1997–98 Denver Nuggets season

1997–98 Denver Nuggets season
Head coachBill Hanzlik
General manager
ArenaMcNichols Sports Arena
Results
Record11–71 (.134)
PlaceDivision: 7th (Midwest)
Conference: 14th (Western)
Playoff finishDid not qualify
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
Television
RadioKKFN
< 1996–97 1998–99 >

The 1997–98 NBA season was the Nuggets’ 22nd season in the National Basketball Association, and 31st season as a franchise.[1] The Nuggets received the fifth overall pick in the 1997 NBA draft, and selected Tony Battie out of Texas Tech University.[2][3][4][5][6] During the off-season, the team acquired Eric Williams from the Boston Celtics,[7][8][9] acquired Johnny Newman, Joe Wolf, and top draft pick Danny Fortson out of the University of Cincinnati from the Milwaukee Bucks,[2][3][4] first-round draft pick Bobby Jackson out of the University of Minnesota from the Seattle SuperSonics,[10] second-round draft pick Eric Washington out of the University of Alabama from the Orlando Magic,[10] and signed free agent Dean Garrett.[11][12][13]

However, Williams suffered a devastating knee injury after only just four games, and was out for the remainder of the season, averaging 19.8 points and 5.3 rebounds per game,[14][15][16] while Bryant Stith only played just 31 games due to ankle and foot injuries.[17] At mid-season, the team signed free agent Cory Alexander, who was previously released by the San Antonio Spurs.[18][19][20]

The Nuggets set numerous unwanted records during this season, which started off with the team losing their first twelve games under new head coach, former Nuggets player Bill Hanzlik.[21][22][23] The Nuggets finished with the league's worst record at 11–71, which was also the team's worst record in franchise history.[24] Their eleven wins equaled the third-fewest in an 82-game NBA season along with the 1992–93 Dallas Mavericks, and just like the Mavericks were for a long time viewed as likely to beat the 1972–73 Philadelphia 76ers record of winning only nine games in a full season, and the 2015–16 76ers, who only won just ten games. Incidentally, the NFL's Denver Broncos had won the Super Bowl earlier in 1998 and would go towards the Super Bowl again in the same year when this occurred.[25][26]

After 40 games and a dreadful 23-game losing streak, which was tied with the 1995–96 Vancouver Grizzlies, the Nuggets had a 2–38 record (winning percentage .050), a mark equalled only by the 1993–94 Mavericks.[27][28][29][30] With the team holding a 4–42 record at the All-Star break,[31] General Manager Allan Bristow was fired.[32][33] The Nuggets later on lost sixteen consecutive games between February and March,[24] before finally avoiding a possibility of the worst-ever NBA record against the Golden State Warriors on March 27, 1998.

Newman played a sixth man role, leading the team in scoring with 14.7 points per game off the bench, while LaPhonso Ellis averaged 14.3 points and 7.2 rebounds per game, and Jackson provided the team with 11.6 points, 4.7 assists and 1.5 steals per game, and was selected to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team. In addition, Fortson averaged 10.2 points and 5.6 rebounds per game, while Anthony Goldwire contributed 9.2 points and 3.4 assists per game, Battie provided with 8.4 points and 5.4 rebounds per game, Garrett averaged 7.3 points, 7.9 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game, Washington contributed 7.7 points per game, and Stith contributed 7.6 points per game.[34] The Nuggets had the worst team defensive rating in the NBA.[35]

The unfortunate season meant Hanzlik was fired after a single season in charge of the team.[36][37][38] Following the season, Ellis signed as a free agent with the Atlanta Hawks,[39][40][41] while Newman re-signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers,[42] Garrett and Jackson were both traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves, Battie was dealt to the Los Angeles Lakers,[43][44] who then traded him to the Boston Celtics several months later,[45] and Goldwire and Wolf were both released to free agency.[46]

In his 2007 study The NBA from Top to Bottom, basketball enthusiast Kyle Wright argued that in fact the 1997–98 Nuggets were a worse team than the 1972–73 76ers, saying that they played a worse schedule in the Midwest Division than the 1972–73 76ers did in their Atlantic Division where a dominant Boston Celtics team was played seven times by the 76ers.[47] In contrast, Wright says, "the Nuggets got to play the 62–20 Utah Jazz only four times".

Draft picks

Main article: 1997 NBA draft
Round Pick Player Position Nationality School/Club Team
1 5 Tony Battie PF/C  United States Texas Tech
2 33 James Cotton SG  United States Long Beach State
2 42 Jason Lawson C  United States Villanova

Roster

1997–98 Denver Nuggets roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB From
G 7 Alexander, Cory 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1973–06–22 Virginia
F/C 4 Battie, Tony 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 230 lb (104 kg) 1976–02–11 Texas Tech
G/F 3 Ellis, Harold 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 1970–10–07 Morehouse
F 20 Ellis, LaPhonso 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 240 lb (109 kg) 1970–05–05 Notre Dame
F 15 Fortson, Danny 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 260 lb (118 kg) 1976–03–27 Cincinnati
C 21 Garrett, Dean 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1966–11–27 Indiana
G 5 Goldwire, Anthony 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 182 lb (83 kg) 1971–09–06 Houston
G 13 Jackson, Bobby 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1973–03–13 Minnesota
C 30 Lauderdale, Priest 7 ft 4 in (2.24 m) 325 lb (147 kg) 1973–08–31 Central State
G/F 22 Newman, Johnny 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1963–11–28 Richmond
G 23 Stith, Bryant 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 208 lb (94 kg) 1970–12–10 Virginia
G 14 Washington, Eric 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1974–03–23 Alabama
F 32 Williams, Eric Injured 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1972–07–17 Providence
F/C 17 Wolf, Joe Injured 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 230 lb (104 kg) 1964–12–17 North Carolina
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured Injured

Roster
Last transaction: March 13, 1998

Regular season

Season standings

Midwest Division
 W L PCT GB Home Road Div
z-Utah Jazz 62 20 .756 – 36–5 26–15 22–2
x-San Antonio Spurs 56 26 .683 6 31–10 25–16 18–6
x-Minnesota Timberwolves 45 37 .549 17 26–15 19–22 14–10
x-Houston Rockets 41 41 .500 21 24–17 17–24 14–10
Dallas Mavericks 20 62 .244 42 13–28 7–34 9–15
Vancouver Grizzlies 19 63 .232 43 14–27 5–36 4–20
Denver Nuggets 11 71 .134 51 9–32 2–39 3–21
#
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
z – clinched division title
y – clinched division title
x – clinched playoff spot

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

1997–98 game log
Total: 11–71 (home: 9–32; road: 2–39)
October: 0–1 (home: 0–1; road: 0–0)
Game Date Team Score Location
Attendance		 Record
1 October 31 San Antonio Spurs 96–107 McNichols Sports Arena 0–1
November: 1–11 (home: 1–4; road: 0–7)
Game Date Team Score Location
Attendance		 Record
2 November 1 @ Utah Jazz 84–102 Delta Center 0–2
3 November 4 Washington Wizards 96–120 McNichols Sports Arena 0–3
4 November 7 Utah Jazz 89–91 McNichols Sports Arena 0–4
5 November 11 @ New York Knicks 90–93 Madison Square Garden 0–5
6 November 12 @ Boston Celtics 86–96 Fleet Center 0–6
7 November 14 @ Orlando Magic 85–103 Orlando Arena 0–7
8 November 15 @ Miami Heat 93–96 Miami Arena 0–8
9 November 18 Vancouver Grizzlies 87–100 McNichols Sports Arena 0–9
10 November 21 @ Vancouver Grizzlies 96–99 General Motors Place 0–10
11 November 22 Seattle SuperSonics 80–84 McNichols Sports Arena 0–11
12 November 25 @ Sacramento Kings 93–97 ARCO Arena 0–12
13 November 28 Minnesota Timberwolves 95–84 McNichols Sports Arena 1–12
December: 1–14 (home: 1–7; road: 0–7)
Game Date Team Score Location
Attendance		 Record
14 December 2 @ Houston Rockets 101–112 The Summit 1–13
15 December 3 Los Angeles Lakers 89–107 McNichols Sports Arena 1–14
16 December 5 Indiana Pacers 85–96 McNichols Sports Arena 1–15
17 December 7 Los Angeles Clippers 100–92 McNichols Sports Arena 2–15
18 December 9 @ Detroit Pistons 83–92 The Palace of Auburn Hills 2–16
19 December 10 @ Cleveland Cavaliers 106–119 Gund Arena 2–17
20 December 12 @ Phoenix Suns 81–102 America West Arena 2–18
21 December 13 @ New Jersey 95–133 Continental Airlines Arena 2–19
22 December 16 San Antonio Spurs 85–99 McNichols Sports Arena 2–20
23 December 18 @ Seattle SuperSonics 106–119 KeyArena 2–21
24 December 20 Phoenix Suns 81–102 McNichols Sports Arena 2–22
25 December 23 @ Golden State Warriors 75–87 The Arena in Oakland 2–23
26 December 26 Golden State Warriors 120–131 McNichols Sports Arena 2–24
27 December 27 @ Los Angeles Clippers 103–105 Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena 2–25
28 December 30 Utah Jazz 99–132 McNichols Sports Arena 2–26
January: 2–14 (home: 1–7; road: 1–7)
Game Date Team Score Location
Attendance		 Record
29 January 2 Houston Rockets 115–116 OT McNichols Sports Arena 2–27
30 January 3 @ Minnesota Timberwolves 87–109 Target Center 2–28
31 January 6 @ Dallas Mavericks 90–108 Reunion Arena 2–29
32 January 7 @ San Antonio Spurs 89–96 Alamodome 2–30
33 January 9 Miami Heat 79–98 McNichols Sports Arena 2–31
34 January 13 Orlando Magic 84–98 McNichols Sports Arena 2–32
35 January 14 @ Los Angeles Lakers 114–132 Great Western Forum 2–33
36 January 16 Cleveland Cavaliers 74–99 McNichols Sports Arena 2–34
37 January 18 @ Portland Trail Blazers 82–94 Rose Garden Arena 2–35
38 January 20 @ Vancouver Grizzlies 77–88 General Motors Place 2–36
39 January 21 Detroit Pistons 67–87 McNichols Sports Arena 2–37
40 January 23 @ Phoenix Suns 77–93 America West Arena 2–38
41 January 24 @ Los Angeles Clippers 99–81 Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena 3–38
42 January 27 New Jersey Nets 87–120 McNichols Sports Arena 3–39
43 January 29 Toronto Raptors 80–84 McNichols Sports Arena 3–40
44 January 31 Dallas Mavericks 110–98 McNichols Sports Arena 4–40
February: 1–11 (home: 1–6; road: 0–5)
Game Date Team Score Location
Attendance		 Record
45 February 2 Chicago Bulls 72–111 McNichols Sports Arena 4–41
46 February 4 Sacramento Kings 99–101 McNichols Sports Arena 4–42
47 February 10 Boston Celtics 112–99 McNichols Sports Arena 5–42
48 February 12 @ Sacramento Kings 84–87 ARCO Arena 5–43
49 February 13 Minnesota Timberwolves 80–107 McNichols Sports Arena 5–44
50 February 15 @ Portland Trail Blazers 82–117 Rose Garden Arena 5–45
51 February 17 New York Knicks 77–91 McNichols Sports Arena 5–46
52 February 19 @ Los Angeles Lakers 114–132 Great Western Forum 5–47
53 February 20 @ Golden State Warriors 88–95 The Arena in Oakland 5–48
54 February 22 @ Seattle SuperSonics 68–88 KeyArena 5–49
55 February 23 Charlotte Hornets 98–118 McNichols Sports Arena 5–50
56 February 25 Atlanta Hawks 88–112 McNichols Sports Arena 5–51
57 February 27 Philadelphia 76ers 78–79 McNichols Sports Arena 5–52
March: 4–11 (home: 3–4; road: 1–7)
Game Date Team Score Location
Attendance		 Record
58 March 1 @ Indiana Pacers 63–90 Market Square Arena 5–53
59 March 3 @ Chicago Bulls 90–118 United Center 5–54
60 March 5 @ Milwaukee Bucks 87–104 Bradley Center 5–55
61 March 6 @ Atlanta Hawks 94–115 Georgia Dome 5–56
62 March 8 Los Angeles Clippers 89–100 McNichols Sports Arena 5–57
63 March 10 Phoenix Suns 106–104 McNichols Sports Arena 5–58
64 March 12 Vancouver Grizzlies 98–93 McNichols Sports Arena 6–58
65 March 14 Portland Trail Blazers 92–82 McNichols Sports Arena 7–58
66 March 16 Charlotte Hornets 87–109 Charlotte Coliseum 7–59
67 March 17 @ Washington Wizards 90–89 MCI Center 8–59
68 March 19 @ Toronto Raptors 103–104 OT SkyDome 8–60
69 March 20 @ Minnesota Timberwolves 88–104 Target Center 8–61
70 March 23 Los Angeles Lakers 86–107 McNichols Sports Arena 8–62
71 March 25 Dallas Mavericks 94–105 McNichols Sports Arena 8–63
72 March 27 Golden State Warriors 97–89 McNichols Sports Arena 9–63
April: 2–8 (home: 2–3; road: 0–5)
Game Date Team Score Location
Attendance		 Record
73 April 1 Milwaukee Bucks 100–106 McNichols Sports Arena 9–64
74 April 3 @ Utah Jazz 75–97 Delta Center 9–65
75 April 5 Seattle SuperSonics 83–87 McNichols Sports Arena 9–66
76 April 7 Houston Rockets 87–104 McNichols Sports Arena 9–67
77 April 9 Sacramento Kings 128–103 McNichols Sports Arena 10–67
78 April 11 @ Dallas Mavericks 81–99 Reunion Arena 10–68
79 April 14 @ Houston Rockets 88–94 The Summit 10–69
80 April 15 @ Phoenix Suns 89–96 America West Arena 10–70
81 April 17 Portland Trail Blazers 109–101 McNichols Sports Arena 11–70
82 April 19 @ San Antonio Spurs 82–96 Alamodome 11–71
1997–98 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
Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Dean Garrett 82 82 32.1 .428 N/A .648 7.9 1.1 0.7 1.6 7.3
Anthony Goldwire 82 32 27.0 .423 .384 .806 1.8 3.4 1.0 0.1 9.2
Danny Fortson 80 23 22.6 .452 .333 .776 5.6 1.0 0.6 0.4 10.2
LaPhonso Ellis 76 71 33.9 .407 .284 .805 7.2 2.8 0.9 0.6 14.3
Johnny Newman 74 15 29.4 .431 .343 .820 1.9 1.9 1.0 0.3 14.7
Bobby Jackson 68 53 30.0 .392 .259 .814 4.4 4.7 1.5 0.2 11.6
Eric Washington 66 36 23.3 .404 .321 .783 1.9 1.2 0.8 0.4 7.7
Tony Battie 65 49 23.2 .446 .214 .702 5.4 0.9 0.8 1.1 8.4
Joe Wolf 57 8 10.9 .331 .200 .500 2.6 0.5 0.4 0.1 1.5
Priest Lauderdale 39 0 8.8 .417 N/A .551 2.2 0.5 0.2 0.4 3.7
Bryant Stith 31 15 23.2 .333 .208 .872 2.1 1.6 0.7 0.3 7.6
Kiwane Garris 28 0 8.0 .338 .357 .760 0.7 1.0 0.3 0.0 2.4
Harold Ellis 27 3 12.7 .559 .000 .635 1.9 0.7 0.7 0.1 6.1
Cory Alexander 23 19 34.7 .435 .411 .846 4.3 6.0 2.0 0.3 14.0
George Zidek 6 0 7.0 .267 N/A .833 2.2 0.2 0.0 0.3 3.0
Eric Williams 4 4 36.3 .393 N/A .689 5.3 3.0 1.0 0.0 19.8

Awards and records

Transactions

References

  1. ^ 1997–98 Denver Nuggets
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  3. ^ a b Heisler, Mark (June 26, 1997). "Draft Over, But Not Finished". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 22, 2022.
  4. ^ a b Cotton, Anthony (June 26, 1997). "No. 1 Pick Turns Duncan Into Spur of Moment". The Washington Post. Retrieved September 24, 2022.
  5. ^ "First Round Selections in the 1997 NBA Draft Wednesday in Charlotte, N.C." Hartford Courant. June 26, 1997. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  6. ^ "1997 NBA Draft". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
  7. ^ Gardner, Kris (August 21, 1997). "Celtics Trade Williams to Denver". The Houston Roundball Review. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
  8. ^ "Celtics Send Eric Williams to Nuggets". Tampa Bay Times. August 22, 1997. Retrieved January 15, 2022.
  9. ^ Greenberg, Alan (October 23, 1997). "One of Pitino's Slick Moves". Hartford Courant. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
  10. ^ a b Gardner, Kris (June 25, 1997). "ARCHIVE: Houston Roundball Review NBA Trade Analyses -- 1997 NBA Draft Day Deals". The Houston Roundball Review. Retrieved September 25, 2023.
  11. ^ "The Denver Nuggets Continued Their Massive Rebuilding..." Los Angeles Times. Staff and Wire Reports. September 6, 1997. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
  12. ^ Harding, Jim (September 7, 1997). "Garrett Latest Addition to New-Look Nuggets". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
  13. ^ Kurkjian, Tim (November 10, 1997). "NO.5: Denver Nuggets". Sports Illustrated Vault. Retrieved September 25, 2023.
  14. ^ "Nuggets' Williams Is Out". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. November 10, 1997. Retrieved July 2, 2021.
  15. ^ "NBA -- Nuggets Rocked by Bad News: Eric Williams Out for Season". The Seattle Times. Associated Press. November 10, 1997. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
  16. ^ "Sonics Not Looking Past Tarnished Nuggets". The Spokesman-Review. Tacoma News Tribune. November 22, 1997. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
  17. ^ Johnson, Dave (July 5, 1999). "Losses, Injuries Numb Stith's Zest for the Game". Daily Press. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
  18. ^ "Transactions". The Free Lance-Star. Associated Press. March 5, 1998. p. B4. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
  19. ^ "Ex-U.Va. Star Salvages Nuggets Season". The Free Lance-Star. Associated Press. April 11, 1998. p. B10. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
  20. ^ "D'Antoni New Skipper in Denver". CBS News. CBS News.com Staff. September 22, 1998. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
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See also