1996–97 Cleveland Cavaliers season

NBA professional basketball team season March 2026 August 2023 Cleveland Cavaliers 1997 42 40 Central 5 9 Mike Fratello Wayne Embry Gordon Gund George Gund III Gund Arena Did not qualify CLE SportsChannel Ohio WUAB WTAM The 1996–97 Cleveland Cavaliers season was the 27th season for the Cleveland Cavaliers in the National Basketball Association. Cleveland Cavaliers Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CLE/ August 6, 2026 The city of Cleveland, Ohio hosted the NBA All-Star weekend at the Gund Arena this season. Season summary Off-season In the 1996 NBA draft, the Cavaliers selected Ukrainian center Vitaly Potapenko out of Wright State University with the twelfth overall pick, and also selected Lithuanian center Zydrunas Ilgauskas with the 20th overall pick; 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 January 28, 2023 Bembry Jerry 76ers Make Iverson the 1, Philadelphia Takes Georgetown Guard; Camby Goes Second The Baltimore Sun June 27, 1996 https://www.baltimoresun.com/1996/06/27/76ers-make-iverson-the-1-philadelphia-takes-georgetown-guard-camby-goes-second/ June 2, 2023 1996 NBA Draft Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1996.html January 28, 2023 however, Ilgauskas would miss the entire regular season due to a broken bone in his right foot. Cleveland Rookie to Miss Camp Opening The New York Times September 27, 1996 https://www.nytimes.com/1996/09/27/sports/cleveland-rookie-to-miss-camp-opening.html April 20, 2023 Walters John Who Is Zydrunas Ilgauskas? Sports Illustrated Vault February 2, 1998 https://vault.si.com/vault/1998/02/02/who-is-zydrunas-ilgauskas April 20, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20210922120534/https://vault.si.com/vault/1998/02/02/who-is-zydrunas-ilgauskas September 22, 2021 dead Ilgauskas Sidelined Again by Foot Problem United Press International December 26, 2000 https://www.upi.com/Archives/2000/12/26/Ilgauskas-sidelined-again-by-foot-problem/5715977806800/ October 22, 2021 During the off-season, the team signed free agent and former Cavaliers center Mark West. Fischer Bob Magic Acquires Spencer to Fill Gap Chicago Tribune August 10, 1996 https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1996-08-10-9608100060-story.html June 28, 2022 Transactions Hartford Courant August 10, 1996 https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-xpm-1996-08-10-9608100237-story.html December 27, 2022 Regular season With the addition of Potapenko, the Cavaliers won nine of their first twelve games of the regular season, and got off to a 21–10 start to the season. However, the team lost 11 of their next 14 games, which included a six-game losing streak in January, and later on held a 25–22 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 July 19, 2022 The Cavaliers played above .500 in winning percentage for the entire season, but struggled as the season progressed, losing 10 of their 16 games in March. On the final day of the regular season on April 20, 1997, the Cavaliers faced off against the Washington Bullets at home at the Gund Arena, as both teams were fighting for the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference; the Bullets won the game by a score of 85–81, as the Cavaliers missed the NBA playoffs for the first time since the 1990–91 season, Final Day: Charlotte Slips, Washington Soars, O'Neal Misses The New York Times April 21, 1997 https://www.nytimes.com/1997/04/21/sports/final-day-charlotte-slips-washington-soars-o-neal-misses.html May 12, 2022 Adande J.A. Rebounding, with Much Emotion The Washington Post April 21, 1997 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1997/04/21/rebounding-with-much-emotion/f38b81f8-f64c-4551-97b8-7362286d46c3/ September 16, 2022 Washington Bullets at Cleveland Cavaliers Box Score, April 20, 1997 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199704200CLE.html November 19, 2022 finishing in fifth place in the Central Division with a 42–40 record. 1996–97 Cleveland Cavaliers Schedule and Results Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CLE/1997_games.html June 22, 2021 Terrell Brandon averaged 19.5 points, 6.3 assists and 1.8 steals per game, and also contributed 101 three-point field goals, while Chris Mills averaged 13.4 points and 6.2 rebounds per game, and Tyrone Hill provided the team with 12.9 points and 9.9 rebounds per game, and shot .600 in field-goal percentage. In addition, Bobby Phills contributed 12.6 points and 1.6 steals per game, while Danny Ferry provided with 10.6 points per game, and led the Cavaliers with 114 three-point field goals. Off the bench, second-year guard Bob Sura contributed 9.2 points and 4.8 assists per game, while Potapenko averaged 5.8 points and 2.7 rebounds per game, and West provided with 3.2 points and 2.7 rebounds per game, starting at center for half of the regular season. 1996–97 Cleveland Cavaliers Roster and Stats Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CLE/1997.html June 22, 2021 During the NBA All-Star weekend at the Gund Arena in Cleveland, Brandon was selected for the 1997 NBA All-Star Game, as a member of the Eastern Conference All-Star team; it was his second and final All-Star appearance. 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, Sura 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 and Potapenko 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 For the third straight season, the Cavaliers were known as a low-scoring, defensive team led by head coach Mike Fratello's slow-paced, defensive coaching style; Araton Harvey Low Scores a Result of Imprecise Shooting The New York Times March 3, 1997 https://www.nytimes.com/1997/03/03/sports/low-scores-a-result-of-imprecise-shooting.html August 23, 2025 Blast from the Past: Winning Ugly NBA.com September 27, 2011 https://www.nba.com/cavaliers/news/blast_fratello_110927.html August 23, 2025 the team finished last in the NBA in scoring averaging 87.5 points per game, while allowing 85.6 points per game from their opponents, which was the best in the league, and also had the fifth best team defensive rating. 1996–97 NBA Season Summary Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1997.html August 23, 2025 1996–97 NBA Team Ratings Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1997_ratings.html August 23, 2025 The Cavaliers finished 16th in the NBA in home-game attendance, with an attendance of 692,684 at the Gund Arena during the regular season. Notable highlights On February 27, 1997, the Cavaliers defeated the defending NBA champion Chicago Bulls at the Gund Arena, by a low score of 73–70, in which All-Star guard Michael Jordan missed a three-point shot at the buzzer; Cavaliers 73, Bulls 70 Chicago Tribune February 28, 1997 https://www.chicagotribune.com/1997/02/28/cavaliers-73-bulls-70/ August 23, 2025 Associated Press Jordan Miss Leaves Cavs with Rare Win Deseret News February 28, 1997 https://www.deseret.com/1997/2/28/19297754/jordan-miss-leaves-cavs-with-rare-win/ August 23, 2025 Chicago Bulls at Cleveland Cavaliers Box Score, February 27, 1997 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199702270CLE.html August 23, 2025 the Bulls, along with the Utah Jazz, led the NBA in scoring averaging 103.1 points per game, and also had the third best team defensive rating. One month later on March 25, the Cavaliers lost to the San Antonio Spurs on the road, 64–59 at the Alamodome, in which both teams combined for a total of 123 points, and combined for 21 points alone in the fourth quarter; it was the second lowest-scoring game in NBA history at the time, and since the shot clock was introduced during the 1954–55 season. Associated Press Spurs Get "Ridiculous" 64–59 Win Over Cavaliers Los Angeles Times March 26, 1997 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-03-26-sp-42185-story.html August 23, 2025 Associated Press Spurs Get Ugly Win, 64–59 Eugene Register-Guard March 26, 1997 3B https://books.google.com/books?id=qUtWAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA9&dq=1997+Cleveland+Cavaliers+San+Antonio+Spurs+64-59&article_id=6810,6672629&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjuqqKh-6GPAxXv8MkDHcGGJewQ6AF6BAgHEAM#v=onepage&q=1997%20Cleveland%20Cavaliers%20San%20Antonio%20Spurs%2064-59&f=false August 23, 2025 Cleveland Cavaliers at San Antonio Spurs Box Score, March 25, 1997 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199703250SAS.html August 23, 2025 Aftermath Following the season, Brandon and Hill were both traded to the Milwaukee Bucks in an off-season 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 while Mills signed as a free agent with the Boston Celtics, Celtics Sign Chris Mills and Tyus Edney Associated Press August 22, 1997 https://apnews.com/article/33225e7727207e24b79a43754af0fddc December 27, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20221228043457/https://apnews.com/article/33225e7727207e24b79a43754af0fddc December 28, 2022 dead Bloomberg News Celtics Sign 2 Free Agents The New York Times August 23, 1997 https://www.nytimes.com/1997/08/23/sports/celtics-sign-2-free-agents.html October 22, 2022 Transactions Hartford Courant August 23, 1997 https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-xpm-1997-08-23-9708230310-story.html July 17, 2022 who then traded him to the New York Knicks two months later. Roberts Selena Pro Basketball: Knicks Send Four Players to the Celtics for Mills The New York Times October 23, 1997 https://www.nytimes.com/1997/10/23/sports/pro-basketball-knicks-send-four-players-to-the-celtics-for-mills.html January 1, 2022 Associated Press Knicks Trade Four Players to Get Mills Los Angeles Times October 23, 1997 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-oct-23-sp-45978-story.html October 3, 2022 Greenberg Alan One of Pitino's Slick Moves Hartford Courant October 23, 1997 https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-xpm-1997-10-23-9710230482-story.html December 27, 2022 Meanwhile, Phills signed with the Charlotte Hornets, Associated Press Hornets Sign Phills The New York Times August 20, 1997 https://www.nytimes.com/1997/08/20/sports/hornets-sign-phills.html January 1, 2022 Staff and Wire Reports Hornets Complete Renovation of Backcourt by Signing Phills Los Angeles Times August 20, 1997 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-aug-20-sp-24142-story.html October 3, 2022 Wire Services Hornets Sign Phills The Spokesman-Review August 20, 1997 https://www.spokesman.com/stories/1997/aug/20/hornets-sign-phills/ December 27, 2022 and West signed with the Indiana Pacers. Associated Press Hornacek Re-Signs with Jazz The New York Times September 9, 1997 https://www.nytimes.com/1997/09/09/sports/hornacek-re-signs-with-jazz.html June 30, 2022 Wire Services Jazz Re-Sign Hornacek The Spokesman-Review September 9, 1997 https://www.spokesman.com/stories/1997/sep/09/jazz-re-sign-hornacek/ February 2, 2023 2 Offseason Free agents Trades Draft picks 1996 NBA draft Round Pick Player Position Nationality School/Club team 1 12* Vitaly Potapenko Center Wright State 1 20 Zydrunas Ilgauskas Center Atletas 2 56** Reggie Geary Guard United States Arizona *1st round pick acquired from Washington in Mark Price deal.O'Dell Larry Price, William Mark (1964- ) http://digital.library.okstate.edu/encyclopedia/entries/P/PR013.html Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History & Culture Oklahoma Historical Society 18 October 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20110629071053/http://digital.library.okstate.edu/encyclopedia/entries/P/PR013.html 29 June 2011 **2nd round pick acquired from Orlando in Steve Kerr deal.Trail Blazers Obtain Derek Anderson and Steve Kerr http://www.nba.com/blazers/news/Derek_Anderson_signs010720.html Portland Trail Blazers 18 October 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20050307133036/http://www.nba.com/blazers/news/Derek_Anderson_signs010720.html 7 March 2005 2nd round pick (#50) traded to Houston in Keith Hughes deal. Used to draft Terrell Bell. Roster Cleveland Cavaliers 1996–97 #5787DC #000000 #000000 #FFFFFF 1 Terrell Brandon G 5 11 180 1970–05–20 Oregon 35 Danny Ferry F 6 10 230 1966–10–17 Duke 2 Reggie Geary G 6 2 187 1973–08–31 Arizona 32 Tyrone Hill C 6 9 240 1968–03–19 Xavier 11 Zydrunas Ilgauskas C 7 3 238 1975–06–05 Lithuania IN 21 Antonio Lang F 6 8 205 1972–05–15 Duke 33 Donny Marshall F 6 7 230 1972–07–17 Connecticut 24 Chris Mills basketball F 6 6 215 1970–01–25 Arizona 14 Bobby Phills G 6 5 200 1969–12–20 Southern 52 Vitaly Potapenko C 6 10 280 1975–03–21 Wright State 44 Shawnelle Scott C 6 10 250 1972–06–16 St. John's 3 Bob Sura G 6 5 200 1973–03–25 Florida State 23 Carl Thomas basketball G 6 4 175 1969–10–03 Eastern Michigan 41 Mark West basketball C 6 10 230 1960–11–05 Old Dominion Mike Fratello Jim Boylan Sidney Lowe Ron Rothstein (IN) Inactive https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CLE/1997.html September 23, 1996 Roster Notes Rookie center Zydrunas Ilgauskas was on the injured reserve list due to a broken bone in his right foot, and missed the entire regular season. Regular season Season standings CLE CLE Game log Cleveland Cavaliers 1997 #5787DC #FFFFFF 25 16 17 24 Cleveland Cavaliers November no yes #000000 #F60 5 3 4 2 |- align="center" bgcolor= |- || || || || || || |- Cleveland Cavaliers December no #000000 #F60 8 1 2 4 |- align="center" bgcolor= |- || || || || || || |- Cleveland Cavaliers January no #000000 #F60 3 5 2 4 |- align="center" bgcolor= |- || || || || || || |- Cleveland Cavaliers February no #000000 #F60 3 2 4 3 |- align="center" bgcolor= |- || || || || || || |- Cleveland Cavaliers March no #000000 #F60 4 2 2 8 |- align="center" bgcolor= |- || || || || || || |- Cleveland Cavaliers April no #000000 #F60 2 3 3 3 |- align="center" bgcolor= |- || || || || || || |- CLE 1997 Player stats Regular season PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPGTerrell Brandon787836.843.837.390.23.96.31.80.419.5Chris Mills807939.645.339.184.26.22.51.10.513.4Tyrone Hill747034.960.00.063.39.91.20.90.412.9Bobby Phills696534.442.839.471.83.63.41.60.312.6Danny Ferry824832.142.940.185.14.11.80.70.410.6Bob Sura822327.743.132.361.43.84.81.10.49.2Vitaly Potapenko80315.544.050.073.62.70.50.30.45.8Mark West704313.755.60.048.22.70.30.20.83.2Donny Marshall5609.832.537.970.41.30.40.40.13.1Antonio Lang64113.242.00.072.92.00.50.50.52.7Reggie Geary3906.337.938.145.50.40.90.30.11.5Shawnelle Scott1603.150.00.036.41.00.00.00.21.3Carl Thomas1904.137.516.7100.00.70.40.10.11.1 Player statistics citation: Awards and records Awards Records Milestones All-Star Terrell Brandon - 1997 NBA All-Star Game Transactions Trades Free agents Development League References External links Cleveland Cavaliers on Database Basketball Cleveland Cavaliers on Basketball Reference Category:Cleveland Cavaliers seasons Cleveland Cleve Cleve