NBA professional basketball team season
The 1997–98 NBA season was the 30th season for the Phoenix Suns in the National Basketball Association .[1] In the offseason, the Suns acquired Antonio McDyess from the Denver Nuggets , and signed free agents Clifford Robinson and George McCloud . Danny Ainge returned for his first full season as the Suns head coach . At midseason, the team traded Cedric Ceballos to the Dallas Mavericks for three-point specialist Dennis Scott , as they posted a ten-game winning streak near the end of the season. The Suns posted a 56–26 record as members of the Pacific Division. They would make their 10th straight playoff appearance before losing in the first round, 1-3, to the San Antonio Spurs .[2] All home games were played in America West Arena .
The team's top scorer, Rex Chapman at 15.9 points per game, was part of a Suns offense that included four other players averaging double-digits in points in McDyess, Robinson, Sixth Man of The Year Danny Manning and Jason Kidd . Kidd was the team's sole member to be selected as a member of the All-Star Game , and finished second in the league in assists per game.
Following the season, McDyess re-signed as a free agent with the Denver Nuggets , Kevin Johnson retired (but would make a comeback late in the 1999–2000 season), second-year guard Steve Nash was traded to the Dallas Mavericks , Hot Rod Williams signed as a free agent with the Mavericks, and Scott signed with the New York Knicks .
Offseason
NBA Draft
The Suns used their only draft pick to select future star Stephen Jackson , who was waived before the start of the season. The Suns traded their first-round pick to the Cleveland Cavaliers in 1995 when they dealt Dan Majerle and Antonio Lang for John "Hot Rod" Williams .
Roster
Phoenix Suns roster
Players
Coaches
Pos.
#
Nat.
Name
Height
Weight
DOB (Y-M-D)
From
C
45
Brown, Mike
6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
257 lb (117 kg)
1963–07–19
George Washington
PF
2
Bryant, Mark
6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
245 lb (111 kg)
1965–04–25
Seton Hall
SG
3
Chapman, Rex
6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
185 lb (84 kg)
1967–10–05
Kentucky
PG
7
Johnson, Kevin
6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
180 lb (82 kg)
1966–03–04
California
PG
32
Kidd, Jason
6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
205 lb (93 kg)
1973–03–23
California
C
17
Llamas, Horacio
6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)
285 lb (129 kg)
1973–07–17
Grand Canyon
PF
15
Manning, Danny
6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)
230 lb (104 kg)
1966–05–17
Kansas
SF
21
McCloud, George
6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
205 lb (93 kg)
1967–05–27
Florida State
PF
34
McDyess, Antonio
6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
220 lb (100 kg)
1974–09–07
Alabama
C
40
Meyer, Loren (IN)
6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)
257 lb (117 kg)
1972–12–30
Iowa State
SF
20
Milič, Marko
6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
235 lb (107 kg)
1977–05–07
Slovenia
PG
13
Nash, Steve
6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
195 lb (88 kg)
1974–02–07
Santa Clara
SF
30
Robinson, Clifford
6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)
225 lb (102 kg)
1966–12–16
Connecticut
SF
4
Scott, Dennis
6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
229 lb (104 kg)
1968–09–05
Georgia Tech
C
18
Williams, John
6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)
215 lb (98 kg)
1962–08–09
Tulane
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
(DP) Unsigned draft pick(FA) Free agent(S) Suspended Injured
Roster Notes
Center Loren Meyer missed the entire season due to a spine injury.
Center Mike Brown did not play any regular season games with the Suns this season, but did play in one playoff game.
Salaries
Player
Salary
Kevin Johnson
$8,000,000
Danny Manning
$6,833,333
Jason Kidd
$5,223,333
Hot Rod Williams
$4,550,000
Antonio McDyess
$2,876,640
Cedric Ceballos
$2,605,000
Mark Bryant
$2,250,000
Steve Nash
$1,053,360
Clifford Robinson
$1,000,000
Loren Meyer
$722,760
Mario Bennett
$630,000
Rex Chapman
$326,700
Tom Chambers
$272,250
George McCloud
$272,250
Horacio Llamas
$272,250
William Cunningham
$50,000
Total
$36,937,876
Regular season
Standings
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
—
2–1
4–0
1–3
4–0
2–0
2–0
2–2
2–0
1–1
1–3
2–0
0–2
1–3
3–1
0–2
1–2
2–2
2–2
3–1
0–2
1–1
2–0
1–1
1–1
4–0
0–2
2–0
4–0
Boston
1–2
—
1–2
1–3
1–3
1–1
1–1
2–2
1–1
1–1
0–4
2–0
1–1
0–4
2–2
1–1
2–2
2–2
2–2
3–1
0–2
1–1
1–1
0–2
1–1
3–0
0–2
2–0
3–2
Charlotte
0–4
2–1
—
1–3
2–2
2–0
2–0
3–1
1–1
2–0
3–1
2–0
1–1
3–1
3–1
1–1
2–2
1–3
3–1
2–1
1–1
2–0
1–1
1–1
1–1
4–0
1–1
2–0
2–2
Chicago
3–1
3–1
3–1
—
2–2
1–1
2–0
3–1
2–0
2–0
2–2
2–0
1–1
2–1
4–0
1–1
4–0
4–0
3–1
2–1
1–1
1–1
2–0
2–0
1–1
4–0
0–2
2–0
3–1
Cleveland
0–4
3–1
2–2
2–2
—
1–1
2–0
3–1
2–0
1–1
2–2
2–0
1–1
1–3
2–2
2–0
3–1
1–2
2–2
3–1
2–0
1–1
2–0
0–2
0–2
3–1
1–1
2–0
1–2
Dallas
0–2
1–1
0–2
1–1
1–1
—
3–1
0–2
1–3
0–4
1–1
1–3
0–4
0–2
0–2
2–2
0–2
1–1
0–2
0–2
0–4
0–4
0–4
0–4
2–2
1–1
0–4
4–0
1–1
Denver
0–2
1–1
0–2
0–2
0–2
1–3
—
0–2
1–3
0–4
0–2
2–2
0–4
0–2
0–2
1–3
0–2
0–2
0–2
0–2
0–4
2–2
1–3
0–4
0–4
0–2
0–4
1–3
1–1
Detroit
2–2
2–2
1–3
1–3
1–3
2–0
2–0
—
2–0
1–1
1–3
2–0
0–2
1–2
2–2
0–2
2–2
2–2
1–2
3–1
1–1
0–2
1–1
1–1
0–2
4–0
0–2
0–2
2–2
Golden State
0–2
1–1
1–1
0–2
0–2
3–1
3–1
0–2
—
1–3
0–2
1–3
1–3
0–2
0–2
0–4
0–2
1–1
1–1
0–2
0–4
1–3
2–2
1–3
1–3
0–2
0–4
1–3
0–2
Houston
1–1
1–1
0–2
0–2
1–1
4–0
4–0
1–1
3–1
—
1–1
4–0
1–3
0–2
1–1
1–3
1–1
1–1
0–2
1–1
1–3
1–3
4–0
2–2
1–3
2–0
0–4
3–1
1–1
Indiana
3–1
4–0
1–3
2–2
2–2
1–1
2–0
3–1
2–0
1–1
—
2–0
0–2
3–1
4–0
2–0
2–1
2–1
3–1
4–0
1–1
1–1
2–0
0–2
0–2
4–0
1–1
2–0
4–0
L.A. Clippers
0–2
0–2
0–2
0–2
0–2
3–1
2–2
0–2
3–1
0–4
0–2
—
0–4
0–2
0–2
0–4
1–1
0–2
0–2
1–1
0–4
0–4
3–1
1–3
0–4
1–1
1–3
1–3
0–2
L.A. Lakers
2–0
1–1
1–1
1–1
1–1
4–0
4–0
2–0
3–1
3–1
2–0
4–0
—
1–1
2–0
4–0
1–1
1–1
1–1
0–2
2–2
2–2
4–0
4–0
1–3
2–0
3–1
4–0
1–1
Miami
3–1
4–0
1–3
1–2
3–1
2–0
2–0
2–1
2–0
2–0
1–3
2–0
1–1
—
3–1
1–1
3–1
2–2
3–1
4–0
0–2
2–0
2–0
0–2
0–2
4–0
1–1
2–0
2–2
Milwaukee
1–3
2–2
1–3
0–4
2–2
2–0
2–0
2–2
2–0
1–1
0–4
2–0
0–2
1–3
—
1–1
0–4
3–1
2–1
2–2
0–2
2–0
2–0
0–2
1–1
3–1
0–2
1–1
1–2
Minnesota
2–0
1–1
1–1
1–1
0–2
2–2
3–1
2–0
4–0
3–1
0–2
4–0
0–4
1–1
1–1
—
2–0
1–1
0–2
2–0
3–1
1–3
3–1
1–3
1–3
1–1
1–3
4–0
0–2
New Jersey
2–1
2–2
2–2
0–4
1–3
2–0
2–0
2–2
2–0
1–1
1–2
1–1
1–1
1–3
4–0
0–2
—
2–2
3–1
3–1
1–1
1–1
2–0
1–1
0–2
3–1
0–2
2–0
1–3
New York
2–2
2–2
3–1
0–4
2–1
1–1
2–0
2–2
1–1
1–1
1–2
2–0
1–1
2–2
1–3
1–1
2–2
—
4–0
2–2
2–0
1–1
1–1
0–2
1–1
3–1
0–2
2–0
1–3
Orlando
2–2
2–2
1–3
1–3
2–2
2–0
2–0
2–1
1–1
2–0
1–3
2–0
1–1
1–3
1–2
2–0
1–3
0–4
—
4–0
0–2
2–0
0–2
0–2
1–1
3–1
0–2
2–0
3–1
Philadelphia
1–3
1–3
1–2
1–2
1–3
2–0
2–0
1–3
2–0
1–1
0–4
1–1
2–0
0–4
2–2
0–2
1–3
2–2
0–4
—
1–1
1–1
1–1
0–2
0–2
2–2
0–2
2–0
3–1
Phoenix
2–0
2–0
1–1
1–1
0–2
4–0
4–0
1–1
4–0
3–1
1–1
4–0
2–2
2–0
2–0
1–3
1–1
0–2
2–0
1–1
—
2–2
3–1
3–1
2–2
2–0
1–3
4–0
1–1
Portland
1–1
1–1
0–2
1–1
1–1
4–0
2–2
2–0
3–1
3–1
1–1
4–0
2–2
0–2
0–2
3–1
1–1
1–1
0–2
1–1
2–2
—
3–1
2–2
0–4
2–0
3–1
2–2
1–1
Sacramento
0–2
1–1
1–1
0–2
0–2
4–0
3–1
1–1
2–2
0–4
0–2
1–3
0–4
0–2
0–2
1–3
0–2
1–1
2–0
1–1
1–3
1–3
—
0–4
1–3
1–1
2–2
2–2
1–1
San Antonio
1–1
2–0
1–1
0–2
2–0
4–0
4–0
1–1
3–1
2–2
2–0
3–1
0–4
2–0
2–0
3–1
1–1
2–0
2–0
2–0
1–3
2–2
4–0
—
2–2
2–0
1–3
4–0
1–1
Seattle
1–1
1–1
1–1
1–1
2–0
2–2
4–0
2–0
3–1
3–1
2–0
4–0
3–1
2–0
1–1
3–1
2–0
1–1
1–1
2–0
2–2
4–0
3–1
2–2
—
2–0
2–2
4–0
1–1
Toronto
0–4
0–3
0–4
0–4
1–3
1–1
2–0
0–4
2–0
0–2
0–4
1–1
0–2
0–4
1–3
1–1
1–3
1–3
1–3
2–2
0–2
0–2
1–1
0–2
0–2
—
0–2
1–1
0–3
Utah
2–0
2–0
1–1
2–0
1–1
4–0
4–0
2–0
4–0
4–0
1–1
3–1
1–3
1–1
2–0
3–1
2–0
2–0
2–0
2–0
3–1
1–3
2–2
3–1
2–2
2–0
—
4–0
0–2
Vancouver
0–2
0–2
0–2
0–2
0–2
0–4
3–1
2–0
3–1
1–3
0–2
3–1
0–4
0–2
1–1
0–4
0–2
0–2
0–2
0–2
0–4
2–2
2–2
0–4
0–4
1–1
0–4
—
1–1
Washington
0–4
2–3
2–2
1–3
2–1
1–1
1–1
2–2
2–0
1–1
0–4
2–0
1–1
2–2
2–1
2–0
3–1
3–1
1–3
1–3
1–1
1–1
1–1
1–1
1–1
3–0
2–0
1–1
—
Playoffs
Even with a 56–26 record, the Suns were the fourth seed in the West heading into the Playoffs . They would face the fifth-seeded San Antonio Spurs , headlined by star center David Robinson and Rookie of the Year forward Tim Duncan . Duncan led the Spurs to a game one upset in Phoenix, scoring 28 second-half points in a 102–96 victory. The Suns recovered to win game two 108–101. Antonio McDyess led the Suns with 21 points and 11 rebounds, while holding Duncan to 16 points with six turnovers. On the night he received the Rookie of the Year Award, Duncan again led the Spurs with 22 points, 14 rebounds and 3 blocks. Despite 26 points and 17 rebounds from McDyess, the Suns fell 88–100 and into a 1–2 series hole. The Spurs would clinch the series 3–1 in San Antonio, behind 30 points from Avery Johnson , 21 rebounds from Robinson, and 6 blocks from Duncan. McDyess pulled down 19 rebounds for the Suns, but shot only 5 of 14 from the field, while Kevin Johnson led the team with 18 points.
Game log
Awards and honors
Week/Month
Jason Kidd was named Player of the Week for games played March 8 through March 14.
Jason Kidd was named Player of the Week for games played April 12 through April 18.
All-Star
Jason Kidd was selected as a reserve for the Western Conference in the All-Star Game . It was his second All-Star selection. Kidd finished fifth in voting among Western Conference guards with 305,834 votes.
Season
Injuries/Missed games
Player statistics
Season
* – Stats with the Suns.
† – Minimum 300 field goals made.
^ – Minimum 55 three-pointers made.
Playoffs
† – Minimum 20 field goals made.
^ – Minimum 10 free throws made.
Transactions
Trades
Free agents
Additions
Date
Player
Contract
Former Team
June 23, 1997
Kevin Johnson
Signed one-year contract for $8,000,000
Phoenix Suns
July 1, 1997
Mark Bryant
Signed two-year contract for $4,300,000
Phoenix Suns
July 8, 1997
John "Hot Rod" Williams
Signed one-year contract for $4,550,000
Phoenix Suns
July 8, 1997
Rex Chapman
Signed one-year contract for $326,700
Phoenix Suns
July 8, 1997
Horacio Llamas
Signed one-year contract for $272,250
Phoenix Suns
August 22, 1997
Tom Chambers
Signed one-year contract for $272,250
Charlotte Hornets
August 22, 1997
William Cunningham
Undisclosed
n/a
August 25, 1997
Clifford Robinson
Signed one-year contract for $1 million
Portland Trail Blazers
September 2, 1997
George McCloud
Signed one-year contract for $272,250
Los Angeles Lakers
December 11, 1997
Brooks Thompson
Undisclosed
Denver Nuggets
January 9, 1998
Brooks Thompson
Signed two 10-day contracts
Phoenix Suns
April 18, 1998
Mike Brown
Signed for rest of season
Viola Reggio Calabria (Italy)
Subtractions
References
External links
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