1997–98 Milwaukee Bucks season

1997–98 Milwaukee Bucks season
Head coachChris Ford
General managerBob Weinhauer
OwnerHerb Kohl
ArenaBradley Center
Results
Record36–46 (.439)
PlaceDivision: 7th (Central)
Conference: 13th (Eastern)
Playoff finishDid not qualify
Stats at Basketball Reference
Local media
TelevisionWVTV
Wisconsin Sports Network
(Jim Paschke, Jon McGlocklin)
RadioWTMJ

The 1997–98 Milwaukee Bucks season was the 30th season for the Milwaukee Bucks in the National Basketball Association.[1] The Bucks received the tenth overall pick in the 1997 NBA draft, and selected power forward Danny Fortson from the University of Cincinnati, but soon traded him to the Denver Nuggets in exchange for Ervin Johnson.[2][3][4] During the off-season, the team acquired All-Star guard Terrell Brandon, and former All-Star forward Tyrone Hill from the Cleveland Cavaliers in a three-team trade,[5][6][7] signed free agent Michael Curry,[8][9] and re-signed former Bucks star and sixth man Ricky Pierce in December.[10][11][12]

With the addition of Brandon, Hill and Johnson, the Bucks won four of their first five games of the regular season. However, after an 11–8 start to the season, the team then posted a 5-game losing streak afterwards, and began to fall under .500 in winning percentage. After holding an 18–22 record as of January 20, 1998, the Bucks recovered and posted a six-game winning streak between January and February, and held a 24–23 record at the All-Star break.[13]

However, with Glenn Robinson out for the remainder of the season due to a season-ending left knee injury after 56 games,[14][15][16] while Brandon only played just 50 games due to an ankle injury,[17][18][19] and Hill only appeared in 57 games due to a knee injury, and a strained back,[20][21][22] the Bucks struggled and posted a nine-game losing streak in March, losing 13 of their 16 games during that month. The team finished in seventh place in the Central Division with a 36–46 record, missing the NBA playoffs for the seventh consecutive year.[23]

Robinson averaged 23.4 points and 5.5 rebounds per game, while second-year star Ray Allen had a stellar season, averaging 19.5 points, 4.3 assists and 1.4 steals per game, and leading the Bucks with 134 three-point field goals, and Brandon provided the team with 16.8 points, 7.7 assists and 2.2 steals per game. In addition, Hill contributed 10.0 points and 10.7 rebounds per game, while Armen Gilliam provided with 11.2 points and 5.4 rebounds per game, Johnson averaged 8.0 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game, Elliot Perry provided with 7.3 points and 2.8 assists per game, and Curry contributed 6.6 points per game,[24] and finished tied in sixth place in Sixth Man of the Year voting.[25]

One notable highlight of the regular season was a game between the Bucks, and the 2-time defending NBA champion Chicago Bulls at the United Center on January 2, 1998; Robinson and All-Star guard Michael Jordan both scored 44 points each, while Brandon and Gilliam both posted double-doubles, as Brandon scored 24 points along with 13 assists, and Gilliam contributed 18 points and 11 rebounds. The Bulls defeated the Bucks, 114–100.[26][27][28]

Following the season, Pierce retired after playing in his second stint with the Bucks,[29] while Andrew Lang signed as a free agent with the Chicago Bulls,[30][31] and head coach Chris Ford was fired after coaching the Bucks for two seasons.[32][33][34]

Draft picks

Main article: 1997 NBA draft
Round Pick Player Position Nationality College
1 10 Danny Fortson PF  United States Cincinnati
2 38 Jerald Honeycutt SF  United States Tulane

Roster

1997–98 Milwaukee Bucks roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Player Height Weight DOB From
G 34 Ray Allen 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 1975–07–20 Connecticut
G 7 Terrell Brandon 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1970–05–20 Oregon
G/F 12 Michael Curry 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1968–08–22 Georgia Southern
C 11 Jamie Feick 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 255 lb (116 kg) 1974–07–03 Michigan State
F 10 Armen Gilliam 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 230 lb (104 kg) 1964–05–28 UNLV
G 9 Litterial Green 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1970–03–07 Georgia
F 42 Tyrone Hill 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 240 lb (109 kg) 1968–03–19 Xavier
F 25 Jerald Honeycutt 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 245 lb (111 kg) 1974–10–20 Tulane
C 40 Ervin Johnson 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 245 lb (111 kg) 1967–12–21 New Orleans
C 28 Andrew Lang 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 245 lb (111 kg) 1966–06–28 Arkansas
G 5 Elliot Perry 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 150 lb (68 kg) 1969–03–28 Memphis
G 22 Ricky Pierce 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 1959–08–19 Rice
F 13 Glenn Robinson  6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 240 lb (109 kg) 1973–01–10 Purdue
Head coach
Assistant(s)
Legend
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured

Roster

Regular season

Season standings

Central Division
 W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-Chicago Bulls 62 20 .756 – 37–4 25–16 21–7
x-Indiana Pacers 58 24 .707 4 32–9 26–15 19–9
x-Charlotte Hornets 51 31 .622 11 32–9 19–22 16–12
x-Atlanta Hawks 50 32 .610 12 29–12 21–20 19–9
x-Cleveland Cavaliers 47 35 .573 15 27–14 20–21 14–14
Detroit Pistons 37 45 .451 25 25–16 12–29 12–16
Milwaukee Bucks 36 46 .439 26 21–20 15–26 9–19
Toronto Raptors 16 66 .195 46 9–32 7–34 2–26
#
Eastern Conference
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
13 Milwaukee Bucks 36 46 .439 26
14 Philadelphia 76ers 31 51 .378 31
15 Toronto Raptors 16 66 .195 46
z - clinched division title
y - clinched division title
x - clinched playoff spot

Game log

1997–98 game log
Total: 36–46 (Home: 3–1; Road: 2–1)
October: 1–0 (home: 0–0; road: 1–0)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
1 October 31, 1997 @ Philadelphia W 103–88 Ray Allen (29) CoreStates Center 1–0
November: 8–6 (home: 5–2; road: 3–4)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
2 November 1, 1997 New Jersey L 109–113 Bradley Center
18,717 		1–1
3 November 4, 1997 Orlando W 110–76 Ray Allen (20) Bradley Center
12,764 		2–1
4 November 6, 1997 Philadelphia W 100–93 Bradley Center
13,851 		3–1
5 November 8, 1997 Boston W 105–96 Bradley Center
17,653 		4–1
6 November 12, 1997 @ Phoenix L 95–103 America West Arena
19,023 		4–2
7 November 13, 1997 @ L. A. Clippers W 102–94 Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena
4,300 		5–2
8 November 15, 1997 @ Vancouver L 94–109 General Motors Place
17,666 		5–3
9 November 16, 1997 @ Seattle L 99–119 Key Arena
17,072 		5–4
10 November 18, 1997 Detroit W 87–79 Bradley Center
13,065 		6–4
11 November 20, 1997 Indiana L 83–109 Bradley Center
14,106 		6–5
12 November 22, 1997 @ Dallas W 104–109 Reunion Arena
11,425 		7–5
13 November 26, 1997 Vancouver W 101–82 Bradley Center
15,126 		8–5
14 November 28, 1997 @ Orlando L 95–103 Orlando Arena
17,070 		8–6
15 November 29, 1997 @ Miami W 93–87 Miami Arena
14,897 		9–6
December: 5–9 (home: 5–4; road: 0–5)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
16 December 2, 1997 Phoenix L 86–90 Bradley Center
13,131 		9–7
17 December 4, 1997 Charlotte W 102–92 Bradley Center
13,898 		10–7
18 December 5, 1997 @ Chicago L 62–84 United Center
24,041 		10–8
19 December 7, 1997 Seattle W 97–91 Bradley Center
15,806 		11–8
20 December 10, 1997 @ Boston L 91–96 Fleet Center
17,012 		11–9
21 December 11, 1997 Cleveland L 77–79 Bradley Center
13,105 		11–10
22 December 13, 1997 Miami L 87–87 Bradley Center
15,803 		11–11
23 December 17, 1997 @ Charlotte L 90–99 Charlotte Coliseum
20,691 		11–12
24 December 19, 1997 @ Toronto L 91–92 SkyDome
15,076 		11–13
25 December 20, 1997 New York W 98–78 Bradley Center
15,955 		12–13
26 December 22, 1997 Washington L 79–110 Bradley Center
14,442 		12–14
27 December 26, 1997 Atlanta W 99–94 Bradley Center
17,038 		13–14
28 December 27, 1997 @ New Jersey L 104–112 Meadowlands Arena
16,351 		13–15
29 December 30, 1997 Dallas W 105–98 Bradley Center
14,948 		14–15
January: 1–3 (home: 0–1; road: 1–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
30 January 2, 1998 @ Chicago L 100–114 United Center
23,897 		14–16
31 January 3, 1998 Boston L 99–106 Bradley Center
16,211 		14–17
32 January 5, 1998 @ Portland W 98–92 Rose Garden Arena
19,215 		15–17
33 January 7, 1998 @ L. A. Lakers L 98–92 Great Western Forum
15,483 		15–18
February: 0–0 (home: 0–0; road: 0–0)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
March: 0–0 (home: 0–0; road: 0–0)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
April: 0–0 (home: 0–0; road: 0–0)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
1997–98 schedule

Player statistics

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
Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Glenn Robinson 56 56 41.0 47.0 38.5 80.8 5.5 2.8 1.2 0.6 23.4
Ray Allen 82 82 40.1 42.8 36.4 87.5 4.9 4.3 1.4 0.1 19.5
Terrell Brandon 50 48 35.7 46.4 33.3 84.6 3.5 7.7 2.2 0.3 16.8
Armen Gilliam 82 25 25.8 48.4 0.0 80.2 5.4 1.3 0.8 0.5 11.2
Tyrone Hill 57 56 36.2 49.8 0.0 60.8 10.7 1.5 1.2 0.5 10.0
Ervin Johnson 81 81 27.9 53.7 0.0 60.1 8.5 0.7 1.0 2.0 8.0
Elliot Perry 81 33 21.6 43.0 34.0 84.4 1.3 2.8 1.1 0.0 7.3
Michael Curry 82 27 24.1 46.9 44.4 83.5 1.2 1.7 0.7 0.2 6.6
Jerald Honeycutt 38 0 13.9 40.7 37.7 62.1 2.4 0.9 0.5 0.2 6.4
Ricky Pierce 39 0 11.3 36.4 30.8 82.7 1.2 0.9 0.2 0.0 3.9
Andrew Lang 57 0 12.1 37.8 0.0 77.2 2.7 0.3 0.3 0.5 2.7
Tony Smith 7 0 11.4 33.3 0.0 75.0 1.0 1.4 0.7 0.3 2.7
Jamie Feick 45 2 10.0 43.3 30.8 48.8 2.8 0.4 0.6 0.4 2.3
Tim Breaux 6 0 5.0 36.4 33.3 50.0 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.2 1.7
Jeff Nordgaard 13 0 3.7 27.8 0.0 88.9 1.1 0.2 0.2 0.0 1.4
Litterial Green 21 0 5.9 21.7 0.0 75.0 0.3 0.8 0.2 0.0 1.2

Player Statistics Citation:[24]

Transactions

Trades

June 25, 1997 To Milwaukee Bucks---- To Denver Nuggets----
September 25, 1997 To Milwaukee Bucks
Terrell Brandon
Tyrone Hill 		To Cleveland Cavaliers
Sherman Douglas
Shawn Kemp
To Seattle SuperSonics
Vin Baker

Free agents

Player Signed Former team
Michael Curry July 30, 1997 Detroit Pistons
Tim Breaux August 6, 1997 Rockford Lightning
Jamie Feick October 2, 1997 San Antonio Spurs
Ricky Pierce December 4, 1997 Charlotte Hornets

Player Transactions Citation:[35]

References

  1. ^ 1997-98 Milwaukee Bucks
  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. ^ "1997 NBA Draft". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
  5. ^ Roberts, Selena (September 26, 1997). "PRO BASKETBALL; Sonics' Kemp Gets Wish and Is Traded, to Cavs". The New York Times. Retrieved July 25, 2021.
  6. ^ Baker, Chris (September 26, 1997). "Kemp Is Key Player in Three-Way Trade". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 18, 2022.
  7. ^ Sherwin, Bob (September 26, 1997). "Shawn Kemp Moves On -- Reign Comes to an End -- Kemp Is a Cav, Baker Is a Sonic After 3-Way Deal". The Seattle Times. Retrieved May 16, 2022.
  8. ^ "Sports People". The Spokesman-Review. Wire Services. July 31, 1997. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
  9. ^ Myslenski, Skip (December 6, 1997). "A Whole New Deal for Bucks". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved July 11, 2022.
  10. ^ "Transactions". The New York Times. December 5, 1997. Retrieved October 7, 2022.
  11. ^ "Nelson Replaces Cleamons". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. December 5, 1997. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
  12. ^ "Mavs Respond to Change". The Spokesman-Review. Wire Reports. December 5, 1997. Retrieved November 12, 2023.
  13. ^ "NBA Games Played on February 5, 1998". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved July 19, 2022.
  14. ^ "Game at a Glance". Deseret News. March 8, 1998. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
  15. ^ "Bucks' Robinson on Injured List". Associated Press. March 10, 1998. Archived from the original on June 21, 2023. Retrieved January 18, 2022.
  16. ^ "Webber Leads Wizards to Win". CBS News. Associated Press. March 10, 1998. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
  17. ^ "Brandon on Injured List, Green Signed". United Press International. February 13, 1998. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
  18. ^ Thompson, Jack (February 14, 1998). "Bucks' Brandon on Injured List with Bad Ankle". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
  19. ^ "Bucks' 4th Qrt Run Beats Cavs". CBS News. Associated Press. February 14, 1998. Retrieved January 4, 2023.
  20. ^ Facer, Dirk (January 9, 1998). "Results of Mega-Trade Please Bucks Coach". Deseret News. Retrieved June 28, 2022.
  21. ^ "Pacers Comeback to Beat Bucks". CBS News. Associated Press. March 22, 1998. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
  22. ^ Johnson, K.C. (March 30, 1998). "Talent-Depleted Bucks Playing Out the String". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved July 17, 2017.
  23. ^ "1997–98 Milwaukee Bucks Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 28, 2021.
  24. ^ a b "1997–98 Milwaukee Bucks Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 28, 2021.
  25. ^ "1997–98 NBA Awards Voting". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved December 30, 2024.
  26. ^ "Red-Hot Jordan Nets 44 More". The Spokesman-Review. Associated Press. January 3, 1998. Retrieved October 24, 2025.
  27. ^ "Jordan Leads Bulls Romp Over Bucks". New Straits Times. January 4, 1998. p. 20. Retrieved October 24, 2025.
  28. ^ "Milwaukee Bucks at Chicago Bulls Box Score, January 2, 1998". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved October 24, 2025.
  29. ^ Mannix, Chris (July 2, 2007). "RICKY PIERCE: One of the NBA's Premier Sixth Men, Now Provides Hands-On Instruction in the Art of the Perfect Jumper". Sports Illustrated Vault. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  30. ^ Armour, Terry (February 8, 1999). "Result Raises Eyebrows--and Some Hope". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved February 2, 2023.
  31. ^ Carney, Brian (February 19, 1999). "Chicago's Temperature Is Minus 23". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
  32. ^ "Bucks Fire Head Coach Ford". CBS News. CBS News.com Staff. August 26, 1998. Retrieved September 25, 2023.
  33. ^ "PLUS: PRO BASKETBALL -- MILWAUKEE; Dismal Bucks Dismiss Ford". The New York Times. Associated Press. August 27, 1998. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  34. ^ "Improvement Not Enough: Bucks Fire Ford". Los Angeles Times. Staff and Wire Reports. August 27, 1998. Retrieved September 25, 2023.
  35. ^ "1997–98 Milwaukee Bucks Transactions". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved July 3, 2021.

See also

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