1996–97 Minnesota Timberwolves season

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The

Stojko Vrankovic during the off-season.[12] However, Michael Williams would miss the entire season with a strained plantar fascia in his left heel.[13][14]

After a 7–8 start to the season, the Timberwolves lost nine of their next ten games, but then played around .500 as the season progressed, holding a 23–25 record at the All-Star break.[15] The addition of Marbury made a positive effect on the entire team, as second-year star Kevin Garnett and Tom Gugliotta became the first Wolves to be selected to the All-Star team, both being selected for the 1997 NBA All-Star Game, which was Garnett's first ever All-Star appearance.[16][17][18][19][20] The Timberwolves went on to make their first ever playoff appearance, finishing third in the Midwest Division with a 40–42 record, which was below .500, but still good enough for the #6 seed in the Western Conference.[21]

Gugliotta led the team with 20.6 points, 8.7 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game, while Garnett averaged 17.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 1.4 steals and 2.1 blocks per game, and Marbury provided the team with 15.8 points and 7.8 assists per game, playing in 67 games due to ankle and thigh injuries.[22][23][24] Marbury was selected to the NBA All-Rookie First Team, and also finished in second place in Rookie of the Year voting behind Allen Iverson of the Philadelphia 76ers.[25][26][27] In addition, Sam Mitchell played a sixth man role, averaging 9.3 points and 4.0 rebounds per game off the bench, while Garrett provided with 8.0 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game, and Doug West contributed 7.8 points per game. Off the bench, Robinson contributed 8.3 points per game, and Terry Porter provided with 6.9 points and 3.6 assists per game.[28]

However, in the Western Conference First Round of the

playoffs, the Timberwolves were swept by the Houston Rockets in three straight games.[29][30][31][32] Following the season, Garrett signed as a free agent with the Denver Nuggets,[33][34][11] while Robinson signed with the Los Angeles Clippers,[35][36] and Vrankovic was traded to the Clippers.[37][38][39]

For the season, the Timberwolves revealed a new primary logo of a gray wolf with pine trees,[40] and changed their uniforms adding dark blue and black to their color scheme.[41][42] Their primary logo and uniforms both remained in use until 2008.

Draft picks

Main article: 1996 NBA draft
Round Pick Player Position Nationality College
1 5 Ray Allen SG  United States Connecticut

Roster

1996–97 Minnesota Timberwolves roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB From
G
 		43 Carr, Chris 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 207 lb (94 kg) 1974–03–12 Southern Illinois
F
 		17 Curley, Bill Injured (IN) 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1972–05–29 Boston College
F
 		21 Garnett, Kevin 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1976–05–19 Farragut Academy HS (IL)
C 22 Garrett, Dean 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1966–11–27 Indiana
F
 		24 Gugliotta, Tom 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 240 lb (109 kg) 1969–12–19 NC State
G
 		10 Heal, Shane 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1970–09–06 Upper Yarra Secondary College (HS)
G
 		31 Jordan, Reggie 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1968–01–26 New Mexico State
G
 		3 Marbury, Stephon 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1977–02–20
Georgia Tech
F
 		42 Mitchell, Sam 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1963–09–02 Mercer
C 44 Parks, Cherokee 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 235 lb (107 kg) 1972–10–11 Duke
G
 		30 Porter, Terry 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1963–04–08 UW–Stevens Point
G
 		26 Robinson, James 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1970–08–31 Alabama
C 11 Vranković, Stojko 7 ft 2 in (2.18 m) 260 lb (118 kg) 1964–01–22 Croatia
G
 		5 West, Doug 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 1967–05–27 Villanova
G
 		4 Williams, Micheal Injured (IN) 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 1966–07–23 Baylor
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • (IN) Inactive
  • Injured Injured

Roster
Last transaction: {{{access-date}}}

Roster Notes

  • Power forward Bill Curley missed the entire season rehabilitating from surgery on his right knee.[43][44]
  • Point guard Michael Williams missed the entire season due to a sore left heel injury.

Regular season

Season standings

Midwest Division
 W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-Utah Jazz 64 18 .780 – 38–3 26–15 19–5
x-Houston Rockets 57 25 .695 7 30–11 27–14 19–5
x-Minnesota Timberwolves 40 42 .488 24 25–16 15–26 16–8
Dallas Mavericks 24 58 .293 40 14–27 10–31 9–15
Denver Nuggets 21 61 .256 43 12–29 9–32 7–17
San Antonio Spurs 20 62 .244 44 12–29 8–33 8–16
Vancouver Grizzlies 14 68 .171 50 8–33 6–35 6–18
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

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

Playoffs

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 24 @ Houston L 95–112 Stephon Marbury (28) Kevin Garnett (9) three players tied (4)
The Summit

16,285 		0–1
2 April 26 @ Houston L 84–96 Stephon Marbury (22) Dean Garrett (14) Stephon Marbury (6)
The Summit

16,285 		0–2
3 April 29 Houston L 120–125 Tom Gugliotta (27) Dean Garrett (15) Stephon Marbury (13) Target Center
19,006 		0–3
1997 schedule

Player statistics

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

NOTE: Please write the players statistics in alphabetical order by last name.

Season

Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Chris Carr
Kevin Garnett
Dean Garrett
Tom Gugliotta
Shane Heal
Reggie Jordan
Stephon Marbury
Sam Mitchell
Cherokee Parks
Terry Porter
James Robinson
Stojko Vranković
Doug West

Playoffs

Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Chris Carr
Kevin Garnett
Dean Garrett
Tom Gugliotta
Shane Heal
Stephon Marbury
Sam Mitchell
Cherokee Parks
Terry Porter
James Robinson
Stojko Vranković
Doug West

Awards and records

Transactions

References

  1. ^ 1996-97 Minnesota Timberwolves
  2. ^ Brown, Clifton (June 27, 1996). "PRO BASKETBALL; Big Trade and Some Twists in N.B.A. Youth Parade". The New York Times. Retrieved July 12, 2022.
  3. ^ Heisler, Mark (June 27, 1996). "The Surprises Are Few". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
  4. ^ Cotton, Anthony (June 27, 1996). "For 76ers, Iverson Is No. 1 Choice". The Washington Post. Retrieved July 25, 2021.
  5. ^ Bembry, Jerry (June 27, 1996). "76ers Make Iverson the 1, Philadelphia Takes Georgetown Guard; Camby Goes Second". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  6. ^ "1996 NBA Draft". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
  7. ^ "Portland Gets Rider, Signs Anderson". Los Angeles Times. Staff and Wire Reports. July 24, 1996. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
  8. ^ "Rider Traded to Blazers for 2 Players". United Press International. July 24, 1996. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
  9. ^ Storm, Rich (June 30, 1996). "Mavs Deal Parks to Timberwolves". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved October 4, 2022.
  10. ^ "Mavs Trade Parks to T-Wolves". The Spokesman-Review. Wire Services. June 30, 1996. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
  11. ^ a b Kurkjian, Tim (November 10, 1997). "NO.5: Denver Nuggets". Sports Illustrated Vault. Retrieved September 25, 2023.
  12. ^ Steele, David (October 30, 1996). "WEDNESDAY SPECIAL -- NBA PREVIEW; 1996-97 NBA Team-by-Team". SFGate. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
  13. ^ "PLUS: BASKETBALL; Williams Cleared". The New York Times. Associated Press. September 26, 1997. Retrieved November 8, 2022.
  14. ^ "Timberwolves' Williams Finally Returns". United Press International. December 12, 1997. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
  15. ^ "NBA Games Played on February 6, 1997". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  16. ^ Jorgensen, Loren (February 8, 1997). "No Offense, But Malone Would Rather Be Home". Deseret News. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
  17. ^ Fry, Darrell (February 8, 1997). "On to the Next Stage". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
  18. ^ Smith, Sam (February 9, 1997). "From Farragut Academy to All-Star in Only 2 Years". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved July 3, 2021.
  19. ^ "1997 NBA All-Star Recap". NBA.com. NBA.com Staff. September 13, 2021. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  20. ^ "1997 NBA All-Star Game: East 132, West 120". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved November 27, 2021.
  21. ^ "1996–97 Minnesota Timberwolves Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  22. ^ Bembry, Jerry (November 28, 1996). "Marbury Step Slow in Move; Rookie: Only an Ankle Injury Is Stopping Minnesota's Stephon Marbury from Getting a Foot Up in the NBA". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  23. ^ "Marbury Is Sidelined". The New York Times. Associated Press. January 24, 1997. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  24. ^ "O'Neal Gets 12, Then Leaves with Injury". The New York Times. Associated Press. February 13, 1997. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  25. ^ "Iverson Is Voted Top Rookie". The New York Times. Associated Press. May 2, 1997. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
  26. ^ "Iverson Calls Rookie Award a Triumph Over His Critics". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. May 2, 1997. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
  27. ^ "1996–97 NBA Awards Voting". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 2, 2022.
  28. ^ "1996–97 Minnesota Timberwolves Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  29. ^ "Rockets Eliminate Wolves; Suns Take Lead Over Sonics". Chicago Tribune. Tribune News Services. April 30, 1997. Retrieved June 3, 2022.
  30. ^ "Houston Moves On; Orlando Stays Alive". Deseret News. Associated Press. April 30, 1997. Retrieved July 2, 2021.
  31. ^ "1997 NBA Western Conference First Round Game 3: Houston Rockets at Minnesota Timberwolves Box Score, April 29, 1997". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  32. ^ "1997 NBA Western Conference First Round: Timberwolves vs. Rockets". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  33. ^ "The Denver Nuggets Continued Their Massive Rebuilding..." Los Angeles Times. Staff and Wire Reports. September 6, 1997. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
  34. ^ Harding, Jim (September 7, 1997). "Garrett Latest Addition to New-Look Nuggets". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved August 26, 2022.
  35. ^ "Clippers Sign James Robinson for $10.5 Million". Los Angeles Times. August 17, 1997. Retrieved September 17, 2022.
  36. ^ Baker, Chris (December 28, 1997). "Robinson Resuscitates Clippers". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
  37. ^ Gardner, Kris (June 25, 1997). "ARCHIVE: Houston Roundball Review NBA Trade Analyses -- 1997 NBA Draft Day Deals". The Houston Roundball Review. Retrieved September 25, 2023.
  38. ^ Howard-Cooper, Scott (June 26, 1997). "Draft Over, But Not Finished". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
  39. ^ Howard-Cooper, Scott (June 27, 1997). "Goodbye, Stanley, We Barely Knew You". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
  40. ^ "Minnesota Timberwolves Logo". Chris Creamer's Sports Logos Page - SportsLogos.Net. Retrieved July 7, 2021.
  41. ^ "Minnesota Timberwolves Uniform". Chris Creamer's Sports Logos Page - SportsLogos.Net. Retrieved July 7, 2021.
  42. ^ "Minnesota Timberwolves Uniform". Chris Creamer's Sports Logos Page - SportsLogos.Net. Retrieved July 7, 2021.
  43. ^ "Injuries Threat to Ford's Job". The Spokesman-Review. Wire Reports. March 17, 1998. Retrieved May 1, 2023.
  44. ^ "Spurs Tame T'Wolves 92-76". CBS News. CBS News.com Staff. March 19, 1998. Retrieved May 1, 2023.

See also

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