1995–96 New York Knicks season

The 1995–96 NBA season was the 50th season for the Knicks in the National Basketball Association in New York City, New York.[1] After Pat Riley left to coach the Miami Heat, the Knicks hired Don Nelson as their new head coach (their "Plan B" after Chuck Daly rejected their offer).[2][3][4][5] The team also signed free agent Gary Grant in November.[6][7] The Knicks won ten of their first twelve games, leading to a 16–5 start and held a 30–16 record at the All-Star break.[8] However, the team never seemed to get under Nelson down the stretch, as he was fired and replaced with long-time assistant Jeff Van Gundy after 59 games.[9][10][11][12] At midseason, the Knicks traded Charles D. Smith and second-year forward Monty Williams to the San Antonio Spurs in exchange for J.R. Reid and Brad Lohaus,[13][14][15][16] and dealt Doug Christie and Herb Williams to the expansion Toronto Raptors in exchange for Willie Anderson and Victor Alexander.[17][18][19][20] However, after playing just one game for the Raptors, Williams was released and re-signed by the Knicks for the remainder of the season.[21] Under Van Gundy, the Knicks finished the season playing around .500 to post a 47–35 record, second in the Atlantic Division.[22]

1995–96 New York Knicks season
Head coach
General managerErnie Grunfeld
Owners
ArenaMadison Square Garden
Results
Record4735 (.573)
PlaceDivision: 2nd (Atlantic)
Conference: 4th (Eastern)
Playoff finishConference semifinals
(lost to Bulls 1–4)

Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
TelevisionMSG Network
RadioWFAN

Patrick Ewing led the team with 22.5 points, 10.6 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game, while being selected for the 1996 NBA All-Star Game.[23][24][25][26] In addition, last season's Sixth Man of the Year Anthony Mason became a starter, averaging 14.6 points, 9.3 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game, while Derek Harper provided the team with 14.0 points, 4.3 assists and 1.6 steals per game, John Starks contributed 12.6 points and 1.3 steals per game, and three-point specialist Hubert Davis provided with 10.7 points per game off the bench.[27] Charles Oakley averaged 11.4 points and 8.7 rebounds per game, but only played 53 games due to a broken thumb, and an eye injury.[28][29][30]

In the Eastern Conference First Round of the playoffs, the Knicks swept the 4th-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers in three straight games.[31][32][33][34] However, they would lose in five games to the 72–10 Chicago Bulls in the Eastern Conference Semi-finals.[35][36][37][38] The Bulls would defeat the Seattle SuperSonics in six games in the NBA Finals, winning their fourth championship in six years.[39][40][41][42][43] Following the season, Mason was traded to the Charlotte Hornets,[44][45][46][47] while Harper re-signed as a free agent with his former team, the Dallas Mavericks,[48][49][50] Davis was traded to the Toronto Raptors,[51][52][53] and Reid, Anderson, Grant, Lohaus and Alexander were all released to free agency.[54]

For the season, the Knicks added the city name "New York" above their primary logo.[55] They also added new blue alternate road uniforms with black side panels,[56][57] which they wore on the road frequently, that they would become their primary road jerseys for the 1997–98 season, where they would change their home uniforms, adding blue side panels to their jerseys and shorts.[58]

Offseason

NBA draft

The Knicks had no draft picks for 1995.

Roster

1995–96 New York Knicks roster
Players Coaches
Pos.No.NameHeightWeightDOBFrom
G 40 Anderson, Willie 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1967–01–08 Georgia
G 44 Davis, Hubert 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 183 lb (83 kg) 1970–05–17 North Carolina
C 33 Ewing, Patrick (C) 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 240 lb (109 kg) 1962–08–05 Georgetown
F 20 Grandison, Ron 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1964–07–09 New Orleans
G 23 Grant, Gary 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1965–04–21 Michigan
G 11 Harper, Derek 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1961–10–13 Illinois
F 54 Lohaus, Brad 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 230 lb (104 kg) 1964–09–29 Iowa
F 14 Mason, Anthony 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 250 lb (113 kg) 1966–12–14 Tennessee State
F 34 Oakley, Charles 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1963–12–18 Virginia Union
F 7 Reid, J. R. 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 247 lb (112 kg) 1968–03–31 North Carolina
G 3 Starks, John 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1965–08–10 Oklahoma State
G 21 Ward, Charlie 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1970–10–12 Florida State
C 32 Williams, Herb 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 242 lb (110 kg) 1958–02–16 Ohio State
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)

Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured Injured

Roster
Last transaction: March 29, 1996

Roster notes

  • Center Victor Alexander was acquired from the expansion Toronto Raptors at midseason, but missed the entire season due to a foot injury and weight problems, and never played for the Knicks.[59]
  • Small forward Anthony Tucker missed the entire season due to a back injury, and never played for the Knicks.[60]
  • Center Herb Williams was traded at midseason to the Raptors, where he would play just one game before being waived, and was re-signed by the Knicks for the remainder of the season.[21][61]

Regular season

Season standings

Atlantic DivisionWLPCTGBHomeRoadDivGP
yOrlando Magic6022.73212.037–423–1821–382
xNew York Knicks4735.57325.026–1521–2016–882
xMiami Heat4240.51230.026–1516–2513–1282
Washington Bullets3943.47633.025–1614–2710–1482
Boston Celtics3349.40239.018–2315–2612–1282
New Jersey Nets3052.36642.020–2110–318–1782
Philadelphia 76ers1864.22054.011–307–345–1982
Eastern Conference
#TeamWLPCTGBGP
1zChicago Bulls7210.87882
2yOrlando Magic6022.73212.082
3xIndiana Pacers5230.63420.082
4xCleveland Cavaliers4735.57325.082
5xNew York Knicks4735.57325.082
6xAtlanta Hawks4636.56126.082
7xDetroit Pistons4636.56126.082
8xMiami Heat4240.51230.082
9Charlotte Hornets4141.50031.082
10Washington Bullets3943.47633.082
11Boston Celtics3349.40239.082
12New Jersey Nets3052.36642.082
13Milwaukee Bucks2557.30547.082
14Toronto Raptors2161.25651.082
15Philadelphia 76ers1864.22054.082

Record vs. opponents

1995-96 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 4–03–10–43–11–11–12–21–11–11–32–00–22–22–21–14–02–12–22–10–22–02–00–20–24–01–12–01–3
Boston 0–42–20–31–30–21–12–10–21–10–42–00–23–13–12–02–20–41–34–01–10–22–00–20–23–10–21–12–2
Charlotte 1–32–21–33–12–02–01–30–20–21–31–12–02–23–11–10–33–00–43–12–01–11–10–20–23–11–12–03–1
Chicago 4–03–03–14–02–01–14–02–02–02–22–02–03–14–02–03–03–13–14–01–12–02–02–01–13–12–02–04–0
Cleveland 1–33–11–30–42–01–12–22–01–12–22–02–01–34–02–01–23–11–24–02–01–11–10–20–23–10–22–03–1
Dallas 1–12–00–20–20–22–20–22–21–30–22–20–40–21–10–41–10–21–10–21–30–42–22–22–21–11–34–00–2
Denver 1–11–10–21–11–12–21–12–21–30–21–32–20–21–14–00–21–11–12–03–10–40–40–41–32–03–13–11–1
Detroit 2–21–23–10–42–22–01–12–01–12–22–00–21–32–21–14–00–41–34–02–02–01–12–01–14–00–22–01–2
Golden State 1–12–02–00–20–22–22–20–22–21–13–11–31–11–13–12–00–20–22–01–31–31–31–30–41–11–34–01–1
Houston 1–11–12–00–21–13–13–11–12–22–04–03–10–22–02–22–00–20–22–03–12–22–21–30–42–02–24–01–1
Indiana 3–14–03–12–22–22–02–02–21–10–22–01–13–03–11–11–31–32–23–11–11–10–21–12–04–00–22–03–0
L.A. Clippers 0–20–21–10–20–22–23–10–21–30–40–20–41–11–13–11–11–10–22–03–12–22–21–30–40–21–33–11–1
L.A. Lakers 2–02–00–20–20–24–02–22–03–11–31–14–02–02–03–12–01–11–11–13–12–23–11–32–22–02–24–01–1
Miami 2–21–32–21–33–12–02–03–11–12–00–31–10–23–01–15–01–31–33–11–10–21–11–10–22–10–21–12–2
Milwaukee 2–21–31–30–40–41–11–12–21–10–21–31–10–20–31–11–32–21–32–10–22–00–21–10–22–20–21–11–3
Minnesota 1–10–21–10–20–24–00–41–11–32–21–11–31–31–11–11–10–20–21–11–30–43–11–30–41–11–32–20–2
New Jersey 0–42–23–00–32–11–12–00–40–20–23–11–10–20–53–11–12–20–42–20–21–11–10–20–22–20–22–02–2
New York 1–24–00–31–31–32–01–14–02–02–03–11–11–13–12–22–02–21–33–10–20–20–21–11–14–01–11–13–1
Orlando 2–23–14–01–32–11–11–13–12–02–02–22–01–13–13–12–04–03–14–02–01–11–11–11–12–11–12–04–0
Philadelphia 1–20–41–30–40–42–00–20–40–20–21–30–21–11–31–21–12–21–30–40–20–20–20–20–23–11–11–11–3
Phoenix 2–01–10–21–10–23–11–30–23–11–31–11–31–31–12–03–12–02–00–22–02–22–21–30–42–01–34–02–0
Portland 0–22–01–10–21–14–04–00–23–12–21–12–22–22–00–24–01–12–01–12–02–21–31–31–32–01–32–20–2
Sacramento 0–20–21–10–21–12–24–01–13–12–22–02–21–31–12–01–31–12–01–12–02–23–11–30–42–00–42–20–2
San Antonio 2–02–02–00–22–02–24–00–23–13–11–13–13–11–11–13–12–01–11–12–03–13–13–12–22–03–14–01–1
Seattle 2–02–02–01–12–02–23–11–14–04–00–24–02–22–02–04–02–01–11–12–04–03–14–02–21–13–13–11–1
Toronto 0–41–31–31–31–31–10–20–41–10–20–42–00–21–22–21–12–20–41–21–30–20–20–20–21–10–21–13–1
Utah 1–12–01–10–22–03–11–32–03–12–22–03–12–22–02–03–12–01–11–11–13–13–14–01–31–32–04–01–1
Vancouver 0–21–10–20–20–20–41–30–20–40–40–21–30–41–11–12–20–21–10–21–10–42–22–20–41–31–10–40–2
Washington 3–12–21–30–41–32–01–12–11–11–10–31–11–12–23–12–02–21–30–43–10–22–02–01–11–11–31–12–0

Schedule

GameDateOpponentResultKnicks pointsOpponentsRecordStreakNotes
1

Playoffs

1996 playoff game log
First Round: 3–0 (home: 1–0; road: 2–0)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Series
1 April 25 @ Cleveland W 106–83 Patrick Ewing (23) three players tied (7) three players tied (7) Gund Arena
16,419
1–0
2 April 27 @ Cleveland W 84–80 Anthony Mason (23) Mason, Ewing (12) John Starks (7) Gund Arena
17,232
2–0
3 May 1 Cleveland W 81–76 John Starks (22) Patrick Ewing (10) three players tied (4) Madison Square Garden
19,763
3–0
Conference semifinals: 1–4 (home: 1–1; road: 0–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Series
1 May 5 @ Chicago L 84–91 Patrick Ewing (21) Patrick Ewing (16) Derek Harper (5) United Center
24,394
0–1
2 May 7 @ Chicago L 80–91 Patrick Ewing (23) Charles Oakley (11) Derek Harper (5) United Center
24,328
0–2
3 May 11 Chicago W 102–99 (OT) John Starks (30) Oakley, Ewing (13) John Starks (6) Madison Square Garden
19,763
1–2
4 May 12 Chicago L 91–94 Patrick Ewing (29) Patrick Ewing (10) Derek Harper (5) Madison Square Garden
19,763
1–3
5 May 14 @ Chicago L 81–94 Patrick Ewing (22) Charles Oakley (13) Derek Harper (6) United Center
24,396
1–4
1996 schedule

Player stats

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

NOTE: Please write players statistics in alphabetical order by last name.

Season

Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Willie Anderson
Doug Christie
Hubert Davis
Patrick Ewing
Matt Fish
Ron Grandison
Gary Grant
Derek Harper
Brad Lohaus
Anthony Mason
Charles Oakley
J.R. Reid
Charles D. Smith
John Starks
Charlie Ward
Herb Williams
Monty Williams

Playoffs

Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Willie Anderson
Hubert Davis
Patrick Ewing
Ron Grandison
Gary Grant
Derek Harper
Anthony Mason
Charles Oakley
J.R. Reid
John Starks
Charlie Ward
Herb Williams

Transactions

Trades

October 13, 1995 To New York Knicks
1996 1st-round pick
To Miami Heat
Pat Riley (coach)


February 8, 1996 To New York Knicks
Brad Lohaus
J. R. Reid
1996 1st-round pick
To San Antonio Spurs
Charles Smith
Monty Williams


February 18, 1996 To New York Knicks
Victor Alexander
Willie Anderson
To Toronto Raptors
Doug Christie
Herb Williams
Cash

Free agents

Additions
Player Date signed Former team
Gary Grant November 8 Los Angeles Clippers
Matt Fish (10-day) February 24 Fort Wayne Fury (CBA)
Herb Williams February 28 Toronto Raptors
Ron Grandison (first 10-day) March 12 Omaha Racers (CBA)
Ron Grandison (remainder of season) March 29 New York Knicks
Subtractions
Player Date signed New Team
Matt Fish March 5 Denver Nuggets

Player Transactions Citation:[62]

Awards and records

See also

References

  1. 1995-96 New York Knicks
  2. Wise, Mike (June 21, 1995). "PRO BASKETBALL; In Search for a Coach, Knicks Talk with Nelson". The New York Times. Retrieved April 28, 2022.
  3. Wise, Mike (June 24, 1995). "PRO BASKETBALL; Daly Tells the Knicks: Thanks, But No Thanks". The New York Times. Retrieved December 3, 2022.
  4. Best, Neil (June 25, 1995). "Knicks Moving to Plan B: Pro Basketball: Daly Scuttles Hopes of Getting the Coach They Wanted, But Nelson Likely Waiting in the Wings". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 28, 2022.
  5. Anderson, Dave (July 9, 1995). "Sports of the Times; Nelson Isn't Enough for 30-Something Knicks". The New York Times. Retrieved December 3, 2022.
  6. Heisler, Mark (November 26, 1995). "THE NBA / MARK HEISLER : New Kids Don't Get Bullied by Anybody". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 8, 2022.
  7. Wise, Mike (December 17, 1995). "PRO BASKETBALL; Grant Gets a Kick Out of Club Knick". The New York Times. Retrieved September 24, 2022.
  8. "NBA Games Played on February 8, 1996". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
  9. Wise, Mike (March 9, 1996). "PRO BASKETBALL; Knicks Change Direction and Dismiss Coach". The New York Times. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
  10. Heisler, Mark (March 9, 1996). "Turmoil Costs Nelson Knicks' Job". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 2, 2016.
  11. Cotton, Anthony (March 9, 1996). "Nelson Is Fired by Knicks". The Washington Post. Retrieved January 4, 2023.
  12. Vecsey, George (March 10, 1996). "Sports of the Times; Van Gundy: Like Father, Like Son, Like Son". The New York Times. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
  13. Shannon, Kelley (February 8, 1996). "Knicks, Spurs Make Four-Player Deal". Associated Press. Retrieved December 13, 2022.
  14. Wise, Mike (February 9, 1996). "PRO BASKETBALL; Knicks Deal Smith, and His Salary, to San Antonio". The New York Times. Retrieved March 1, 2017.
  15. "Spurs Get Knicks' Smith in Package". Chicago Tribune. February 9, 1996. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  16. "NBA NOTES; Knicks Send Smith to Spurs for Reid". SFGate. February 9, 1996. Retrieved September 24, 2022.
  17. "BASKETBALL; Knicks Are Close to a Trade". The New York Times. February 18, 1996. Retrieved March 1, 2017.
  18. "Christie Goes to Raptors". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. February 19, 1996. Retrieved December 13, 2022.
  19. "Raptors, Knicks Complete 4-player Trade". Deseret News. Associated Press. February 20, 1996. Retrieved September 24, 2022.
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  22. "1995–96 New York Knicks Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved July 5, 2021.
  23. Bembry, Jerry (January 31, 1996). "NBA Coaches Recognize Howard's Star Quality; Bullets' 2nd-Year Player Named Eastern Reserve". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
  24. Heisler, Mark (February 11, 1996). "NBA Has All-Stars in Its Eyes". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
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  29. Wise, Mike (March 10, 1996). "PRO BASKETBALL; Oakley Returns to Knicks for a Look at the New Look". The New York Times. Retrieved December 19, 2022.
  30. Brown, Clifton (April 16, 1996). "PRO BASKETBALL; Knicks Can't Conceal What Oakley's Loss Means". The New York Times. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
  31. Schabner, Dean (May 1, 1996). "Knicks 81, Cavaliers 76". United Press International. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  32. Wise, Mike (May 2, 1996). "NBA PLAYOFFS; A Chance to Shoot Down Bulls Is as Easy as 1-2-3". The New York Times. Retrieved July 3, 2021.
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  36. Heisler, Mark (May 15, 1996). "Bulls Take New York, Yet Again". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  37. Armour, Terry (May 15, 1996). "Eastern Conference finals, Here We Come: Bulls 94, Knicks 81". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved June 4, 2022.
  38. "1996 NBA Eastern Conference semifinals: Knicks vs. Bulls". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 5, 2023.
  39. Brown, Clifton (June 17, 1996). "N.B.A. FINALS; After a Few Anxious Days, Jordan and Bulls Get Their Title". The New York Times. Retrieved June 10, 2022.
  40. "Bulls Drown Out SuperSonics, 87-75". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. June 17, 1996. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
  41. Hirsley, Michael (June 17, 1996). "Game 6 Telecast Brings Happy Ending Home". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved June 10, 2022.
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  47. Sheridan, Chris (July 15, 1996). "Knicks Acquire Larry Johnson, Sign Houston and Childs". Associated Press. Retrieved December 3, 2022.
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