1997–98 Seattle SuperSonics season

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1997–98 Seattle SuperSonics season
Division champions
Head coachGeorge Karl
General managerWally Walker
ArenaKeyArena at Seattle Center
Results
Record61–21 (.744)
PlaceDivision: 1st (Pacific)
Conference: 2nd (Western)
Playoff finishWest Semi-finals
(Lost to Lakers 1–4)

Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
TelevisionKSTW
Fox Sports Northwest
RadioKJR
< 1996–97 1998–99 >

The 1997–98 NBA season was the 30th season for the Seattle SuperSonics in the National Basketball Association.[1] In the off-season, the Sonics acquired All-Star forward Vin Baker from the Milwaukee Bucks in a three-team trade.[2] The team also re-acquired former Sonics star and sharp shooter Dale Ellis from the Denver Nuggets,[3] and signed free agents Jerome Kersey and Greg Anthony. The Sonics got off to a fast start with a 13–3 record after a 7-game winning streak in November. The team posted an 8-game winning streak between December and January winning 29 of their first 35 games,[4] then later on holding the league's best record before the All-Star break with a 37–10 record, as they finished first place in the Pacific Division tied with the Los Angeles Lakers with a 61–21 record.[5]

Baker and Gary Payton both led the team in scoring with 19.2 points per game each, and were both selected for the 1998 NBA All-Star Game, with head coach George Karl coaching the Western Conference.[6] Payton was also named to the All-NBA First Team, and the NBA All-Defensive First Team, as he led the Sonics with 8.3 assists and 2.3 steals per game, while Baker also contributed 8.0 rebounds per game, and Detlef Schrempf provided the team with 15.8 points and 7.1 rebounds per game. In addition, Ellis played a sixth man role, averaging 11.8 points per game off the bench, while shooting .464 in three-point field goal percentage, and Hersey Hawkins contributed 10.5 points and 1.8 steals per game.[7] Payton finished in third place in Most Valuable Player voting, while Baker finished in eighth place. Payton also finished in second place in Defensive Player of the Year voting, and Ellis finished in third place in Sixth Man of the Year voting.[8]

In the Western Conference First Round of the playoffs, the Sonics struggled as they trailed 2–1 to the 7th-seeded Minnesota Timberwolves,[9] but managed to win the series in five games.[10] However, they would lose in five games to the 3rd-seeded Lakers in the Western Conference Semi-finals after taking Game 1.[11] Following the season, Karl was fired and left to take a coaching job with the Milwaukee Bucks,[12] while long-time Sonics guard Nate McMillan retired after only playing just 18 games this season due to knee surgery.[13] Also following the season, Sam Perkins signed as a free agent with the Indiana Pacers,[14] while Kersey signed with the San Antonio Spurs, Anthony signed with the Portland Trail Blazers, Jim McIlvaine was traded to the New Jersey Nets,[15] and David Wingate signed with the New York Knicks.

Draft picks[]

Round Pick Player Position Nationality College
1 23 Bobby Jackson PG/SG  United States Minnesota
2 41 Ed Elisma F  United States Georgia Tech
2 55 Mark Blount C  United States Pittsburgh

Roster[]

1997–98 Seattle SuperSonics roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB (YYYY-MM-DD) From
G 2 Anthony, Greg 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 176 lb (80 kg) 1967–11–15 UNLV
F/C 42 Baker, Vin 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 232 lb (105 kg) 1971–11–23 Hartford
G 4 Cotton, James 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1975–12–14 Long Beach State
G/F 3 Ellis, Dale 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 1960–08–06 Tennessee
G 33 Hawkins, Hersey 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1966–09–29 Bradley
F 44 Howard, Stephen Injured 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1970–07–15 DePaul
F 7 Kersey, Jerome 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1962–06–26 Longwood
C 22 McIlvaine, Jim 7 ft 1 in (2.16 m) 240 lb (109 kg) 1972–07–30 Marquette
G 10 McMillan, Nate 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1964–08–03 North Carolina State
G 20 Payton, Gary 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1968–07–23 Oregon State
F/C 14 Perkins, Sam 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 235 lb (107 kg) 1961–06–14 North Carolina
F 11 Schrempf, Detlef 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 214 lb (97 kg) 1963–01–21 Washington
F/C 15 Williams, Aaron 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1971–10–02 Xavier
G/F 25 Wingate, David 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1963–12–15 Georgetown
Head coach

Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured Injured

Regular season[]

Season standings[]

Pacific Division W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-Seattle SuperSonics 61 21 .744 35–6 26–15 19–5
x-Los Angeles Lakers 61 21 .744  – 33–8 28–13 16–8
x-Phoenix Suns 56 26 .683 5 30–11 26–15 17–7
x-Portland Trail Blazers 46 36 .561 15 26–15 20–21 14–10
Sacramento Kings 27 55 .329 34 21–20 6–35 6–18
Golden State Warriors 19 63 .232 42 12–29 7–34 6–18
Los Angeles Clippers 17 65 .207 44 11–30 6–35 6–18
# Western Conference
Team W L PCT GB
1 z-Utah Jazz 62 20 .756
2 y-Seattle SuperSonics 61 21 .744 1
3 x-Los Angeles Lakers 61 21 .744 1
4 x-Phoenix Suns 56 26 .683 6
5 x-San Antonio Spurs 56 26 .683 6
6 x-Portland Trail Blazers 46 36 .561 16
7 x-Minnesota Timberwolves 45 37 .549 17
8 x-Houston Rockets 41 41 .500 21
9 Sacramento Kings 27 55 .329 35
10 Dallas Mavericks 20 62 .244 42
11 Vancouver Grizzlies 19 63 .232 43
11 Golden State Warriors 19 63 .232 43
13 Los Angeles Clippers 17 65 .207 45
14 Denver Nuggets 11 71 .134 51


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
First round: 3–2 (Home: 2–1; Road: 1–1)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Series
1 April 24 Minnesota W 108–83 Vin Baker (25) Vin Baker (12) Gary Payton (7) KeyArena
17,072
1–0
2 April 26 Minnesota L 93–98 Gary Payton (32) Detlef Schrempf (10) Nate McMillan (6) KeyArena
17,072
1–1
3 April 28 @ Minnesota L 90–98 Gary Payton (26) Vin Baker (12) three players tied (5) Target Center
19,006
1–2
4 April 30 @ Minnesota W 92–88 Payton, Hawkins (24) Vin Baker (12) Gary Payton (8) Target Center
19,006
2–2
5 May 2 Minnesota W 97–84 Gary Payton (29) Detlef Schrempf (11) three players tied (4) KeyArena
17,072
3–2
Conference Semi-finals: 1–4 (Home: 1–2; Road: 0–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Series
1 May 4 L.A. Lakers W 106–92 Gary Payton (25) Hawkins, Baker (8) Gary Payton (6) KeyArena
17,072
1–0
2 May 6 L.A. Lakers L 68–92 Vin Baker (13) Detlef Schrempf (8) Gary Payton (5) KeyArena
17,072
1–1
3 May 8 @ L.A. Lakers L 103–119 Detlef Schrempf (26) Vin Baker (12) Gary Payton (13) Great Western Forum
17,505
1–2
4 May 10 @ L.A. Lakers L 100–112 Gary Payton (31) Gary Payton (8) Gary Payton (13) Great Western Forum
17,505
1–3
5 May 12 L.A. Lakers L 95–110 Vin Baker (28) Vin Baker (9) Hersey Hawkins (6) KeyArena
17,072
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

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

Season[]

Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Greg Anthony 80 0 12.8
Vin Baker 82 82 35.9
James Cotton 9 0 3.7
Dale Ellis 79 0 24.5
Hersey Hawkins 82 82 31.7
Stephen Howard 13 0 4.1
Jerome Kersey 37 2 19.4
Jim McIlvaine 78 72 15.5
Nate McMillan 18 1 15.5
Gary Payton 82 82 38.4
Sam Perkins 81 0 20.7
Detlef Schrempf 78 78 35.2
Eric Snow 17 0 4.4
Aaron Williams 65 9 11.6
David Wingate 58 2 9.4
George Zidek 6 0 3.7

Playoffs[]

Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Greg Anthony
Vin Baker
Dale Ellis
Hersey Hawkins
Jerome Kersey
Jim McIlvaine
Nate McMillan
Gary Payton
Sam Perkins
Detlef Schrempf
Eric Snow
Aaron Williams
David Wingate

Awards and records[]

Awards[]

Records[]

Transactions[]

Trades[]

Free agents[]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ 1997–98 Seattle SuperSonics
  2. ^ "Shawn Kemp Moves On -- Reign Comes to an End -- Kemp Is A Cav, Baker Is A Sonic After 3-Way Deal". Seattle Times. September 26, 1997. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
  3. ^ "SONICS: Long-range bomber Ellis returns a 'changed man'". Kitsap Sun. October 3, 1997. Retrieved July 8, 2021.
  4. ^ "PRO BASKETBALL; A Memo to Michael: Watch Out for Sonics". New York Times. January 11, 1998. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
  5. ^ "1997–98 Seattle SuperSonics Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  6. ^ "1998 NBA All-Star Game: East 135, West 114". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved October 13, 2021.
  7. ^ "1997–98 Seattle SuperSonics Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  8. ^ "1997–98 NBA Awards Voting". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 1, 2022.
  9. ^ "N.B.A.: PLAYOFFS; Minnesota Shocks Seattle". New York Times. April 29, 1998. Retrieved January 18, 2022.
  10. ^ "Seattle 97, Minnesota 84". UPI Archives. May 2, 1998. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
  11. ^ "Lakers Finish Sonics". CBS News. May 13, 1998. Retrieved June 25, 2021.
  12. ^ "N.B.A.: PLAYOFFS; Karl's Days in Seattle Are Over". New York Times. May 27, 1998. Retrieved July 26, 2017.
  13. ^ "Nate Mcmillan: The Day After -- Nate Bows Out". Seattle Times. May 14, 1998. Retrieved July 4, 2021.
  14. ^ "PRO BASKETBALL; A Flurry Of Activity Marks End Of Lockout". New York Times. January 22, 1999. Retrieved October 13, 2021.
  15. ^ "BASKETBALL; Nets Obtain McIlvaine To Shore Up Defense". New York Times. January 19, 1999. Retrieved January 1, 2022.
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