1997–98 Dallas Mavericks season

{{short description|NBA professional basketball team season}}

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

{{NBA season

| team = Dallas Mavericks

| end_year = 1998

| wins = 20

| losses = 62

| division = Midwest

| division_place = 5

| conf_place = 10

| coach =

• Jim Cleamons (fired)
• Don Nelson

| gm = Don Nelson

| arena = Reunion Arena

| playoffs = Did not qualify

| bbr_team = DAL

| television = KXTX-TV
Fox Sports Southwest

| radio = WBAP

}}

The 1997–98 NBA season was the Mavericks' 18th season in the National Basketball Association.{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/DAL/1998.html |title=1997-98 Dallas Mavericks |publisher=Basketball-reference.com |date= |accessdate=2012-06-11}} In the off-season, the Mavericks acquired three-point specialist Dennis Scott from the Orlando Magic,{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = PLUS: BASKETBALL; Dallas-Orlando Trade | work = The New York Times | date = September 25, 1997 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1997/09/25/sports/plus-basketball-dallas-orlando-trade.html | access-date = December 5, 2022}}{{cite news | agency = Staff and Wire Reports | title = Nelson Still Dealing, Gets Scott from Magic | work = Los Angeles Times | date = September 25, 1997 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-sep-25-sp-36126-story.html | access-date = June 23, 2023}}{{cite news | last = Johnson | first = L.C. | title = Trade Lets Magic Get Rid of Scott | work = Orlando Sentinel | date = September 25, 1997 | url = https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-xpm-1997-09-25-9709250227-story.html | access-date = September 23, 2022}}{{cite news | title = Mavericks Send Harper, O'Bannon to Magic for Scott, Cash | work = Associated Press | date = September 25, 1997 | url = https://apnews.com/article/b8efd957bfafcfd6169cdc5af43b3bd9 | access-date = July 31, 2021}} and signed free agent Hubert Davis.{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = Two Free Agents Sign | work = The New York Times | date = September 5, 1997 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1997/09/05/sports/two-free-agents-sign.html | access-date = January 1, 2022}}{{cite news | last = Shapiro | first = Mark | title = 76ers Sign Cummings to 2-Year Deal | work = Chicago Tribune | date = September 5, 1997 | url = https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1997-09-05-9709050225-story.html | access-date = January 13, 2023}}{{cite news | agency = Staff and Wire Reports | title = NBA Referee Pleads Guilty to Filing False Tax Returns | work = Los Angeles Times | date = September 5, 1997 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-sep-05-sp-29188-story.html | access-date = January 13, 2023}} After winning their first three games of the regular season, the Mavericks struggled once again losing ten straight in November. Head coach Jim Cleamons was fired, and replaced with General Manager Don Nelson after a 4–12 start.{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = Nelson Replaces Cleamons | work = Los Angeles Times | date = December 5, 1997 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-dec-05-sp-61012-story.html | access-date = November 18, 2022}}{{cite news | last = Smith | first = Sam | title = Nelson Fires Cleamons, Then Defeats Knicks | work = Chicago Tribune | date = December 5, 1997 | url = https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1997-12-05-9712050073-story.html | access-date = December 12, 2022}}{{cite news | last = Aron | first = Jamie | title = Mavericks Name Don Nelson Coach | work = Associated Press | date = December 5, 1997 | url = https://apnews.com/article/955d9b70050bdfee084d8e56e6598dac | access-date = October 13, 2021}}{{cite news | agency = Wire Reports | title = Mavs Respond to Change | work = The Spokesman-Review | date = December 5, 1997 | url = https://www.spokesman.com/stories/1997/dec/05/mavs-respond-to-change/ | access-date = November 12, 2023}} Along the way, forward A.C. Green broke the NBA's Iron Man record of most consecutive games played, breaking Randy Smith's record, which was 906 consecutive games.{{cite news | last = Aron | first = Jamie | title = A.C. Green Makes Mark as NBA Iron Man -- Thursday Will Mark 907th Game in a Row | work = The Seattle Times | date = November 16, 1997 | url = https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/?date=19971116&slug=2572613 | access-date = October 7, 2022}}{{cite magazine | last = Farber | first = Michael | title = Ironman, Move Over, Cal Ripken. A.C. Green of the Mavericks Is Working on Two Streaks: Consecutive Games Played and Temptations Resisted | magazine = Sports Illustrated Vault | date = November 17, 1997 | url = https://vault.si.com/vault/1997/11/17/ironman-move-over-cal-ripken-ac-green-of-the-mavericks-is-working-on-two-streaks-consecutive-games-played-and-temptations-resisted | access-date = February 5, 2023}}{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = They're Iron Men at Heart | work = Los Angeles Times | date = November 21, 1997 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-nov-21-sp-56109-story.html | access-date = March 1, 2017}}{{cite news | last = Ortiz | first = Jorge L. | title = Even at 6-Foot-9, Green Overshadowed by Ripken | work = SFGate | date = November 23, 1997 | url = https://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/Even-at-6-foot-9-Green-overshadowed-by-Ripken-3089078.php | access-date = February 5, 2023}} After winning their first game under Nelson, which was a 105–91 home victory over the New York Knicks on December 4, 1997, the Mavericks traveled to Mexico City, Mexico, where they lost to the Houston Rockets, 108–106 on December 6, which was the first NBA regular season game played in Mexico.{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = N.B.A.: YESTERDAY; Rockets Win as N.B.A. Makes Debut in Mexico | work = The New York Times | date = December 7, 1997 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1997/12/07/sports/nba-yesterday-rockets-win-as-nba-makes-debut-in-mexico.html | access-date = May 16, 2022}}{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = 20,635 See Rockets Win in Mexico | work = Los Angeles Times | date = December 7, 1997 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-dec-07-sp-61703-story.html | access-date = November 18, 2022}}{{cite news | title = In Mexico, Rockets Edge Mavs | newspaper = The Washington Post | date = December 7, 1997 | url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1997/12/07/in-mexico-rockets-edge-mavs/7b10c43e-303f-4384-bc14-d045a783e895/ | access-date = July 8, 2021}}{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = Rockets Edge Mavericks in Mexico City Contest | work = Deseret News | date = December 7, 1997 | url = https://www.deseret.com/1997/12/7/19350123/rockets-edge-mavericks-in-mexico-city-contest | access-date = January 29, 2023}}

The Mavericks posted a 15-game losing streak between December and January, which led to a dreadful 5–27 start, then later holding a 9–38 record at the All-Star break.{{cite web | title = NBA Games Played on February 5, 1998 | publisher = Basketball-Reference | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/?month=2&day=5&year=1998 | access-date = July 20, 2022}} Players like Shawn Bradley, Robert Pack, Kurt Thomas and second-year forward Samaki Walker all missed large parts of the season with injuries.{{cite news | last = Springer | first = Steve | title = Piatkowski's Place Is on Injured List | work = Los Angeles Times | date = March 30, 1998 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-mar-30-sp-34325-story.html | access-date = June 30, 2022}} At mid-season, the team traded Scott to the Phoenix Suns in exchange for Cedric Ceballos,{{cite news | last = Gardner | first = Kris | title = Dennis Scott Goes to Phoenix | work = The Houston Roundball Review | date = February 18, 1998 | url = https://thehrr.com/nba/trade_archive/021898scottceballosdeal.html | access-date = September 17, 2022}}{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = Celtics Land Anderson in Deal with Raptors | work = Los Angeles Times | date = February 19, 1998 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-feb-19-sp-20865-story.html | access-date = July 31, 2021}}{{cite news | last = Heisler | first = Mark | title = It's a Big Deal for Clippers: There Are No Slam Dunks in the Flurry of NBA Deals | work = Los Angeles Times | date = February 20, 1998 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-feb-20-sp-21072-story.html | access-date = December 5, 2022}}{{cite news | last = Smith | first = Sam | title = NBA's Rash of Trades Ends with Another Seikaly Deal | work = Chicago Tribune | date = February 20, 1998 | url = https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1998-02-20-9802200078-story.html | access-date = June 22, 2023}} who only played just twelve games before sitting out the remainder of the season with a knee injury.{{cite news | last = Springer | first = Steve | title = Piatkowski's Place Is on Injured List | work = Los Angeles Times | date = March 30, 1998 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-mar-30-sp-34325-story.html | access-date = June 30, 2022}}{{cite news | last = Springer | first = Steve | title = Tonight | work = Los Angeles Times | date = March 29, 1998 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-mar-29-sp-34019-story.html | access-date = October 18, 2022}} The team also signed free agent Shawn Respert, who was previously released by the Toronto Raptors.{{cite web | title = 1997-98 Misc News | website = Eskimo.com | url = https://www.eskimo.com/~pbender/mavs/mavs-stats/97-98/mavs-misc97-98.html | access-date = November 9, 2022}} The Mavericks played .500 basketball posting an 8–8 record in March, but then lost eight of their final nine games, finishing in fifth place in the Midwest Division with a 20–62 record.{{cite web | title = 1997–98 Dallas Mavericks Schedule and Results | publisher = Basketball-Reference | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/DAL/1998_games.html | access-date = June 28, 2021}}

Michael Finley averaged 21.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 1.6 steals per game, and finished tied in fourth place in Most Improved Player voting, and tied in eighteenth place in Most Valuable Player voting.{{cite news | last = Povtak | first = Tim | title = Hawks' Henderson Wins Most Improved | work = Orlando Sentinel | date = May 1, 1998 | url = https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-xpm-1998-05-01-9805010302-story.html | access-date = December 27, 2022}}{{cite web | last = Bender | first = Patricia | title = 1997–98 Regular Season Award Winners | website = Eskimo.com | url = https://www.eskimo.com/~pbender/misc/awards98.html | access-date = December 30, 2024}}{{cite web | title = 1997–98 NBA Awards Voting | publisher = Basketball-Reference | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/awards_1998.html | access-date = December 27, 2022}} while Bradley averaged 11.4 points, 8.1 rebounds and 3.3 blocks per game, and Davis contributed 11.1 points per game. In addition, Walker provided the team with 8.9 points and 7.4 rebounds per game in only just 41 games, while Khalid Reeves contributed 8.7 points per game, second-year guard Erick Strickland contributed 7.6 points per game, and Green provided with 7.3 points and 8.1 rebounds per game.{{cite web | title = 1997–98 Dallas Mavericks Roster and Stats | publisher = Basketball-Reference | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/DAL/1998.html | access-date = June 28, 2021}}

Following the season, Thomas signed as a free agent with the New York Knicks,{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = NBA DEALINGS: McDyess, Divac and Smith Sign | work = Kitsap Sun | date = January 23, 1999 | url = https://products.kitsapsun.com/archive/1999/01-23/0066_nba_dealings__mcdyess__divac_and_.html | access-date = June 25, 2023}}{{cite news | last = Roberts | first = Selena | title = Pro Basketball; Thomas Elbows Way Into the Oakley Role | work = The New York Times | date = February 3, 1999 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1999/02/03/sports/pro-basketball-thomas-elbows-way-into-the-oakley-role.html | access-date = June 25, 2022}}{{cite news | last = Lewis | first = Brian | title = Thomas Volunteers for Oakley's Role | work = New York Post | date = February 3, 1999 | url = https://nypost.com/1999/02/03/thomas-volunteers-for-oakleys-role/ | access-date = December 5, 2022}} while second-year forward Martin Muursepp and rookie forward Bubba Wells were both traded to the Phoenix Suns,{{cite news | agency = CBS News.com Staff | title = Clippers Pick Olowokandi No. 1 | work = CBS News | date = June 24, 1998 | url = https://www.cbsnews.com/news/clippers-pick-olowokandi-no-1/ | access-date = June 25, 2023}}{{cite news | last = Gardner | first = Kris | title = Steve Nash Dealt to Dallas | work = The Houston Roundball Review | date = June 24, 1998 | url = https://www.thehrr.com/nba/trade_archive/062498nashdealt.html | access-date = December 5, 2022}}{{cite news | last = Wise | first = Mike | title = PRO BASKETBALL; 7 Feet 1 Inch of Potential at No. 1 | work = The New York Times | date = June 25, 1998 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1998/06/25/sports/pro-basketball-7-feet-1-inch-of-potential-at-no-1.html | access-date = June 25, 2023}} and Respert was released to free agency.

One notable highlight of the season was a game against the 2-time defending champion Chicago Bulls at the United Center on December 29, 1997, where Wells fouled out of the game in just three minutes, which was an NBA record for fouling out in the shortest amount of time. Nelson used a strategy for Wells to foul Bulls forward and rebound-specialist Dennis Rodman, who is known as a poor free throw shooter. However, the plan backfired as Rodman shot 9–12 from the foul line, and the Bulls defeated the Mavericks, 111–105.{{cite news | last = Armour | first = Terry | title = Bulls 111, Mavericks 105 | work = Chicago Tribune | date = December 30, 1997 | url = https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1997-12-30-9712300049-story.html | access-date = June 29, 2022}}{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = Jordan Scores 41, Rodman Fouls Up Nelson Strategy | work = Los Angeles Times | date = December 30, 1997 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-dec-30-sp-3563-story.html | access-date = June 29, 2022}}{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = Jordan Scores 41 to Tie Mark | work = The Spokesman-Review | date = December 30, 1997 | url = https://www.spokesman.com/stories/1997/dec/30/jordan-scores-41-to-tie-mark/ | access-date = February 4, 2023}}{{cite news | title = Jordan Ties Record in Win | work = Tampa Bay Times | date = December 30, 1997 | url = https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1997/12/30/jordan-ties-record-in-win/ | access-date = December 12, 2022}} The Bulls would go on to defeat the Utah Jazz in six games in the NBA Finals for their third consecutive championship, and sixth overall in eight years.{{cite news | last = Araton | first = Harvey | title = Sports of the Times; At the End, Jordan Lifts Bulls to Their Sixth N.B.A. Title | work = The New York Times | date = June 15, 1998 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1998/06/15/sports/sports-of-the-times-at-the-end-jordan-lifts-bulls-to-their-sixth-nba-title.html | access-date = July 18, 2022}}{{cite news | last = Howard-Cooper | first = Scott | title = A Rousing Six-cess | work = Los Angeles Times | date = June 15, 1998 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-jun-15-sp-60167-story.html | access-date = July 25, 2022}}{{cite news | last = Armour | first = Terry | title = Michael Jordan Hits "The Shot", and the Chicago Bulls Beat Utah Jazz for Their 6th NBA Championship | work = Chicago Tribune | date = June 15, 1998 | url = https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/bulls/ct-june-14-1998-bulls-beat-jazz-michael-jordan-story.html | access-date = July 18, 2022}}{{cite news | last = Robinson | first = Doug | title = M.J.'s Moment: A Finals Finale | work = Deseret News | date = June 15, 1998 | url = https://www.deseret.com/1998/6/15/19385920/m-j-s-moment-a-finals-finale | access-date = December 12, 2022}}{{cite web | title = 1998 NBA Finals: Bulls vs. Jazz | publisher = Basketball-Reference | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1998-nba-finals-bulls-vs-jazz.html | access-date = February 4, 2023}}