1996–97 Miami Heat season

The 1996–97 Miami Heat season was Miami's ninth season in the NBA.^[1] During the offseason, the Heat signed three point specialist Dan Majerle as a free agent. Tim Hardaway had a career season with the Heat as he led the Heat in scoring with 20.3 points per game.^[2] He finished fourth in MVP voting behind Karl Malone, Michael Jordan, and Grant Hill. On the defensive side, Alonzo Mourning and P. J. Brown provided leadership. The club also had a group of role players led by Isaac Austin, who was honored with the NBA Most Improved Player Award.^[2] The Heat won their first division title with a record of 61 wins and 21 losses, which stood as the franchise mark until the 2012–13 season.

Off-season

NBA draft

The Heat did not have any draft picks in 1996.

Roster

Miami Heat roster
Players	Coaches
Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB (YYYY–MM–DD) From 3.0 !SF 35 USA ! Anderson, Willie 7000200659999999999♠6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 190 lb (86 kg) Georgia 3.0 !SF 2 USA ! Askins, Keith 7000200659999999999♠6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 197 lb (89 kg) Alabama 6.0 !C 8 USA ! Austin, Isaac 7000208279999999999♠6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 255 lb (116 kg) Arizona State 3.0 !SF 3 USA ! Bowen, Bruce 7000200659999999999♠6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 185 lb (84 kg) Cal State Fullerton 4.5 !PF 42 USA ! Brown, P. J. 7000210820000000000♠6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 225 lb (102 kg) Louisiana Tech 1.0 !PG 11 USA ! Crotty, John 7000185420000000000♠6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 185 lb (84 kg) Virginia 6.0 !C 22 USA ! Fish, Matt 7000210820000000000♠6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 235 lb (107 kg) University of North Carolina at Wilmington 1.0 !PG 23 USA ! Grant, Gary 7000190500000000000♠6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 185 lb (84 kg) Michigan 1.0 !PG 10 USA ! Hardaway, Tim 7000182880000000000♠6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 175 lb (79 kg) Texas-El Paso 2.0 !SG 21 USA ! Lenard, Voshon 7000193040000000000♠6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 205 lb (93 kg) Minnesota 2.0 !SG 9 USA ! Majerle, Dan 7000198120000000000♠6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 215 lb (98 kg) Central Michigan 3.0 !SF 24 USA ! Mashburn, Jamal 7000203200000000000♠6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 240 lb (109 kg) Kentucky 6.0 !C 33 USA ! Mourning, Alonzo 7000208279999999999♠6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 240 lb (109 kg) Georgetown 4.5 !PF 54 USA ! Pinckney, Ed 7000205740000000000♠6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 195 lb (88 kg) Villanova 4.5 !PF 30 USA ! Strickland, Mark 7000205740000000000♠6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 210 lb (95 kg) Temple	Head coach Pat Riley (Kentucky) Assistant coach(es) Jeff Bzdelik (UIC) Tony Fiorentino (Dowling College) Bob McAdoo (North Carolina) Scotty Robertson (Louisiana Tech) Stan Van Gundy (SUNY-Brockport) Legend (C) Team captain (DP) Unsigned draft pick (FA) Free agent (S) Suspended Injured Roster • Transactions

Regular season

Season standings

z - clinched division title

y - clinched division title

x - clinched playoff spot

Schedule

Playoffs

In the first round of the playoffs, the Heat confronted their in-state rivals, the Orlando Magic. The Heat won the first two games. In Orlando, the Magic defeated the Heat to force a fifth game. The Heat won the decisive Game 5 at home, 91–83.^[2] In the following round, the Heat were matched up against Pat Riley's former team, the New York Knicks. After the first four games, the Knicks had a 3–1 series lead. The Heat won Game 5 although the game was remembered for P. J. Brown fighting with Heisman Trophy winner Charlie Ward.^[2] Some Knicks players came off the bench and earned automatic suspensions, and Brown was suspended for the rest of the series. The Heat players stayed on the bench and gained an advantage for the rest of the series. The Heat eliminated the undermanned Knicks in seven games and one of the most heated rivalries in the NBA was born.^[2] In the Eastern Conference Finals, the Heat were vanquished by the eventual world champion Chicago Bulls in five games.

Eastern Conference Quarterfinals

(2) Miami Heat vs. (7) Orlando Magic - Last Playoff meeting: Not available (first playoff series)

Eastern Conference Semifinals

(2) Miami Heat vs. (3) New York Knicks - Last Playoff meeting: Not available (first playoff series)

Eastern Conference Finals

(1) Chicago Bulls vs. (2) Miami Heat - Last Playoff meeting: 1996 Eastern Conference First Round (Chicago won 3–0)

Player statistics

Awards

• Tim Hardaway, All NBA First Team
• P. J. Brown, All NBA Defensive Second Team
• Pat Riley, Coach Of The Year
• Isaac Austin, NBA Most Improved Player Award

References

External links

• Heat on Database Basketball
• Heat on Basketball Reference