1996–97 Indiana Pacers season
NBA professional basketball team season
NBA professional basketball team season
The 1996–97 NBA season was the Pacers' 21st season in the National Basketball Association , and 30th season as a franchise.[ 1] During the off-season, the Pacers acquired Jalen Rose and Reggie Williams from the Denver Nuggets ;[ 2] [ 3] [ 4] [ 5] the Pacers also received the tenth overall pick in the 1996 NBA draft from the Nuggets, which they used to select Erick Dampier out of Mississippi State University .[ 6] [ 7] [ 8] [ 9] However, after playing just two games for the team, Williams was then traded to the New Jersey Nets in exchange for Vincent Askew .[ 10] [ 11] [ 12] Injuries and sluggish play would hamper the Pacers all season long as Rik Smits only played 52 games due to a foot injury,[ 13] [ 14] [ 15] while Derrick McKey only appeared in just 50 games due to a foot injury, and a ruptured Achilles tendon,[ 16] [ 17] and Haywoode Workman was lost for the remainder of the season with a knee injury after only playing just four games.[ 18] [ 19]
The Pacers got off to a slow 3–8 start, then won five straight games, but continued to struggle playing around .500 for the remainder of the season, holding a 23–23 record at the All-Star break.[ 20] At mid-season, the team traded Askew and Eddie Johnson to the Denver Nuggets in exchange for former Pacers guard Mark Jackson and former Pacers forward LaSalle Thompson .[ 21] [ 22] [ 23] [ 24] Jackson, who returned to Indiana after a brief stint with the Nuggets, would remain with the Pacers until 2000 , where the team reached the NBA Finals ; he also led the league with 11.4 assists per game. The Pacers missed the playoffs for the first time in eight years with a disappointing 39–43 record, sixth place in the Central Division.[ 25]
Reggie Miller led the team in scoring with 21.6 points per game, and also led the league with 229 three-point field goals, while Smits averaged 17.1 points and 6.9 rebounds per game. In addition, Antonio Davis provided the team with 10.5 points and 7.3 rebounds per game, while Dale Davis contributed 10.4 points and 9.7 rebounds per game, second-year guard Travis Best provided with 9.9 points, 4.2 assists and 1.3 steals per game, and McKey contributed 8.0 points and 4.8 rebounds per game. Off the bench, Rose contributed 7.3 points per game, while Duane Ferrell provided with 6.4 points per game, and Dampier averaged 5.1 points and 4.1 rebounds per game.[ 26]
Following the season, head coach Larry Brown , who won his 600th game during the season,[ 27] was forced to resign after coaching the Pacers for four seasons;[ 28] [ 29] [ 30] he would later on take a coaching job with the Philadelphia 76ers .[ 31] [ 32] [ 33] [ 34] Also following the season, Dampier and Ferrell were both traded to the Golden State Warriors ,[ 35] [ 36] [ 37] and Thompson retired.
Offseason
Draft picks
Round
Pick
Player
Position
Nationality
College
1
10
Erick Dampier
C
United States
Mississippi State
2
52
Mark Pope
PF/C
United States
Kentucky
Roster
1996–97 Indiana Pacers roster
Players
Coaches
Pos.
No.
Name
Height
Weight
DOB
From
G
4
Best, Travis
5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
182 lb (83 kg)
1972–07–12
Georgia Tech
C
25
Dampier, Erick
6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)
265 lb (120 kg)
1975–07–14
Mississippi State
F
33
Davis, Antonio
6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
215 lb (98 kg)
1968–10–31
UTEP
F
32
Davis, Dale
6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)
230 lb (104 kg)
1969–03–25
Clemson
F
27
Ferrell, Duane
6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
209 lb (95 kg)
1965–02–28
Georgia Tech
F
24
Ham, Darvin
6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
220 lb (100 kg)
1973–07–23
Texas Tech
G
20
Hoiberg, Fred
6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
203 lb (92 kg)
1972–10–15
Iowa State
G
13
Jackson, Mark
6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
180 lb (82 kg)
1965–04–01
St. John's
F
9
McKey, Derrick
6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
205 lb (93 kg)
1966–10–10
Alabama
G
31
Miller, Reggie
6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
185 lb (84 kg)
1965–08–24
UCLA
F
5
Rose, Jalen
6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
210 lb (95 kg)
1973–01–30
Michigan
F
55
Scott, Brent
6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)
250 lb (113 kg)
1971–06–15
Rice
C
45
Smits, Rik
7 ft 4 in (2.24 m)
250 lb (113 kg)
1966–08–23
Marist
C
41
Thompson, LaSalle
6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)
245 lb (111 kg)
1961–06–23
Texas
G
3
Workman, Haywoode
6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
180 lb (82 kg)
1966–01–23
Oral Roberts
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
(DP) Unsigned draft pick(FA) Free agent(S) Suspended Injured
Roster
Regular season
Season standings
z – clinched division title
y – clinched division title
x – clinched playoff spot
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
1996–97 game log
Game
Date
Team
Score
High points
High rebounds
High assists
Location Attendance
Record
Game
Date
Team
Score
High points
High rebounds
High assists
Location Attendance
Record
Game
Date
Team
Score
High points
High rebounds
High assists
Location Attendance
Record
Game
Date
Team
Score
High points
High rebounds
High assists
Location Attendance
Record
Game
Date
Team
Score
High points
High rebounds
High assists
Location Attendance
Record
Game
Date
Team
Score
High points
High rebounds
High assists
Location Attendance
Record
1996–97 schedule
Player statistics
Ragular season
Player
POS
GP
GS
MP
REB
AST
STL
BLK
PTS
MPG
RPG
APG
SPG
BPG
PPG
Antonio Davis
PF
82
28
2,335
598
65
42
84
858
28.5
7.3
.8
.5
1.0
10.5
Reggie Miller
SG
81
81
2,966
286
273
75
25
1,751
36.6
3.5
3.4
.9
.3
21.6
Dale Davis
PF
80
76
2,589
772
59
60
77
832
32.4
9.7
.7
.8
1.0
10.4
Travis Best
PG
76
46
2,064
166
318
98
5
754
27.2
2.2
4.2
1.3
.1
9.9
Erick Dampier
C
72
21
1,052
294
43
19
73
370
14.6
4.1
.6
.3
1.0
5.1
Jalen Rose
SF
66
6
1,188
121
155
57
18
482
18.0
1.8
2.3
.9
.3
7.3
Duane Ferrell
SF
62
18
1,115
141
66
38
6
394
18.0
2.3
1.1
.6
.1
6.4
Rik Smits
C
52
52
1,518
361
67
22
59
887
29.2
6.9
1.3
.4
1.1
17.1
Jerome Allen †
SG
51
1
692
65
109
27
0
164
13.6
1.3
2.1
.5
.0
3.2
Derrick McKey
SF
50
49
1,449
241
135
47
30
400
29.0
4.8
2.7
.9
.6
8.0
Fred Hoiberg
SG
47
0
572
81
41
27
6
224
12.2
1.7
.9
.6
.1
4.8
Vincent Askew †
SG
41
0
822
98
90
17
6
233
20.0
2.4
2.2
.4
.1
5.7
Mark Jackson †
PG
30
30
1,053
124
294
46
3
271
35.1
4.1
9.8
1.5
.1
9.0
Eddie Johnson †
SF
28
0
306
40
17
5
1
147
10.9
1.4
.6
.2
.0
5.3
Brent Scott
PF
16
0
55
9
3
1
1
19
3.4
.6
.2
.1
.1
1.2
LaSalle Thompson †
C
9
0
35
8
2
0
0
3
3.9
.9
.2
.0
.0
.3
Haywoode Workman
PG
4
2
81
7
11
3
0
22
20.3
1.8
2.8
.8
.0
5.5
Reggie Williams †
SF
2
0
33
7
2
0
0
5
16.5
3.5
1.0
.0
.0
2.5
Darvin Ham †
SF
1
0
5
0
0
1
0
3
5.0
.0
.0
1.0
.0
3.0
† Denotes player spent time with another team in the season. Stats reflect time with the Pacers only.
Awards and records
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adding to it .
(January 2011 )
Transactions
Overview
Players added
Via draft
Via trade
Via free agency
Players Lost
Via trade
Via free agency
Trades
June 13, 1996
To Indiana Pacers Reggie Williams , Jalen Rose and the draft rights to Erick Dampier
To Denver Nuggets Mark Jackson , Ricky Pierce , and a first round draft pick
November 4, 1996
To Indiana Pacers Vincent Askew
To New Jersey Nets Reggie Williams
February 20, 1997
To Indiana Pacers Mark Jackson , LaSalle Thompson , and Darvin Ham
To Denver Nuggets Vincent Askew , Eddie Johnson , Jerome Allen , and 1997 and 1998 Second Round draft picks
Free agents
Player Transactions Citation:[ 38]
References
^ 1996–97 Indiana Pacers
^ "Pacers Trade Jackson, Pierce to Denver" . United Press International. June 13, 1996. Retrieved July 31, 2021 .
^ "PRO BASKETBALL; Nuggets Trade Abdul-Rauf, Acquire Pacers' Jackson" . The New York Times . Associated Press. June 14, 1996. Retrieved July 17, 2022 .
^ "In One of Two Deals, Abdul-Rauf Is Traded" . Los Angeles Times . Associated Press. June 14, 1996. Retrieved January 8, 2023 .
^ "Rose, Abdul-Rauf Traded" . The Spokesman-Review . Wire Reports. June 14, 1996. Retrieved June 20, 2023 .
^ Heisler, Mark (June 27, 1996). "The Surprises Are Few" . Los Angeles Times . Retrieved December 1, 2022 .
^ Cotton, Anthony (June 27, 1996). "For 76ers, Iverson Is No. 1 Choice" . The Washington Post . Retrieved July 25, 2021 .
^ Bembry, Jerry (June 27, 1996). "76ers Make Iverson the 1, Philadelphia Takes Georgetown Guard; Camby Goes Second" . The Baltimore Sun . Retrieved June 2, 2023 .
^ "1996 NBA Draft" . Basketball-Reference. Retrieved December 1, 2022 .
^ Roberts, Selena (November 5, 1996). "Nets Trade Askew for Pacers' Williams" . The New York Times . Retrieved January 1, 2022 .
^ "Pacers Trade Williams for Askew" . Los Angeles Times . Associated Press. November 5, 1996. Retrieved October 4, 2022 .
^ "Nets, Pacers Trade Forwards" . Deseret News . Associated Press. November 5, 1996. Retrieved January 28, 2023 .
^ Thompson, Jack (September 9, 1996). "Pacers' Smits Has Surgery on Both Feet" . Chicago Tribune . Retrieved December 27, 2022 .
^ "Smits Is Still Not Ready" . The New York Times . October 24, 1996. Retrieved January 20, 2022 .
^ "Pacers' Smits Won't Start the Season" . Los Angeles Times . Associated Press. October 24, 1996. Retrieved October 3, 2022 .
^ "Pacers Lose McKey" . The New York Times . February 6, 1997. Retrieved October 22, 2022 .
^ "Pacers Deny Stackhouse" . Los Angeles Times . Associated Press. December 20, 1997. Retrieved June 7, 2022 .
^ Shapiro, Mark (November 11, 1996). "Pacers' Workman Out for Year with Torn Ligament" . Chicago Tribune . Retrieved November 9, 2022 .
^ "Pacers Lose Workman for Season" . Orlando Sentinel . November 11, 1996. Retrieved July 3, 2021 .
^ "NBA Games Played on February 6, 1997" . Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 2, 2023 .
^ Sheridan, Chris (February 20, 1997). "Nuggets Made Three Trades, Hornets and Pacers Two Each" . Associated Press . Retrieved July 12, 2022 .
^ Brown, Clifton (February 21, 1997). "Jackson Is Back with Pacers" . The New York Times . Retrieved November 18, 2022 .
^ "Trading Deadline Becomes Much Ado About a Little" . Los Angeles Times . Associated Press. February 21, 1997. Retrieved September 17, 2022 .
^ "Pacers Make Point in Reacquiring Jackson" . The Washington Post . February 21, 1997. Retrieved June 21, 2023 .
^ "1996–97 Indiana Pacers Schedule and Results" . Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 22, 2021 .
^ "1996–97 Indiana Pacers Roster and Stats" . Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 22, 2021 .
^ Baker, Chris (January 15, 1997). "Opponent--Indiana Pacers.Site--Sports Arena.Time--7:30.TV--Fox Sports West.Radio--KGIL (1260).Records--Clippers 14-21,..." Los Angeles Times . Retrieved June 28, 2022 .
^ "Brown Reportedly Is Out" . Los Angeles Times . Associated Press. April 20, 1997. Retrieved May 16, 2022 .
^ "Carr, Brown Resign as Coaches" . The Washington Post . May 1, 1997. Retrieved January 8, 2023 .
^ "You Can Color Brown Gone from the Pacers" . Deseret News . Associated Press. May 1, 1997. Retrieved January 8, 2023 .
^ "Larry Brown Meets with 76ers' Brass" . The New York Times . Associated Press. May 3, 1997. Retrieved January 18, 2022 .
^ "Brown Expected to Coach 76ers" . Los Angeles Times . Associated Press. May 5, 1997. Retrieved January 4, 2023 .
^ "Sixers Set to Hire Larry Brown as Next Head Coach" . Deseret News . Associated Press. May 5, 1997. Retrieved September 25, 2023 .
^ Adande, J.A. (May 6, 1997). "76ers Hire Brown for 5 Years" . The Washington Post . Retrieved January 8, 2023 .
^ "Warriors Trade Mullin to Pacers" . The New York Times . Associated Press. August 12, 1997. Retrieved January 18, 2022 .
^ "Pacers Get Mullin from Warriors for Two Players" . Los Angeles Times . Associated Press. August 13, 1997. Retrieved September 23, 2022 .
^ Nevius, C.W. (August 13, 1997). "Mullin Gets His Wish; Warrior Great Goes Quietly to Pacers" . SFGate . Retrieved January 2, 2023 .
^ "1996–97 Indiana Pacers Transactions" . Basketball-Reference. Retrieved July 3, 2021 .
See also
Franchise Arenas Personnel G League affiliate Retired numbers
ABA championships Rivalries Culture and lore
1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s 2020s