1997–98 Detroit Pistons season

1997–98 Detroit Pistons season
Head coach
General managerRick Sund
Owner(s)Bill Davidson
ArenaThe Palace of Auburn Hills
Results
Record37–45 (.451)
PlaceDivision: 6th (Central)
Conference: 11th (Eastern)
Playoff finishDid not qualify
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
TelevisionWKBD-TV
Fox Sports Detroit
< 1996–97 1998–99 >

The 1997–98 NBA season was the Pistons' 50th season in the National Basketball Association, and 41st season in the city of Detroit.[1] During the off-season, the Pistons signed free agents Brian Williams,[2][3][4][5] and Malik Sealy.[6][7][8] After winning their first two games, the Pistons lost five straight and struggled with a 6–11 start, as Joe Dumars missed ten games due to a shoulder injury during the first month of the season.[9][10][11][12] In late December, the team traded Theo Ratliff and Aaron McKie to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for Jerry Stackhouse and Eric Montross.[13][14][15][16]

At mid-season, head coach Doug Collins was fired after a 21–24 start, and was replaced with assistant Alvin Gentry;[17][18][19] Collins would later on get a job as color analyst for the NBA on NBC.[20][21][22] The Pistons held a 22–25 record at the All-Star break,[23] then later on posted a 7-game losing streak between March and April, missing the playoffs finishing sixth in the Central Division with a disappointing 37–45 record.[24]

Grant Hill had another stellar season, averaging 21.1 points, 7.7 rebounds, 6.8 assists and 1.8 steals per game, and was named to the All-NBA Second Team, selected for the 1998 NBA All-Star Game,[25][26][27][28][29] and also finished in ninth place in Most Valuable Player voting,[30] while Williams averaged 16.2 points and 8.9 rebounds per game. In addition, Stackhouse mostly played off the bench as the team's sixth man, averaging 15.7 points per game in 57 games after the trade, while Dumars provided the team with 13.1 points per game, and led them with 158 three-point field goals, and Lindsey Hunter contributed 12.1 points and 1.7 steals per game. Sealy contributed 7.7 points per game off the bench, and starting power forward Don Reid provided with 3.5 points and 2.6 rebounds per game.[31]

Following the season, Sealy signed as a free agent with the Minnesota Timberwolves,[32][33][34] while Grant Long re-signed with his former team, the Atlanta Hawks,[35][36][37] and Rick Mahorn re-signed with his former team, the Philadelphia 76ers.[38][39]

Draft picks

Main article: 1997 NBA draft
Round Pick Player Position Nationality College
1 19 Scot Pollard C/PF  United States Kansas
2 31 Charles O'Bannon SG/SF  United States UCLA

Roster

1997–98 Detroit Pistons roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB From
G 4 Dumars, Joe 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1963–05–24 McNeese State
G 12 Henson, Steve 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 177 lb (80 kg) 1968–02–02 Kansas State
F 33 Hill, Grant 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1972–10–05 Duke
G 1 Hunter, Lindsey 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 1970–12–03 Jackson State
F 43 Long, Grant 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1966–03–12 Eastern Michigan
C 44 Mahorn, Rick 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 240 lb (109 kg) 1958–09–21 Hampton
C 00 Montross, Eric 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 270 lb (122 kg) 1971–09–23 North Carolina
G 5 O'Bannon, Charles 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 209 lb (95 kg) 1975–02–22 UCLA
C 31 Pollard, Scot 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 265 lb (120 kg) 1975–02–12 Kansas
F 52 Reid, Don 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 250 lb (113 kg) 1973–12–30 Georgetown
G 14 Sealy, Malik 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1970–02–01 St. John's
G 42 Stackhouse, Jerry 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 218 lb (99 kg) 1974–11–05 North Carolina
C 8 Williams, Brian 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 260 lb (118 kg) 1969–04–06 Arizona
F 13 Williams, Jerome 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 206 lb (93 kg) 1973–05–10 Georgetown
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured Injured

Roster
Last transaction: February 9, 1998

Roster Notes

  • Point guard Rumeal Robinson was signed by the Pistons during the off-season, only playing with the team during the preseason, and did not appear in any regular season games; he was waived on November 20, 1997.[40][41]

Regular season

Season standings

Central Division
 W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-Chicago Bulls 62 20 .756 – 37–4 25–16 21–7
x-Indiana Pacers 58 24 .707 4 32–9 26–15 19–9
x-Charlotte Hornets 51 31 .622 11 32–9 19–22 16–12
x-Atlanta Hawks 50 32 .610 12 29–12 21–20 19–9
x-Cleveland Cavaliers 47 35 .573 15 27–14 20–21 14–14
Detroit Pistons 37 45 .451 25 25–16 12–29 12–16
Milwaukee Bucks 36 46 .439 26 21–20 15–26 9–19
Toronto Raptors 16 66 .195 46 9–32 7–34 2–26
#
Eastern Conference
Team W L PCT GB
1 c-Chicago Bulls 62 20 .756 –
2 y-Miami Heat 55 27 .671 7
3 x-Indiana Pacers 58 24 .707 4
4 x-Charlotte Hornets 51 31 .622 11
5 x-Atlanta Hawks 50 32 .610 12
6 x-Cleveland Cavaliers 47 35 .573 15
7 x-New York Knicks 43 39 .524 19
8 x-New Jersey Nets 43 39 .524 19
9 Washington Wizards 42 40 .512 20
10 Orlando Magic 41 41 .500 21
11 Detroit Pistons 37 45 .451 25
12 Boston Celtics 36 46 .439 26
12 Milwaukee Bucks 36 46 .439 26
14 Philadelphia 76ers 31 51 .378 31
15 Toronto Raptors 16 66 .195 46
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

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% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Joe Dumars 72 72 32.3 .416 .371 .825 1.4 3.5 0.6 0.0 13.1
Steve Henson 23 0 2.8 .500 .375 1.000 0.1 0.2 0.0 0.0 1.6
Grant Hill 81 81 40.7 .452 .143 .740 7.7 6.8 1.8 0.7 21.1
Lindsey Hunter 71 67 35.3 .383 .321 .740 3.5 3.2 1.7 0.1 12.1
Grant Long 40 17 18.5 .427 .000 .719 3.8 0.6 0.7 0.3 3.5
Rick Mahorn 59 0 12.0 .457 — .676 3.3 0.3 0.2 0.1 2.4
Aaron McKie 24 1 19.7 .413 .176 .870 2.8 1.6 1.0 0.0 4.5
Eric Montross 28 10 12.6 .456 — .429 3.8 0.1 0.2 0.5 2.5
Charles O'Bannon 30 0 7.8 .377 .000 .800 1.1 0.6 0.3 0.0 2.1
Scot Pollard 33 0 9.6 .500 — .826 2.2 0.3 0.2 0.3 2.7
Theo Ratliff 24 12 24.4 .514 — .683 5.0 0.6 0.5 2.3 6.5
Don Reid 68 44 14.6 .534 — .704 2.6 0.4 0.4 0.8 3.5
Malik Sealy 77 10 21.3 .428 .220 .824 2.8 1.3 0.8 0.3 7.7
Jerry Stackhouse 57 15 31.5 .428 .208 .782 3.3 3.1 1.0 0.7 15.7
Brian Williams 78 78 33.6 .511 .333 .707 8.9 1.2 0.9 0.7 16.2
Jerome Williams 77 3 16.9 .524 .000 .651 4.9 0.6 0.7 0.1 5.3

Player Statistics Citation:[31]

Awards and records

Transactions

Player Transactions Citation:[42]

References

  1. ^ 1997-98 Detroit Pistons
  2. ^ "Williams Signs with Pistons". The New York Times. Associated Press. August 17, 1997. Retrieved September 23, 2022.
  3. ^ "Ex-Clipper Williams Signs with Pistons". Los Angeles Times. Staff and Wire Reports. August 17, 1997. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
  4. ^ Thompson, Jack (August 17, 1997). "Brian Williams Signs with Pistons". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved July 26, 2021.
  5. ^ "Pistons Sign Williams". The Spokesman-Review. Wire Services. August 17, 1997. Retrieved October 30, 2024.
  6. ^ "Pistons Sign Sealy". The New York Times. Associated Press. August 26, 1997. Retrieved January 15, 2022.
  7. ^ "Robinson Takes Pay Cut to Sign with Suns". Los Angeles Times. Staff and Wire Reports. August 26, 1997. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
  8. ^ Thompson, Jack (August 26, 1997). "Suns Sign Clifford Robinson". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
  9. ^ "NBA -- Nuggets Rocked by Bad News: Eric Williams Out for Season". The Seattle Times. Associated Press. November 10, 1997. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
  10. ^ "N.B.A: YESTERDAY; Magic Takes Charge Early and Cruises Past the 76ers". The New York Times. Associated Press. November 23, 1997. Retrieved July 17, 2017.
  11. ^ "Dumars and Hill Power Pistons Past Hawks". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. November 23, 1997. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
  12. ^ "Hurting Hawks Fall Again as Williams Lifts Pistons". Chicago Tribune. Tribune News Services. November 23, 1997. Retrieved February 2, 2023.
  13. ^ "Philadelphia 76ers Trade Guard Jerry Stackhouse and Center Eric Montross to the Detroit Pistons". Associated Press. December 18, 1997. Retrieved June 20, 2023.
  14. ^ "PRO BASKETBALL; 76ers Send Stackhouse and Montross to Pistons". The New York Times. Associated Press. December 19, 1997. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
  15. ^ "76ers Give Up on Backcourt, Deal Stackhouse to Pistons". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. December 19, 1997. Retrieved July 11, 2022.
  16. ^ "Stackhouse to Pistons". The Washington Post. December 19, 1997. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
  17. ^ "PRO BASKETBALL; Pistons Replace Collins with an Assistant Coach". The New York Times. Associated Press. February 3, 1998. Retrieved May 16, 2022.
  18. ^ Bucher, Ric (February 3, 1998). "Pistons Fire Collins as Coach". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
  19. ^ Smith, Sam (February 3, 1998). "Collins Out in Detroit". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved October 7, 2022.
  20. ^ Sandomir, Richard (March 18, 1998). "PLUS: TV SPORTS; NBC Hires Collins as N.B.A. Analyst". The New York Times. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
  21. ^ Hirsley, Michael (March 18, 1998). "Collins to Join Costas, Thomas on NBC Team". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved July 4, 2021.
  22. ^ Kent, Milton (March 20, 1998). "NBC Adds Collins and Bolsters Its Playoff Roster". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 12, 2022.
  23. ^ "NBA Games Played on February 5, 1998". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved July 19, 2022.
  24. ^ "1997–98 Detroit Pistons Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
  25. ^ Armour, Terry (January 26, 1998). "Jordan Top All-Star Vote-Getter; Bryant, 19, Youngest Ever Picked". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
  26. ^ Howard-Cooper, Scott (January 28, 1998). "Lakers Get Four-Star Rating as Van Exel, Jones Honored". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  27. ^ "1998 NBA All-Star Recap". NBA.com. NBA.com Staff. September 13, 2021. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  28. ^ "1997-98 All-Star Events and Contestants - in New York". Eskimo North. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
  29. ^ "1998 NBA All-Star Game: East 135, West 114". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved November 27, 2021.
  30. ^ "1997–98 NBA Awards Voting". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 2, 2022.
  31. ^ a b "1997–98 Detroit Pistons Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
  32. ^ "N.B.A.: ROUNDUP -- ATLANTA; Laettner Is Signed, Then Sent to Detroit". The New York Times. Associated Press. January 23, 1999. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
  33. ^ "NBA Transactions". The Washington Post. January 23, 1999. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
  34. ^ Wise, Mike (February 4, 1999). "PRO BASKETBALL; A Scrum for the Title". The New York Times. Retrieved June 28, 2022.
  35. ^ Broussard, Chris (February 2, 1999). "N.B.A.: NOTEBOOK -- NETS; Gatling Finds a Way to Add to Points Total". The New York Times. Retrieved September 18, 2022.
  36. ^ "Pro Basketball". The Free Lance-Star. February 2, 1999. p. B4. Retrieved November 3, 2024.
  37. ^ Johnson, L.C. (February 20, 1999). "Headliners". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved January 29, 2023.
  38. ^ "Sixers Sign Rick Mahorn". CBS News. CBS News.com Staff. February 24, 1999. Retrieved October 14, 2021.
  39. ^ "Transactions". The New York Times. February 25, 1999. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
  40. ^ "Barkley, NBA Officials to Talk". Tampa Bay Times. October 31, 1997. Retrieved December 25, 2023.
  41. ^ "Transactions". The New York Times. November 21, 1997. Retrieved December 25, 2023.
  42. ^ "1997–98 Detroit Pistons Transactions". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved December 30, 2021.

See also