1997–98 New Jersey Nets season

The 1997–98 NBA season was the Nets' 31st season in the National Basketball Association, and 22nd season in East Rutherford, New Jersey.[1] The Nets had the seventh overall pick in the 1997 NBA draft, and selected Tim Thomas out of Villanova University,[2][3][4][5][6] but soon traded him to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for top draft pick Keith Van Horn from the University of Utah, Lucious Harris, Michael Cage and Don MacLean,[7][8][9][10] then signed free agent Sherman Douglas on the first day of the regular season, which began on October 31, 1997.[11][12][13] The Nets had a new look as the team changed their primary logo,[14] and added new uniforms adding dark navy to their color scheme.[15][16]

1997–98 New Jersey Nets season
Head coachJohn Calipari
General managerJohn Nash
OwnersSecaucus Seven
ArenaContinental Airlines Arena
Results
Record43–39 (.524)
PlaceDivision: 3rd (Atlantic)
Conference: 8th (Eastern)
Playoff finishFirst round
(lost to Bulls 0–3)

Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
Television
RadioWOR
< 1996–97 1998–99 >

A youth movement began to pay off as the Nets won their first four games, and played above .500 for the entire season, holding a 27–21 record at the All-Star break.[17] At mid-season, the team traded David Benoit, Kevin Edwards and Yinka Dare to the Orlando Magic in exchange for Rony Seikaly and second-year forward Brian Evans.[18][19][20][21] Despite a 7-game losing streak between February and March, the Nets made the playoffs by finishing third in the Atlantic Division with a 43–39 record.[22]

Van Horn shook off a preseason ankle injury, which cost him to miss the first month of the regular season,[23][24][25] and averaged 19.7 points and 6.6 rebounds per game in 62 games, while being selected to the NBA All-Rookie First Team. He also finished in second place in Rookie of the Year voting behind Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs.[26][27][28][29] In addition, Sam Cassell finished second on the team in scoring with 19.6 points, led them with 8.0 assists and contributed 1.6 steals per game, while second-year star Kerry Kittles provided the team with 17.2 points and 1.7 steals per game, and Kendall Gill contributed 13.4 points and led the team with 1.9 steals per game.[30] Jayson Williams averaged 12.9 points, led the team with 13.6 rebounds per game, and was selected for the 1998 NBA All-Star Game in New York, New York.[31][32][33][34][35] Off the bench, sixth man Chris Gatling provided with 11.5 points and 5.9 rebounds per game, and Douglas contributed 8.0 points and 4.0 assists per game.[30]

In the Eastern Conference First Round of the playoffs, the Nets faced off against Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and the 2-time defending champion Chicago Bulls. However, due to injuries to Cassell (groin), Williams (thumb), and Van Horn (stomach virus),[36][37][38] the Nets were swept by the Bulls in three straight games.[39][40][41][42][43] 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.[44][45][46][47][48]

Following the season, Douglas signed as a free agent with the Los Angeles Clippers,[49][50][51] while Cage and MacLean were both traded to the Seattle SuperSonics, whom Cage used to play for,[52][53][54] and Xavier McDaniel retired, although he was released to free agency in January.[55]

The Nets new primary logo and home uniforms both remained in use until 2012, while the road jerseys lasted until 2009.

Off-season

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NBA draft

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Round Pick Player Position Nationality College
1 7 Tim Thomas (traded to Philadelphia) SF   United States Villanova
1 21 Anthony Parker (from L.A. Lakers) SG   United States Bradley

Roster

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1997–98 New Jersey Nets roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB From
C 45 Cage, Michael 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 224 lb (102 kg) 1962-01-28 San Diego State
G 10 Cassell, Sam 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1969-11-18 Florida State
G 20 Douglas, Sherman 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1966-09-15 Syracuse
F 11 Evans, Brian 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1973-09-13 Indiana
F 15 Gatling, Chris 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1967-09-03 Old Dominion
F 13 Gill, Kendall 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1968-05-25 Illinois
C 54 Haley, Jack 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 240 lb (109 kg) 1964-01-27 UCLA
G 12 Harris, Lucious 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1970-12-18 Long Beach State
G 30 Kittles, Kerry 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 179 lb (81 kg) 1974-06-12 Villanova
F 24 MacLean, Don 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 235 lb (107 kg) 1970-01-16 UCLA
C 2 Seikaly, Rony 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 230 lb (104 kg) 1965-05-10 Syracuse
F 44 Van Horn, Keith 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1975-10-23 Utah
F 42 Vaughn, David 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 240 lb (109 kg) 1973-03-23 Memphis
C 55 Williams, Jayson 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 240 lb (109 kg) 1968-02-22 St. John's
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)

Legend
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  •   Injured

Roster
Last transaction: April 15, 1998

Roster notes

Regular season

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The Nets began the season by winning their first four games, and maintained a winning record through all 82 games for the first time in the franchise's NBA history. The Nets clinched a playoff berth with a victory over the Detroit Pistons on the final day of the season. It was the Nets first postseason appearance since 1994, and the season brought excitement back to the Meadowlands. The heart and soul of the Nets was center Jayson Williams, who averaged 13.6 rebounds, (2nd in the NBA), and 12.9 points per game.[56] Williams became the first Net to appear in an All-Star Game since 1994.[56] After missing the first 17 games of the season due to a leg injury, rookie Keith Van Horn quickly acclimated himself to the NBA game and led the Nets in scoring at 19.7 points per game.[56] Another strong presence in the frontcourt was forward Kendall Gill, who averaged 13.4 points per game.

The Nets backcourt consisted of Sam Cassell and Kerry Kittles in the backcourt. Cassell ranked second on the team in scoring, behind Van Horn at 19.6 ppg, and led the Nets in assists with 8.0 apg.[56] Kittles was in his second NBA season, and was third on the team in scoring with 17.2 ppg. The Nets bench included Sherman Douglas (8.0 ppg, 4.0 apg) and Chris Gatling (11.5 ppg, 5.9 rpg). Late in the season, the Nets added depth with the trade for Rony Seikaly, who joined the Nets in a five-player trade with the Orlando Magic on Feb. 19. Seikaly played in only nine games for New Jersey, because of a nagging injury to his right foot.

Season standings

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W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-Miami Heat 55 27 .671 30-11 25–16 18–6
x-New York Knicks 43 39 .524 12 28–13 15–26 13–11
x-New Jersey Nets 43 39 .524 12 26–15 17–24 12–12
Washington Wizards 42 40 .512 13 24–17 18–23 12–13
Orlando Magic 41 41 .500 14 24–17 17–24 11–13
Boston Celtics 36 46 .439 19 24–17 12–29 12–12
Philadelphia 76ers 31 51 .378 24 19–22 12–29 7–17
#
Team W L PCT GB
1 c-Chicago Bulls 62 20 .756
2 y-Miami Heat 55 27 .671 7
3 x-Indiana Pacers 58 24 .707 4
4 x-Charlotte Hornets 51 31 .622 11
5 x-Atlanta Hawks 50 32 .610 12
6 x-Cleveland Cavaliers 47 35 .573 15
7 x-New York Knicks 43 39 .524 19
8 x-New Jersey Nets 43 39 .524 19
9 Washington Wizards 42 40 .512 20
10 Orlando Magic 41 41 .500 21
11 Detroit Pistons 37 45 .451 25
12 Boston Celtics 36 46 .439 26
12 Milwaukee Bucks 36 46 .439 26
14 Philadelphia 76ers 31 51 .378 31
15 Toronto Raptors 16 66 .195 46

Record vs. opponents

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1997-98 NBA Records
Team ATL BOS CHA CHI CLE DAL DEN DET GSW HOU IND LAC LAL MIA MIL MIN NJN NYK ORL PHI PHO POR SAC SAS SEA TOR UTA VAN WAS
Atlanta 2–1 4–0 1–3 4–0 2–0 2–0 2–2 2–0 1–1 1–3 2–0 0–2 1–3 3–1 0–2 1–2 2–2 2–2 3–1 0–2 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 4–0 0–2 2–0 4–0
Boston 1–2 1–2 1–3 1–3 1–1 1–1 2–2 1–1 1–1 0–4 2–0 1–1 0–4 2–2 1–1 2–2 2–2 2–2 3–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 3–0 0–2 2–0 3–2
Charlotte 0–4 2–1 1–3 2–2 2–0 2–0 3–1 1–1 2–0 3–1 2–0 1–1 3–1 3–1 1–1 2–2 1–3 3–1 2–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 4–0 1–1 2–0 2–2
Chicago 3–1 3–1 3–1 2–2 1–1 2–0 3–1 2–0 2–0 2–2 2–0 1–1 2–1 4–0 1–1 4–0 4–0 3–1 2–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 2–0 1–1 4–0 0–2 2–0 3–1
Cleveland 0–4 3–1 2–2 2–2 1–1 2–0 3–1 2–0 1–1 2–2 2–0 1–1 1–3 2–2 2–0 3–1 1–2 2–2 3–1 2–0 1–1 2–0 0–2 0–2 3–1 1–1 2–0 1–2
Dallas 0–2 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 3–1 0–2 1–3 0–4 1–1 1–3 0–4 0–2 0–2 2–2 0–2 1–1 0–2 0–2 0–4 0–4 0–4 0–4 2–2 1–1 0–4 4–0 1–1
Denver 0–2 1–1 0–2 0–2 0–2 1–3 0–2 1–3 0–4 0–2 2–2 0–4 0–2 0–2 1–3 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–4 2–2 1–3 0–4 0–4 0–2 0–4 1–3 1–1
Detroit 2–2 2–2 1–3 1–3 1–3 2–0 2–0 2–0 1–1 1–3 2–0 0–2 1–2 2–2 0–2 2–2 2–2 1–2 3–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 4–0 0–2 0–2 2–2
Golden State 0–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–2 3–1 3–1 0–2 1–3 0–2 1–3 1–3 0–2 0–2 0–4 0–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–4 1–3 2–2 1–3 1–3 0–2 0–4 1–3 0–2
Houston 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–2 1–1 4–0 4–0 1–1 3–1 1–1 4–0 1–3 0–2 1–1 1–3 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–3 1–3 4–0 2–2 1–3 2–0 0–4 3–1 1–1
Indiana 3–1 4–0 1–3 2–2 2–2 1–1 2–0 3–1 2–0 1–1 2–0 0–2 3–1 4–0 2–0 2–1 2–1 3–1 4–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 0–2 0–2 4–0 1–1 2–0 4–0
L.A. Clippers 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 3–1 2–2 0–2 3–1 0–4 0–2 0–4 0–2 0–2 0–4 1–1 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–4 0–4 3–1 1–3 0–4 1–1 1–3 1–3 0–2
L.A. Lakers 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 4–0 4–0 2–0 3–1 3–1 2–0 4–0 1–1 2–0 4–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 2–2 2–2 4–0 4–0 1–3 2–0 3–1 4–0 1–1
Miami 3–1 4–0 1–3 1–2 3–1 2–0 2–0 2–1 2–0 2–0 1–3 2–0 1–1 3–1 1–1 3–1 2–2 3–1 4–0 0–2 2–0 2–0 0–2 0–2 4–0 1–1 2–0 2–2
Milwaukee 1–3 2–2 1–3 0–4 2–2 2–0 2–0 2–2 2–0 1–1 0–4 2–0 0–2 1–3 1–1 0–4 3–1 2–1 2–2 0–2 2–0 2–0 0–2 1–1 3–1 0–2 1–1 1–2
Minnesota 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 2–2 3–1 2–0 4–0 3–1 0–2 4–0 0–4 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 0–2 2–0 3–1 1–3 3–1 1–3 1–3 1–1 1–3 4–0 0–2
New Jersey 2–1 2–2 2–2 0–4 1–3 2–0 2–0 2–2 2–0 1–1 1–2 1–1 1–1 1–3 4–0 0–2 2–2 3–1 3–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 0–2 3–1 0–2 2–0 1–3
New York 2–2 2–2 3–1 0–4 2–1 1–1 2–0 2–2 1–1 1–1 1–2 2–0 1–1 2–2 1–3 1–1 2–2 4–0 2–2 2–0 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 3–1 0–2 2–0 1–3
Orlando 2–2 2–2 1–3 1–3 2–2 2–0 2–0 2–1 1–1 2–0 1–3 2–0 1–1 1–3 1–2 2–0 1–3 0–4 4–0 0–2 2–0 0–2 0–2 1–1 3–1 0–2 2–0 3–1
Philadelphia 1–3 1–3 1–2 1–2 1–3 2–0 2–0 1–3 2–0 1–1 0–4 1–1 2–0 0–4 2–2 0–2 1–3 2–2 0–4 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–2 2–2 0–2 2–0 3–1
Phoenix 2–0 2–0 1–1 1–1 0–2 4–0 4–0 1–1 4–0 3–1 1–1 4–0 2–2 2–0 2–0 1–3 1–1 0–2 2–0 1–1 2–2 3–1 3–1 2–2 2–0 1–3 4–0 1–1
Portland 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 4–0 2–2 2–0 3–1 3–1 1–1 4–0 2–2 0–2 0–2 3–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 2–2 3–1 2–2 0–4 2–0 3–1 2–2 1–1
Sacramento 0–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–2 4–0 3–1 1–1 2–2 0–4 0–2 1–3 0–4 0–2 0–2 1–3 0–2 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–3 1–3 0–4 1–3 1–1 2–2 2–2 1–1
San Antonio 1–1 2–0 1–1 0–2 2–0 4–0 4–0 1–1 3–1 2–2 2–0 3–1 0–4 2–0 2–0 3–1 1–1 2–0 2–0 2–0 1–3 2–2 4–0 2–2 2–0 1–3 4–0 1–1
Seattle 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 2–2 4–0 2–0 3–1 3–1 2–0 4–0 3–1 2–0 1–1 3–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 2–2 4–0 3–1 2–2 2–0 2–2 4–0 1–1
Toronto 0–4 0–3 0–4 0–4 1–3 1–1 2–0 0–4 2–0 0–2 0–4 1–1 0–2 0–4 1–3 1–1 1–3 1–3 1–3 2–2 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–2 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–3
Utah 2–0 2–0 1–1 2–0 1–1 4–0 4–0 2–0 4–0 4–0 1–1 3–1 1–3 1–1 2–0 3–1 2–0 2–0 2–0 2–0 3–1 1–3 2–2 3–1 2–2 2–0 4–0 0–2
Vancouver 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–4 3–1 2–0 3–1 1–3 0–2 3–1 0–4 0–2 1–1 0–4 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–4 2–2 2–2 0–4 0–4 1–1 0–4 1–1
Washington 0–4 2–3 2–2 1–3 2–1 1–1 1–1 2–2 2–0 1–1 0–4 2–0 1–1 2–2 2–1 2–0 3–1 3–1 1–3 1–3 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 3–0 2–0 1–1

Schedule

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Playoffs

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Injuries would become a problem in the playoffs for the Nets. In Game 1 against Chicago, Cassell nursed a strained groin and Williams played despite a broken thumb. Williams would manage to get 21 rebounds in the game.[56] The Nets forced overtime at the United Center before falling by a score of 96–93. The Bulls ultimately swept the series, but the Nets' effort suggested that the team had a bright future.


1998 playoff game log
First Round: 0–3 (home: 0–1; road: 0–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Series
1 April 24 @ Chicago L 93–96 (OT) Chris Gatling (24) Jayson Williams (21) Sherman Douglas (5) United Center
23,844
0–1
2 April 26 @ Chicago L 91–96 Kerry Kittles (23) Jayson Williams (11) Sherman Douglas (12) United Center
23,844
0–2
3 April 29 Chicago L 101–116 Sherman Douglas (19) Jayson Williams (10) Sherman Douglas (8) Continental Airlines Arena
20,049
0–3
1998 schedule

Player statistics

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Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field-goal percentage  3P%  3-point field-goal percentage  FT%  Free-throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game

Regular season

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Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field-goal percentage  3P%  3-point field-goal percentage  FT%  Free-throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game
New Jersey Nets statistics
Player GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Keith Van Horn 62 62 37.5 .426 .308 .846 6.6 1.7 1.0 0.4 19.7
Sam Cassell 75 72 34.7 .441 .188 .860 3.0 8.0 1.6 0.3 19.6
Kerry Kittles 77 76 36.5 .440 .418 .808 4.7 2.3 1.7 0.5 17.2
Kendall Gill 81 81 33.7 .429 .257 .688 4.8 2.5 1.9 0.8 13.4
Jayson Williams 65 65 36.0 .498 .000 .666 13.6 1.0 0.7 0.8 12.9
Chris Gatling 57 16 23.8 .455 .250 .600 5.9 0.9 0.9 0.5 11.5
Sherman Douglas 80 11 21.2 .495 .304 .669 1.7 4.0 0.7 0.1 8.0
David Benoit 53 0 15.1 .379 .345 .841 2.7 0.3 0.5 0.3 5.3
Rony Seikaly 9 2 16.9 .317 .593 4.0 0.9 0.3 0.4 4.7
Brian Evans 28 1 11.9 .434 .405 .667 1.9 0.9 0.3 0.2 4.1
Lucious Harris 50 0 13.4 .390 .308 .745 1.0 0.8 0.8 0.1 3.8
Kevin Edwards 27 5 13.0 .349 .364 .867 1.3 1.0 0.8 0.0 3.4
David Vaughn 15 2 10.7 .576 .667 3.3 0.1 0.3 0.3 2.9
Jack Haley 16 0 3.2 .278 .000 .571 0.9 0.0 0.0 0.1 1.4
Michael Cage 79 17 15.2 .512 .000 .556 3.9 0.4 0.6 0.6 1.3
Xavier McDaniel 20 0 9.0 .333 .625 1.6 0.5 0.2 0.1 1.3
Yinka Dare 10 0 6.0 .222 .500 1.7 0.1 0.0 0.2 1.2
Don MacLean 9 0 4.7 .100 .500 0.6 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.3

Playoffs

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Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field-goal percentage  3P%  3-point field-goal percentage  FT%  Free-throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game
New Jersey Nets statistics
Player GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Sherman Douglas 3 2 41.7 .523 .400 .700 2.7 8.3 2.0 0.0 18.3
Kerry Kittles 3 3 42.0 .425 .385 .909 5.0 2.7 1.3 0.7 16.3
Chris Gatling 3 1 27.0 .500 .667 3.3 0.7 0.7 0.7 15.3
Kendall Gill 3 3 33.3 .450 .875 4.3 1.0 1.3 0.3 14.3
Keith Van Horn 3 3 25.7 .448 .000 .800 3.0 0.3 0.0 0.0 12.7
Jayson Williams 3 2 38.7 .429 .500 14.0 1.7 0.7 1.0 7.0
Rony Seikaly 3 0 12.3 .778 .667 3.0 0.0 0.3 0.0 6.0
Lucious Harris 3 0 17.3 .333 .000 .833 2.7 0.3 0.7 0.0 3.0
Sam Cassell 3 1 8.7 .333 1.0 1.7 0.0 0.3 2.0
Brian Evans 3 0 1.3 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
David Vaughn 1 0 1.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.0 0.0

Player Statistics Citation:[30]

Awards, Records and Honors

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Transactions

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References

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  1. ^ 1997–98 New Jersey Nets
  2. ^ Wise, Mike (June 26, 1997). "After Duncan, Utah Forward Steals Show". The New York Times. Retrieved July 25, 2021.
  3. ^ Heisler, Mark (June 26, 1997). "Draft Over, But Not Finished". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
  4. ^ Cotton, Anthony (June 26, 1997). "No. 1 Pick Turns Duncan Into Spur of Moment". The Washington Post. Retrieved September 24, 2022.
  5. ^ "First Round Selections in the 1997 NBA Draft Wednesday in Charlotte, N.C." Hartford Courant. June 26, 1997. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  6. ^ "1997 NBA Draft". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
  7. ^ "NBA Trade Sends No. 2 Pick Van Horn to New Jersey". Chicago Tribune. June 27, 1997. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  8. ^ Roberts, Selena (June 28, 1997). "The Nets Decide the Future Can't Wait". The New York Times. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  9. ^ "Van Horn Finally on His Way to New Jersey in 76er Trade". Los Angeles Times. Staff and Wire Reports. June 28, 1997. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  10. ^ Kepner, Tyler (June 28, 1997). "Nets Get Van Horn from 76ers". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  11. ^ Diamos, Jason (October 29, 1997). "N.B.A. PREVIEW '97-'98; Kenny Smith, a Poor Fit with Nets, Is Cut". The New York Times. Retrieved October 10, 2022.
  12. ^ "Nets Sign Sherman Douglas". Associated Press. October 31, 1997. Retrieved January 18, 2022.
  13. ^ Diamos, Jason (November 18, 1997). "N.B.A.: LAST NIGHT -- NETS; For Douglas, Home Is Where the Court Is". The New York Times. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  14. ^ "New Jersey Nets Logo". Chris Creamer's Sports Logos Page - SportsLogos.Net. Retrieved July 7, 2021.
  15. ^ "New Jersey Nets Uniform". Chris Creamer's Sports Logos Page - SportsLogos.Net. Retrieved July 7, 2021.
  16. ^ "New Jersey Nets Uniform". Chris Creamer's Sports Logos Page - SportsLogos.Net. Retrieved July 7, 2021.
  17. ^ "NBA Games Played on February 5, 1998". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved July 19, 2022.
  18. ^ Popper, Steve (February 20, 1998). "PRO BASKETBALL; Seikaly Traded to Nets in a Last-Minute Deal". The New York Times. Retrieved June 19, 2021.
  19. ^ Heisler, Mark (February 20, 1998). "It's a Big Deal for Clippers: There Are No Slam Dunks in the Flurry of NBA Deals". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 4, 2022.
  20. ^ Smith, Sam (February 20, 1998). "NBA's Rash of Trades Ends with Another Seikaly Deal". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
  21. ^ Povtak, Tim (February 20, 1998). "Seikaly Bounces to Nets, and It Looks as If He'll Go". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved October 6, 2022.
  22. ^ "1997–98 New Jersey Nets Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  23. ^ Diamos, Jason (October 25, 1997). "N.B.A.: ROUNDUP; Van Horn Sprains Ankle". The New York Times. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
  24. ^ "Ankle Sprain Trips Up Nets' Van Horn". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. October 26, 1997. Retrieved December 12, 2022.
  25. ^ Diamos, Jason (October 28, 1997). "PRO BASKETBALL; Ankle Injury May Sideline Van Horn Only 2-3 Weeks". The New York Times. Retrieved January 18, 2022.
  26. ^ "Duncan Wins Rookie of Year Award". The Washington Post. Associated Press. April 27, 1998. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
  27. ^ "Duncan's Top Rookie". Deseret News. April 27, 1998. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
  28. ^ "Duncan Is Landslide Rookie Winner". United Press International. April 27, 1998. Retrieved February 2, 2023.
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  31. ^ Howard-Cooper, Scott (January 28, 1998). "Lakers Get Four-Star Rating as Van Exel, Jones Honored". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  32. ^ Popper, Steve (February 9, 1998). "N.B.A. ALL-STAR GAME; Williams Focuses on His Specialty". The New York Times. Retrieved July 25, 2021.
  33. ^ "1998 NBA All-Star Recap". NBA.com. NBA.com Staff. September 13, 2021. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  34. ^ "1997-98 All-Star Events and Contestants - in New York". Eskimo North. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
  35. ^ "1998 NBA All-Star Game: East 135, West 114". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved November 27, 2021.
  36. ^ "Nets' Van Horn Is Questionable Because of Virus". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. April 24, 1998. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
  37. ^ "Bulls Forced to Work Overtime Before Defeating Depleted Nets". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. April 25, 1998. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
  38. ^ Bayless, Skip (April 25, 1998). "Bulls Must Face Their Loss of Face". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
  39. ^ Popper, Steve (April 30, 1998). "THE N.B.A. PLAYOFFS; Jordan Silences Nets with a Sweep". The New York Times. Retrieved February 18, 2022.
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