Head coach Gregg Popovich Arena Alamodome | Owner(s) Peter Holt Record 56–26 (.683) | |
Place Division: 2nd (Midwest)
Conference: 4th (Western) Playoff finish West Semifinals
(eliminated 1–4) | ||
The 1997–98 San Antonio Spurs season was the 31st as a franchise, the 25th in San Antonio, and the 22nd season in the National Basketball Association (NBA). After finishing with the third-worst record in 1996–97, the Spurs won the 1997 NBA Draft Lottery, dubbed as the "Tim Duncan sweepstakes." During the offseason, the team signed free agents Jaren Jackson and Malik Rose. The Spurs finished second in the Midwest Division with a 56–26 record as Duncan was named Rookie of The Year, and was selected to the 1998 NBA All-Star Game along with David Robinson. In the playoffs, the Spurs defeated the Phoenix Suns 3–1 in the Western Conference First Round, but lost 4–1 to the Utah Jazz in the semifinals. Following the season, Vinny Del Negro signed as a free agent with the Milwaukee Bucks, Chuck Person signed with the Charlotte Hornets, and Monty Williams was released.
Contents
The team's season roster is featured in the video games NBA 2K16 and NBA 2K17.
Tim Duncan
The Spurs were coming off a poor 1996–97 NBA season; in which their best player, David Robinson—himself a number one draft pick in 1987—was sidelined for most of the year with an injury. The Spurs had finished with a 20–62 win-loss record. However, as the 1997–98 NBA season approached, the Spurs were considered a notable threat in the NBA. With both an experienced center in Robinson and the number one pick in Duncan, the Spurs featured one of the best frontcourts in the NBA. Duncan and Robinson became known as the "Twin Towers", having earned a reputation for their exceptional defense close to the basket, forcing opponents to take lower percentage shots from outside. From the beginning, Duncan established himself as a quality player: in his second-ever road game, he grabbed 22 rebounds against opposing Chicago Bulls power forward Dennis Rodman, a multiple rebounding champion and NBA Defensive Player of the Year.
Later, when Duncan played against opposing Houston Rockets Hall-of-Fame power forward Charles Barkley, Barkley was so impressed he said: "I have seen the future and he wears number 21 [Duncan's jersey number]." In his rookie season, Duncan lived up the expectations of being the number one draft pick, starting in all 82 regular-season games, and averaging 21.1 points, 11.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.5 blocks per game. His defensive contributions ensured that he was elected to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team and was also named NBA Rookie of the Year. Spurs coach Gregg Popovich lauded Duncan's mental toughness, stating his rookie's "demeanor was singularly remarkable", Duncan always "put things into perspective" and never got "too upbeat or too depressed." Center Robinson was equally impressed with Duncan: "He's the real thing. I'm proud of his attitude and effort. He gives all the extra effort and work and wants to become a better player."
West First Round
(4) Phoenix Suns vs. (5) San Antonio Spurs Last Playoff Meeting: 1996 Western Conference First Round (San Antonio won 3-1)
West Conference Semifinals
(1) Utah Jazz vs. (5) San Antonio Spurs Last Playoff Meeting: 1996 Western Conference Semifinals (Utah won 4-2)