1996–97 New Jersey Nets season
NBA professional basketball team season
NBA professional basketball team season
The 1996–97 NBA season was the Nets' 30th season in the National Basketball Association , and 21st season in East Rutherford, New Jersey .[ 1] The Nets had the eighth overall pick in the 1996 NBA draft , and selected Kerry Kittles out of Villanova University .[ 2] [ 3] [ 4] [ 5] [ 6] In the off-season, the team signed free agents Robert Pack ,[ 7] [ 8] [ 9] Tony Massenburg ,[ 10] Xavier McDaniel , who played overseas in Greece during the previous season,[ 11] [ 12] and David Benoit , who missed the entire season with a ruptured Achilles tendon.[ 13] [ 14] Under new head coach John Calipari ,[ 15] [ 16] [ 17] the Nets continued to struggle losing their first five games of the season, which included two games played overseas against the Orlando Magic in Tokyo, Japan .[ 18] [ 19] [ 20] [ 21] The team held a 13–33 record at the All-Star break.[ 22]
At midseason, the Nets traded Pack along with Shawn Bradley , Khalid Reeves and second-year forward Ed O'Bannon to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for Sam Cassell , Jim Jackson , Chris Gatling , Eric Montross and George McCloud , who never played with the Nets and was dealt to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Joe Kleine .[ 23] [ 24] [ 25] [ 26] Gatling only played just three games after the trade due to an ear infection, and was out for the remainder of the season.[ 27] [ 28] [ 29] The Nets ended their season with a 26–56 record, finishing fifth in the Atlantic Division.[ 30]
Kendall Gill averaged 21.8 points, 6.1 rebounds and 1.9 steals per game, while Kittles averaged 16.4 points and 1.9 steals per game, and was selected to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team. In addition, Jayson Williams continued to show improvement averaging 13.4 points, and leading the team with 13.5 rebounds per game, before sitting out the remainder of the season with a thumb injury after 41 games,[ 31] [ 32] [ 33] while Massenburg contributed 7.2 points and 6.5 rebounds per game, and McDaniel averaged 5.6 points and 5.1 rebounds per game off the bench.[ 34] Kittles finished in fifth place in Rookie of the Year voting,[ 35] [ 36] while Gatling finished in third place in Sixth Man of the Year voting.[ 37] [ 38] [ 39] [ 40]
Following the season, Jackson and Montross were both traded to the Philadelphia 76ers ,[ 41] [ 42] [ 43] [ 44] while Massenburg signed as a free agent with the Boston Celtics , but was then traded to the Vancouver Grizzlies ,[ 45] [ 46] and Kleine signed with the Chicago Bulls .[ 47]
Draft picks
Round
Pick
Player
Position
Nationality
College
1
8
Kerry Kittles
SG
United States
Villanova
Roster
1996–97 New Jersey Nets roster
Players
Coaches
Pos.
No.
Name
Height
Weight
DOB
From
F
2
Benoit, David (IN)
6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
220 lb (100 kg)
1968-05-09
Alabama
G
10
Cassell, Sam
6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
185 lb (84 kg)
1969-11-18
Florida State
C
33
Dare, Yinka
7 ft 0 in (2.13 m)
265 lb (120 kg)
1972-10-10
George Washington
G
21
Edwards, Kevin
6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
190 lb (86 kg)
1965-10-30
DePaul
F
15
Gatling, Chris
6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)
220 lb (100 kg)
1967-09-03
Old Dominion
G/F
13
Gill, Kendall
6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
195 lb (88 kg)
1968-05-25
Illinois
F
54
Haley, Jack
6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)
240 lb (109 kg)
1964-01-27
UCLA
F
22
Jackson, Jim
6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
220 lb (100 kg)
1970-10-14
Ohio State
G
30
Kittles, Kerry
6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
179 lb (81 kg)
1974-06-12
Villanova
C
35
Kleine, Joe
6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)
255 lb (116 kg)
1962-01-04
Arkansas
F
44
Massenburg, Tony
6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
220 lb (100 kg)
1967-07-31
Maryland
F
34
McDaniel, Xavier
6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
205 lb (93 kg)
1963-06-04
Wichita State
C
00
Montross, Eric
7 ft 0 in (2.13 m)
270 lb (122 kg)
1971-09-23
North Carolina
F
55
Williams, Jayson
6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
240 lb (109 kg)
1968-02-22
St. John's
F
7
Williams, Reggie
6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
190 lb (86 kg)
1964-03-05
Georgetown
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
(DP) Unsigned draft pick(FA) Free agent(S) Suspended(IN) Inactive Injured
Roster
Roster notes
Small forward David Benoit missed the entire season due to a ruptured Achilles tendon.
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
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adding to it .
(January 2011 )
Player statistics
Regular season
Player Statistics Citation:[ 34]
Awards and records
Transactions
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adding to it .
(January 2011 )
References
^ 1996–97 New Jersey Nets
^ Brown, Clifton (June 27, 1996). "PRO BASKETBALL; Big Trade and Some Twists in N.B.A. Youth Parade" . The New York Times . Retrieved July 12, 2022 .
^ 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 .
^ "PRO BASKETBALL; Nets and Pack Agree on Deal" . The New York Times . Associated Press. July 25, 1996. Retrieved December 30, 2021 .
^ "Nets, Pack Agree on 3-Year Deal" . United Press International . July 25, 1996. Retrieved October 7, 2022 .
^ Asher, Mark (July 25, 1996). "Strickland Risk for Bullets" . The Washington Post . Retrieved January 30, 2023 .
^ "Hungary Faked Qualifying Meet for Olympic Swimming" . Los Angeles Times . September 11, 1996. Retrieved October 10, 2022 .
^ Roberts, Selena (October 19, 1996). "Nets Become Tougher as McDaniel Signs On" . The New York Times . Retrieved October 22, 2022 .
^ "Nets Add the X Factor--McDaniel" . Los Angeles Times . Associated Press. October 19, 1996. Retrieved December 27, 2022 .
^ Roberts, Selena (August 8, 1996). "Nets Pick Up a Bargain as Benoit Signs Up" . The New York Times . Retrieved January 8, 2023 .
^ "Bad News for Benoit..." The New York Times . October 10, 1996. Retrieved June 27, 2022 .
^ Roberts, Selena (June 6, 1996). "BASKETBALL; Nets Make an Offer to Calipari" . The New York Times . Retrieved November 18, 2022 .
^ Roberts, Selena (June 7, 1996). "PRO BASKETBALL; Calipari Leaving Scrutiny Behind to Take Nets Job" . The New York Times . Retrieved January 28, 2023 .
^ Everson, Darren (June 7, 1996). "Calipari Leaves U-Mass for Nets" . The Washington Post . Retrieved June 23, 2023 .
^ Brown, Phil (November 7, 1996). "Magic Defeat Nets, 108-95" . Associated Press . Retrieved June 6, 2023 .
^ Pollack, Andrew (November 8, 1996). "Before 38,600 Fans in Tokyo, Nets Run Out of Luck" . The New York Times . Retrieved July 24, 2017 .
^ Johnson, L.C. (November 8, 1996). "Magic Beat the Clock, the Nets" . Orlando Sentinel . Retrieved October 10, 2022 .
^ "Hardaway Leads Magic to Sweep of the Nets" . The New York Times . Associated Press. November 9, 1996. Retrieved May 16, 2022 .
^ "NBA Games Played on February 6, 1997" . Basketball-Reference . Retrieved January 2, 2023 .
^ Roberts, Selena (February 18, 1997). "Nets and Mavericks Clean House and Start Over" . The New York Times . Retrieved July 21, 2017 .
^ "Overhaul Ends for Mavericks" . Los Angeles Times . Associated Press. February 18, 1997. Retrieved September 16, 2022 .
^ Canavan, Tom (February 18, 1997). "Mavericks, Nets Swap 9 Players" . The Washington Post . Retrieved December 1, 2022 .
^ Thompson, Jack (February 18, 1997). "Mavericks Send Jackson, Gatling to New Jersey in 9-Player Swap" . Chicago Tribune . Retrieved June 21, 2023 .
^ Roberts, Selena (February 28, 1997). "Gatling Doubtful as Nets Shoot for 3d Victory in Row" . The New York Times . Retrieved October 22, 2022 .
^ Steele, David (February 28, 1997). "Nets Feel Fulfilled After Mavs Trade" . SFGate . Retrieved February 4, 2023 .
^ Roberts, Selena (March 28, 1997). "As Scary Ailment Heals, Gatling Finds a Smile" . The New York Times . Retrieved July 31, 2021 .
^ "1996–97 New Jersey Nets Schedule and Results" . Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 28, 2021 .
^ Roberts, Selena (February 5, 1997). "In Williams's Absence, Nets Pull Together" . The New York Times . Retrieved June 27, 2022 .
^ "Nets' Williams Under Pain's Thumb" . Los Angeles Times . Associated Press. February 5, 1997. Retrieved February 4, 2023 .
^ Roberts, Selena (March 1, 1997). "Trying Loss as the Nets Lack Effort" . The New York Times . Retrieved October 22, 2022 .
^ a b "1996–97 New Jersey Nets Roster and Stats" . Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 28, 2021 .
^ "Iverson Is Voted Top Rookie" . The New York Times . Associated Press. May 2, 1997. Retrieved October 3, 2022 .
^ "Iverson Calls Rookie Award a Triumph Over His Critics" . Los Angeles Times . Associated Press. May 2, 1997. Retrieved February 1, 2023 .
^ "Sixth Man Award for Starks" . The New York Times . April 24, 1997. Retrieved October 3, 2022 .
^ "Knicks' Starks Turns Demotion Into Honor" . The Spokesman-Review . Associated Press. April 24, 1997. Retrieved June 10, 2023 .
^ "NBA Notes: Knicks' Starks Wins Sixth Man Award; Warriors Draw 8th Seed in Lottery" . SFGate . Staff and Wire Reports. April 24, 1997. Retrieved June 10, 2023 .
^ "1996–97 NBA Awards Voting" . Basketball-Reference . Retrieved October 3, 2022 .
^ "NBA Trade Sends No. 2 Pick Van Horn to New Jersey" . Chicago Tribune . June 27, 1997. Retrieved June 22, 2023 .
^ Roberts, Selena (June 28, 1997). "The Nets Decide the Future Can't Wait" . The New York Times . Retrieved December 1, 2022 .
^ "Van Horn Finally on His Way to New Jersey in 76er Trade" . Los Angeles Times . Staff and Wire Reports. June 28, 1997. Retrieved January 2, 2023 .
^ Kepner, Tyler (June 28, 1997). "Nets Get Van Horn from 76ers" . The Washington Post . Retrieved September 24, 2022 .
^ "Grizzlies Acquire Massenburg, Mack" . Associated Press . October 28, 1997. Retrieved July 17, 2022 .
^ "Transactions" . The New York Times . October 29, 1997. Retrieved January 28, 2023 .
^ "Bulls Sign Wennington for 1 Year" . Chicago Tribune . September 9, 1997. Retrieved December 27, 2022 .
See also
Founded in 1967
Formerly the New Jersey Americans (1967–1968); played in New York (1968–1977) and New Jersey (1977–2012)
Based in Brooklyn, New York
Franchise Arenas Personnel G League affiliate Retired numbers ABA championships Rivalries Culture and lore
1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s 2020s