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1996–97 Phoenix Suns season

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The 1996–97 NBA season was the 29th season for the Phoenix Suns in the National Basketball Association.[1] This season is notable for the Suns drafting Steve Nash out of Santa Clara University with the fifteenth overall pick in the 1996 NBA draft.[2][3][4][5] During the off-season, the team acquired Sam Cassell, Robert Horry, Mark Bryant and Chucky Brown from the Houston Rockets,[6][7][8][9] and signed free agent Rex Chapman.[10][11][12] However, the Suns struggled losing their first 13 games of the season, as Kevin Johnson missed the first eleven games with a hernia injury.[13][14][15] After an 0–8 start, head coach Cotton Fitzsimmons resigned and was replaced by former Suns guard Danny Ainge,[16][17][18] who led the team to a 40–34 finish. Along the way, there were many in-season moves such as trading Cassell, second-year star Michael Finley and A.C. Green, to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for All-Star guard Jason Kidd, second-year center Loren Meyer and Tony Dumas,[19][20][21][22][23] sending Horry along with Joe Kleine to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for former Suns forward Cedric Ceballos and Rumeal Robinson,[24][25][26][27] who was released to free agency after a short stint with the team, and trading Brown to the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for Darrin Hancock, who never played for the Suns and was released to free agency.[28]

1996–97 Phoenix Suns season
Head coach
General managerBryan Colangelo
Owner(s)Jerry Colangelo
ArenaAmerica West Arena
Results
Record40–42 (.488)
PlaceDivision: 4th (Pacific)
Conference: 7th (Western)
Playoff finishFirst round
(lost to SuperSonics 2–3)
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
Television
RadioKTAR
< 1995–96 1997–98 >

The Suns held a 17–31 record at the All-Star break,[29] but played above .500 for the remainder of the season. It was a season that would not be matched in terms of moves until both the 2014–15 and the 2015–16 seasons came and went. Still, the Suns finished fourth in the Pacific Division with a 40–42 record.[30] This team would also be the first and only NBA team to start out the season with a 10+ losing streak, yet make it to the playoffs by the end of the season. Not only that, but they would also be the first team to record a 10+ game winning streak after recording a 10+ game losing streak earlier in the season, posting an 11-game winning streak between March and April.[30]

Johnson led the Suns with 20.1 points, 9.3 assists and 1.5 steals per game, while Chapman averaged 13.8 points per game, and sixth man Danny Manning provided the team with 13.5 points and 6.1 rebounds per game off the bench. In addition, Wesley Person contributed 13.5 points per game, and led the team with 171 three-point field goals, while Bryant provided with 9.3 points and 5.2 rebounds per game, but only played just 41 games due to an abdominal strain injury,[31] and Hot Rod Williams averaged 8.0 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game.[32]

As the #7 seed in the Western Conference, the Suns faced the 2nd-seeded Seattle SuperSonics in the Western Conference First Round of the playoffs, taking a 2–1 series lead,[33][34][35] but then losing 2–3 in a closely contested series.[36][37][38][39] Following the season, Person was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers in a three-team trade,[40][41][42][43] and Wayman Tisdale retired.

Offseason

NBA draft

RoundPickPlayerPositionNationalityCollege
115Steve NashGuard  CanadaSanta Clara
239Russ MillardForward  United StatesIowa
243Ben DavisForward  United StatesArizona

The Suns used their first-round pick to select point guard Steve Nash from Santa Clara. Nash averaged 14.9 points, 3.1 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game in four years with the Broncos. On July 24, the Suns signed Nash to a three-year rookie contract for $3.2 million. He would spend his first two seasons with the Suns playing a limited role behind All-Star guards Kevin Johnson and Jason Kidd, before being traded to the Dallas Mavericks in 1998. Nash would later return to the franchise as a free agent in 2004, winning consecutive MVP awards in 2005 and 2006 and ultimately making it to the Phoenix Suns Ring of Honor on October 30, 2015.

The Suns received the 39th pick from a trade with the Detroit Pistons in 1994. With the pick they would select power forward Russ Millard from Iowa. Millard averaged 10.1 points and 5.3 rebounds per game in four years with the Hawkeyes. Millard would sign with Italian club Pallacanestro Varese before the season and would never play in the NBA.

The Suns used their second-round pick to select power forward Ben Davis from Arizona. Davis averaged 12.5 points and 8.1 rebounds per game in two years with the Wildcats. On September 25, the Suns signed Davis to a one-year rookie contract for $220,000. Davis spent much of the year on the injured reserve with a finger injury. He would appear in 20 games, average 1.5 points and 1.4 rebounds in 4.9 minutes a game. Davis would sign as a free agent with the New York Knicks after the season. He would later return to the Suns shortly in the 1999–2000 season, appearing in just five games before being waived.

Roster

1996–97 Phoenix Suns roster
PlayersCoaches
Pos.No.NameHeightWeightDOBFrom
C45Brown, Mike6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)257 lb (117 kg)1963–07–19George Washington
F2Bryant, Mark6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)245 lb (111 kg)1965–04–25Seton Hall
F1Ceballos, Cedric6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)190 lb (86 kg)1969–08–02Cal State Fullerton
G/F3Chapman, Rex6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)185 lb (84 kg)1967–10–05Kentucky
F43Davis, Ben  6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)240 lb (109 kg)1972–12–26Arizona
G27Dumas, Tony  6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)190 lb (86 kg)1972–08–25UMKC
G7Johnson, Kevin6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)180 lb (82 kg)1966–03–04California
G32Kidd, Jason6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)205 lb (93 kg)1973–03–23California
C17Llamas, Horacio6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)285 lb (129 kg)1973–07–17Grand Canyon
F/C15Manning, Danny6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)230 lb (104 kg)1966–05–17Kansas
C40Meyer, Loren6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)257 lb (117 kg)1972–12–30Iowa State
G13Nash, Steve6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)195 lb (88 kg)1974–02–07Santa Clara
G/F11Person, Wesley6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)195 lb (88 kg)1971–03–28Auburn
F23Tisdale, Wayman6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)240 lb (109 kg)1964–06–09Oklahoma
C18Williams, John6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)215 lb (98 kg)1962–08–09Tulane
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured

Regular season

Standings

Pacific Division
 W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-Seattle SuperSonics5725.695–31–1026–1516–8
x-Los Angeles Lakers5626.683131–1025–1618–6
x-Portland Trail Blazers4933.598829–1220–2115–9
x-Phoenix Suns4042.4881725–1615–2613–11
x-Los Angeles Clippers3646.4392121–2015–2610–14
Sacramento Kings3448.4152322–1912–298–16
Golden State Warriors3052.3662718–2312–294–20
1996–97 NBA West standings
#
Western Conference
Team W L PCT GB
1c-Utah Jazz6418.780–
2y-Seattle SuperSonics5725.6957
3x-Houston Rockets5725.6957
4x-Los Angeles Lakers5626.6838
5x-Portland Trail Blazers4933.59815
6x-Minnesota Timberwolves4042.48824
7x-Phoenix Suns4042.48824
8x-Los Angeles Clippers3646.43928
9Sacramento Kings3448.41530
10Golden State Warriors3052.36634
11Dallas Mavericks2458.29340
12Denver Nuggets2161.25643
13San Antonio Spurs2062.24444
14Vancouver Grizzlies1468.17150

Record vs. opponents

1996-97 NBA Records
TeamATLBOSCHACHICLEDALDENDETGSWHOUINDLACLALMIAMILMINNJNNYKORLPHIPHOPORSACSASSEATORUTAVANWAS
Atlanta—3–11–31–33–12–01–11–32–01–13–12–01–11–24–02–03–11–33–14–01–12–02–02–01–14–01–12–02–1
Boston1–3—0–40–41–21–11–10–41–10–21–20–21–10–41–30–20–40–40–41–31–11–10–21–10–23–10–20–20–4
Charlotte3–14–0—0–43–11–12–02–22–02–02–21–11–11–22–22–04–03–11–24–01–10–22–02–02–02–20–22–03–1
Chicago3–14–04–0—3–12–02–03–12–01–14–02–01–12–24–02–03–12–23–04–02–02–02–02–02–03–11–12–02–1
Cleveland1–32–11–31–3—2–01–12–21–10–23–12–01–10–42–22–04–01–32–23–01–11–12–00–20–23–11–12–01–3
Dallas0–21–11–10–20–2—3–10–20–40–41–12–20–40–20–21–31–11–11–12–01–31–32–21–31–30–21–33–10–2
Denver1–11–10–20–21–11–3—0–21–31–30–21–30–40–21–10–41–10–20–21–12–20–42–22–20–41–10–43–11–1
Detroit3–14–02–21–32–22–02–0—2–01–13–12–01–10–43–12–04–01–22–22–10–21–11–12–01–13–11–12–04–0
Golden State0–21–10–20–21–14–03–10–2—0–41–11–30–40–21–11–32–00–21–12–00–42–21–34–00–42–00–43–10–2
Houston1–12–00–21–12–04–03–11–14–0—1–13–13–10–21–14–02–01–10–22–02–22–24–03–13–11–12–23–12–0
Indiana1–32–12–20–41–31–12–01–31–11–1—2–01–11–32–22–02–21–31–33–01–11–11–11–11–14–00–22–01–3
L.A. Clippers0–22–01–10–20–22–23–10–23–11–30–2—2–20–22–01–31–10–21–11–12–20–42–24–01–32–01–34–00–2
L.A. Lakers1–11–11–11–11–14–04–01–14–01–31–12–2—1–12–03–12–01–11–12–04–01–34–02–23–11–11–34–02–0
Miami2–14–02–12–24–02–02–04–02–02–03–12–01–1—4–01–13–11–32–23–12–01–12–02–00–23–10–22–03–1
Milwaukee0–43–12–20–42–22–01–11–31–11–12–20–20–20–4—0–22–11–22–23–11–10–20–21–11–13–11–12–01–3
Minnesota0–22–00–20–20–23–14–00–23–10–40–23–11–31–12–0—2–01–11–11–13–12–20–44–00–41–11–34–01–1
New Jersey1–34–00–41–30–41–11–10–40–20–22–21–10–21–31–20–2—2–21–32–21–10–21–12–01–10–30–22–01–3
New York3–14–01–32–23–11–12–02–12–01–13–12–01–13–12–11–12–2—3–13–21–11–12–02–00–23–01–12–04–0
Orlando1–34–02–10–32–21–12–02–21–12–03–11–11–12–22–21–13–11–3—2–21–12–01–11–11–14–00–21–11–3
Philadelphia0–43–10–40–40–30–21–11–20–20–20–31–10–21–31–31–12–22–32–2—1–11–10–21–10–21–30–22–01–3
Phoenix1–11–11–10–21–13–12–22–04–02–21–12–20–40–21–11–31–11–11–11–1—1–34–03–12–20–21–32–21–1
Portland0–21–12–00–21–13–14–01–12–22–21–14–03–11–12–02–22–01–10–21–13–1—2–24–01–30–22–24–00–2
Sacramento0–22–00–20–20–22–22–21–13–10–41–12–20–40–22–04–01–10–21–12–00–42–2—3–11–31–10–44–00–2
San Antonio0–21–10–20–22–03–12–20–20–41–31–10–42–20–21–10–40–20–21–11–11–30–41–3—0–41–11–31–30–2
Seattle1–12–00–20–22–03–14–01–14–01–31–13–11–32–01–14–01–12–01–12–02–23–13–14–0—2–01–34–02–0
Toronto0–41–32–21–31–32–01–11–30–21–10–40–21–11–31–31–13–00–30–43–12–02–01–11–10–2—1–11–12–2
Utah1–12–02–01–11–13–14–01–14–02–22–03–13–12–01–13–12–01–12–02–03–12–24–03–13–11–1—4–02–0
Vancouver0–22–00–20–20–21–31–30–21–31–30–20–40–40–20–20–40–20–21–10–22–20–40–43–10–41–10–4—1–1
Washington1–24–01–31–23–12–01–10–42–00–23–12–00–21–33–11–13–10–43–13–11–12–02–02–00–22–20–21–1—

Playoffs

The Suns came into the playoffs as the seventh seed, facing the 1996 Western Conference champion Seattle SuperSonics in the first round. In game one, Rex Chapman set a playoff record with 9 three-pointers, finishing the game with 42 points and leading the Suns to a 106–101 upset in Seattle. The Sonics responded with a 44-point blowout in game two, evening the series 1–1. The Suns recovered at home in game three. After an early 15-point deficit, Wesley Person led the team to a comeback 110–103 victory with 29 points and 10 rebounds. The Suns had a chance to close the series at home in game four. Behind by eleven points in the final two minutes of regulation, the Suns cut to lead to two before fouling Detlef Schrempf with 5.4 seconds remaining. Schrempf would miss the second of two free throws, giving the Sonics a 107–104 lead. Rex Chapman would respond with a famous turnaround three-pointer to send the game into overtime. The Sonics would outscore the Suns 15–8 in extra time to gain a 122–115 victory. The Suns would head back to Seattle tied 2–2 for a deciding fifth game. The Suns turned to small ball, starting four guards (Jason Kidd, Kevin Johnson, Rex Chapman and Wesley Person) along with center Hot Rod Williams. The Sonics would dominate the first half, leading by 22 at the break. A third quarter rally would bring the lead to eight, and a Wesley Person three-pointer to open the fourth quarter brought the lead to just five. But the Sonics would go on a 19–7 run in the final six minutes to claim a 116–92 victory.[36]

Game log

1997 playoff game log
First Round: 2–3 (home: 1–1; road: 1–2)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Series
1April 25@ SeattleW 106–101Rex Chapman (42)Kevin Johnson (7)Jason Kidd (10)KeyArena
17,072		1–0
2April 27@ SeattleL 78–122Rex Chapman (18)Wesley Person (10)Jason Kidd (8)KeyArena
17,072		1–1
3April 29SeattleW 110–103Wesley Person (29)Wesley Person (10)Jason Kidd (10)America West Arena
19,023		2–1
4May 1SeattleL 115–122 (OT)Johnson, Kidd (23)Danny Manning (10)Jason Kidd (14)America West Arena
19,023		2–2
5May 3@ SeattleL 92–116Wesley Person (26)Kidd, Person (8)Jason Kidd (7)KeyArena
17,072		2–3
1997 schedule

Awards and honors

Week/Month

  • Kevin Johnson was named Player of the Week for games played March 24 through March 30.
  • Kevin Johnson was named Player of the Month for April.

All-Star

Season

Injuries/Missed games

  • 10/31/96: Kevin Johnson: Abdominal hernia; placed on injured reserve until November 24
  • 10/31/96: Mark Bryant: Torn knee cartilage; placed on injured reserve until December 6
  • 10/31/96: Hot Rod Williams: Toe surgery; placed on injured list until November 26
  • 11/14/96: Sam Cassell: Flu; did not play
  • 11/23/96: Wayman Tisdale: Shoulder tendinitis; placed on injured list until December 30
  • 11/26/96: Ben Davis: Finger ligament damage; placed on injured reserve until January 12
  • 11/26/96: Sam Cassell: Personal reasons; did not play
  • 11/27/96: Sam Cassell: Personal reasons; did not play
  • 11/29/96: Sam Cassell: Personal reasons; did not play
  • 12/06/96: Darrin Hancock: Bilateral knee bruises; placed on injured reserve until waived on December 10
  • 12/21/96: Joe Kleine: Back spasms; did not play
  • 12/28/96: Kevin Johnson: Flu; did not play
  • 12/30/96: Tony Dumas: Injured finger; did not play
  • 12/30/96: Jason Kidd: Collarbone hairline fracture; placed on injured list until December 14
  • 01/06/97: Robert Horry: Two-game team suspension (threw towel at coach Danny Ainge); out until traded on January 10
  • 01/10/97: Rex Chapman: Sprained ankle; did not play
  • 01/12/97: Tony Dumas: Bruised knee; placed on injured list until April 20
  • 01/13/97: Mark Bryant: Abdominal strain; did not play
  • 01/13/97: Rex Chapman: Sprained ankle; did not play
  • 01/14/97: Mark Bryant: Abdominal strain; did not play
  • 01/14/97: Rex Chapman: Sprained ankle; did not play
  • 01/18/97: Mark Bryant: Abdominal strain; did not play
  • 01/29/97: Rex Chapman: Fractured finger; placed on injured reserve until March 2
  • 02/11/97: Hot Rod Williams: Flu; did not play
  • 02/26/97: Danny Manning: Sore leg; did not play
  • 03/02/97: Ben Davis: Injured finger; placed on injured reserve until March 13
  • 03/09/97: Mark Bryant: Bruised foot; did not play
  • 03/11/97: Mark Bryant: Bruised foot; did not play
  • 03/13/97: Mark Bryant: Bruised foot; did not play
  • 03/13/97: Loren Meyer: Strained lower back; placed on injured list until March 25
  • 03/17/97: Mark Bryant: Bruised foot; placed on injured reserve until April 20
  • 03/22/97: Cedric Ceballos: Bruised knee; did not play
  • 03/26/97: Cedric Ceballos: Bruised knee; did not play
  • 03/28/97: Cedric Ceballos: Bruised knee; did not play
  • 03/28/97: Wayman Tisdale: Personal reasons; did not play
  • 03/30/97: Wayman Tisdale: Personal reasons; did not play
  • 04/02/97: Wayman Tisdale: Personal reasons; did not play
  • 04/05/97: Ben Davis: Injured finger; placed on injured reserve until April 20
  • 04/15/97: Wesley Person: Flu; did not play
  • 04/18/97: Wesley Person: Flu; did not play
  • 04/19/97: Danny Manning: Injured foot; did not play

Player statistics

Legend
  GPGames played  GS Games started MPG Minutes per game
 FG% Field-goal percentage 3P% 3-point field-goal percentage FT% Free-throw percentage
 RPG Rebounds per game APG Assists per game SPG Steals per game
 BPG Blocks per game PPG Points per game

Season

PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3FG%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
Dexter Boney806.0.316.167.7500.80.0.3.12.4
Chucky Brown*1008.3.500..7271.60.4.0.023.4
Mike Brown6113.8.417..6004.20.8.2.32.7
Mark Bryant411824.8.553†..7045.21.1.5.19.3
Sam Cassell*22924.5.415.306.855#2.34.51.0.314.8
Cedric Ceballos*423227.3.464.259.7376.61.2.7.415.3
Rex Chapman653328.2.443.350.8322.82.8.8.113.8
Ben Davis2004.9.385..4501.40.0.2.11.5
Tony Dumas*618.5.316.250.5000.30.5.0.22.3
Michael Finley*271829.5.475.255.8124.42.5.7.113.0
A.C. Green*271920.3.477.000.6465.10.6.7.05.7
Robert Horry*321522.5.421.308.6403.71.7.9.86.9
Kevin Johnson707038.0.496.441^.852#3.69.31.5+.220.1
Jason Kidd*332335.5.423.400.6884.89.02.4+.411.6
Joe Kleine*231015.9.4001.000^.7223.50.5.4.33.4
Horacio Llamas2025.1.536..5000.90.2.5.31.7
Danny Manning771727.7.536†.194.7216.12.21.11.013.5
Loren Meyer*351712.8.446.600^.7122.7.3.1.35.4
Steve Nash65210.5.423.418.8241.02.1.3.03.3
Wesley Person804229.1.453.413.7983.71.51.1.213.5
Rumeal Robinson*1207.3.471.300.2500.60.7.1.03.0
Wayman Tisdale531514.7.426..6252.30.4.2.46.5
John "Hot Rod" Williams686631.4.490.000.6728.31.51.01.38.0

* – Stats with the Suns.
† – Minimum 300 field goals made.
^ – Minimum 82 three-pointers made.
# – Minimum 125 free throws made.
+ – Minimum 50 games played.

Playoffs

PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3FG%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
Mike Brown406.8.400..8751.00.3.0.02.8
Mark Bryant409.0.400.1.000#1.00.0.0.02.8
Cedric Ceballos5021.4.333.2501.000#5.20.6.8.66.6
Rex Chapman5538.2.494.458.6803.22.6.4.024.2
Kevin Johnson5541.6.295.136.8794.46.02.6.016.8
Jason Kidd5541.4.396.364.5266.09.82.2.412.0
Danny Manning5023.2.578.000.933#6.01.4.81.413.2
Loren Meyer304.7.000.000.2.00.3.0.70.0
Steve Nash403.8.222.250.0.30.3.2.21.3
Wesley Person5132.6.472.424.7786.61.2.8.615.6
Wayman Tisdale449.0.400..1.80.0.0.03.0
John "Hot Rod" Williams5521.0.533..4004.60.6.41.64.0

# – Minimum 10 free throws made.

Transactions

Trades

August 19, 1996
To Houston Rockets
Charles Barkley
1999 second-round draft pick ( Tyrone Washington)
To Phoenix Suns
Sam Cassell
Robert Horry
Mark Bryant
Chucky Brown
September 25, 1996
To Milwaukee Bucks
Elliot Perry
To Phoenix Suns
Marty Conlon
1999 first-round draft pick ( James Posey)
December 4, 1996
To Milwaukee Bucks
Chucky Brown
To Phoenix Suns
Darrin Hancock
Conditional 1997 second-round draft pick
December 26, 1996
To Dallas Mavericks
Sam Cassell
Michael Finley
A.C. Green
1998 second-round draft pick ( Greg Buckner)
To Phoenix Suns
Jason Kidd
Loren Meyer
Tony Dumas
January 10, 1997
To Los Angeles Lakers
Robert Horry
Joe Kleine
To Phoenix Suns
Cedric Ceballos
Rumeal Robinson

Free agents

Additions

DatePlayerContractFormer Team
October 2, 1996Evric GrayUndisclosedChicago Bulls
October 11, 1996Rex ChapmanSigned one-year contractMiami Heat
January 31, 1997Dexter BoneySigned two 10-day contractsSan Antonio Spurs
February 21, 1997Horacio LlamasSigned two 10-day contractsGrand Canyon Antelopes
March 13, 1997Horacio LlamasSigned for rest of seasonPhoenix Suns
April 5, 1997Mike BrownSigned for rest of seasonPhiladelphia 76ers

Subtractions

DatePlayerReason LeftNew Team
July 1, 1996Terrence RencherFree agentGrand Rapids Hoops (CBA)
July 19, 1996Chris CarrFree agentMinnesota Timberwolves
October 22, 1996Evric GrayWaivedNew Jersey Nets
October 29, 1996Marty ConlonWaivedBoston Celtics
October 29, 1996Mario BennettWaivedGrand Rapids Hoops (CBA)
October 29, 1996John CokerWaivedToronto Raptors
December 11, 1996Darrin HancockWaivedAtlanta Hawks
February 14, 1996Rumeal RobinsonWaivedPortland Trail Blazers
February 20, 1997Dexter BoneyWaivedFlorida Beach Dogs (CBA)

Player Transactions Citation:[45]

References

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