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The 1997 NBA All-Star Showcase

A deep dive into the 47th NBA All-Star Game, celebrating the league's 50th anniversary, featuring standout performances, pivotal rosters, and thrilling competitions.

Game Overview ๐Ÿ‘‡ Explore Events ๐Ÿ†

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Game Overview

A Landmark Event

The 1997 NBA All-Star Game marked the 47th iteration of this prestigious exhibition and served as a significant commemoration of the National Basketball Association's 50th anniversary. Held on February 9, 1997, the game took place at the Gund Arena in Cleveland, Ohio.

Eastern Dominance

The Eastern Conference All-Stars emerged victorious, defeating the Western Conference squad with a final score of 132-120. This victory underscored the conference's strong performance during the game.

League's Golden Jubilee

Beyond the competition, the event was a celebration of the NBA's rich history. The halftime show notably featured a ceremony honoring the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History, bringing together legends from across the league's five decades.[1]

Team Rosters

Eastern Conference All-Stars

Led by head coach Doug Collins of the Detroit Pistons, the Eastern Conference featured a blend of established stars and emerging talent. Notably, several key players were unable to participate due to injury, opening opportunities for others.

Eastern Conference All-Stars
Pos Player Team Selections Votes
Starters
G Penny Hardaway Orlando Magic 3rd 1,132,024
G Michael Jordan Chicago Bulls 11th 2,451,136
F Scottie Pippen Chicago Bulls 7th 1,683,956
F Grant Hill Detroit Pistons 3rd 1,868,020
C Patrick EwingINJ New York Knicks 11th 1,395,759
Reserves
F Vin Baker Milwaukee Bucks 3rd 269,994
G Terrell Brandon Cleveland Cavaliers 2nd โ€”
G Joe DumarsREP Detroit Pistons 6th 428,535
G Tim Hardaway Miami Heat 4th 309,220
F Christian Laettner Atlanta Hawks 1st 225,893
C Alonzo MourningINJ Miami Heat 4th 1,041,570
C Dikembe Mutombo Atlanta Hawks 4th 541,528
F Glen Rice Charlotte Hornets 2nd 199,216
F Chris WebberREP Washington Bullets 1st 396,365
Head coach: Doug Collins (Detroit Pistons)

Western Conference All-Stars

Coached by Rudy Tomjanovich of the Houston Rockets, the Western Conference roster was also impacted by injuries. The selections reflected a mix of veteran leadership and burgeoning stars.

Western Conference All-Stars
Pos Player Team Selections Votes
Starters
G Gary Payton Seattle SuperSonics 4th 1,206,539
G John Stockton Utah Jazz 9th 1,127,250
F Charles BarkleyINJ Houston Rockets 11th 1,877,232
F Shawn Kemp Seattle SuperSonics 5th 1,713,049
C Hakeem Olajuwon Houston Rockets 12th 1,487,310
Reserves
G Clyde DrexlerINJ Houston Rockets 10th 926,432
F Kevin GarnettREP Minnesota Timberwolves 1st 481,911
F Chris GatlingREP Dallas Mavericks 1st โ€”
F Tom Gugliotta Minnesota Timberwolves 1st 280,504
G Eddie Jones Los Angeles Lakers 1st 372,196
F Karl Malone Utah Jazz 10th 1,337,319
C Shaquille O'NealINJ Los Angeles Lakers 5th 1,305,941
G Mitch Richmond Sacramento Kings 5th 347,195
F Detlef SchrempfREP Seattle SuperSonics 3rd 259,839
G Latrell Sprewell Golden State Warriors 3rd โ€”
Head coach: Rudy Tomjanovich (Houston Rockets)

Game Score Breakdown

Quarter-by-Quarter Analysis

The game saw fluctuating leads, with the West establishing an early advantage in the first quarter. However, the East mounted a significant comeback, particularly in the second and third quarters, ultimately securing the victory.

Score by periods: 1 2 3 4 Final
Western Conference 34 26 27 33 120
Eastern Conference 21 36 40 35 132

Key Periods:

  • Halftimeโ€” West, 60โ€“57
  • Third Quarterโ€” East, 97โ€“87

Officials: Hugh Evans, Bill Oakes, Ron Garretson

Attendance: 20,562

Most Valuable Player & Records

Glen Rice's Stellar Performance

Glen Rice of the Charlotte Hornets was awarded the NBA All-Star Game MVP trophy for his exceptional offensive display. In just 25 minutes of play, Rice poured in 26 points, setting new records for points scored in a single quarter (20 in the third) and a single half (24), surpassing previous marks held by legends like Hal Greer and Wilt Chamberlain.

Jordan's Triple-Double

Michael Jordan achieved a rare feat by recording the first triple-double in NBA All-Star Game history. His stat line of 14 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists was a testament to his all-around impact. This accomplishment remained unique until LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Kevin Durant replicated it in subsequent years.

All-Star Weekend Competitions

Three-Point Contest

The annual Three-Point Contest showcased sharpshooters vying for accuracy. Steve Kerr ultimately claimed the title, demonstrating remarkable precision under pressure.

First Round
Player Score
Walt Williams 18
Tim Legler 17
Glen Rice 16
Steve Kerr 15
John Stockton 13
Dale Ellis 12
Terry Mills 11
Sam Perkins 8
Semifinals
Player Score
Steve Kerr 21
Tim Legler 19
Glen Rice 14
Walt Williams 12
Finals
Player Score
Steve Kerr 22
Tim Legler 18

Slam Dunk Competition

The Slam Dunk Competition provided electrifying athleticism. A young Kobe Bryant showcased his potential, ultimately winning the competition with a dazzling display of aerial artistry.

First Round
Player Score
Chris Carr 44
Michael Finley 39
Kobe Bryant 37
Ray Allen 35
Bob Sura 35
Darvin Ham 36
Finals
Player Score
Kobe Bryant 49
Chris Carr 45
Michael Finley 33

Rookie Challenge

The 4th NBA Rookie Challenge Game featured emerging talent. The Eastern Conference secured a victory over the West, with Allen Iverson earning MVP honors for his standout performance.

Date: February 8, 1997
Location: Gund Arena, Cleveland
Coaches: East: Red Auerbach; West: Red Holzman
MVP: Allen Iverson, Philadelphia (26 minutes, 19 points)

Western Conference Totals: 91 points

Player MIN PTS
Shareef Abdur-Rahim, VAN 24 17
Kobe Bryant, LAL 26 31
Travis Knight, LAL 20 9
Derek Fisher, LAL 15 15
Matt Maloney, HOU 24 5
Roy Rogers, VAN 23 2
Lorenzen Wright, LAC 11 7
Steve Nash, PHO 7 4
Totals 150 91

Eastern Conference Totals: 96 points

Player MIN PTS
Antoine Walker, BOS 23 20
Marcus Camby, TOR 21 18
Erick Dampier, IND 15 11
Kerry Kittles, NJN 24 9
Allen Iverson, PHI 26 19
Vitaly Potapenko, CLE 12 6
John Wallace, NYK 15 5
Ray Allen, MIL 14 8
Totals 150 96

Historical Context

Uniforms and Traditions

A notable aspect of the 1997 All-Star Game was the absence of specially designed uniforms. Players wore their respective team uniforms, a practice reminiscent of earlier eras and similar to Major League Baseball's approach at the time. This decision underscored a return to tradition amidst the league's golden anniversary.

Honoring the Legends

The halftime ceremony, dedicated to the NBA's 50 Greatest Players, was a centerpiece of the event. This tribute brought together many of the league's most iconic figures, celebrating the legacy and evolution of professional basketball. Three players from the listโ€”Pete Maravich (deceased), Shaquille O'Neal (injured), and Jerry West (recovering from surgery)โ€”were unable to attend.[2][3]

Player Replacements

The game saw several roster adjustments due to injuries. Five players initially selectedโ€”Charles Barkley, Clyde Drexler, Patrick Ewing, Alonzo Mourning, and Shaquille O'Nealโ€”were sidelined. This led to replacements like Joe Dumars, Detlef Schrempf, Chris Webber, Chris Gatling, and Kevin Garnett stepping into All-Star roles, providing valuable exposure for new talent.INJREP

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References

References

A full list of references for this article are available at the 1997 NBA All-Star Game Wikipedia page

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