1997–98 Phoenix Suns season
NBA team season
NBA professional basketball team season
The 1997–98 NBA season was the 30th season for the Phoenix Suns in the National Basketball Association .[ 1] In the off-season, the Suns acquired Antonio McDyess from the Denver Nuggets in a three-team trade,[ 2] [ 3] [ 4] [ 5] and signed free agents Clifford Robinson ,[ 6] [ 7] [ 8] [ 9] and George McCloud .[ 10] [ 11] [ 12] The team also signed former Suns, and All-Star forward Tom Chambers , who played for the team from 1988 to 1993, and also appeared in the 1993 NBA Finals ; however, he was out with a lower strained back injury before the regular season began.[ 13] [ 14] [ 15] [ 16] In November, Chambers got into trouble after punching Suns strength and conditioning coach Robin Pound during an altercation,[ 17] [ 16] [ 18] [ 19] and was soon traded to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for Slovenian rookie forward Marko Milič ; Chambers would play one game for the 76ers before retiring from the NBA in December.[ 20] [ 21] [ 22] [ 16]
Danny Ainge returned for his first full season as the Suns head coach , as they won nine of their first eleven games, which included a 140–139 quadruple overtime road win over the Portland Trail Blazers on November 14, 1997.[ 23] [ 24] [ 25] [ 26] The Suns continued to play competitive basketball holding a 31–15 record at the All-Star break.[ 27] At mid-season, the team traded Cedric Ceballos to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for three-point specialist Dennis Scott ,[ 28] [ 29] [ 30] [ 31] as they posted a ten-game winning streak between March and April, winning eleven of their final twelve games of the season. The Suns posted a 56–26 record as members of the Pacific Division, finishing third in their division and fourth in the Western Conference.[ 32] All home games were played in America West Arena .
The team's top scorer Rex Chapman , who averaged 15.9 points per game, was part of a Suns offense that included four other players averaging double-digits in points in McDyess, Robinson, Danny Manning and Jason Kidd . Kidd was the team's sole member to be selected as a member of the 1998 NBA All-Star Game ,[ 33] [ 34] [ 35] [ 36] averaging 11.6 points, 6.2 rebounds , 9.1 assists and 2.0 steals per game. He also finished second in the league in assists. In addition, McDyess averaged 15.1 points, 7.6 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game, while Robinson provided the team with 14.2 points and 5.1 rebounds per game.[ 37] Manning averaged 13.5 points and 5.6 rebounds per game off the bench, and was named Sixth Man of the Year, but did not play in any of the Suns' playoff games due to a knee ligament.[ 38] [ 39] [ 40] [ 41] Kevin Johnson only played in just 50 games, starting in just 12 of them due to tendinitis in his right knee,[ 42] [ 43] [ 44] as he averaged 9.5 points and 4.9 assists per game, while also off the bench, second-year guard Steve Nash contributed 9.1 points and 3.4 assists per game, and McCloud contributed 7.2 points per game.[ 37]
The Suns would make their 10th consecutive playoff appearance. In the Western Conference First Round, they faced off against the 5th-seeded San Antonio Spurs , who were led by David Robinson , and Rookie of the Year, Tim Duncan . Despite having home-court advantage in the series, the Suns would lose to the Spurs, three games to one.[ 45] [ 46] [ 47] [ 48]
Following the season, McDyess re-signed as a free agent with his former team, the Denver Nuggets ,[ 49] [ 50] [ 51] [ 52] while Johnson retired after eleven seasons in the NBA, but would make a comeback late during the 1999–2000 season,[ 53] [ 54] [ 55] [ 56] Nash was traded to the Dallas Mavericks ,[ 57] [ 58] [ 59] [ 60] Hot Rod Williams signed as a free agent with the Mavericks,[ 52] [ 61] [ 62] Scott signed with the New York Knicks ,[ 63] [ 64] [ 65] and Mark Bryant was traded to the Chicago Bulls .[ 66] [ 67] [ 68]
Offseason
NBA draft
The Suns used their only draft pick to select future star Stephen Jackson , who was waived before the start of the season. The Suns traded their first-round pick to the Cleveland Cavaliers in 1995 when they dealt Dan Majerle and Antonio Lang for John "Hot Rod" Williams .
Roster
1997–98 Phoenix Suns roster
Players
Coaches
Pos.
No.
Name
Height
Weight
DOB
From
C
45
Brown, Mike
6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
257 lb (117 kg)
1963–07–19
George Washington
C
2
Bryant, Mark
6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
245 lb (111 kg)
1965–04–25
Seton Hall
G/F
3
Chapman, Rex
6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
185 lb (84 kg)
1967–10–05
Kentucky
G
7
Johnson, Kevin
6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
180 lb (82 kg)
1966–03–04
California
G
32
Kidd, Jason
6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
205 lb (93 kg)
1973–03–23
California
C
17
Llamas, Horacio
6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)
285 lb (129 kg)
1973–07–17
Grand Canyon
F/C
15
Manning, Danny
6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)
230 lb (104 kg)
1966–05–17
Kansas
F
21
McCloud, George
6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
205 lb (93 kg)
1967–05–27
Florida State
F
34
McDyess, Antonio
6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
220 lb (100 kg)
1974–09–07
Alabama
C
40
Meyer, Loren (IN)
6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)
257 lb (117 kg)
1972–12–30
Iowa State
F
20
Milič, Marko
6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
235 lb (107 kg)
1977–05–07
Slovenia
G
13
Nash, Steve
6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
195 lb (88 kg)
1974–02–07
Santa Clara
F
30
Robinson, Clifford
6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)
225 lb (102 kg)
1966–12–16
Connecticut
F
4
Scott, Dennis
6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
229 lb (104 kg)
1968–09–05
Georgia Tech
C
18
Williams, John
6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)
215 lb (98 kg)
1962–08–09
Tulane
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
(DP) Unsigned draft pick(FA) Free agent(S) Suspended(IN) Inactive Injured
Roster Notes
Center Mike Brown did not play in any regular season games with the Suns this season, due to previously playing overseas in Italy . However, he was re-signed by the team on April 18, 1998, just one day before the final day of the regular season, and only played in one playoff game.
Center Loren Meyer missed the entire season due to a back injury.[ 69] [ 70]
Salaries
Player
Salary
Kevin Johnson
$8,000,000
Danny Manning
$6,833,333
Jason Kidd
$5,223,333
Hot Rod Williams
$4,550,000
Antonio McDyess
$2,876,640
Cedric Ceballos
$2,605,000
Mark Bryant
$2,250,000
Steve Nash
$1,053,360
Clifford Robinson
$1,000,000
Loren Meyer
$722,760
Mario Bennett
$630,000
Rex Chapman
$326,700
Tom Chambers
$272,250
George McCloud
$272,250
Horacio Llamas
$272,250
William Cunningham
$50,000
Total
$36,937,876
Regular season
Standings
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
—
Playoffs
Even with a 56–26 record, the Suns were the fourth seed in the West heading into the Playoffs . They would face the fifth-seeded San Antonio Spurs , headlined by star center David Robinson and Rookie of the Year forward Tim Duncan . Duncan led the Spurs to a game one upset in Phoenix, scoring 28 second-half points in a 102–96 victory. The Suns recovered to win game two 108–101. Antonio McDyess led the Suns with 21 points and 11 rebounds, while holding Duncan to 16 points with six turnovers. On the night he received the Rookie of the Year Award, Duncan again led the Spurs with 22 points, 14 rebounds and 3 blocks. Despite 26 points and 17 rebounds from McDyess, the Suns fell 88–100 and into a 1–2 series hole. The Spurs would clinch the series 3–1 in San Antonio, behind 30 points from Avery Johnson , 21 rebounds from Robinson, and 6 blocks from Duncan. McDyess pulled down 19 rebounds for the Suns, but shot only 5 of 14 from the field, while Kevin Johnson led the team with 18 points.[ 47]
Game log
1998 playoff game log
First Round: 1–3 (home: 1–1; road: 0–2)
1998 schedule
Awards and honors
Week/Month
Jason Kidd was named Player of the Week for games played March 8 through March 14.
Jason Kidd was named Player of the Week for games played April 12 through April 18.
All-Star
Jason Kidd was selected as a reserve for the Western Conference in the All-Star Game . It was his second All-Star selection. Kidd finished fifth in voting among Western Conference guards with 305,834 votes.
Season
Injuries/Missed games
Player statistics
Season
* – Stats with the Suns.
† – Minimum 300 field goals made.
^ – Minimum 55 three-pointers made.
Playoffs
† – Minimum 20 field goals made.
^ – Minimum 10 free throws made.
Transactions
Trades
Free agents
Additions
Date
Player
Contract
Former Team
June 23, 1997
Kevin Johnson
Signed one-year contract for $8,000,000
Phoenix Suns
July 1, 1997
Mark Bryant
Signed two-year contract for $4,300,000
Phoenix Suns
July 8, 1997
John "Hot Rod" Williams
Signed one-year contract for $4,550,000
Phoenix Suns
July 8, 1997
Rex Chapman
Signed one-year contract for $326,700
Phoenix Suns
July 8, 1997
Horacio Llamas
Signed one-year contract for $272,250
Sioux Falls Skyforce
August 22, 1997
Tom Chambers
Signed one-year contract for $272,250
Charlotte Hornets
August 22, 1997
William Cunningham
Undisclosed
n/a
August 25, 1997
Clifford Robinson
Signed one-year contract for $1 million
Portland Trail Blazers
September 2, 1997
George McCloud
Signed one-year contract for $272,250
Los Angeles Lakers
December 11, 1997
Brooks Thompson
Undisclosed
Denver Nuggets
January 9, 1998
Brooks Thompson
Signed two 10-day contracts
Phoenix Suns
April 18, 1998
Mike Brown
Signed for rest of season
Viola Reggio Calabria (Italy)
Subtractions
Player Transactions Citation:[ 72]
References
^ "1997-98 Phoenix Suns Roster and Stats" .
^ Berger, Ken (October 1, 1997). "Nuggets Send McDyess to Phoenix" . Associated Press . Retrieved September 17, 2022 .
^ "PLUS: IN THE NEWS -- PRO BASKETBALL; McDyess to Suns in Three-Team Deal" . The New York Times . Associated Press. October 2, 1997. Retrieved December 4, 2022 .
^ "Suns Make Trade for McDyess" . Los Angeles Times . Staff and Wire Reports. October 2, 1997. Retrieved December 4, 2022 .
^ "Nuggets Deal McDs to Phoenix" . The Spokesman-Review . Associated Press. October 2, 1997. Retrieved June 24, 2023 .
^ "Robinson Joins Suns" . The New York Times . Associated Press. August 26, 1997. Retrieved June 24, 2023 .
^ "Robinson Takes Pay Cut to Sign with Suns" . Los Angeles Times . Staff and Wire Reports. August 26, 1997. Retrieved July 17, 2022 .
^ Thompson, Jack (August 26, 1997). "Suns Sign Clifford Robinson" . Chicago Tribune . Retrieved October 13, 2021 .
^ "Parish Ends NBA Career After 21 Seasons and 1,611 Games" . The Spokesman-Review . Wire Services. August 26, 1997. Retrieved December 3, 2022 .
^ Smith, Sam (October 5, 1997). "Suns' Fortunes on the Rise" . Chicago Tribune . Retrieved June 24, 2023 .
^ Springer, Steve (October 31, 1997). "Season's Greetings" . Los Angeles Times . Retrieved November 18, 2022 .
^ Kurkjian, Tim (November 10, 1997). "No.4: Phoenix Suns" . Sports Illustrated Vault . Retrieved June 24, 2023 .
^ "Transactions" . Beaver Country Times . August 24, 1997. p. B12. Retrieved October 29, 2024 .
^ Reisner, Mel (October 29, 1997). "Have Suns Returned to NBA Elite?" . The Daily Courier . p. 9A. Retrieved October 29, 2024 .
^ "Game 4: Phoenix 106, Utah 84" . Deseret News . November 5, 1997. p. D3. Retrieved October 29, 2024 .
^ a b c "Chambers Retires From Sixers, Eyes Possible Post with Suns" . Deseret News . Associated Press. December 12, 1997. Retrieved October 29, 2024 .
^ "Chambers' Punch" . Deseret News . November 24, 1997. p. D2. Retrieved October 29, 2024 .
^ Robinson, Doug (January 1, 1998). "A Year of Living Boorishly" . Deseret News . Retrieved October 29, 2024 .
^ Cart, Julie (January 27, 1998). "Sprewell Looks for Favorable Ruling" . Los Angeles Times . Retrieved October 29, 2024 .
^ Gardner, Kris (November 21, 1997). "Tom Chambers Goes From Phoenix to Philly" . The Houston Roundball Review . Retrieved October 29, 2024 .
^ "Suns Trade Chambers" . Today's News-Herald . Associated Press. November 23, 1997. p. 16A. Retrieved October 29, 2024 .
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^ Howard-Cooper, Scott (April 24, 1998). "Bryant Second to Manning in Voting for Sixth Man" . Los Angeles Times . Retrieved July 18, 2021 .
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^ Johnson, L.C.; Povtak, Tim (February 1, 1998). "Welcome Back" . Orlando Sentinel . Retrieved April 2, 2023 .
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