1997–98 Los Angeles Clippers season

NBA professional basketball team season October 2020 March 2026 Los Angeles Clippers National Basketball Association 1998 17 65 Pacific 7 13 Bill Fitch Los Angeles Memorial Sports ArenaArrowhead Pond Donald Sterling KCAL-TVFox Sports West 2(Ralph Lawler, Bill Walton) KXTA(Rory Markas) Did not qualify LAC The 1997–98 Los Angeles Clippers season was the 28th season for the Los Angeles Clippers in the National Basketball Association, their 14th season in Los Angeles, California, and their fourth season in which they played occasional home games in Anaheim, California. Los Angeles Clippers Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/LAC/ August 7, 2026 Season summary Off-season The Clippers had the 14th overall pick in the 1997 NBA draft, and selected power forward Maurice Taylor from the University of Michigan. 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 August 3, 2025 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/ August 3, 2025 1997 NBA Draft Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1997.html August 3, 2025 During the off-season, the team signed free agent James Robinson, Clippers Sign James Robinson for $10.5 Million Los Angeles Times August 17, 1997 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-aug-17-sp-23475-story.html September 17, 2022 Basketball Briefs Deseret News August 17, 1997 https://www.deseret.com/1997/8/17/19328838/basketball-briefs/ November 1, 2024 and acquired Stojko Vrankovic from the Minnesota Timberwolves on draft day. Gardner Kris Archive: Houston Roundball Review NBA Trade Analyses: 1997 NBA Draft Day Deals The Houston Roundball Review June 25, 1997 https://www.thehrr.com/nba/trade_archive/062597draftdaydeals.html September 25, 2023 Regular season Despite the addition of Taylor, the Clippers struggled losing 14 of their first 16 games of the regular season, as Loy Vaught suffered a back injury after only just ten games, and was out for the remainder of the season; Vaught averaged 7.5 points and 6.5 rebounds per game. Baker Chris Back Spasms Sideline Vaught Los Angeles Times November 22, 1997 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-nov-22-sp-56512-story.html October 3, 2022 Baker Chris Vaught Considers Season-Ending Surgery Los Angeles Times December 1, 1997 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-dec-01-sp-59565-story.html October 24, 2025 Baker Chris Vaught Expected Out for Season Los Angeles Times December 4, 1997 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-dec-04-sp-60632-story.html December 1, 2022 After holding a 5–24 start to the season, the team managed to win four of their next five games, but then lost 12 of their next 13 games afterwards, and held an 11–37 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 January 2, 2023 At mid-season, the team traded Brent Barry to the Miami Heat in exchange for last season's Most Improved Player Isaac Austin, and rookie shooting guard Charles Smith; Associated Press N.B.A.: Trades: Miami Acquires Brent Barry The New York Times February 20, 1998 https://www.nytimes.com/1998/02/20/sports/nba-trades-miami-acquires-brent-barry.html July 26, 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 Winderman Ira Austin Heads West, to L.A. Sun Sentinel February 20, 1998 https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1998-02-20-9802200033-story.html December 1, 2022 before the trade, Barry averaged 13.7 points per game in 41 games. The Clippers lost 15 of their final 17 games of the season, including a 10-game losing streak between March and April, Associated Press Clippers Show Some Spark, But Still Lose Los Angeles Times April 17, 1998 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-apr-17-sp-40252-story.html April 22, 2023 and finished in last place in the Pacific Division with a 17–65 record. 1997–98 Los Angeles Clippers Schedule and Results Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/LAC/1998_games.html June 28, 2021 Lamond Murray showed improvement becoming the team's starting small forward, averaging 15.4 points, 6.1 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game, while Austin averaged 15.2 points and 8.7 rebounds per game in 26 games after the trade, and Rodney Rogers provided the team with 15.1 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. In addition, Taylor provided with 11.5 points and 4.2 rebounds per game, and was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team, while three-point specialist Eric Piatkowski contributed 11.3 points per game and 106 three-point field goals, Darrick Martin provided with 10.3 points and 4.0 assists per game, and led the Clippers with 107 three-point field goals, and second-year center Lorenzen Wright averaged 9.0 points, 8.8 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game. Meanwhile, Robinson contributed 7.7 points per game, Pooh Richardson provided with 4.2 points and 3.3 assists per game, and Vrankovic averaged 3.0 points and 4.0 rebounds per game. 1997–98 Los Angeles Clippers Roster and Stats Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/LAC/1998.html June 28, 2021 During the NBA All-Star weekend at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York, Taylor was selected for the NBA Rookie Game, as a member of the Western Conference Rookie team. 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 1998 NBA Rising Stars: East 85, West 80 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/allstar/NBA_1998_rookie.html September 19, 2025 Murray finished tied in eighth place in Most Improved Player voting. 1997–98 NBA Awards Voting Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/awards_1998.html January 30, 2023 For the fifth consecutive year, the Clippers finished last in the NBA in home-game attendance, with an attendance of 254,840 at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena during the regular season, which was 29th in the league. 1997–98 NBA Season Summary Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1998.html January 22, 2026 Aftermath Following the season, Austin signed as a free agent with the Orlando Magic, Povtak Tim Austin Remains Center of Attention Orlando Sentinel January 15, 1999 https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-xpm-1999-01-16-9901151237-story.html June 25, 2022 Austin Says He Will Sign with Magic Tampa Bay Times January 16, 1999 https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1999/01/16/austin-says-he-will-sign-with-magic/ October 3, 2022 Goodall Fred Austin Gives Magic Contender Hopes Again The Ledger January 21, 1999 https://www.theledger.com/story/news/1999/01/22/austin-gives-magic-contender-hopes-again/26629552007/ February 2, 2023 while Vaught signed with the Detroit Pistons after eight seasons with the Clippers, CBS News.com Staff Pistons Sign Vaught, Laettner CBS News January 20, 1999 https://www.cbsnews.com/news/pistons-sign-vaught-laettner/#app December 5, 2022 Bloomberg News Vaught to Sign Five-Year Piston Deal Los Angeles Times January 21, 1999 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-jan-21-sp-285-story.html October 18, 2022 Wise Mike Pro Basketball: A Scrum for the Title The New York Times February 4, 1999 https://www.nytimes.com/1999/02/04/sports/pro-basketball-a-scrum-for-the-title.html June 28, 2022 and head coach Bill Fitch was fired after four seasons with the Clippers. Springer Steve Clippers Scratch Fitch Los Angeles Times April 21, 1998 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-apr-21-sp-41531-story.html October 18, 2022 Peters Ken Clippers Fire Coach Bill Fitch Associated Press April 21, 1998 https://apnews.com/article/88f5d88e2836944b873b42e704a78233 December 1, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20221202023128/https://apnews.com/article/88f5d88e2836944b873b42e704a78233 December 2, 2022 dead Fitch's most losses record in NBA history with 1,106 losses stood for five years, until Lenny Wilkens would break his mark later on during the 2002–03 season while coaching for the Toronto Raptors. Raptors End 7-Game Road Losing Streak Midland Daily News April 1, 2003 https://www.ourmidland.com/news/article/Raptors-End-7-Game-Road-Losing-Streak-7156894.php June 27, 2022 Draft picks 1997 NBA draft Round Pick Player Position Nationality College 1 14 Maurice Taylor PF Michigan Roster Los Angeles Clippers 1997–98 #E30022 #FFFFFF #1A2E8B #FFFFFF 8 Isaac Austin C 6 10 270 –– Arizona State 33 Keith Closs C 7 3 215 –– Central Connecticut State 32 James Collins James Collins (basketball) G 6 4 196 –– Florida State 15 Darrick Martin G 5 11 170 –– UCLA 7 Lamond Murray F 6 7 236 –– California 52 Eric Piatkowski G 6 7 215 –– Nebraska 24 Pooh Richardson G 6 1 180 –– UCLA 26 James Robinson James Robinson (basketball, born 1970) G 6 2 180 –– Alabama 54 Rodney Rogers F 6 7 260 –– Wake Forest 14 Charles Smith Charles Cornelius Smith G 6 5 194 –– New Mexico 23 Maurice Taylor F 6 9 260 –– Michigan 35 Loy Vaught F 6 9 230 –– Michigan 11 Stojko Vrankovic C 7 2 260 –– Croatia 55 Lorenzen Wright F/C 6 11 240 –– Memphis Bill Fitch Jim Brewer Barry Hecker Rex Kalamian http://www.nba.com/clippers/roster/ 2009-10-04 Roster Notes Rookie center Keith Closs played for the Lakers during the pre-season and had a strong performance; when he was released to free agency, the Clippers quickly signed him to their roster. Baker Chris Tall Tale Los Angeles Times October 23, 1997 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-oct-23-sp-45960-story.html November 7, 2022 Regular season Season standings LAC LAC z - clinched division title y - clinched division title x - clinched playoff spot Game log Player statistics PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG Lamond Murray 79 65 32.6 48.1 35.3 74.8 6.1 1.8 1.5 0.715.4 Isaac Austin 26 25 34.4 45.4 0.0 65.2 8.7 3.4 0.7 0.815.2 Rodney Rogers 76 70 32.9 45.6 34.0 68.6 5.6 2.7 1.2 0.515.1 Brent Barry 41 36 32.7 42.8 40.0 84.4 3.5 3.2 1.2 0.613.7 Maurice Taylor 71 3 21.3 47.6 0.0 70.9 4.2 0.7 0.5 0.611.5 Eric Piatkowski 67 35 26.0 45.2 40.9 82.4 3.5 1.3 0.8 0.211.3 Darrick Martin 82 63 28.0 37.7 36.5 84.8 2.0 4.0 1.0 0.110.3 Lorenzen Wright 69 38 30.0 44.5 0.0 65.9 8.8 0.8 0.8 1.39.0 Robinson, James James Robinson 70 13 17.6 38.9 32.9 72.0 1.6 1.9 0.5 0.17.7 Loy Vaught 10 6 26.5 42.9 0.0 37.5 6.5 0.7 0.4 0.27.5 Smith, Charles Charles Smith 23 0 11.3 42.1 31.8 55.6 0.8 0.8 0.4 0.24.7 Pooh Richardson 69 17 18.1 37.2 19.3 69.8 1.4 3.3 0.6 0.04.2 Keith Closs 58 1 12.8 44.9 0.0 59.7 2.9 0.3 0.2 1.44.0 Vrankovic, Stojko Stojko Vrankovic 65 38 15.3 42.5 0.0 56.9 4.0 0.6 0.2 1.03.0 James Collins 23 0 4.5 38.2 45.0 57.1 0.6 0.1 0.3 0.12.6 Player statistics citation: Transactions The Clippers have been involved in the following transactions during the 1997–98 season. Trades June 25, 1997 To Los Angeles Clippers Stojko Vrankovic To Minnesota Timberwolves Stanley Roberts June 25, 1997 To Los Angeles Clippers Draft rights to James Collins To Philadelphia 76ers 1998 2nd-round draft pick February 19, 1998 To Los Angeles Clippers Isaac Austin, Charles C. Smith & 1998 1st-round draft pick To Miami Heat Brent Barry Free agents 52% Additions Player Signed Former team Keith Closs August 8 Los Angeles Lakers James Robinson August 16 Minnesota Timberwolves Subtractions Player Left New team Terry Dehere waived, July 2 Sacramento Kings Dwayne Schintzius released, July 2 Boston Celtics Malik Sealy renounced, August 8 Detroit Pistons Bo Outlaw free agency, September 5 Orlando Magic Rich Manning waived, October 28 Oyak Renault (TBL) Player transactions citation:1997–98 Los Angeles Clippers Transactions Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/LAC/1998_transactions.html July 4, 2021 See also 1997-98 NBA season References Los Angeles Clippers Category:1997 in Los Angeles Category:1998 in Los Angeles Category:1997 in sports in California Category:1998 in sports in California Category:Los Angeles Clippers seasons