The 1997–98 NBA season was the 30th season for the Phoenix Suns in the National Basketball Association.[1] In the off-season, the Suns acquired Antonio McDyess from the Denver Nuggets,[2] and signed free agents Clifford Robinson,[3] and George McCloud. Danny Ainge returned for his first full season as the Suns head coach, as they won nine of their first eleven games, which included a 140–139 quadruple overtime road win over the Portland Trail Blazers on November 14, 1997.[4] The Suns continued to play competitive basketball holding a 31–15 record at the All-Star break. At midseason, the team traded Cedric Ceballos to the Dallas Mavericks for three-point specialist Dennis Scott,[5] as they posted a ten-game winning streak between March and April, winning eleven of their final twelve games of the season. The Suns posted a 56–26 record as members of the Pacific Division, finishing third in their division and fourth in the Western Conference.[6] They would make their 10th straight playoff appearance before losing in the Western Conference First Round, 1–3 to the 5th-seeded San Antonio Spurs.[7] All home games were played in America West Arena.
The team's top scorer Rex Chapman, who averaged 15.9 points per game, was part of a Suns offense that included four other players averaging double-digits in points in McDyess, Robinson, Danny Manning and Jason Kidd. Kidd was the team's sole member to be selected as a member of the 1998 NBA All-Star Game,[8] averaging 11.6 points, 6.2 rebounds, 9.1 assists and 2.0 steals per game. He also finished second in the league in assists. In addition, McDyess averaged 15.1 points, 7.6 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game, while Robinson provided the team with 14.2 points and 5.1 rebounds per game.[9] Manning averaged 13.5 points and 5.6 rebounds per game off the bench, and was named Sixth Man of the Year, but did not play in any of the Suns’ playoff games due to a knee ligament.[10]Kevin Johnson played in 50 games, starting in just 12 of them this season due to tendinitis in his right knee,[11] as he averaged 9.5 points and 4.9 assists per game, and second-year guard Steve Nash contributed 9.1 points and 3.4 assists per game off the bench.[9]
Following the season, McDyess re-signed as a free agent with his former team, the Denver Nuggets,[12] while Johnson retired (but would make a comeback late in the 1999–2000 season), Nash was traded to the Dallas Mavericks,[13]Hot Rod Williams signed as a free agent with the Mavericks, Scott signed with the New York Knicks, and Mark Bryant was traded to the Chicago Bulls.
Center Loren Meyer missed the entire season due to a spine injury.
Center Mike Brown did not play in any regular season games with the Suns this season, due to previously playing in Italy. However, he was re-signed by the team on April 18, just one day before the final day of the regular season, and only played in one playoff game.
Even with a 56–26 record, the Suns were the fourth seed in the West heading into the Playoffs. They would face the fifth-seeded San Antonio Spurs, headlined by star center David Robinson and Rookie of the Year forward Tim Duncan. Duncan led the Spurs to a game one upset in Phoenix, scoring 28 second-half points in a 102–96 victory. The Suns recovered to win game two 108–101. Antonio McDyess led the Suns with 21 points and 11 rebounds, while holding Duncan to 16 points with six turnovers. On the night he received the Rookie of the Year Award, Duncan again led the Spurs with 22 points, 14 rebounds and 3 blocks. Despite 26 points and 17 rebounds from McDyess, the Suns fell 88–100 and into a 1–2 series hole. The Spurs would clinch the series 3–1 in San Antonio, behind 30 points from Avery Johnson, 21 rebounds from Robinson, and 6 blocks from Duncan. McDyess pulled down 19 rebounds for the Suns, but shot only 5 of 14 from the field, while Kevin Johnson led the team with 18 points.[7]
Jason Kidd was named Player of the Week for games played March 8 through March 14.
Jason Kidd was named Player of the Week for games played April 12 through April 18.
All-Star[]
Jason Kidd was selected as a reserve for the Western Conference in the All-Star Game. It was his second All-Star selection. Kidd finished fifth in voting among Western Conference guards with 305,834 votes.
United States
