1997–98 Seattle SuperSonics season

The 1997–98 NBA season was the 30th season for the Seattle SuperSonics in the National Basketball Association.[1] In the off-season, the Sonics acquired All-Star forward Vin Baker from the Milwaukee Bucks in a three-team trade.[2][3][4][5][6] The team also re-acquired former Sonics star and sharp shooter Dale Ellis from the Denver Nuggets,[7][8][9] and signed free agents Jerome Kersey,[10][11] and Greg Anthony.[12][13]

1997–98 Seattle SuperSonics season
Division champions
Head coachGeorge Karl
General managerWally Walker
ArenaKeyArena at Seattle Center
Results
Record61–21 (.744)
PlaceDivision: 1st (Pacific)
Conference: 2nd (Western)
Playoff finishWest Semi-finals
(lost to Lakers 1–4)

Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
TelevisionKSTW
Fox Sports Northwest
RadioKJR
< 1996–97 1998–99 >

The Sonics got off to a fast start with a 13–3 record after a 7-game winning streak in November, despite losing Kersey to a stress fracture in his left foot as he only played just 37 games.[14][15] The team posted an 8-game winning streak between December and January winning 29 of their first 35 games,[16] then later on holding the league's best record before the All-Star break with a 37–10 record.[17] as they finished first place in the Pacific Division tied with the Los Angeles Lakers with a 61–21 record.[18]

Baker averaged 19.2 points and 8.0 rebounds per game, while Gary Payton averaged 19.2 points, 8.3 assists and 2.3 steals per game, and was named to the All-NBA First Team, and the NBA All-Defensive First Team. Baker and Payton were both selected for the 1998 NBA All-Star Game, with head coach George Karl coaching the Western Conference.[19][20][21][22][23] In addition, Detlef Schrempf provided the team with 15.8 points, 7.1 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game, while Ellis played a sixth man role, averaging 11.8 points per game off the bench, while shooting .464 in three-point field goal percentage, and Hersey Hawkins contributed 10.5 points and 1.8 steals per game. Sam Perkins contributed 7.2 points per game off the bench, and starting center Jim McIlvaine led the team with 1.8 blocks per game.[24]

Payton finished in third place in Most Valuable Player voting,[25] while Baker finished in eighth place. Payton also finished in second place in Defensive Player of the Year voting,[26][27] and Ellis finished in third place in Sixth Man of the Year voting.[28][29][30]

In the Western Conference First Round of the playoffs, the Sonics struggled as they trailed 2–1 to the 7th-seeded Minnesota Timberwolves,[31][32][33] but managed to win the series in five games.[34][35][36][37] In the Western Conference Semi-finals, the Sonics faced the 3rd-seeded Lakers, winning Game 1 at home, 106–92.[38][39][40] However, they would lose the next four games to the Lakers, thus the series.[41][42][43][44]

Two weeks after their elimination, Karl was fired as head coach in late May,[45][46][47][48] then was hired three months later by the Milwaukee Bucks,[49][50][51] while long-time Sonics guard Nate McMillan retired after only playing just 18 games this season due to knee surgery.[52][53][54] Also following the season, Perkins signed as a free agent with the Indiana Pacers,[55][56][57] while Kersey signed with the San Antonio Spurs,[58] Anthony signed with the Portland Trail Blazers,[59] McIlvaine was traded to the New Jersey Nets,[60][61][62] and David Wingate signed with the New York Knicks.[63]

Draft picks

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Round Pick Player Position Nationality College
1 23 Bobby Jackson PG/SG   United States Minnesota
2 41 Ed Elisma F   United States Georgia Tech
2 55 Mark Blount C   United States Pittsburgh

Roster

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1997–98 Seattle SuperSonics roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB From
G 2 Anthony, Greg 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 176 lb (80 kg) 1967–11–15 UNLV
F/C 42 Baker, Vin 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 232 lb (105 kg) 1971–11–23 Hartford
G 4 Cotton, James 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1975–12–14 Long Beach State
G/F 3 Ellis, Dale 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 1960–08–06 Tennessee
G 33 Hawkins, Hersey 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1966–09–29 Bradley
F 44 Howard, Stephen   6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1970–07–15 DePaul
F 7 Kersey, Jerome 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1962–06–26 Longwood
C 22 McIlvaine, Jim 7 ft 1 in (2.16 m) 240 lb (109 kg) 1972–07–30 Marquette
G 10 McMillan, Nate 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1964–08–03 NC State
G 20 Payton, Gary 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1968–07–23 Oregon State
F/C 14 Perkins, Sam 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 235 lb (107 kg) 1961–06–14 North Carolina
F 11 Schrempf, Detlef 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 214 lb (97 kg) 1963–01–21 Washington
F 15 Williams, Aaron 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1971–10–02 Xavier
G 25 Wingate, David 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1963–12–15 Georgetown
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)

Legend
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  •   Injured

Regular season

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Season standings

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W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-Seattle SuperSonics 61 21 .744 35–6 26–15 19–5
x-Los Angeles Lakers 61 21 .744  – 33–8 28–13 16–8
x-Phoenix Suns 56 26 .683 5 30–11 26–15 17–7
x-Portland Trail Blazers 46 36 .561 15 26–15 20–21 14–10
Sacramento Kings 27 55 .329 34 21–20 6–35 6–18
Golden State Warriors 19 63 .232 42 12–29 7–34 6–18
Los Angeles Clippers 17 65 .207 44 11–30 6–35 6–18
#
Team W L PCT GB
1 z-Utah Jazz 62 20 .756
2 y-Seattle SuperSonics 61 21 .744 1
3 x-Los Angeles Lakers 61 21 .744 1
4 x-Phoenix Suns 56 26 .683 6
5 x-San Antonio Spurs 56 26 .683 6
6 x-Portland Trail Blazers 46 36 .561 16
7 x-Minnesota Timberwolves 45 37 .549 17
8 x-Houston Rockets 41 41 .500 21
9 Sacramento Kings 27 55 .329 35
10 Dallas Mavericks 20 62 .244 42
11 Vancouver Grizzlies 19 63 .232 43
11 Golden State Warriors 19 63 .232 43
13 Los Angeles Clippers 17 65 .207 45
14 Denver Nuggets 11 71 .134 51

Record vs. opponents

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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

Game log

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Playoffs

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1998 playoff game log
First round: 3–2 (home: 2–1; road: 1–1)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Series
1 April 24 Minnesota W 108–83 Vin Baker (25) Vin Baker (12) Gary Payton (7) KeyArena
17,072
1–0
2 April 26 Minnesota L 93–98 Gary Payton (32) Detlef Schrempf (10) Nate McMillan (6) KeyArena
17,072
1–1
3 April 28 @ Minnesota L 90–98 Gary Payton (26) Vin Baker (12) three players tied (5) Target Center
19,006
1–2
4 April 30 @ Minnesota W 92–88 Payton, Hawkins (24) Vin Baker (12) Gary Payton (8) Target Center
19,006
2–2
5 May 2 Minnesota W 97–84 Gary Payton (29) Detlef Schrempf (11) three players tied (4) KeyArena
17,072
3–2
Conference Semi-finals: 1–4 (home: 1–2; road: 0–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Series
1 May 4 L.A. Lakers W 106–92 Gary Payton (25) Hawkins, Baker (8) Gary Payton (6) KeyArena
17,072
1–0
2 May 6 L.A. Lakers L 68–92 Vin Baker (13) Detlef Schrempf (8) Gary Payton (5) KeyArena
17,072
1–1
3 May 8 @ L.A. Lakers L 103–119 Detlef Schrempf (26) Vin Baker (12) Gary Payton (13) Great Western Forum
17,505
1–2
4 May 10 @ L.A. Lakers L 100–112 Gary Payton (31) Gary Payton (8) Gary Payton (13) Great Western Forum
17,505
1–3
5 May 12 L.A. Lakers L 95–110 Vin Baker (28) Vin Baker (9) Hersey Hawkins (6) KeyArena
17,072
1–4
1998 schedule

Player statistics

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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

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Player GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Gary Payton 82 82 38.4 .453 .338 .744 4.6 8.3 2.3 .2 19.2
Vin Baker 82 82 35.9 .542 .143 .591 8.0 1.9 1.1 1.0 19.2
Hersey Hawkins 82 82 31.7 .440 .415 .868 4.1 2.7 1.8 .2 10.5
Sam Perkins 81 0 20.7 .416 .392 .789 3.1 1.4 .8 .4 7.2
Greg Anthony 80 0 12.8 .430 .415 .663 1.4 2.6 .8 .0 5.2
Dale Ellis 79 0 24.5 .497 .464 .782 2.3 1.1 .8 .1 11.8
Detlef Schrempf 78 78 35.2 .487 .415 .844 7.1 4.4 .8 .2 15.8
Jim McIlvaine 78 72 15.5 .453 .000 .556 3.3 .2 .3 1.8 3.2
Aaron Williams 65 9 11.6 .523 .000 .776 2.3 .2 .3 .6 4.6
David Wingate 58 2 9.4 .471 .429 .517 1.4 .6 .4 .1 2.6
Jerome Kersey 37 2 19.4 .416 .100 .600 3.6 1.2 1.4 .4 6.3
Nate McMillan 18 1 15.5 .343 .441 1.000 2.2 3.1 .8 .2 3.4
Eric Snow 17 0 4.4 .435 .000 .500 .2 .8 .0 .1 1.5
Stephen Howard 13 0 4.1 .381 .500 .9 .2 .2 .1 1.9
James Cotton 9 0 3.7 .381 .000 .889 .7 .0 .1 .1 2.7
George Zidek 6 0 3.7 .214 .500 1.000 .7 .2 .0 .0 1.8

Playoffs

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Player GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Gary Payton 10 10 42.8 .475 .380 .940 3.4 7.0 1.8 .1 24.0
Detlef Schrempf 10 10 37.5 .512 .143 .816 7.7 3.9 .7 .1 16.1
Vin Baker 10 10 37.1 .530 .421 9.4 1.8 1.8 1.5 15.8
Hersey Hawkins 10 10 33.7 .466 .395 .875 5.7 3.6 1.8 .1 13.4
Jerome Kersey 10 5 21.3 .431 .000 .842 4.0 .9 1.0 1.0 7.8
Sam Perkins 10 1 21.0 .381 .417 .600 3.2 1.4 .3 .5 5.4
Dale Ellis 10 0 17.0 .377 .423 .833 1.3 .6 .2 .0 5.6
Greg Anthony 9 0 13.1 .300 .263 .375 1.1 1.1 .6 .1 3.6
Nate McMillan 7 0 14.1 .333 .167 1.000 2.3 2.1 .4 .3 2.3
Jim McIlvaine 6 4 9.8 .300 .000 .500 1.7 .2 .3 1.0 2.2
David Wingate 3 0 4.3 .400 .667 1.3 .7 .3 .0 2.7
Aaron Williams 3 0 2.3 .000 1.000 .3 .0 .0 .3 .7

Awards and records

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Awards

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Records

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Transactions

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Trades

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Free agents

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ 1997–98 Seattle SuperSonics
  2. ^ Roberts, Selena (September 26, 1997). "PRO BASKETBALL; Sonics' Kemp Gets Wish and Is Traded, to Cavs". The New York Times. Retrieved May 15, 2022.
  3. ^ Baker, Chris (September 26, 1997). "Kemp Is Key Player in Three-Way Trade". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 18, 2022.
  4. ^ Sherwin, Bob (September 26, 1997). "Shawn Kemp Moves On -- Reign Comes to an End -- Kemp Is a Cav, Baker Is a Sonic After 3-Way Deal". The Seattle Times. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
  5. ^ "Kemp Is Traded to Cavaliers in Three-Way Deal". The Washington Post. September 26, 1997. Retrieved December 3, 2022.
  6. ^ "Sonics Send Kemp to Cavs in 3-Way Deal". Deseret News. Associated Press. September 26, 1997. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
  7. ^ "Dale Ellis Joins SuperSonics, Again". Associated Press. October 2, 1997. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
  8. ^ "Sonics Trade for Ellis". The Spokesman-Review. Wire Reports. October 3, 1997. Retrieved October 7, 2022.
  9. ^ Wallingford, John (October 3, 1997). "SONICS: Long-Range Bomber Ellis Returns a 'Changed Man'". Kitsap Sun. Retrieved July 8, 2021.
  10. ^ "PLUS: BASKETBALL; Sonics Sign Kersey". The New York Times. Associated Press. September 25, 1997. Retrieved February 2, 2023.
  11. ^ "Sonics Sign Kersey". The Spokesman-Review. Wire Services. September 25, 1997. Retrieved July 11, 2022.
  12. ^ "PLUS: PRO BASKETBALL; Sonics Sign Anthony". The New York Times. Associated Press. October 10, 1997. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
  13. ^ "Anthony Signs with Sonics". The Spokesman-Review. Associated Press. October 10, 1997. Retrieved February 2, 2023.
  14. ^ "The Houston Rockets, Who Will Be Without..." Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. November 26, 1997. Retrieved July 12, 2022.
  15. ^ "Sonics Give Hurt Rookie a Workout". The Spokesman-Review. Tacoma News Tribune. November 27, 1997. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  16. ^ Wise, Mike (January 11, 1998). "PRO BASKETBALL; A Memo to Michael: Watch Out for Sonics". The New York Times. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
  17. ^ "NBA Games Played on February 5, 1998". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
  18. ^ "1997–98 Seattle SuperSonics Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  19. ^ Armour, Terry (January 26, 1998). "Jordan Top All-Star Vote-Getter; Bryant, 19, Youngest Ever Picked". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
  20. ^ Howard-Cooper, Scott (January 28, 1998). "Lakers Get Four-Star Rating as Van Exel, Jones Honored". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  21. ^ "1998 NBA All-Star Recap". NBA.com. NBA.com Staff. September 13, 2021. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  22. ^ "1997-98 All-Star Events and Contestants - in New York". Eskimo North. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
  23. ^ "1998 NBA All-Star Game: East 135, West 114". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved October 13, 2021.
  24. ^ "1997–98 Seattle SuperSonics Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  25. ^ Wise, Mike (May 19, 1998). "THE N.B.A. PLAYOFFS; Jordan Is Winner of M.V.P. a 5th Time". The New York Times. Retrieved September 23, 2022.
  26. ^ "Mutombo NBA's Top Defensive Player". The Washington Post. Associated Press. May 5, 1998. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
  27. ^ "Mutombo Earns Defensive Honor". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. May 6, 1998. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
  28. ^ "Suns Player Wins NBA Sixth 'Manning' Award". Deseret News. Associated Press. April 24, 1998. Retrieved February 2, 2023.
  29. ^ "1997–98 NBA Awards Voting". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 1, 2022.
  30. ^ "1997-98 Regular Season Award Winners". Eskimo.com. Retrieved October 22, 2022.
  31. ^ "N.B.A.: PLAYOFFS; Minnesota Shocks Seattle". The New York Times. Associated Press. April 29, 1998. Retrieved January 18, 2022.
  32. ^ "SuperSonics Facing Elimination Again". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. April 29, 1998. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
  33. ^ "Timberwolves 98, SuperSonics 90". United Press International. April 29, 1998. Retrieved February 24, 2023.
  34. ^ "Seattle 97, Minnesota 84". United Press International. May 2, 1998. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  35. ^ "THE N.B.A. PLAYOFFS; Sonics Advance After Submerging the Spunky Timberwolves". The New York Times. Associated Press. May 3, 1998. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
  36. ^ Heisler, Mark (May 3, 1998). "SuperSonics Put Cubs to Bed". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  37. ^ "1998 NBA Western Conference First Round: Timberwolves vs. SuperSonics". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  38. ^ "N.B.A.: PLAYOFFS; Payton Scores 25 in Game 1". The New York Times. Associated Press. May 5, 1998. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
  39. ^ "Seattle 106, L.A. Lakers 92". United Press International. May 5, 1998. Retrieved February 24, 2023.
  40. ^ Howard-Cooper, Scott (May 6, 1998). "SuperSonics' Rebounding a New Concern". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
  41. ^ "THE N.B.A. PLAYOFFS; The Finals In the West: It's Jazz Vs. Lakers". The New York Times. Associated Press. May 13, 1998. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
  42. ^ Adande, J.A. (May 13, 1998). "In Closing, Karl Keeps His Chin Up". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  43. ^ "Lakers 110, SuperSonics 95". United Press International. May 13, 1998. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  44. ^ "1998 NBA Western Conference Semifinals: Lakers vs. SuperSonics". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  45. ^ "N.B.A.: PLAYOFFS; Karl's Days in Seattle Are Over". The New York Times. Associated Press. May 27, 1998. Retrieved July 26, 2017.
  46. ^ "Sonics Fire Karl, Staff". The Washington Post. May 27, 1998. Retrieved January 4, 2023.
  47. ^ Condotta, Bob (May 27, 1998). "Walker Runs Karl Out of Seattle". The Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). (Tacoma News Tribune). p. C1. Retrieved May 9, 2022.
  48. ^ Cour, Jim (May 27, 1998). "Karl Fired as SuperSonics Coach". Wilmington Morning Star. (North Carolina). Associated Press. p. 1C. Retrieved May 9, 2022.
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