1996–97 Indiana Pacers 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.[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]

1996–97 Indiana Pacers season
Head coachLarry Brown
General managerDonnie Walsh
Owner(s)Herbert Simon
ArenaMarket Square Arena
Results
Record39–43 (.476)
PlaceDivision: 6th (Central)
Conference: 10th (Eastern)
Playoff finishDid not qualify
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
TelevisionWTTV
Fox Sports Midwest
RadioWIBC

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 midseason, 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 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
Main article: 1996 NBA draft
Round Pick Player Position Nationality College
110Erick DampierC United StatesMississippi State
252Mark PopePF/C United StatesKentucky

Roster
1996–97 Indiana Pacers roster
Players Coaches
Pos.No.NameHeightWeightDOBFrom
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 Injured 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 Injured 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 245 lb (111 kg) 1961–06–23 Texas
G 3 Workman, Haywoode Injured 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1966–01–23 Oral Roberts
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured Injured

Roster
Last transaction: {{{access-date}}}

Regular season

Season standings
Central Division
 W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-Chicago Bulls 6913.841–39–230–1124–4
x-Atlanta Hawks 5626.6831336–520–2117–11
x-Detroit Pistons 5428.6591530–1124–1717–11
x-Charlotte Hornets 5428.6591530–1124–1714–14
Cleveland Cavaliers 4240.5122725–1617–2413–15
Indiana Pacers 3943.4763021–2018–2311–17
Milwaukee Bucks 3349.4023620–2113–2810–18
Toronto Raptors 3052.3663918–2312–296–22
1996–97 NBA East standings
#
Eastern Conference
Team W L PCT GB
1 z-Chicago Bulls6913.841–
2 y-Miami Heat6121.7448
3 x-New York Knicks5725.69512
4 x-Atlanta Hawks5626.68313
5 x-Detroit Pistons5428.65915
6 x-Charlotte Hornets5428.65915
7 x-Orlando Magic4537.54924
8 x-Washington Bullets4438.53725
9 Cleveland Cavaliers4240.51227
10 Indiana Pacers3943.47630
11 Milwaukee Bucks3349.40236
12 Toronto Raptors3052.36639
13 New Jersey Nets2656.31743
14 Philadelphia 76ers2260.26847
15 Boston Celtics1567.18354
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 —3–11–31–33–12–01–11–32–01–13–12–01–11–24–02–03–11–33–14–01–12–02–02–01–14–01–12–02–1
Boston 1–3—0–40–41–21–11–10–41–10–21–20–21–10–41–30–20–40–40–41–31–11–10–21–10–23–10–20–20–4
Charlotte 3–14–0—0–43–11–12–02–22–02–02–21–11–11–22–22–04–03–11–24–01–10–22–02–02–02–20–22–03–1
Chicago 3–14–04–0—3–12–02–03–12–01–14–02–01–12–24–02–03–12–23–04–02–02–02–02–02–03–11–12–02–1
Cleveland 1–32–11–31–3—2–01–12–21–10–23–12–01–10–42–22–04–01–32–23–01–11–12–00–20–23–11–12–01–3
Dallas 0–21–11–10–20–2—3–10–20–40–41–12–20–40–20–21–31–11–11–12–01–31–32–21–31–30–21–33–10–2
Denver 1–11–10–20–21–11–3—0–21–31–30–21–30–40–21–10–41–10–20–21–12–20–42–22–20–41–10–43–11–1
Detroit 3–14–02–21–32–22–02–0—2–01–13–12–01–10–43–12–04–01–22–22–10–21–11–12–01–13–11–12–04–0
Golden State 0–21–10–20–21–14–03–10–2—0–41–11–30–40–21–11–32–00–21–12–00–42–21–34–00–42–00–43–10–2
Houston 1–12–00–21–12–04–03–11–14–0—1–13–13–10–21–14–02–01–10–22–02–22–24–03–13–11–12–23–12–0
Indiana 1–32–12–20–41–31–12–01–31–11–1—2–01–11–32–22–02–21–31–33–01–11–11–11–11–14–00–22–01–3
L.A. Clippers 0–22–01–10–20–22–23–10–23–11–30–2—2–20–22–01–31–10–21–11–12–20–42–24–01–32–01–34–00–2
L.A. Lakers 1–11–11–11–11–14–04–01–14–01–31–12–2—1–12–03–12–01–11–12–04–01–34–02–23–11–11–34–02–0
Miami 2–14–02–12–24–02–02–04–02–02–03–12–01–1—4–01–13–11–32–23–12–01–12–02–00–23–10–22–03–1
Milwaukee 0–43–12–20–42–22–01–11–31–11–12–20–20–20–4—0–22–11–22–23–11–10–20–21–11–13–11–12–01–3
Minnesota 0–22–00–20–20–23–14–00–23–10–40–23–11–31–12–0—2–01–11–11–13–12–20–44–00–41–11–34–01–1
New Jersey 1–34–00–41–30–41–11–10–40–20–22–21–10–21–31–20–2—2–21–32–21–10–21–12–01–10–30–22–01–3
New York 3–14–01–32–23–11–12–02–12–01–13–12–01–13–12–11–12–2—3–13–21–11–12–02–00–23–01–12–04–0
Orlando 1–34–02–10–32–21–12–02–21–12–03–11–11–12–22–21–13–11–3—2–21–12–01–11–11–14–00–21–11–3
Philadelphia 0–43–10–40–40–30–21–11–20–20–20–31–10–21–31–31–12–22–32–2—1–11–10–21–10–21–30–22–01–3
Phoenix 1–11–11–10–21–13–12–22–04–02–21–12–20–40–21–11–31–11–11–11–1—1–34–03–12–20–21–32–21–1
Portland 0–21–12–00–21–13–14–01–12–22–21–14–03–11–12–02–22–01–10–21–13–1—2–24–01–30–22–24–00–2
Sacramento 0–22–00–20–20–22–22–21–13–10–41–12–20–40–22–04–01–10–21–12–00–42–2—3–11–31–10–44–00–2
San Antonio 0–21–10–20–22–03–12–20–20–41–31–10–42–20–21–10–40–20–21–11–11–30–41–3—0–41–11–31–30–2
Seattle 1–12–00–20–22–03–14–01–14–01–31–13–11–32–01–14–01–12–01–12–02–23–13–14–0—2–01–34–02–0
Toronto 0–41–32–21–31–32–01–11–30–21–10–40–21–11–31–31–13–00–30–43–12–02–01–11–10–2—1–11–12–2
Utah 1–12–02–01–11–13–14–01–14–02–22–03–13–12–01–13–12–01–12–02–03–12–24–03–13–11–1—4–02–0
Vancouver 0–22–00–20–20–21–31–30–21–31–30–20–40–40–20–20–40–20–21–10–22–20–40–43–10–41–10–4—1–1
Washington 1–24–01–31–23–12–01–10–42–00–23–12–00–21–33–11–13–10–43–13–11–12–02–02–00–22–20–21–1—

Game log
1996–97 game log
November
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
December
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
January
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
February
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
March
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
April
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
1996–97 schedule

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

Season
Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Reggie Miller 81 81 36.6 44.4 42.7 88.0 3.5 3.4 0.9 0.3 21.6
Rik Smits 52 52 29.2 48.6 25.0 79.7 6.9 1.3 0.4 1.1 17.1
Antonio Davis 82 28 28.5 48.0 7.1 66.6 7.3 0.8 0.5 1.0 10.5
Dale Davis 80 76 32.4 53.8 0.0 42.8 9.7 0.7 0.8 1.0 10.4
Travis Best 76 46 27.2 44.2 36.8 75.6 2.2 4.2 1.3 0.1 9.9
Mark Jackson 30 30 35.1 42.7 31.6 76.6 4.1 9.8 1.5 0.1 9.0
Derrick McKey 50 49 29.0 39.1 25.9 72.4 4.8 2.7 0.9 0.6 8.0
Jalen Rose 66 6 18.0 45.6 29.2 75.0 1.8 2.3 0.9 0.3 7.3
Duane Ferrell 62 18 18.0 47.2 40.9 61.7 2.3 1.1 0.6 0.1 6.4
Vincent Askew 41 0 20.0 43.2 29.2 79.1 2.4 2.2 0.4 0.1 5.7
Haywoode Workman 4 2 20.3 55.0 0.0 0.0 1.8 2.8 0.8 0.0 5.5
Eddie Johnson 28 0 10.9 43.4 32.1 74.1 1.4 0.6 0.2 0.0 5.3
Erick Dampier 72 21 14.6 39.0 100.0 63.7 4.1 0.6 0.3 1.0 5.1
Fred Hoiberg 47 0 12.2 42.9 41.4 79.2 1.7 0.9 0.6 0.1 4.8
Jerome Allen 51 1 13.6 38.8 39.0 57.4 1.3 2.1 0.5 0.0 3.2
Darvin Ham 1 0 5.0 100.0 0.0 50.0 0.0 0.0 1.0 0.0 3.0
Reggie Williams 2 0 16.5 22.2 0.0 50.0 3.5 1.0 0.0 0.0 2.5
Brent Scott 16 0 3.4 47.1 0.0 50.0 0.6 0.2 0.1 0.1 1.2
LaSalle Thompson 9 0 3.9 0.0 0.0 75.0 0.9 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.3

Player Statistics Citation:[26]

Awards and records

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
Additions
Player Date signed Former team
Jerome Allen August 17, 1996 Minnesota Timberwolves
Brent Scott September 27, 1996 Olitalia Forli (Italy)
Subtractions
Player Reason Left New team
Scott Haskin Unknown None
Dwayne Schintzius Free Agency Los Angeles Clippers
Adrian Caldwell Free Agency New Jersey Nets

Player Transactions Citation:[38]

References
  1. 1996–97 Indiana Pacers
  2. "Pacers Trade Jackson, Pierce to Denver". United Press International. June 13, 1996. Retrieved July 31, 2021.
  3. "PRO BASKETBALL; Nuggets Trade Abdul-Rauf, Acquire Pacers' Jackson". The New York Times. Associated Press. June 14, 1996. Retrieved July 17, 2022.
  4. "In One of Two Deals, Abdul-Rauf Is Traded". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. June 14, 1996. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
  5. "Rose, Abdul-Rauf Traded". The Spokesman-Review. Wire Reports. June 14, 1996. Retrieved June 20, 2023.
  6. Heisler, Mark (June 27, 1996). "The Surprises Are Few". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
  7. Cotton, Anthony (June 27, 1996). "For 76ers, Iverson Is No. 1 Choice". The Washington Post. Retrieved July 25, 2021.
  8. Bembry, Jerry (June 27, 1996). "76ers Make Iverson the 1, Philadelphia Takes Georgetown Guard; Camby Goes Second". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  9. "1996 NBA Draft". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
  10. Roberts, Selena (November 5, 1996). "Nets Trade Askew for Pacers' Williams". The New York Times. Retrieved January 1, 2022.
  11. "Pacers Trade Williams for Askew". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. November 5, 1996. Retrieved October 4, 2022.
  12. "Nets, Pacers Trade Forwards". Deseret News. Associated Press. November 5, 1996. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
  13. Thompson, Jack (September 9, 1996). "Pacers' Smits Has Surgery on Both Feet". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
  14. "Smits Is Still Not Ready". The New York Times. October 24, 1996. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
  15. "Pacers' Smits Won't Start the Season". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. October 24, 1996. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
  16. "Pacers Lose McKey". The New York Times. February 6, 1997. Retrieved October 22, 2022.
  17. "Pacers Deny Stackhouse". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. December 20, 1997. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
  18. Shapiro, Mark (November 11, 1996). "Pacers' Workman Out for Year with Torn Ligament". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
  19. "Pacers Lose Workman for Season". Orlando Sentinel. November 11, 1996. Retrieved July 3, 2021.
  20. "NBA Games Played on February 6, 1997". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  21. Sheridan, Chris (February 20, 1997). "Nuggets Made Three Trades, Hornets and Pacers Two Each". Associated Press. Retrieved July 12, 2022.
  22. Brown, Clifton (February 21, 1997). "Jackson Is Back with Pacers". The New York Times. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
  23. "Trading Deadline Becomes Much Ado About a Little". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. February 21, 1997. Retrieved September 17, 2022.
  24. "Pacers Make Point in Reacquiring Jackson". The Washington Post. February 21, 1997. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
  25. "1996–97 Indiana Pacers Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
  26. "1996–97 Indiana Pacers Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
  27. 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.
  28. "Brown Reportedly Is Out". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. April 20, 1997. Retrieved May 16, 2022.
  29. "Carr, Brown Resign as Coaches". The Washington Post. May 1, 1997. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
  30. "You Can Color Brown Gone from the Pacers". Deseret News. Associated Press. May 1, 1997. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
  31. "Larry Brown Meets with 76ers' Brass". The New York Times. Associated Press. May 3, 1997. Retrieved January 18, 2022.
  32. "Brown Expected to Coach 76ers". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. May 5, 1997. Retrieved January 4, 2023.
  33. "Sixers Set to Hire Larry Brown as Next Head Coach". Deseret News. Associated Press. May 5, 1997. Retrieved September 25, 2023.
  34. Adande, J.A. (May 6, 1997). "76ers Hire Brown for 5 Years". The Washington Post. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
  35. "Warriors Trade Mullin to Pacers". The New York Times. Associated Press. August 12, 1997. Retrieved January 18, 2022.
  36. "Pacers Get Mullin from Warriors for Two Players". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. August 13, 1997. Retrieved September 23, 2022.
  37. Nevius, C.W. (August 13, 1997). "Mullin Gets His Wish; Warrior Great Goes Quietly to Pacers". SFGate. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  38. "1996–97 Indiana Pacers Transactions". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved July 3, 2021.

See also
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