1997–98 Charlotte Hornets season

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1997–98 Charlotte Hornets season
Head coachDave Cowens
General managerBob Bass
Owner(s)George Shinn
ArenaCharlotte Coliseum
Results
Record51–31 (.622)
PlaceDivision: 3rd (Central)
Conference: 4th (Eastern)
Playoff finishConference Semifinals
(Lost to Bulls 1–4)
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
Television
RadioWBT
< 1996–97 1998–99 >

The 1997–98 NBA season was the tenth season for the Charlotte Hornets in the National Basketball Association.[1] During the off-season, the Hornets signed free agents David Wesley and Bobby Phills,[2] while re-signing former Hornets forward J.R. Reid. Early into the season, they traded Muggsy Bogues to the Golden State Warriors for B. J. Armstrong, who won three championships with the Chicago Bulls in the early 1990s.[3] At midseason, the team signed free agent Vernon Maxwell, who was previously released by the Orlando Magic. Despite injuries to Phills, Vlade Divac and long-time original Hornet Dell Curry, the Hornets had another stellar season posting a ten-game winning streak between February and March, winning 15 of 16 games between February 21 and March 26. The Hornets finished the season third in the Central Division with a 51–31 record, and qualified for their fourth playoff appearance.[4]

Glen Rice led the team in scoring with 22.3 points per game, and was named to the All-NBA Third Team, and selected for the 1998 NBA All-Star Game,[5] while Wesley averaged 13.0 points, 6.5 assists and 1.7 steals per game, and Anthony Mason provided the team with 12.8 points and 10.2 rebounds per game. In addition, Phills contributed 10.4 points per game, while Divac averaged 10.4 points, 8.1 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game, Matt Geiger provided with 11.3 points and 6.7 rebounds per game, and Curry contributed 9.4 points per game off the bench in 52 games.[6] In the playoffs, the Hornets defeated the Atlanta Hawks 3–1 in the Eastern Conference First Round,[7] but were eliminated 1–4 by Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen and the 2-time defending champion Chicago Bulls in the Eastern Conference Semi-finals,[8] despite winning Game 2 at the United Center 78–76.[9] The Bulls went on to reach the finals, where they defeated the Utah Jazz in six games to win their sixth championship in eight years.[10]

The Hornets finished second the NBA in attendance for the season. On November 25, 1997, the team's sellout streak would end at 364 consecutive games (371 including post-season contests); This was the second longest active sell-out streak at the time, behind the Chicago Bulls' 465.[11] Following the season, Divac and Maxwell both signed as free agents with the Sacramento Kings,[12] while Curry signed with the Milwaukee Bucks,[13] and Geiger signed with the Philadelphia 76ers.

For the season, the Hornets added side panels and additional pinstripes to their uniforms, which lasted until 2002.[14][15]

Offseason[]

NBA Draft[]

Main article: 1997 NBA Draft

The Hornets had no draft picks in 1997.

Roster[]

1997–98 Charlotte Hornets roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB (YYYY-MM-DD) From
G 10 Armstrong, B. J. 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 1967–09–09 Iowa
G 15 Beck, Corey 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1971–05–27 Arkansas
G 30 Curry, Dell 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1964–06–25 Virginia Tech
C 12 Divac, Vlade 7 ft 1 in (2.16 m) 243 lb (110 kg) 1968–02–03 Yugoslavia
C 52 Geiger, Matt 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 243 lb (110 kg) 1969–09–10 Georgia Tech
F 14 Mason, Anthony 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 250 lb (113 kg) 1966–12–14 Tennessee State
G 11 Maxwell, Vernon 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1965–09–12 Florida
C 42 McDonald, Michael 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 232 lb (105 kg) 1969–02–13 New Orleans
G 13 Phills, Bobby 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1969–12–20 Southern
F 7 Reid, J.R. 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 247 lb (112 kg) 1968–03–31 North Carolina
F 41 Rice, Glen (C) 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1967–05–28 Michigan
F 5 Royal, Donald 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1966–05–22 Notre Dame
G 4 Wesley, David 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1970–11–14 Baylor
F 32 Williams, Travis 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1969–05–27 South Carolina State
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured Injured

Roster
Last transaction: March 24, 1998

Regular season[]

Season standings[]

Central Division
W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-Chicago Bulls 62 20 .756 – 37–4 25–16 21–7
x-Indiana Pacers 58 24 .707 4 32–9 26–15 19–9
x-Charlotte Hornets 51 31 .622 11 32–9 19–22 16–12
x-Atlanta Hawks 50 32 .610 12 29–12 21–20 19–9
x-Cleveland Cavaliers 47 35 .573 15 27–14 20–21 14–14
Detroit Pistons 37 45 .451 25 25–16 12–29 12–16
Milwaukee Bucks 36 46 .439 26 21–20 15–26 9–19
Toronto Raptors 16 66 .195 46 9–32 7–34 2–26
# Eastern Conference
Team W L PCT GB
1 c-Chicago Bulls 62 20 .756 –
2 y-Miami Heat 55 27 .671 7
3 x-Indiana Pacers 58 24 .707 4
4 x-Charlotte Hornets 51 31 .622 11
5 x-Atlanta Hawks 50 32 .610 12
6 x-Cleveland Cavaliers 47 35 .573 15
7 x-New York Knicks 43 39 .524 19
8 x-New Jersey Nets 43 39 .524 19
9 Washington Wizards 42 40 .512 20
10 Orlando Magic 41 41 .500 21
11 Detroit Pistons 37 45 .451 25
12 Boston Celtics 36 46 .439 26
12 Milwaukee Bucks 36 46 .439 26
14 Philadelphia 76ers 31 51 .378 31
15 Toronto Raptors 16 66 .195 46

Record vs. opponents[]

1997-98 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 — 2–1 4–0 1–3 4–0 2–0 2–0 2–2 2–0 1–1 1–3 2–0 0–2 1–3 3–1 0–2 1–2 2–2 2–2 3–1 0–2 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 4–0 0–2 2–0 4–0
Boston 1–2 — 1–2 1–3 1–3 1–1 1–1 2–2 1–1 1–1 0–4 2–0 1–1 0–4 2–2 1–1 2–2 2–2 2–2 3–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 3–0 0–2 2–0 3–2
Charlotte 0–4 2–1 — 1–3 2–2 2–0 2–0 3–1 1–1 2–0 3–1 2–0 1–1 3–1 3–1 1–1 2–2 1–3 3–1 2–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 4–0 1–1 2–0 2–2
Chicago 3–1 3–1 3–1 — 2–2 1–1 2–0 3–1 2–0 2–0 2–2 2–0 1–1 2–1 4–0 1–1 4–0 4–0 3–1 2–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 2–0 1–1 4–0 0–2 2–0 3–1
Cleveland 0–4 3–1 2–2 2–2 — 1–1 2–0 3–1 2–0 1–1 2–2 2–0 1–1 1–3 2–2 2–0 3–1 1–2 2–2 3–1 2–0 1–1 2–0 0–2 0–2 3–1 1–1 2–0 1–2
Dallas 0–2 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 — 3–1 0–2 1–3 0–4 1–1 1–3 0–4 0–2 0–2 2–2 0–2 1–1 0–2 0–2 0–4 0–4 0–4 0–4 2–2 1–1 0–4 4–0 1–1
Denver 0–2 1–1 0–2 0–2 0–2 1–3 — 0–2 1–3 0–4 0–2 2–2 0–4 0–2 0–2 1–3 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–4 2–2 1–3 0–4 0–4 0–2 0–4 1–3 1–1
Detroit 2–2 2–2 1–3 1–3 1–3 2–0 2–0 — 2–0 1–1 1–3 2–0 0–2 1–2 2–2 0–2 2–2 2–2 1–2 3–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 4–0 0–2 0–2 2–2
Golden State 0–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–2 3–1 3–1 0–2 — 1–3 0–2 1–3 1–3 0–2 0–2 0–4 0–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–4 1–3 2–2 1–3 1–3 0–2 0–4 1–3 0–2
Houston 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–2 1–1 4–0 4–0 1–1 3–1 — 1–1 4–0 1–3 0–2 1–1 1–3 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–3 1–3 4–0 2–2 1–3 2–0 0–4 3–1 1–1
Indiana 3–1 4–0 1–3 2–2 2–2 1–1 2–0 3–1 2–0 1–1 — 2–0 0–2 3–1 4–0 2–0 2–1 2–1 3–1 4–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 0–2 0–2 4–0 1–1 2–0 4–0
L.A. Clippers 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 3–1 2–2 0–2 3–1 0–4 0–2 — 0–4 0–2 0–2 0–4 1–1 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–4 0–4 3–1 1–3 0–4 1–1 1–3 1–3 0–2
L.A. Lakers 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 4–0 4–0 2–0 3–1 3–1 2–0 4–0 — 1–1 2–0 4–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 2–2 2–2 4–0 4–0 1–3 2–0 3–1 4–0 1–1
Miami 3–1 4–0 1–3 1–2 3–1 2–0 2–0 2–1 2–0 2–0 1–3 2–0 1–1 — 3–1 1–1 3–1 2–2 3–1 4–0 0–2 2–0 2–0 0–2 0–2 4–0 1–1 2–0 2–2
Milwaukee 1–3 2–2 1–3 0–4 2–2 2–0 2–0 2–2 2–0 1–1 0–4 2–0 0–2 1–3 — 1–1 0–4 3–1 2–1 2–2 0–2 2–0 2–0 0–2 1–1 3–1 0–2 1–1 1–2
Minnesota 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 2–2 3–1 2–0 4–0 3–1 0–2 4–0 0–4 1–1 1–1 — 2–0 1–1 0–2 2–0 3–1 1–3 3–1 1–3 1–3 1–1 1–3 4–0 0–2
New Jersey 2–1 2–2 2–2 0–4 1–3 2–0 2–0 2–2 2–0 1–1 1–2 1–1 1–1 1–3 4–0 0–2 — 2–2 3–1 3–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 0–2 3–1 0–2 2–0 1–3
New York 2–2 2–2 3–1 0–4 2–1 1–1 2–0 2–2 1–1 1–1 1–2 2–0 1–1 2–2 1–3 1–1 2–2 — 4–0 2–2 2–0 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 3–1 0–2 2–0 1–3
Orlando 2–2 2–2 1–3 1–3 2–2 2–0 2–0 2–1 1–1 2–0 1–3 2–0 1–1 1–3 1–2 2–0 1–3 0–4 — 4–0 0–2 2–0 0–2 0–2 1–1 3–1 0–2 2–0 3–1
Philadelphia 1–3 1–3 1–2 1–2 1–3 2–0 2–0 1–3 2–0 1–1 0–4 1–1 2–0 0–4 2–2 0–2 1–3 2–2 0–4 — 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–2 2–2 0–2 2–0 3–1
Phoenix 2–0 2–0 1–1 1–1 0–2 4–0 4–0 1–1 4–0 3–1 1–1 4–0 2–2 2–0 2–0 1–3 1–1 0–2 2–0 1–1 — 2–2 3–1 3–1 2–2 2–0 1–3 4–0 1–1
Portland 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 4–0 2–2 2–0 3–1 3–1 1–1 4–0 2–2 0–2 0–2 3–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 2–2 — 3–1 2–2 0–4 2–0 3–1 2–2 1–1
Sacramento 0–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–2 4–0 3–1 1–1 2–2 0–4 0–2 1–3 0–4 0–2 0–2 1–3 0–2 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–3 1–3 — 0–4 1–3 1–1 2–2 2–2 1–1
San Antonio 1–1 2–0 1–1 0–2 2–0 4–0 4–0 1–1 3–1 2–2 2–0 3–1 0–4 2–0 2–0 3–1 1–1 2–0 2–0 2–0 1–3 2–2 4–0 — 2–2 2–0 1–3 4–0 1–1
Seattle 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 2–2 4–0 2–0 3–1 3–1 2–0 4–0 3–1 2–0 1–1 3–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 2–2 4–0 3–1 2–2 — 2–0 2–2 4–0 1–1
Toronto 0–4 0–3 0–4 0–4 1–3 1–1 2–0 0–4 2–0 0–2 0–4 1–1 0–2 0–4 1–3 1–1 1–3 1–3 1–3 2–2 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–2 0–2 — 0–2 1–1 0–3
Utah 2–0 2–0 1–1 2–0 1–1 4–0 4–0 2–0 4–0 4–0 1–1 3–1 1–3 1–1 2–0 3–1 2–0 2–0 2–0 2–0 3–1 1–3 2–2 3–1 2–2 2–0 — 4–0 0–2
Vancouver 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–4 3–1 2–0 3–1 1–3 0–2 3–1 0–4 0–2 1–1 0–4 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–4 2–2 2–2 0–4 0–4 1–1 0–4 — 1–1
Washington 0–4 2–3 2–2 1–3 2–1 1–1 1–1 2–2 2–0 1–1 0–4 2–0 1–1 2–2 2–1 2–0 3–1 3–1 1–3 1–3 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 3–0 2–0 1–1 —

Game log[]

Playoffs[]

1998 playoff game log
Total: 4–5 (Home: 2–2; Road: 2–3)
First Round: 3–1 (Home: 2–0; Road: 1–1)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Series
1 April 23 Atlanta W 97–87 Glen Rice (34) Divac, Mason (7) David Wesley (12) Charlotte Coliseum
19,176 		1–0
2 April 25 Atlanta W 92–85 Anthony Mason (25) Glen Rice (13) Divac, Wesley (6) Charlotte Coliseum
20,390 		2–0
3 April 28 @ Atlanta L 64–96 Anthony Mason (12) Vlade Divac (7) Divac, Wesley (5) Georgia Dome
19,745 		2–1
4 May 1 @ Atlanta W 91–82 Anthony Mason (29) Anthony Mason (14) David Wesley (10) Georgia Dome
22,074 		3–1
Conference Semifinals: 1–4 (Home: 0–2; Road: 1–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Series
1 May 3 @ Chicago L 70–83 Glen Rice (25) Vlade Divac (14) David Wesley (9) United Center
23,844 		0–1
2 May 6 @ Chicago W 78–76 Mason, Curry (15) Vlade Divac (19) Mason, Rice (4) United Center
23,844 		1–1
3 May 8 Chicago L 89–103 Glen Rice (31) Vlade Divac (13) David Wesley (8) Charlotte Coliseum
23,799 		1–2
4 May 10 Chicago L 80–94 Vlade Divac (15) Glen Rice (9) Anthony Mason (5) Charlotte Coliseum
23,799 		1–3
5 May 13 @ Chicago L 84–93 Glen Rice (30) Vlade Divac (15) three players tied (5) United Center
23,844 		1–4
1998 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

Season[]

Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
B. J. Armstrong 62 0 12.5 .510 .265 .860 1.1 2.3 0.4 0.0 3.9
Corey Beck 59 14 12.5 .459 .500 .729 1.5 1.7 0.6 0.1 3.2
Muggsy Bogues 2 0 8.0 .400 1.000 0.5 2.0 1.0 0.0 3.0
Dell Curry 52 1 18.7 .447 .421 .788 1.9 1.3 0.6 0.1 9.4
Tony Delk 3 0 11.3 .750 1.000 .500 0.7 1.0 0.0 0.0 2.7
Vlade Divac 64 41 28.2 .498 .214 .691 8.1 2.7 1.3 1.5 10.4
Tony Farmer 27 2 6.3 .321 .222 .795 1.2 0.2 0.4 0.1 2.5
Matt Geiger 78 42 23.6 .505 .091 .712 6.7 1.0 0.9 1.1 11.3
Jeff Grayer 1 0 11.0 .000 .000 0.0 1.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Anthony Mason 81 80 38.9 .509 .000 .649 10.2 4.2 0.8 0.2 12.8
Vernon Maxwell 31 0 15.1 .428 .360 .735 1.4 1.3 0.5 0.1 6.8
Michael McDonald 1 0 4.0 1.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Bobby Phills 62 61 30.4 .446 .386 .757 3.5 3.0 1.3 0.3 10.4
J.R. Reid 79 1 14.0 .459 .375 .730 2.7 0.6 0.4 0.2 4.9
Glen Rice 82 82 40.2 .457 .433 .849 4.3 2.2 0.9 0.3 22.3
Donald Royal 29 5 10.5 .381 .897 1.3 0.6 0.2 0.0 2.6
David Wesley 81 81 35.1 .443 .347 .795 2.6 6.5 1.7 0.4 13.0
Travis Williams 39 0 9.4 .471 .000 .522 2.4 0.5 0.5 0.1 3.5

Playoffs[]

Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
B. J. Armstrong 9 0 16.2 .381 .400 .750 1.1 2.0 0.7 0.0 4.1
Corey Beck 6 0 4.3 .500 .500 1.000 0.2 0.0 0.7 0.0 2.5
Dell Curry 9 0 19.0 .404 .250 .857 2.1 1.1 0.8 0.3 5.8
Vlade Divac 9 9 38.3 .483 .000 .606 10.9 3.4 0.8 1.6 11.6
Matt Geiger 4 0 5.5 .167 1.3 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.5
Anthony Mason 9 9 40.8 .576 .000 .595 7.9 3.4 0.9 0.0 15.4
Bobby Phills 9 9 29.9 .391 .294 .250 2.6 2.7 1.1 0.2 6.3
J.R. Reid 9 0 12.7 .393 .000 .800 2.2 0.2 0.3 0.3 3.3
Glen Rice 9 9 41.0 .474 .306 .833 5.7 1.4 0.6 0.3 22.8
Donald Royal 4 0 7.0 .429 .750 1.0 0.3 0.0 0.0 2.3
David Wesley 9 9 31.7 .398 .429 .714 2.0 6.7 0.8 0.0 10.0
Travis Williams 4 0 4.5 .333 .750 1.3 0.0 0.3 0.3 1.3

Awards and records[]

Transactions[]

  • July 1, 1997

Released Rafael Addison.

Signed David Wesley as a free agent.

  • July 16, 1997

Signed J.R. Reid as a free agent.

  • August 19, 1997

Signed Bobby Phills as a free agent.

Released Malik Rose.

Waived Ricky Pierce.

  • September 10, 1997

Signed Tony Farmer as a free agent.

Signed Travis Williams as a free agent.

  • October 2, 1997

Signed Corey Beck as a free agent.

  • November 7, 1997

Traded Muggsy Bogues and Tony Delk to the Golden State Warriors for B. J. Armstrong.

  • January 16, 1998

Signed Donald Royal to the first of two 10-day contracts.

  • January 22, 1998

Signed Michael McDonald as a free agent.

  • February 2, 1998

Signed Jeff Grayer to a 10-day contract.

Signed Vernon Maxwell to a 10-day contract.

  • February 4, 1998

Signed Donald Royal to a contract for the rest of the season.

  • February 13, 1998

Signed Vernon Maxwell to a contract for the rest of the season.

  • March 24, 1998

Waived Tony Farmer.

Player Transactions Citation:[16]

References[]

  1. ^ 1997-98 Charlotte Hornets
  2. ^ "Hornets Sign Phills". New York Times. August 20, 1997. Retrieved October 13, 2021.
  3. ^ "PRO BASKETBALL; Bogues Is Traded". New York Times. November 8, 1997. Retrieved July 21, 2017.
  4. ^ "1997–98 Charlotte Hornets Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  5. ^ "1998 NBA All-Star Game: East 135, West 114". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved November 27, 2021.
  6. ^ "1997–98 Charlotte Hornets Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  7. ^ "N.B.A.: PLAYOFFS; Mason Leads Charge As Hornets Top Hawks". The New York Times. May 2, 1998. Retrieved February 18, 2022.
  8. ^ "THE N.B.A. PLAYOFFS; The Bulls Finish Off Charlotte to Advance". The New York Times. May 14, 1998. Retrieved July 26, 2021.
  9. ^ Bembry, Jerry (May 7, 1998). "Hornets steal one from Bulls, 78-76 Controlling Jordan, Charlotte ties series". Baltimore Sun. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
  10. ^ "Michael Jordan hits 'The Shot', and the Chicago Bulls beat Utah Jazz for their 6th NBA championship". Chicago Tribune. June 15, 1998. Retrieved July 31, 2021.
  11. ^ "Charlotte's sellout streak ends at 364 games". AP News. November 25, 1997. Retrieved July 24, 2021.
  12. ^ "Kings Sign Center Vlade Divac". CBS News. January 22, 1999. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
  13. ^ "Bucks spice roster with Curry". The Journal Times. January 23, 1999. Retrieved January 1, 2022.
  14. ^ "Charlotte Hornets Uniform". Chris Creamer's Sports Logos Page - SportsLogos.Net. Retrieved July 7, 2021.
  15. ^ "Charlotte Hornets Uniform". Chris Creamer's Sports Logos Page - SportsLogos.Net. Retrieved July 7, 2021.
  16. ^ "1997–98 Charlotte Hornets Transactions". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved July 2, 2021.
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