The 1996–97 NBA season was the Timberwolves' 8th season in the National Basketball Association .[ 1] In the 1996 NBA draft , the Timberwolves selected shooting guard Ray Allen from the University of Connecticut with the fifth overall pick, but soon traded him to the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for top draft pick point guard Stephon Marbury out of Georgia Tech University .[ 2] [ 3] [ 4] [ 5] [ 6] The team also acquired James Robinson from the Portland Trail Blazers ,[ 7] [ 8] and second-year center Cherokee Parks from the Dallas Mavericks ,[ 9] [ 10] while signing free agents, rookie center Dean Garrett ,[ 11] second-year guard Chris Carr , and Stojko Vrankovic during the off-season.[ 12] However, Michael Williams would miss the entire season with a strained plantar fascia in his left heel.[ 13] [ 14]
After a 7–8 start to the season, the Timberwolves lost nine of their next ten games, but then played around .500 as the season progressed, holding a 23–25 record at the All-Star break.[ 15] The addition of Marbury made a positive effect on the entire team, as second-year star Kevin Garnett and Tom Gugliotta became the first Wolves to be selected to the All-Star team, both being selected for the 1997 NBA All-Star Game , which was Garnett's first ever All-Star appearance.[ 16] [ 17] [ 18] [ 19] [ 20] The Timberwolves went on to make their first ever playoff appearance, finishing third in the Midwest Division with a 40–42 record, which was below .500, but still good enough for the #6 seed in the Western Conference.[ 21]
Gugliotta led the team with 20.6 points, 8.7 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game, while Garnett averaged 17.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 1.4 steals and 2.1 blocks per game, and Marbury provided the team with 15.8 points and 7.8 assists per game, playing in 67 games due to ankle and thigh injuries.[ 22] [ 23] [ 24] Marbury was selected to the NBA All-Rookie First Team, and also finished in second place in Rookie of the Year voting behind Allen Iverson of the Philadelphia 76ers .[ 25] [ 26] [ 27] In addition, Sam Mitchell played a sixth man role, averaging 9.3 points and 4.0 rebounds per game off the bench, while Garrett provided with 8.0 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game, and Doug West contributed 7.8 points per game. Off the bench, Robinson contributed 8.3 points per game, and Terry Porter provided with 6.9 points and 3.6 assists per game.[ 28]
However, in the Western Conference First Round of the playoffs , the Timberwolves were swept by the Houston Rockets in three straight games.[ 29] [ 30] [ 31] [ 32] Following the season, Garrett signed as a free agent with the Denver Nuggets ,[ 33] [ 34] [ 11] while Robinson signed with the Los Angeles Clippers ,[ 35] [ 36] and Vrankovic was traded to the Clippers.[ 37] [ 38] [ 39]
For the season, the Timberwolves revealed a new primary logo of a gray wolf with pine trees,[ 40] and changed their uniforms adding dark blue and black to their color scheme.[ 41] [ 42] Their primary logo and uniforms both remained in use until 2008.
Draft picks
Roster
1996–97 Minnesota Timberwolves roster
Players
Coaches
Pos.
No.
Name
Height
Weight
DOB
From
G
43
Carr, Chris
6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
207 lb (94 kg)
1974–03–12
Southern Illinois
F
17
Curley, Bill Injured (IN)
6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
220 lb (100 kg)
1972–05–29
Boston College
F
21
Garnett, Kevin
6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)
220 lb (100 kg)
1976–05–19
Farragut Academy HS (IL)
C
22
Garrett, Dean
6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)
225 lb (102 kg)
1966–11–27
Indiana
F
24
Gugliotta, Tom
6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)
240 lb (109 kg)
1969–12–19
NC State
G
10
Heal, Shane
6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
180 lb (82 kg)
1970–09–06
Upper Yarra Secondary College (HS)
G
31
Jordan, Reggie
6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
195 lb (88 kg)
1968–01–26
New Mexico State
G
3
Marbury, Stephon
6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
180 lb (82 kg)
1977–02–20
Georgia Tech
F
42
Mitchell, Sam
6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
210 lb (95 kg)
1963–09–02
Mercer
C
44
Parks, Cherokee
6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)
235 lb (107 kg)
1972–10–11
Duke
G
30
Porter, Terry
6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
195 lb (88 kg)
1963–04–08
UW–Stevens Point
G
26
Robinson, James
6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
180 lb (82 kg)
1970–08–31
Alabama
C
11
Vranković, Stojko
7 ft 2 in (2.18 m)
260 lb (118 kg)
1964–01–22
Croatia
G
5
West, Doug
6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
200 lb (91 kg)
1967–05–27
Villanova
G
4
Williams, Micheal Injured (IN)
6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
175 lb (79 kg)
1966–07–23
Baylor
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
(DP) Unsigned draft pick(FA) Free agent(S) Suspended(IN) InactiveInjured Injured
Roster
Roster Notes
Power forward Bill Curley missed the entire season rehabilitating from surgery on his right knee.[ 43] [ 44]
Point guard Michael Williams missed the entire season due to a sore left heel injury.
Regular season
Season standings
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
Playoffs
1997 playoff game log
First round: 0–3 (home: 0–1; road: 0–2)
1997 schedule
Player statistics
Ragular season
Player
POS
GP
GS
MP
REB
AST
STL
BLK
PTS
MPG
RPG
APG
SPG
BPG
PPG
Terry Porter
PG
82
20
1,568
176
295
54
11
568
19.1
2.1
3.6
.7
.1
6.9
Sam Mitchell
SF
82
5
2,044
326
79
51
20
766
24.9
4.0
1.0
.6
.2
9.3
Tom Gugliotta
PF
81
81
3,131
702
335
130
89
1,672
38.7
8.7
4.1
1.6
1.1
20.6
Kevin Garnett
SF
77
77
2,995
618
236
105
163
1,309
38.9
8.0
3.1
1.4
2.1
17.0
Cherokee Parks
PF
76
0
961
195
34
41
48
252
12.6
2.6
.4
.5
.6
3.3
James Robinson
PG
69
5
1,309
112
126
30
8
572
19.0
1.6
1.8
.4
.1
8.3
Doug West
SG
68
66
1,920
148
113
61
24
531
28.2
2.2
1.7
.9
.4
7.8
Dean Garrett
C
68
47
1,665
495
38
40
95
542
24.5
7.3
.6
.6
1.4
8.0
Stephon Marbury
PG
67
64
2,324
184
522
67
19
1,057
34.7
2.7
7.8
1.0
.3
15.8
Chris Carr
SG
55
10
830
113
48
24
10
337
15.1
2.1
.9
.4
.2
6.1
Stojko Vranković
C
53
35
766
168
14
10
67
181
14.5
3.2
.3
.2
1.3
3.4
Shane Heal
PG
43
0
236
18
33
3
3
75
5.5
.4
.8
.1
.1
1.7
Reggie Jordan †
SG
10
0
31
4
1
2
0
20
3.1
.4
.1
.2
.0
2.0
† Denotes player spent time with another team in the season. Stats reflect time with the Timberwolves only.
Playoffs
Player
POS
GP
GS
MP
REB
AST
STL
BLK
PTS
MPG
RPG
APG
SPG
BPG
PPG
Kevin Garnett
SF
3
3
125
28
11
4
3
52
41.7
9.3
3.7
1.3
1.0
17.3
Tom Gugliotta
PF
3
3
121
16
13
7
2
55
40.3
5.3
4.3
2.3
.7
18.3
Dean Garrett
C
3
3
118
35
4
2
3
38
39.3
11.7
1.3
.7
1.0
12.7
Stephon Marbury
PG
3
3
117
12
23
2
0
64
39.0
4.0
7.7
.7
.0
21.3
Doug West
SG
3
3
87
4
6
2
1
33
29.0
1.3
2.0
.7
.3
11.0
Sam Mitchell
SF
3
0
47
7
1
1
1
17
15.7
2.3
.3
.3
.3
5.7
Terry Porter
PG
3
0
46
3
9
2
2
16
15.3
1.0
3.0
.7
.7
5.3
James Robinson
PG
2
0
31
3
3
2
0
14
15.5
1.5
1.5
1.0
.0
7.0
Shane Heal
PG
2
0
3
0
1
0
0
6
1.5
.0
.5
.0
.0
3.0
Cherokee Parks
PF
1
0
11
5
0
1
0
4
11.0
5.0
.0
1.0
.0
4.0
Chris Carr
SG
1
0
8
2
1
0
0
0
8.0
2.0
1.0
.0
.0
.0
Stojko Vranković
C
1
0
6
1
0
0
0
0
6.0
1.0
.0
.0
.0
.0
Awards and records
Transactions
References
↑ 1996-97 Minnesota Timberwolves
↑ Brown, Clifton (June 27, 1996). "PRO BASKETBALL; Big Trade and Some Twists in N.B.A. Youth Parade" . The New York Times . Retrieved July 12, 2022 .
↑ Heisler, Mark (June 27, 1996). "The Surprises Are Few" . Los Angeles Times . Retrieved December 1, 2022 .
↑ Cotton, Anthony (June 27, 1996). "For 76ers, Iverson Is No. 1 Choice" . The Washington Post . Retrieved July 25, 2021 .
↑ Bembry, Jerry (June 27, 1996). "76ers Make Iverson the 1, Philadelphia Takes Georgetown Guard; Camby Goes Second" . The Baltimore Sun . Retrieved June 2, 2023 .
↑ "1996 NBA Draft" . Basketball-Reference . Retrieved December 1, 2022 .
↑ "Portland Gets Rider, Signs Anderson" . Los Angeles Times . Staff and Wire Reports. July 24, 1996. Retrieved December 27, 2022 .
↑ "Rider Traded to Blazers for 2 Players" . United Press International . July 24, 1996. Retrieved June 30, 2022 .
↑ Storm, Rich (June 30, 1996). "Mavs Deal Parks to Timberwolves" . Chicago Tribune . Retrieved October 4, 2022 .
↑ "Mavs Trade Parks to T-Wolves" . The Spokesman-Review . Wire Services. June 30, 1996. Retrieved January 28, 2023 .
↑ 11.0 11.1 Kurkjian, Tim (November 10, 1997). "NO.5: Denver Nuggets" . Sports Illustrated Vault . Retrieved September 25, 2023 .
↑ Steele, David (October 30, 1996). "WEDNESDAY SPECIAL -- NBA PREVIEW; 1996-97 NBA Team-by-Team" . SFGate . Retrieved November 9, 2022 .
↑ "PLUS: BASKETBALL; Williams Cleared" . The New York Times . Associated Press. September 26, 1997. Retrieved November 8, 2022 .
↑ "Timberwolves' Williams Finally Returns" . United Press International . December 12, 1997. Retrieved June 27, 2022 .
↑ "NBA Games Played on February 6, 1997" . Basketball-Reference . Retrieved January 2, 2023 .
↑ 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 .
↑ Smith, Sam (February 9, 1997). "From Farragut Academy to All-Star in Only 2 Years" . Chicago Tribune . Retrieved July 3, 2021 .
↑ "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 November 27, 2021 .
↑ "1996–97 Minnesota Timberwolves Schedule and Results" . Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 21, 2021 .
↑ Bembry, Jerry (November 28, 1996). "Marbury Step Slow in Move; Rookie: Only an Ankle Injury Is Stopping Minnesota's Stephon Marbury from Getting a Foot Up in the NBA" . The Baltimore Sun . Retrieved April 20, 2023 .
↑ "Marbury Is Sidelined" . The New York Times . Associated Press. January 24, 1997. Retrieved April 20, 2023 .
↑ "O'Neal Gets 12, Then Leaves with Injury" . The New York Times . Associated Press. February 13, 1997. Retrieved April 20, 2023 .
↑ "Iverson Is Voted Top Rookie" . The New York Times . Associated Press. May 2, 1997. Retrieved October 3, 2022 .
↑ "Iverson Calls Rookie Award a Triumph Over His Critics" . Los Angeles Times . Associated Press. May 2, 1997. Retrieved February 1, 2023 .
↑ "1996–97 NBA Awards Voting" . Basketball-Reference . Retrieved January 2, 2022 .
↑ "1996–97 Minnesota Timberwolves Roster and Stats" . Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 21, 2021 .
↑ "Rockets Eliminate Wolves; Suns Take Lead Over Sonics" . Chicago Tribune . Tribune News Services. April 30, 1997. Retrieved June 3, 2022 .
↑ "Houston Moves On; Orlando Stays Alive" . Deseret News . Associated Press. April 30, 1997. Retrieved July 2, 2021 .
↑ "1997 NBA Western Conference First Round Game 3: Houston Rockets at Minnesota Timberwolves Box Score, April 29, 1997" . Basketball-Reference . Retrieved November 25, 2022 .
↑ "1997 NBA Western Conference First Round: Timberwolves vs. Rockets" . Basketball-Reference . Retrieved February 4, 2023 .
↑ "The Denver Nuggets Continued Their Massive Rebuilding..." Los Angeles Times . Staff and Wire Reports. September 6, 1997. Retrieved December 27, 2022 .
↑ Harding, Jim (September 7, 1997). "Garrett Latest Addition to New-Look Nuggets" . Chicago Tribune . Retrieved August 26, 2022 .
↑ "Clippers Sign James Robinson for $10.5 Million" . Los Angeles Times . August 17, 1997. Retrieved September 17, 2022 .
↑ Baker, Chris (December 28, 1997). "Robinson Resuscitates Clippers" . Los Angeles Times . Retrieved December 27, 2022 .
↑ Gardner, Kris (June 25, 1997). "ARCHIVE: Houston Roundball Review NBA Trade Analyses -- 1997 NBA Draft Day Deals" . The Houston Roundball Review . Retrieved September 25, 2023 .
↑ Howard-Cooper, Scott (June 26, 1997). "Draft Over, But Not Finished" . Los Angeles Times . Retrieved November 9, 2022 .
↑ Howard-Cooper, Scott (June 27, 1997). "Goodbye, Stanley, We Barely Knew You" . Los Angeles Times . Retrieved January 8, 2023 .
↑ "Minnesota Timberwolves Logo" . Chris Creamer's Sports Logos Page - SportsLogos.Net . Retrieved July 7, 2021 .
↑ "Minnesota Timberwolves Uniform" . Chris Creamer's Sports Logos Page - SportsLogos.Net . Retrieved July 7, 2021 .
↑ "Minnesota Timberwolves Uniform" . Chris Creamer's Sports Logos Page - SportsLogos.Net . Retrieved July 7, 2021 .
↑ "Injuries Threat to Ford's Job" . The Spokesman-Review . Wire Reports. March 17, 1998. Retrieved May 1, 2023 .
↑ "Spurs Tame T'Wolves 92-76" . CBS News . CBS News.com Staff. March 19, 1998. Retrieved May 1, 2023 .
See also
Franchise Arenas Personnel G League affiliate Retired numbers Rivalries Culture and lore