1996–97 Houston Rockets season

{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}

{{NBA season

| team = Houston Rockets

| end_year = 1997

| wins = 57

| losses = 25

| division = Midwest

| division_place = 2

| conf_place = 3

| coach = Rudy Tomjanovich

| gm = Carroll Dawson

| owner = Leslie Alexander

| arena = The Summit

| playoffs = Western Conference finals
(lost to Jazz 2–4)

| bbr_team = HOU

| television =

• KTXH
• Fox Sports Southwest

| radio = KTRH

}}

The 1996–97 NBA season was the Rockets' 30th season in the National Basketball Association, and 26th season in Houston.[https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/HOU/1997.html 1996-97 Houston Rockets] During the off-season, the Rockets acquired All-Star forward Charles Barkley from the Phoenix Suns,{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = Barkley Confirms His Trade to Rockets | work = The New York Times | date = August 19, 1996 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1996/08/19/sports/barkley-confirms-his-trade-to-rockets.html | access-date = February 28, 2017}}{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = Suns Unload Barkley, Get Four Players from Rockets | work = Los Angeles Times | date = August 19, 1996 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-08-19-sp-35694-story.html | access-date = May 15, 2022}}{{cite news | title = Barkley Traded to the Rockets | newspaper = The Washington Post | date = August 19, 1996 | url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1996/08/19/barkley-traded-to-the-rockets/1f30d680-5188-406f-b2d8-e2e95405d759/ | access-date = December 3, 2022}}{{cite news | last = Sharpio | first = Mark | title = Rockets to Trade 4 for Barkley | work = Chicago Tribune | date = August 19, 1996 | url = https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1996-08-19-9608190031-story.html | access-date = June 29, 2022}}{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = Rockets Make Barkley Feel All Warm and Fuzzy | work = Deseret News | date = August 20, 1996 | url = https://www.deseret.com/1996/8/20/19261078/rockets-make-barkley-feel-all-warm-and-fuzzy | access-date = June 20, 2023}} and signed free agents Kevin Willis,{{cite news | last = Howard-Cooper | first = Scott | title = With Barkley, Rockets Have Twin Power | work = Los Angeles Times | date = August 19, 1996 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-08-19-sp-35695-story.html | access-date = September 24, 2022}}{{cite news | last = Graczyk | first = Michael | title = Barkley Gets His Wish: He's on the Rockets | work = Associated Press | date = August 20, 1996 | url = https://apnews.com/article/25f064440a0c158494d1a640d7bbc968 | access-date = December 30, 2021}}{{cite news | last = Heisler | first = Mark | title = NBA Preview | work = Los Angeles Times | date = October 31, 1996 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-10-31-sp-59693-story.html | access-date = January 30, 2023}} Brent Price,{{cite news | title = Hawks Sign Mutombo, Trade Augmon, Long | work = Tampa Bay Times | date = July 16, 1996 | url = https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1996/07/16/hawks-sign-mutombo-trade-augmon-long/ | access-date = June 20, 2023}}{{cite news | title = Rockets Sign Free Agent G Brent Price | publisher = United Press International | date = July 16, 1996 | url = https://www.upi.com/Archives/1996/07/16/Rockets-sign-free-agent-G-Brent-Price/3845837489600/ | access-date = June 30, 2022}} undrafted rookie guard Matt Maloney,{{cite news | last = Lanman | first = Scott | title = Maloney Signs with Rockets | work = The Daily Pennsylvanian | date = October 3, 1996 | url = https://www.thedp.com/article/1996/10/maloney_signs_with_rockets | access-date = June 27, 2022}} and re-signed former Rockets forward and three-point specialist Matt Bullard, who was a member of the championship team from the 1994 NBA Finals.

The Rockets began the regular season with a 21–2 start, but later on struggled posting a six-game losing streak between January and February, and held a 32–16 record at the All-Star break.{{cite web | title = NBA Games Played on February 6, 1997 | publisher = Basketball-Reference | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/?month=2&day=6&year=1997 | access-date = July 19, 2022}} At mid-season, the team signed free agents Eddie Johnson and Sedale Threatt,{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = Foot Injury Sidelines Bulls' Kukoc | work = Los Angeles Times | date = March 4, 1997 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-03-04-sp-34639-story.html | access-date = January 28, 2023}}{{cite news | last = Roberts | first = Selena | title = Johnson Gives Rockets a Boost from the Bench | work = The New York Times | date = May 24, 1997 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1997/05/24/sports/johnson-gives-rockets-a-boost-from-the-bench.html | access-date = January 2, 2022}} as the Rockets won 14 of their final 17 games, finishing in second place in the Midwest Division with a 57–25 record.{{cite web | title = 1996–97 Houston Rockets Schedule and Results | publisher = Basketball-Reference | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/HOU/1997_games.html | access-date = June 21, 2021}}

Hakeem Olajuwon averaged 23.2 points, 9.2 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game, and was named to the All-NBA First Team, and NBA All-Defensive Second Team, while Barkley averaged 19.2 points and 13.5 rebounds per game, but only played 53 games due to ankle and hip injuries,{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = Barkley and Drexler Are Injured | work = The New York Times | date = January 29, 1997 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1997/01/29/sports/barkley-and-drexler-are-injured.html | access-date = November 9, 2022}}{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = Injuries Cast Pall on Rockets | work = The Spokesman-Review | date = January 29, 1997 | url = https://www.spokesman.com/stories/1997/jan/29/injuries-cast-pall-on-rockets/ | access-date = December 27, 2022}}{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = Barkley Is Latest Casualty | work = Los Angeles Times | date = March 2, 1997 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-03-02-sp-34137-story.html | access-date = April 4, 2023}}{{cite news | title = Rockets Unsure When Barkley Can Return | publisher = United Press International | date = March 25, 1997 | url = https://www.upi.com/Archives/1997/03/25/Rockets-unsure-when-Barkley-can-return/2775859266000/ | access-date = June 17, 2021 }} and Clyde Drexler provided the team with 18.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 1.9 steals per game, but only played 62 games due to a hamstring injury.{{cite news | title = Rockets' Drexler Re-Injures Hamstring | publisher = United Press International | date = February 5, 1997 | url = https://www.upi.com/Archives/1997/02/05/Rockets-Drexler-re-injures-hamstring/3351855118800/ | access-date = November 9, 2022}} In addition, Mario Elie contributed 11.7 points per game, while Willis provided with 11.2 points and 7.5 rebounds per game, and Maloney contributed 9.4 points per game, led the team with 154 three-point field goals, and was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team.{{cite web | title = 1996–97 Houston Rockets Roster and Stats | publisher = Basketball-Reference | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/HOU/1997.html | access-date = June 21, 2021}}

Olajuwon, Barkley, Drexler and head coach Rudy Tomjanovich all represented the Western Conference during the 1997 NBA All-Star Game in Cleveland, Ohio.{{cite news | agency = NBA.com Staff | title = 1997 NBA All-Star Recap | publisher = NBA.com | date = September 13, 2021 | url = https://www.nba.com/news/history-all-star-recap-1997 | access-date = May 16, 2023}}{{cite web | title = 1997 NBA All-Star Game: East 132, West 120 | publisher = Basketball-Reference | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/allstar/NBA_1997.html | access-date = October 13, 2021}} However, Barkley and Drexler did not play due to injuries;{{cite news | last = Brown | first = Clifton | title = Ewing, Still Injured, Quits All-Star Roster | work = The New York Times | date = February 6, 1997 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1997/02/06/sports/ewing-still-injured-quits-all-star-roster.html | access-date = October 3, 2022}}{{cite news | agency = Tribune News Services | title = Mourning Latest All-Star Casualty; Dumars on Team | work = Chicago Tribune | date = February 7, 1997 | url = https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1997-02-07-9702070214-story.html | access-date = January 28, 2023}}{{cite news | last = Jorgensen | first = Loren | title = No Offense, But Malone Would Rather Be Home | work = Deseret News | date = February 8, 1997 | url = https://www.deseret.com/1997/2/8/19293914/no-offense-but-malone-would-rather-be-home | access-date = April 19, 2023}}{{cite news | last = Fry | first = Darrell | title = On to the Next Stage | work = Tampa Bay Times | date = February 8, 1997 | url = https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1997/02/08/on-to-the-next-stage/ | access-date = December 28, 2022}} it was also the final All-Star selections for Olajuwon, Barkley and Drexler. Olajuwon also finished in seventh place in Most Valuable Player voting,{{cite news | last = Kawakami | first = Tim | title = MVP: Malone, the Standout Jazz Forward Known as Mailman, Edges Jordan in the Voting to Earn Stamp of Greatness | work = Los Angeles Times | date = May 19, 1997 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-05-19-sp-60282-story.html | access-date = September 24, 2022}}{{cite web | title = 1996–97 Regular Season Award Winners | website = Eskimo.com | url = https://www.eskimo.com/~pbender/misc/awards97.txt | access-date = January 5, 2025}}{{cite web | title = 1996–97 NBA Awards Voting | publisher = Basketball-Reference | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/awards_1997.html | access-date = January 2, 2022}} and Elie finished tied in sixth place in Defensive Player of the Year voting.

In the Western Conference First Round of the playoffs, the Rockets swept the Minnesota Timberwolves in three straight games.{{cite news | agency = Tribune News Services | title = Rockets Eliminate Wolves; Suns Take Lead Over Sonics | work = Chicago Tribune | date = April 30, 1997 | url = https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1997-04-30-9704300250-story.html | access-date = June 3, 2022}}{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = Houston Moves On; Orlando Stays Alive | work = Deseret News | date = April 30, 1997 | url = https://www.deseret.com/platform/amp/1997/4/30/19309428/houston-moves-on-orlando-stays-alive | access-date = July 2, 2021}}{{cite web | title = 1997 NBA Western Conference First Round Game 3: Houston Rockets at Minnesota Timberwolves Box Score, April 29, 1997 | publisher = Basketball-Reference | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199704290MIN.html | access-date = November 25, 2022}}{{cite web | title = 1997 NBA Western Conference First Round: Timberwolves vs. Rockets | publisher = Basketball-Reference | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1997-nba-western-conference-first-round-timberwolves-vs-rockets.html | access-date = February 4, 2023}} In the Western Conference Semi-finals, they jumped out to a 3–1 series lead over the Seattle SuperSonics.{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = Rockets Are Almost Home Free After Overtime Victory | work = The New York Times | date = May 12, 1997 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1997/05/12/sports/rockets-are-almost-home-free-after-overtime-victory.html | access-date = January 19, 2022}}{{cite news | last = Adande | first = J.A. | title = Rockets 110, SuperSonics 106 | newspaper = The Washington Post | date = May 12, 1997 | url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1997/05/12/rockets-110-supersonics-106/2459dfc4-ff86-4a3f-9bca-c780d83e729d/ | access-date = October 5, 2022}}{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = After Blowing Lead, Rockets Get OT Victory | work = Deseret News | date = May 12, 1997 | url = https://www.deseret.com/1997/5/12/19311630/after-blowing-lead-rockets-get-ot-victory | access-date = February 24, 2023}} However, the SuperSonics would win the next two games to even the series at three games a piece.{{cite news | last = Friend | first = Tom | title = Fisticuffs Fever Spreads to Seattle | work = The New York Times | date = May 16, 1997 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1997/05/16/sports/fisticuffs-fever-spreads-to-seattle.html | access-date = January 19, 2022}}{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = It Gets Worse for Rockets | work = Los Angeles Times | date = May 16, 1997 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-05-16-sp-59413-story.html | access-date = October 5, 2022}}{{cite news | title = SuperSonics 99, Rockets 96 | newspaper = The Washington Post | date = May 16, 1997 | url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1997/05/16/supersonics-99-rockets-96/045087ed-ebba-48ea-b54a-3dea6e814740/ | access-date = February 24, 2023}} The Rockets would win Game 7 and advanced to the Western Conference Finals,{{cite news | last = Howe Verhovek | first = Sam | title = Barkley Closer to Goal as Rockets Move Ahead | work = The New York Times | date = May 18, 1997 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1997/05/18/sports/barkley-closer-to-goal-as-rockets-move-ahead.html| access-date = May 13, 2022}}{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = Rockets Survive SuperSonic Scare | work = Los Angeles Times | date = May 18, 1997 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-05-18-sp-60086-story.html | access-date = May 30, 2022}}{{cite news | last = Shipley | first = Amy | title = Rockets K.O. Sonics in Game 7, 96-91 | newspaper = The Washington Post | date = May 18, 1997 | url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1997/05/18/rockets-ko-sonics-in-game-7-96-91/38b8fa1b-7b97-4c17-8094-2642ff4d38fc/ | access-date = November 25, 2022}}{{cite web | title = 1997 NBA Western Conference Semifinals: SuperSonics vs. Rockets | publisher = Basketball-Reference | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1997-nba-western-conference-semifinals-supersonics-vs-rockets.html | access-date = February 4, 2023}} where they faced regular season MVP Karl Malone, John Stockton and the Utah Jazz. The Jazz won the first two games at home,{{cite news | last = Sheridan | first = Chris | title = Jazz 104, Rockets 92 | work = Associated Press | date = May 21, 1997 | url = https://apnews.com/article/2c8e91cbe65093a01945fcf9c037ab01 | access-date = February 24, 2023}}{{cite news | last = Friend | first = Tom | title = Jazz No-Names Introduce Themselves to Rockets | work = The New York Times | date = May 22, 1997 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1997/05/22/sports/jazz-no-names-introduce-themselves-to-rockets.html | access-date = January 18, 2022}}{{cite news | last = Howard-Cooper | first = Scott | title = Rockets Bruised, Battered by Jazz | work = Los Angeles Times | date = May 22, 1997 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-05-22-sp-61399-story.html | access-date = October 5, 2022}} but the Rockets would even the series at two games a piece as Johnson hit a three-point buzzer beater to win Game 4, 95–92 at home.{{cite news | last = Sheridan | first = Chris | title = Rockets 95, Jazz 92 | work = Associated Press | date = May 25, 1997 | url = https://apnews.com/article/0aaa18550f057b0d67f83d2cd4d26e45 | access-date = February 24, 2023}}{{cite news | last = Roberts | first = Selena | title = A Bolt of 0.2-Second Lightning in Houston | work = The New York Times | date = May 26, 1997 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1997/05/26/sports/a-bolt-of-0.2-second-lightning-in-houston.html | access-date = May 13, 2022}}{{cite news | last = Howard-Cooper | first = Scott | title = Rockets Are No Longer a Longshot | work = Los Angeles Times | date = May 26, 1997 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-05-26-sp-62713-story.html | access-date = October 5, 2022}} However, the Rockets would lose to the Jazz in six games.{{cite news | last = Friend | first = Tom | title = Stockton Sends Jazz to Finals at Last Second | work = The New York Times | date = May 30, 1997 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1997/05/30/sports/stockton-sends-jazz-to-finals-at-last-second.html | access-date = July 24, 2017}}{{cite news | last = Howard-Cooper | first = Scott | title = Jazz Toots Its Own Horn, Now Gets to Face the Music | work = Los Angeles Times | date = May 30, 1997 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-05-30-sp-63941-story.html | access-date = May 30, 2022}}{{cite news | last = Jorgensen | first = Loren | title = Clyde Ticked at Pick, Says He Was 'Hugged' | work = Deseret News | date = May 30, 1997 | url = https://www.deseret.com/1997/5/30/19314914/clyde-ticked-at-pick-says-he-was-hugged | access-date = November 18, 2022}}{{cite web | title = 1997 NBA Western Conference Finals: Rockets vs. Jazz | publisher = Basketball-Reference | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1997-nba-western-conference-finals-rockets-vs-jazz.html | access-date = February 4, 2023}} The Jazz lost in the NBA Finals to the defending champion Chicago Bulls in six games.{{cite news | last = Wise | first = Mike | title = A Fistful of Rings: Bulls Grab Fifth Title of 90's | work = The New York Times | date = June 14, 1997 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1997/06/14/sports/a-fistful-of-rings-bulls-grab-fifth-title-of-90-s.html | access-date = June 4, 2022}}{{Cite news | last = Howard-Cooper | first = Scott | date = June 14, 1997 | title = Bulls Get Fifth Element | work = Los Angeles Times | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-06-14-sp-3291-story.html | access-date = July 25, 2022}}{{cite news | last = Johnson | first = K.C. | title = Bulls Got There, Because They'd Been There | work = Chicago Tribune | date = June 16, 1997 | url = https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1997-06-16-9706160169-story,amp.html | access-date = June 4, 2022}}{{cite news | last = Benson | first = Lee | title = Chicago Heartbreaker | work = Deseret News | date = June 14, 1997 | url = https://www.deseret.com/1997/6/14/19317754/chicago-heartbreaker | access-date = December 12, 2022}}{{cite web | title = 1997 NBA Finals: Jazz vs. Bulls | publisher = Basketball-Reference | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1997-nba-finals-jazz-vs-bulls.html | access-date = February 4, 2023}}

Following the season, Threatt retired and three-point specialist Sam Mack was traded to the Vancouver Grizzlies.{{cite news | title = Grizzlies Acquire Massenburg, Mack | work = Associated Press | date = October 28, 1997 | url = https://apnews.com/article/50c38e4cc72f7dafe7848c91e29a9916 | access-date = June 27, 2022}}{{cite news | last = Gardner | first = Kris | title = Two Minor Deals Completed on October 28, 1997 | website = The Houston Roundball Review | date = October 28, 1997 | url = https://www.thehrr.com/nba/trade_archive/102897twodeals.html | access-date = November 18, 2022}} The Rockets did not reach the conference finals again until 2015, where they were defeated by the Golden State Warriors in five games.{{citation needed|date=January 2022}}