1997–98 San Antonio Spurs season

NBA season
team = San Antonio Spurs
misc = Tim Duncan’s rookie season
end_year = 1998
wins = 56
losses = 26
division = Midwest
division_place = 2
conf_place = 4
coach = Gregg Popovich
arena = Alamo Dome
owners = Peter Holt
television =
radio =
playoffs = Conference semifinals (eliminated 4–1)
bbr_team = SAS

Offseason

NBA Draft

Regular season

Tim Duncan

The Spurs were coming off a poor 1996-97 NBA season; in which their best player, David Robinson—himself a number one draft pick in 1987—was sidelined for most of the year with an injury. The Spurs had finished with a 20–62 win-loss record. [ [http://www.nba.com/history/standings/19961997.html 1996-97 Standings] , nba.com/history, accessed 19 April 2007.] However, as the 1997-98 NBA season approached, the Spurs were considered a notable threat in the NBA. With both an experienced center in Robinson and the number one pick in Duncan, the Spurs featured one of the best frontcourts in the NBA. Duncan and Robinson became known as the "Twin Towers", having earned a reputation for their exceptional defense close to the basket, forcing opponents to take lower percentage shots from outside. From the beginning, Duncan established himself as a quality player: in his second-ever road game, he grabbed 22 rebounds against opposing Chicago Bulls power forward Dennis Rodman, a multiple rebounding champion and NBA Defensive Player of the Year. [cite book|title=Slam Duncan |first=Kevin |last=Kernan | year=2000|pages=47|isbn=978-1582611792] Later, when Duncan played against opposing Houston Rockets Hall-of-Fame power forward Charles Barkley, Barkley was so impressed he said: "I have seen the future and he wears number 21 [Duncan's jersey number] ." [cite book|title=Slam Duncan |first=Kevin |last=Kernan | year=2000|pages=13|isbn=978-1582611792] In his rookie season, Duncan lived up the expectations of being the number one draft pick, starting in all 82 regular-season games, and averaging 21.1 points, 11.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.5 blocks per game. His defensive contributions ensured that he was elected to the All-Defensive Second Team and was also named NBA Rookie of the Year. Spurs coach Gregg Popovich lauded Duncan's mental toughness, stating his rookie's "demeanor was singularly remarkable", Duncan always "put things into perspective" and never got "too upbeat or too depressed." [cite book|title=Slam Duncan |first=Kevin |last=Kernan | year=2000|pages=25|isbn=978-1582611792] Center Robinson was equally impressed with Duncan: "He's the real thing. I'm proud of his attitude and effort. He gives all the extra effort and work and wants to become a better player." [cite book|title=Slam Duncan |first=Kevin |last=Kernan | year=2000|pages=44|isbn=978-1582611792]

eason standings

Player stats

"Note: GP= Games played; REB= Rebounds; AST= Assists; STL = Steals; BLK = Blocks; PTS = Points; AVG = Average"

Award Winners

* Tim Duncan, Forward, NBA Rookie of the Year
* Tim Duncan, Forward, All-NBA First Team
* Tim Duncan, Forward, All-NBA Rookie First Team
* Tim Duncan, Forward, All-NBA Second Defensive Team
* David Robinson, Center, All-NBA Second Team
* David Robinson, Center, All-NBA Second Defensive Team

References

* [http://www.databasebasketball.com/teams/teamyear.htm?yr=1997&tm=SAS&lg=N San Antonio Spurs on Database Basketball]
* [http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/SAS/1998.html San Antonio Spurs on Basketball Reference]