1997–98 New Jersey Nets season

NBA professional basketball team season August 2023 March 2026 New Jersey Nets 1998 43 39 Atlantic 3 8 John Calipari John Nash Secaucus Seven Continental Airlines Arena First round(lost to Bulls 0–3) NJN SportsChannel New YorkWPXN WOR The 1997–98 New Jersey Nets season was the Nets' 31st season in the National Basketball Association, and 22nd season in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Brooklyn Nets Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/BRK/ August 8, 2026 Season summary Off-season The Nets received the seventh overall pick in the 1997 NBA draft, and selected small forward Tim Thomas out of Villanova University; 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 however, the team soon traded Thomas to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for rookie power forward, and first-round draft pick Keith Van Horn from the University of Utah, Lucious Harris, Michael Cage and Don MacLean. Roberts Selena The Nets Decide the Future Can't Wait The New York Times June 28, 1997 https://www.nytimes.com/1997/06/28/sports/the-nets-decide-the-future-can-t-wait.html June 22, 2023 Staff and Wire Reports Van Horn Finally on His Way to New Jersey in 76er Trade Los Angeles Times June 28, 1997 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-06-28-sp-7674-story.html June 22, 2023 Kepner Tyler Nets Get Van Horn from 76ers The Washington Post June 28, 1997 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1997/06/28/nets-get-van-horn-from-76ers/cd015603-cc9d-48cc-b1f5-6c6d12f22675/ June 22, 2023 On the first day of the regular season, which began on October 31, 1997, the team signed free agent Sherman Douglas. 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 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 October 20, 2023 For the season, the Nets redesigned their primary logo, replacing the color blue with dark navy blue and silver to their color scheme of red and white. The team's primary logo featured a dark navy blue shield with a silver outline, featuring the team name "Nets" in white letters with a red outline; below the team name featured a silver basketball with dark navy blue and white seams, going into a red hoop with a dark navy blue shadow underneath. New Jersey Nets Primary Logo Chris Creamer's SportsLogos.net https://www.sportslogos.net/logos/view/hvkhsaffs9x9zre7gku4vmnte/New_Jersey_Nets/1998/Primary_Logo July 7, 2021 The team also redesigned their home and road uniforms, which featured a dark navy blue, silver and red trim, and dark navy blue side panels with silver zig-zag inlines, next to silver and red outlines on their jerseys and shorts. The white home uniforms featured the word "Nets" on the front of their jerseys, while the road uniforms were changed from royal blue to dark navy blue, and featured the state name New Jersey; both uniforms featured the team's primary logo on the left leg of their shorts. New Jersey Nets Home Uniform Chris Creamer's SportsLogos.net https://www.sportslogos.net/logos/view/pofhuuhckf2ungkfoeqne7afd/New_Jersey_Nets/1998/Home_Uniform July 7, 2021 New Jersey Nets Road Uniform Chris Creamer's SportsLogos.net https://www.sportslogos.net/logos/view/9ez5nv0hitibde756xvk5per0/New_Jersey_Nets/1998/Road_Uniform July 7, 2021 The team's new primary logo, and new home uniforms would both remain in use until 2012, while the new road uniforms would last until 2009. Regular season With the addition of Van Horn and Douglas, and despite Van Horn missing the first month of the regular season due to a preseason ankle injury, Diamos Jason N.B.A.: Roundup: Van Horn Sprains Ankle The New York Times October 25, 1997 https://www.nytimes.com/1997/10/25/sports/nba-roundup-van-horn-sprains-ankle.html October 3, 2022 Associated Press Ankle Sprain Trips Up Nets' Van Horn Los Angeles Times October 26, 1997 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-oct-26-sp-47050-story.html December 12, 2022 Diamos Jason Pro Basketball: Ankle Injury May Sideline Van Horn Only 2-3 Weeks The New York Times October 28, 1997 https://www.nytimes.com/1997/10/28/sports/pro-basketball-ankle-injury-may-sideline-van-horn-only-2-3-weeks.html January 18, 2022 the Nets won their first four games, and played above .500 in winning percentage for the entire season, holding a 27–21 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 At mid-season, the team traded David Benoit, Kevin Edwards and Yinka Dare to the Orlando Magic in exchange for Rony Seikaly, and second-year forward Brian Evans. Popper Steve Pro Basketball: ===Notable incidents=== Seikaly Traded to Nets in a Last-Minute Deal The New York Times February 20, 1998 https://www.nytimes.com/1998/02/20/sports/pro-basketball-seikaly-traded-to-nets-in-a-last-minute-deal.html June 19, 2021 Heisler Mark It's a Big Deal for Clippers: There Are No Slam Dunks in the Flurry of NBA Deals Los Angeles Times February 20, 1998 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-feb-20-sp-21072-story.html December 4, 2022 Povtak Tim Seikaly Bounces to Nets, and It Looks as If He'll Go Orlando Sentinel February 20, 1998 https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-xpm-1998-02-20-9802200450-story.html October 6, 2022 Despite a seven-game losing streak between February and March, the Nets showed improvement by finishing in third place in the Atlantic Division with a 43–39 record, which earned them the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference, as the team qualified for the NBA playoffs. 1997–98 New Jersey Nets Schedule and Results Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/NJN/1998_games.html June 21, 2021http://www.sportsecyclopedia.com/nba/nj/njnets.html New Jersey Nets (1967-Present) June 18, 2008 January 26, 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20130126165023/http://www.sportsecyclopedia.com/nba/nj/njnets.html dead Van Horn averaged 19.7 points and 6.6 rebounds per game in 62 games, and was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team, while Sam Cassell averaged 19.6 points, 8.0 assists and 1.6 steals per game, and second-year star Kerry Kittles provided the team with 17.2 points and 1.7 steals per game, and led them with 110 three-point field goals. In addition, Kendall Gill contributed 13.4 points and 1.9 steals per game, while Jayson Williams provided with 12.9 points and 13.6 rebounds per game. Off the bench, sixth man Chris Gatling averaged 11.5 points and 5.9 rebounds per game, while Douglas contributed 8.0 points and 4.0 assists per game, Seikaly provided with 4.7 points and 4.0 rebounds per game in nine games after the trade, and Cage averaged 1.3 points and 3.9 rebounds per game. 1997–98 New Jersey Nets Roster and Stats Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/NJN/1998.html June 21, 2021 During the NBA All-Star weekend at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York, Williams was selected for the 1998 NBA All-Star Game, as a member of the Eastern Conference All-Star team; it was his first and only All-Star appearance. Popper Steve N.B.A. All-Star Game: Williams Focuses on His Specialty The New York Times February 9, 1998 https://www.nytimes.com/1998/02/09/sports/nba-all-star-game-williams-focuses-on-his-specialty.html July 25, 2021 NBA.com Staff 1998 NBA All-Star Recap NBA.com September 13, 2021 https://www.nba.com/news/history-all-star-recap-1998 May 16, 2023 1998 NBA All-Star Game: East 135, West 114 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/allstar/NBA_1998.html November 27, 2021 Meanwhile, Van Horn was selected for the NBA Rookie Game, as a member of the Eastern Conference Rookie team; Van Horn scored 17 points along with 10 rebounds, as the Eastern Conference defeated the Western Conference, 85–80. Associated Press 1998 NBA Rookie Game Roster Times-Union February 6, 1998 4B https://books.google.com/books?id=2aQ_AAAAIBAJ&pg=PA14&dq=NBA+rookie+game+roster+1998&article_id=5656,907211&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi85_eY9eCPAxVT1fACHWPLIaEQ6AF6BAgGEAM#v=onepage&q=NBA%20rookie%20game%20roster%201998&f=false September 19, 2025 Popper Steve 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 February 8, 1998 https://www.nytimes.com/1998/02/08/sports/nba-all-star-weekend-kids-slam-ham-but-grown-up-shoots-for-dough-houston-pair.html September 19, 2025 1998 NBA Rising Stars: East 85, West 80 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/allstar/NBA_1998_rookie.html September 19, 2025 Van Horn also finished in second place in Rookie of the Year voting, behind Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs, Associated Press Duncan Wins Rookie of Year Award The Washington Post April 27, 1998 https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/nba/longterm/1998/finals/articles/duncan.htm October 3, 2022 1997–98 NBA Awards Voting Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/awards_1998.html January 2, 2022 while Gill finished tied in eleventh place in Defensive Player of the Year voting, and head coach John Calipari finished tied in ninth place in Coach of the Year voting. The Nets finished twelfth in the NBA in home-game attendance, with an attendance of 718,514 at the Continental Airlines Arena during the regular season. 1997–98 NBA Season Summary Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1998.html January 22, 2026 NBA playoffs In the Eastern Conference First Round of the 1998 NBA playoffs, the Nets faced off against the top–seeded, and 2-time defending NBA champion Chicago Bulls, who won the Central Division title, and were led by the trio of All-Star guard, and Most Valuable Player of the Year, Michael Jordan, All-Star forward Scottie Pippen, and rebound-specialist Dennis Rodman. However, the Nets dealt with injuries as Cassell had a strained groin, Williams had a broken thumb, and Van Horn had the stomach virus. Associated Press Nets' Van Horn Is Questionable Because of Virus Los Angeles Times April 24, 1998 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-apr-24-sp-42663-story.html February 10, 2023 Associated Press Bulls Forced to Work Overtime Before Defeating Depleted Nets Los Angeles Times April 25, 1998 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-apr-25-sp-42962-story.html February 10, 2023 Bayless Skip Bulls Must Face Their Loss of Face Chicago Tribune April 25, 1998 https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1998-04-25-9804250110-story.html February 10, 2023 The Nets lost Game 1 to the Bulls on the road in overtime, 96–93 at the United Center, before losing Game 2 on the road by a score of 96–91, in which the Bulls took a 2–0 series lead. 1998 NBA Eastern Conference First Round Game 1: New Jersey Nets at Chicago Bulls Box Score, April 24, 1998 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199804240CHI.html June 4, 2026 1998 NBA Eastern Conference First Round Game 2: New Jersey Nets at Chicago Bulls Box Score, April 26, 1998 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199804260CHI.html June 4, 2026 The Nets lost Game 3 to the Bulls at home, 116–101 at the Continental Airlines Arena, thus losing the series in a three-game sweep. Popper Steve The N.B.A. Playoffs: Jordan Silences Nets with a Sweep The New York Times April 30, 1998 https://www.nytimes.com/1998/04/30/sports/the-nba-playoffs-jordan-silences-nets-with-a-sweep.html February 18, 2022 Associated Press Jordan Finishes Off the Nets; Rockets Put Jazz on the Ropes Los Angeles Times April 30, 1998 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-apr-30-sp-44661-story.html November 25, 2022 1998 NBA Eastern Conference First Round: Nets vs. Bulls Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1998-nba-eastern-conference-first-round-nets-vs-bulls.html February 3, 2023 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. Araton Harvey Sports of the Times: At the End, Jordan Lifts Bulls to Their Sixth N.B.A. Title The New York Times June 15, 1998 https://www.nytimes.com/1998/06/15/sports/sports-of-the-times-at-the-end-jordan-lifts-bulls-to-their-sixth-nba-title.html May 5, 2022 Howard-Cooper Scott A Rousing Six-cess Los Angeles Times June 15, 1998 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-jun-15-sp-60167-story.html July 25, 2022 1998 NBA Finals: Bulls vs. Jazz Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1998-nba-finals-bulls-vs-jazz.html March 5, 2023 Aftermath Following the season, Douglas signed as a free agent with the Los Angeles Clippers, CBS News.com Staff Douglas to Shoot for Clippers CBS News February 4, 1999 https://www.cbsnews.com/news/douglas-to-shoot-for-clippers/#app December 15, 2022 White Lonnie Douglas Signs, May Play Tonight Los Angeles Times February 5, 1999 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-feb-05-sp-5257-story.html November 1, 2024 while Cage and MacLean were both traded to the Seattle SuperSonics, whom Cage used to play for, Broussard Chris Basketball: Nets Obtain McIlvaine to Shore Up Defense The New York Times January 19, 1999 https://www.nytimes.com/1999/01/19/sports/basketball-nets-obtain-mcilvaine-to-shore-up-defense.html September 18, 2022 Nunyo Demasio Sonics to Send McIlvaine to New Jersey; Will Get Cage and MacLean, Plus Salary Room The Seattle Times January 19, 1999 https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/19990119/2939497/sonics-to-send-mcilvaine-to-new-jersey----will-get-cage-and-maclean-plus-salary-room November 1, 2024 and Xavier McDaniel retired, although he was released to free agency in January. Diamos Jason Basketball: Nets Are Now Positioned to Make It a Real Rivalry The New York Times January 7, 1998 https://www.nytimes.com/1998/01/07/sports/basketball-nets-are-now-positioned-to-make-it-a-real-rivalry.html April 2, 2023 Off-season NBA draft 1997 NBA draft RoundPickPlayerPositionNationalityCollege 1 7 Tim Thomas (traded to Philadelphia) SF United States Villanova 1 21 Anthony Parker (from L.A. Lakers) SG United States Bradley Roster New Jersey Nets 1997–98 45 Michael Cage C 6 9 224 1962-01-28 San Diego State 10 Sam Cassell G 6 3 185 1969-11-18 Florida State 20 Sherman Douglas G 6 0 180 1966-09-15 Syracuse 11 Brian Evans basketball F 6 8 220 1973-09-13 Indiana 15 Chris Gatling F 6 10 220 1967-09-03 Old Dominion 13 Kendall Gill F 6 5 195 1968-05-25 Illinois 54 Jack Haley basketball C 6 10 240 1964-01-27 UCLA 12 Lucious Harris G 6 5 190 1970-12-18 Long Beach State 30 Kerry Kittles G 6 5 179 1974-06-12 Villanova 24 Don MacLean basketball F 6 10 235 1970-01-16 UCLA 2 Rony Seikaly C 6 11 230 1965-05-10 Syracuse 44 Keith Van Horn F 6 10 220 1975-10-23 Utah 42 David Vaughn David Vaughn III F 6 9 240 1973-03-23 Memphis 55 Jayson Williams C 6 9 240 1968-02-22 St. John's John Calipari Don Casey Johnny Davis Kenny Gattison https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/PHO/2010.html April 15, 1998 Roster notes Small forward Xavier McDaniel was waived on January 24, 1998. Regular season The Nets began the season by winning their first four games, and maintained a winning record through all 82 games for the first time in the franchise's NBA history. The Nets clinched a playoff berth with a victory over the Detroit Pistons on the final day of the season. It was the Nets first postseason appearance since 1994, and the season brought excitement back to the Meadowlands. The heart and soul of the Nets was center Jayson Williams, who averaged 13.6 rebounds, (2nd in the NBA), and 12.9 points per game.NETS: New Jersey Nets History https://web.archive.org/web/20100819090713/http://www.nba.com/nets/history/00400579.html 2010-08-19 Williams became the first Net to appear in an All-Star Game since Derrick Coleman in 1994. After missing the first 17 games of the season due to a leg injury, rookie Keith Van Horn quickly acclimated himself to the NBA game and led the Nets in scoring at 19.7 points per game. Another strong presence in the frontcourt was forward Kendall Gill, who averaged 13.4 points per game. The Nets backcourt consisted of Sam Cassell and Kerry Kittles in the backcourt. Cassell ranked second on the team in scoring, behind Van Horn at 19.6 ppg, and led the Nets in assists with 8.0 apg. Kittles was in his second NBA season, and was third on the team in scoring with 17.2 ppg. The Nets bench included Sherman Douglas (8.0 ppg, 4.0 apg) and Chris Gatling (11.5 ppg, 5.9 rpg). Late in the season, the Nets added depth with the trade for Rony Seikaly, who joined the Nets in a five-player trade with the Orlando Magic on Feb. 19. Seikaly played in only nine games for New Jersey, because of a nagging injury to his right foot. Season standings NJN NJN Playoffs Injuries would become a problem in the playoffs for the Nets. In Game 1 against Chicago, Cassell nursed a strained groin and Williams played despite a broken thumb. Williams would manage to get 21 rebounds in the game. The Nets forced overtime at the United Center before falling by a score of 96–93. The Bulls ultimately swept the series, but the Nets' effort suggested that the team had a bright future. New Jersey Nets 1998 yes New Jersey Nets First Round yes yes no 0 1 0 2 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 1 | April 24 | @ Chicago | L 93–96 (OT) | Chris Gatling (24) | Jayson Williams (21) | Sherman Douglas (5) | United Center23,844 | 0–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 2 | April 26 | @ Chicago | L 91–96 | Kerry Kittles (23) | Jayson Williams (11) | Sherman Douglas (12) | United Center23,844 | 0–2 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 3 | April 29 | Chicago | L 101–116 | Sherman Douglas (19) | Jayson Williams (10) | Sherman Douglas (8) | Continental Airlines Arena20,049 | 0–3 NJN 1998 yes Player statistics Regular season New Jersey Nets |- |Keith Van Horn |62 |62 |37.5 |.426 |.308 |.846 |6.6 |1.7 |1.0 |0.4 |19.7 |- |Sam Cassell |75 |72 |34.7 |.441 |.188 |.860 |3.0 |8.0 |1.6 |0.3 |19.6 |- |Kerry Kittles |77 |76 |36.5 |.440 |.418 |.808 |4.7 |2.3 |1.7 |0.5 |17.2 |- |Kendall Gill |81 |81 |33.7 |.429 |.257 |.688 |4.8 |2.5 |1.9 |0.8 |13.4 |- |Jayson Williams |65 |65 |36.0 |.498 |.000 |.666 |13.6 |1.0 |0.7 |0.8 |12.9 |- |Chris Gatling |57 |16 |23.8 |.455 |.250 |.600 |5.9 |0.9 |0.9 |0.5 |11.5 |- |Sherman Douglas |80 |11 |21.2 |.495 |.304 |.669 |1.7 |4.0 |0.7 |0.1 |8.0 |- |David Benoit |53 |0 |15.1 |.379 |.345 |.841 |2.7 |0.3 |0.5 |0.3 |5.3 |- |Rony Seikaly |9 |2 |16.9 |.317 | |.593 |4.0 |0.9 |0.3 |0.4 |4.7 |- |Brian Evans |28 |1 |11.9 |.434 |.405 |.667 |1.9 |0.9 |0.3 |0.2 |4.1 |- |Lucious Harris |50 |0 |13.4 |.390 |.308 |.745 |1.0 |0.8 |0.8 |0.1 |3.8 |- |Kevin Edwards |27 |5 |13.0 |.349 |.364 |.867 |1.3 |1.0 |0.8 |0.0 |3.4 |- |David Vaughn |15 |2 |10.7 |.576 | |.667 |3.3 |0.1 |0.3 |0.3 |2.9 |- |Jack Haley |16 |0 |3.2 |.278 |.000 |.571 |0.9 |0.0 |0.0 |0.1 |1.4 |- |Michael Cage |79 |17 |15.2 |.512 |.000 |.556 |3.9 |0.4 |0.6 |0.6 |1.3 |- |Xavier McDaniel |20 |0 |9.0 |.333 | |.625 |1.6 |0.5 |0.2 |0.1 |1.3 |- |Yinka Dare |10 |0 |6.0 |.222 | |.500 |1.7 |0.1 |0.0 |0.2 |1.2 |- |Don MacLean |9 |0 |4.7 |.100 |.500 | |0.6 |0.0 |0.0 |0.0 |0.3 |} Playoffs New Jersey Nets |- |Sherman Douglas |3 |2 |41.7 |.523 |.400 |.700 |2.7 |8.3 |2.0 |0.0 |18.3 |- |Kerry Kittles |3 |3 |42.0 |.425 |.385 |.909 |5.0 |2.7 |1.3 |0.7 |16.3 |- |Chris Gatling |3 |1 |27.0 |.500 | |.667 |3.3 |0.7 |0.7 |0.7 |15.3 |- |Kendall Gill |3 |3 |33.3 |.450 | |.875 |4.3 |1.0 |1.3 |0.3 |14.3 |- |Keith Van Horn |3 |3 |25.7 |.448 |.000 |.800 |3.0 |0.3 |0.0 |0.0 |12.7 |- |Jayson Williams |3 |2 |38.7 |.429 | |.500 |14.0 |1.7 |0.7 |1.0 |7.0 |- |Rony Seikaly |3 |0 |12.3 |.778 | |.667 |3.0 |0.0 |0.3 |0.0 |6.0 |- |Lucious Harris |3 |0 |17.3 |.333 |.000 |.833 |2.7 |0.3 |0.7 |0.0 |3.0 |- |Sam Cassell |3 |1 |8.7 |.333 | | |1.0 |1.7 |0.0 |0.3 |2.0 |- |Brian Evans |3 |0 |1.3 | | | |0.3 |0.0 |0.0 |0.0 |0.0 |- |David Vaughn |1 |0 |1.0 | | | |0.0 |0.0 |0.0 |1.0 |0.0 |} Player statistics citation: Awards, Records and Honors Jayson Williams, NBA All-Star Game Keith Van Horn, NBA All-Rookie Team 1st Team References New Jersey Nets on Database Basketball New Jersey Nets on Basketball Reference New Jersey Nets season Category:New Jersey Nets seasons New Jersey Nets New Jersey Nets Category:20th century in East Rutherford, New Jersey Category:Meadowlands Sports Complex