1995–96 New York Knicks season

The 1995–96 NBA season was the 50th season for the Knicks in the National Basketball Association in New York City, New York.[1] After Pat Riley left to coach the Miami Heat, the Knicks hired Don Nelson as their new head coach (their "Plan B" after Chuck Daly rejected their offer).[2][3] The Knicks won ten of their first twelve games, leading to a 16–5 start and held a 30–16 record at the All-Star break. However, the team never seemed to get under Nelson down the stretch, as he was fired and replaced with long-time assistant Jeff Van Gundy after 59 games.[4] At midseason, the Knicks traded Charles D. Smith to the San Antonio Spurs for J.R. Reid,[5] and dealt Doug Christie and Herb Williams to the expansion Toronto Raptors for Willie Anderson.[6] However, after playing just one game for the Raptors, Williams was released and re-signed by the Knicks for the remainder of the season. Under Van Gundy, the Knicks finished the season playing around .500 to post a 47–35 record, second in the Atlantic Division.[7]

1995–96 New York Knicks season
Head coach
General managerErnie Grunfeld
Owners
ArenaMadison Square Garden
Results
Record47–35 (.573)
PlaceDivision: 2nd (Atlantic)
Conference: 4th (Eastern)
Playoff finishConference Semifinals
(Lost to Bulls 1–4)
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
TelevisionMSG Network
RadioWFAN

Patrick Ewing led the team with 22.5 points, 10.6 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game, while being selected for the 1996 NBA All-Star Game.[8] In addition, last season's Sixth Man of the Year Anthony Mason stepped into the lineup, averaging 14.6 points, 9.3 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game, while Derek Harper provided the team with 14.0 points, 4.3 assists and 1.6 steals per game, John Starks contributed 12.6 points and 1.3 steals per game, and three-point specialist Hubert Davis provided with 10.7 points per game off the bench.[9] Charles Oakley averaged 11.4 points and 8.7 rebounds per game, but only played 53 games due to a broken thumb.[10]

In the Eastern Conference First Round of the playoffs, the Knicks swept the 4th-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers in three straight games.[11] However, they would lose in five games to the 72–10 Chicago Bulls in the Eastern Conference Semi-finals.[12] Following the season, Mason was traded to the Charlotte Hornets,[13] while Harper re-signed as a free agent with his former team, the Dallas Mavericks,[14] Davis was traded to the Toronto Raptors,[15] and Reid and Anderson were both released to free agency.[16]

For the season, the Knicks added the city name "New York" above their primary logo.[17] They also added new blue alternate road uniforms with black side panels,[18] which they wore on the road frequently, that they would become their primary road jerseys for the 1997–98 season, where they would change their home uniforms adding blue side panels to their jerseys and shorts.[19]

Offseason

NBA draft
Main article: 1995 NBA Draft

The Knicks had no draft picks for 1995.

Roster
1995–96 New York Knicks roster
Players Coaches
Pos.No.NameHeightWeightDOB (YYYY-MM-DD)From
G 40 Anderson, Willie 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1967–01–08 Georgia
G 44 Davis, Hubert 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 183 lb (83 kg) 1970–05–17 North Carolina
C 33 Ewing, Patrick (C) 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 240 lb (109 kg) 1962–08–05 Georgetown
F 20 Grandison, Ron 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1964–07–09 New Orleans
G 23 Grant, Gary 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1965–04–21 Michigan
G 11 Harper, Derek 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1961–10–13 Illinois
F 54 Lohaus, Brad 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 230 lb (104 kg) 1964–09–29 Iowa
F 14 Mason, Anthony 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 250 lb (113 kg) 1966–12–14 Tennessee State
F 34 Oakley, Charles 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1963–12–18 Virginia Union
F 7 Reid, J. R. 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 247 lb (112 kg) 1968–03–31 North Carolina
G 3 Starks, John 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1965–08–10 Oklahoma State
G 21 Ward, Charlie 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1970–10–12 Florida State
C 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

Roster
Last transaction: March 29, 1996

Roster notes
  • Small forward Anthony Tucker missed the entire season due to a back injury, and never played for the Knicks.[20]
  • Center Herb Williams was traded at midseason to the expansion Toronto Raptors, where he would play just one game before being waived, and was re-signed by the Knicks for the remainder of the season.[21]

Regular season

Season standings
Atlantic Division W L PCT GB Home Road Div GP
y – Orlando Magic 60 22 .732 12.0 37–4 23–18 21–3 82
x – New York Knicks 47 35 .573 25.0 26–15 21–20 16–8 82
x – Miami Heat 42 40 .512 30.0 26–15 16–25 13–12 82
Washington Bullets 39 43 .476 33.0 25–16 14–27 10–14 82
Boston Celtics 33 49 .402 39.0 18–23 15–26 12–12 82
New Jersey Nets 30 52 .366 42.0 20–21 10–31 8–17 82
Philadelphia 76ers 18 64 .220 54.0 11–30 7–34 5–19 82
Eastern Conference
# Team W L PCT GB GP
1 z – Chicago Bulls * 72 10 .878 – 82
2 y – Orlando Magic * 60 22 .732 12.0 82
3 x – Indiana Pacers 52 30 .634 20.0 82
4 x – Cleveland Cavaliers 47 35 .573 25.0 82
5 x – New York Knicks 47 35 .573 25.0 82
6 x – Atlanta Hawks 46 36 .561 26.0 82
7 x – Detroit Pistons 46 36 .561 26.0 82
8 x – Miami Heat 42 40 .512 30.0 82
9 Charlotte Hornets 41 41 .500 31.0 82
10 Washington Bullets 39 43 .476 33.0 82
11 Boston Celtics 33 49 .402 39.0 82
12 New Jersey Nets 30 52 .366 42.0 82
13 Milwaukee Bucks 25 57 .305 47.0 82
14 Toronto Raptors 21 61 .256 51.0 82
15 Philadelphia 76ers 18 64 .220 54.0 82

Record vs. opponents
1995-96 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 —4–03–10–43–11–11–12–21–11–11–32–00–22–22–21–14–02–12–22–10–22–02–00–20–24–01–12–01–3
Boston 0–4—2–20–31–30–21–12–10–21–10–42–00–23–13–12–02–20–41–34–01–10–22–00–20–23–10–21–12–2
Charlotte 1–32–2—1–33–12–02–01–30–20–21–31–12–02–23–11–10–33–00–43–12–01–11–10–20–23–11–12–03–1
Chicago 4–03–03–1—4–02–01–14–02–02–02–22–02–03–14–02–03–03–13–14–01–12–02–02–01–13–12–02–04–0
Cleveland 1–33–11–30–4—2–01–12–22–01–12–22–02–01–34–02–01–23–11–24–02–01–11–10–20–23–10–22–03–1
Dallas 1–12–00–20–20–2—2–20–22–21–30–22–20–40–21–10–41–10–21–10–21–30–42–22–22–21–11–34–00–2
Denver 1–11–10–21–11–12–2—1–12–21–30–21–32–20–21–14–00–21–11–12–03–10–40–40–41–32–03–13–11–1
Detroit 2–21–23–10–42–22–01–1—2–01–12–22–00–21–32–21–14–00–41–34–02–02–01–12–01–14–00–22–01–2
Golden State 1–12–02–00–20–22–22–20–2—2–21–13–11–31–11–13–12–00–20–22–01–31–31–31–30–41–11–34–01–1
Houston 1–11–12–00–21–13–13–11–12–2—2–04–03–10–22–02–22–00–20–22–03–12–22–21–30–42–02–24–01–1
Indiana 3–14–03–12–22–22–02–02–21–10–2—2–01–13–03–11–11–31–32–23–11–11–10–21–12–04–00–22–03–0
L.A. Clippers 0–20–21–10–20–22–23–10–21–30–40–2—0–41–11–13–11–11–10–22–03–12–22–21–30–40–21–33–11–1
L.A. Lakers 2–02–00–20–20–24–02–22–03–11–31–14–0—2–02–03–12–01–11–11–13–12–23–11–32–22–02–24–01–1
Miami 2–21–32–21–33–12–02–03–11–12–00–31–10–2—3–01–15–01–31–33–11–10–21–11–10–22–10–21–12–2
Milwaukee 2–21–31–30–40–41–11–12–21–10–21–31–10–20–3—1–11–32–21–32–10–22–00–21–10–22–20–21–11–3
Minnesota 1–10–21–10–20–24–00–41–11–32–21–11–31–31–11–1—1–10–20–21–11–30–43–11–30–41–11–32–20–2
New Jersey 0–42–23–00–32–11–12–00–40–20–23–11–10–20–53–11–1—2–20–42–20–21–11–10–20–22–20–22–02–2
New York 1–24–00–31–31–32–01–14–02–02–03–11–11–13–12–22–02–2—1–33–10–20–20–21–11–14–01–11–13–1
Orlando 2–23–14–01–32–11–11–13–12–02–02–22–01–13–13–12–04–03–1—4–02–01–11–11–11–12–11–12–04–0
Philadelphia 1–20–41–30–40–42–00–20–40–20–21–30–21–11–31–21–12–21–30–4—0–20–20–20–20–23–11–11–11–3
Phoenix 2–01–10–21–10–23–11–30–23–11–31–11–31–31–12–03–12–02–00–22–0—2–22–21–30–42–01–34–02–0
Portland 0–22–01–10–21–14–04–00–23–12–21–12–22–22–00–24–01–12–01–12–02–2—1–31–31–32–01–32–20–2
Sacramento 0–20–21–10–21–12–24–01–13–12–22–02–21–31–12–01–31–12–01–12–02–23–1—1–30–42–00–42–20–2
San Antonio 2–02–02–00–22–02–24–00–23–13–11–13–13–11–11–13–12–01–11–12–03–13–13–1—2–22–03–14–01–1
Seattle 2–02–02–01–12–02–23–11–14–04–00–24–02–22–02–04–02–01–11–12–04–03–14–02–2—1–13–13–11–1
Toronto 0–41–31–31–31–31–10–20–41–10–20–42–00–21–22–21–12–20–41–21–30–20–20–20–21–1—0–21–13–1
Utah 1–12–01–10–22–03–11–32–03–12–22–03–12–22–02–03–12–01–11–11–13–13–14–01–31–32–0—4–01–1
Vancouver 0–21–10–20–20–20–41–30–20–40–40–21–30–41–11–12–20–21–10–21–10–42–22–20–41–31–10–4—0–2
Washington 3–12–21–30–41–32–01–12–11–11–10–31–11–12–23–12–02–21–30–43–10–22–02–01–11–11–31–12–0—

Schedule
GameDateOpponentResultKnicks pointsOpponentsRecordStreakNotes
1

Playoffs
1996 playoff game log
First Round: 3–0 (Home: 1–0; Road: 2–0)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Series
1 April 25 @ Cleveland W 106–83 Patrick Ewing (23) three players tied (7) three players tied (7) Gund Arena
16,419		 1–0
2 April 27 @ Cleveland W 84–80 Anthony Mason (23) Mason, Ewing (12) John Starks (7) Gund Arena
17,232		 2–0
3 May 1 Cleveland W 81–76 John Starks (22) Patrick Ewing (10) three players tied (4) Madison Square Garden
19,763		 3–0
Conference Semifinals: 1–4 (Home: 1–1; Road: 0–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Series
1 May 5 @ Chicago L 84–91 Patrick Ewing (21) Patrick Ewing (16) Derek Harper (5) United Center
24,394		 0–1
2 May 7 @ Chicago L 80–91 Patrick Ewing (23) Charles Oakley (11) Derek Harper (5) United Center
24,328		 0–2
3 May 11 Chicago W 102–99 (OT) John Starks (30) Oakley, Ewing (13) John Starks (6) Madison Square Garden
19,763		 1–2
4 May 12 Chicago L 91–94 Patrick Ewing (29) Patrick Ewing (10) Derek Harper (5) Madison Square Garden
19,763		 1–3
5 May 14 @ Chicago L 81–94 Patrick Ewing (22) Charles Oakley (13) Derek Harper (6) United Center
24,396		 1–4
1996 schedule

Player stats
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 players statistics in alphabetical order by last name.

Season
Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Willie Anderson
Doug Christie
Hubert Davis
Patrick Ewing
Matt Fish
Ron Grandison
Gary Grant
Derek Harper
Brad Lohaus
Anthony Mason
Charles Oakley
J.R. Reid
Charles D. Smith
John Starks
Charlie Ward
Herb Williams
Monty Williams

Playoffs
Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Willie Anderson
Hubert Davis
Patrick Ewing
Ron Grandison
Gary Grant
Derek Harper
Anthony Mason
Charles Oakley
J.R. Reid
John Starks
Charlie Ward
Herb Williams

Transactions

Trades
October 13, 1995 To New York Knicks
1996 1st-round pick
To Miami Heat
Pat Riley (coach)


February 8, 1996 To New York Knicks
Brad Lohaus
J. R. Reid
1996 1st-round pick
To San Antonio Spurs
Charles Smith
Monty Williams


February 18, 1996 To New York Knicks
Victor Alexander
Willie Anderson
To Toronto Raptors
Doug Christie
Herb Williams
Cash

Free agents
Additions
Player Date signed Former team
Gary Grant November 8 Los Angeles Clippers
Matt Fish (10-day) February 24 Fort Wayne Fury (CBA)
Herb Williams February 28 Toronto Raptors
Ron Grandison (first 10-day) March 12 Omaha Racers (CBA)
Ron Grandison (remainder of season) March 29 New York Knicks
Subtractions
Player Date signed New Team
Matt Fish March 5 Denver Nuggets

Player Transactions Citation:[22]

Awards and records

See also

References
  1. 1995-96 New York Knicks
  2. Wise, Mike (June 21, 1995). "PRO BASKETBALL; In Search For a Coach, Knicks Talk With Nelson". The New York Times. Retrieved April 28, 2022.
  3. Best, Neil (June 25, 1995). "Knicks Moving to Plan B : Pro basketball: Daly scuttles hopes of getting the coach they wanted, but Nelson likely waiting in the wings". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 28, 2022.
  4. Heisler, Mark (March 9, 1996). "Turmoil Costs Nelson Knicks' Job". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 2, 2016.
  5. Wise, Mike (February 9, 1996). "PRO BASKETBALL; Knicks Deal Smith, and His Salary, to San Antonio". The New York Times. Retrieved March 1, 2017.
  6. "BASKETBALL; Knicks Are Close to a Trade". The New York Times. February 18, 1996. Retrieved March 1, 2017.
  7. "1995–96 New York Knicks Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved July 5, 2021.
  8. "1996 NBA All-Star Game: East 129, West 118". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved November 27, 2021.
  9. "1995–96 New York Knicks Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved July 5, 2021.
  10. Wise, Mike (February 16, 1996). "PRO BASKETBALL; Oakley to Miss Six Weeks With a Broken Thumb". The New York Times. Retrieved January 18, 2022.
  11. Wise, Mike (May 2, 1996). "NBA PLAYOFFS; A Chance to Shoot Down Bulls Is as Easy as 1-2-3". The New York Times. Retrieved July 3, 2021.
  12. Wise, Mike (May 15, 1996). "NBA PLAYOFFS; Bulls End Another Knick Season and, This Time, an Era". The New York Times. Retrieved July 3, 2021.
  13. Brown, Clifton (September 12, 1996). "Mason Believes Ewing May Have Forced Him Out". The New York Times. Retrieved November 2, 2016.
  14. Brown, Clifton (July 26, 1996). "BASKETBALL; Harper Appears Headed To Mavs". The New York Times. Retrieved November 2, 2016.
  15. Brown, Clifton (July 25, 1996). "PRO BASKETBALL; Davis Traded by Knicks To Raptors for '97 Pick". The New York Times. Retrieved November 2, 2016.
  16. "1995-96 NBA Transactions". Basketball Reference. Retrieved March 1, 2017.
  17. "New York Knicks Logo". Chris Creamer's Sports Logos Page - SportsLogos.Net. Retrieved July 7, 2021.
  18. "New York Knicks Uniform". Chris Creamer's Sports Logos Page - SportsLogos.Net. Retrieved July 7, 2021.
  19. "New York Knicks Uniform". Chris Creamer's Sports Logos Page – SportsLogos.Net. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
  20. Brown, Clifton (February 7, 1996). "PRO BASKETBALL: KNICKS NOTEBOOK; Tucker Held in Attack on Officers". The New York Times. Retrieved July 26, 2017.
  21. "1995-96 NBA Transactions". Basketball Reference. Retrieved November 2, 2016.
  22. "1995–96 New York Knicks Transactions". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved July 5, 2021.
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