1996–97 New York Knicks season

{{short description|Season of National Basketball Association team the New York Knicks}}

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

{{NBA season

| team = New York Knicks

| end_year = 1997

| wins = 57

| losses = 25

| division = Atlantic

| division_place = 2

| conf_place = 3

| coach = Jeff Van Gundy

| gm = Ernie Grunfeld

| owners =

• ITT
• Cablevision

| arena = Madison Square Garden

| playoffs = Conference semifinals
(lost to Heat 3–4)

| bbr_team = NYK

| television = MSG Network{{cite book|title=2016–17 New York Knicks Media Guide|publisher=New York Knicks|year=2016|page=305|url=https://www.nba.com/resources/static/team/v2/knicks/media/2016-17/nykmg_1617_MediaGuide.pdf|access-date=June 1, 2021}}

WBIS-TV{{Cite news|last=Sandomir|first=Richard|date=January 20, 1997|title=Station Bets on Business-Sports Mix|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/01/20/business/station-bets-on-business-sports-mix.html|access-date=July 7, 2024}}

| radio = WFAN{{cite book|title=2016–17 New York Knicks Media Guide|publisher=New York Knicks|year=2016|page=304|url=https://www.nba.com/resources/static/team/v2/knicks/media/2016-17/nykmg_1617_MediaGuide.pdf|access-date=June 1, 2021}}

}}

The 1996–97 New York Knicks season was the 51st season for the Knicks in the National Basketball Association (NBA). For the season, the Knicks celebrated their 50th anniversary in the NBA by revealing an anniversary version of the team's primary logo.{{cite web | title = New York Knicks Logo | website = Chris Creamer's Sports Logos Page – SportsLogos.Net | url = https://www.sportslogos.net/logos/view/6037/New_York_Knicks/1997/Anniversary_Logo | access-date = November 25, 2021}} During the off-season, the Knicks acquired All-Star forward Larry Johnson from the Charlotte Hornets,{{cite news | agency = Wire Services | title = Hornets, Knicks Ponder Trade | newspaper = The Spokesman-Review | date = July 11, 1996 | url = https://www.spokesman.com/stories/1996/jul/11/hornets-knicks-ponder-trade/ | access-date = June 6, 2023}}{{cite news | last = Brown | first = Clifton | title = Pro Basketball; Knicks Chase Hornets' Johnson as N.B.A. Resumes Business | newspaper = The New York Times | date = July 12, 1996 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1996/07/12/sports/pro-basketball-knicks-chase-hornets-johnson-as-nba-resumes-business.html | access-date = January 16, 2022}}{{cite news | title = Around the NBA | newspaper = The Washington Post | date = July 13, 1996 | url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1996/07/13/around-the-nba/70b36d3d-01c9-425a-acb9-898b3bf92784/ | access-date = July 10, 2022}}{{cite news|last=Isola|first=Frank|title=Larry Loves N.Y.: Knicks, Hornets Work Out Bugs|newspaper=New York Daily News|date=July 13, 1996|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/sports/larry-loves-n-y-knicks-hornets-work-bugs-article-1.746710|access-date=August 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161009190948/http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/sports/larry-loves-n-y-knicks-hornets-work-bugs-article-1.746710|archive-date=October 9, 2016|url-status=dead}} and signed free agents Allan Houston, Chris Childs,{{cite news | last = Brown | first = Clifton | title = Pro Basketball; A New Backcourt: Childs and Houston Join the Knicks | newspaper = The New York Times | date = July 14, 1996 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1996/07/14/sports/pro-basketball-a-new-backcourt-childs-and-houston-join-the-knicks.html | access-date = July 10, 2022}}{{cite news | title = Knicks Get Childs; Houston on Tap | newspaper = Orlando Sentinel | date = July 14, 1996 | url = https://www.orlandosentinel.com/1996/07/14/knicks-get-childs-houston-on-tap/ | access-date = June 24, 2023}}{{cite news|last=Wise|first=Mike|title=Pro Basketball; It's a Blockbuster Day for Knicks|newspaper=The New York Times|date=July 15, 1996|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/07/15/sports/pro-basketball-it-s-a-blockbuster-day-for-knicks.html?pagewanted=1|access-date=July 27, 2018}}{{cite news | last = Sheridan | first = Chris | title = Knicks Acquire Larry Johnson, Sign Houston and Childs | publisher = Associated Press | date = July 15, 1996 | url = https://apnews.com/article/9dfbf65421881a5d42176bdaaf4d2368 | access-date = October 14, 2023 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220929003031/https://apnews.com/article/9dfbf65421881a5d42176bdaaf4d2368 | archive-date = September 29, 2022 | url-status = dead}} and former All-Star forward Buck Williams.{{cite news | last = Roberts | first = Selena | title = Pro Basketball; Knicks Seal Up Buck Williams | newspaper = The New York Times | date = July 27, 1996 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1996/07/27/sports/pro-basketball-knicks-seal-up-buck-williams.html | access-date = December 30, 2021}}{{cite news | title = Knicks Sign Buck; Bucks Sign Allen | newspaper = Tampa Bay Times | date = July 27, 1996 | url = https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1996/07/27/knicks-sign-buck-bucks-sign-allen/ | access-date = July 24, 2022}}{{cite news | last = Markowitz | first = Dan | title = Revamped Knicks Assessing Strengths | newspaper = The New York Times | date = October 20, 1996 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1996/10/20/nyregion/revamped-knicks-assessing-strengths.html | access-date = January 4, 2023}} The team also had three first-round draft picks in the 1996 NBA draft, selecting small forward John Wallace out of Syracuse University with the 18th overall pick, small forward Walter McCarty from the University of Kentucky with the 19th overall pick, and small forward Dontae' Jones out of Mississippi State University with the 21st overall pick.{{cite news | last = Wise | first = Mike | title = Pro Basketball; Knicks Go Forward in the First Round | newspaper = The New York Times | date = June 27, 1996 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1996/06/27/sports/pro-basketball-knicks-go-forward-in-the-first-round.html | access-date = April 23, 2023}}{{cite news | last = Bembry | first = Jerry | title = 76ers Make Iverson the 1, Philadelphia Takes Georgetown Guard; Camby Goes Second | newspaper = The Baltimore Sun | date = June 27, 1996 | url = https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1996-06-27-1996179094-story.html | access-date = June 2, 2023}}{{cite news | last = Brown | first = Clifton | title = Knicks Sign Their Three First-Rounders | newspaper = The New York Times | date = August 7, 1996 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1996/08/07/sports/knicks-sign-their-three-first-rounders.html | access-date = April 22, 2023}}{{cite web | title = 1996 NBA Draft | publisher = Basketball-Reference | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1996.html | access-date = April 23, 2023}} However, Jones would miss the entire season due to a foot injury, and would never play for the Knicks.{{cite news | last = Wise | first = Mike | title = Pro Basketball; Surgery Sidelines Jones 3–6 Months | newspaper = The New York Times | date = June 29, 1996 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1996/06/29/sports/pro-basketball-surgery-sidelines-jones-3-6-months.html | access-date = December 15, 2022}}{{cite news | last = Wise | first = Mike | title = Knicks Outshine Disco Lights in the Home Opener | newspaper = The New York Times | date = November 4, 1996 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1996/11/04/sports/knicks-outshine-disco-lights-in-the-home-opener.html | access-date = April 23, 2023}}{{cite web|title=Dontae' Jones|publisher=Basketball-Reference|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/j/jonesdo01.html|access-date=June 17, 2021}}

In the regular season, the Knicks won eight of their first ten games, and held a 34–14 record by February 6, 1997,{{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}} finishing in second place in the Atlantic Division with a 57–25 record,{{cite web | title = 1996–97 New York Knicks Roster and Stats | publisher = Basketball-Reference | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/NYK/1997.html | access-date = December 15, 2024}} and made the NBA playoffs for the 10th consecutive year.{{cite web|title=New York Knickerbockers Franchise Index|publisher=Basketball-Reference|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/NYK/|access-date=March 13, 2010| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20100424040233/http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/NYK/| archivedate= April 24, 2010 | url-status= live}} The team also posted three seven-game winning streaks during the regular season, which were its longest this season.{{cite web | title = 1996–97 New York Knicks Schedule and Results | publisher = Basketball-Reference | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/NYK/1997_games.html | access-date = April 15, 2021}} The Knicks enjoyed a successful season, with their 57 wins tied for the third-most in franchise history; they finished second in the Atlantic Division and third in the Eastern Conference.

With Houston as the team's starting shooting guard, John Starks played a sixth man role off the bench,{{cite news | last = Wise | first = Mike | title = Starks Is Making Houston's Job Easier | newspaper = The New York Times | date = October 6, 1996 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1996/10/06/sports/starks-is-making-houston-s-job-easier.html | access-date = April 20, 2023}}{{cite news | last = Brown | first = Clifton | title = Pro Basketball | newspaper = The New York Times | date = October 17, 1996 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1996/10/17/sports/pro-basketball.html | access-date = April 20, 2023}}{{cite newspaper | title = Bulls, Drexler, Shaq Still Hot | newspaper = Kentucky New Era | date = November 2, 1996 | page = 3B | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=nvArAAAAIBAJ&dq=1996+New+York+Knicks+allan+houston+john+starks+shooting+guard+lineup+sixth+man&pg=PA20&article_id=2911,165895 | access-date = August 26, 2024}} averaging 13.8 points per game and leading the team with 150 three-point field goals; he was named the Sixth Man of the Year, receiving 84 out of a possible 115 first-place votes from the media.{{cite web | title = 1996–97 NBA Season Summary | publisher = Basketball-Reference | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1997.html | access-date = December 15, 2024}}{{cite news | title = Sixth Man Award for Starks | newspaper = The New York Times | date = April 24, 1997 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1997/04/24/sports/sixth-man-award-for-starks.html | access-date = October 3, 2022}}{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = Knicks' Starks Turns Demotion Into Honor | newspaper = The Spokesman-Review | date = April 24, 1997 | url = https://www.spokesman.com/stories/1997/apr/24/knicks-starks-turns-demotion-into-honor/ | access-date = June 10, 2023}}{{cite news | agency = Staff and Wire Reports | title = NBA Notes: Knicks' Starks Wins Sixth Man Award; Warriors Draw 8th Seed in Lottery | publisher = SFGate | date = April 24, 1997 | url = https://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/NBA-NOTES-Knicks-Starks-Wins-Sixth-Man-Award-2843209.php | access-date = June 10, 2023}}{{cite web | title = NBA & ABA Sixth Man of the Year Award Winners | publisher = Basketball-Reference | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/smoy.html | access-date = November 29, 2022}} In addition, Patrick Ewing averaged 22.4 points, 10.7 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game, and was selected for the 1997 NBA All-Star Game in Cleveland, Ohio,{{cite news | title = Webber's All-Star Stats Aren't Ticket to Game; Bullets Forward Not Picked as Reserve | newspaper = The Baltimore Sun | date = January 29, 1997 | url = https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1997-01-29-1997029074-story.html | access-date = December 28, 2022}}{{cite news | last = Jorgensen | first = Loren | title = No Offense, But Malone Would Rather Be Home | newspaper = 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 | 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 = November 27, 2021}} but did not play due to a groin injury,{{cite news | title = Knicks' Ewing to Miss All-Star Game | publisher = United Press International | date = February 5, 1997 | url = https://www.upi.com/Archives/1997/02/05/Knicks-Ewing-to-miss-All-Star-Game/8619855118800/ | access-date = December 3, 2022}}{{cite news | last = Brown | first = Clifton | title = Ewing, Still Injured, Quits All-Star Roster | newspaper = 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|last=Cummings|first=D. L.|title=Stars Are Out for Ewing: Groin Injury KOs Patrick|newspaper=New York Daily News|date=February 6, 1997|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/sports/stars-ewing-groin-injury-kos-patrick-article-1.752666|access-date=January 23, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170811010343/http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/sports/stars-ewing-groin-injury-kos-patrick-article-1.752666|archive-date=August 11, 2017|url-status=dead}}{{cite news | agency = Tribune News Services | title = Mourning Latest All-Star Casualty; Dumars on Team | newspaper = 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}} despite playing 78 games this season; it would also be his final All-Star selection, having played in his final All-Star Game the previous year.{{cite web|title=Patrick Ewing|publisher=Basketball-Reference|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/e/ewingpa01.html|access-date=January 23, 2023}} Ewing also earned All-NBA Second Team honors, finished in eighth 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 | newspaper = 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 North | url = https://www.eskimo.com/~pbender/misc/awards97.txt | access-date = June 10, 2023}}{{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 was named one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History.{{cite web|title=NBA History: The NBA's 50 Greatest Players|publisher=National Basketball Association|url=http://www.nba.com/history/50greatest.html|accessdate=August 26, 2019|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100405004357/http://www.nba.com/history/50greatest.html|archivedate=April 5, 2010|url-status=dead}}

Houston finished second on the team in scoring with 14.8 points per game, while Johnson averaged 12.8 points and 5.2 rebounds per game, Charles Oakley provided the team with 10.8 points, 9.8 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game, and Childs contributed 9.3 points and 6.1 assists per game. Off the bench, Williams averaged 6.3 points and 5.4 rebounds per game, and Charlie Ward contributed 5.2 points and 4.1 assists per game. In the final game of the regular season, at the United Center on April 19, 1997, the Knicks defeated the then-69–12 Chicago Bulls, 103–101, preventing them from posting two consecutive 70-win seasons, and tying the best home record (40–1 set by the 1985–86 Boston Celtics, and later matched by the 2015–16 San Antonio Spurs).{{cite news | last = Wise | first = Mike | title = Knicks Shock the Bulls to Sew Up Third Spot | newspaper = The New York Times | date = April 20, 1997 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1997/04/20/sports/knicks-shock-the-bulls-to-sew-up-third-spot.html | access-date = November 19, 2022}}{{cite news|last=Brown|first=Clifton|title=When a Knick Victory Is Not Just a Victory|newspaper=The New York Times|date=April 20, 1997|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/04/20/sports/when-a-knick-victory-is-not-just-a-victory.html|access-date=March 13, 2010}}{{cite news | last = Armour | first = Terry | title = Knicks 103, Bulls 101 | newspaper = Chicago Tribune | date = April 20, 1997 | url = https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1997-04-20-9704200332-story.html | access-date = June 28, 2022}}{{cite web | title = New York Knicks at Chicago Bulls Box Score, April 19, 1997 | publisher = Basketball-Reference | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199704190CHI.html | access-date = January 4, 2023}}{{cite web|last=Nathan|first=Alec|title=Spurs Tie All-Time NBA Record for Most Home Wins in Regular Season|publisher=Bleacher Report|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2632495-spurs-tie-all-time-nba-record-for-most-home-wins-in-regular-season|access-date=September 24, 2021}}

In the playoffs, New York defeated the Charlotte Hornets in a three-game sweep in the Eastern Conference first round, and advanced to the Eastern Conference semi-finals,{{cite news | last = Macenka | first = Joe | title = Knicks 104, Hornets 95 | newspaper = The Washington Post | agency = Associated Press | date = April 28, 1997 | url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/nba/longterm/1997/playoffs/chany3.htm | access-date = May 30, 2022}}{{cite news | title = Knicks 104, Hornets 95 | publisher = United Press International | date = April 28, 1997 | url = https://www.upi.com/Archives/1997/04/28/Knicks-104-Hornets-95/7854862200000/ | access-date = November 25, 2022}}{{cite news | last = Wise | first = Mike | title = Knicks Sweep Away Hornets, and Season of Doubts | newspaper = The New York Times | date = April 29, 1997 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1997/04/29/sports/knicks-sweep-away-hornets-and-season-of-doubts.html | access-date = July 28, 2021}}{{cite web | title = 1997 NBA Eastern Conference First Round: Hornets vs. Knicks | publisher = Basketball-Reference | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1997-nba-eastern-conference-first-round-hornets-vs-knicks.html | access-date = February 4, 2023}} where they faced the Atlantic Division champion Miami Heat, in what would eventually become the first chapter of one of the fiercest NBA rivalries of the period.{{cite news|last=Sheridan|first=Chris|title=Knicks, Heat continue their simmering rivalry|newspaper=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel|date=May 7, 2000|page=9C|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=XbQaAAAAIBAJ&sjid=si8EAAAAIBAJ&pg=6831,7349973&dq=knicks+heat+rivalry&hl=en|accessdate=March 13, 2010}} After jumping to a 3–1 lead in the series,{{cite news | last = Vecsey | first = George | title = Quiet No More: Starks Comes Out Shooting | newspaper = The New York Times | date = May 13, 1997 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1997/05/13/sports/quiet-no-more-starks-comes-out-shooting.html | access-date = January 19, 2022}}{{cite news | last = Heisler | first = Mark | title = Heat Feeling Some After Knicks Roll | newspaper = Los Angeles Times | date = May 13, 1997 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-05-13-sp-58341-story.html | access-date = February 20, 2023}}{{cite news | last = Lupica | first = Mike | title = Riley's Heat Almost Toast | newspaper = Sun-Sentinel | date = May 14, 1997 | url = https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1997-05-14-9705130401-story.html | access-date = October 10, 2022}} the Knicks were eliminated by the Heat in seven games,{{cite news | last = Brown | first = Clifton | title = Next Stop, Chicago: Riley Adjusts Rearview Mirror to See Knicks | newspaper = The New York Times | date = May 19, 1997 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1997/05/19/sports/next-stop-chicago-riley-adjusts-rearview-mirror-to-see-knicks.html | access-date = July 28, 2021}}{{cite news | last = Heisler | first = Mark | title = Knicks Can't Take the Heat | newspaper = Los Angeles Times | date = May 19, 1997 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-05-19-sp-60270-story.html | access-date = November 25, 2022}}{{cite news | last = Adande | first = J. A. | title = Hardaway Applies the Heat as Miami Ousts Knicks | newspaper = The Washington Post | date = May 19, 1997 | url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1997/05/19/hardaway-applies-the-heat-as-miami-ousts-knicks/2dfdaf0c-6168-4653-901b-7e47796f1f30/ | access-date = May 30, 2022}}{{cite web | title = 1997 NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals: Knicks vs. Heat | publisher = Basketball-Reference | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1997-nba-eastern-conference-semifinals-knicks-vs-heat.html | access-date = February 4, 2023}} after a brawl erupted at the end of Game 5 that led to the suspensions of five key Knicks players: Ewing, Houston, Johnson, Starks and Ward.{{cite news | last = Wise | first = Mike | title = Not for the Faint-Hearted: Knicks–Heat Turns Nasty | newspaper = The New York Times | date = May 15, 1997 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1997/05/15/sports/not-for-the-faint-hearted-knicks-heat-turns-nasty.html | access-date = January 18, 2022}}{{cite news | last = Adande | first = J. A. | title = Miami's Fighting Spirit Is Too Much for Knicks | newspaper = The Washington Post | date = May 15, 1997 | url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/nba/longterm/1997/playoffs/heat15.htm | access-date = July 11, 2022}}{{cite news | last = Winderman | first = Ira | title = Heat Fights Back | newspaper = Sun-Sentinel | date = May 15, 1997 | url = https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1997-05-15-9705150051-story.html | access-date = November 25, 2022}}{{cite news | last = Wise | first = Mike | title = 5 Knicks Barred for Melee; 3 to Miss Game 6 | newspaper = The New York Times | date = May 16, 1997 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1997/05/16/sports/5-knicks-barred-for-melee-3-to-miss-game-6.html | access-date = June 10, 2023}}{{cite news|last=Isola|first=Frank|title=NBA – No Brawls Allowed: Ewing Among Five Suspended Knicks|newspaper=New York Daily News|date=May 16, 1997|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/sports/nba-no-brawls-allowed-ewing-suspended-knicks-article-1.750555|access-date=August 4, 2018}}

The Knicks finished fifth in the NBA in home-game attendance, with an attendance of 790,520 at Madison Square Garden during the regular season. Following the season, Wallace was traded to the Toronto Raptors in a three-team trade,{{cite news | last = Shapiro | first = Mark | title = Dudley's Trade to Knicks Approved | newspaper = Chicago Tribune | date = September 8, 1997 | url = https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1997-09-08-9709080160-story.html | access-date = July 2, 2023}}{{cite news | last = Sheridan | first = Chris | title = Appeals Panel Clears Dudley Trade | publisher = Associated Press | date = October 9, 1997 | url = https://apnews.com/article/753ea85004b651fece02b241243c4c7a | access-date = April 23, 2023}}{{cite news | last = Roberts | first = Selena | title = Pro Basketball; Knicks Finally Get Wish: Dudley | newspaper = The New York Times | date = October 10, 1997 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1997/10/10/sports/pro-basketball-knicks-finally-get-wish-dudley.html | access-date = April 22, 2023}} and McCarty and Jones were both dealt to the Boston Celtics.{{cite news | last = Roberts | first = Selena | title = Pro Basketball; Knicks Send Four Players to the Celtics for Mills | newspaper = The New York Times | date = October 23, 1997 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1997/10/23/sports/pro-basketball-knicks-send-four-players-to-the-celtics-for-mills.html | access-date = April 23, 2023}}{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = Knicks Trade Four Players to Get Mills | newspaper = Los Angeles Times | date = October 23, 1997 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-oct-23-sp-45978-story.html | access-date = April 23, 2023}}{{cite news | last = Greenberg | first = Alan | title = One of Pitino's Slick Moves | newspaper = Hartford Courant | date = October 23, 1997 | url = https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-xpm-1997-10-23-9710230482-story.html | access-date = July 2, 2023}}