1996–97 Milwaukee Bucks season

NBA professional basketball team season March 2026 August 2023 Milwaukee Bucks 1997 33 49 Central 7 11 Chris Ford Mike Dunleavy Herb Kohl Bradley Center WVTVWisconsin Sports Network(Jim Paschke, Jon McGlocklin) WTMJ Did not qualify MIL The 1996–97 Milwaukee Bucks season was the 29th season for the Milwaukee Bucks in the National Basketball Association. Milwaukee Bucks Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/MIL/ August 8, 2026 Season summary Off-season The Bucks received the fourth overall pick in the 1996 NBA draft, and selected point guard Stephon Marbury out of Georgia Tech University; however, the team soon traded Marbury to the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for rookie shooting guard, and first-round draft pick Ray Allen from the University of Connecticut on draft day. Brown Clifton Pro Basketball: Big Trade and Some Twists in N.B.A. Youth Parade The New York Times June 27, 1996 https://www.nytimes.com/1996/06/27/sports/pro-basketball-big-trade-and-some-twists-in-nba-youth-parade.html July 12, 2022 Heisler Mark The Surprises Are Few Los Angeles Times June 27, 1996 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-06-27-sp-22580-story.html December 1, 2022 1996 NBA Draft Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1996.html December 1, 2022 During the off-season, the Bucks signed free agent Armen Gilliam, Bucks Sign Gilliam The New York Times August 7, 1996 https://www.nytimes.com/1996/08/07/sports/bucks-sign-gilliam.html January 1, 2022 Staff and Wire Reports Bucks Pick Up Free Agent Gilliam Los Angeles Times August 7, 1996 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-08-07-sp-32158-story.html September 24, 2022 Bucks Sign Gilliam to 4-Year Deal The Washington Post August 7, 1996 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1996/08/07/bucks-sign-gilliam-to-4-year-deal/6a6129a6-b358-4c46-b8c5-9f802987b34d/ January 13, 2023 acquired Andrew Lang from the Timberwolves, Bucks Acquire Andrew Lang from Timberwolves Associated Press July 11, 1996 https://apnews.com/article/f37067c0bd8fd86cc7ea31d60b544b27 June 29, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220630013017/https://apnews.com/article/f37067c0bd8fd86cc7ea31d60b544b27 June 30, 2022 dead acquired Elliot Perry from the Phoenix Suns, Bucks to Finalize Trade for Perry The Journal Times September 25, 1996 https://journaltimes.com/sports/bucks-to-finalize-trade-for-perry/article_0c313b61-ec66-5ee0-b1ec-080b9713f32b.html June 28, 2022 Wire Services Parish Keeps Rolling The Spokesman-Review September 26, 1996 https://www.spokesman.com/stories/1996/sep/26/parish-keeps-rolling/ January 2, 2023 and hired Chris Ford as their new head coach. Sports People: Basketball: Bucks Hire Chris Ford as Their New Coach The New York Times June 16, 1996 https://www.nytimes.com/1996/06/16/sports/sports-people-basketball-bucks-hire-chris-ford-as-their-new-coach.html November 7, 2022 Ex-Boston Boss Ford to Coach Bucks Chicago Tribune June 16, 1996 https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1996-06-16-9606160203-story.html January 2, 2023 Regular season Under Ford and with the addition of Allen, Gilliam, Perry and Lang, the Bucks won five of their first six games of the regular season, and got off to a 15–11 start to the season. However, the team soon fell below .500 in winning percentage, and held a 21–26 record at the All-Star break. NBA Games Played on February 6, 1997 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/?month=2&day=6&year=1997 January 2, 2023 At mid-season, the team traded second-year guard Shawn Respert to the Toronto Raptors in exchange for Acie Earl. Bucks Trade Shawn Respert for Acie Earl Associated Press February 20, 1997 https://apnews.com/article/277b8064e50f5d506bcdc63b9a074e9d February 2, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20220627063753/https://apnews.com/article/277b8064e50f5d506bcdc63b9a074e9d June 27, 2022 dead Associated Press Trading Deadline Becomes Much Ado About a Little Los Angeles Times February 21, 1997 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-02-21-sp-30982-story.html February 2, 2023 Pacers Make Point in Re-Acquiring Jackson The Washington Post February 21, 1997 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1997/02/21/pacers-make-point-in-reacquiring-jackson/0f6abc14-8570-4dae-aa01-8db81c54d166/ June 21, 2023 The Bucks struggled posting an eight-game losing streak between February and March, and finished in seventh place in the Central Division with a 33–49 record; 1996–97 Milwaukee Bucks Schedule and Results Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/MIL/1997_games.html June 28, 2021 the team missed the NBA playoffs for the sixth consecutive year. Vin Baker averaged 21.0 points, 10.3 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game, and was named to the All-NBA Third Team, while Glenn Robinson averaged 21.1 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game, and Allen provided the team with 13.4 points per game, led them with 117 three-point field goals, and was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team. In addition, Sherman Douglas provided with 9.7 points and 5.4 assists per game, while off the bench, Johnny Newman contributed 8.7 points per game, Gilliam averaged 8.6 points and 6.2 rebounds per game, Perry contributed 6.9 points, 3.0 assists and 1.2 steals per game, and Lang, the team's starting center, averaged 5.3 points and rebounds per game each, 1996–97 Milwaukee Bucks Roster and Stats Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/MIL/1997.html June 28, 2021 but only played 52 games due to an Achilles injury. Injury Means More Surgery for Lang The Journal Times October 5, 1997 https://journaltimes.com/news/injury-means-more-surgery-for-lang/article_96463e71-d969-5c98-927f-a20015cd2be1.html October 7, 2022 N.B.A.: Notebook The New York Times October 7, 1997 https://www.nytimes.com/1997/10/07/sports/nba-notebook.html May 1, 2023 During the NBA All-Star weekend at the Gund Arena in Cleveland, Ohio, Baker was selected for the 1997 NBA All-Star Game, as a member of the Eastern Conference All-Star team. Off the bench, Baker posted a double-double of 19 points and 12 rebounds, as the Eastern Conference defeated the Western Conference, 132–120. Fry Darrell On to the Next Stage Tampa Bay Times February 8, 1997 https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1997/02/08/on-to-the-next-stage/ December 28, 2022 NBA.com Staff 1997 NBA All-Star Recap NBA.com September 13, 2021 https://www.nba.com/news/history-all-star-recap-1997 May 16, 2023 1997 NBA All-Star Game: East 132, West 120 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/allstar/NBA_1997.html November 27, 2021 Meanwhile, Allen was selected for the NBA Rookie Game, as a member of the Eastern Conference Rookie team, 1997 NBA Rising Stars: East 96, West 91 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/allstar/NBA_1997_rookie.html September 19, 2025 and also participated in the NBA Slam Dunk Contest. NBA & ABA All-Star Game Contest Winners Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/allstar/contest.html September 19, 2025 The Bucks finished 22nd in the NBA in home-game attendance, with an attendance of 634,999 at the Bradley Center during the regular season. 1996–97 NBA Season Summary Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1997.html January 22, 2026 Aftermath Following the season, Baker was traded to the Seattle SuperSonics in an off-season three-team trade, and after four seasons with the Bucks, Roberts Selena Pro Basketball: Sonics' Kemp Gets Wish and Is Traded, to Cavs The New York Times September 26, 1997 https://www.nytimes.com/1997/09/26/sports/pro-basketball-sonics-kemp-gets-wish-and-is-traded-to-cavs.html May 16, 2022 Baker Chris Kemp Is Key Player in Three-Way Trade Los Angeles Times September 26, 1997 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-sep-26-sp-36358-story.html September 18, 2022 Sherwin Bob Shawn Kemp Moves On, Reign Comes to an End; Kemp Is a Cav, Baker Is a Sonic After 3-Way Deal The Seattle Times September 26, 1997 https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/?date=19970926&slug=2562608 July 25, 2021 while Newman was traded to the Denver Nuggets on draft day. Wise Mike After Duncan, Utah Forward Steals Show The New York Times June 26, 1997 https://www.nytimes.com/1997/06/26/sports/after-duncan-utah-forward-steals-show.html June 28, 2022 Heisler Mark Draft Over, But Not Finished Los Angeles Times June 26, 1997 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-06-26-sp-7002-story.html October 22, 2022 Cotton Anthony No. 1 Pick Turns Duncan into Spur of Moment The Washington Post June 26, 1997 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1997/06/26/no-1-pick-turns-duncan-into-spur-of-moment/0d3bc16e-a289-4cf0-be77-fd196c6e35d7/ January 8, 2023 Meanwhile, Douglas, who was involved in a trade with the Cleveland Cavaliers, signed as a free agent with the New Jersey Nets, Diamos Jason N.B.A. Preview '97-'98: Kenny Smith, a Poor Fit with Nets, Is Cut The New York Times October 29, 1997 https://www.nytimes.com/1997/10/29/sports/nba-preview-97-98-kenny-smith-a-poor-fit-with-nets-is-cut.html October 10, 2022 Nets Sign Sherman Douglas Associated Press October 31, 1997 https://apnews.com/article/56f1e10570965375e8931eed3ccece5a January 18, 2022 Diamos Jason N.B.A.: Last Night -- Nets: For Douglas, Home Is Where the Court Is The New York Times November 18, 1997 https://www.nytimes.com/1997/11/18/sports/nba-last-night-nets-for-douglas-home-is-where-the-court-is.html January 8, 2025 and Earl was released to free agency. Draft picks 1996 NBA draft Round Pick Player Position Nationality College 1 4 Stephon Marbury PG Georgia Tech 2 33 Moochie Norris PG West Florida 2 53 Jeff Nordgaard SF Wisconsin-Green Bay Roster Milwaukee Bucks 1996–97 #4B0082 #FFFFFF #00471B #FFFFFF 34 Ray Allen G 6 5 205 1975–07–20 Connecticut 42 Vin Baker F 6 11 232 1971–11–23 Hartford 52 Chucky Brown F 6 7 214 1968–02–29 North Carolina State 20 Sherman Douglas G 6 0 180 1966–09–15 Syracuse 55 Acie Earl C 6 10 240 1970–06–23 Iowa 10 Armen Gilliam F 6 9 230 1964–05–28 UNLV 28 Andrew Lang basketball C 6 11 245 1966–06–28 Arkansas 21 Cuonzo Martin G 6 5 213 1971–09–23 Purdue 22 Johnny Newman G 6 7 190 1963–11–28 Richmond 5 Elliot Perry G 6 0 150 1969–03–28 Memphis 13 Glenn Robinson F 6 7 240 1973–01–10 Purdue 51 Keith Tower C 6 11 250 1970–05–15 Notre Dame 23 Joe Wolf C 6 11 230 1964–12–17 North Carolina 7 David Wood basketball F 6 9 227 1964–11–30 Nevada Chris Ford Jim Todd Dick Versace Mike Woodson https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/MIL/1997.html Regular season Season standings MIL MIL z - clinched division title y - clinched division title x - clinched playoff spot Game log Milwaukee Bucks 1997 #4B0082 #FFFFFF Total: 33–49 (Home: 0–0; Road: 0–0) Milwaukee Bucks November yes #00471B white 5 3 3 4 |-style="background:#bbffbb;" | 1 || November 1, 1996 || @ Philadelphia | W 111–103 |Vin Baker (25) | | | CoreStates Center20,444 | 1–0 |-style="background:#bbffbb;" | 2 || November 2, 1996 || Boston | W 124–102 |Johnny Newman, Glenn Robinson (21) | | | Bradley Center17,275 | 2–0 |-style="background:#bbffbb;" | 3 || November 6, 1996 || Vancouver | W 105–89 |Ray Allen, Vin Baker (20) |Vin Baker (11) |Sherman Douglas (8) | Bradley Center13,689 | 3–0 |- style="background:#fcc;" | 4 || November 8, 1996 || @ Miami | L 89—101 |Vin Baker (27) | | | Miami Arena15,200 | 3–1 |- style="background:#bbffbb;" | 5 || November 9, 1996 || @ Charlotte | W 100—98 |Vin Baker (28) | | | Charlotte Coliseum24,042 | 4–1 |-style="background:#bbffbb;" | 6 || November 12, 1996 || Phoenix | W 99–89 |Vin Baker (32) | | | Bradley Center13,565 | 5–1 |- style="background:#fcc;" | 7 || November 14, 1996 || @ Golden State | L 86—95 |Vin Baker (32) | | | San Jose Arena14,414 | 5–2 |- style="background:#fcc;" | 8 || November 15, 1996 || @ Sacramento | L 99—103 |Glenn Robinson (29) | | | ARCO Arena17,317 | 5–3 |- style="background:#fcc;" | 9 || November 17, 1996 || @ L. A. Clippers | L 94—102 |Glenn Robinson (31) |Armen Gilliam (13) | | Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena7,311 | 5–4 |-style="background:#bbffbb;" | 10 || November 19, 1996 || Dallas | W 100–97 |Armen Gilliam (27) | | | Bradley Center13,225 | 6–4 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 11 || November 21, 1996 || Atlanta | L 65–73 | | | | Bradley Center14,698 | 6–5 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 12 || November 23, 1996 || Washington | L 90–95 | | | | Bradley Center16,508 | 6–6 |-style="background:#bbffbb;" | 13 || November 25, 1996 || @ Orlando | W 100–88 | | | | Orlando Arena16,808 | 7–6 |-style="background:#bbffbb;" | 14 || November 27, 1996 || Cleveland | W 92–75 | | | | Bradley Center14,189 | 8–6 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 15 || November 30, 1996 || Charlotte | L 87–94 | | | | Bradley Center16,327 | 8–7 Milwaukee Bucks December #00471B white 3 2 1 0 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 16 || December 3, 1996 || Chicago | L 104–107 | | | | Bradley Center18,717 | 8–8 |-style="background:#bbffbb;" | 17 || December 7, 1996 || @ Washington | W 126–118 |Glenn Robinson (44) |Vin Baker (13) | | US Airways Arena18,756 | 9–8 |-style="background:#bbffbb;" | 18 || December 8, 1996 || Boston | W 100–87 | | | | Bradley Center13,350 | 10–8 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 19 || December 10, 1996 || Detroit | L 85–93 | | | | Bradley Center13,202 | 10–9 |-style="background:#bbffbb;" | 20 || December 12, 1996 || Seattle | W 100–97 |Glenn Robinson (32) | | | Bradley Center16,355 | 11–9 |-style="background:#bbffbb;" | 21 || December 14, 1996 || New Jersey | W 101–91 |Vin Baker, Glenn Robinson (27) | | | Bradley Center16,689 | 12–9 |-style="background:#bbffbb;" | 22 || December 16, 1996 || @ Boston | W 107–91 | | | | Fleet Center15,030 | 13–9 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 23 || December 18, 1996 || L. A. Lakers | W 105–111 | | | | Bradley Center16,829 | 13–10 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 24 || December 19, 1996 || @ Toronto | L 93–96 | | | | SkyDome15,321 | 13–11 |-style="background:#bbffbb;" | 25 || December 21, 1996 || Orlando | W 103–85 | | | | Bradley Center14,015 | 14–11 |-style="background:#bbffbb;" | 26 || December 23, 1996 || @ Houston | W 81–76 | | | | The Summit16,285 | 15–11 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 27 || December 26, 1996 || Houston | L 90–101 | | | | Bradley Center18,717 | 15–12 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 28 || December 27, 1996 || @ Cleveland | L 86–94 | | | | Gund Arena19,164 | 15–13 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 29 || December 29, 1996 || Miami | L 94–95 | | | | Bradley Center16,235 | 15–14 Milwaukee Bucks January #00471B white 0 0 0 0 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 30 || January 4, 1997 || Minnesota | L 91–97 | | | | Bradley Center17,218 | 15–15 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 31 || January 5, 1997 || @ New York | L 92–97 | | | | Madison Square Garden19,763 | 15–16 |-style="background:#bbffbb;" | 32 || January 7, 1997 || @ Detroit | W 86–76 | | | | The Palace of Auburn Hills17,224 | 16–16 |-style="background:#bbffbb;" | 33 || January 8, 1997 || Utah | W 119–112 OT | | | | Bradley Center13,682 | 17–16 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 34 || January 10, 1997 || Chicago | L 101–116 | | | | Bradley Center18,717 | 17–17 |-style="background:#bbffbb;" | 35 || January 12, 1997 || Golden State | W 111–93 | | | | Bradley Center13,289 | 18–17 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 36 || January 17, 1997 || @ Chicago | L 73–100 | | | | United Center23,898 | 18–18 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 37 || January 18, 1997 || @ Atlanta | L 71–94 | | | | Omni Coliseum16,378 | 18–19 |-style="background:#bbffbb;" | 38 || January 20, 1997 || @ Philadelphia | W 114–104 | | | | CoreStates Center13,223 | 19–19 Milwaukee Bucks February #00471B white 0 0 0 0 Milwaukee Bucks March #00471B white 0 0 0 0 Milwaukee Bucks April #00471B white 0 0 0 0 MIL 1997 Player statistics Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG Allen, Ray Ray Allen 82 81 30.9 .430 .393 .823 4.0 2.6 0.9 0.1 13.4 Baker, Vin Vin Baker 78 78 40.5 .505 .278 .687 10.3 2.7 1.0 1.4 21.0 Brown, Chuckey Chucky Brown 60 1 11.2 .508 .167 .661 2.2 0.4 0.2 0.3 2.8 Carruth, Jimmy Jimmy Carruth 4 0 5.3 .667 .000 1.000 1.0 0.0 0.0 0.5 1.3 Douglas, Sherman Sherman Douglas 79 79 29.3 .502 .333 .667 2.4 5.4 1.0 0.1 9.7 Earl, Acie Acie Earl 9 0 4.8 .348 .000 .714 1.2 0.2 0.3 0.1 2.9 Gilliam, Armen Armen Gilliam 80 25 25.6 .471 .000 .768 6.2 0.7 0.8 0.5 8.6 Hancock, Darrin Darrin Hancock 9 0 4.3 .333 .000 .000 0.6 0.4 0.2 0.0 0.4 Lang, Andrew Andrew Lang 52 52 23.0 .464 .000 .721 5.3 0.5 0.5 0.9 5.3 Martin, Cuonzo Cuonzo Martin 3 0 4.3 .000 .000 .000 0.3 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 Newman, Johnny Johnny Newman 82 4 25.1 .450 .347 .765 2.3 1.4 0.9 0.2 8.7 Perry, Elliot Elliot Perry 82 3 19.5 .474 .358 .745 1.5 3.0 1.2 0.0 6.9 Respert, Shawn Shawn Respert 14 0 5.9 .316 .111 1.000 0.5 0.6 0.0 0.0 1.4 Robinson, Glenn Glenn Robinson 80 79 38.9 .465 .350 .791 6.3 3.1 1.3 0.9 21.1 Tower, Keith Keith Tower 5 1 14.4 .375 .000 .125 1.8 0.2 0.4 0.2 1.4 Wolf, Joe Joe Wolf 56 7 9.4 .449 .143 .737 2.0 0.4 0.3 0.2 1.7 Wood, David David Wood 46 0 5.2 .526 .333 .667 0.6 0.3 0.2 0.1 1.2 Awards and records Vin Baker, All-NBA Third Team Ray Allen, NBA All-Rookie Team 2nd Team Transactions Trades June 26, 1996 To Milwaukee Bucks---- Ray Allen To Minnesota Timberwolves---- Stephon Marbury September 25, 1996 To Milwaukee Bucks---- Elliot Perry To Phoenix Suns---- Marty Conlon December 4, 1996 To Milwaukee Bucks---- Chucky Brown To Phoenix Suns---- Darrin Hancock February 20, 1997 To Milwaukee Bucks---- Acie Earl To Toronto Raptors---- Shawn Respert Free agents Player Signed Former teamArmen GilliamAugust 6, 1996New Jersey NetsJoe WolfSeptember 3, 1996Orlando MagicDarrin HancockOctober 3, 1996Charlotte HornetsKeith TowerOctober 3, 1996Los Angeles ClippersDavid WoodOctober 3, 1996Dallas Mavericks Player transactions citation: 1996–97 Milwaukee Bucks Transactions Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/MIL/1997_transactions.html July 3, 2021 References See also 1996-97 NBA season Category:Milwaukee Bucks seasons Milwaukee Bucks Milwaukee Bucks Milwaukee