1996–97 Atlanta Hawks season
NBA professional basketball team season
NBA professional basketball team season
The 1996–97 NBA season was the Hawks' 48th season in the National Basketball Association , and 29th season in Atlanta .[ 1] During this season, Hawks owner Ted Turner was the then-vice chairman of Time Warner after acquiring Turner Broadcasting System .[ 2] [ 3] [ 4] In an effort to improve their team, the Hawks strengthened their defense by signing free agent All-Star center Dikembe Mutombo .[ 5] [ 6] [ 7] [ 8] [ 9] During the off-season, the team signed free agents Tyrone Corbin and Willie Burton ; Corbin previously played for the Hawks during the 1994–95 season.[ 10] [ 11] [ 12] The team also signed Eldridge Recasner , and former Georgia Tech University guard Jon Barry .[ 13] [ 14]
The Hawks struggled with a 5–6 start to the season, but soon played above .500 as the team signed three-point specialist Henry James in December,[ 14] and later on released Burton to free agency in January after playing 24 games. The Hawks posted a 14–2 record in January, which included a ten-game winning streak,[ 15] then later on held a 31–15 record at the All-Star break,[ 16] and posted a 7-game winning streak in March. The team also won 20 consecutive home games from November 12, 1996 to February 12, 1997.[ 17] [ 18] The Hawks finished second in the Central Division with a 56–26 record, while posting the third best home record in the league at 36–5.[ 19] The Hawks had the third best team defensive rating in the NBA.[ 20]
Mutombo averaged 13.3 points, 11.6 rebounds and 3.3 blocks per game, and would capture the Defensive Player of the Year honors for the second time, as he was named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team, finishing second in the NBA in rebounding and blocked shots,[ 21] [ 22] [ 23] while Christian Laettner had a stellar season, averaging 18.1 points and 8.8 rebounds per game. Mutombo and Laettner were both selected for the 1997 NBA All-Star Game in Cleveland, Ohio .[ 24] [ 25] [ 26] [ 27]
In addition, Steve Smith continued to lead the Hawks in scoring with 20.1 points per game, while Mookie Blaylock provided the team with 17.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5.9 assists, led the league with 2.7 steals per game, finished second in the league with 221 three-point field goals, and was named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team, and Corbin contributed 9.5 points and 1.3 steals per game. Off the bench, James contributed 6.7 points per game, and second-year forward Alan Henderson averaged 6.6 points and 3.9 rebounds per game,[ 28] but only played just 30 games due to a mysterious illness known as "acute viral pancreatitis".[ 29] [ 30] [ 31] Blaylock also finished in third place in Defensive Player of the Year voting.[ 32]
In the playoffs , the Hawks would be put to the test as they faced off against the Detroit Pistons in the Eastern Conference First Round; the Pistons took a 2–1 series lead,[ 33] [ 34] [ 35] but the Hawks managed to win the next two games, thus winning the series in five games.[ 36] [ 37] [ 38] [ 39] However, the Hawks would provide little challenge to Michael Jordan , Scottie Pippen and the Chicago Bulls in the Eastern Conference Semi-finals, as they fell in five games to the defending and eventual NBA champions,[ 40] [ 41] [ 42] [ 43] despite winning Game 2 at the United Center , 103–95.[ 44] [ 45] [ 46] [ 47] The Bulls would go on to defeat the Utah Jazz in six games in the NBA Finals , winning their fifth championship in seven years.[ 48] [ 49] [ 50] [ 51] [ 52]
The Hawks finished 27th in the NBA in home-game attendance, with an attendance of 549,414 at the Omni Coliseum , which was the third-lowest during the regular season.[ 28] [ 53] This was also the Hawks' final season playing at "The Omni", which was scheduled to demolition after the season,[ 54] [ 55] [ 56] [ 57] and hosted its final game in a Game 4 loss to the Bulls during the second round of the playoffs, 89–80 on May 11, 1997.[ 58] [ 59] [ 60] [ 61]
Following the season, Barry signed as a free agent with the Los Angeles Lakers ,[ 62] while James re-signed with his former team, the Cleveland Cavaliers ,[ 63] and Ken Norman , who only played just 17 games this season due to a back injury, retired.[ 64]
Offseason
Draft picks
Roster
1996–97 Atlanta Hawks roster
Players
Coaches
Pos.
No.
Name
Height
Weight
DOB
From
G
17
Barry, Jon
6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
195 lb (88 kg)
1969–07–25
Georgia Tech
G
10
Blaylock, Mookie
6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
180 lb (82 kg)
1967–03–20
Oklahoma
F
33
Corbin, Tyrone
6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
210 lb (95 kg)
1962–12–31
DePaul
F
35
Hancock, Darrin
6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
205 lb (93 kg)
1971–11–03
Kansas
F
44
Henderson, Alan
6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
235 lb (107 kg)
1972–12–02
Indiana
F
42
James, Henry
6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
220 lb (100 kg)
1965–07–29
Saint Mary's
F/C
32
Laettner, Christian
6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)
235 lb (107 kg)
1969–08–17
Duke
C
15
Lauderdale, Priest
7 ft 4 in (2.24 m)
325 lb (147 kg)
1973–08–31
Central State
F
2
Miller, Anthony
6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
235 lb (107 kg)
1971–10–22
Michigan State
C
55
Mutombo, Dikembe
7 ft 2 in (2.18 m)
260 lb (118 kg)
1966–06–25
Georgetown
F
28
Newbill, Ivano
6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
245 lb (111 kg)
1970–12–12
Georgia Tech
F
3
Norman, Ken
6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
215 lb (98 kg)
1964–09–05
Illinois
G
5
Recasner, Eldridge
6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
190 lb (86 kg)
1967–12–14
Washington
G
8
Smith, Steve
6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
200 lb (91 kg)
1969–03–31
Michigan State
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
(DP) Unsigned draft pick(FA) Free agent(S) Suspended Injured
Roster
Roster Notes
Shooting guard Donnie Boyce was waived on March 4, 1997.
Small forward Willie Burton was waived on January 7, 1997.
Small forward Darrin Hancock played in two separate stints with the Hawks during the season. He was signed by the team after being waived by the Phoenix Suns , who acquired him from the Milwaukee Bucks . After the Hawks waived him, he signed with the San Antonio Spurs , where he would only play one game for them before being released, and re-signed by the Hawks for the remainder of the season.[ 66]
Rookie center Priest Lauderdale holds both American and Bulgarian dual citizenship.
Regular season
Season standings
[ 67]
z = clinched division title
y = clinched division title
x = clinched playoff spot
Record vs. opponents
1996–97 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
–
3–1
1–3
1–3
3–1
2–0
1–1
1–3
2–0
1–1
3–1
2–0
1–1
1–2
4–0
2–0
3–1
1–3
3–1
4–0
1–1
2–0
2–0
2–0
1–1
4–0
1–1
2–0
2–1
Boston
1–3
–
0–4
0–4
1–2
1–1
1–1
0–4
1–1
0–2
1–2
0–2
1–1
0–4
1–3
0–2
0–4
0–4
0–4
1–3
1–1
1–1
0–2
1–1
0–2
3–1
0–2
0–2
0–4
Charlotte
3–1
4–0
–
0–4
3–1
1–1
2–0
2–2
2–0
2–0
2–2
1–1
1–1
1–2
2–2
2–0
4–0
3–1
1–2
4–0
1–1
0–2
2–0
2–0
2–0
2–2
0–2
2–0
3–1
Chicago
3–1
4–0
4–0
–
3–1
2–0
2–0
3–1
2–0
1–1
4–0
2–0
1–1
2–2
4–0
2–0
3–1
2–2
3–0
4–0
2–0
2–0
2–0
2–0
2–0
3–1
1–1
2–0
2–1
Cleveland
1–3
2–1
1–3
1–3
–
2–0
1–1
2–2
1–1
0–2
3–1
2–0
1–1
0–4
2–2
2–0
4–0
1–3
2–2
3–0
1–1
1–1
2–0
0–2
0–2
3–1
1–1
2–0
1–3
Dallas
0–2
1–1
1–1
0–2
0–2
–
3–1
0–2
0–4
0–4
1–1
2–2
0–4
0–2
0–2
1–3
1–1
1–1
1–1
2–0
1–3
1–3
2–2
1–3
1–3
0–2
1–3
3–1
0–2
Denver
1–1
1–1
0–2
0–2
1–1
1–3
–
0–2
1–3
1–3
0–2
1–3
0–4
0–2
1–1
0–4
1–1
0–2
0–2
1–1
2–2
0–4
2–2
2–2
0–4
1–1
0–4
3–1
1–1
Detroit
3–1
4–0
2–2
1–3
2–2
2–0
2–0
–
2–0
1–1
3–1
2–0
1–1
0–4
3–1
2–0
4–0
1–2
2–2
2–1
0–2
1–1
1–1
2–0
1–1
3–1
1–1
2–0
4–0
Golden State
0–2
1–1
0–2
0–2
1–1
4–0
3–1
0–2
–
0–4
1–1
1–3
0–4
0–2
1–1
1–3
2–0
0–2
1–1
2–0
0–4
2–2
1–3
4–0
0–4
2–0
0–4
3–1
0–2
Houston
1–1
2–0
0–2
1–1
2–0
4–0
3–1
1–1
4–0
–
1–1
3–1
3–1
0–2
1–1
4–0
2–0
1–1
0–2
2–0
2–2
2–2
4–0
3–1
3–1
1–1
2–2
3–1
2–0
Indiana
1–3
2–1
2–2
0–4
1–3
1–1
2–0
1–3
1–1
1–1
–
2–0
1–1
1–3
2–2
2–0
2–2
1–3
1–3
3–0
1–1
1–1
1–1
1–1
1–1
4–0
0–2
2–0
1–3
L.A. Clippers
0–2
2–0
1–1
0–2
0–2
2–2
3–1
0–2
3–1
1–3
0–2
–
2–2
0–2
2–0
1–3
1–1
0–2
1–1
1–1
2–2
0–4
2–2
4–0
1–3
2–0
1–3
4–0
0–2
L.A. Lakers
1–1
1–1
1–1
1–1
1–1
4–0
4–0
1–1
4–0
1–3
1–1
2–2
–
1–1
2–0
3–1
2–0
1–1
1–1
2–0
4–0
1–3
4–0
2–2
3–1
1–1
1–3
4–0
2–0
Miami
2–1
4–0
2–1
2–2
4–0
2–0
2–0
4–0
2–0
2–0
3–1
2–0
1–1
–
4–0
1–1
3–1
1–3
2–2
3–1
2–0
1–1
2–0
2–0
0–2
3–1
0–2
2–0
3–1
Milwaukee
0–4
3–1
2–2
0–4
2–2
2–0
1–1
1–3
1–1
1–1
2–2
0–2
0–2
0–4
–
0–2
2–1
1–2
2–2
3–1
1–1
0–2
0–2
1–1
1–1
3–1
1–1
2–0
1–3
Minnesota
0–2
2–0
0–2
0–2
0–2
3–1
4–0
0–2
3–1
0–4
0–2
3–1
1–3
1–1
2–0
–
2–0
1–1
1–1
1–1
3–1
2–2
0–4
4–0
0–4
1–1
1–3
4–0
1–1
New Jersey
1–3
4–0
0–4
1–3
0–4
1–1
1–1
0–4
0–2
0–2
2–2
1–1
0–2
1–3
1–2
0–2
–
2–2
1–3
2–2
1–1
0–2
1–1
2–0
1–1
0–3
0–2
2–0
1–3
New York
3–1
4–0
1–3
2–2
3–1
1–1
2–0
2–1
2–0
1–1
3–1
2–0
1–1
3–1
2–1
1–1
2–2
–
3–1
3–2
1–1
1–1
2–0
2–0
0–2
3–0
1–1
2–0
4–0
Orlando
1–3
4–0
2–1
0–3
2–2
1–1
2–0
2–2
1–1
2–0
3–1
1–1
1–1
2–2
2–2
1–1
3–1
1–3
–
2–2
1–1
2–0
1–1
1–1
1–1
4–0
0–2
1–1
1–3
Philadelphia
0–4
3–1
0–4
0–4
0–3
0–2
1–1
1–2
0–2
0–2
0–3
1–1
0–2
1–3
1–3
1–1
2–2
2–3
2–2
–
1–1
1–1
0–2
1–1
0–2
1–3
0–2
2–0
1–3
Phoenix
1–1
1–1
1–1
0–2
1–1
3–1
2–2
2–0
4–0
2–2
1–1
2–2
0–4
0–2
1–1
1–3
1–1
1–1
1–1
1–1
–
1–3
4–0
3–1
2–2
0–2
1–3
2–2
1–1
Portland
0–2
1–1
2–0
0–2
1–1
3–1
4–0
1–1
2–2
2–2
1–1
4–0
3–1
1–1
2–0
2–2
2–0
1–1
0–2
1–1
3–1
–
2–2
4–0
1–3
0–2
2–2
4–0
0–2
Sacramento
0–2
2–0
0–2
0–2
0–2
2–2
2–2
1–1
3–1
0–4
1–1
2–2
0–4
0–2
2–0
4–0
1–1
0–2
1–1
2–0
0–4
2–2
–
3–1
1–3
1–1
0–4
4–0
0–2
San Antonio
0–2
1–1
0–2
0–2
2–0
3–1
2–2
0–2
0–4
1–3
1–1
0–4
2–2
0–2
1–1
0–4
0–2
0–2
1–1
1–1
1–3
0–4
1–3
–
0–4
1–1
1–3
1–3
0–2
Seattle
1–1
2–0
0–2
0–2
2–0
3–1
4–0
1–1
4–0
1–3
1–1
3–1
1–3
2–0
1–1
4–0
1–1
2–0
1–1
2–0
2–2
3–1
3–1
4–0
–
2–0
1–3
4–0
2–0
Toronto
0–4
1–3
2–2
1–3
1–3
2–0
1–1
1–3
0–2
1–1
0–4
0–2
1–1
1–3
1–3
1–1
3–0
0–3
0–4
3–1
2–0
2–0
1–1
1–1
0–2
–
1–1
1–1
2–2
Utah
1–1
2–0
2–0
1–1
1–1
3–1
4–0
1–1
4–0
2–2
2–0
3–1
3–1
2–0
1–1
3–1
2–0
1–1
2–0
2–0
3–1
2–2
4–0
3–1
3–1
1–1
–
4–0
2–0
Vancouver
0–2
2–0
0–2
0–2
0–2
1–3
1–3
0–2
1–3
1–3
0–2
0–4
0–4
0–2
0–2
0–4
0–2
0–2
1–1
0–2
2–2
0–4
0–4
3–1
0–4
1–1
0–4
–
1–1
Washington
1–2
4–0
1–3
1–2
3–1
2–0
1–1
0–4
2–0
0–2
3–1
2–0
0–2
1–3
3–1
1–1
3–1
0–4
3–1
3–1
1–1
2–0
2–0
2–0
0–2
2–2
0–2
1–1
—
Game log
1996–97 game log Total: 56–26 (home: 36–5; road: 20–21)
November: 9–7 (home: 4–1; road: 5–6)
Game
Date
Team
Score
High points
Location Attendance
Record
1
November 1
@ Miami Heat
L 81-94
Miami Arena 15,133
0–1
2
November 2
Detroit Pistons
L 78-90
Omni Coliseum 16,378
0–2
3
November 4
@ Portland Trail Blazers
W 94-76
Rose Garden Arena 21,567
1–2
4
November 5
@ Seattle SuperSonics
W 117-95
KeyArena at Seattle Center 17,072
2-2
5
November 7
@ Sacramento Kings
W 91-87
ARCO Arena 17,317
3–2
6
November 10
@ Los Angeles Lakers
L 85-92
Great Western Forum 16,097
3-3
7
November 12
Cleveland Cavaliers
W 87-83
Omni Coliseum
4–3
8
November 13
@ Boston Celtics
L 85-103
FleetCenter 13,184
4-4
9
November 15
Miami Heat
W 85-77
Omni Coliseum 16,378
5–4
10
November 16
@ Chicago Bulls
L 69-97
United Center 23,939
5-5
11
November 19
@ Cleveland Cavaliers
L 63-73
Gund Arena 14,182
5–6
12
November 21
@ Milwaukee Bucks
W 73-65
Bradley Center 14,698
6-6
13
November 23
@ Toronto Raptors
W 91-88
SkyDome 16,838
7–6
14
November 26
Vancouver Grizzlies
W 101-80
Omni Coliseum
8–6
15
November 27
@ Orlando Magic
L 75-79
Orlando Arena 17,248
8–7
16
November 29
Washington Bullets
W 110-81
Omni Coliseum 12,457
9–7
December: 7–4 (home: 6–0; road: 1–4)
January: 14–2 (home: 9–0; road: 5–2)
Game
Date
Team
Score
High points
Location Attendance
Record
28
January 3
@ New Jersey Nets
W 95-85
Continental Airlines Arena 14,310
17–11
29
January 4
New York Knicks
W 88-71
Omni Coliseum 16,378
18–11
30
January 7
Phoenix Suns
W 105-103 (OT)
Omni Coliseum
19–11
31
January 9
@ Orlando Magic
W 97-92 (OT)
Orlando Arena 17,248
20–11
32
January 11
San Antonio Spurs
W 87-82 (OT)
Omni Coliseum 15,877
21–11
33
January 13
@ Cleveland Cavaliers
W 93-79
Gund Arena 14,565
22–11
34
January 14
Minnesota Timberwolves
W 95-93
Omni Coliseum 14,032
23–11
35
January 16
Orlando Magic
W 78-67
Omni Coliseum 16,378
24–11
36
January 18
Milwaukee Bucks
W 94-71
Omni Coliseum 16,378
25–11
37
January 20
Charlotte Hornets
W 106-97
Omni Coliseum 16,378
26–11
38
January 21
@ Miami Heat
L 91-94
Miami Arena 14,853
26–12
39
January 24
Washington Bullets
W 117-105 (OT)
Omni Coliseum 15,325
27–12
40
January 25
Boston Celtics
W 95-90
Omni Coliseum 16,378
28–12
41
January 28
@ Los Angeles Clippers
W 112-96
Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena
29–12
42
January 30
@ Utah Jazz
L 96-102
Delta Center 19,911
29–13
43
January 31
@ Vancouver Grizzlies
W 87-76
General Motors Place 15,205
30–13
February: 8–5 (home: 5–2; road: 3–3)
Game
Date
Team
Score
High points
Location Attendance
Record
44
February 2
@ Denver Nuggets
L 104-115
McNichols Sports Arena 13,122
30–14
45
February 4
@ Golden State Warriors
W 107-85
San Jose Arena 13,111
31–14
46
February 5
@ Phoenix Suns
L 81-99
America West Arena 19,023
31–15
47
February 12
Toronto Raptors
W 106-84
Omni Coliseum 13,846
32–15
48
February 14
Chicago Bulls
L 88-89
Omni Coliseum 16,378
32–16
49
February 15
@ San Antonio Spurs
W 109-89
Alamodome 26,809
33–16
50
February 17
@ Houston Rockets
L 98-127
The Summit 16,285
33–17
51
February 19
Indiana Pacers
W 100-87
Omni Coliseum 16,378
34–17
52
February 21
Houston Rockets
W 76-74
Omni Coliseum 16,378
35–17
53
February 22
Charlotte Hornets
L 92-93
Omni Coliseum 16,378
35–18
54
February 24
Golden State Warriors
W 106-100
Omni Coliseum 15,660
36–18
55
February 26
@ Milwaukee Bucks
W 79-72
Bradley Center 13,285
37–18
56
February 28
Los Angeles Lakers
W 86-75
Omni Coliseum 16,378
38–18
March: 12–4 (home: 9–1; road: 3–3)
Game
Date
Team
Score
High points
Location Attendance
Record
57
March 2
@ Detroit Pistons
L 75-82
The Palace of Auburn Hills 21,454
38–19
58
March 4
Cleveland Cavaliers
W 93-88
Omni Coliseum 15,404
39–19
59
March 6
@ Philadelphia 76ers
W 117-104
CoreStates Center 13,802
40–19
60
March 7
Milwaukee Bucks
W 90-80
Omni Coliseum 14,906
41–19
61
March 9
@ Boston Celtics
W 114-90
FleetCenter 16,931
42–19
62
March 11
Utah Jazz
W 106-99
Omni Coliseum 14,475
43–19
63
March 12
@ Indiana Pacers
L 82-92
Market Square Arena 14,824
43–20
64
March 14
Seattle SuperSonics
L 91-97
Omni Coliseum 16,378
43–21
65
March 15
@ Chicago Bulls
L 79-99
United Center 23,984
43–22
66
March 17
Orlando Magic
W 112-107 (OT)
Omni Coliseum 15,708
44–22
67
March 19
Indiana Pacers
W 107-95
Omni Coliseum 14,099
45–22
68
March 21
Dallas Mavericks
W 93-72
Omni Coliseum 13,809
46–22
69
March 23
@ Toronto Raptors
W 90-79
SkyDome 18,533
47–22
70
March 25
Portland Trail Blazers
W 96-89
Omni Coliseum 15,256
48–22
71
March 27
Los Angeles Clippers
W 103-88
Omni Coliseum 13,876
49–22
72
March 29
Sacramento Kings
W 88-74
Omni Coliseum 14,942
50–22
April: 6–4 (home: 3–1; road: 3–3)
Game
Date
Team
Score
High points
Location Attendance
Record
73
April 2
@ Charlotte Hornets
L 84-95
Charlotte Coliseum 24,042
50–23
74
April 4
Detroit Pistons
W 103-89
Omni Coliseum 16,378
51–23
75
April 5
New York Knicks
L 97-102
Omni Coliseum 16,378
51–24
76
April 9
@ Philadelphia 76ers
W 116-101
CoreStates Center 16,549
52–24
77
April 11
@ Indiana Pacers
W 104-92
Market Square Arena 16,403
53–24
78
April 12
@ Minnesota Timberwolves
W 80-66
Target Center 18,874
54–24
79
April 15
New Jersey Nets
W 109-101
Omni Coliseum 14,458
55–24
80
April 16
@ New York Knicks
L 92-96
Madison Square Garden 19,763
55–25
81
April 19
Philadelphia 76ers
W 136-104
Omni Coliseum 16,457
56–25
82
April 20
@ New Jersey Nets
L 92-108
Continental Airlines Arena 18,702
56–26
1996–97 season schedule
Playoffs
1997 playoff game log
First round: 3–2 (home: 2–1; road: 1–1)
Conference Semi-finals: 1–4 (home: 0–2; road: 1–2)
1997 schedule
Player statistics
Season
Playoffs
Awards and records
Awards
Records
Transactions
Trades
July 15, 1996
Free agents
July 15, 1996
August 13, 1996
September 12, 1996
September 27, 1996
October 2, 1996
October 28, 1996
November 13, 1996
November 14, 1996
Signed Willie Burton as a free agent.
Signed Anthony Miller as a free agent.
November 26, 1996
December 20, 1996
January 2, 1997
January 7, 1997
Waived Darrin Hancock.
Waived Willie Burton.
March 4, 1997
March 5, 1997
Signed Darrin Hancock to the first of two 10-day contracts.
March 25, 1997
Signed Darrin Hancock to a contract for the rest of the season.
Additions
Player
Signed
Former team
Dikembe Mutombo
Denver Nuggets
Subtractions
Player Transactions Citation:[ 68]
See also
References
^ 1996-97 Atlanta Hawks
^ "Time Warner-Turner Pact Okayed" . Tampa Bay Times . July 18, 1996. Retrieved January 28, 2023 .
^ "TBS Holders Approve Time Warner Deal" . United Press International . October 10, 1996. Retrieved January 28, 2023 .
^ Mulligan, Thomas S. (October 11, 1996). "Turner-Time Warner Merger Approved by Shareholders" . Los Angeles Times . Retrieved July 27, 2021 .
^ "Shot-Blocking Star Mutombo Goes to Hawks" . Chicago Tribune . Tribune News Services. July 15, 1996. Retrieved June 29, 2022 .
^ "Hawks Sign Mutombo; Deal Augmon, Long" . United Press International . July 15, 1996. Retrieved December 3, 2022 .
^ "Hawks Get Big with Mutombo" . Los Angeles Times . Associated Press. July 16, 1996. Retrieved November 1, 2016 .
^ Asher, Mark (July 16, 1996). "Mutombo Heading to Hawks" . The Washington Post . Retrieved July 10, 2022 .
^ "Hawks Sign Mutombo, Trade Augmon, Long" . Tampa Bay Times . July 16, 1996. Retrieved June 20, 2023 .
^ "Hawks Sign Corbin and Burton" . The New York Times . September 13, 1996. Retrieved January 1, 2022 .
^ "Iverson Set to Sign Three-Year Contract with Philadelphia" . The Spokesman-Review . Wire Services. September 13, 1996. Retrieved June 20, 2023 .
^ Winderman, Ira (October 26, 1996). "Corbin Starting for Hawks" . Sun Sentinel . Retrieved December 15, 2022 .
^ "Sports Briefs" . Deseret News . August 14, 1996. Retrieved July 12, 2022 .
^ a b Johnson, K.C. (May 6, 1997). "Team of Cohesive Elements Pours from Hawks' Beaker" . Chicago Tribune . Retrieved January 28, 2023 .
^ "Hawks Win Their 10th Straight" . The New York Times . Associated Press. January 21, 1997. Retrieved July 18, 2021 .
^ "NBA Games Played on February 6, 1997" . Basketball-Reference . Retrieved July 19, 2022 .
^ "Bulls Halt the Hawks' Home Streak at 20" . The New York Times . Associated Press. February 15, 1997. Retrieved October 13, 2021 .
^ Armour, Terry (February 15, 1997). "Bulls 89, Hawks 88" . Chicago Tribune . Retrieved December 27, 2022 .
^ "1996–97 Atlanta Hawks Schedule and Results" . Basketball-Reference . Retrieved June 21, 2021 .
^ "Teams Defense" . NBA.com . Retrieved April 16, 2021 .
^ Saladino, Tom (April 25, 1997). "Mutombo Tops on Defense" . South Coast Today . Retrieved December 27, 2022 .
^ "Mutombo Is the Difference for Hawks" . Los Angeles Times . Associated Press. May 5, 1997. Retrieved July 27, 2017 .
^ "NBA & ABA Defensive Player of the Year Award Winners" . Basketball-Reference . Retrieved November 29, 2022 .
^ Jorgensen, Loren (February 8, 1997). "No Offense, But Malone Would Rather Be Home" . Deseret News . Retrieved April 19, 2023 .
^ Fry, Darrell (February 8, 1997). "On to the Next Stage" . Tampa Bay Times . Retrieved December 28, 2022 .
^ "1997 NBA All-Star Recap" . NBA.com . NBA.com Staff. September 13, 2021. Retrieved May 16, 2023 .
^ "1997 NBA All-Star Game: East 132, West 120" . Basketball-Reference . Retrieved October 13, 2021 .
^ a b "1996–97 Atlanta Hawks Roster and Stats" . Basketball-Reference . Retrieved June 21, 2021 .
^ "Alan Henderson's Condition Improves" . Associated Press . November 21, 1996. Retrieved January 28, 2023 .
^ Shapiro, Mark (November 22, 1996). "Heartbeat Back to Normal, Olajuwon Released from Hospital" . Chicago Tribune . Retrieved January 28, 2023 .
^ Glier, Ray (April 22, 1998). "Hawks' Henderson Is a Bird in Hand" . The Washington Post . Retrieved January 28, 2023 .
^ "1996–97 NBA Awards Voting" . Basketball-Reference . Retrieved January 2, 2022 .
^ Atkins, Harry (April 29, 1997). "Pistons Soar Past Hawks, 99-91" . The Washington Post . Retrieved January 18, 2022 .
^ "Hunter, Pistons Defeat Atlanta" . The Oklahoman . April 30, 1997. Retrieved October 5, 2022 .
^ "Houston Moves On; Orlando Stays Alive" . Deseret News . Associated Press. April 30, 1997. Retrieved February 24, 2023 .
^ "Hawks 84, Pistons 79" . The Washington Post . Associated Press. May 4, 1997. Retrieved May 30, 2022 .
^ "Hawks Earn Date with Bulls" . The New York Times . Associated Press. May 5, 1997. Retrieved October 13, 2021 .
^ Smith, Sam (May 5, 1997). "Hawks 84, Pistons 79" . Chicago Tribune . Retrieved November 25, 2022 .
^ "1997 NBA Eastern Conference First Round: Pistons vs. Hawks" . Basketball-Reference . Retrieved February 4, 2023 .
^ Roberts, Selena (May 14, 1997). "Bulls, Led by Rodman, Keep Going" . The New York Times . Retrieved July 26, 2021 .
^ Nadel, Mike (May 14, 1997). "Bulls Send Hawks Flying, 107-92" . The Washington Post . Retrieved November 25, 2022 .
^ Isaacson, Melissa (May 14, 1997). "Plenty of Reasons for Bulls' Playoff Success" . Chicago Tribune . Retrieved May 30, 2022 .
^ "1997 NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals: Hawks vs. Bulls" . Basketball-Reference . Retrieved February 4, 2023 .
^ Nadel, Mike (May 8, 1997). "Hawks 103, Bulls 95" . The Washington Post . Retrieved February 24, 2023 .
^ Berkow, Ira (May 9, 1997). "Chicago's Late Heroics Fail to Arrive in Game 2" . The New York Times . Retrieved June 24, 2021 .
^ Bagnato, Andrew (May 9, 1997). "When Push Comes to Shove" . Chicago Tribune . Retrieved November 18, 2022 .
^ Atlanta Hawks (1968-Present)
^ Wise, Mike (June 14, 1997). "A Fistful of Rings: Bulls Grab Fifth Title of 90's" . The New York Times . Retrieved June 4, 2022 .
^ Howard-Cooper, Scott (June 14, 1997). "Bulls Get Fifth Element" . Los Angeles Times . Retrieved July 25, 2022 .
^ Johnson, K.C. (June 16, 1997). "Bulls Got There, Because They'd Been There" . Chicago Tribune . Retrieved June 4, 2022 .
^ Benson, Lee (June 14, 1997). "Chicago Heartbreaker" . Deseret News . Retrieved December 12, 2022 .
^ "1997 NBA Finals: Jazz vs. Bulls" . Basketball-Reference . Retrieved February 4, 2023 .
^ "1996–97 NBA Season Summary" . Basketball-Reference . Retrieved December 12, 2024 .
^ "Atlanta Barely Notes the Passing of the Omni Arena; Enters Its Final Days During NBA Playoffs" . The Spokesman-Review . Associated Press. April 27, 1997. Retrieved January 28, 2023 .
^ Hill, Karen (July 22, 1997). "Demolition Experts Place Explosives Around Omni" . Associated Press . Archived from the original on May 14, 2022. Retrieved October 12, 2023 .
^ "Crowd Has a Blast at Omni" . The Washington Post . News Services. July 26, 1997. Retrieved April 8, 2024 .
^ "The Atlanta Constitution - 27 July 1997, Sun - Page 82 - (Atlanta, Georgia)" . Newspapers.com . July 27, 1997. Retrieved November 8, 2023 .
^ Newberry, Paul (May 11, 1997). "Bulls 89, Hawks 80" . The Washington Post . Retrieved January 28, 2023 .
^ Roberts, Selena (May 12, 1997). "Bulls' Laugher Suddenly Turns Serious" . The New York Times . Retrieved May 13, 2022 .
^ "1997 NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals Game 4: Chicago Bulls at Atlanta Hawks Box Score, May 11, 1997" . Basketball-Reference . Retrieved April 10, 2024 .
^ "The Omni" . Basketball Ballparks . Retrieved May 13, 2022 .
^ Howard-Cooper, Scott (August 27, 1997). "Fox Hunt Finally Over for Lakers" . Los Angeles Times . Retrieved July 12, 2022 .
^ "Transactions" . The New York Times . September 23, 1997. Retrieved October 6, 2022 .
^ "Pacers Trade Williams for Askew" . Los Angeles Times . Associated Press. November 5, 1996. Retrieved October 4, 2022 .
^ The Hawks traded #45 and #47 picks to the SuperSonics for #28 pick on June 25, 1996."Hawks Regain First-Round Draft Pick in Sonics Trade". Associated Press . June 25, 1996. p. D1.
^ "1996–97 NBA Transactions" . Basketball-Reference. Retrieved July 2, 2021 .
^ 1996–97 NBA season Summary - Basketball-Reference.com
^ "1996–97 Atlanta Hawks Transactions" . Basketball-Reference . Retrieved July 2, 2021 .
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