1996–97 New York Knicks season

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1996–97 New York Knicks season
Head coachJeff Van Gundy
General managerErnie Grunfeld
Owners
ArenaMadison Square Garden
Results
Record57–25 (.695)
PlaceDivision: 2nd (Atlantic)
Conference: 3rd (Eastern)
Playoff finishConference Semifinals
(Lost to Heat 3–4)
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
TelevisionMSG Network[1]
RadioWFAN[2]
< 1995–96 1997–98 >

The 1996–97 New York Knicks season was the 51st season for the Knicks in the National Basketball Association (NBA).[3] For the season, the Knicks celebrated their 50th anniversary in the NBA by revealing an anniversary version of the team's primary logo.[4] During the off-season, the team acquired All-Star forward Larry Johnson from the Charlotte Hornets,[5] and signed free agents Allan Houston, Chris Childs,[6] and Buck Williams.[7] In the regular season, the Knicks won eight of their first ten games, and held a 34–14 record by February 6,[8] finishing in second place in the Atlantic Division with a 57–25 record,[9] and made the NBA Playoffs for the 10th consecutive year.[3] The team also posted three seven-game winning streaks during the regular season, which were its longest this season.[8]

The Knicks enjoyed a successful season, with their 57 wins tied for the third-most in franchise history;[3] they finished second in the Atlantic Division and third in the Eastern Conference.[10] With Houston in the regular starting lineup at shooting guard, John Starks averaged 13.8 points per game off the bench,[9] and was named the Sixth Man of the Year.[10] Patrick Ewing averaged 22.4 points, 10.7 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game,[9] and was selected for the 1997 NBA All-Star Game,[11] but did not play due to a groin injury.[12] Ewing also earned All-NBA Second Team honors,[10] and was named one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History.[13] Houston finished second on the team in scoring with 14.8 points per game, while Johnson averaged 12.8 points per game, Charles Oakley provided the team with 10.8 points and 9.8 rebounds per game, and Childs contributed 9.3 points and 6.1 assists per game.[9] In the last game of the season, at the United Center, the Knicks defeated the then-69–12 Chicago Bulls, preventing them from posting two consecutive 70-win seasons, and tying the best home record (40–1 set by the 1985–86 Boston Celtics, and later matched by the 2015–16 San Antonio Spurs).[14][15]

In the playoffs, New York defeated the Charlotte Hornets in a three-game sweep in the Eastern Conference first round and advanced to the Eastern Conference semi-finals,[16][17] where they faced the Atlantic Division champion Miami Heat, in what would eventually become the first chapter of one of the fiercest NBA rivalries of the period.[10][18] After jumping to a 3–1 lead in the series, the Knicks were eliminated by the Heat in seven games,[19] after a brawl erupted at the end of Game 5 that led to the suspensions of five key Knicks players: Ewing, Houston, Johnson, Starks and Charlie Ward.[20] Following the season, top draft pick John Wallace was traded to the Toronto Raptors,[21][22] and first round draft pick Walter McCarty was dealt to the Boston Celtics.[21][23]

NBA Draft[]

Main article: 1996 NBA draft
Round Pick Player Position Nationality School/Club Team
1 18 John Wallace SF  United States Syracuse
1 19 Walter McCarty SF/PF  United States Kentucky
1 21 Dontae' Jones SF  United States Mississippi State

Roster[]

1996–97 New York Knicks roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB (YYYY-MM-DD) From
PG 4 Brooks, Scott 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 165 lb (75 kg) 1965–07–31 UC Irvine
PG 1 Childs, Chris 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1967–11–20 Boise State
C 33 Ewing, Patrick (C) 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 240 lb (109 kg) 1962–08–05 Georgetown
SG 20 Houston, Allan 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 1971–04–20 Tennessee
SF 2 Johnson, Larry 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 250 lb (113 kg) 1969–03–14 UNLV
SF 13 Jones, Dontae' Injured (IN) 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1975–06–02 Mississippi State
PF 40 McCarty, Walter 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 230 lb (104 kg) 1974–02–01 Kentucky
PF 34 Oakley, Charles 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1963–12–18 Virginia Union
SG 3 Starks, John 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1965–08–10 Oklahoma State
SF 44 Wallace, John 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1974–02–09 Syracuse
PG 21 Ward, Charlie 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1970–10–12 Florida State
PF 52 Williams, Buck 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1960–03–08 Maryland
PF 32 Williams, Herb 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 242 lb (110 kg) 1958–02–16 Ohio State
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured Injured

Roster
Last transaction: January 6, 1997

Roster notes[]

  • Rookie small forward Dontae' Jones was on the injured reserve list with a foot injury, missed the entire season and never played for the Knicks.[24][25]

Regular season[]

Season standings[]

Atlantic Division
W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-Miami Heat 61 21 .744 – 29–12 32–9 16–8
x-New York Knicks 57 25 .695 4 31–10 26–15 19–6
x-Orlando Magic 45 37 .549 16 26–15 19–22 13–11
x-Washington Bullets 44 38 .537 17 25–16 19–22 14–10
New Jersey Nets 26 56 .317 35 16–25 10–31 11–13
Philadelphia 76ers 22 60 .268 39 11–30 11–30 11–14
Boston Celtics 15 67 .183 46 11–30 4–37 1–23
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
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[]

1997 playoff game log
First Round: 3–0 (Home: 2–0; Road: 1–0)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Series
1 April 24 Charlotte W 109–99 Allan Houston (25) Patrick Ewing (9) Chris Childs (8) Madison Square Garden
19,763 		1–0
2 April 26 Charlotte W 100–93 Patrick Ewing (30) Charles Oakley (10) Chris Childs (9) Madison Square Garden
19,763 		2–0
3 April 28 @ Charlotte W 104–95 Larry Johnson (22) Patrick Ewing (11) Johnson, Childs (5) Charlotte Coliseum
24,042 		3–0
Conference Semifinals: 3–4 (Home: 2–1; Road: 1–3)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Series
1 May 7 @ Miami W 88–79 Allan Houston (27) Patrick Ewing (16) Johnson, Ward (5) Miami Arena
14,870 		1–0
2 May 9 @ Miami L 84–88 Allan Houston (19) Patrick Ewing (11) Chris Childs (7) Miami Arena
14,870 		1–1
3 May 11 Miami W 77–73 Patrick Ewing (25) Ewing, Oakley (11) Ward, Starks (4) Madison Square Garden
19,763 		2–1
4 May 12 Miami W 89–76 John Starks (21) Charles Oakley (9) Chris Childs (8) Madison Square Garden
19,763 		3–1
5 May 14 @ Miami L 81–96 Patrick Ewing (19) Charles Oakley (9) Chris Childs (7) Miami Arena
14,782 		3–2
6 May 16 Miami L 90–95 Chris Childs (22) Charles Oakley (12) Chris Childs (9) Madison Square Garden
19,763 		3–3
7 May 18 @ Miami L 90–101 Patrick Ewing (37) Patrick Ewing (17) Charlie Ward (8) Miami Arena
14,870 		3–4
1997 schedule

Player statistics[]

Legend
  GP Games 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

NOTE: Please write player statistics in alphabetical order by last name.

Season[]

Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Scott Brooks 38 0 6.6
Chris Childs 65 61 31.9
Patrick Ewing 78 78 37.0
Allan Houston 81 81 33.1
Chris Jent 3 0 3.3
Larry Johnson 76 76 34.4
Walter McCarty 35 0 5.5
Charles Oakley 80 80 35.9
John Starks 77 1 26.5
John Wallace 68 6 11.6
Charlie Ward 79 21 22.3
Buck Williams 74 4 20.2
Herb Williams 21 2 8.8

Playoffs[]

Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Scott Brooks
Chris Childs
Patrick Ewing
Allan Houston
Larry Johnson
Walter McCarty
Charles Oakley
John Starks
John Wallace
Charlie Ward
Buck Williams
Herb Williams

Awards and records[]

Transactions[]

References[]

  1. ^ 2016–17 New York Knicks Media Guide (PDF). New York Knicks. 2016. p. 305. Retrieved June 1, 2021.
  2. ^ 2016–17 New York Knicks Media Guide (PDF). New York Knicks. 2016. p. 304. Retrieved June 1, 2021.
  3. ^ a b c "New York Knickerbockers Franchise Index". Basketball-Reference. Archived from the original on April 24, 2010. Retrieved March 13, 2010.
  4. ^ "New York Knicks Logo". Chris Creamer's Sports Logos Page – SportsLogos.Net. Retrieved November 25, 2021.
  5. ^ Isola, Frank (July 13, 1996). "Larry Loves N.Y.: Knicks, Hornets Work Out Bugs". New York Daily News. Retrieved October 7, 2016.
  6. ^ Wise, Mike (July 15, 1996). "Pro Basketball; It's a Blockbuster Day for Knicks". The New York Times. Retrieved July 27, 2018.
  7. ^ "Knicks Ink Veteran Forward Buck Williams". Philadelphia Daily News. July 27, 1996. Archived from the original on September 16, 2016. Retrieved August 4, 2018.
  8. ^ a b "1996–97 New York Knicks Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved April 15, 2021.
  9. ^ a b c d "1996–97 New York Knickerbockers Roster and Statistics". Basketball-Reference. Archived from the original on April 25, 2010. Retrieved March 13, 2010.
  10. ^ a b c d "1996–97 NBA Season Summary". Basketball-Reference. Archived from the original on April 12, 2010. Retrieved March 13, 2010.
  11. ^ "1997 NBA All-Star Game: East 132, West 120". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved November 27, 2021.
  12. ^ Cummings, D. L. (February 6, 1997). "Stars Are Out For Ewing: Groin Injury KOs Patrick". New York Daily News. Retrieved August 10, 2017.
  13. ^ "NBA History: The NBA's 50 Greatest Players". National Basketball Association. Archived from the original on April 5, 2010. Retrieved August 26, 2019.
  14. ^ Brown, Clifton (April 20, 1997). "When a Knick Victory Is Not Just a Victory". The New York Times. Retrieved March 13, 2010.
  15. ^ Nathan, Alec. "Spurs Tie All-Time NBA Record for Most Home Wins in Regular Season". Bleacher Report. Retrieved September 24, 2021.
  16. ^ Wise, Mike (April 29, 1997). "Knicks Sweep Away Hornets, and Season of Doubts". The New York Times. Retrieved July 28, 2021.
  17. ^ "1997 NBA Playoffs Summary". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved August 23, 2021.
  18. ^ Sheridan, Chris (May 7, 2000). "Knicks, Heat continue their simmering rivalry". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. p. 9C. Retrieved March 13, 2010.
  19. ^ Brown, Clifton (May 19, 1997). "Next Stop, Chicago: Riley Adjusts Rearview Mirror to See Knicks". New York Times. Retrieved July 28, 2021.
  20. ^ Isola, Frank (May 16, 1997). "NBA – No Brawls Allowed: Ewing Among Five Suspended Knicks". New York Daily News. Retrieved August 4, 2018.
  21. ^ a b "1996 NBA Draft". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved December 13, 2021.
  22. ^ Whitehorn, Dave (February 22, 2011). "The 13 biggest Knicks trades in history". Newsday. Retrieved September 5, 2016.
  23. ^ Roberts, Selena (October 23, 1997). "Pro Basketball; Knicks Send Four Players To the Celtics for Mills". The New York Times. Retrieved December 28, 2016.
  24. ^ May, Peter (October 24, 1997). "Jones envisions much better time". The Boston Globe. p. D3.
  25. ^ "Dontae' Jones". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
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