1997–98 New Jersey Nets season

1997–98 New Jersey Nets season
Head coach	John Calipari
Arena	Meadowlands Arena
Results
Record	43–39 (.524)
Place	Division: 3rd (Atlantic) Conference: 8th (Eastern)
Playoff finish	Lost 1st Round
Local media
Television	SportsChannel New York, WPXN
Radio	WOR

The 1997-98 NBA season was the Nets' 22nd season in the NBA.^[1] The Nets had a new look and a new logo. A youth movement began to pay off as the Nets made the playoffs with a 43-39 record, as rookie Keith Van Horn shook off an early season injury to lead the team in scoring at 19.7 points per game. However, in the first round of the playoffs, the Nets were given a quick exit by the Chicago Bulls in three straight games. ^[2]

Offseason

NBA Draft

Round	Pick	Player	Position	Nationality	School/Club Team
1	7	Tim Thomas (traded to Philadelphia)	SF	United States	Villanova
1	21	Anthony Parker (from L.A. Lakers)	SG	United States	Bradley

Roster

New Jersey Nets roster
Players	Coaches
Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB (YYYY–MM–DD) From PF 45 Cage, Michael 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 224 lb (102 kg) San Diego State PG 10 Cassell, Sam 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 185 lb (84 kg) Florida State PG 20 Douglas, Sherman 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 180 lb (82 kg) Syracuse SF 11 Evans, Brian 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 220 lb (100 kg) Indiana PF 15 Gatling, Chris 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 220 lb (100 kg) Old Dominion SF 13 Gill, Kendall 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 195 lb (88 kg) Illinois C 54 Haley, Jack 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 240 lb (109 kg) UCLA SG 12 Harris, Lucious 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 190 lb (86 kg) Long Beach State SG 30 Kittles, Kerry 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 179 lb (81 kg) Villanova PF 24 MacLean, Don 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 235 lb (107 kg) UCLA C 2 Seikaly, Rony 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 230 lb (104 kg) Syracuse PF 44 Van Horn, Keith 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 220 lb (100 kg) Utah PF 42 Vaughn, David 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 240 lb (109 kg) Memphis C 55 Williams, Jayson 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 240 lb (109 kg) St. John's	Head coach John Calipari Assistant coach(es) Don Casey Johnny Davis Kenny Gattison Legend (C) Team captain (DP) Unsigned draft pick (FA) Free agent (S) Suspended Injured

Regular season

The Nets began the season by winning their first four games, and maintained a winning record through all 82 games for the first time in the franchise's NBA history. The Nets clinched a playoff berth with a victory over the Detroit Pistons on the final day of the season. It was the Nets first postseason appearance since 1994, and the season brought excitement back to the Meadowlands. The heart and soul of the Nets was center Jayson Williams, who averaged 13.6 rebounds, (2nd in the NBA), and 12.9 points per game.^[3] Williams became the first Net to appear in an All-Star Game since 1994.^[3] After missing the first 17 games of the season due to injury, rookie Keith Van Horn quickly acclimated himself to the NBA game and led the Nets in scoring at 19.7 points per game.^[3] Another strong presence in the frontcourt was forward Kendall Gill, who averaged 13.4 points per game.

The Nets backcourt consisted of Sam Cassell and Kerry Kittles in the backcourt. Cassell ranked second on the team in scoring, behind Van Horn at 19.6 ppg, and led the Nets in assists with 8.0 apg.^[3] Kittles was in his second NBA season, and was third on the team in scoring with 17.2 ppg. The Nets bench included Sherman Douglas (8.0 ppg, 4.0 apg) and Chris Gatling (11.5 ppg, 5.9 rpg). Late in the season, the Nets added depth with the trade for Rony Seikaly, who joined the Nets in a five-player trade with the Orlando Magic on Feb. 19. Seikaly played in only nine games for New Jersey, because of a nagging injury to his right foot.

Season standings

Atlantic Division	W	L	PCT	GB	Home	Road	Div
y-Miami Heat	55	27	.671	–	30-11	25–16	18–6
x-New York Knicks	43	39	.524	12	28–13	15–26	13–11
x-New Jersey Nets	43	39	.524	12	26–15	17–24	12–12
Washington Wizards	42	40	.512	13	24–17	18–23	12–13
Orlando Magic	41	41	.500	14	24–17	17–24	11–13
Boston Celtics	36	46	.439	19	24–17	12–29	12–23
Philadelphia 76ers	31	51	.378	24	19–22	12–29	7–17

Schedule

Game	Date	Opponent	Result	Nets points	Opponents	Record	Streak	Notes
1	Fri, Oct 31, 1997	Indiana Pacers	Win	97	95	1-0	Won 1
2	Sat, Nov 1, 1997	@ Milwaukee Bucks	Win (OT)	113	109	2-0	Won 2
3	Wed, Nov 5, 1997	Golden State Warriors	Win	112	96	3-0	Won 3
4	Fri, Nov 7, 1997	Miami Heat	Win	99	87	4-0	Won 4

^[4]

Playoffs

Injuries would become a problem in the playoffs for the Nets. In Game 1 against Chicago, Cassell nursed a strained groin and Williams played despite a broken thumb. Williams would manage to get 21 rebounds in the game.^[3] The Nets forced overtime at the United Center before falling by a score of 96-93. The Bulls ultimately swept the series, but the Nets' effort suggested that the team had a bright future.

East First Round

(1) Chicago Bulls vs. (8) New Jersey Nets Last Playoff Meeting: This is the first meeting between the Bulls and Nets.

Game	Date	Home	Score	Visitor	Score	Record (CHI-NJN)	Venue	Box score	Television
1*	April 24	Chicago	96	New Jersey	93	1-0	United Center, Chicago, Illinois	1	TNT 8:00et
2	April 26	Chicago	96	New Jersey	91	2-0	United Center, Chicago, Illinois	2	NBC 5:30et
3	April 29	New Jersey	101	Chicago	116	3-0	Continental Airlines Arena, East Rutherford, New Jersey	3	TNT 7:00et
Chicago wins series 3–0

Player stats

Note: GP= Games played; MIN= Minutes; STL= Steals; REB = Rebounds; AST = Assists; BLK = Blocks; PTS = Points

Player	GP	MIN	STL	REB	AST	BLK	PTS

Awards, Records and Honors

• Jayson Williams, NBA All-Star Game
• Keith Van Horn, NBA All-Rookie Team 1st Team

References

1. 1997-98 New Jersey Nets
2. New Jersey Nets (1967-Present)
3. NETS: New Jersey Nets History
4. 1997-98 New Jersey Nets Games - Basketball-Reference.com

• New Jersey Nets on Database Basketball
• New Jersey Nets on Basketball Reference