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1996–97 Washington Bullets season

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1996–97 Washington Bullets season
Head coachJim Lynam (fired) (22–24)
Bob Staak (interim) (0–1)
Bernie Bickerstaff (22–13)
General managerWes Unseld
Owner(s)Abe Pollin
ArenaUS Airways Arena (37 games)
Baltimore Arena (4 games)
Results
Record44–38 (.537)
PlaceDivision: 4th (Atlantic)
Conference: 8th (Eastern)
Playoff finishFirst round
(lost to Bulls 0–3)
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
Television
RadioWTOP
< 1995–96 1997–98 >

The 1996–97 NBA season was the Bullets' 36th season in the National Basketball Association.[1] During the off-season, the Bullets acquired Rod Strickland and former Bullets forward Harvey Grant from the Portland Trail Blazers,[2][3][4][5] and signed free agents Tracy Murray,[6][7][8] Jaren Jackson and Lorenzo Williams.[9][10] Despite a stellar season last year, Juwan Howard signed a 7-year $100 million contract with the Miami Heat. However, the deal was voided claiming that Miami exceeded their salary cap;[11][12][13][14][15] the Bullets quickly re-signed Howard, but would lose their first-round draft pick next year.[16][17][18][19][20]

After 46 games into the season, the Bullets fired head coach Jim Lynam,[21][22] then after playing one game under assistant Bob Staak, and holding a 22–25 record at the All-Star break,[23] they hired former Bullets assistant Bernie Bickerstaff as their new coach.[24][25][26] Under Bickerstaff, the Bullets finished the season winning 16 of their final 21 games.[27] On the final day of the regular season on April 20, 1997, the Bullets defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers, 85–81 at the Gund Arena to capture the #8 seed in the Eastern Conference.[28][29][30][31] They finished in fourth place in the Atlantic Division with a 44–38 record, ending an eight-year playoff drought, and making the playoffs for the first time since 1988.[27][32]

Chris Webber averaged 20.1 points, 10.3 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 1.7 steals and 1.9 blocks per game, and was selected for the 1997 NBA All-Star Game in Cleveland, Ohio, which was his first ever All-Star appearance.[33][34][35][36][37] In addition, Howard averaged 19.1 points and 8.0 rebounds per game, while Strickland provided the team with 17.2 points, 8.9 assists and 1.7 steals per game. Meanwhile, Calbert Cheaney and last season's Most Improved Player, Gheorghe Mureșan both contributed 10.6 points per game each, while Mureșan provided with 6.6 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game, and Murray contributed 10.0 points per game off the bench.[38]

In the Eastern Conference First Round of the playoffs, the Bullets were swept by Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen and the defending champion Chicago Bulls in three straight games, losing Game 3 at home by one point, 96–95 after taking a 14–2 lead early in the first quarter.[39][40][41][42] This would be their final playoff appearance until 2005. The Bulls would go on to defeat the Utah Jazz in six games in the NBA Finals, winning their fifth championship in seven years.[43][44][45][46][47] Following the season, Jackson signed as a free agent with the San Antonio Spurs.[48]

For Washington, Game 3 of that series at US Airways Arena was officially their final game as the "Bullets". In 1995, Bullets owner Abe Pollin decided to change the team's name due to gun violence in Washington D.C., and after the assassination of his friend, Israel Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin. On May 15, 1997, the team officially changed its name to the "Wizards", and became known as the "Washington Wizards" the following season.[49][50][51][52][53] However, the Bullets were held up by a copyright lawsuit filed by the Harlem Wizards, a traveling comedy basketball team with the same name. Still, the Bullets won the trademark infringement case, as a court ruling allowed them to change their name to the "Wizards".[54][55][56][57][58]

Draft picks

[edit]
Main article: 1996 NBA draft
Round Pick Player Position Nationality College
2 55 Ronnie Henderson  United States LSU

Roster

[edit]
1996–97 Washington Bullets roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB From
F 50 Amaya, Ashraf 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 230 lb (104 kg) 1971–11–23 Southern Illinois
G 40 Cheaney, Calbert 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 209 lb (95 kg) 1971–07–17 Indiana
C 22 Fish, Matt 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 235 lb (107 kg) 1969–11–18 UNC Wilmington
F 44 Grant, Harvey 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1965–07–04 Oklahoma
F 5 Howard, Juwan 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 240 lb (109 kg) 1973–02–07 Michigan
G 32 Jackson, Jaren 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1967–10–27 Georgetown
G 23 Legler, Tim 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 1966–12–26 La Salle
C 77 Mureșan, Gheorghe 7 ft 7 in (2.31 m) 303 lb (137 kg) 1971–02–14 Romania
F 35 Murray, Tracy 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1971–07–25 UCLA
G 1 Strickland, Rod 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 1966–07–11 DePaul
F 30 Wallace, Ben 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 240 lb (109 kg) 1974–09–10 Virginia Union
F 4 Webber, Chris 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 245 lb (111 kg) 1973–03–01 Michigan
G 12 Whitney, Chris 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 168 lb (76 kg) 1971–10–05 Clemson
C 43 Williams, Lorenzo 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 1969–07–15 Stetson
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
  • Buzz Braman
Legend
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured Injured

Roster
Last transaction: April 16, 1997

Regular season

[edit]

Season standings

[edit]
Atlantic Division
 W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-Miami Heat 61 21 .744 – 29–12 32–9 16–8
x-New York Knicks 57 25 .695 4 31–10 26–15 19–6
x-Orlando Magic 45 37 .549 16 26–15 19–22 13–11
x-Washington Bullets 44 38 .537 17 25–16 19–22 14–10
New Jersey Nets 26 56 .317 35 16–25 10–31 11–13
Philadelphia 76ers 22 60 .268 39 11–30 11–30 11–14
Boston Celtics 15 67 .183 46 11–30 4–37 1–23
1996–97 NBA East standings
#
Eastern Conference
Team W L PCT GB
1 z-Chicago Bulls 69 13 .841 –
2 y-Miami Heat 61 21 .744 8
3 x-New York Knicks 57 25 .695 12
4 x-Atlanta Hawks 56 26 .683 13
5 x-Detroit Pistons 54 28 .659 15
6 x-Charlotte Hornets 54 28 .659 15
7 x-Orlando Magic 45 37 .549 24
8 x-Washington Bullets 44 38 .537 25
9 Cleveland Cavaliers 42 40 .512 27
10 Indiana Pacers 39 43 .476 30
11 Milwaukee Bucks 33 49 .402 36
12 Toronto Raptors 30 52 .366 39
13 New Jersey Nets 26 56 .317 43
14 Philadelphia 76ers 22 60 .268 47
15 Boston Celtics 15 67 .183 54
z – clinched division title
y – clinched division title
x – clinched playoff spot

Record vs. opponents

[edit]
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

[edit]

Regular season

[edit]
1996–97 game log
Total: 44–38 (home: 25–16; road: 19–22)
November: 7–8 (home: 4–5; road: 3–3)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
1 November 1, 1996 @ Orlando W 96–92 Orlando Arena 1–0
2 November 2, 1996 Cleveland L 96–98 (OT) US Airways Arena 1–1
3 November 6, 1996 San Antonio W 96–86 US Airways Arena 2–1
4 November 8, 1996 Charlotte L 87–102 US Airways Arena 2–2
5 November 9, 1996 @ Indiana L 100–103 (OT) Market Square Arena 2–3
6 November 12, 1996 Detroit L 79–92 US Airways Arena 2–4
7 November 13, 1996 @ New Jersey W 106–91 Continental Airlines Arena 3–4
8 November 15, 1996 @ Detroit L 84–95 The Palace of Auburn Hills 3–5
9 November 16, 1996 Boston W 106–92 US Airways Arena 4–5
10 November 20, 1996 Seattle L 110–115 (2OT) US Airways Arena 4–6
11 November 22, 1996 Philadelphia W 88–76 US Airways Arena 5–6
12 November 23, 1996 @ Milwaukee W 95–90 Bradley Center 6–6
13 November 25, 1996 Minnesota W 105–98 US Airways Arena 7–6
14 November 29, 1996 @ Atlanta L 81–110 The Omni 7–7
15 November 30, 1996 Houston L 99–103 US Airways Arena 7–8
December: 8–6 (home: 4–2; road: 4–4)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
16 December 5, 1996 @ Toronto L 80–82 SkyDome 7–9
17 December 7, 1996 Milwaukee L 118–126 US Airways Arena 7–10
18 December 10, 1996 @ New York L 73–85 Madison Square Garden 7–11
19 December 11, 1996 Cleveland W 106–95 US Airways Arena 8–11
20 December 13, 1996 Denver W 108–104 US Airways Arena 9–11
21 December 15, 1996 @ Golden State W 110–102 San Jose Arena 10–11
22 December 16, 1996 @ Sacramento W 97–89 ARCO Arena 11–11
23 December 18, 1996 @ Phoenix L 107–114 America West Arena 11–12
24 December 19, 1996 @ L.A. Clippers W 102–93 Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena 12–12
25 December 22, 1996 @ Vancouver L 87–91 General Motors Place 12–13
26 December 23, 1996 @ Portland W 106–84 Rose Garden Arena 13–13
27 December 27, 1996 Toronto W 100–82 US Airways Arena 14–13
28 December 28, 1996 Atlanta
(at Baltimore, MD) 		W 97–86 Baltimore Arena 15–13
29 December 30, 1996 Charlotte L 92–101 US Airways Arena 15–14
January: 7–8 (home: 4–2; road: 3–6)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
30 January 2, 1997 New York L 80–92 US Airways Arena 15–15
31 January 4, 1997 @ Charlotte W 104–93 Charlotte Coliseum 16–15
32 January 8, 1997 Phoenix W 115–113 (OT) US Airways Arena 17–15
33 January 10, 1997 L.A. Clippers W 102–98 US Airways Arena 18–15
34 January 11, 1997 @ Cleveland W 98–85 Gund Arena 19–15
35 January 13, 1997 @ Miami L 95–93 Miami Arena 19–16
36 January 14, 1997 @ Chicago L 107–108 United Center 19–17
37 January 17, 1997 Miami
(at Baltimore, MD) 		L 92–103 Baltimore Arena 19–18
38 January 18, 1997 @ Boston W 112–106 FleetCenter 20–18
39 January 20, 1997 @ New York L 79–95 Madison Square Garden 20–19
40 January 21, 1997 @ Orlando L 88–93 Orlando Arena 20–20
41 January 24, 1997 @ Atlanta L 105–117 (OT) The Omni 20–21
42 January 25, 1997 Sacramento W 113–105 US Airways Arena 21–21
43 January 28, 1997 Orlando W 102–82 US Airways Arena 22–21
44 January 31, 1997 @ Seattle L 95–97 KeyArena 22–22
February: 3–9 (home: 3–4; road: 0–5)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
45 February 2, 1997 @ L.A. Lakers L 99–129 Great Western Forum 22–23
46 February 3, 1997 @ Utah L 89–111 Delta Center 22–24
47 February 5, 1997 @ Denver L 104–106 McNichols Sports Arena 22–25
All-Star Break
48 February 11, 1997 New York L 92–97 US Airways Arena 22–26
49 February 14, 1997 New Jersey
(at Baltimore, MD) 		W 125–107 Baltimore Arena 23–26
50 February 15, 1997 @ New Jersey L 86–107 Continental Airlines Arena 23–27
51 February 17, 1997 Milwaukee W 95–93 US Airways Arena 24–27
52 February 19, 1997 @ Detroit L 85–100 The Palace of Auburn Hills 24–28
53 February 21, 1997 Chicago L 99–103 US Airways Arena 24–29
54 February 23, 1997 Detroit L 79–85 US Airways Arena 24–30
55 February 25, 1997 Indiana W 108–87 US Airways Arena 25–30
56 February 27, 1997 L.A. Lakers L 107–122 US Airways Arena 25–31
March: 11–4 (home: 6–3; road: 5–1)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
57 March 1, 1997 Golden State W 118–108 US Airways Arena 26–31
58 March 4, 1997 @ Philadelphia W 107–106 CoreStates Center 27–31
59 March 6, 1997 @ Miami W 99–95 Miami Arena 28–31
60 March 7, 1997 Miami L 105–108 (OT) US Airways Arena 28–32
61 March 9, 1997 Philadelphia L 93–99 US Airways Arena 28–33
62 March 12, 1997 Vancouver W 104–82 US Airways Arena 29–33
63 March 14, 1997 @ Milwaukee W 105–96 Bradley Center 30–33
64 March 15, 1997 Utah L 93–100 US Airways Arena 30–34
65 March 17, 1997 @ San Antonio W 109–85 Alamodome 31–34
66 March 18, 1997 @ Dallas W 86–85 Reunion Arena 32–34
67 March 20, 1997 @ Houston L 90–96 The Summit 32–35
68 March 22, 1997 Portland W 108–104 US Airways Arena 33–35
69 March 26, 1997 Boston W 105–92 US Airways Arena 34–35
70 March 28, 1997 Toronto W 113–86 US Airways Arena 35–35
71 March 29, 1997 Dallas
(at Baltimore, MD) 		W 94–87 Baltimore Arena 36–35
April: 8–3 (home: 4–0; road: 4–3)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
72 April 1, 1997 @ Indiana W 104–100 Market Square Arena 37–35
73 April 3, 1997 Chicago W 110–102 US Airways Arena 38–35
74 April 4, 1997 @ Minnesota L 95–97 Target Center 38–36
75 April 6, 1997 @ Boston W 120–114 FleetCenter 39–36
76 April 8, 1997 @ Toronto L 94–100 SkyDome 39–37
77 April 11, 1997 New Jersey W 109–90 US Airways Arena 40–37
78 April 12, 1997 @ Charlotte L 97–99 Charlotte Coliseum 40–38
79 April 14, 1997 @ Philadelphia W 131–110 CoreStates Center 41–38
80 April 16, 1997 Indiana W 103–90 US Airways Arena 42–38
81 April 18, 1997 Orlando W 104–93 US Airways Arena 43–38
82 April 20, 1997 @ Cleveland W 85–81 Gund Arena 44–38
1996–97 schedule

Playoffs

[edit]
1997 playoff game log
First round: 0–3 (home: 0–1; road: 0–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Series
1 April 25, 1997 @ Chicago L 86–98 Juwan Howard (21) Rod Strickland (10) Rod Strickland (8) United Center
24,122 		0–1
2 April 27, 1997 @ Chicago L 104–109 Calbert Cheaney (26) Chris Webber (12) Rod Strickland (8) United Center
24,267 		0–2
3 April 30, 1997 Chicago L 95–96 Rod Strickland (24) Chris Webber (8) Rod Strickland (9) US Airways Arena
18,756 		0–3
1997 schedule

Player statistics

[edit]
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

[edit]
Washington Bullets statistics
Player GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Ashraf Amaya 31 0 4.6 .300 1.000 .536 1.7 .1 .2 .1 1.3
Calbert Cheaney 79 79 30.5 .505 .133 .693 3.4 1.4 1.0 .2 10.6
Matt Fish† 5 0 1.4 .333 1.0 .0 .0 .0 .4
Harvey Grant 78 25 20.6 .411 .315 .769 3.3 .9 .6 .6 4.1
Juwan Howard 82 82 40.5 .486 .000 .756 8.0 3.8 1.1 .3 19.1
Jaren Jackson 75 0 15.1 .407 .335 .768 1.8 .9 .6 .2 5.0
Tim Legler 15 0 12.1 .313 .276 .857 1.4 .5 .2 .3 2.9
Gheorghe Mureșan 73 69 25.3 .604 .618 6.6 .4 .6 1.3 10.6
Tracy Murray 82 1 22.1 .425 .353 .839 3.1 1.0 .8 .2 10.0
Gaylon Nickerson† 1 0 6.0 .333 .000 1.0 .0 1.0 .0 2.0
Rod Strickland 82 81 36.5 .466 .169 .738 4.1 8.9 1.7 .2 17.2
Ben Wallace 34 0 5.8 .348 .300 1.7 .1 .2 .3 1.1
Chris Webber 72 72 39.0 .518 .397 .565 10.3 4.6 1.7 1.9 20.1
Chris Whitney 82 1 13.6 .421 .356 .832 1.3 2.2 .6 .0 5.2
Lorenzo Williams 19 0 13.9 .645 .714 3.6 .2 .3 .4 2.4

Playoffs

[edit]
Washington Bullets statistics
Player GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Calbert Cheaney 3 3 40.0 .439 .000 .750 3.7 1.3 1.0 .7 15.0
Harvey Grant 3 0 9.7 .000 .000 1.3 .0 .0 .7 .0
Juwan Howard 3 3 43.0 .465 .889 6.0 1.7 .7 .7 18.7
Jaren Jackson 3 0 3.7 .000 .7 .3 .0 .0 .0
Tim Legler 3 0 6.3 .000 .000 .500 .3 .7 .0 .0 .3
Gheorghe Mureșan 3 3 23.3 .444 .875 6.0 .0 .0 1.3 5.0
Tracy Murray 3 0 29.0 .567 .500 .941 3.0 .7 1.3 .7 18.3
Rod Strickland 3 3 41.3 .423 .500 .737 6.0 8.3 1.0 .0 19.7
Chris Webber 3 3 35.3 .633 .455 .500 8.0 3.3 .7 2.3 15.7
Chris Whitney 3 0 6.7 .400 .500 1.000 .7 .7 .0 .0 2.3
Lorenzo Williams 2 0 2.5 .0 .0 .0 .0 .0
  • † Denotes player spent time with another team in the season. Stats reflect time with the Bullets only.

Awards and records

[edit]

No Awards.

Transactions

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ 1996-97 Washington Bullets
  2. ^ Bembry, Jerry (July 16, 1996). "Bullets Get Strickland, Grant from Trail Blazers; Washington Deals Wallace and Butler, Signs Murray; Rockets Get Brent Price". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved December 3, 2022.
  3. ^ Hall, Landon (July 16, 1996). "Blazers Send Strickland, Grant to Bullets for Wallace, Butler". Associated Press. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
  4. ^ "Blazers Trade Strickland to Bullets". Tampa Bay Times. July 16, 1996. Archived from the original on June 20, 2023. Retrieved June 20, 2023.
  5. ^ Asher, Mark (July 22, 1996). "Strickland Decision Has Bullets on Hold". The Washington Post. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
  6. ^ Adande, J.A. (October 7, 1996). "Bullets' Front Line a Bonus". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 20, 2023.
  7. ^ Brown, Clifton (November 10, 1996). "Bullets Open Up Their Gifts and Run". The New York Times. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
  8. ^ Adande, J.A. (November 29, 1996). "Murray Takes a Shot at Getting on Track". The Washington Post. Retrieved July 10, 2022.
  9. ^ Parks, Brad (July 27, 1996). "Bullets Sign Williams to Seven-Year Deal". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
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  17. ^ Asher, Mark (August 6, 1996). "Howard's End a Mystery Even with Bullet Signing". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
  18. ^ Asher, Mark (August 6, 1996). "Juwan Howard Re-Signs with Bullets". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
  19. ^ Nakamura, David (August 6, 1996). "If You Can't Stand the Heat..." The Washington Post. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
  20. ^ Goldstein, Alan (August 6, 1996). "Bullets Sign Howard to Contract, too 7-Year, $98M Deal Sets Up Legal Showdown with Punished Heat; Miami Salary Cap at Issue; If Bullets Keep All-Star, They May Lose No. 1 Pick". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
  21. ^ Adande, J.A. (February 6, 1997). ""It Just Wasn't Happening," So Bullets Fire Lynam". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
  22. ^ Schmuck, Peter (February 6, 1997). "Lynam Fired as Bullets Coach; Unseld: "It Wasn't Happening"; Staak Will Serve as Fill-In". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  23. ^ "NBA Games Played on February 6, 1997". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved July 19, 2022.
  24. ^ "Bullets Hire Bickerstaff". The New York Times. Associated Press. February 11, 1997. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  25. ^ Frey, Jennifer (February 12, 1997). "For Bickerstaff, Time to Get a Job and a Haircut". The Washington Post. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
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  29. ^ Adande, J.A. (April 21, 1997). "Rebounding, with Much Emotion". The Washington Post. Retrieved July 1, 2022.
  30. ^ Bembry, Jerry (April 21, 1997). "Last-Chance Bullets Hit Bull's Eye; Washington Rallies Past Cavaliers, 85-81, Gains Playoff Goal; Bulls Series Begins Friday; Longest Postseason Drought in NBA Ends". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
  31. ^ "Washington Bullets at Cleveland Cavaliers Box Score, April 20, 1997". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
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  33. ^ Jorgensen, Loren (February 8, 1997). "No Offense, But Malone Would Rather Be Home". Deseret News. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
  34. ^ Fry, Darrell (February 8, 1997). "On to the Next Stage". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
  35. ^ Merida, Kevin (February 8, 1997). "In Hoop Outposts, They Hope for a Shot". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 22, 2022.
  36. ^ "1997 NBA All-Star Recap". NBA.com. NBA.com Staff. September 13, 2021. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
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  38. ^ "1996–97 Washington Bullets Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  39. ^ Roberts, Selena (May 1, 1997). "Bulls Prevail, But Bullets Go Out Fighting". The New York Times. Retrieved May 12, 2022.
  40. ^ Adande, J.A. (May 1, 1997). "In Their Final Shot, Bullets Just Miss". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 19, 2021.
  41. ^ Armour, Terry (May 1, 1997). "Sweating Bullets". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved October 10, 2022.
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  43. ^ Wise, Mike (June 14, 1997). "A Fistful of Rings: Bulls Grab Fifth Title of 90's". The New York Times. Retrieved June 4, 2022.
  44. ^ Howard-Cooper, Scott (June 14, 1997). "Bulls Get Fifth Element". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 25, 2022.
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  46. ^ Benson, Lee (June 14, 1997). "Chicago Heartbreaker". Deseret News. Retrieved December 12, 2022.
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  49. ^ Justice, Richard (November 10, 1995). "Bullets Seek New Name". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 7, 2022.
  50. ^ Denlinger, Ken (February 12, 1996). "In Name Game, Fans Prefer None of Above". The Washington Post. Retrieved February 2, 2023.
  51. ^ "SPORTS PEOPLE: PRO BASKETBALL; Bullets Will Be Wizards". The New York Times. February 23, 1996. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
  52. ^ Justice, Richard (February 23, 1996). "For Bullets, "Wizards" Casts Magic Spell". The Washington Post. Retrieved July 21, 2017.
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  54. ^ "Harlem Wizards Sue to Stop Name Change". United Press International. June 25, 1996. Retrieved June 20, 2023.
  55. ^ Heath, Thomas (November 6, 1996). "Bullets In a Battle for Name's Sake". The Washington Post. Retrieved February 2, 2023.
  56. ^ Adande, J.A. (December 31, 1996). "Washington's New Name Is Still No Name for Now". The Washington Post. Retrieved February 2, 2023.
  57. ^ Adande, J.A.; Heath, Thomas (January 10, 1997). "Bullets to Find Soon If They Can Change Into Wizards". The Washington Post. Retrieved February 2, 2023.
  58. ^ Heath, Thomas; Adande, J.A. (January 11, 1997). "Court Ruling Allows Bullets to Become Wizards". The Washington Post. Retrieved February 2, 2023.

See also

[edit]
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