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1996–97 Sacramento Kings season

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The 1996–97 NBA season was the Kings' 48th season in the National Basketball Association, and 12th season in Sacramento.[1] During the off-season, the Kings acquired Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf from the Denver Nuggets,[2][3][4][5] and signed free agent Jeff Grayer in January.[6][7] Coming off their first playoff appearance in ten years, expectations in Sacramento were high. However, the Kings struggled with an 8–17 start to the season, as Brian Grant only played just 24 games due to a shoulder injury,[8][9][10] and Billy Owens missed 16 games early into the season with a groin injury.[11][12][13] The Kings would rebound to get back into playoff contention, holding a 21–28 record at the All-Star break.[14]

1996–97 Sacramento Kings season
Head coach
General managerGeoff Petrie
PresidentGeoff Petrie
Owner(s)Jim Thomas
ArenaARCO Arena
Results
Record34–48 (.415)
PlaceDivision: 6th (Pacific)
Conference: 9th (Western)
Playoff finishDid not qualify
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
Television
RadioKHTK
< 1995–96 1997–98 >

However, after holding a 28–32 record as of March 5, 1997,[15] the team went on a 7-game losing streak as head coach Garry St. Jean was fired, and replaced with assistant Eddie Jordan for the remainder of the season.[16][17][18] The Kings finished in sixth place in the Pacific Division with a 34–48 record, missing the playoffs by finishing just two games behind the 8th-seeded Los Angeles Clippers.[19]

Mitch Richmond averaged 25.9 points and 1.5 steals per game, led the Kings with 204 three-point field goals, and was named to the All-NBA Second Team, and selected for the 1997 NBA All-Star Game in Cleveland, Ohio,[20][21][22][23] while Abdul-Rauf finished second on the team in scoring with 13.7 points per game, and Olden Polynice provided the team with 12.5 points and 9.4 rebounds per game. In addition, second-year forward Corliss Williamson showed improvement averaging 11.6 points per game, while Owens provided with 11.0 points and 5.9 rebounds per game, Grant contributed 10.5 points and 5.9 rebounds per game, Michael Smith averaged 6.6 points and 9.5 rebounds per game, and second-year guard Tyus Edney contributed 6.9 points and 3.2 assists per game off the bench.[24]

Following the season, Grant signed as a free agent with the Portland Trail Blazers,[25][26][27][28] while Edney signed with the Boston Celtics,[29][30][31] Duane Causwell was traded to the Miami Heat,[32][33][34] Grayer was released to free agency, and Lionel Simmons retired due to knee surgery, after playing seven seasons in the NBA with the Kings.[35][36][37]

Draft picks

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Main article: 1996 NBA draft
Round Pick Player Position Nationality College
1 14 Peja Stojaković SF   Yugoslavia
2 41 Jason Sasser SF   United States Texas Tech

Roster

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1996–97 Sacramento Kings roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB From
G 3 Abdul-Rauf, Mahmoud 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 162 lb (73 kg) 1969–03–09 LSU
C 31 Causwell, Duane 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 240 lb (109 kg) 1968–05–31 Temple
G 5 Edney, Tyus 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) 152 lb (69 kg) 1973–02–14 UCLA
G/F 40 Gamble, Kevin 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1965–11–13 Iowa
F 33 Grant, Brian 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 254 lb (115 kg) 1972–03–05 Xavier
G 20 Grayer, Jeff 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 1965–12–17 Iowa State
G 7 Hurley, Bobby 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 165 lb (75 kg) 1971–06–28 Duke
F 30 Owens, Billy 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1969–05–01 Syracuse
C 0 Polynice, Olden 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1964–11–21 Virginia
G 2 Richmond, Mitch 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1965–06–30 Kansas State
C 32 Salvadori, Kevin 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 231 lb (105 kg) 1970–12–30 North Carolina
F 22 Simmons, Lionel 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1968–11–14 La Salle
F 34 Smith, Michael 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 230 lb (104 kg) 1972–03–28 Providence
F 4 Williamson, Corliss 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 245 lb (111 kg) 1973–12–04 Arkansas
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  •   Injured

Roster
Last transaction: March 21, 1997

Regular season

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Season standings

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Pacific Division
 W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-Seattle SuperSonics 57 25 .695 – 31–10 26–15 16–8
x-Los Angeles Lakers 56 26 .683 1 31–10 25–16 18–6
x-Portland Trail Blazers 49 33 .598 8 29–12 20–21 15–9
x-Phoenix Suns 40 42 .488 17 25–16 15–26 13–11
x-Los Angeles Clippers 36 46 .439 21 21–20 15–26 10–14
Sacramento Kings 34 48 .415 23 22–19 12–29 8–16
Golden State Warriors 30 52 .366 27 18–23 12–29 4–20
1996–97 NBA West standings
#
Western Conference
Team W L PCT GB
1 c-Utah Jazz 64 18 .780 –
2 y-Seattle SuperSonics 57 25 .695 7
3 x-Houston Rockets 57 25 .695 7
4 x-Los Angeles Lakers 56 26 .683 8
5 x-Portland Trail Blazers 49 33 .598 15
6 x-Minnesota Timberwolves 40 42 .488 24
7 x-Phoenix Suns 40 42 .488 24
8 x-Los Angeles Clippers 36 46 .439 28
9 Sacramento Kings 34 48 .415 30
10 Golden State Warriors 30 52 .366 34
11 Dallas Mavericks 24 58 .293 40
12 Denver Nuggets 21 61 .256 43
13 San Antonio Spurs 20 62 .244 44
14 Vancouver Grizzlies 14 68 .171 50
z - clinched division title
y - clinched division title
x - clinched playoff spot

Record vs. opponents

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1996-97 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 – 3–1 1–3 1–3 3–1 2–0 1–1 1–3 2–0 1–1 3–1 2–0 1–1 1–2 4–0 2–0 3–1 1–3 3–1 4–0 1–1 2–0 2–0 2–0 1–1 4–0 1–1 2–0 2–1
Boston 1–3 – 0–4 0–4 1–2 1–1 1–1 0–4 1–1 0–2 1–2 0–2 1–1 0–4 1–3 0–2 0–4 0–4 0–4 1–3 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 0–2 3–1 0–2 0–2 0–4
Charlotte 3–1 4–0 – 0–4 3–1 1–1 2–0 2–2 2–0 2–0 2–2 1–1 1–1 1–2 2–2 2–0 4–0 3–1 1–2 4–0 1–1 0–2 2–0 2–0 2–0 2–2 0–2 2–0 3–1
Chicago 3–1 4–0 4–0 – 3–1 2–0 2–0 3–1 2–0 1–1 4–0 2–0 1–1 2–2 4–0 2–0 3–1 2–2 3–0 4–0 2–0 2–0 2–0 2–0 2–0 3–1 1–1 2–0 2–1
Cleveland 1–3 2–1 1–3 1–3 – 2–0 1–1 2–2 1–1 0–2 3–1 2–0 1–1 0–4 2–2 2–0 4–0 1–3 2–2 3–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 0–2 0–2 3–1 1–1 2–0 1–3
Dallas 0–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–2 – 3–1 0–2 0–4 0–4 1–1 2–2 0–4 0–2 0–2 1–3 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–3 1–3 2–2 1–3 1–3 0–2 1–3 3–1 0–2
Denver 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–2 1–1 1–3 – 0–2 1–3 1–3 0–2 1–3 0–4 0–2 1–1 0–4 1–1 0–2 0–2 1–1 2–2 0–4 2–2 2–2 0–4 1–1 0–4 3–1 1–1
Detroit 3–1 4–0 2–2 1–3 2–2 2–0 2–0 – 2–0 1–1 3–1 2–0 1–1 0–4 3–1 2–0 4–0 1–2 2–2 2–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 3–1 1–1 2–0 4–0
Golden State 0–2 1–1 0–2 0–2 1–1 4–0 3–1 0–2 – 0–4 1–1 1–3 0–4 0–2 1–1 1–3 2–0 0–2 1–1 2–0 0–4 2–2 1–3 4–0 0–4 2–0 0–4 3–1 0–2
Houston 1–1 2–0 0–2 1–1 2–0 4–0 3–1 1–1 4–0 – 1–1 3–1 3–1 0–2 1–1 4–0 2–0 1–1 0–2 2–0 2–2 2–2 4–0 3–1 3–1 1–1 2–2 3–1 2–0
Indiana 1–3 2–1 2–2 0–4 1–3 1–1 2–0 1–3 1–1 1–1 – 2–0 1–1 1–3 2–2 2–0 2–2 1–3 1–3 3–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 4–0 0–2 2–0 1–3
L.A. Clippers 0–2 2–0 1–1 0–2 0–2 2–2 3–1 0–2 3–1 1–3 0–2 – 2–2 0–2 2–0 1–3 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 2–2 0–4 2–2 4–0 1–3 2–0 1–3 4–0 0–2
L.A. Lakers 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 4–0 4–0 1–1 4–0 1–3 1–1 2–2 – 1–1 2–0 3–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 4–0 1–3 4–0 2–2 3–1 1–1 1–3 4–0 2–0
Miami 2–1 4–0 2–1 2–2 4–0 2–0 2–0 4–0 2–0 2–0 3–1 2–0 1–1 – 4–0 1–1 3–1 1–3 2–2 3–1 2–0 1–1 2–0 2–0 0–2 3–1 0–2 2–0 3–1
Milwaukee 0–4 3–1 2–2 0–4 2–2 2–0 1–1 1–3 1–1 1–1 2–2 0–2 0–2 0–4 – 0–2 2–1 1–2 2–2 3–1 1–1 0–2 0–2 1–1 1–1 3–1 1–1 2–0 1–3
Minnesota 0–2 2–0 0–2 0–2 0–2 3–1 4–0 0–2 3–1 0–4 0–2 3–1 1–3 1–1 2–0 – 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 3–1 2–2 0–4 4–0 0–4 1–1 1–3 4–0 1–1
New Jersey 1–3 4–0 0–4 1–3 0–4 1–1 1–1 0–4 0–2 0–2 2–2 1–1 0–2 1–3 1–2 0–2 – 2–2 1–3 2–2 1–1 0–2 1–1 2–0 1–1 0–3 0–2 2–0 1–3
New York 3–1 4–0 1–3 2–2 3–1 1–1 2–0 2–1 2–0 1–1 3–1 2–0 1–1 3–1 2–1 1–1 2–2 – 3–1 3–2 1–1 1–1 2–0 2–0 0–2 3–0 1–1 2–0 4–0
Orlando 1–3 4–0 2–1 0–3 2–2 1–1 2–0 2–2 1–1 2–0 3–1 1–1 1–1 2–2 2–2 1–1 3–1 1–3 – 2–2 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 4–0 0–2 1–1 1–3
Philadelphia 0–4 3–1 0–4 0–4 0–3 0–2 1–1 1–2 0–2 0–2 0–3 1–1 0–2 1–3 1–3 1–1 2–2 2–3 2–2 – 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 0–2 1–3 0–2 2–0 1–3
Phoenix 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 3–1 2–2 2–0 4–0 2–2 1–1 2–2 0–4 0–2 1–1 1–3 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 – 1–3 4–0 3–1 2–2 0–2 1–3 2–2 1–1
Portland 0–2 1–1 2–0 0–2 1–1 3–1 4–0 1–1 2–2 2–2 1–1 4–0 3–1 1–1 2–0 2–2 2–0 1–1 0–2 1–1 3–1 – 2–2 4–0 1–3 0–2 2–2 4–0 0–2
Sacramento 0–2 2–0 0–2 0–2 0–2 2–2 2–2 1–1 3–1 0–4 1–1 2–2 0–4 0–2 2–0 4–0 1–1 0–2 1–1 2–0 0–4 2–2 – 3–1 1–3 1–1 0–4 4–0 0–2
San Antonio 0–2 1–1 0–2 0–2 2–0 3–1 2–2 0–2 0–4 1–3 1–1 0–4 2–2 0–2 1–1 0–4 0–2 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–3 0–4 1–3 – 0–4 1–1 1–3 1–3 0–2
Seattle 1–1 2–0 0–2 0–2 2–0 3–1 4–0 1–1 4–0 1–3 1–1 3–1 1–3 2–0 1–1 4–0 1–1 2–0 1–1 2–0 2–2 3–1 3–1 4–0 – 2–0 1–3 4–0 2–0
Toronto 0–4 1–3 2–2 1–3 1–3 2–0 1–1 1–3 0–2 1–1 0–4 0–2 1–1 1–3 1–3 1–1 3–0 0–3 0–4 3–1 2–0 2–0 1–1 1–1 0–2 – 1–1 1–1 2–2
Utah 1–1 2–0 2–0 1–1 1–1 3–1 4–0 1–1 4–0 2–2 2–0 3–1 3–1 2–0 1–1 3–1 2–0 1–1 2–0 2–0 3–1 2–2 4–0 3–1 3–1 1–1 – 4–0 2–0
Vancouver 0–2 2–0 0–2 0–2 0–2 1–3 1–3 0–2 1–3 1–3 0–2 0–4 0–4 0–2 0–2 0–4 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–2 2–2 0–4 0–4 3–1 0–4 1–1 0–4 – 1–1
Washington 1–2 4–0 1–3 1–2 3–1 2–0 1–1 0–4 2–0 0–2 3–1 2–0 0–2 1–3 3–1 1–1 3–1 0–4 3–1 3–1 1–1 2–0 2–0 2–0 0–2 2–2 0–2 1–1 —

Game log

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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

Regular season

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Player GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Olden Polynice 82 82 35.3 .457 .000 .562 9.4 2.2 .6 1.0 12.5
Mitch Richmond 81 81 38.6 .454 .428 .861 3.9 4.2 1.5 .3 25.9
Michael Smith 81 52 31.2 .539 .496 9.5 2.4 1.0 .7 6.6
Corliss Williamson 79 31 25.2 .498 .000 .689 4.1 1.6 .8 .6 11.6
Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf 75 51 28.4 .445 .382 .846 1.6 2.5 .7 .1 13.7
Tyus Edney 70 20 19.7 .384 .190 .823 1.6 3.2 .9 .0 6.9
Billy Owens 66 56 30.2 .467 .347 .697 5.9 2.8 .9 .4 11.0
Kevin Gamble 62 2 15.4 .430 .482 .700 1.7 1.2 .3 .3 5.0
Bobby Hurley 49 12 12.9 .368 .311 .698 .8 3.0 .6 .1 2.9
Duane Causwell 46 8 12.6 .511 .667 .541 2.8 .4 .3 .8 2.6
Lionel Simmons 41 0 12.7 .331 .233 .875 2.5 1.4 .2 .3 3.4
Jeff Grayer 25 0 12.6 .458 .364 .550 1.5 1.0 .3 .3 3.6
Brian Grant 24 15 25.3 .440 .778 5.9 1.2 .8 1.0 10.5
Kevin Salvadori 23 0 6.7 .364 .722 1.1 .4 .1 .6 1.6
Lloyd Daniels† 5 0 5.6 .125 .182 .8 .2 .2 .0 1.2
Devin Gray† 3 0 8.3 .273 .500 3.0 .7 1.0 .0 2.7
  • † Denotes player spent time with another team in the season. Stats reflect time with the Kings only.

Awards and records

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Transactions

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References

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  1. ^ 1996-97 Sacramento Kings
  2. ^ "Nuggets Trade Abdul-Rauf to Sacramento". United Press International. June 13, 1996. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
  3. ^ "PRO BASKETBALL; Nuggets Trade Abdul-Rauf, Acquire Pacers' Jackson". The New York Times. Associated Press. June 14, 1996. Retrieved July 31, 2021.
  4. ^ "In One of Two Deals, Abdul-Rauf Is Traded". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. June 14, 1996. Retrieved July 17, 2022.
  5. ^ "Rose, Abdul-Rauf Traded". The Spokesman-Review. Wire Reports. June 14, 1996. Retrieved June 20, 2023.
  6. ^ "Results Plus". The New York Times. February 4, 1997. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
  7. ^ "Kings 85, Spurs 79". The Oklahoman. February 4, 1997. Retrieved December 25, 2023.
  8. ^ Massel, Craig (November 11, 1996). "Kemp Is Too Much for Kings: Injured Grant Watches as He Goes Wild in First". Recordnet.com. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
  9. ^ "Kings' Grant to Have Shoulder Surgery". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. November 15, 1996. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
  10. ^ Baker, Chris (December 14, 1996). "Clippers Tonight". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 28, 2021.
  11. ^ Massel, Craig (October 8, 1996). "Owner Likes Having Camp in Stockton". Recordnet.com. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
  12. ^ Massel, Craig (October 11, 1996). "Owens, Grant Are Out: Ailing Forwards Will Rest Tonight". Recordnet.com. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
  13. ^ Steele, David (October 12, 1996). "Fresh Warriors Overthrow Kings". SFGate. Retrieved May 1, 2023.
  14. ^ "NBA Games Played on February 6, 1997". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  15. ^ "Denver Nuggets at Sacramento Kings Box Score, March 5, 1997". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved July 12, 2022.
  16. ^ "Kings Fire St. Jean". The New York Times. Associated Press. March 21, 1997. Retrieved June 6, 2022.
  17. ^ "St. Jean Fired as Coach of Fading Kings". Los Angeles Times. Times Wire Services. March 21, 1997. Retrieved February 28, 2017.
  18. ^ Harris, Rich (March 21, 1997). "Kings Fire Garry St. Jean". Associated Press. Retrieved March 21, 2023.
  19. ^ "1996–97 Sacramento Kings Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
  20. ^ Jorgensen, Loren (February 8, 1997). "No Offense, But Malone Would Rather Be Home". Deseret News. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
  21. ^ Fry, Darrell (February 8, 1997). "On to the Next Stage". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
  22. ^ "1997 NBA All-Star Recap". NBA.com. NBA.com Staff. September 13, 2021. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  23. ^ "1997 NBA All-Star Game: East 132, West 120". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved November 27, 2021.
  24. ^ "1996–97 Sacramento Kings Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
  25. ^ "Trail Blazers Sign Grant to 7-Year, $63-Million Deal". Los Angeles Times. Staff and Wire Reports. August 24, 1997. Retrieved July 28, 2021.
  26. ^ "NBA -- Blazers Sign Brian Grant; Clifford Robinson Is Out". The Seattle Times. Associated Press. August 24, 1997. Retrieved June 20, 2023.
  27. ^ "Blazers Sign Brian Grant". The Spokesman-Review. Wire Services. August 24, 1997. Retrieved July 17, 2022.
  28. ^ "Blazers Get Grant for $63-Million". Tampa Bay Times. August 24, 1997. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
  29. ^ "Celtics Sign Chris Mills and Tyus Edney". Associated Press. August 22, 1997. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
  30. ^ "Celtics Sign 2 Free Agents". The New York Times. Bloomberg News. August 23, 1997. Retrieved January 19, 2022.
  31. ^ "Transactions". Hartford Courant. August 23, 1997. Retrieved October 4, 2022.
  32. ^ "Heat Acquires Causwell". The New York Times. Associated Press. August 13, 1997. Retrieved October 4, 2022.
  33. ^ "Mullin to Join Bird in Indiana". The Spokesman-Review. Wire Reports. August 13, 1997. Retrieved June 20, 2023.
  34. ^ Russo, Michael (August 14, 1997). "Heat Deals 2 Reserves to Kings for 7-Foot Causwell". Sun Sentinel. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
  35. ^ "Transactions". The New York Times. October 31, 1997. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
  36. ^ "Hill, Payton Head Team". The Spokesman-Review. Wire Reports. October 31, 1997. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
  37. ^ "N.B.A.: LAST NIGHT; Barkley's Back for the Rockets". The New York Times. Associated Press. November 1, 1997. Retrieved December 1, 2022.

See also

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