Garden
19,763 		0–2
3 April 28, 1997 New York L 95–104 Glen Rice (22) Anthony Mason (11) Glen Rice (9) Charlotte Coliseum
24,042 		0–3
1997 schedule

Player statistics

[edit]

Ragular season

[edit]
Player POS GP GS MP REB AST STL BLK PTS MPG RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Vlade Divac C 81 80 2,840 725 301 103 180 1,024 35.1 9.0 3.7 1.3 2.2 12.6
Glen Rice SF 79 78 3,362 318 160 72 26 2,115 42.6 4.0 2.0 .9 .3 26.8
Anthony Mason PF 73 73 3,143 829 414 76 33 1,186 43.1 11.4 5.7 1.0 .5 16.2
Tony Smith PG 69 39 1,291 94 150 48 19 346 18.7 1.4 2.2 .7 .3 5.0
Dell Curry SG 68 20 2,078 211 118 60 14 1,008 30.6 3.1 1.7 .9 .2 14.8
Muggsy Bogues PG 65 65 1,880 141 469 82 2 522 28.9 2.2 7.2 1.3 .0 8.0
Tony Delk PG 61 1 867 99 99 36 6 332 14.2 1.6 1.6 .6 .1 5.4
Malik Rose PF 54 1 525 164 32 28 17 160 9.7 3.0 .6 .5 .3 3.0
Matt Geiger C 49 13 1,044 258 38 20 27 437 21.3 5.3 .8 .4 .6 8.9
Rafael Addison SF 41 3 355 45 34 8 3 128 8.7 1.1 .8 .2 .1 3.1
George Zidek† C 36 2 288 63 9 4 3 91 8.0 1.8 .3 .1 .1 2.5
Anthony Goldwire† PG 33 9 576 38 94 19 1 190 17.5 1.2 2.8 .6 .0 5.8
Scott Burrell† SF 28 2 482 79 39 14 11 151 17.2 2.8 1.4 .5 .4 5.4
Ricky Pierce† SG 27 17 650 68 49 14 4 324 24.1 2.5 1.8 .5 .1 12.0
Donald Royal† SF 25 2 320 58 10 12 2 70 12.8 2.3 .4 .5 .1 2.8
Tom Chambers PF 12 5 83 14 4 1 0 19 6.9 1.2 .3 .1 .0 1.6
Jamie Feick† C 3 0 10 3 0 0 1 5 3.3 1.0 .0 .0 .3 1.7
Eric Leckner† C 1 0 11 1 1 0 0 0 11.0 1.0 1.0 .0 .0 .0
  • † Denotes player spent time with another team in the season. Stats reflect time with the Hornets only.

Playoffs

[edit]
Player POS GP GS MP REB AST STL BLK PTS MPG RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Glen Rice SF 3 3 137 11 11 4 1 83 45.7 3.7 3.7 1.3 .3 27.7
Anthony Mason PF 3 3 131 36 9 1 1 39 43.7 12.0 3.0 .3 .3 13.0
Vlade Divac C 3 3 116 26 10 3 6 54 38.7 8.7 3.3 1.0 2.0 18.0
Ricky Pierce SG 3 2 87 8 4 2 0 23 29.0 2.7 1.3 .7 .0 7.7
Tony Delk PG 3 1 85 10 6 2 0 31 28.3 3.3 2.0 .7 .0 10.3
Dell Curry SG 3 1 50 1 5 4 0 14 16.7 .3 1.7 1.3 .0 4.7
Matt Geiger C 3 0 31 8 2 2 1 6 10.3 2.7 .7 .7 .3 2.0
Muggsy Bogues PG 2 2 58 3 5 1 0 32 29.0 1.5 2.5 .5 .0 16.0
Malik Rose PF 2 0 12 5 1 0 0 4 6.0 2.5 .5 .0 .0 2.0
Tony Smith PG 2 0 9 1 2 1 0 1 4.5 .5 1.0 .5 .0 .5
Donald Royal SF 1 0 4 2 0 0 0 0 4.0 2.0 .0 .0 .0 .0

Awards and records

[edit]

Transactions

[edit]
  • July 11, 1996

Released Michael Adams.

Traded Kobe Bryant to the Los Angeles Lakers for Vlade Divac.

Released Robert Parish.

  • July 14, 1996

Traded Larry Johnson to the New York Knicks for Brad Lohaus and Anthony Mason.

  • October 3, 1996

Signed Bob McCann as a free agent.

October 19, 1996

Signed Tony Smith as a free agent.

  • October 31, 1996

Waived Brad Lohaus.

  • January 6, 1997

Signed Jamie Feick to the first of two 10-day contracts.

  • January 28, 1997

Signed Eric Leckner to a 10-day contract.

  • January 30, 1997

Signed Tom Chambers to a contract for the rest of the season.

  • February 20, 1997

Traded Scott Burrell to the Golden State Warriors for Donald Royal.

Traded Anthony Goldwire and George Zidek to the Denver Nuggets for Ricky Pierce.

  • April 8, 1997

Waived Tom Chambers.

Player Transactions Citation:[56]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ 1996-97 Charlotte Hornets
  2. ^ Brown, Clifton (June 27, 1996). "PRO BASKETBALL; Big Trade and Some Twists in N.B.A. Youth Parade". The New York Times. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
  3. ^ Heisler, Mark (June 27, 1996). "The Surprises Are Few". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
  4. ^ Cotton, Anthony (June 27, 1996). "For 76ers, Iverson Is No. 1 Choice". The Washington Post. Retrieved July 25, 2021.
  5. ^ Bembry, Jerry (June 27, 1996). "76ers Make Iverson the 1, Philadelphia Takes Georgetown Guard; Camby Goes Second". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  6. ^ "1996 NBA Draft". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
  7. ^ Howard-Cooper, Scott (June 27, 1996). "Kiss Vlade Goodbye?". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
  8. ^ Brown, Clifton (June 28, 1996). "PRO BASKETBALL; With the Draft Over, Trading Season Begins". The New York Times. Retrieved May 24, 2022.
  9. ^ "SPORTS PEOPLE: BASKETBALL; Divac Agrees to a Trade with Charlotte". The New York Times. July 2, 1996. Retrieved June 20, 2023.
  10. ^ Howard-Cooper, Scott (July 12, 1996). "Divac-for-Bryant Deal Done, Freeing Money for O'Neal". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 25, 2022.
  11. ^ "Lakers Trade Divac for Bryant". The Washington Post. July 12, 1996. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
  12. ^ Brown, Clifton (July 12, 1996). "Pro Basketball; Knicks Chase Hornets' Johnson as N.B.A. Resumes Business". The New York Times. Retrieved March 20, 2022.
  13. ^ "Around the NBA". The Washington Post. July 13, 1996. Retrieved June 20, 2023.
  14. ^ "Payton Stays in Seattle, Knicks Get a Backcourt". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. July 15, 1996. Retrieved July 10, 2022.
  15. ^ Sheridan, Chris (July 15, 1996). "Knicks Acquire Larry Johnson, Sign Houston and Childs". Associated Press. Archived from the original on September 29, 2022. Retrieved December 3, 2022.
  16. ^ "Ex-Laker Smith Joins Hornets". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. October 21, 1996. Retrieved July 11, 2022.
  17. ^ "Hornets Reportedly Set to Hire Cowens". United Press International. May 23, 1996. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
  18. ^ "SPORTS PEOPLE: BASKETBALL; Cowens Is Fired Up to Coach". The New York Times. May 29, 1996. Retrieved January 1, 2022.
  19. ^ "Cowens to Coach Hornets". The Washington Post. May 29, 1996. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
  20. ^ "NBA Games Played on February 6, 1997". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved July 19, 2022.
  21. ^ "Chambers in Comeback". The New York Times. Associated Press. January 31, 1997. Retrieved September 18, 2022.
  22. ^ "Jordan Hints at Return Next Season". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. January 31, 1997. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
  23. ^ Switzer, Dennis (January 31, 1997). "Chambers' Life of Leisure on Hold After Charlotte Comes A-Calling". Deseret News. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
  24. ^ Sheridan, Chris (February 20, 1997). "Nuggets Made Three Trades, Hornets and Pacers Two Each". Associated Press. Retrieved July 31, 2021.
  25. ^ Brown, Clifton (February 21, 1997). "Jackson Is Back with Pacers". The New York Times. Retrieved January 4, 2023.
  26. ^ "Trading Deadline Becomes Much Ado About a Little". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. February 21, 1997. Retrieved September 17, 2022.
  27. ^ "Pacers Make Point in Reacquiring Jackson". The Washington Post. February 21, 1997. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
  28. ^ "1996–97 Charlotte Hornets Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  29. ^ 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.
  30. ^ a b c "1996-97 Regular Season Award Winners". Eskimo North. Retrieved June 10, 2023.
  31. ^ a b "1996–97 NBA Awards Voting". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 2, 2022.
  32. ^ Jorgensen, Loren (February 8, 1997). "No Offense, But Malone Would Rather Be Home". Deseret News. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
  33. ^ Fry, Darrell (February 8, 1997). "On to the Next Stage". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
  34. ^ Wise, Mike (February 10, 1997). "Rice Stages His Own Shootout in East's Victory". The New York Times. Retrieved July 26, 2017.
  35. ^ Howard-Cooper, Scott (February 10, 1997). "An All-Star Turns Into All-Timer". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 9, 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 Most Valuable Player Award Winners". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved November 29, 2022.
  39. ^ Reports, Wire (January 2, 1997). "Hornets' Geiger Placed on Injured List Again, Because of Back Spasms". Greensboro. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
  40. ^ "Hornets Shuffle Roster with Geiger Back". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. February 26, 1997. Retrieved June 29, 2022.
  41. ^ a b "1996–97 Charlotte Hornets Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  42. ^ "Knicks' Starks Turns Demotion Into Honor". The Spokesman-Review. Associated Press. April 24, 1997. Retrieved June 10, 2023.
  43. ^ "Trail Blazers Fire Too-Slow Carlesimo". Chicago Tribune. Tribune News Services. May 9, 1997. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  44. ^ "Riley Coach of Year; Sloan 3rd". Deseret News. May 9, 1997. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  45. ^ "Bird Will Cut Coaching Teeth at Highest Level". The Spokesman-Review. Associated Press. May 9, 1997. Retrieved May 27, 2023.
  46. ^ Macenka, Joe (April 28, 1997). "Knicks 104, Hornets 95". The Washington Post. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  47. ^ "Knicks 104, Hornets 95". United Press International. April 28, 1997. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  48. ^ Wise, Mike (April 29, 1997). "Knicks Sweep Away Hornets, and Season of Doubts". The New York Times. Retrieved July 3, 2021.
  49. ^ "1997 NBA Eastern Conference First Round: Hornets vs. Knicks". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  50. ^ "1996–97 NBA Summary". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved October 22, 2021.
  51. ^ "Transactions". The New York Times. December 5, 1997. Retrieved October 7, 2022.
  52. ^ "Nelson Replaces Cleamons". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. December 5, 1997. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
  53. ^ "Mavs Respond to Change". The Spokesman-Review. Wire Reports. December 5, 1997. Retrieved November 12, 2023.
  54. ^ Watson, Phil (August 11, 2016). "Milwaukee Bucks: 25 Best Players to Play for the Bucks". Hoops Habit. Retrieved January 15, 2022.
  55. ^ Wertz Jr., Langston (April 3, 2018). "Once Again, the Hornets Didn't Kick Kobe Bryant Out the Door in '96". The Charlotte Observer. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
  56. ^ "1996–97 Charlotte Hornets Transactions". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved July 2, 2021.
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