1997–98 New Jersey Nets season

The 1997–98 NBA season was the Nets' 31st season in the National Basketball Association, and 22nd season in East Rutherford, New Jersey.[1] The Nets had the seventh pick in the 1997 NBA draft, and selected Tim Thomas from Villanova, but soon traded him to the Philadelphia 76ers for top draft pick Keith Van Horn, Lucious Harris, Michael Cage and Don MacLean,[2][3] then signed free agent Sherman Douglas on the first day of the regular season, which began on October 31.[4] The Nets had a new look as the team changed their primary logo,[5] and added new uniforms adding dark navy to their color scheme.[6][7] A youth movement began to pay off as the Nets won their first four games, and played above .500 for the entire season. At midseason, the team traded David Benoit, Kevin Edwards and Yinka Dare to the Orlando Magic for Rony Seikaly and Brian Evans.[8] Despite a 7-game losing streak between February and March, the Nets made the playoffs by finishing third in the Atlantic Division with a 43–39 record.[9]

1997–98 New Jersey Nets season
Head coachJohn Calipari
General managerJohn Nash
OwnersSecaucus Seven
ArenaContinental Airlines Arena
Results
Record43–39 (.524)
PlaceDivision: 3rd (Atlantic)
Conference: 8th (Eastern)
Playoff finishFirst Round
(Lost to Bulls 0–3)
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
Television
RadioWOR

Van Horn shook off an early season ankle injury, which cost him to miss the first month of the regular season,[10] and averaged 19.7 points and 6.6 rebounds per game in 62 games, while being selected to the NBA All-Rookie First Team. He also finished in second place in Rookie of the Year voting behind Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs.[11] In addition, Sam Cassell finished second on the team in scoring with 19.6 points, led them with 8.0 assists and contributed 1.6 steals per game, while second-year star Kerry Kittles provided the team with 17.2 points and 1.7 steals per game, and Kendall Gill contributed 13.4 points and led the team with 1.9 steals per game.[12] Jayson Williams averaged 12.9 points, led the Nets with 13.6 rebounds per game, and was selected for the 1998 NBA All-Star Game.[13][14] Off the bench, sixth man Chris Gatling provided with 11.5 points and 5.9 rebounds per game, and Douglas contributed 8.0 points and 4.0 assists per game.[12]

However, in the Eastern Conference First Round of the playoffs, the Nets were given a quick exit by Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and the defending champion Chicago Bulls in three straight games.[15][16] The Bulls would go on to defeat the Utah Jazz in the finals in six games for their third consecutive championship, and sixth overall in eight years.[17] Following the season, Douglas signed as a free agent with the Los Angeles Clippers, while Cage and MacLean were both traded to the Seattle SuperSonics, whom Cage used to play for, and Xavier McDaniel retired, although he was released to free agency during the regular season.

The Nets new primary logo and home uniforms both remained in use until 2012, while the road jerseys lasted until 2009.

Off-season

NBA Draft
Main article: 1997 NBA Draft
Round Pick Player Position Nationality College
1 7 Tim Thomas (traded to Philadelphia) SF  United States Villanova
1 21 Anthony Parker (from L.A. Lakers) SG  United States Bradley

Roster
1997–98 New Jersey Nets roster
Players Coaches
Pos.No.NameHeightWeightDOB (YYYY-MM-DD)From
C 45 Cage, Michael  6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 224 lb (102 kg) 1962–01–28 San Diego State
G 10 Cassell, Sam  (C) 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1969–11–18 Florida State
G 20 Douglas, Sherman 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1966–09–15 Syracuse
F 11 Evans, Brian 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1973–09–13 Indiana
F 15 Gatling, Chris 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1967–09–03 Old Dominion
F 13 Gill, Kendall 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1968–05–25 Illinois
C 54 Haley, Jack 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 240 lb (109 kg) 1964–01–27 UCLA
G 12 Harris, Lucious 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1970–12–18 Long Beach State
G 30 Kittles, Kerry 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 179 lb (81 kg) 1974–06–12 Villanova
F 24 MacLean, Don 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 235 lb (107 kg) 1970–01–16 UCLA
C 2 Seikaly, Rony 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 230 lb (104 kg) 1965–05–10 Syracuse
F 44 Van Horn, Keith 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1975–10–23 Utah
F 42 Vaughn, David 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 240 lb (109 kg) 1973–03–23 Memphis
C 55 Williams, Jayson (C) 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 240 lb (109 kg) 1968–02–22 St. John's
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured

Roster
Last transaction: April 15, 1998

Roster Notes

Regular season

The Nets began the season by winning their first four games, and maintained a winning record through all 82 games for the first time in the franchise's NBA history. The Nets clinched a playoff berth with a victory over the Detroit Pistons on the final day of the season. It was the Nets first postseason appearance since 1994, and the season brought excitement back to the Meadowlands. The heart and soul of the Nets was center Jayson Williams, who averaged 13.6 rebounds, (2nd in the NBA), and 12.9 points per game.[18] Williams became the first Net to appear in an All-Star Game since 1994.[18] After missing the first 17 games of the season due to a leg injury, rookie Keith Van Horn quickly acclimated himself to the NBA game and led the Nets in scoring at 19.7 points per game.[18] Another strong presence in the frontcourt was forward Kendall Gill, who averaged 13.4 points per game.

The Nets backcourt consisted of Sam Cassell and Kerry Kittles in the backcourt. Cassell ranked second on the team in scoring, behind Van Horn at 19.6 ppg, and led the Nets in assists with 8.0 apg.[18] Kittles was in his second NBA season, and was third on the team in scoring with 17.2 ppg. The Nets bench included Sherman Douglas (8.0 ppg, 4.0 apg) and Chris Gatling (11.5 ppg, 5.9 rpg). Late in the season, the Nets added depth with the trade for Rony Seikaly, who joined the Nets in a five-player trade with the Orlando Magic on Feb. 19. Seikaly played in only nine games for New Jersey, because of a nagging injury to his right foot.

Season standings
Atlantic Division W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-Miami Heat 5527.671–30-1125–1618–6
x-New York Knicks 4339.5241228–1315–2613–11
x-New Jersey Nets 4339.5241226–1517–2412–12
Washington Wizards 4240.5121324–1718–2312–13
Orlando Magic 4141.5001424–1717–2411–13
Boston Celtics 3646.4391924–1712–2912–12
Philadelphia 76ers 3151.3782419–2212–297–17
# Eastern Conference
Team W L PCT GB
1 c-Chicago Bulls6220.756–
2 y-Miami Heat5527.6717
3 x-Indiana Pacers5824.7074
4 x-Charlotte Hornets5131.62211
5 x-Atlanta Hawks5032.61012
6 x-Cleveland Cavaliers4735.57315
7 x-New York Knicks4339.52419
8 x-New Jersey Nets4339.52419
9 Washington Wizards4240.51220
10 Orlando Magic4141.50021
11 Detroit Pistons3745.45125
12 Boston Celtics3646.43926
12 Milwaukee Bucks3646.43926
14 Philadelphia 76ers3151.37831
15 Toronto Raptors1666.19546

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 —2–14–01–34–02–02–02–22–01–11–32–00–21–33–10–21–22–22–23–10–21–12–01–11–14–00–22–04–0
Boston 1–2—1–21–31–31–11–12–21–11–10–42–01–10–42–21–12–22–22–23–10–21–11–10–21–13–00–22–03–2
Charlotte 0–42–1—1–32–22–02–03–11–12–03–12–01–13–13–11–12–21–33–12–11–12–01–11–11–14–01–12–02–2
Chicago 3–13–13–1—2–21–12–03–12–02–02–22–01–12–14–01–14–04–03–12–11–11–12–02–01–14–00–22–03–1
Cleveland 0–43–12–22–2—1–12–03–12–01–12–22–01–11–32–22–03–11–22–23–12–01–12–00–20–23–11–12–01–2
Dallas 0–21–10–21–11–1—3–10–21–30–41–11–30–40–20–22–20–21–10–20–20–40–40–40–42–21–10–44–01–1
Denver 0–21–10–20–20–21–3—0–21–30–40–22–20–40–20–21–30–20–20–20–20–42–21–30–40–40–20–41–31–1
Detroit 2–22–21–31–31–32–02–0—2–01–11–32–00–21–22–20–22–22–21–23–11–10–21–11–10–24–00–20–22–2
Golden State 0–21–11–10–20–23–13–10–2—1–30–21–31–30–20–20–40–21–11–10–20–41–32–21–31–30–20–41–30–2
Houston 1–11–10–20–21–14–04–01–13–1—1–14–01–30–21–11–31–11–10–21–11–31–34–02–21–32–00–43–11–1
Indiana 3–14–01–32–22–21–12–03–12–01–1—2–00–23–14–02–02–12–13–14–01–11–12–00–20–24–01–12–04–0
L.A. Clippers 0–20–20–20–20–23–12–20–23–10–40–2—0–40–20–20–41–10–20–21–10–40–43–11–30–41–11–31–30–2
L.A. Lakers 2–01–11–11–11–14–04–02–03–13–12–04–0—1–12–04–01–11–11–10–22–22–24–04–01–32–03–14–01–1
Miami 3–14–01–31–23–12–02–02–12–02–01–32–01–1—3–11–13–12–23–14–00–22–02–00–20–24–01–12–02–2
Milwaukee 1–32–21–30–42–22–02–02–22–01–10–42–00–21–3—1–10–43–12–12–20–22–02–00–21–13–10–21–11–2
Minnesota 2–01–11–11–10–22–23–12–04–03–10–24–00–41–11–1—2–01–10–22–03–11–33–11–31–31–11–34–00–2
New Jersey 2–12–22–20–41–32–02–02–22–01–11–21–11–11–34–00–2—2–23–13–11–11–12–01–10–23–10–22–01–3
New York 2–22–23–10–42–11–12–02–21–11–11–22–01–12–21–31–12–2—4–02–22–01–11–10–21–13–10–22–01–3
Orlando 2–22–21–31–32–22–02–02–11–12–01–32–01–11–31–22–01–30–4—4–00–22–00–20–21–13–10–22–03–1
Philadelphia 1–31–31–21–21–32–02–01–32–01–10–41–12–00–42–20–21–32–20–4—1–11–11–10–20–22–20–22–03–1
Phoenix 2–02–01–11–10–24–04–01–14–03–11–14–02–22–02–01–31–10–22–01–1—2–23–13–12–22–01–34–01–1
Portland 1–11–10–21–11–14–02–22–03–13–11–14–02–20–20–23–11–11–10–21–12–2—3–12–20–42–03–12–21–1
Sacramento 0–21–11–10–20–24–03–11–12–20–40–21–30–40–20–21–30–21–12–01–11–31–3—0–41–31–12–22–21–1
San Antonio 1–12–01–10–22–04–04–01–13–12–22–03–10–42–02–03–11–12–02–02–01–32–24–0—2–22–01–34–01–1
Seattle 1–11–11–11–12–02–24–02–03–13–12–04–03–12–01–13–12–01–11–12–02–24–03–12–2—2–02–24–01–1
Toronto 0–40–30–40–41–31–12–00–42–00–20–41–10–20–41–31–11–31–31–32–20–20–21–10–20–2—0–21–10–3
Utah 2–02–01–12–01–14–04–02–04–04–01–13–11–31–12–03–12–02–02–02–03–11–32–23–12–22–0—4–00–2
Vancouver 0–20–20–20–20–20–43–12–03–11–30–23–10–40–21–10–40–20–20–20–20–42–22–20–40–41–10–4—1–1
Washington 0–42–32–21–32–11–11–12–22–01–10–42–01–12–22–12–03–13–11–31–31–11–11–11–11–13–02–01–1—

Playoffs

Injuries would become a problem in the playoffs for the Nets. In Game 1 against Chicago, Cassell nursed a strained groin and Williams played despite a broken thumb. Williams would manage to get 21 rebounds in the game.[18] The Nets forced overtime at the United Center before falling by a score of 96-93. The Bulls ultimately swept the series, but the Nets' effort suggested that the team had a bright future.

1998 playoff game log
First Round: 0–3 (Home: 0–1; Road: 0–2)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Series
1 April 24 @ Chicago L 93–96 (OT) Chris Gatling (24) Jayson Williams (21) Sherman Douglas (5) United Center
23,844		 0–1
2 April 26 @ Chicago L 91–96 Kerry Kittles (23) Jayson Williams (11) Sherman Douglas (12) United Center
23,844		 0–2
3 April 29 Chicago L 101–116 Sherman Douglas (19) Jayson Williams (10) Sherman Douglas (8) Continental Airlines Arena
20,049		 0–3
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

Regular Season
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
New Jersey Nets statistics
Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Keith Van Horn 62 62 37.5 .426 .308 .846 6.6 1.7 1.0 0.4 19.7
Sam Cassell 75 72 34.7 .441 .188 .860 3.0 8.0 1.6 0.3 19.6
Kerry Kittles 77 76 36.5 .440 .418 .808 4.7 2.3 1.7 0.5 17.2
Kendall Gill 81 81 33.7 .429 .257 .688 4.8 2.5 1.9 0.8 13.4
Jayson Williams 65 65 36.0 .498 .000 .666 13.6 1.0 0.7 0.8 12.9
Chris Gatling 57 16 23.8 .455 .250 .600 5.9 0.9 0.9 0.5 11.5
Sherman Douglas 80 11 21.2 .495 .304 .669 1.7 4.0 0.7 0.1 8.0
David Benoit 53 0 15.1 .379 .345 .841 2.7 0.3 0.5 0.3 5.3
Rony Seikaly 9 2 16.9 .317 .593 4.0 0.9 0.3 0.4 4.7
Brian Evans 28 1 11.9 .434 .405 .667 1.9 0.9 0.3 0.2 4.1
Lucious Harris 50 0 13.4 .390 .308 .745 1.0 0.8 0.8 0.1 3.8
Kevin Edwards 27 5 13.0 .349 .364 .867 1.3 1.0 0.8 0.0 3.4
David Vaughn 15 2 10.7 .576 .667 3.3 0.1 0.3 0.3 2.9
Jack Haley 16 0 3.2 .278 .000 .571 0.9 0.0 0.0 0.1 1.4
Michael Cage 79 17 15.2 .512 .000 .556 3.9 0.4 0.6 0.6 1.3
Xavier McDaniel 20 0 9.0 .333 .625 1.6 0.5 0.2 0.1 1.3
Yinka Dare 10 0 6.0 .222 .500 1.7 0.1 0.0 0.2 1.2
Don MacLean 9 0 4.7 .100 .500 0.6 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.3

Playoffs
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
New Jersey Nets statistics
Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Sherman Douglas 3 2 41.7 .523 .400 .700 2.7 8.3 2.0 0.0 18.3
Kerry Kittles 3 3 42.0 .425 .385 .909 5.0 2.7 1.3 0.7 16.3
Chris Gatling 3 1 27.0 .500 .667 3.3 0.7 0.7 0.7 15.3
Kendall Gill 3 3 33.3 .450 .875 4.3 1.0 1.3 0.3 14.3
Keith Van Horn 3 3 25.7 .448 .000 .800 3.0 0.3 0.0 0.0 12.7
Jayson Williams 3 2 38.7 .429 .500 14.0 1.7 0.7 1.0 7.0
Rony Seikaly 3 0 12.3 .778 .667 3.0 0.0 0.3 0.0 6.0
Lucious Harris 3 0 17.3 .333 .000 .833 2.7 0.3 0.7 0.0 3.0
Sam Cassell 3 1 8.7 .333 1.0 1.7 0.0 0.3 2.0
Brian Evans 3 0 1.3 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
David Vaughn 1 0 1.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.0 0.0

Player Statistics Citation:[12]

Awards, Records and Honors

References
  1. 1997–98 New Jersey Nets
  2. Wise, Mike (June 26, 1997). "After Duncan, Utah Forward Steals Show". The New York Times. Retrieved July 25, 2021.
  3. Roberts, Selena (June 26, 1997). "Nets Pick Thomas but May End Up With Van Horn". The New York Times. Retrieved July 4, 2021.
  4. "Nets Sign Sherman Douglas". AP News. October 31, 1997. Retrieved January 18, 2022.
  5. "New Jersey Nets Logo". Chris Creamer's Sports Logos Page - SportsLogos.Net. Retrieved July 7, 2021.
  6. "New Jersey Nets Uniform". Chris Creamer's Sports Logos Page - SportsLogos.Net. Retrieved July 7, 2021.
  7. "New Jersey Nets Uniform". Chris Creamer's Sports Logos Page - SportsLogos.Net. Retrieved July 7, 2021.
  8. Popper, Steve (February 20, 1998). "PRO BASKETBALL; Seikaly Traded to Nets in a Last-Minute Deal". The New York Times. Retrieved June 19, 2021.
  9. "1997–98 New Jersey Nets Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  10. Diamos, Jason (October 28, 1997). "PRO BASKETBALL; Ankle Injury May Sideline Van Horn Only 2-3 Weeks". The New York Times. Retrieved January 18, 2022.
  11. "1997–98 NBA Awards Voting". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 2, 2022.
  12. "1997–98 New Jersey Nets Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  13. Popper, Steve (February 9, 1998). "N.B.A. ALL-STAR GAME; Williams Focuses On His Specialty". The New York Times. Retrieved July 25, 2021.
  14. "1998 NBA All-Star Game: East 135, West 114". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved November 27, 2021.
  15. Popper, Steve (April 30, 1998). "THE N.B.A. PLAYOFFS; Jordan Silences Nets With a Sweep". The New York Times. Retrieved February 18, 2022.
  16. New Jersey Nets (1967-Present)
  17. Araton, Harvey (June 15, 1998). "Sports of The Times; At the End, Jordan Lifts Bulls To Their Sixth N.B.A. Title". The New York Times. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
  18. NETS: New Jersey Nets History Archived 2010-08-19 at the Wayback Machine
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