1996–97 Los Angeles Lakers season

1996–97 Los Angeles Lakers season
Head coachDel Harris
General managerJerry West
Owner(s)Jerry Buss
ArenaGreat Western Forum
Results
Record56–26 (.683)
PlaceDivision: 2nd (Pacific)
Conference: 4th (Western)
Playoff finishConference semifinals
(lost to Jazz 1–4)
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
TelevisionKCAL-TV
Fox Sports West
RadioKLAC
< 1995–96 1997–98 >

The 1996–97 NBA season was the Los Angeles Lakers' 49th season in the National Basketball Association, and 37th in the city of Los Angeles.[1] This season was mostly remembered for the Lakers signing free agent All-Star center Shaquille O'Neal to a seven-year, $120 million deal,[2][3][4][5][6] and acquiring high school basketball star Kobe Bryant from the Charlotte Hornets,[7][8][9][10][11] who selected him with the 13th overall pick in the 1996 NBA draft during the off-season.[12][13][14][15][16]

The team also signed former Lakers guard Byron Scott from the "Showtime" era,[17][18][19] signed free agents Jerome Kersey,[20][21] and Sean Rooks,[22] and acquired rookie center Travis Knight from the Chicago Bulls.[23] In January, they traded Cedric Ceballos back to his former team, the Phoenix Suns, in exchange for Robert Horry, who won two championships with the Houston Rockets.[24][25][26][27] The Lakers had the eighth best team defensive rating in the NBA.[28]

The Lakers played strong basketball as they had the best record in the Western Conference at the All-Star break with a 35–13 record,[29] but soon slipped out of first-place, by finishing in second place in the Pacific Division with a 56–26 record.[30]

O'Neal averaged 26.2 points per game, 12.5 rebounds and 2.9 blocks per game, but only played 51 games due to a knee injury.[31][32][33][34] He was also named to the All-NBA Third Team. In addition, Eddie Jones averaged 17.2 points and 2.4 steals per game, while Nick Van Exel provided the team with 15.3 points and 8.5 assists per game, and led the Lakers with 177 three-point field goals, Elden Campbell contributed 14.9 points, 8.0 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game, and Kersey provided with 6.8 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game.[35] O'Neal and Jones were both selected for the 1997 NBA All-Star Game in Cleveland, Ohio, but O'Neal did not play due to injury.[36][37][38][39][40][41] Off the bench, Bryant contributed 7.6 points per game, and Knight averaged 4.8 points and 4.5 rebounds per game; Bryant and Knight were both named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team, while Bryant won the Slam Dunk Contest during the All-Star Weekend in Cleveland.[42][43][44]

In the Western Conference First Round of the playoffs, the Lakers defeated the Portland Trail Blazers in four games.[45][46][47][48] However, in the Western Conference Semi-finals, they lost in five games to regular season MVP Karl Malone, John Stockton and the Utah Jazz.[49][50][51][52] The Jazz would reach the NBA Finals for the first time, but would lose to the defending champion Chicago Bulls in six games.[53][54][55][56][57]

Following the season, Scott went overseas and signed with the Greek Basket League giants Panathinaikos for the 1997–98 season,[58][59][60] while Kersey signed as a free agent with the Seattle SuperSonics,[61][62] and Knight signed with the Boston Celtics.[63]

One notable highlight of the season was the Lakers holding the Dallas Mavericks to just two points in the third quarter, in an 87–80 home win on April 6, 1997. It was the fewest points scored in a quarter of a game in NBA history.[64][65][66][67]

Draft picks

Main article: 1996 NBA draft
Round Pick Player Position Nationality College
1 24 Derek Fisher Guard  United States Arkansas–Little Rock

Before he was chosen as the 13th overall draft pick by the Charlotte Hornets in 1996, the 17-year-old Bryant had made a lasting impression on then-Lakers general manager Jerry West, who immediately foresaw potential in Bryant's basketball ability during pre-draft workouts. He went on to state that Bryant's workouts against former Lakers players and then assistant coaches Michael Cooper, and Larry Drew were the best he had ever seen. Immediately after the draft, Bryant expressed that he did not wish to play for the Hornets and wanted to play for the Lakers instead.[68] Fifteen days later, West traded his starting center, Vlade Divac to the Hornets for the young Kobe Bryant.[69]

Roster

1996–97 Los Angeles Lakers roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB From
F 43 Blount, Corie 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 240 lb (109 kg) 1969–01–04 Cincinnati
G 8 Bryant, Kobe 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 1978–08–23 Lower Merion HS
F 41 Campbell, Elden 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1968–07–23 Clemson
G 2 Fisher, Derek 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1974–08–09 Little Rock
F 5 Horry, Robert 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1970–08–25 Alabama
G 6 Jones, Eddie 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1971–10–20 Temple
F 12 Kersey, Jerome 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1962–06–26 Longwood
C 40 Knight, Travis 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 235 lb (107 kg) 1974–09–13 Connecticut
F 7 Krystkowiak, Larry 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1964–09–23 Montana
F 24 McCloud, George 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 1967–05–27 Florida State
C 34 O'Neal, Shaquille 7 ft 1 in (2.16 m) 325 lb (147 kg) 1972–03–06 LSU
C 45 Rooks, Sean 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 250 lb (113 kg) 1969–09–09 Arizona
G 4 Scott, Byron 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1961–03–28 Arizona State
G 9 Van Exel, Nick 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 1971–11–27 Cincinnati
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured Injured

Roster
Last transaction: February 24, 1997

Regular season

Kobe's rookie season

During his first season, Bryant mostly came off the bench behind guards Eddie Jones and Nick Van Exel. Initially, he played limited minutes, but as the season continued, he began to see some more playing time. He earned himself a reputation as a high-flyer and a fan-favorite by winning the 1997 Slam Dunk Contest during the All-Star Weekend in Cleveland. He averaged 7.6 points and 15.5 minutes per game in 71 games, and was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team.[70]

Season standings

Pacific Division
 W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-Seattle SuperSonics 57 25 .695 – 31–10 26–15 16–8
x-Los Angeles Lakers 56 26 .683 1 31–10 25–16 18–6
x-Portland Trail Blazers 49 33 .598 8 29–12 20–21 15–9
x-Phoenix Suns 40 42 .488 17 25–16 15–26 13–11
x-Los Angeles Clippers 36 46 .439 21 21–20 15–26 10–14
Sacramento Kings 34 48 .415 23 22–19 12–29 8–16
Golden State Warriors 30 52 .366 27 18–23 12–29 4–20
1996–97 NBA West standings
#
Western Conference
Team W L PCT GB
1 c-Utah Jazz 64 18 .780 –
2 y-Seattle SuperSonics 57 25 .695 7
3 x-Houston Rockets 57 25 .695 7
4 x-Los Angeles Lakers 56 26 .683 8
5 x-Portland Trail Blazers 49 33 .598 15
6 x-Minnesota Timberwolves 40 42 .488 24
7 x-Phoenix Suns 40 42 .488 24
8 x-Los Angeles Clippers 36 46 .439 28
9 Sacramento Kings 34 48 .415 30
10 Golden State Warriors 30 52 .366 34
11 Dallas Mavericks 24 58 .293 40
12 Denver Nuggets 21 61 .256 43
13 San Antonio Spurs 20 62 .244 44
14 Vancouver Grizzlies 14 68 .171 50

Record vs. opponents

1996-97 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 – 3–1 1–3 1–3 3–1 2–0 1–1 1–3 2–0 1–1 3–1 2–0 1–1 1–2 4–0 2–0 3–1 1–3 3–1 4–0 1–1 2–0 2–0 2–0 1–1 4–0 1–1 2–0 2–1
Boston 1–3 – 0–4 0–4 1–2 1–1 1–1 0–4 1–1 0–2 1–2 0–2 1–1 0–4 1–3 0–2 0–4 0–4 0–4 1–3 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 0–2 3–1 0–2 0–2 0–4
Charlotte 3–1 4–0 – 0–4 3–1 1–1 2–0 2–2 2–0 2–0 2–2 1–1 1–1 1–2 2–2 2–0 4–0 3–1 1–2 4–0 1–1 0–2 2–0 2–0 2–0 2–2 0–2 2–0 3–1
Chicago 3–1 4–0 4–0 – 3–1 2–0 2–0 3–1 2–0 1–1 4–0 2–0 1–1 2–2 4–0 2–0 3–1 2–2 3–0 4–0 2–0 2–0 2–0 2–0 2–0 3–1 1–1 2–0 2–1
Cleveland 1–3 2–1 1–3 1–3 – 2–0 1–1 2–2 1–1 0–2 3–1 2–0 1–1 0–4 2–2 2–0 4–0 1–3 2–2 3–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 0–2 0–2 3–1 1–1 2–0 1–3
Dallas 0–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–2 – 3–1 0–2 0–4 0–4 1–1 2–2 0–4 0–2 0–2 1–3 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–3 1–3 2–2 1–3 1–3 0–2 1–3 3–1 0–2
Denver 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–2 1–1 1–3 – 0–2 1–3 1–3 0–2 1–3 0–4 0–2 1–1 0–4 1–1 0–2 0–2 1–1 2–2 0–4 2–2 2–2 0–4 1–1 0–4 3–1 1–1
Detroit 3–1 4–0 2–2 1–3 2–2 2–0 2–0 – 2–0 1–1 3–1 2–0 1–1 0–4 3–1 2–0 4–0 1–2 2–2 2–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 3–1 1–1 2–0 4–0
Golden State 0–2 1–1 0–2 0–2 1–1 4–0 3–1 0–2 – 0–4 1–1 1–3 0–4 0–2 1–1 1–3 2–0 0–2 1–1 2–0 0–4 2–2 1–3 4–0 0–4 2–0 0–4 3–1 0–2
Houston 1–1 2–0 0–2 1–1 2–0 4–0 3–1 1–1 4–0 – 1–1 3–1 3–1 0–2 1–1 4–0 2–0 1–1 0–2 2–0 2–2 2–2 4–0 3–1 3–1 1–1 2–2 3–1 2–0
Indiana 1–3 2–1 2–2 0–4 1–3 1–1 2–0 1–3 1–1 1–1 – 2–0 1–1 1–3 2–2 2–0 2–2 1–3 1–3 3–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 4–0 0–2 2–0 1–3
L.A. Clippers 0–2 2–0 1–1 0–2 0–2 2–2 3–1 0–2 3–1 1–3 0–2 – 2–2 0–2 2–0 1–3 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 2–2 0–4 2–2 4–0 1–3 2–0 1–3 4–0 0–2
L.A. Lakers 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 4–0 4–0 1–1 4–0 1–3 1–1 2–2 – 1–1 2–0 3–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 4–0 1–3 4–0 2–2 3–1 1–1 1–3 4–0 2–0
Miami 2–1 4–0 2–1 2–2 4–0 2–0 2–0 4–0 2–0 2–0 3–1 2–0 1–1 – 4–0 1–1 3–1 1–3 2–2 3–1 2–0 1–1 2–0 2–0 0–2 3–1 0–2 2–0 3–1
Milwaukee 0–4 3–1 2–2 0–4 2–2 2–0 1–1 1–3 1–1 1–1 2–2 0–2 0–2 0–4 – 0–2 2–1 1–2 2–2 3–1 1–1 0–2 0–2 1–1 1–1 3–1 1–1 2–0 1–3
Minnesota 0–2 2–0 0–2 0–2 0–2 3–1 4–0 0–2 3–1 0–4 0–2 3–1 1–3 1–1 2–0 – 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 3–1 2–2 0–4 4–0 0–4 1–1 1–3 4–0 1–1
New Jersey 1–3 4–0 0–4 1–3 0–4 1–1 1–1 0–4 0–2 0–2 2–2 1–1 0–2 1–3 1–2 0–2 – 2–2 1–3 2–2 1–1 0–2 1–1 2–0 1–1 0–3 0–2 2–0 1–3
New York 3–1 4–0 1–3 2–2 3–1 1–1 2–0 2–1 2–0 1–1 3–1 2–0 1–1 3–1 2–1 1–1 2–2 – 3–1 3–2 1–1 1–1 2–0 2–0 0–2 3–0 1–1 2–0 4–0
Orlando 1–3 4–0 2–1 0–3 2–2 1–1 2–0 2–2 1–1 2–0 3–1 1–1 1–1 2–2 2–2 1–1 3–1 1–3 – 2–2 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 4–0 0–2 1–1 1–3
Philadelphia 0–4 3–1 0–4 0–4 0–3 0–2 1–1 1–2 0–2 0–2 0–3 1–1 0–2 1–3 1–3 1–1 2–2 2–3 2–2 – 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 0–2 1–3 0–2 2–0 1–3
Phoenix 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 3–1 2–2 2–0 4–0 2–2 1–1 2–2 0–4 0–2 1–1 1–3 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 – 1–3 4–0 3–1 2–2 0–2 1–3 2–2 1–1
Portland 0–2 1–1 2–0 0–2 1–1 3–1 4–0 1–1 2–2 2–2 1–1 4–0 3–1 1–1 2–0 2–2 2–0 1–1 0–2 1–1 3–1 – 2–2 4–0 1–3 0–2 2–2 4–0 0–2
Sacramento 0–2 2–0 0–2 0–2 0–2 2–2 2–2 1–1 3–1 0–4 1–1 2–2 0–4 0–2 2–0 4–0 1–1 0–2 1–1 2–0 0–4 2–2 – 3–1 1–3 1–1 0–4 4–0 0–2
San Antonio 0–2 1–1 0–2 0–2 2–0 3–1 2–2 0–2 0–4 1–3 1–1 0–4 2–2 0–2 1–1 0–4 0–2 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–3 0–4 1–3 – 0–4 1–1 1–3 1–3 0–2
Seattle 1–1 2–0 0–2 0–2 2–0 3–1 4–0 1–1 4–0 1–3 1–1 3–1 1–3 2–0 1–1 4–0 1–1 2–0 1–1 2–0 2–2 3–1 3–1 4–0 – 2–0 1–3 4–0 2–0
Toronto 0–4 1–3 2–2 1–3 1–3 2–0 1–1 1–3 0–2 1–1 0–4 0–2 1–1 1–3 1–3 1–1 3–0 0–3 0–4 3–1 2–0 2–0 1–1 1–1 0–2 – 1–1 1–1 2–2
Utah 1–1 2–0 2–0 1–1 1–1 3–1 4–0 1–1 4–0 2–2 2–0 3–1 3–1 2–0 1–1 3–1 2–0 1–1 2–0 2–0 3–1 2–2 4–0 3–1 3–1 1–1 – 4–0 2–0
Vancouver 0–2 2–0 0–2 0–2 0–2 1–3 1–3 0–2 1–3 1–3 0–2 0–4 0–4 0–2 0–2 0–4 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–2 2–2 0–4 0–4 3–1 0–4 1–1 0–4 – 1–1
Washington 1–2 4–0 1–3 1–2 3–1 2–0 1–1 0–4 2–0 0–2 3–1 2–0 0–2 1–3 3–1 1–1 3–1 0–4 3–1 3–1 1–1 2–0 2–0 2–0 0–2 2–2 0–2 1–1 —

Game log

Pre-season

1996 preseason game log
Total: 5–3
Preseason
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
1 October 10 Denver W 111-101 Shaquille O'Neal (25) Shaquille O'Neal (10) Nick Van Exel (8) Stan Sheriff Center (Honolulu, HI)
10,225 		1–0
2 October 12 Denver W 105-96 Shaquille O'Neal (27) Shaquille O'Neal (15) Derek Fisher (4) Stan Sheriff Center (Honolulu, HI)
10,225 		2–0
3 October 16 Dallas W 90-80 Shaquille O'Neal (12) Corie Blount (9) 3 players tied (3) Selland Arena (Fresno, CA)
10,274 		3–0
4 October 18 Philadelphia W 113-92 Shaquille O'Neal (25) Shaquille O'Neal (10) Jones & Van Exel (5) Great Western Forum
14,149 		4–0
5 October 19 Phoenix W 100-87 Nick Van Exel (19) Shaquille O'Neal (10) Nick Van Exel (10) Great Western Forum
15,054 		5–0
6 October 22 Houston L 114-116 Cedric Ceballos (26) Shaquille O'Neal (9) Nick Van Exel (9) San Diego Sports Arena (San Diego, CA)
13,481 		5–1
7 October 23 Phoenix L 100-109 Byron Scott (25) Cedric Ceballos (9) Cedric Ceballos (4) McKale Center (Tucson, AZ)
14,162 		5–2
8 October 25 Seattle L 94–99 Byron Scott (16) BSU Pavilion (Boise, ID) 5–3
1997 schedule

Regular season

1996–97 game log
Total: 56-26 (home: 31-10; road: 25–16)
November: 11–6 (home: 5–2; road: 6–4)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
1 November 1 Phoenix W 96-82 Shaquille O'Neal (23) Shaquille O'Neal (14) Nick Van Exel (8) Great Western Forum
17,505 		1–0
2 November 3 Minnesota W 91-85 Shaquille O'Neal (35) Shaquille O'Neal (19) Nick Van Exel (11) Great Western Forum
15,407 		2–0
3 November 5 @ New York W 98-92 Shaquille O'Neal (26) Shaquille O'Neal (13) Nick Van Exel (8) Madison Square Garden
19,763 		3–0
4 November 6 @ Charlotte L 78-88 Shaquille O'Neal (22) Shaquille O'Neal (10) Nick Van Exel (7) Charlotte Coliseum
24,042 		3–1
5 November 8 @ Toronto L 92-93 Jones & O'Neal (25) Shaquille O'Neal (10) Campbell & Van Exel (4) SkyDome
27,357 		3–2
6 November 10 Atlanta W 92-85 Jones & O'Neal (19) Shaquille O'Neal (18) Nick Van Exel (5) Great Western Forum
16,097 		4–2
7 November 12 @ Houston W 126-115 (2OT) Shaquille O'Neal (34) Shaquille O'Neal (15) Nick Van Exel (14) The Summit
16,285 		5–2
8 November 13 @ San Antonio L 83-95 Shaquille O'Neal (30) Shaquille O'Neal (10) Nick Van Exel (8) Alamodome
26,002 		5–3
9 November 15 L.A. Clippers W 107-100 Eddie Jones (32) Elden Campbell (10) Nick Van Exel (15) Great Western Forum
16,207 		6–3
10 November 17 @ Phoenix W 102-88 Eddie Jones (18) Shaquille O'Neal (13) Nick Van Exel (9) American West Arena
19,023 		7–3
11 November 19 @ Golden State W 112-109 Nick Van Exel (27) Shaquille O'Neal (12) Nick Van Exel (12) San Jose Arena
18,742 		8–3
12 November 20 Utah L 97-113 Shaquille O'Neal (26) Shaquille O'Neal (15) Nick Van Exel (11) Great Western Forum
16,122 		8–4
13 November 22 San Antonio W 96-86 Shaquille O'Neal (29) Shaquille O'Neal (21) Nick Van Exel (9) Great Western Forum
17,505 		9–4
14 November 24 Houston L 85-90 Shaquille O'Neal (23) Shaquille O'Neal (11) Nick Van Exel (12) Great Western Forum
17,505 		9–5
15 November 26 @ Philadelphia W 100-88 Jones & O'Neal (23) Shaquille O'Neal (20) Jones & Van Exel (6) CoreStates Center
20,652 		10–5
16 November 27 @ Boston L 94-110 Shaquille O'Neal (22) Shaquille O'Neal (10) Shaquille O'Neal (5) Fleet Center
18,624 		10–6
17 November 29 @ Detroit W 84-76 Shaquille O'Neal (27) Elden Campbell (12) Nick Van Exel (10) The Palace of Auburn Hills
21,454 		11–6
December: 11–3 (home: 8–0; road: 3–3)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
18 December 1 Denver W 104-96 O'Neal & Van Exel (24) Shaquille O'Neal (16) Shaquille O'Neal (8) Great Western Forum
15,684 		12–6
19 December 3 Seattle W 110-106 Shaquille O'Neal (32) Shaquille O'Neal (14) Eddie Jones (9) Great Western Forum
17,505 		13–6
20 December 4 @ Utah L 75-101 Shaquille O'Neal (21) Shaquille O'Neal (8) Derek Fisher (3) Delta Center
19,911 		13–7
21 December 6 Orlando W 92-81 Shaquille O'Neal (25) Shaquille O'Neal (18) Nick Van Exel (11) Great Western Forum
17,505 		14–7
22 December 8 Minnesota W 110-86 Nick Van Exel (23) Shaquille O'Neal (10) Nick Van Exel (7) Great Western Forum
15,212 		15–7
23 December 10 @ Sacramento W 92-90 Shaquille O'Neal (27) Shaquille O'Neal (13) Derek Fisher (6) ARCO Arena
17,317 		16–7
24 December 11 Indiana W 79-76 Shaquille O'Neal (33) Shaquille O'Neal (10) Nick Van Exel (8) Great Western Forum
16,139 		17–7
25 December 13 Portland W 120-119 (OT) Shaquille O'Neal (34) Shaquille O'Neal (10) Nick Van Exel (15) Great Western Forum
16,315 		18–7
26 December 17 @ Chicago L 123-129 (OT) Nick Van Exel (36) Elden Campbell (14) Nick Van Exel (6) United Center
23,919 		18–8
27 December 18 @ Milwaukee W 111-105 Shaquille O'Neal (41) Shaquille O'Neal (13) Nick Van Exel (11) Bradley Center
16,829 		19–8
28 December 21 @ Minnesota L 88-103 Nick Van Exel (22) Shaquille O'Neal (17) Nick Van Exel (9) Target Center
18,127 		19–9
29 December 25 @ Phoenix W 108-87 Shaquille O'Neal (26) Shaquille O'Neal (16) Nick Van Exel (12) American West Arena
19,023 		20–9
30 December 27 Boston W 109-102 Shaquille O'Neal (25) Campbell & O'Neal (11) Jones & Van Exel (5) Great Western Forum
17,505 		21–9
31 December 29 Philadelphia W 115-102 Shaquille O'Neal (28) Travis Knight (10) Nick Van Exel (11) Great Western Forum
17,505 		22–9
January: 11–3 (home: 6–2; road: 5–1)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
32 January 2 @ Sacramento W 90-83 Shaquille O'Neal (25) Shaquille O'Neal (16) Nick Van Exel (6) ARCO Arena
17,317 		23–9
33 January 3 Sacramento W 100-93 Elden Campbell (22) Elden Campbell (15) Derek Fisher (6) Great Western Forum
17,505 		24–9
34 January 5 @ Vancouver W 95-82 Shaquille O'Neal (31) Shaquille O'Neal (12) Nick Van Exel (23) General Motors Place
19,193 		25–9
35 January 6 @ Portland L 84-88 Shaquille O'Neal (34) Shaquille O'Neal (12) Nick Van Exel (9) Rose Garden
21,538 		25–10
36 January 8 Charlotte W 101-97 Shaquille O'Neal (23) Shaquille O'Neal (16) Nick Van Exel (10) Great Western Forum
16,980 		26–10
37 January 10 Miami W 94-85 Shaquille O'Neal (34) Shaquille O'Neal (14) Nick Van Exel (8) Great Western Forum
17,505 		27–10
38 January 14 Vancouver W 91-81 Shaquille O'Neal (24) Knight & O'Neal (12) Nick Van Exel (6) Great Western Forum
15,606 		28–10
39 January 16 Portland L 98-102 Shaquille O'Neal (33) Shaquille O'Neal (13) Nick Van Exel (8) Great Western Forum
16,432 		28–11
40 January 18 Detroit L 97-100 (2OT) Kobe Bryant (21) Shaquille O'Neal (19) Nick Van Exel (9) Great Western Forum
17,505 		28–12
41 January 20 Dallas W 109-99 Nick Van Exel (24) Shaquille O'Neal (13) Nick Van Exel (8) Great Western Forum
16,959 		29–12
42 January 24 Golden State W 114-97 Shaquille O'Neal (33) Travis Knight (15) Nick Van Exel (12) Great Western Forum
17,505 		30–12
43 January 26 @ Seattle W 104-103 Nick Van Exel (25) Shaquille O'Neal (11) Nick Van Exel (6) KeyArena
17,072 		31–12
44 January 28 @ Dallas W 102-83 Shaquille O'Neal (31) Shaquille O'Neal (10) Nick Van Exel (6) Reunion Arena
18,042 		32–12
45 January 29 @ San Antonio W 99-92 Eddie Jones (23) Shaquille O'Neal (19) Nick Van Exel (12) Alamodome
25,570 		33–12
February: 6–6 (home: 3–3; road: 3–3)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
46 February 2 Washington W 129-99 Shaquille O'Neal (24) Elden Campbell (10) Nick Van Exel (6) Great Western Forum
17,505 		34–12
47 February 4 @ L.A. Clippers L 86-108 Campbell & Van Exel (20) Travis Knight (7) Campbell & Van Exel (4) Arrowhead Pond
18,462 		34–13
48 February 5 Chicago W 106-90 Elden Campbell (34) Elden Campbell (14) Nick Van Exel (13) Great Western Forum
17,505 		35–13
All-Star Break
49 February 12 @ Minnesota W 100-84 Elden Campbell (21) Robert Horry (10) Robert Horry (8) Target Center
18,243 		36–13
50 February 13 @ Denver W 132-117 Nick Van Exel (30) Kersey & Rooks (6) Nick Van Exel (9) McNichols Sports Arena
16,713 		37–13
51 February 16 Seattle L 91-102 Eddie Jones (26) Elden Campbell (17) Nick Van Exel (11) Great Western Forum
17,505 		37–14
52 February 19 Cleveland L 84-103 Elden Campbell (23) Travis Knight (9) Nick Van Exel (7) Great Western Forum
16,402 		37–15
53 February 21 Vancouver W 99-91 Campbell & Jones (23) Elden Campbell (12) Jones & Van Exel (8) Great Western Forum
17,031 		38–15
54 February 23 New York L 121-127 (2OT) Elden Campbell (40) Travis Knight (13) Nick Van Exel (16) Great Western Forum
17,505 		38–16
55 February 25 @ Houston L 96-100 Elden Campbell (19) Elden Campbell (9) Nick Van Exel (11) The Summit
16,285 		38–17
56 February 27 @ Washington W 122-107 Elden Campbell (38) Eddie Jones (8) Nick Van Exel (12) US Airways Arena
18,756 		39–17
57 February 28 @ Atlanta L 75-86 Eddie Jones (17) Elden Campbell (7) Eddie Jones (5) Omni Coliseum
16,378 		39–18
March: 9–5 (home: 4–2; road: 5–3)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
58 March 2 @ Indiana L 85-101 Eddie Jones (28) Corie Blount (10) Nick Van Exel (9) Market Square Arena
16,711 		39–19
59 March 4 @ Dallas W 102-92 Nick Van Exel (37) Elden Campbell (10) 4 players tied (2) Reunion Arena
15,809 		40–19
60 March 7 Houston L 90-111 Campbell & Jones (17) Elden Campbell (7) Nick Van Exel (6) Great Western Forum
17,505 		40–20
61 March 9 New Jersey W 115-105 Eddie Jones (34) Eddie Jones (13) Fisher & Van Exel (5) Great Western Forum
17,103 		41–20
62 March 12 Golden State W 109-101 Elden Campbell (26) Corie Blount (15) Nick Van Exel (14) Great Western Forum
17,009 		42–20
63 March 14 L.A. Clippers L 95-97 Eddie Jones (22) Corie Blount (15) Nick Van Exel (13) Great Western Forum
17,505 		42–21
64 March 16 Toronto W 98-90 (OT) Eddie Jones (27) Jerome Kersey (11) Nick Van Exel (8) Great Western Forum
16,839 		43–21
65 March 17 @ Denver W 113-94 Nick Van Exel (30) Blount & Campbell (10) Nick Van Exel (9) McNichols Sports Arena
13,817 		44–21
66 March 20 @ Cleveland W 89-76 Eddie Jones (25) Corie Blount (12) Nick Van Exel (7) Gund Arena
18,818 		45–21
67 March 21 @ Miami L 97-98 Elden Campbell (24) Elden Campbell (12) Nick Van Exel (11) Miami Arena
15,200 		45–22
68 March 23 @ Orlando L 84-110 Elden Campbell (16) Blount & Kersey (8) Nick Van Exel (6) Orlando Arena
17,248 		45–23
69 March 24 @ New Jersey W 109-84 Nick Van Exel (23) Travis Knight (14) Nick Van Exel (8) Continental Airlines Arena
20,049 		46–23
70 March 26 Milwaukee W 106-84 Elden Campbell (31) Corie Blount (14) 3 players tied (4) Great Western Forum
17,505 		47–23
71 March 27 @ Vancouver W 102-98 (OT) Elden Campbell (25) Elden Campbell (9) Nick Van Exel (8) General Motors Place
18,722 		48–23
April: 8–3 (home: 5–1; road: 3–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
72 April 1 @ Seattle W 99-97 Nick Van Exel (30) Blount & Kersey (11) Nick Van Exel (6) KeyArena
17,072 		49–23
73 April 2 Denver W 110-85 Eddie Jones (27) Corie Blount (13) Nick Van Exel (12) Great Western Forum
17,141 		50–23
74 April 4 San Antonio L 83-94 Sean Rooks (20) Corie Blount (13) Nick Van Exel (5) Great Western Forum
17,505 		50–24
75 April 6 Dallas W 87-80 Derek Fisher (21) Sean Rooks (11) 3 players tied (5) Great Western Forum
17,364 		51–24
76 April 8 @ Golden State W 109-85 Kobe Bryant (24) Knight & Rooks (7) Derek Fisher (6) San Jose Arena
17,973 		52–24
77 April 9 @ Utah L 89-101 Eddie Jones (16) Elden Campbell (11) Derek Fisher (4) Delta Center
19,911 		52–25
78 April 11 Phoenix W 114-98 O'Neal & Van Exel (24) Horry & O'Neal (11) Nick Van Exel (9) Great Western Forum
17,505 		53–25
79 April 13 Utah W 100-98 Shaquille O'Neal (39) Shaquille O'Neal (13) Nick Van Exel (7) Great Western Forum
17,505 		54–25
80 April 17 Sacramento W 108-99 Shaquille O'Neal (42) Shaquille O'Neal (12) Nick Van Exel (7) Great Western Forum
17,505 		55–25
81 April 18 @ L.A. Clippers W 123-95 Elden Campbell (21) Travis Knight (9) Nick Van Exel (10) Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena
16,094 		56–25
82 April 20 @ Portland L 96-100 Elden Campbell (29) Elden Campbell (11) Nick Van Exel (8) Rose Garden
21,538 		56–26
1996–97 schedule

Playoffs

1997 playoff game log
Total: 4–5 (home: 3–1; road: 1–4)
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 25 Portland W 95–77 Shaquille O'Neal (46) Shaquille O'Neal (11) Nick Van Exel (8) Great Western Forum
17,505 		1–0
2 April 27 Portland W 107–93 Shaquille O'Neal (30) Eddie Jones (7) Nick Van Exel (9) Great Western Forum
17,505 		2–0
3 April 30 @ Portland L 90–98 Shaquille O'Neal (29) Shaquille O'Neal (12) O'Neal & Van Exel (4) Rose Garden
21,538 		2–1
4 May 2 @ Portland W 95–91 Campbell & O'Neal (27) 4 players tied (8) Jones & Van Exel (5) Rose Garden
21,538 		3–1
Conference Semi-finals: 1–4 (home: 1–1; road: 0–3)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Series
1 May 4 @ Utah L 77–93 Nick Van Exel (23) Shaquille O'Neal (12) Nick Van Exel (4) Delta Center
19,911 		0–1
2 May 6 @ Utah L 101–103 Shaquille O'Neal (25) Shaquille O'Neal (12) Nick Van Exel (12) Delta Center
19,911 		0–2
3 May 8 Utah W 104–84 Kobe Bryant (19) Shaquille O'Neal (10) Nick Van Exel (5) Great Western Forum
17,505 		1–2
4 May 10 Utah L 95–110 Shaquille O'Neal (34) Shaquille O'Neal (11) Nick Van Exel (7) Great Western Forum
17,505 		1–3
5 May 12 @ Utah L 93–98 (OT) Nick Van Exel (26) Shaquille O'Neal (13) Shaquille O'Neal (5) Delta Center
19,911 		1–4
1997 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

Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Shaquille O'Neal 51 51 38.1 .557 .000 .484 12.5 3.1 0.9 2.9 26.2
Eddie Jones 80 80 37.5 .438 .391 .819 4.1 3.4 2.4 0.6 17.2
Nick Van Exel 79 79 37.2 .402 .378 .825 2.9 8.5 0.9 0.1 15.3
Cedric Ceballos 8 8 34.9 .410 .238 .867 6.6 1.9 0.6 0.8 10.8
Elden Campbell 77 77 32.7 .469 .250 .711 8.0 1.6 0.6 1.5 14.9
Robert Horry 22 14 30.7 .455 .329 .700 5.4 2.5 1.7 1.3 9.2
Jerome Kersey 70 44 25.2 .432 .262 .602 5.2 1.3 1.7 0.7 6.8
Byron Scott 79 8 18.2 .430 .388 .841 1.5 1.3 0.6 0.2 6.7
Corie Blount 58 18 17.4 .514 .333 .675 4.8 0.6 0.4 0.4 4.2
Travis Knight 71 14 16.3 .509 - .620 4.5 0.5 0.4 0.8 4.8
Kobe Bryant 71 6 15.5 .417 .375 .819 1.9 1.3 0.7 0.3 7.6
George McCloud 23 2 12.4 .354 .429 .667 1.6 0.7 0.4 0.0 4.1
Derek Fisher 80 3 11.5 .397 .301 .658 1.2 1.5 0.5 0.1 3.9
Sean Rooks 69 3 10.7 .470 .000 .700 2.4 0.6 0.2 0.6 3.8

Playoffs

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

Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Corie Blount 3 0 2.7 1.000 .500 .7 .3 .0 .0 1.0
Kobe Bryant 9 0 14.8 .382 .261 .867 1.2 1.2 .3 .2 8.2
Elden Campbell 9 9 30.9 .398 1.000 .816 4.3 1.0 .8 1.4 11.8
Derek Fisher 6 0 5.7 .273 .000 .667 .5 1.0 .2 .0 1.3
Robert Horry 9 9 31.0 .447 .429 .778 5.3 1.4 1.1 .8 6.7
Eddie Jones 9 9 31.4 .458 .375 .743 3.4 3.2 1.0 .4 11.2
Jerome Kersey 9 0 23.3 .486 .000 .789 5.3 1.6 1.0 .7 5.4
Travis Knight 9 0 10.3 .800 .750 2.0 .3 .3 .3 2.1
Shaquille O'Neal 9 9 36.2 .514 .610 10.6 3.2 .6 1.9 26.9
Sean Rooks 8 0 6.8 .444 .750 1.5 .1 .4 .4 1.8
Byron Scott 8 0 16.8 .455 .364 .895 1.5 1.4 .1 .0 6.4
Nick Van Exel 9 9 39.2 .378 .273 .824 3.4 6.4 1.1 .0 14.4

Awards and records

Transactions

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