1997–98 Dallas Mavericks season

1997–98 Dallas Mavericks season
Head coach
General managerDon Nelson
ArenaReunion Arena
Results
Record20–62 (.244)
PlaceDivision: 5th (Midwest)
Conference: 10th (Western)
Playoff finishDid not qualify
Stats at Basketball Reference
Local media
TelevisionKXTX-TV
Fox Sports Southwest
RadioWBAP

The 1997–98 Dallas Mavericks season was the 18th season for the Dallas Mavericks in the National Basketball Association.[1] The Mavericks had the 15th overall pick in the 1997 NBA draft, and selected center Kelvin Cato out of Iowa State University, but soon traded him to the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for Australian rookie center, and first-round draft pick Chris Anstey; the Mavericks originally had the sixth overall pick in the draft, but traded it to the Boston Celtics.[2][3][4] During the off-season, the team acquired three-point specialist Dennis Scott from the Orlando Magic,[5][6][7] and signed free agent Hubert Davis.[8][9][10]

With the addition of Scott and Davis, the Mavericks won their first three games of the regular season, but continued to struggle posting a 10-game losing streak afterwards. Head coach Jim Cleamons was fired after a 4–12 start to the season, and was replaced with General Manager Don Nelson.[11][12][13] Along the way, forward A.C. Green broke the NBA's "Iron Man" record of most consecutive games played, breaking Randy Smith's record, which was 906 consecutive games.[14][15][16] The Mavericks won their first game under Nelson, in a home victory over the New York Knicks by a score of 105–91 at the Reunion Arena on December 4, 1997.[17] However, the team suffered a 15-game losing streak between December and January afterwards, which led to a dreadful 5–27 start to the season. Players like Shawn Bradley, Robert Pack, Kurt Thomas and second-year forward Samaki Walker all missed large parts of the season due to injuries,[18] as the team held a 9–38 record at the All-Star break.[19]

At mid-season, the team traded Scott to the Phoenix Suns in exchange for Cedric Ceballos;[20][21][22] before the trade, Scott averaged 13.6 points per game in 52 games,[23] while Ceballos only played just twelve games with the Mavericks after the trade, due to a season-ending knee injury.[24][18] The team also signed free agent Shawn Respert, who was previously released by the Toronto Raptors.[25] The Mavericks played around .500 in winning percentage by posting an 8–8 record in March, but then lost eight of their final nine games of the season, finishing in fifth place in the Midwest Division with a 20–62 record, and missing the NBA playoffs for the eighth consecutive year.[26][1]

Michael Finley averaged 21.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 1.6 steals per game, while Ceballos averaged 16.9 points and 6.0 rebounds per game after the trade, and Bradley provided the team with 11.4 points, 8.1 rebounds and 3.3 blocks per game in 64 games. In addition, Davis contributed 11.1 points per game and led the Mavericks with 101 three-point field goals, while Walker provided with 8.9 points and 7.4 rebounds per game in only just 41 games, Khalid Reeves contributed 8.7 points per game, and Pack averaged 7.8 points, 3.5 assists and 1.7 steals per game in only just twelve games. Meanwhile, Respert contributed 8.2 points per game in ten games, second-year guard Erick Strickland provided with 7.6 points and 2.5 assists per game, but only shot .357 in field-goal percentage, Green averaged 7.3 points and 8.1 rebounds per game, Anstey averaged 5.9 points and 3.8 rebounds per game in 41 games, and second-year forward Martin Müürsepp contributed 5.7 points per game also in 41 games.[23]

During the NBA All-Star weekend at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York, Davis participated in the NBA Three-Point Shootout for the second time; Davis lost in the final round to Jeff Hornacek of the Utah Jazz.[27][28][29] Finley finished tied in fourth place in Most Improved Player voting, and also finished tied in 18th place in Most Valuable Player voting.[30][31] The Mavericks finished 26th in the NBA in home-game attendance, with an attendance of 503,936 at the Reunion Arena during the regular season, which was the fourth-lowest in the league.[23][32] Following the season, Thomas signed as a free agent with the New York Knicks,[33][34][35] while Müürsepp and rookie small forward, and second-round draft pick Bubba Wells were both traded to the Phoenix Suns,[36][37] and Respert was released to free agency.

One notable highlight of the regular season occurred on December 6, 1997, in which the Mavericks traveled to Mexico City, Mexico to play against the Houston Rockets at the Palacio de los Deportes (Sports Palace). Despite the Mavericks being the home team, the fans cheered for the Rockets. The Mavericks lost to the Rockets by a score of 108–106, in front of a sellout crowd of 20,635 fans in attendance; Finley led the team with 35 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists. It was the first ever NBA regular season game played in Mexico.[38][39][40]

Another notable highlight of the season occurred on December 29, 1997, in a road game against the 2-time defending NBA champion Chicago Bulls at the United Center; Wells fouled out of the game in just three minutes, which was an NBA record for fouling out in the shortest amount of time. Nelson used a strategy for Wells to foul Bulls forward, and rebound-specialist Dennis Rodman, who is known as a poor free throw shooter. However, the plan backfired as Rodman shot 9–12 from the foul line, and the Bulls defeated the Mavericks by a score of 111–105.[41][42][43] The Bulls would go on to defeat the Utah Jazz in six games in the 1998 NBA Finals for their third consecutive NBA championship, and sixth overall in eight years.[44][45][46]

Offseason

Draft picks

Round Pick Player Position Nationality College
115Kelvin CatoC United StatesIowa State
234Bubba WellsSF/SG United StatesAustin Peay State

Roster

1997–98 Dallas Mavericks roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Player Height Weight DOB From
C 11 Chris Anstey 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 249 lb (113 kg) 1975–01–01 Australia
C 44 Shawn Bradley 7 ft 6 in (2.29 m) 235 lb (107 kg) 1972–03–22 BYU
G/F 23 Cedric Ceballos Injured 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1969–08–02 Cal State Fullerton
G 24 Hubert Davis 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 183 lb (83 kg) 1970–05–17 North Carolina
G/F 4 Michael Finley 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1973–03–06 Wisconsin
F 45 A.C. Green 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1963–10–04 Oregon State
F 13 Martin Müürsepp 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 235 lb (107 kg) 1974–09–26 Estonia
G 14 Robert Pack Injured 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1969–02–03 USC
G 6 Khalid Reeves 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 199 lb (90 kg) 1972–07–15 Arizona
G 21 Shawn Respert 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1972–02–06 Michigan State
C 50 Eric Riley 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 245 lb (111 kg) 1970–06–02 Michigan
G 20 Erick Strickland 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1973–11–25 Nebraska
F 40 Kurt Thomas Injured 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 230 lb (104 kg) 1972–10–04 TCU
F/C 52 Samaki Walker Injured 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 240 lb (109 kg) 1976–02–25 Louisville
G/F 35 Bubba Wells 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 230 lb (104 kg) 1974–07–26 Austin Peay
Head coach
Assistant(s)
Legend
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • (IN) Inactive
  • Injured Injured

Roster
Updated: March 27, 1998

Roster notes

Regular season

Season standings

Midwest Division
 W L PCT GB Home Road Div
z-Utah Jazz 6220.756–36–526–1522–2
x-San Antonio Spurs 5626.683631–1025–1618–6
x-Minnesota Timberwolves 4537.5491726–1519–2214–10
x-Houston Rockets 4141.5002124–1717–2414–10
Dallas Mavericks 2062.2444213–287–349–15
Vancouver Grizzlies 1963.2324314–275–364–20
Denver Nuggets 1171.134519–322–393–21
#
Western Conference
Team W L PCT GB
1 z-Utah Jazz6220.756–
2 y-Seattle SuperSonics6121.7441
3 x-Los Angeles Lakers6121.7441
4 x-Phoenix Suns5626.6836
5 x-San Antonio Spurs5626.6836
6 x-Portland Trail Blazers4636.56116
7 x-Minnesota Timberwolves4537.54917
8 x-Houston Rockets4141.50021
9 Sacramento Kings2755.32935
10 Dallas Mavericks2062.24442
11 Vancouver Grizzlies1963.23243
12 Golden State Warriors1963.23243
13 Los Angeles Clippers1765.20745
14 Denver Nuggets1171.13451
z - clinched division title
y - clinched division title
x - clinched playoff spot

Game log

1997–98 game log
Total: 20–62 (Home: 13–28; Road: 7–34)
October: 0–0 (home: 0–0; road: 0–0)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
November: 0–0 (home: 0–0; road: 0–0)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
December: 0–0 (home: 0–0; road: 0–0)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
January: 0–0 (home: 0–0; road: 0–0)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
February: 0–0 (home: 0–0; road: 0–0)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
March: 0–0 (home: 0–0; road: 0–0)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
April: 0–0 (home: 0–0; road: 0–0)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
1997–98 schedule

Player statistics

Ragular season

Player POS GP GS MP REB AST STL BLK PTS MPG RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Michael FinleySF 82823,394438405132301,76341.45.34.91.6.421.5
A.C. GreenPF 82682,649668123782760032.38.11.51.0.37.3
Khalid ReevesPG 82541,950185230801071723.82.32.81.0.18.7
Hubert DavisSG 81302,37816915743589829.42.11.9.5.111.1
Erick StricklandSG 67191,50516116756851122.52.42.5.8.17.6
Shawn BradleyC 64461,822518605121473128.58.1.9.83.311.4
Dennis Scott†SF 52421,797197129433270734.63.82.5.8.613.6
Samaki WalkerPF 41191,02730224304036525.07.4.6.71.08.9
Chris AnsteyC 41868015735312724016.63.8.9.8.75.9
Martin MüürseppPF 41760311430291423314.72.8.7.7.35.7
Eric RileyC 391454413322154613913.93.4.6.41.23.6
Bubba WellsSG 392395683415412810.11.7.9.4.13.3
Kevin Ollie†PG 1602142132604613.41.32.0.4.02.9
Robert PackPG 121029234422019424.32.83.51.7.17.8
Cedric Ceballos†SF 129364722511820330.36.02.1.9.716.9
Shawn Respert†SG 1002152717508221.52.71.7.5.08.2
Kurt ThomasPF 5073243103714.64.8.6.2.07.4
Adrian CaldwellPF 103000003.0.0.0.0.0.0
  • † Denotes player spent time with another team in the season. Stats reflect time with the Mavericks only.

References

  1. 1 2 "Dallas Mavericks". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved August 6, 2026.
  2. ↑ Wise, Mike (June 26, 1997). "After Duncan, Utah Forward Steals Show". The New York Times. Retrieved May 7, 2026.
  3. ↑ Heisler, Mark (June 26, 1997). "Draft Over, But Not Finished". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 7, 2026.
  4. ↑ "1997 NBA Draft". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved May 7, 2026.
  5. ↑ "PLUS: BASKETBALL; Dallas-Orlando Trade". The New York Times. Associated Press. September 25, 1997. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
  6. ↑ "Nelson Still Dealing, Gets Scott from Magic". Los Angeles Times. Staff and Wire Reports. September 25, 1997. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
  7. ↑ Johnson, L.C. (September 25, 1997). "Trade Lets Magic Get Rid of Scott". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved September 23, 2022.
  8. ↑ "Two Free Agents Sign". The New York Times. Associated Press. September 5, 1997. Retrieved January 1, 2022.
  9. ↑ Shapiro, Mark (September 5, 1997). "76ers Sign Cummings to 2-Year Deal". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved January 13, 2023.
  10. ↑ "NBA Referee Pleads Guilty to Filing False Tax Returns". Los Angeles Times. Staff and Wire Reports. September 5, 1997. Retrieved January 13, 2023.
  11. ↑ "Nelson Replaces Cleamons". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. December 5, 1997. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
  12. ↑ Smith, Sam (December 5, 1997). "Nelson Fires Cleamons, Then Defeats Knicks". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved December 12, 2022.
  13. ↑ "Mavs Respond to Change". The Spokesman-Review. Wire Reports. December 5, 1997. Retrieved November 12, 2023.
  14. ↑ Farber, Michael (November 17, 1997). "Ironman, Move Over, Cal Ripken. A.C. Green of the Mavericks Is Working on Two Streaks: Consecutive Games Played and Temptations Resisted". Sports Illustrated Vault. Archived from the original on April 23, 2021. Retrieved February 5, 2023.
  15. ↑ "They're Iron Men at Heart". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. November 21, 1997. Retrieved March 1, 2017.
  16. ↑ Ortiz, Jorge L. (November 23, 1997). "Even at 6-Foot-9, Green Overshadowed by Ripken". SFGate. Retrieved February 5, 2023.
  17. ↑ "New York Knicks at Dallas Mavericks Box Score, December 4, 1997". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved March 4, 2026.
  18. 1 2 Springer, Steve (March 30, 1998). "Piatkowski's Place Is on Injured List". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
  19. ↑ "NBA Games Played on February 5, 1998". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
  20. ↑ Gardner, Kris (February 18, 1998). "Dennis Scott Goes to Phoenix". The Houston Roundball Review. Retrieved September 17, 2022.
  21. ↑ "Celtics Land Anderson in Deal with Raptors". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. February 19, 1998. Retrieved July 31, 2021.
  22. ↑ Heisler, Mark (February 20, 1998). "It's a Big Deal for Clippers: There Are No Slam Dunks in the Flurry of NBA Deals". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
  23. 1 2 3 "1997–98 Dallas Mavericks Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 28, 2021.
  24. ↑ Springer, Steve (March 29, 1998). "Tonight". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 18, 2022.
  25. ↑ "1997-98 Misc News". Eskimo.com. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
  26. ↑ "1997–98 Dallas Mavericks Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 28, 2021.
  27. ↑ Popper, Steve (February 8, 1998). "N.B.A. ALL-STAR WEEKEND: Kids Slam and Ham, But a Grown-Up Shoots for Dough; Houston Pair Win in 2Ball". The New York Times. Retrieved September 19, 2025.
  28. ↑ Bender, Patricia. "1997–98 All-Star Events and Contestants - in New York". Eskimo.com. Retrieved September 19, 2025.
  29. ↑ "NBA & ABA All-Star Game Contest Winners". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved September 19, 2025.
  30. ↑ Povtak, Tim (May 1, 1998). "Hawks' Henderson Wins Most Improved". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
  31. ↑ "1997–98 NBA Awards Voting". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
  32. ↑ "1997–98 NBA Season Summary". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 22, 2026.
  33. ↑ "NBA DEALINGS: McDyess, Divac and Smith Sign". Kitsap Sun. Associated Press. January 23, 1999. Retrieved June 25, 2023.
  34. ↑ Roberts, Selena (February 3, 1999). "Pro Basketball; Thomas Elbows Way Into the Oakley Role". The New York Times. Retrieved June 25, 2022.
  35. ↑ Lewis, Brian (February 3, 1999). "Thomas Volunteers for Oakley's Role". New York Post. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
  36. ↑ Gardner, Kris (June 24, 1998). "Steve Nash Dealt to Dallas". The Houston Roundball Review. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
  37. ↑ Wise, Mike (June 25, 1998). "PRO BASKETBALL; 7 Feet 1 Inch of Potential at No. 1". The New York Times. Retrieved June 25, 2023.
  38. ↑ "N.B.A.: YESTERDAY; Rockets Win as N.B.A. Makes Debut in Mexico". The New York Times. Associated Press. December 7, 1997. Retrieved May 16, 2022.
  39. ↑ "20,635 See Rockets Win in Mexico". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. December 7, 1997. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
  40. ↑ "Houston Rockets at Dallas Mavericks Box Score, December 6, 1997". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved March 4, 2026.
  41. ↑ Armour, Terry (December 30, 1997). "Bulls 111, Mavericks 105". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved June 29, 2022.
  42. ↑ "Jordan Scores 41, Rodman Fouls Up Nelson Strategy". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. December 30, 1997. Retrieved June 29, 2022.
  43. ↑ "Dallas Mavericks at Chicago Bulls Box Score, December 29, 1997". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 6, 2026.
  44. ↑ Araton, Harvey (June 15, 1998). "Sports of the Times; At the End, Jordan Lifts Bulls to Their Sixth N.B.A. Title". The New York Times. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
  45. ↑ Howard-Cooper, Scott (June 15, 1998). "A Rousing Six-cess". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 25, 2022.
  46. ↑ "1998 NBA Finals: Bulls vs. Jazz". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  47. ↑ "Mavericks Sign Forward Ace Custis". Associated Press. October 5, 2000. Retrieved May 1, 2023.

See also

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