1997–98 Washington Wizards season

The 1997–98 NBA season was the Wizards' 37th season in the National Basketball Association.[1] There was a new beginning for basketball in Washington, D.C. as the team changed its name to the "Wizards", fearing "Bullets" endorsed gun violence.[2][3][4][5][6] The team revealed a new primary logo of a wizard conjuring a basketball in front of a quarter moon,[7] and added new uniforms with blue, black and bronze colors.[8][9][10] During the off-season, the team signed free agent Terry Davis to join their frontcourt,[11][12] as the team's starting center, Gheorghe Mureșan missed the entire season with a stretched right ankle tendon and right foot injury.[13][14][15] The team also re-signed former Bullets guard Ledell Eackles for the third time after a one-year absence from the NBA.[16]

1997–98 Washington Wizards season
Head coachBernie Bickerstaff
ArenaUS Airways Arena (5 games)
MCI Center (36 games)
Results
Record42–40 (.512)
PlaceDivision: 4th (Atlantic)
Conference: 9th (Eastern)
Playoff finishDid not qualify
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
TelevisionWBDC
Home Team Sports
RadioWTEM

In their first game as the "Wizards", the team lost to the Detroit Pistons on the road, 92–79 on October 31, 1997.[17][18] The Wizards got off to a slow 5–11 start to the season, losing their first five home games at US Airways Arena, only winning games on the road such as defeating the Utah Jazz, 90–86 at the Delta Center on November 3,[19][20] and the 2-time defending champion Chicago Bulls, 90–83 at the United Center on November 12.[21][22][23] The Wizards played their final home game at US Airways Arena on November 29, 1997, losing 88–83 to the Bulls,[24][25][26][27] and moved into their new arena, the MCI Center, where they won their first home game of the season, defeating the Seattle SuperSonics, 95–78 on December 2,[28][29][30][31] and posting a 24–12 home record for the remainder of the season. The Wizards held a 25–24 record at the All-Star break,[32] and won their final four games of the season to finish fourth in the Atlantic Division with a 42–40 record, but failed to qualify for the playoffs, finishing just one game behind the 8th-seeded New Jersey Nets.[33]

Chris Webber averaged 21.9 points, 9.5 rebounds, 1.6 steals and 1.7 blocks per game, while Juwan Howard averaged 18.5 points and 7.0 rebounds per game, and Rod Strickland provided the team with 17.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, 10.5 assists, and 1.7 steals per game, and was named to the All-NBA Second Team. In addition, sixth man Tracy Murray provided scoring off the bench, averaging 15.1 points per game, while Calbert Cheaney contributed 12.8 points per game, and Davis provided with 4.4 points and 6.5 rebounds per game.[34]

Following the season, Webber was traded to the Sacramento Kings,[35][36][37][38][39] while Harvey Grant signed as a free agent with the Philadelphia 76ers,[40][41] and Mureșan and Eackles were both released to free agency.[42] The team's new logo and uniforms both remained in use until 2007, where they switched to a lighter bronze color.

Offseason

Draft picks
Main article: 1997 NBA draft
Round Pick Player Position Nationality College
245God ShammgodPG United StatesProvidence College
248Predrag DrobnjakC Montenegro

The Wizards forfeited their 1997 first round draft pick in connection with the signing of Juwan Howard in 1996. Washington would have had the 17th pick.[43]

Roster
1997–98 Washington Wizards roster
Players Coaches
Pos.No.NameHeightWeightDOBFrom
G 40 Cheaney, Calbert 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 209 lb (95 kg) 1971–07–17 Indiana
F 52 Davis, Terry 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1967–06–17 Virginia Union
G 21 Eackles, Ledell 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1966–11–24 New Orleans
F 44 Grant, Harvey 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1965–07–04 Oklahoma
F 31 Ham, Darvin 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1973–07–23 Texas Tech
F 5 Howard, Juwan 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 240 lb (109 kg) 1973–02–07 Michigan
G 23 Legler, Tim Injured 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 1966–12–26 La Salle
C 77 Mureșan, Gheorghe Injured (IN) 7 ft 7 in (2.31 m) 303 lb (137 kg) 1971–02–14 Romania
F 35 Murray, Tracy 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1971–07–25 UCLA
G 2 Shammgod, God 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 169 lb (77 kg) 1976–04–29 Providence
G 1 Strickland, Rod Injured 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 1966–07–11 DePaul
F/C 30 Wallace, Ben 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 240 lb (109 kg) 1974–09–10 Virginia Union
C 4 Webber, Chris 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 245 lb (111 kg) 1973–03–01 Michigan
G 12 Whitney, Chris 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 168 lb (76 kg) 1971–10–05 Clemson
F 43 Williams, Lorenzo Injured 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 1969–07–15 Stetson
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • (IN) Inactive
  • Injured Injured

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

Roster Notes
  • Center Gheorghe Mureșan missed the entire season due to a stretched right ankle tendon and foot injury.

Regular season

Season standings
Atlantic Division
 W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-Miami Heat 5527.671–30-1125–1618–6
x-New York Knicks 4339.5241228–1315–2613–11
x-New Jersey Nets 4339.5241226–1517–2412–12
Washington Wizards 4240.5121324–1718–2312–13
Orlando Magic 4141.5001424–1717–2411–13
Boston Celtics 3646.4391924–1712–2912–12
Philadelphia 76ers 3151.3782419–2212–297–17
#
Eastern Conference
Team W L PCT GB
1 c-Chicago Bulls6220.756–
2 y-Miami Heat5527.6717
3 x-Indiana Pacers5824.7074
4 x-Charlotte Hornets5131.62211
5 x-Atlanta Hawks5032.61012
6 x-Cleveland Cavaliers4735.57315
7 x-New York Knicks4339.52419
8 x-New Jersey Nets4339.52419
9 Washington Wizards4240.51220
10 Orlando Magic4141.50021
11 Detroit Pistons3745.45125
12 Boston Celtics3646.43926
12 Milwaukee Bucks3646.43926
14 Philadelphia 76ers3151.37831
15 Toronto Raptors1666.19546
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—

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

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

Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG

Awards and records

References
  1. 1997-98 Washington Wizards
  2. Justice, Richard (November 10, 1995). "Bullets Seek New Name". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 7, 2022.
  3. Denlinger, Ken (February 12, 1996). "In Name Game, Fans Prefer None of Above". The Washington Post. Retrieved February 2, 2023.
  4. "SPORTS PEOPLE: PRO BASKETBALL; Bullets Will Be Wizards". The New York Times. February 23, 1996. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
  5. Justice, Richard (February 23, 1996). "For Bullets, 'Wizards' Casts Magic Spell". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
  6. Adande, J.A. (May 16, 1997). "They're the Wizards of Ahhhhs". The Washington Post. Retrieved July 10, 2022.
  7. "Washington Wizards Logo". Chris Creamer's Sports Logos Page - SportsLogos.Net. Retrieved July 8, 2021.
  8. "Washington Wizards Uniform". Chris Creamer's Sports Logos Page - SportsLogos.Net. Retrieved July 8, 2021.
  9. "Washington Wizards Uniform". Chris Creamer's Sports Logos Page - SportsLogos.Net. Retrieved July 8, 2021.
  10. Bowles, Scott (July 13, 1997). "Wizards Take a Fashion Shot in the Dark". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 6, 2022.
  11. Bucher, Ric (November 6, 1997). "Davis's Play Gives Wizards a Charge". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 7, 2022.
  12. Bucher, Ric (December 22, 1997). "A Lack of Middle Management". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 29, 2022.
  13. Bucher, Ric (October 2, 1997). "Wizards' Muresan Has Injured Ankle". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 12, 2022.
  14. Friend, Tom (October 29, 1997). "N.B.A. PREVIEW '97-'98; For Crystal, a Giant of a Man". The New York Times. Retrieved May 24, 2022.
  15. Asher, Mark (February 26, 1998). "Muresan Is a Foot Short". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
  16. Bucher, Ric (November 30, 1997). "Wizards' Farewell Is Not Fond". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 22, 2022.
  17. Bucher, Ric (November 1, 1997). "In 1st Test, Wizards Flunk the Boards, 92-79". The Washington Post. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
  18. "Washington Wizards at Detroit Pistons Box Score, October 31, 1997". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
  19. Jorgensen, Loren (November 4, 1997). "Jazz Rookie Learns Lesson". Deseret News. Retrieved July 11, 2022.
  20. "Washington Wizards at Utah Jazz Box Score, November 3, 1997". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 4, 2023.
  21. "N.B.A.: LAST NIGHT; Chicago Continues to Struggle". The New York Times. Associated Press. November 13, 1997. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
  22. Bucher, Ric (November 13, 1997). "Wizards Topple the Beat-a-Bulls, 90-83". The Washington Post. Retrieved July 11, 2022.
  23. "Washington Wizards at Chicago Bulls Box Score, November 12, 1997". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 4, 2023.
  24. "N.B.A.: LAST NIGHT; Wizards' Farewell Party Is Ruined by the Bulls". The New York Times. Associated Press. November 30, 1997. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
  25. Castaneda, Ruben (November 30, 1997). "Wizards Play Final Game on Old Court". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
  26. Armour, Terry (November 30, 1997). "Bulls 88, Wizards 83". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  27. Bembry, Jerry (November 30, 1997). "Wizards Leave Landover on Downer, Fall to Bulls; Jordan, Chicago Close Arena with 88-83 Win". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
  28. Bucher, Ric (December 2, 1997). "At MCI Center, Wizards Move Into a New Era". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 22, 2022.
  29. Bucher, Ric (December 3, 1997). "For Wizards, a Grand Opening, Indeed". The Washington Post. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  30. Wang, Gene (December 3, 1997). "Sonics at a Loss to Criticize Arena". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
  31. Bembry, Jerry (December 3, 1997). "Opening Brings Out Best in Wizards; 95-78 Victory Over Sonics Christens MCI Center". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
  32. "NBA Games Played on February 5, 1998". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved July 19, 2022.
  33. "1997–98 Washington Wizards Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
  34. "1997–98 Washington Wizards Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
  35. "N.B.A.; Webber Traded to Sacramento". The New York Times. Associated Press. May 15, 1998. Retrieved July 28, 2017.
  36. "Webber Dealt to Kings for Richmond, Thorpe". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. May 15, 1998. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
  37. Bucher, Ric (May 15, 1998). "Webber Traded to Sacramento". The Washington Post. Retrieved July 10, 2022.
  38. Bembry, Jerry (May 15, 1998). "Wizards Trade Webber to Kings; Richmond, Thorpe Add "Stability," "Maturity"". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  39. White, Joseph (May 15, 1998). "Wizards Trade Webber to Kings". Associated Press. Retrieved November 30, 2022.
  40. Wise, Mike (February 4, 1999). "PRO BASKETBALL; A Scrum for the Title". The New York Times. Retrieved June 28, 2022.
  41. Heisler, Mark (February 4, 1999). "Eastern Conference". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 12, 2022.
  42. Wyche, Steve (January 28, 1999). "For Muresan, Hornets No, Wizards Maybe". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 22, 2022.
  43. Brown, Clifton (August 6, 1996). "Howard: 2 Deals, 2 Teams, $200 Million". The New York Times. Retrieved May 12, 2022.

See also
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