1997–98 San Antonio Spurs season

1997–98 San Antonio Spurs season
Tim Duncan's rookie season
Head coach Gregg Popovich
Owner(s) Peter Holt
Arena Alamodome
Results
Record 56–26 (.683)
Place Division: 2nd (Midwest)
Conference: 4th (Western)
Playoff finish West Semifinals
(eliminated 1–4)
Stats @ Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
Television Fox Sports Southwest, KRRT
Radio KRIO
San Antonio Spurs seasons
< 1996–97 1998–99 >

Contents

Offseason

NBA Draft

Round Pick Player Position Nationality School/Club Team
1 1 Tim Duncan Forward/Center  United States Virgin Islands Wake Forest

Regular season

Tim Duncan

The Spurs were coming off a poor 1996–97 NBA season; in which their best player, David Robinson—himself a number one draft pick in 1987—was sidelined for most of the year with an injury. The Spurs had finished with a 20–62 win-loss record.[1] However, as the 1997-98 NBA season approached, the Spurs were considered a notable threat in the NBA. With both an experienced center in Robinson and the number one pick in Duncan, the Spurs featured one of the best frontcourts in the NBA. Duncan and Robinson became known as the "Twin Towers", having earned a reputation for their exceptional defense close to the basket, forcing opponents to take lower percentage shots from outside. From the beginning, Duncan established himself as a quality player: in his second-ever road game, he grabbed 22 rebounds against opposing Chicago Bulls power forward Dennis Rodman, a multiple rebounding champion and NBA Defensive Player of the Year.[2] Later, when Duncan played against opposing Houston Rockets Hall-of-Fame power forward Charles Barkley, Barkley was so impressed he said: "I have seen the future and he wears number 21 [Duncan's jersey number]."[3] In his rookie season, Duncan lived up the expectations of being the number one draft pick, starting in all 82 regular-season games, and averaging 21.1 points, 11.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.5 blocks per game. His defensive contributions ensured that he was elected to the All-Defensive Second Team and was also named NBA Rookie of the Year. Spurs coach Gregg Popovich lauded Duncan's mental toughness, stating his rookie's "demeanor was singularly remarkable", Duncan always "put things into perspective" and never got "too upbeat or too depressed."[4] Center Robinson was equally impressed with Duncan: "He's the real thing. I'm proud of his attitude and effort. He gives all the extra effort and work and wants to become a better player."[5]

Season standings

Midwest Division W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-Utah Jazz 62 20 .756 – 36–5 26–15 22–2
x-San Antonio Spurs 56 26 .683 6 31–10 25–16 18–6
x-Minnesota Timberwolves 45 37 .549 17 26–15 19–22 14–10
x-Houston Rockets 41 41 .500 21 24–17 17–24 14–10
Dallas Mavericks 20 62 .244 42 13–28 7–34 9–15
Vancouver Grizzlies 19 63 .232 43 14–27 5–36 4–20
Denver Nuggets 11 71 .134 51 9–32 2–39 3–21

Player stats

Note: GP= Games played; REB= Rebounds; AST= Assists; STL = Steals; BLK = Blocks; PTS = Points; AVG = Average

Player GP REB AST STL BLK PTS AVG
Tim Duncan 82 977 224 55 206 1731 21.1
Avery Johnson 75 150 591 84 18 766 10.2
David Robinson 73 775 199 64 192 1574 21.6

Award winners

References

  1. ^ 1996-97 Standings, nba.com/history, accessed 19 April 2007.
  2. ^ Kernan, Kevin (2000). Slam Duncan. pp. 47. ISBN 978-1-58261-179-2. 
  3. ^ Kernan, Kevin (2000). Slam Duncan. pp. 13. ISBN 978-1-58261-179-2. 
  4. ^ Kernan, Kevin (2000). Slam Duncan. pp. 25. ISBN 978-1-58261-179-2. 
  5. ^ Kernan, Kevin (2000). Slam Duncan. pp. 44. ISBN 978-1-58261-179-2. 
1997 NBA Draft • All-Star Game • Playoffs • Finals • Transactions
Eastern
Boston • Miami • New Jersey • New York • Orlando • Philadelphia • Washington
Atlanta • Charlotte • Chicago • Cleveland • Detroit • Indiana • Milwaukee • Toronto
Western
Dallas • Denver • Houston • Minnesota • San Antonio • Utah • Vancouver
Golden State • L.A. Clippers • L.A. Lakers • Phoenix • Portland • Sacramento • Seattle
Formerly the Dallas Chaparrals • Founded in 1967 • Based in San Antonio, Texas
The Franchise
Arenas
Coaches
Hagan • Williams • Blakeley • Nissalke • McCarthy • Brown • Nissalke • Bass • Moe • Bass • Albeck • McHone • Bass • Fitzsimmons • Weiss • Brown • Bass • Tarkanian • Hughes • Lucas • Hill • Popovich
D-League Affiliate
Administration
Owner: Peter Holt • General Manager: R. C. Buford • Head Coach: Gregg Popovich
Retired Numbers
00 • 6 • 13 • 32 • 44 • 50
Hall of Famers
NBA Championships (4)
1999 • 2003 • 2005 • 2007
Rivals
Mascot
Culure and lore
Media
TV
Radio
WOAI • KCOR
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