1997–98 Los Angeles Clippers season

The 1997–98 NBA season was the Clippers' 28th season in the National Basketball Association, and their 4th season in Anaheim.[1] During the off-season, the Clippers signed free agent James Robinson,[2][3] and acquired Stojko Vrankovic from the Minnesota Timberwolves.[4][5][6] With Loy Vaught going down early into the season with a back injury after only playing just ten games, averaging just 7.5 points and 6.5 rebounds per game,[7][8][9] the Clippers struggled losing 14 of their first 16 games. After holding a 5–24 start, the team managed to win four of their next five games, but then lost 12 of their next 13 games afterwards, and held an 11–37 record at the All-Star break.[10] At midseason, the team traded Brent Barry to the Miami Heat in exchange for last year's Most Improved Player Isaac Austin.[11][12][13][14] The Clippers lost 15 of their final 17 games, including a 10-game losing streak between March and April,[15] finishing last place in the Pacific Division with a 17–65 record.[16]

1997–98 Los Angeles Clippers season
Head coachBill Fitch
OwnersDonald Sterling
ArenaLos Angeles Memorial Sports Arena
Arrowhead Pond
Results
Record17–65 (.207)
PlaceDivision: 7th (Pacific)
Conference: 13th (Western)
Playoff finishDid not qualify
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
TelevisionKCAL-TV
Fox Sports West 2
(Ralph Lawler, Bill Walton)
RadioKXTA
(Rory Markas)

Lamond Murray showed improvement becoming the team's starting small forward, averaging 15.4 points, 6.1 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game, and finishing tied in eighth place in Most Improved Player voting,[17] while Rodney Rogers averaged 15.1 points and 5.6 rebounds per game, and top draft pick Maurice Taylor averaged 11.5 points and 4.2 rebounds per game off the bench, and was selected to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team. In addition, three-point specialist Eric Piatkowski contributed 11.3 points per game, while Darrick Martin provided the team with 10.3 points and 4.0 assists per game, and second-year center Lorenzen Wright provided with 9.0 points, 8.8 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game.[18]

Following the season, Austin signed as a free agent with the Orlando Magic,[19][20][21] while Vaught signed with the Detroit Pistons after eight seasons with the Clippers,[22][23][24][25] and head coach Bill Fitch was fired.[26][27] Fitch's most losses record in NBA history with 1,106 losses stood for five years, until Lenny Wilkens broke his mark during the 2002–03 season while coaching for the Toronto Raptors.[28]

Draft picks
Main article: 1997 NBA draft
Round Pick Player Position Nationality College
114Maurice TaylorPF United StatesMichigan

Roster
1997–98 Los Angeles Clippers roster
Players Coaches
Pos.No.NameHeightWeightDOBFrom
C 8 Austin, Isaac 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 270 lb (122 kg) –– Arizona State
C 33 Closs, Keith 7 ft 3 in (2.21 m) 215 lb (98 kg) –– Central Connecticut State
G 32 Collins, James 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 196 lb (89 kg) –– Florida State
G 15 Martin, Darrick 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 170 lb (77 kg) –– UCLA
F 7 Murray, Lamond 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 236 lb (107 kg) –– California
G 52 Piatkowski, Eric Injured 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 215 lb (98 kg) –– Nebraska
G 24 Richardson, Pooh (C) 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 180 lb (82 kg) –– UCLA
G 26 Robinson, James 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 180 lb (82 kg) –– Alabama
F 54 Rogers, Rodney 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 260 lb (118 kg) –– Wake Forest
G 14 Smith, Charles 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 194 lb (88 kg) –– New Mexico
F 23 Taylor, Maurice 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 260 lb (118 kg) –– Michigan
F 35 Vaught, Loy Injured 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 230 lb (104 kg) –– Michigan
C 11 Vrankovic, Stojko 7 ft 2 in (2.18 m) 260 lb (118 kg) –– Croatia
F/C 55 Wright, Lorenzen 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 240 lb (109 kg) –– Memphis
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured Injured

Roster
Last transaction: 2009-10-04

Roster Notes
  • Rookie center Keith Closs played for the Lakers during the pre-season and had a strong performance. When he was released, the Clippers quickly signed him to their roster.[29]

Regular season

Season standings
Pacific Division
 W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-Seattle SuperSonics 6121.744–35–626–1519–5
x-Los Angeles Lakers 6121.744 –33–828–1316–8
x-Phoenix Suns 5626.683530–1126–1517–7
x-Portland Trail Blazers 4636.5611526–1520–2114–10
Sacramento Kings 2755.3293421–206–356–18
Golden State Warriors 1963.2324212–297–346–18
Los Angeles Clippers 1765.2074411–306–356–18
#
Western Conference
Team W L PCT GB
1 z-Utah Jazz6220.756–
2 y-Seattle SuperSonics6121.7441
3 x-Los Angeles Lakers6121.7441
4 x-Phoenix Suns5626.6836
5 x-San Antonio Spurs5626.6836
6 x-Portland Trail Blazers4636.56116
7 x-Minnesota Timberwolves4537.54917
8 x-Houston Rockets4141.50021
9 Sacramento Kings2755.32935
10 Dallas Mavericks2062.24442
11 Vancouver Grizzlies1963.23243
11 Golden State Warriors1963.23243
13 Los Angeles Clippers1765.20745
14 Denver Nuggets1171.13451
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 –2–14–01–34–02–02–02–22–01–11–32–00–21–33–10–21–22–22–23–10–21–12–01–11–14–00–22–04–0
Boston 1–2–1–21–31–31–11–12–21–11–10–42–01–10–42–21–12–22–22–23–10–21–11–10–21–13–00–22–03–2
Charlotte 0–42–1–1–32–22–02–03–11–12–03–12–01–13–13–11–12–21–33–12–11–12–01–11–11–14–01–12–02–2
Chicago 3–13–13–1–2–21–12–03–12–02–02–22–01–12–14–01–14–04–03–12–11–11–12–02–01–14–00–22–03–1
Cleveland 0–43–12–22–2–1–12–03–12–01–12–22–01–11–32–22–03–11–22–23–12–01–12–00–20–23–11–12–01–2
Dallas 0–21–10–21–11–1–3–10–21–30–41–11–30–40–20–22–20–21–10–20–20–40–40–40–42–21–10–44–01–1
Denver 0–21–10–20–20–21–3–0–21–30–40–22–20–40–20–21–30–20–20–20–20–42–21–30–40–40–20–41–31–1
Detroit 2–22–21–31–31–32–02–0–2–01–11–32–00–21–22–20–22–22–21–23–11–10–21–11–10–24–00–20–22–2
Golden State 0–21–11–10–20–23–13–10–2–1–30–21–31–30–20–20–40–21–11–10–20–41–32–21–31–30–20–41–30–2
Houston 1–11–10–20–21–14–04–01–13–1–1–14–01–30–21–11–31–11–10–21–11–31–34–02–21–32–00–43–11–1
Indiana 3–14–01–32–22–21–12–03–12–01–1–2–00–23–14–02–02–12–13–14–01–11–12–00–20–24–01–12–04–0
L.A. Clippers 0–20–20–20–20–23–12–20–23–10–40–2–0–40–20–20–41–10–20–21–10–40–43–11–30–41–11–31–30–2
L.A. Lakers 2–01–11–11–11–14–04–02–03–13–12–04–0–1–12–04–01–11–11–10–22–22–24–04–01–32–03–14–01–1
Miami 3–14–01–31–23–12–02–02–12–02–01–32–01–1–3–11–13–12–23–14–00–22–02–00–20–24–01–12–02–2
Milwaukee 1–32–21–30–42–22–02–02–22–01–10–42–00–21–3–1–10–43–12–12–20–22–02–00–21–13–10–21–11–2
Minnesota 2–01–11–11–10–22–23–12–04–03–10–24–00–41–11–1–2–01–10–22–03–11–33–11–31–31–11–34–00–2
New Jersey 2–12–22–20–41–32–02–02–22–01–11–21–11–11–34–00–2–2–23–13–11–11–12–01–10–23–10–22–01–3
New York 2–22–23–10–42–11–12–02–21–11–11–22–01–12–21–31–12–2–4–02–22–01–11–10–21–13–10–22–01–3
Orlando 2–22–21–31–32–22–02–02–11–12–01–32–01–11–31–22–01–30–4–4–00–22–00–20–21–13–10–22–03–1
Philadelphia 1–31–31–21–21–32–02–01–32–01–10–41–12–00–42–20–21–32–20–4–1–11–11–10–20–22–20–22–03–1
Phoenix 2–02–01–11–10–24–04–01–14–03–11–14–02–22–02–01–31–10–22–01–1–2–23–13–12–22–01–34–01–1
Portland 1–11–10–21–11–14–02–22–03–13–11–14–02–20–20–23–11–11–10–21–12–2–3–12–20–42–03–12–21–1
Sacramento 0–21–11–10–20–24–03–11–12–20–40–21–30–40–20–21–30–21–12–01–11–31–3–0–41–31–12–22–21–1
San Antonio 1–12–01–10–22–04–04–01–13–12–22–03–10–42–02–03–11–12–02–02–01–32–24–0–2–22–01–34–01–1
Seattle 1–11–11–11–12–02–24–02–03–13–12–04–03–12–01–13–12–01–11–12–02–24–03–12–2–2–02–24–01–1
Toronto 0–40–30–40–41–31–12–00–42–00–20–41–10–20–41–31–11–31–31–32–20–20–21–10–20–2–0–21–10–3
Utah 2–02–01–12–01–14–04–02–04–04–01–13–11–31–12–03–12–02–02–02–03–11–32–23–12–22–0–4–00–2
Vancouver 0–20–20–20–20–20–43–12–03–11–30–23–10–40–21–10–40–20–20–20–20–42–22–20–40–41–10–4–1–1
Washington 0–42–32–21–32–11–11–12–22–01–10–42–01–12–22–12–03–13–11–31–31–11–11–11–11–13–02–01–1—

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% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Lamond Murray 796532.648.135.374.86.11.81.50.715.4
Isaac Austin 262534.445.40.065.28.73.40.70.815.2
Rodney Rogers 767032.945.634.068.65.62.71.20.515.1
Brent Barry 413632.742.840.084.43.53.21.20.613.7
Maurice Taylor 71321.347.60.070.94.20.70.50.611.5
Eric Piatkowski 673526.045.240.982.43.51.30.80.211.3
Darrick Martin 826328.037.736.584.82.04.01.00.110.3
Lorenzen Wright 693830.044.50.065.98.80.80.81.39.0
James Robinson 701317.638.932.972.01.61.90.50.17.7
Loy Vaught 10626.542.90.037.56.50.70.40.27.5
Charles Smith 23011.342.131.855.60.80.80.40.24.7
Pooh Richardson 691718.137.219.369.81.43.30.60.04.2
Keith Closs 58112.844.90.059.72.90.30.21.44.0
Stojko Vrankovic 653815.342.50.056.94.00.60.21.03.0
James Collins 2304.538.245.057.10.60.10.30.12.6

Player Statistics Citation:[18]

Awards and records

Transactions

The Clippers have been involved in the following transactions during the 1997-98 season.

Trades
June 25, 1997 To Los Angeles Clippers
 To Minnesota Timberwolves
June 25, 1997 To Los Angeles Clippers
 To Philadelphia 76ers
  • 1998 2nd round draft pick
February 19, 1998 To Los Angeles Clippers
 To Miami Heat

Free agents

Player Transactions Citation:[30]

See also

References
  1. 1997-98 Los Angeles Clippers
  2. "Clippers Sign James Robinson for $10.5 Million". Los Angeles Times. August 17, 1997. Retrieved September 17, 2022.
  3. Baker, Chris (December 28, 1997). "Robinson Resuscitates Clippers". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
  4. Gardner, Kris (June 25, 1997). "ARCHIVE: Houston Roundball Review NBA Trade Analyses -- 1997 NBA Draft Day Deals". The Houston Roundball Review. Retrieved September 25, 2023.
  5. Howard-Cooper, Scott (June 26, 1997). "Draft Over, But Not Finished". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 19, 2022.
  6. Howard-Cooper, Scott (June 27, 1997). "Goodbye, Stanley, We Barely Knew You". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
  7. Baker, Chris (November 22, 1997). "Back Spasms Sideline Vaught". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
  8. Baker, Chris (December 4, 1997). "Vaught Expected Out for Season". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
  9. "Vaught Placed on Injured List; May Need Surgery". Associated Press. December 4, 1997. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
  10. "NBA Games Played on February 5, 1998". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  11. "N.B.A.: TRADES; Miami Acquires Brent Barry". The New York Times. Associated Press. February 20, 1998. Retrieved July 26, 2021.
  12. Heisler, Mark (February 20, 1998). "It's a Big Deal for Clippers: There Are No Slam Dunks in the Flurry of NBA Deals". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 4, 2022.
  13. Smith, Sam (February 20, 1998). "NBA's Rash of Trades Ends with Another Seikaly Deal". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
  14. Winderman, Ira (February 20, 1998). "Austin Heads West - to L.A." Sun Sentinel. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
  15. "Clippers Show Some Spark, But Still Lose". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. April 17, 1998. Retrieved April 22, 2023.
  16. "1997–98 Los Angeles Clippers Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 28, 2021.
  17. "1997–98 NBA Awards Voting". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
  18. "1997–98 Los Angeles Clippers Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 28, 2021.
  19. Povtak, Tim (January 15, 1999). "Austin Remains Center of Attention". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved June 25, 2022.
  20. "Austin Says He Will Sign with Magic". Tampa Bay Times. January 16, 1999. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
  21. Goodall, Fred (January 21, 1999). "Austin Gives Magic Contender Hopes Again". The Ledger. Retrieved February 2, 2023.
  22. "Pistons Sign Vaught, Laettner". CBS News. CBS News.com Staff. January 20, 1999. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
  23. "Vaught to Sign Five-Year Piston Deal". Los Angeles Times. Bloomberg News. January 21, 1999. Retrieved October 18, 2022.
  24. "NBA DEALINGS: McDyess, Divac and Smith Sign". Kitsap Sun. Associated Press. January 23, 1999. Retrieved June 25, 2023.
  25. Wise, Mike (February 4, 1999). "PRO BASKETBALL; A Scrum for the Title". The New York Times. Retrieved June 28, 2022.
  26. Springer, Steve (April 21, 1998). "Clippers Scratch Fitch". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 18, 2022.
  27. Peters, Ken (April 21, 1998). "Clippers Fire Coach Bill Fitch". Associated Press. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
  28. "Raptors End 7-Game Road Losing Streak". Midland Daily News. April 1, 2003. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
  29. Baker, Chris (October 23, 1997). "Tall Tale". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 7, 2022.
  30. "1997–98 Los Angeles Clippers Transactions". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved July 4, 2021.
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