1997–98 Houston Rockets season

The 1997–98 NBA season was the Rockets' 31st season in the National Basketball Association, and 27th season in Houston.[1] After a slow 3–5 start to the season, the Rockets went on a nine-game winning streak winning 12 of their first 17 games. The team traveled to Mexico City, Mexico, where they defeated the Dallas Mavericks, 108–106 on December 6, 1997, which was the first NBA regular season game played in Mexico.[2][3][4][5] However, as the season progressed, Hakeem Olajuwon went down with a knee injury and only played just 47 games,[6][7][8][9] as the Rockets began to slip under .500, showing their age and the wear and tear of long playoff runs as they played mediocre basketball all season, holding a 22–24 record at the All-Star break.[10] Olajuwon would eventually return as the Rockets finished fourth in the Midwest Division with a 41–41 record, and qualified the playoffs as the #8 seed in the Western Conference.[11]

1997–98 Houston Rockets season
Head coachRudy Tomjanovich
General managerCarroll Dawson
Owner(s)Leslie Alexander
ArenaCompaq Center
Results
Record41–41 (.500)
PlaceDivision: 4th (Midwest)
Conference: 8th (Western)
Playoff finishFirst round
(lost to Jazz 2–3)
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
TelevisionKHTV
Fox Sports Southwest
RadioKTRH

Clyde Drexler led the team with 18.4 points, 5.5 assists and 1.8 steals per game, while Kevin Willis stepped up in Olajuwon's absence, averaging 16.1 points and 8.4 rebounds per game, Olajuwon provided the team with 16.4 points, 9.8 rebounds, 1.8 steals and 2.0 blocks per game, and Charles Barkley provided with 15.2 points and 11.7 rebounds per game, and played half of the season off the bench as the team's sixth man.[12][13][14] In addition, second-year guard and three-point specialist Matt Maloney contributed 8.6 points per game, while Mario Elie and Eddie Johnson both contributed 8.4 points per game each, and three-point specialist Matt Bullard provided with 7.0 points per game.[15]

In the Western Conference First Round of the playoffs, in a rematch of last season's Western Conference finals, the Rockets took a 2–1 series lead over the top-seeded Utah Jazz.[16][17][18] However, in Game 4, Barkley went down with a torn triceps muscle injury in a 93–71 home loss to the Jazz.[19][20][21][22] Without Barkley, the Rockets would lose Game 5 to the Jazz on the road, 84–70, thus losing the series in five games.[23][24][25][26] It was the first time the Rockets lost in the opening round of the playoffs since 1991. The Jazz would go on to lose in six games to the Chicago Bulls in the NBA Finals for the second straight year.[27][28][29][30][31]

This marked the final season for Drexler, who received a standing ovation after the Rockets' Game 5 loss to the Jazz at the Delta Center; he then retired to take over the head coaching job at the University of Houston, where he had played college basketball along with Olajuwon, ending his fifteen-year career in the NBA.[32][23][33][34] Drexler also won the 2Ball competition along with Cynthia Cooper of the WNBA's Houston Comets during the All-Star Weekend in New York City, New York.[35][36][37][38] Also following the season, Willis was traded to the Toronto Raptors,[39][40][41][42] and Elie signed as a free agent with the San Antonio Spurs.[43][44][45]

Offseason

Draft picks
Main article: 1997 NBA draft
Round Pick Player Position Nationality College
124Rodrick RhodesSG United StatesUSC
229Serge ZwikkerC NetherlandsNorth Carolina

Roster
1997–98 Houston Rockets roster
Players Coaches
Pos.No.NameHeightWeightDOBFrom
F 4 Barkley, Charles Injured 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 252 lb (114 kg) 1963–02–20 Auburn
F 50 Bullard, Matt 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1967–06–05 Iowa
G 15 Davis, Emanual 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1968–08–27 Delaware State
G 22 Drexler, Clyde 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1962–06–22 Houston
G/F 17 Elie, Mario 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1963–11–26 American International
F/C 32 Harrington, Othella 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 235 lb (107 kg) 1974–01–31 Georgetown
F 8 Johnson, Eddie 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1959–05–01 Illinois
F/C 27 Jones, Charles 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1957–04–03 Albany State
G 12 Maloney, Matt 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 192 lb (87 kg) 1971–12–06 Penn
C 34 Olajuwon, Hakeem (C) 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 255 lb (116 kg) 1963–01–21 Houston
G 20 Price, Brent 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 165 lb (75 kg) 1968–12–09 Oklahoma
G/F 1 Rhodes, Rodrick 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1973–09–24 USC
F 41 Stephens, Joe 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1973–01–28 Little Rock
F/C 42 Willis, Kevin 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1962–09–06 Michigan State
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}}}

Roster Notes
  • Rookie center Serge Zwikker was placed on the inactive list, and never played for the Rockets.

Regular season

Season standings
Midwest Division
 W L PCT GB Home Road Div
z-Utah Jazz 6220.756–36–526–1522–2
x-San Antonio Spurs 5626.683631–1025–1618–6
x-Minnesota Timberwolves 4537.5491726–1519–2214–10
x-Houston Rockets 4141.5002124–1717–2414–10
Dallas Mavericks 2062.2444213–287–349–15
Vancouver Grizzlies 1963.2324314–275–364–20
Denver Nuggets 1171.134519–322–393–21
#
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—

Game log

Playoffs
1998 playoff game log
First Round: 2–3 (home: 1–1; road: 1–2)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Series
1 April 23 @ Utah W 103–90 Clyde Drexler (22) Kevin Willis (14) Clyde Drexler (6) Delta Center
19,911		 1–0
2 April 25 @ Utah L 90–105 Hakeem Olajuwon (16) Kevin Willis (12) Matt Maloney (6) Delta Center
19,911		 1–1
3 April 29 Utah W 89–85 Hakeem Olajuwon (28) Hakeem Olajuwon (12) Drexler, Maloney (5) Compaq Center
16,285		 2–1
4 May 1 Utah L 71–93 Hakeem Olajuwon (27) Hakeem Olajuwon (15) Clyde Drexler (5) Compaq Center
16,285		 2–2
5 May 3 @ Utah L 70–84 Kevin Willis (16) Kevin Willis (11) three players tied (3) Delta Center
19,911		 2–3
1998 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

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

Season
Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Charles Barkley
Matt Bullard
Emanual Davis
Clyde Drexler
Mario Elie
Othella Harrington
Eddie Johnson
Charles Jones
Matt Maloney
Hakeem Olajuwon
Brent Price
Rodrick Rhodes
Joe Stephens
Kevin Willis

Playoffs
Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Charles Barkley
Matt Bullard
Clyde Drexler
Mario Elie
Othella Harrington
Eddie Johnson
Charles Jones
Matt Maloney
Hakeem Olajuwon
Brent Price
Rodrick Rhodes
Kevin Willis

References
  1. 1997-98 Houston Rockets
  2. "N.B.A.: YESTERDAY; Rockets Win as N.B.A. Makes Debut in Mexico". The New York Times. Associated Press. December 7, 1997. Retrieved May 16, 2022.
  3. "20,635 See Rockets Win in Mexico". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. December 7, 1997. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
  4. "In Mexico, Rockets Edge Mavs". The Washington Post. December 7, 1997. Retrieved July 8, 2021.
  5. "Rockets Edge Mavericks in Mexico City Contest". Deseret News. Associated Press. December 7, 1997. Retrieved January 29, 2023.
  6. Baro, Madeline (November 24, 1997). "Rockets Lose Olajuwon to Injury and Surgery". Associated Press. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
  7. "Olajuwon May Need Surgery on Bad Knee". Deseret News. November 24, 1997. Retrieved February 2, 2023.
  8. Wise, Mike (November 25, 1997). "PRO BASKETBALL; O'Neal, Olajuwon Lengthen Injury List". The New York Times. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
  9. "Olajuwon Has Knee Surgery". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. November 25, 1997. Retrieved July 17, 2017.
  10. "NBA Games Played on February 5, 1998". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
  11. "1997–98 Houston Rockets Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  12. "Rockets Use Super Sub to Drub Sonics, Barkley Comes Off Bench to Grab 21 Rebounds, Score 12 in 97-83 Win". The Spokesman-Review. Associated Press. February 11, 1998. Retrieved July 4, 2021.
  13. Wise, Mike (February 23, 1998). "PRO BASKETBALL; Starks's Offense Meshes with a Stifling Defense". The New York Times. Retrieved February 2, 2023.
  14. "Rockets Leap Over Kings, 97-85". CBS News. Associated Press. April 11, 1998. Retrieved February 2, 2023.
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  16. "NBA: PLAYOFFS; Utah Loses and Nears Elimination". The New York Times. Associated Press. April 30, 1998. Retrieved January 18, 2022.
  17. "Jordan Finishes Off the Nets; Rockets Put Jazz on the Ropes". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. April 30, 1998. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
  18. Jorgensen, Loren (April 30, 1998). "Dream Turns Into Jazz's Nightmare". Deseret News. Retrieved February 24, 2023.
  19. "Barkley Out of Playoffs with Injury". CBS News. CBS News.com Staff. May 2, 1998. Retrieved February 2, 2023.
  20. Beacham, Greg (May 2, 1998). "Jazz Dubious of Barkley Injury". Associated Press. Retrieved January 4, 2023.
  21. "N.B.A.: PLAYOFFS -- HOUSTON; Injury Ends Barkley's Season". The New York Times. Associated Press. May 3, 1998. Retrieved July 23, 2017.
  22. Facer, Dirk (May 3, 1998). "Barkley's Out with Muscle Tear". Deseret News. Retrieved January 4, 2023.
  23. Drape, Tom (May 4, 1998). "THE N.B.A. PLAYOFFS; Youthful Sprint Wears Out Houston". The New York Times. Retrieved March 2, 2017.
  24. Heisler, Mark (May 4, 1998). "Resurgent Ostertag Helps Jazz Play On". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  25. Jorgensen, Loren (May 4, 1998). "Hous-Done!". Deseret News. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  26. "1998 NBA Western Conference First Round: Rockets vs. Jazz". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  27. Araton, Harvey (June 15, 1998). "Sports of the Times; At the End, Jordan Lifts Bulls to Their Sixth N.B.A. Title". The New York Times. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  28. Howard-Cooper, Scott (June 15, 1998). "A Rousing Six-cess". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 25, 2022.
  29. Armour, Terry (June 15, 1998). "Michael Jordan Hits 'The Shot', and the Chicago Bulls Beat Utah Jazz for Their 6th NBA Championship". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  30. Robinson, Doug (June 15, 1998). "M.J.'s Moment: A Finals Finale". Deseret News. Retrieved December 12, 2022.
  31. "1998 NBA Finals: Bulls vs. Jazz". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  32. "N.B.A.: LAST NIGHT; Who's Hot? Yes, Denver". The New York Times. Associated Press. March 18, 1998. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
  33. Rhoden, William C. (May 9, 1998). "Sports of the Times; 30-Something Nears an End in the N.B.A." The New York Times. Retrieved January 4, 2023.
  34. White, Lonnie (November 29, 1998). "Shifting Into Overglide". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 24, 2022.
  35. Popper, Steve (February 8, 1998). "N.B.A. ALL-STAR WEEKEND: Kids Slam and Ham, but a Grown-Up Shoots for Dough; Houston Pair Win in 2Ball". The New York Times. Retrieved January 16, 2022.
  36. Howard-Cooper, Scott (February 8, 1998). "Jordan Under the Weather, and Stern Is Under the Gun". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
  37. "Malone, Reiss Finish 2nd in 2Ball". Deseret News. February 8, 1998. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
  38. "All-Star Show Slow Out of Blocks". The Spokesman-Review. Associated Press. February 8, 1998. Retrieved March 21, 2023.
  39. "Rockets' Willis Dealt to Toronto". CBS News. Associated Press. June 9, 1998. Retrieved September 24, 2022.
  40. "N.B.A.: HOUSTON; Rockets Trade Willis to Raptors". The New York Times. Associated Press. June 10, 1998. Retrieved July 31, 2021.
  41. Shapiro, Mark (June 10, 1998). "Raptors Get Willis for Rogers, 2 Draft Picks". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
  42. "This Time, Willis Off to Toronto". Tampa Bay Times. June 10, 1998. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
  43. "NBA DEALINGS: McDyess, Divac and Smith Sign". Kitsap Sun. Associated Press. January 23, 1999. Retrieved June 25, 2023.
  44. Wise, Mike (February 4, 1999). "PRO BASKETBALL; A Scrum for the Title". The New York Times. Retrieved June 28, 2022.
  45. "Elie Provides Spurs with a Much-Needed Edge". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. May 31, 1999. Retrieved November 16, 2022.

See also
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