1997–98 Milwaukee Bucks season

NBA professional basketball team season March 2026 August 2023 Milwaukee Bucks 1998 36 46 Central 7 13 Chris Ford Bob Weinhauer Herb Kohl Bradley Center WVTVWisconsin Sports Network(Jim Paschke, Jon McGlocklin) WTMJ Did not qualify MIL The 1997–98 Milwaukee Bucks season was the 30th 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 tenth overall pick in the 1997 NBA draft, and selected power forward Danny Fortson from the University of Cincinnati, but soon traded him to the Denver Nuggets in exchange for Ervin Johnson 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 July 25, 2021 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 December 1, 2022 1997 NBA Draft Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1997.html December 1, 2022 During the off-season, the team acquired All-Star guard Terrell Brandon, and former All-Star forward Tyrone Hill from the Cleveland Cavaliers in a three-team trade, 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 July 25, 2021 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 May 16, 2022 signed free agent Michael Curry, Wire Services Sports People The Spokesman-Review July 31, 1997 https://www.spokesman.com/stories/1997/jul/31/sports-people/ December 27, 2022 Myslenski Skip A Whole New Deal for Bucks Chicago Tribune December 6, 1997 https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1997-12-06-9712060080-story.html July 11, 2022 and re-signed former Bucks star and sixth man Ricky Pierce in December. Transactions The New York Times December 5, 1997 https://www.nytimes.com/1997/12/05/sports/transactions-464007.html October 7, 2022 Associated Press Nelson Replaces Cleamons Los Angeles Times December 5, 1997 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-dec-05-sp-61012-story.html November 18, 2022 Wire Reports Mavs Respond to Change The Spokesman-Review December 5, 1997 https://www.spokesman.com/stories/1997/dec/05/mavs-respond-to-change/ November 12, 2023 Regular season With the addition of Brandon, Hill, Johnson and Curry, the Bucks won four of their first five games of the regular season. However, after an 11–8 start to the season, the team posted a five-game losing streak in December afterwards, and fell below .500 in winning percentage. After holding an 18–22 record as of January 20, 1998, the Bucks recovered and posted a six-game winning streak between January and February, and held a 24–23 record at the All-Star break. NBA Games Played on February 5, 1998 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/?month=2&day=5&year=1998 July 19, 2022 However, the team dealt with injuries as Glenn Robinson only played 56 games due to a left knee injury, and was out for the remainder of the season, Game at a Glance Deseret News March 8, 1998 https://www.deseret.com/1998/3/8/19367512/game-at-a-glance October 3, 2022 Bucks' Robinson on Injured List Associated Press March 10, 1998 https://apnews.com/article/63bf2417f19f1922f74df9cef06373d9 January 18, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20230621042633/https://apnews.com/article/63bf2417f19f1922f74df9cef06373d9 June 21, 2023 dead Associated Press Webber Leads Wizards to Win CBS News March 10, 1998 https://www.cbsnews.com/news/webber-leads-wizards-to-win/#app December 5, 2022 while Brandon only played just 50 games due to an ankle injury, Brandon on Injured List, Green Signed United Press International February 13, 1998 https://www.upi.com/Archives/1998/02/13/Brandon-on-injured-list-Green-signed/1939887346000/ November 9, 2022 Thompson Jack Bucks' Brandon on Injured List with Bad Ankle Chicago Tribune February 14, 1998 https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1998-02-14-9802140009-story.html June 27, 2022 Associated Press Bucks' 4th Qrt Run Beats Cavs CBS News February 14, 1998 https://www.cbsnews.com/news/bucks-4th-qrt-run-beats-cavs/#app January 4, 2023 and Hill only appeared in 57 games due to a knee injury, and a strained back. Facer Dirk Results of Mega-Trade Please Bucks Coach Deseret News January 9, 1998 https://www.deseret.com/1998/1/9/19356829/results-of-mega-trade-please-bucks-coach June 28, 2022 Associated Press Pacers Comeback to Beat Bucks CBS News March 22, 1998 https://www.cbsnews.com/news/pacers-comeback-to-beat-bucks/ January 28, 2023 Johnson K.C. Talent-Depleted Bucks Playing Out the String Chicago Tribune March 30, 1998 https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1998-03-30-9803300022-story.html July 17, 2017 The Bucks struggled posting a nine-game losing streak in March, while losing 13 of their 16 games during that month, and finished in seventh place in the Central Division with a 36–46 record; 1997–98 Milwaukee Bucks Schedule and Results Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/MIL/1998_games.html June 28, 2021 the team missed the NBA playoffs for the seventh consecutive year. Robinson averaged 23.4 points and 5.5 rebounds per game, while second-year star Ray Allen had a stellar season, averaging 19.5 points, 4.3 assists and 1.4 steals per game, and leading the Bucks with 134 three-point field goals, and Brandon provided the team with 16.8 points, 7.7 assists and 2.2 steals per game. In addition, Hill contributed 10.0 points and 10.7 rebounds per game, while Armen Gilliam provided with 11.2 points and 5.4 rebounds per game, Johnson averaged 8.0 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game, Elliot Perry provided with 7.3 points and 2.8 assists per game, and Curry contributed 6.6 points per game. 1997–98 Milwaukee Bucks Roster and Stats Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/MIL/1998.html June 28, 2021 Curry finished tied in sixth place in Sixth Man of the Year voting. 1997–98 NBA Awards Voting Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/awards_1998.html December 30, 2024 The Bucks finished 22nd in the NBA in home-game attendance, with an attendance of 638,034 at the Bradley Center during the regular season. 1997–98 NBA Season Summary Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1998.html January 22, 2026 Notable highlights One notable highlight of the regular season occurred on January 2, 1998, in a road game against the 2-time defending NBA champion Chicago Bulls at the United Center. Robinson and All-Star guard Michael Jordan both scored 44 points each, while Brandon and Gilliam both posted double-doubles, as Brandon scored 24 points along with 13 assists, and Gilliam contributed 18 points and 11 rebounds. However, the Bucks lost to the Bulls by a score of 114–100. Associated Press Red-Hot Jordan Nets 44 More The Spokesman-Review January 3, 1998 https://www.spokesman.com/stories/1998/jan/03/red-hot-jordan-nets-44-more/ October 24, 2025 Jordan Leads Bulls Romp Over Bucks New Straits Times January 4, 1998 20 https://books.google.com/books?id=Q_xOAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA28&dq=1998+Chicago+Bulls+Milwaukee+Bucks+114-100+michael+jordan+glenn+robinson+44+points&article_id=5046,1451439&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjnq6DX7b2QAxVfG9AFHapbFNQQ6AF6BAgMEAM#v=onepage&q=1998%20Chicago%20Bulls%20Milwaukee%20Bucks%20114-100%20michael%20jordan%20glenn%20robinson%2044%20points&f=false October 24, 2025 Milwaukee Bucks at Chicago Bulls Box Score, January 2, 1998 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199801020CHI.html October 24, 2025 Despite a stellar season, Robinson was not selected for the 1998 NBA All-Star Game in New York City, New York. Popularity, Not Merit, Again Wins More Votes  The Baltimore Sun  February 1, 1998  https://www.baltimoresun.com/1998/02/01/popularity-not-merit-again-wins-more-votes/ April 29, 2026 1998 NBA All-Star Game: East 135, West 114 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/allstar/NBA_1998.html February 25, 2026 Aftermath Following the season, Pierce retired after playing in his second stint with the Bucks, Mannix Chris Ricky Pierce: One of the NBA's Premier Sixth Men, Now Provides Hands-On Instruction in the Art of the Perfect Jumper Sports Illustrated Vault July 2, 2007 https://vault.si.com/vault/2007/07/02/ricky-pierce https://web.archive.org/web/20200928231902/https://vault.si.com/vault/2007/07/02/ricky-pierce dead September 28, 2020 April 20, 2023 while Andrew Lang signed as a free agent with the Chicago Bulls, Armour Terry Result Raises Eyebrows--and Some Hope Chicago Tribune February 8, 1999 https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1999-02-08-9902080182-story.html February 2, 2023 Carney Brian Chicago's Temperature Is Minus 23 The Washington Post February 19, 1999 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1999/02/19/chicagos-temperature-is-minus-23/65942118-be43-4c0d-af07-d3f64b8de51c/ June 27, 2022 and head coach Chris Ford was fired after two seasons with the Bucks. CBS News.com Staff Bucks Fire Head Coach Ford CBS News August 26, 1998 https://www.cbsnews.com/news/bucks-fire-head-coach-ford/ September 25, 2023 Associated Press Plus: Pro Basketball -- Milwaukee: Dismal Bucks Dismiss Ford The New York Times August 27, 1998 https://www.nytimes.com/1998/08/27/sports/plus-pro-basketball-milwaukee-dismal-bucks-dismiss-ford.html January 2, 2023 Staff and Wire Reports Improvement Not Enough: Bucks Fire Ford Los Angeles Times August 27, 1998 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-aug-27-sp-17143-story.html September 25, 2023 Draft picks 1997 NBA draft Round Pick Player Position Nationality College 1 10 Danny Fortson PF Cincinnati 2 38 Jerald Honeycutt SF Tulane Roster Milwaukee Bucks 1997–98 #4B0082 #FFFFFF #00471B #FFFFFF 34 Ray Allen G 6 5 205 1975–07–20 Connecticut 7 Terrell Brandon G 5 11 180 1970–05–20 Oregon 12 Michael Curry basketball G/F 6 5 210 1968–08–22 Georgia Southern 11 Jamie Feick C 6 9 255 1974–07–03 Michigan State 10 Armen Gilliam F 6 9 230 1964–05–28 UNLV 9 Litterial Green G 6 1 185 1970–03–07 Georgia 42 Tyrone Hill F 6 9 240 1968–03–19 Xavier 25 Jerald Honeycutt F 6 9 245 1974–10–20 Tulane 40 Ervin Johnson C 6 11 245 1967–12–21 New Orleans 28 Andrew Lang basketball C 6 11 245 1966–06–28 Arkansas 5 Elliot Perry G 6 0 150 1969–03–28 Memphis 22 Ricky Pierce G 6 4 205 1959–08–19 Rice 13 Glenn Robinson F 6 7 240 1973–01–10 Purdue yes Chris Ford Jim Todd Dick Versace Mike Woodson https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/MIL/1998.html Regular season Season standings MIL MIL z - clinched division title y - clinched division title x - clinched playoff spot Game log Milwaukee Bucks 1998 #4B0082 #FFFFFF Total: 36–46 (Home: 3–1; Road: 2–1) Milwaukee Bucks October yes #00471B white 0 0 1 0 |-style="background:#bbffbb;" | 1 || October 31, 1997 || @ Philadelphia | W 103–88 |Ray Allen (29) | | | CoreStates Center | 1–0 Milwaukee Bucks November #00471B white 5 2 3 4 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 2 || November 1, 1997 || New Jersey | L 109–113 | | | | Bradley Center18,717 | 1–1 |-style="background:#bbffbb;" | 3 || November 4, 1997 || Orlando | W 110–76 |Ray Allen (20) | | | Bradley Center12,764 | 2–1 |-style="background:#bbffbb;" | 4 || November 6, 1997 || Philadelphia | W 100–93 | | | | Bradley Center13,851 | 3–1 |-style="background:#bbffbb;" | 5 || November 8, 1997 || Boston | W 105–96 | | | | Bradley Center17,653 | 4–1 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 6 || November 12, 1997 || @ Phoenix | L 95–103 | | | | America West Arena19,023 | 4–2 |-style="background:#bbffbb;" | 7 || November 13, 1997 || @ L. A. Clippers | W 102–94 | | | | Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena4,300 | 5–2 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 8 || November 15, 1997 || @ Vancouver | L 94–109 | | | | General Motors Place17,666 | 5–3 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 9 || November 16, 1997 || @ Seattle | L 99–119 | | | | Key Arena17,072 | 5–4 |-style="background:#bbffbb;" | 10 || November 18, 1997 || Detroit | W 87–79 | | | | Bradley Center13,065 | 6–4 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 11 || November 20, 1997 || Indiana | L 83–109 | | | | Bradley Center14,106 | 6–5 |-style="background:#bbffbb;" | 12 || November 22, 1997 || @ Dallas | W 104–109 | | | | Reunion Arena11,425 | 7–5 |-style="background:#bbffbb;" | 13 || November 26, 1997 || Vancouver | W 101–82 | | | | Bradley Center15,126 | 8–5 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 14 || November 28, 1997 || @ Orlando | L 95–103 | | | | Orlando Arena17,070 | 8–6 |-style="background:#bbffbb;" | 15 || November 29, 1997 || @ Miami | W 93–87 | | | | Miami Arena14,897 | 9–6 Milwaukee Bucks December #00471B white 5 4 0 5 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 16 || December 2, 1997 || Phoenix | L 86–90 | | | | Bradley Center13,131 | 9–7 |-style="background:#bbffbb;" | 17 || December 4, 1997 || Charlotte | W 102–92 | | | | Bradley Center13,898 | 10–7 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 18 || December 5, 1997 || @ Chicago | L 62–84 | | | | United Center24,041 | 10–8 |-style="background:#bbffbb;" | 19 || December 7, 1997 || Seattle | W 97–91 | | | | Bradley Center15,806 | 11–8 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 20 || December 10, 1997 || @ Boston | L 91–96 | | | | Fleet Center17,012 | 11–9 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 21 || December 11, 1997 || Cleveland | L 77–79 | | | | Bradley Center13,105 | 11–10 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 22 || December 13, 1997 || Miami | L 87–87 | | | | Bradley Center15,803 | 11–11 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 23 || December 17, 1997 || @ Charlotte | L 90–99 | | | | Charlotte Coliseum20,691 | 11–12 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 24 || December 19, 1997 || @ Toronto | L 91–92 | | | | SkyDome15,076 | 11–13 |-style="background:#bbffbb;" | 25 || December 20, 1997 || New York | W 98–78 | | | | Bradley Center15,955 | 12–13 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 26 || December 22, 1997 || Washington | L 79–110 | | | | Bradley Center14,442 | 12–14 |-style="background:#bbffbb;" | 27 || December 26, 1997 || Atlanta | W 99–94 | | | | Bradley Center17,038 | 13–14 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 28 || December 27, 1997 || @ New Jersey | L 104–112 | | | | Meadowlands Arena16,351 | 13–15 |-style="background:#bbffbb;" | 29 || December 30, 1997 || Dallas | W 105–98 | | | | Bradley Center14,948 | 14–15 Milwaukee Bucks January #00471B white 0 1 1 2 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 30 || January 2, 1998 || @ Chicago | L 100–114 | | | | United Center23,897 | 14–16 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 31 || January 3, 1998 || Boston | L 99–106 | | | | Bradley Center16,211 | 14–17 |-style="background:#bbffbb;" | 32 || January 5, 1998 || @ Portland | W 98–92 | | | | Rose Garden Arena19,215 | 15–17 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 33 || January 7, 1998 || @ L. A. Lakers | L 98–92 | | | | Great Western Forum15,483 | 15–18 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 1998 Player statistics Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG Glenn Robinson 56 56 41.0 47.0 38.5 80.8 5.5 2.8 1.2 0.6 23.4 Ray Allen 82 82 40.1 42.8 36.4 87.5 4.9 4.3 1.4 0.1 19.5 Terrell Brandon 50 48 35.7 46.4 33.3 84.6 3.5 7.7 2.2 0.3 16.8 Armen Gilliam 82 25 25.8 48.4 0.0 80.2 5.4 1.3 0.8 0.5 11.2 Tyrone Hill 57 56 36.2 49.8 0.0 60.8 10.7 1.5 1.2 0.5 10.0 Ervin Johnson 81 81 27.9 53.7 0.0 60.1 8.5 0.7 1.0 2.0 8.0 Elliot Perry 81 33 21.6 43.0 34.0 84.4 1.3 2.8 1.1 0.0 7.3 Michael Curry 82 27 24.1 46.9 44.4 83.5 1.2 1.7 0.7 0.2 6.6 Honeycutt, Jerald Jerald Honeycutt 38 0 13.9 40.7 37.7 62.1 2.4 0.9 0.5 0.2 6.4 Ricky Pierce 39 0 11.3 36.4 30.8 82.7 1.2 0.9 0.2 0.0 3.9 Lang, Andrew Andrew Lang 57 0 12.1 37.8 0.0 77.2 2.7 0.3 0.3 0.5 2.7 Tony Smith 7 0 11.4 33.3 0.0 75.0 1.0 1.4 0.7 0.3 2.7 Jamie Feick 45 2 10.0 43.3 30.8 48.8 2.8 0.4 0.6 0.4 2.3 Tim Breaux 6 0 5.0 36.4 33.3 50.0 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.2 1.7 Jeff Nordgaard 13 0 3.7 27.8 0.0 88.9 1.1 0.2 0.2 0.01.4 Litterial Green 21 0 5.9 21.7 0.0 75.0 0.3 0.8 0.2 0.0 1.2 Player statistics citation: Transactions Trades June 25, 1997 To Milwaukee Bucks---- Ervin Johnson To Denver Nuggets---- Danny Fortson Johnny Newman Joe Wolf September 25, 1997 To Milwaukee BucksTerrell BrandonTyrone Hill To Cleveland CavaliersSherman DouglasShawn KempTo Seattle SuperSonicsVin Baker Free agents Player Signed Former teamMichael CurryJuly 30, 1997Detroit PistonsTim BreauxAugust 6, 1997Rockford LightningJamie FeickOctober 2, 1997San Antonio SpursRicky PierceDecember 4, 1997Charlotte Hornets Player transactions citation: 1997–98 Milwaukee Bucks Transactions Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/MIL/1998_transactions.html July 3, 2021 References See also 1997-98 NBA season Category:Milwaukee Bucks seasons Milwaukee Bucks Milwaukee Bucks Milwaukee