1996–97 Golden State Warriors season

NBA professional basketball team season March 2026 August 2023 Golden State Warriors 1997 30 52 Pacific 7 10 Rick Adelman Chris Cohan San Jose Arena KPIX/KICU-TVSportsChannel Pacific KNBR Did not qualify GSW The 1996–97 Golden State Warriors season was the 51st season for the Golden State Warriors in the National Basketball Association, and their 35th season in the San Francisco Bay Area. Golden State Warriors Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/GSW/ August 6, 2026 Season summary Off-season The Warriors received the eleventh overall pick in the 1996 NBA draft, and selected center Todd Fuller out of North Carolina State University. 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 June 2, 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 June 2, 2023 Due to extensive renovations at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena, the team played their home games at the San Jose Arena in San Jose, California this season. Warriors to Play in San Jose Arena SFGate March 22, 1996 https://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/Warriors-to-play-in-San-Jose-Arena-3149217.php January 28, 2023 San Jose Approves One-Year Warriors Deal for Arena Associated Press March 27, 1996 https://apnews.com/article/6c2aa9be371b2627d47db991956b87de June 27, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220627074151/https://apnews.com/article/6c2aa9be371b2627d47db991956b87de June 27, 2022 dead During the off-season, the Warriors signed free agent All-Star guard Mark Price, Associated Press Warriors Sign Mark Price The New York Times July 22, 1996 https://www.nytimes.com/1996/07/22/sports/warriors-sign-mark-price.html January 18, 2022 Associated Press Warriors Sign Mark Price to Multi-Year Deal Deseret News July 22, 1996 https://www.deseret.com/1996/7/22/19255759/warriors-sign-mark-price-to-multiyear-deal December 27, 2022 Steele David Price Wants to Show That Warriors Made Right "Risk" SFGate September 21, 1996 https://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/Price-Wants-to-Show-That-Warriors-Made-Right-2965785.php October 7, 2022 then traded Rony Seikaly to the Orlando Magic in exchange for Felton Spencer, Donald Royal and Jon Koncak at the start of the regular season. However, Koncak was out for the entire season due to a knee injury, and never played for the Warriors. Associated Press Seikaly Traded to the Magic The New York Times November 3, 1996 https://www.nytimes.com/1996/11/03/sports/seikaly-traded-to-the-magic.html July 31, 2021 Associated Press Seikaly Gets Wish, Goes to Magic Los Angeles Times November 3, 1996 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-11-03-sp-60932-story.html December 3, 2022 Johnson L.C. All Aboard...Seikaly Orlando Sentinel November 3, 1996 https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-xpm-1996-11-03-9611030249-story.html September 16, 2022 Regular season With the addition of Price and Spencer, the Warriors struggled losing 10 of their first 13 games of the regular season, and later on held a 17–29 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 Royal to the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for Scott Burrell. Sheridan Chris Nuggets Made Three Trades, Hornets and Pacers Two Each Associated Press February 20, 1997 https://apnews.com/article/08f00e6c260e7f7c5eff2a57f4d4464e July 31, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20220712120048/https://apnews.com/article/08f00e6c260e7f7c5eff2a57f4d4464e July 12, 2022 dead Brown Clifton Jackson Is Back with Pacers The New York Times February 21, 1997 https://www.nytimes.com/1997/02/21/sports/jackson-is-back-with-pacers.html January 4, 2023 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 November 18, 2022 The Warriors posted a seven-game losing streak in March, as B. J. Armstrong only played just 49 games due to a knee injury, and Bimbo Coles only appeared in 51 games due to a hernia injury. Steele David Warriors Trade, But Mullin Stays; Burrell Acquired from Charlotte, and That's All SFGate February 21, 1997 https://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/Warriors-Trade-But-Mullin-Stays-Burrell-2852792.php November 9, 2022 Steele David Golden State's Health Is in Guarded Condition SFGate March 17, 1997 https://www.sfgate.com/sports/amp/Golden-State-s-Health-Is-in-Guarded-Condition-2850169.php July 29, 2021 The Warriors lost six of their final eight games of the season, and finished in last place in the Pacific Division with a 30–52 record. 1996–97 Golden State Warriors Schedule and Results Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/GSW/1997_games.html June 28, 2021 Latrell Sprewell averaged 24.2 points, 6.3 assists and 1.7 steals per game, and led the Warriors with 147 three-point field goals, while second-year star Joe Smith continued to show improvement, averaging 18.7 points and 8.5 rebounds per game, and Chris Mullin provided the team with 14.5 points, 4.1 assists and 1.6 steals per game. In addition, Price contributed 11.3 points and 4.9 assists per game, along with 112 three-point field goals, while Armstrong contributed 7.9 points and 2.6 assists per game, and Donyell Marshall provided with 7.3 points and 4.5 rebounds per game. Meanwhile, Coles contributed 6.1 points and 2.9 assists per game, second-year center Andrew DeClercq averaged 5.3 points and 4.2 rebounds per game, Spencer averaged 5.1 points and 5.7 rebounds per game, Burrell contributed 4.9 points per game in 29 games after the trade, and Fuller provided with 4.1 points and 3.3 rebounds per game. 1996–97 Golden State Warriors Roster and Stats Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/GSW/1997.html June 28, 2021 During the NBA All-Star weekend at the Gund Arena in Cleveland, Ohio, Sprewell was selected for the 1997 NBA All-Star Game, as a member of the Western Conference All-Star team. Off the bench, Sprewell scored 19 points along with 2 steals, despite the Western Conference losing to the Eastern 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 The Warriors finished 23rd in the NBA in home-game attendance, with an attendance of 621,844 at the San Jose Arena during the regular season. 1996–97 NBA Season Summary Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1997.html January 22, 2026 Aftermath This season marked an end of an era, as Mullin was traded to the Indiana Pacers the following season; although he would later on return to Golden State for the 2000–01 season. Associated Press Warriors Trade Mullin to Pacers The New York Times August 12, 1997 https://www.nytimes.com/1997/08/12/sports/warriors-trade-mullin-to-pacers.html January 18, 2022 Associated Press Pacers Get Mullin from Warriors for Two Players Los Angeles Times August 13, 1997 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-aug-13-sp-22023-story.html July 10, 2022 Warriors Send Mullin to Indiana The Washington Post August 13, 1997 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1997/08/13/warriors-send-mullin-to-indiana/8b58e832-18de-4ddb-ae0e-fe6579b345e6/ July 12, 2022 Meanwhile, Price was traded to the Orlando Magic, Associated Press Pro Basketball: Warriors Send Price to Magic The New York Times October 28, 1997 https://www.nytimes.com/1997/10/28/sports/pro-basketball-warriors-send-price-to-magic.html November 18, 2022 Magic Pay Price for Scoring Orlando Sentinel October 28, 1997 Johnson L.C. https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-xpm-1997-10-28-9710280091-story,amp.html January 1, 2022 Steele David Warriors Ship Out Price: Point-Guard Glut Gone; Magic Deal Shaw, Vaughn SFGate October 28, 1997 https://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/Warriors-Ship-Out-Price-Point-guard-glut-gone-2799474.php December 4, 2022 Burrell was dealt to the Chicago Bulls, Armour Terry Simpkins-Burrell Trade in Works Chicago Tribune September 20, 1997 https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1997-09-20-9709200094-story,amp.html July 25, 2022 Steele David Warriors Acquire Bulls' Simpkins; Burrell Swapped for 6-10 Power Forward SFGate September 23, 1997 https://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/Warriors-Acquire-Bulls-Simpkins-Burrell-2827220.php December 15, 2022 DeClercq signed as a free agent with the Boston Celtics, Greenberg Alan Can Pitino Handle Full Control? Hartford Courant October 26, 1997 https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-xpm-1997-10-26-9710260315-story.html October 7, 2022 head coach Rick Adelman was fired after two seasons with the Warriors, Associated Press Warriors Fire Adelman After 2 Seasons The New York Times April 29, 1997 https://www.nytimes.com/1997/04/29/sports/warriors-fire-adelman-after-2-seasons.html January 8, 2023 Steele David Warriors Hire Carlesimo: Coach Given Control; G.M. Twardzik Fired SFGate June 6, 1997 https://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/Warriors-Hire-Carlesimo-Coach-given-control-GM-3240772.php October 22, 2022 and Koncak retired. Offseason Draft picks 1996 NBA draft Round Pick Player Position Nationality College 1 11 Todd Fuller C North Carolina State 2 40 Marcus Mann PF Mississippi Valley State Roster Golden State Warriors 1996–97 #003399 #FFFFFF #FFCC33 #000000 11 B. J. Armstrong G 6 2 175 1967–09–09 Iowa yes 5 Melvin Booker G 6 2 185 1972–08–20 Missouri 23 Scott Burrell F 6 7 218 1971–01–12 Connecticut 12 Bimbo Coles G 6 1 180 1968–04–22 Virginia Tech yes 55 Andrew DeClercq C 6 10 230 1973–02–01 Florida 52 Todd Fuller C 6 11 255 1974–07–25 North Carolina State 45 Jon Koncak C 7 0 235 1963–05–17 Southern Methodist yes IN 3 Donyell Marshall F 6 9 218 1973–05–18 Connecticut 17 Chris Mullin basketball F 6 6 200 1963–07–30 St. John's 35 Ray Owes F 6 9 224 1972–11–30 Arizona 51 Mike Peplowski C 6 10 270 1970–10–15 Michigan State yes IN 25 Mark Price G 6 0 170 1964–02–15 Georgia Tech 21 Lou Roe F 6 7 220 1972–07–14 Massachusetts 32 Joe Smith basketball F 6 10 225 1975–07–26 Maryland 50 Felton Spencer C 7 0 265 1968–02–15 Louisville 15 Latrell Sprewell G 6 5 190 1970–09–08 Alabama Rick Adelman George Irvine Rod Higgins John Wetzel (IN) Inactive https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/GSW/1997.html Roster Notes Center Jon Koncak was acquired by the Warriors from the Orlando Magic in an early-season trade, but was placed on the injured reserve list due to a knee injury, missed the entire regular season, and never played for the Warriors. Center Mike Peplowski was on the injured reserve list due to a torn knee ligament sustained during the preseason, and missed the entire regular season. Warriors Center Peplowski Out for Year with Bad Knee SFGate October 20, 1996 https://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/Warriors-center-Peplowski-out-for-year-with-bad-3117894.php May 1, 2023 Regular season Season standings GSW GSW z - clinched division title y - clinched division title x - clinched playoff spot Game log Source:1996-97 Golden State Warriors Schedule https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/GSW/1997_games.html Basketball-Reference.com 2025-11-30 en Golden State Warriors 1997 Total: 67–15 (Home: 39–2; Road: 28–13) Golden State Warriors November yes 2 6 2 5 |- style="background:#fcc;" | 1 | November 1 | L.A. Clippers | 19961101 LACGSW 85 97 | | | | San Jose Arena15,593 | 0–1 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 3 | November 3 | @ Vancouver | 19961103 GSWVAN 105 95 | | | | General Motors Place15,781 | 1–1 |- style="background:#fcc;" | 4 | November 5 | Portland | 19961105 PORGSW 93 111 | | | | San Jose Arena13,458 | 1–2 |- style="background:#fcc;" | 5 | November 7 | New York | 19961107 NYKGSW 100 105 | | | | San Jose Arena16,639 | 1–3 |- style="background:#fcc;" | 6 | November 8 | @ Denver | 19961108 GSWDEN 91 94 | | | | McNichols Sports Arena10,302 | 1–4 |- style="background:#fcc;" | 7 | November 12 | @ Seattle | 19961112 GSWSEA 102 121 | | | | KeyArena at Seattle Center17,072 | 1–5 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 8 | November 13 | Milwaukee | 19961114 MILGSW 95 86 | | | | San Jose Arena14,414 | 2–5 |- style="background:#fcc;" | 9 | November 16 | @ Houston | 19961116 GSWHOU 103 115 | | | | The Summit16,285 | 2–6 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 10 | November 17 | @ San Antonio | 19961117 GSWSAS 102 92 | | | | Alamodome13,334 | 3–6 |- style="background:#fcc;" | 11 | November 19 | Los Angeles Lakers | 19961119 LALGSW 109 112 | | | | San Jose Arena18,742 | 3-7 |- style="background:#fcc;" | 12 | November 21 | @ Utah | 19961121 GSWUTA 104 109 | | | | Delta Center18,889 | 3–8 |- style="background:#fcc;" | 13 | November 23 | Houston | 19961123 HOUGSW 115 120 | | | | San Jose Arena16,896 | 3–9 |- style="background:#fcc;" | 14 | November 26 | Miami | 19961123 MIAGSW 88 107 | | | | San Jose Arena15,026 | 3–10 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 15 | November 28 | New Jersey | 19961128 NJNGSW 124 118 | | | | San Jose Arena15,209 | 4–10 |- style="background:#fcc;" | 16 | November 29 | @ Portland | 19961129 GSWPOR 93 119 | | | | Rose Garden Arena21,068 | 4–11 GSW 1997 no Player statistics Regular season PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPGJoe Smith basketball 80 80 38.6 .454 .261 .814 8.5 1.6 .9 1.1 18.7Latrell Sprewell 80 79 41.9 .449 .354 .843 4.6 6.3 1.7 .6 24.2Chris Mullin 79 63 34.6 .553 .411 .864 4.0 4.1 1.6 .4 14.5Todd Fuller 75 18 12.7 .429 .691 3.3 .3 .1 .3 4.1Felton Spencer† 72 64 21.4 .486 .584 5.7 .3 .5 .7 5.1Andrew DeClercq 71 1 15.0 .520 .603 4.2 .5 .5 .4 5.3Mark Price 70 49 26.8 .447 .396 .906 2.6 4.9 1.0 .0 11.3Donyell Marshall 61 20 16.8 .413 .315 .622 4.5 .9 .4 .8 7.3Ray Owes 57 1 10.4 .417 .200 .565 2.9 .3 .3 .4 3.1Bimbo Coles 51 13 23.2 .389 .294 .755 2.3 2.9 .7 .1 6.1B. J. Armstrong 49 17 20.8 .453 .278 .861 1.5 2.6 .5 .0 7.9Donald Royal† 36 1 14.1 .385 .000 .795 2.6 .4 .3 .3 3.8Scott Burrell† 29 0 15.8 .379 .361 .652 2.7 1.2 .5 .3 4.9Lou Roe 17 0 6.3 .292 .273 .474 .8 .4 .2 .1 2.4Melvin Booker† 16 4 25.6 .436 .314 .900 1.8 3.1 .2 .1 7.3Clifford Rozier† 1 0 5.0 .000 .0 .0 .0 .0 .0 † Denotes player spent time with another team in the season. Stats reflect time with the Warriors only. Player statistics citation: Transactions Trades November 2, 1996 To Golden State WarriorsJon KoncakDonald RoyalFelton Spencer To Orlando MagicClifford RozierRony Seikaly1999 second-round pick February 20, 1997 To Golden State WarriorsScott Burrell To Charlotte HornetsDonald Royal Free agents AdditionsPlayerDate signedFormer teamMark PriceJuly 21Washington BulletsRay OwesSeptember 30Geelong Supercats (Australia)Henry JamesHouston RocketsLou RoeDetroit PistonsMelvin Booker (10-day)March 19Grand Rapids Hoops (CBA)Melvin Booker (rest of season)April 9Golden State Warriors SubtractionsPlayerDate signedNew TeamRobert ChurchwellJuly 21La Crosse Bobcats (CBA)Geert HamminkPanionios (Greece)Jerome KerseyLos Angeles LakersJon BarryAtlanta HawksKevin WillisHouston RocketsHenry JamesOctober 27Atlanta Hawks Player transactions citation: 1996–97 Golden State Warriors Transactions Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/GSW/1997_transactions.html July 3, 2021 References See also 1996-97 NBA season Category:Golden State Warriors seasons Golden Golden Golden State Category:1990s in San Jose, California