1996–97 Detroit Pistons season
The 1996–97 NBA season was the Pistons' 49th season in the National Basketball Association, and 40th season in the city of Detroit.[1] During the offseason, the Pistons re-signed free agent Rick Mahorn, who was a member of the championship team in the 1989 NBA Finals. The team also acquired Stacey Augmon and Grant Long from the Atlanta Hawks, but later on sent Augmon to the Portland Trail Blazers for Aaron McKie at midseason. The Pistons got off to a fast start winning ten of their first eleven games on their way to a 20–4 start. However, they went 34–24 for the remainder of the season finishing third in the Central Division with a 54–28 record. Grant Hill averaged 21.4 points, 9.0 rebounds, 7.3 assists and 1.8 steals per game, while finishing third in MVP voting behind Karl Malone and Michael Jordan. Hill along with Joe Dumars, and head coach Doug Collins represented the Eastern Conference during the 1997 NBA All-Star Game.
In the first round of the playoffs, the Pistons would lose in five games to the Atlanta Hawks after taking a 2–1 series lead.[2] Following the season, Otis Thorpe was traded to the Vancouver Grizzlies, Terry Mills signed as a free agent with the Miami Heat, and Michael Curry signed with the Milwaukee Bucks.
For the season, the Pistons changed their logo and uniforms, adding teal to their color scheme. Their logo and uniforms both lasted until 2001.
Draft picks
Roster
Detroit Pistons roster |
Players | Coaches |
Pos. | No. | Name | Height | Weight | DOB (YYYY-MM-DD) | From |
1.0 !PG |
3 |
USA ! |
Childress, Randolph |
7000187960000000000♠6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
188 lb (85 kg) |
|
Wake Forest |
2.0 !SG |
12 |
USA ! |
Curry, Michael |
7000195580000000000♠6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) |
210 lb (95 kg) |
|
Georgia Southern |
2.0 !SG |
4 |
USA ! |
Dumars, Joe |
7000190500000000000♠6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) |
190 lb (86 kg) |
|
McNeese State |
1.0 !PG |
9 |
USA ! |
Green, Litterial |
7000185420000000000♠6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) |
185 lb (84 kg) |
|
Georgia |
3.0 !SF |
33 |
USA ! |
Hill, Grant |
7000203200000000000♠6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) |
225 lb (102 kg) |
|
Duke |
1.0 !PG |
1 |
USA ! |
Hunter, Lindsey |
7000187960000000000♠6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
170 lb (77 kg) |
|
Jackson State |
4.5 !PF |
43 |
USA ! |
Long, Grant |
7000203200000000000♠6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) |
225 lb (102 kg) |
|
Eastern Michigan |
6.0 !C |
44 |
USA ! |
Mahorn, Rick |
7000208279999999999♠6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) |
240 lb (109 kg) |
|
Hampton |
2.0 !SG |
23 |
USA ! |
McKie, Aaron |
7000195580000000000♠6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) |
209 lb (95 kg) |
|
Temple |
4.5 !PF |
6 |
USA ! |
Mills, Terry |
7000208279999999999♠6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) |
230 lb (104 kg) |
|
Michigan |
6.0 !C |
42 |
USA ! |
Ratliff, Theo |
7000208279999999999♠6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) |
225 lb (102 kg) |
|
Wyoming |
4.5 !PF |
52 |
USA ! |
Reid, Don |
7000203200000000000♠6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) |
250 lb (113 kg) |
|
Georgetown |
6.0 !C |
50 |
USA ! |
Thorpe, Otis |
7000205740000000000♠6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) |
225 lb (102 kg) |
|
Providence |
4.5 !PF |
13 |
USA ! |
Williams, Jerome |
7000205740000000000♠6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) |
206 lb (93 kg) |
|
Georgetown |
|
- Head coach
- Legend
- (C) Team captain
- (DP) Unsigned draft pick
- (FA) Free agent
- (S) Suspended
- Injured
Roster • Transactions |
Depth chart
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 | — |
Playoffs
East First Round
(4) Atlanta Hawks vs. (5) Detroit Pistons
Last Playoff Meeting: 1991 Eastern Conference First Round (Detroit won 3-2)
Game |
Date |
Home |
Score |
Visitor |
Score |
Record
(ATL-DET) |
Venue |
Recap |
Television |
1 |
April 25 |
Atlanta |
89 |
Detroit |
75 |
1-0 |
Omni Coliseum, Atlanta, Georgia |
1 |
2 |
April 27 |
Atlanta |
80 |
Detroit |
93 |
1-1 |
Omni Coliseum, Atlanta, Georgia |
2 |
3 |
April 29 |
Detroit |
99 |
Atlanta |
91 |
1-2 |
The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, Michigan |
3 |
4 |
May 2 |
Detroit |
82 |
Atlanta |
94 |
2-2 |
Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, Michigan |
4 |
5 |
May 4 |
Atlanta |
84 |
Detroit |
79 |
3-2 |
Omni Coliseum, Atlanta, Georgia |
5 |
NBC |
Atlanta wins series 3–2
|
Player statistics
Season
Player |
GP |
GS |
MPG |
FG% |
3FG% |
FT% |
RPG |
APG |
SPG |
BPG |
PPG |
Augmon, Stacey !Stacey Augmon |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Childress, Randolph !Randolph Childress |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Curry, Michael !Michael Curry |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Dumars, Joe !Joe Dumars |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Green, Litterial !Litterial Green |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Hill, Grant !Grant Hill |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Hunter, Lindsey !Lindsey Hunter |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Long, Grant !Grant Long |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Mahorn, Rick !Rick Mahorn |
| | | | | | | | | | |
McKie, Aaron !Aaron McKie |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Mills, Terry !Terry Mills |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Ratliff, Theo !Theo Ratliff |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Reid, Don !Don Reid |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Smith, Kenny !Kenny Smith |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Thorpe, Otis !Otis Thorpe |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Williams, Jerome !Jerome Williams |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Playoffs
Player |
GP |
GS |
MPG |
FG% |
3FG% |
FT% |
RPG |
APG |
SPG |
BPG |
PPG |
Curry, Michael !Michael Curry |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Dumars, Joe !Joe Dumars |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Hill, Grant !Grant Hill |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Hunter, Lindsey !Lindsey Hunter |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Long, Grant !Grant Long |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Mahorn, Rick !Rick Mahorn |
| | | | | | | | | | |
McKie, Aaron !Aaron McKie |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Mills, Terry !Terry Mills |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Ratliff, Theo !Theo Ratliff |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Reid, Don !Don Reid |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Thorpe, Otis !Otis Thorpe |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Williams, Jerome !Jerome Williams |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Awards and records
References
See also
|
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- Founded in 1941
- Formerly the Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons (1941–1948) and the Fort Wayne Pistons (1948–1957)
- Based in Detroit, Michigan
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Franchise | |
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Arenas | |
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G League affiliate | |
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Retired numbers | |
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Hall of Famers | |
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NBA Championships (3) | |
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Conference Championships (7) | |
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Culture and lore | |
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Rivals | |
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Broadcasters | |
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- Franchise
- Fort Wayne Pistons (1941–1957)
- Detroit Pistons (1957–present)
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NBL | |
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NBA | 1940s | |
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1950s | |
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1960s | |
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1970s | |
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1980s | |
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1990s | |
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2000s | |
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2010s | |
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