1996–97 New York Knicks season: Difference between revisions

1996–97 New York Knicks season
1996–97 New York Knicks season
Head coach	Jeff Van Gundy
General manager	Ernie Grunfeld
Owners	ITT; Cablevision;
Arena	Madison Square Garden
Results
Record	57–25 (.695)
Place	Division: 2nd (Atlantic); Conference: 3rd (Eastern)
Playoff finish	Conference semifinals; (lost to Heat 3–4)
	Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
Television	MSG Network
Radio	WFAN
< 1995–96	1997–98 >

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The 1996–97 New York Knicks season was the 51st season for the Knicks in the National Basketball Association (NBA).^[3] For the season, the Knicks celebrated their 50th anniversary in the NBA by revealing an anniversary version of the team's primary logo.^[4] During the off-season, the Knicks acquired All-Star forward Larry Johnson from the Charlotte Hornets,^[5]^[6]^[7]^[8] and signed free agents Allan Houston, Chris Childs,^[9]^[10]^[11]^[12] and former All-Star forward Buck Williams.^[13]^[14]^[15] The team also had three first-round draft picks in the 1996 NBA draft, selecting small forward John Wallace out of Syracuse University with the 18th overall pick, small forward Walter McCarty from the University of Kentucky with the 19th overall pick, and small forward Dontae' Jones out of Mississippi State University with the 21st overall pick.^[16]^[17]^[18]^[19] However, Jones would miss the entire season with a foot injury, and would never play for the Knicks.^[20]^[21]^[22]

In the regular season, the Knicks won eight of their first ten games, and held a 34–14 record by February 6,^[23]^[24] finishing in second place in the Atlantic Division with a 57–25 record,^[25] and made the NBA playoffs for the 10th consecutive year.^[3] The team also posted three seven-game winning streaks during the regular season, which were its longest this season.^[24] The Knicks enjoyed a successful season, with their 57 wins tied for the third-most in franchise history;^[3] they finished second in the Atlantic Division and third in the Eastern Conference.^[26]

With Houston as the team's starting shooting guard, John Starks played a sixth man role off the bench,^[27]^[28]^[29] averaging 13.8 points per game and leading the team with 150 three-point field goals.^[25] He was named the Sixth Man of the Year, receiving 84 out of a possible 115 first-place votes from the media.^[26]^[30]^[31]^[32]^[33] In addition, Patrick Ewing averaged 22.4 points, 10.7 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game,^[25] and was selected for the 1997 NBA All-Star Game,^[34]^[35]^[36]^[37] but did not play due to a groin injury,^[38]^[39]^[40]^[41] despite playing 78 games this season.^[25] It would also be his final All-Star selection, having played in his final All-Star Game the previous year.^[42] Ewing also earned All-NBA Second Team honors,^[26] finished in eighth place in Most Valuable Player voting,^[43]^[44]^[45] and was named one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History.^[46] Houston finished second on the team in scoring with 14.8 points per game, while Johnson averaged 12.8 points and 5.2 rebounds per game, Charles Oakley provided the team with 10.8 points, 9.8 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game, and Childs contributed 9.3 points and 6.1 assists per game.^[25] Off the bench, Williams averaged 6.3 points and 5.4 rebounds per game, and Charlie Ward contributed 5.2 points and 4.1 assists per game.^[25] In the last game of the season, at the United Center, the Knicks defeated the then-69–12 Chicago Bulls, preventing them from posting two consecutive 70-win seasons, and tying the best home record (40–1 set by the 1985–86 Boston Celtics, and later matched by the 2015–16 San Antonio Spurs).^[47]^[48]^[49]^[50]^[51]

In the playoffs, New York defeated the Charlotte Hornets in a three-game sweep in the Eastern Conference first round, and advanced to the Eastern Conference semi-finals,^[52]^[53]^[54]^[55] where they faced the Atlantic Division champion Miami Heat, in what would eventually become the first chapter of one of the fiercest NBA rivalries of the period.^[26]^[56] After jumping to a 3–1 lead in the series,^[57]^[58]^[59] the Knicks were eliminated by the Heat in seven games,^[60]^[61]^[62]^[63] after a brawl erupted at the end of Game 5 that led to the suspensions of five key Knicks players: Ewing, Houston, Johnson, Starks and Ward.^[64]^[65]^[66]^[67]^[68]

Following the season, Wallace was traded to the Toronto Raptors in a three-team trade,^[69]^[70]^[71] and McCarty and Jones were both dealt to the Boston Celtics.^[72]^[73]^[74]

NBA draft

Round	Pick	Player	Position	Nationality	School/Club Team
1	18	John Wallace	SF	United States	Syracuse
1	19	Walter McCarty	SF/PF	United States	Kentucky
1	21	Dontae' Jones	SF	United States	Mississippi State

Roster

1996–97 New York Knicks roster

Players

Coaches

Pos.	No.	Name	Height	Weight	DOB	From
G	4	Brooks, Scott	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)	165 lb (75 kg)	1965–07–31	UC Irvine
G	1	Childs, Chris	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	195 lb (88 kg)	1967–11–20	Boise State
C	33	Ewing, Patrick	7 ft 0 in (2.13 m)	240 lb (109 kg)	1962–08–05	Georgetown
G	20	Houston, Allan	6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)	200 lb (91 kg)	1971–04–20	Tennessee
F	2	Johnson, Larry	6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)	250 lb (113 kg)	1969–03–14	UNLV
F	5	Jones, Dontae' (IN)	6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)	220 lb (100 kg)	1975–06–02	Mississippi State
F	40	McCarty, Walter	6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)	230 lb (104 kg)	1974–02–01	Kentucky
F	34	Oakley, Charles	6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)	225 lb (102 kg)	1963–12–18	Virginia Union
G	3	Starks, John	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	180 lb (82 kg)	1965–08–10	Oklahoma State
F	44	Wallace, John	6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)	225 lb (102 kg)	1974–02–09	Syracuse
G	21	Ward, Charlie	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	190 lb (86 kg)	1970–10–12	Florida State
F	52	Williams, Buck	6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)	215 lb (98 kg)	1960–03–08	Maryland
C	32	Williams, Herb	6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)	242 lb (110 kg)	1958–02–16	Ohio State

Head coach

Jeff Van Gundy

Assistant coach(es)

Greg Brittenham
Don Chaney
Brendan Malone
Jeff Nix
Tom Thibodeau

Legend

(DP) Unsigned draft pick
(FA) Free agent
(S) Suspended
(IN) Inactive
Injured

Roster
Last transaction: January 6, 1997

Roster notes

Rookie small forward Dontae' Jones was on the injured reserve list with a foot injury, missed the entire season and never played for the Knicks.^[20]^[22]^[75]

Regular season

Season standings

Atlantic Division v t e	W	L	PCT	GB	Home	Road	Div
y-Miami Heat	61	21	.744	–	29–12	32–9	16–8
x-New York Knicks	57	25	.695	4	31–10	26–15	19–6
x-Orlando Magic	45	37	.549	16	26–15	19–22	13–11
x-Washington Bullets	44	38	.537	17	25–16	19–22	14–10
New Jersey Nets	26	56	.317	35	16–25	10–31	11–13
Philadelphia 76ers	22	60	.268	39	11–30	11–30	11–14
Boston Celtics	15	67	.183	46	11–30	4–37	1–23

1996–97 NBA East standings
#	Eastern Conference v t e
#	Team	W	L	PCT	GB
1	z-Chicago Bulls	69	13	.841	–
2	y-Miami Heat	61	21	.744	8
3	x-New York Knicks	57	25	.695	12
4	x-Atlanta Hawks	56	26	.683	13
5	x-Detroit Pistons	54	28	.659	15
6	x-Charlotte Hornets	54	28	.659	15
7	x-Orlando Magic	45	37	.549	24
8	x-Washington Bullets	44	38	.537	25

9	Cleveland Cavaliers	42	40	.512	27
10	Indiana Pacers	39	43	.476	30
11	Milwaukee Bucks	33	49	.402	36
12	Toronto Raptors	30	52	.366	39
13	New Jersey Nets	26	56	.317	43
14	Philadelphia 76ers	22	60	.268	47
15	Boston Celtics	15	67	.183	54

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	—

Playoffs

1997 playoff game log

First Round: 3–0 (home: 2–0; road: 1–0)

Game	Date	Team	Score	High points	High rebounds	High assists	Location Attendance	Series
1	April 24	Charlotte	W 109–99	Allan Houston (25)	Patrick Ewing (9)	Chris Childs (8)	Madison Square Garden 19,763	1–0
2	April 26	Charlotte	W 100–93	Patrick Ewing (30)	Charles Oakley (10)	Chris Childs (9)	Madison Square Garden 19,763	2–0
3	April 28	@ Charlotte	W 104–95	Larry Johnson (22)	Patrick Ewing (11)	Johnson, Childs (5)	Charlotte Coliseum 24,042	3–0

Conference semifinals: 3–4 (home: 2–1; road: 1–3)

Game	Date	Team	Score	High points	High rebounds	High assists	Location Attendance	Series
1	May 7	@ Miami	W 88–79	Allan Houston (27)	Patrick Ewing (16)	Johnson, Ward (5)	Miami Arena 14,870	1–0
2	May 9	@ Miami	L 84–88	Allan Houston (19)	Patrick Ewing (11)	Chris Childs (7)	Miami Arena 14,870	1–1
3	May 11	Miami	W 77–73	Patrick Ewing (25)	Ewing, Oakley (11)	Ward, Starks (4)	Madison Square Garden 19,763	2–1
4	May 12	Miami	W 89–76	John Starks (21)	Charles Oakley (9)	Chris Childs (8)	Madison Square Garden 19,763	3–1
5	May 14	@ Miami	L 81–96	Patrick Ewing (19)	Charles Oakley (9)	Chris Childs (7)	Miami Arena 14,782	3–2
6	May 16	Miami	L 90–95	Chris Childs (22)	Charles Oakley (12)	Chris Childs (9)	Madison Square Garden 19,763	3–3
7	May 18	@ Miami	L 90–101	Patrick Ewing (37)	Patrick Ewing (17)	Charlie Ward (8)	Miami Arena 14,870	3–4

1997 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

NOTE: Please write player statistics in alphabetical order by last name.

Season

Player	GP	GS	MPG
Scott Brooks	38	0	6.6
Chris Childs	65	61	31.9
Patrick Ewing	78	78	37.0
Allan Houston	81	81	33.1
Chris Jent	3	0	3.3
Larry Johnson	76	76	34.4
Walter McCarty	35	0	5.5
Charles Oakley	80	80	35.9
John Starks	77	1	26.5
John Wallace	68	6	11.6
Charlie Ward	79	21	22.3
Buck Williams	74	4	20.2
Herb Williams	21	2	8.8

Playoffs

Player	GP	GS	MPG	FG%	3FG%	FT%	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	PPG
Scott Brooks
Chris Childs
Patrick Ewing
Allan Houston
Larry Johnson
Walter McCarty
Charles Oakley
John Starks
John Wallace
Charlie Ward
Buck Williams
Herb Williams

Awards and records

Transactions

References

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^ 2016–17 New York Knicks Media Guide (PDF). New York Knicks. 2016. p. 304. Retrieved June 1, 2021.
^ ^a ^b ^c "New York Knickerbockers Franchise Index". Basketball-Reference. Archived from the original on April 24, 2010. Retrieved March 13, 2010.
^ "New York Knicks Logo". Chris Creamer's Sports Logos Page – SportsLogos.Net. Retrieved November 25, 2021.
^ "Hornets, Knicks Ponder Trade". The Spokesman-Review. Wire Services. July 11, 1996. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
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^ "Knicks Get Childs; Houston on Tap". Orlando Sentinel. July 14, 1996. Retrieved June 24, 2023.
^ Wise, Mike (July 15, 1996). "Pro Basketball; It's a Blockbuster Day for Knicks". The New York Times. Retrieved July 27, 2018.
^ Sheridan, Chris (July 15, 1996). "Knicks Acquire Larry Johnson, Sign Houston and Childs". Associated Press. Archived from the original on September 29, 2022. Retrieved October 14, 2023.
^ Roberts, Selena (July 27, 1996). "Pro Basketball; Knicks Seal Up Buck Williams". The New York Times. Retrieved December 30, 2021.
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^ Markowitz, Dan (October 20, 1996). "Revamped Knicks Assessing Strengths". The New York Times. Retrieved January 4, 2023.
^ Wise, Mike (June 27, 1996). "Pro Basketball; Knicks Go Forward in the First Round". The New York Times. Retrieved April 23, 2023.
^ Bembry, Jerry (June 27, 1996). "76ers Make Iverson the 1, Philadelphia Takes Georgetown Guard; Camby Goes Second". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
^ Brown, Clifton (August 7, 1996). "Knicks Sign Their Three First-Rounders". The New York Times. Retrieved April 22, 2023.
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^ ^a ^b Wise, Mike (June 29, 1996). "Pro Basketball; Surgery Sidelines Jones 3–6 Months". The New York Times. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
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^ ^a ^b "Dontae' Jones". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
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^ ^a ^b "1996–97 New York Knicks Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved April 15, 2021.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f "1996–97 New York Knickerbockers Roster and Statistics". Basketball-Reference. Archived from the original on April 25, 2010. Retrieved March 13, 2010.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d "1996–97 NBA Season Summary". Basketball-Reference. Archived from the original on April 12, 2010. Retrieved March 13, 2010.
^ Wise, Mike (October 6, 1996). "Starks Is Making Houston's Job Easier". The New York Times. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
^ Brown, Clifton (October 17, 1996). "Pro Basketball". The New York Times. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
^ "Bulls, Drexler, Shaq Still Hot". Kentucky New Era. November 2, 1996. p. 3B. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
^ "Sixth Man Award for Starks". The New York Times. April 24, 1997. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
^ "Knicks' Starks Turns Demotion Into Honor". The Spokesman-Review. Associated Press. April 24, 1997. Retrieved June 10, 2023.
^ "NBA Notes: Knicks' Starks Wins Sixth Man Award; Warriors Draw 8th Seed in Lottery". SFGate. Staff and Wire Reports. April 24, 1997. Retrieved June 10, 2023.
^ "NBA & ABA Sixth Man of the Year Award Winners". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved November 29, 2022.
^ "Webber's All-Star Stats Aren't Ticket to Game; Bullets Forward Not Picked as Reserve". The Baltimore Sun. January 29, 1997. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
^ Jorgensen, Loren (February 8, 1997). "No Offense, But Malone Would Rather Be Home". Deseret News. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
^ "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.
^ "Knicks' Ewing to Miss All-Star Game". United Press International. February 5, 1997. Retrieved December 3, 2022.
^ Brown, Clifton (February 6, 1997). "Ewing, Still Injured, Quits All-Star Roster". The New York Times. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
^ Cummings, D. L. (February 6, 1997). "Stars Are Out for Ewing: Groin Injury KOs Patrick". New York Daily News. Archived from the original on August 11, 2017. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
^ "Mourning Latest All-Star Casualty; Dumars on Team". Chicago Tribune. Tribune News Services. February 7, 1997. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
^ "Patrick Ewing". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
^ Kawakami, Tim (May 19, 1997). "MVP: Malone, the Standout Jazz Forward Known as Mailman, Edges Jordan in the Voting to Earn Stamp of Greatness". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 24, 2022.
^ "1996–97 Regular Season Award Winners". Eskimo North. Retrieved June 10, 2023.
^ "1996–97 NBA Awards Voting". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 2, 2022.
^ "NBA History: The NBA's 50 Greatest Players". National Basketball Association. Archived from the original on April 5, 2010. Retrieved August 26, 2019.
^ Wise, Mike (April 20, 1997). "Knicks Shock the Bulls to Sew Up Third Spot". The New York Times. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
^ Brown, Clifton (April 20, 1997). "When a Knick Victory Is Not Just a Victory". The New York Times. Retrieved March 13, 2010.
^ Armour, Terry (April 20, 1997). "Knicks 103, Bulls 101". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved June 28, 2022.
^ "New York Knicks at Chicago Bulls Box Score, April 19, 1997". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 4, 2023.
^ Nathan, Alec. "Spurs Tie All-Time NBA Record for Most Home Wins in Regular Season". Bleacher Report. Retrieved September 24, 2021.
^ Macenka, Joe (April 28, 1997). "Knicks 104, Hornets 95". The Washington Post. Associated Press. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
^ "Knicks 104, Hornets 95". United Press International. April 28, 1997. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
^ Wise, Mike (April 29, 1997). "Knicks Sweep Away Hornets, and Season of Doubts". The New York Times. Retrieved July 28, 2021.
^ "1997 NBA Eastern Conference First Round: Hornets vs. Knicks". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
^ Sheridan, Chris (May 7, 2000). "Knicks, Heat continue their simmering rivalry". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. p. 9C. Retrieved March 13, 2010.
^ Vecsey, George (May 13, 1997). "Quiet No More: Starks Comes Out Shooting". The New York Times. Retrieved January 19, 2022.
^ Heisler, Mark (May 13, 1997). "Heat Feeling Some After Knicks Roll". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
^ Lupica, Mike (May 14, 1997). "Riley's Heat Almost Toast". Sun-Sentinel. Retrieved October 10, 2022.
^ Brown, Clifton (May 19, 1997). "Next Stop, Chicago: Riley Adjusts Rearview Mirror to See Knicks". The New York Times. Retrieved July 28, 2021.
^ Heisler, Mark (May 19, 1997). "Knicks Can't Take the Heat". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
^ Adande, J. A. (May 19, 1997). "Hardaway Applies the Heat as Miami Ousts Knicks". The Washington Post. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
^ "1997 NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals: Knicks vs. Heat". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
^ Wise, Mike (May 15, 1997). "Not for the Faint-Hearted: Knicks–Heat Turns Nasty". The New York Times. Retrieved January 18, 2022.
^ Adande, J. A. (May 15, 1997). "Miami's Fighting Spirit Is Too Much for Knicks". The Washington Post. Retrieved July 11, 2022.
^ Winderman, Ira (May 15, 1997). "Heat Fights Back". Sun-Sentinel. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
^ Wise, Mike (May 16, 1997). "5 Knicks Barred for Melee; 3 to Miss Game 6". The New York Times. Retrieved June 10, 2023.
^ Isola, Frank (May 16, 1997). "NBA – No Brawls Allowed: Ewing Among Five Suspended Knicks". New York Daily News. Retrieved August 4, 2018.
^ Shapiro, Mark (September 8, 1997). "Dudley's Trade to Knicks Approved". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
^ Sheridan, Chris (October 9, 1997). "Appeals Panel Clears Dudley Trade". Associated Press. Retrieved April 23, 2023.
^ Roberts, Selena (October 10, 1997). "Pro Basketball; Knicks Finally Get Wish: Dudley". The New York Times. Retrieved April 22, 2023.
^ Roberts, Selena (October 23, 1997). "Pro Basketball; Knicks Send Four Players to the Celtics for Mills". The New York Times. Retrieved April 23, 2023.
^ "Knicks Trade Four Players to Get Mills". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. October 23, 1997. Retrieved April 23, 2023.
^ Greenberg, Alan (October 23, 1997). "One of Pitino's Slick Moves". Hartford Courant. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
^ May, Peter (October 24, 1997). "Jones Envisions Much Better Time". The Boston Globe. p. D3.

[1] 2016–17 New York Knicks Media Guide (PDF). New York Knicks. 2016. p. 305. Retrieved June 1, 2021.

[2] 2016–17 New York Knicks Media Guide (PDF). New York Knicks. 2016. p. 304. Retrieved June 1, 2021.

[franchise-3] "New York Knickerbockers Franchise Index". Basketball-Reference. Archived from the original on April 24, 2010. Retrieved March 13, 2010.

[4] "New York Knicks Logo". Chris Creamer's Sports Logos Page – SportsLogos.Net. Retrieved November 25, 2021.

[5] "Hornets, Knicks Ponder Trade". The Spokesman-Review. Wire Services. July 11, 1996. Retrieved June 6, 2023.

[6] Brown, Clifton (July 12, 1996). "Pro Basketball; Knicks Chase Hornets' Johnson as N.B.A. Resumes Business". The New York Times. Retrieved January 16, 2022.

[7] "Around the NBA". The Washington Post. July 13, 1996. Retrieved July 10, 2022.

[8] Isola, Frank (July 13, 1996). "Larry Loves N.Y.: Knicks, Hornets Work Out Bugs". New York Daily News. Archived from the original on October 9, 2016. Retrieved August 1, 2022.

[9] Brown, Clifton (July 14, 1996). "Pro Basketball; A New Backcourt: Childs and Houston Join the Knicks". The New York Times. Retrieved July 10, 2022.

[10] "Knicks Get Childs; Houston on Tap". Orlando Sentinel. July 14, 1996. Retrieved June 24, 2023.

[11] Wise, Mike (July 15, 1996). "Pro Basketball; It's a Blockbuster Day for Knicks". The New York Times. Retrieved July 27, 2018.

[12] Sheridan, Chris (July 15, 1996). "Knicks Acquire Larry Johnson, Sign Houston and Childs". Associated Press. Archived from the original on September 29, 2022. Retrieved October 14, 2023.

[13] Roberts, Selena (July 27, 1996). "Pro Basketball; Knicks Seal Up Buck Williams". The New York Times. Retrieved December 30, 2021.

[14] "Knicks Sign Buck; Bucks Sign Allen". Tampa Bay Times. July 27, 1996. Retrieved July 24, 2022.

[15] Markowitz, Dan (October 20, 1996). "Revamped Knicks Assessing Strengths". The New York Times. Retrieved January 4, 2023.

[16] Wise, Mike (June 27, 1996). "Pro Basketball; Knicks Go Forward in the First Round". The New York Times. Retrieved April 23, 2023.

[17] Bembry, Jerry (June 27, 1996). "76ers Make Iverson the 1, Philadelphia Takes Georgetown Guard; Camby Goes Second". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved June 2, 2023.

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[19] "1996 NBA Draft". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved April 23, 2023.

[nytimes.com-20] Wise, Mike (June 29, 1996). "Pro Basketball; Surgery Sidelines Jones 3–6 Months". The New York Times. Retrieved December 15, 2022.

[21] Wise, Mike (November 4, 1996). "Knicks Outshine Disco Lights in the Home Opener". The New York Times. Retrieved April 23, 2023.

[Jones-22] "Dontae' Jones". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 17, 2021.

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[results-24] "1996–97 New York Knicks Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved April 15, 2021.

[br-25] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f "1996–97 New York Knickerbockers Roster and Statistics". Basketball-Reference. Archived from the original on April 25, 2010. Retrieved March 13, 2010.

[summary-26] "1996–97 NBA Season Summary". Basketball-Reference. Archived from the original on April 12, 2010. Retrieved March 13, 2010.

[27] Wise, Mike (October 6, 1996). "Starks Is Making Houston's Job Easier". The New York Times. Retrieved April 20, 2023.

[28] Brown, Clifton (October 17, 1996). "Pro Basketball". The New York Times. Retrieved April 20, 2023.

[29] "Bulls, Drexler, Shaq Still Hot". Kentucky New Era. November 2, 1996. p. 3B. Retrieved May 5, 2024.

[30] "Sixth Man Award for Starks". The New York Times. April 24, 1997. Retrieved October 3, 2022.

[31] "Knicks' Starks Turns Demotion Into Honor". The Spokesman-Review. Associated Press. April 24, 1997. Retrieved June 10, 2023.

[32] "NBA Notes: Knicks' Starks Wins Sixth Man Award; Warriors Draw 8th Seed in Lottery". SFGate. Staff and Wire Reports. April 24, 1997. Retrieved June 10, 2023.

[33] "NBA & ABA Sixth Man of the Year Award Winners". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved November 29, 2022.

[34] "Webber's All-Star Stats Aren't Ticket to Game; Bullets Forward Not Picked as Reserve". The Baltimore Sun. January 29, 1997. Retrieved December 28, 2022.

[35] Jorgensen, Loren (February 8, 1997). "No Offense, But Malone Would Rather Be Home". Deseret News. Retrieved April 19, 2023.

[36] "1997 NBA All-Star Recap". NBA.com. NBA.com Staff. September 13, 2021. Retrieved May 16, 2023.

[37] "1997 NBA All-Star Game: East 132, West 120". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved November 27, 2021.

[38] "Knicks' Ewing to Miss All-Star Game". United Press International. February 5, 1997. Retrieved December 3, 2022.

[39] Brown, Clifton (February 6, 1997). "Ewing, Still Injured, Quits All-Star Roster". The New York Times. Retrieved October 3, 2022.

[40] Cummings, D. L. (February 6, 1997). "Stars Are Out for Ewing: Groin Injury KOs Patrick". New York Daily News. Archived from the original on August 11, 2017. Retrieved January 23, 2023.

[41] "Mourning Latest All-Star Casualty; Dumars on Team". Chicago Tribune. Tribune News Services. February 7, 1997. Retrieved January 28, 2023.

[42] "Patrick Ewing". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 23, 2023.

[43] Kawakami, Tim (May 19, 1997). "MVP: Malone, the Standout Jazz Forward Known as Mailman, Edges Jordan in the Voting to Earn Stamp of Greatness". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 24, 2022.

[44] "1996–97 Regular Season Award Winners". Eskimo North. Retrieved June 10, 2023.

[45] "1996–97 NBA Awards Voting". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 2, 2022.

[46] "NBA History: The NBA's 50 Greatest Players". National Basketball Association. Archived from the original on April 5, 2010. Retrieved August 26, 2019.

[47] Wise, Mike (April 20, 1997). "Knicks Shock the Bulls to Sew Up Third Spot". The New York Times. Retrieved November 19, 2022.

[48] Brown, Clifton (April 20, 1997). "When a Knick Victory Is Not Just a Victory". The New York Times. Retrieved March 13, 2010.

[49] Armour, Terry (April 20, 1997). "Knicks 103, Bulls 101". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved June 28, 2022.

[50] "New York Knicks at Chicago Bulls Box Score, April 19, 1997". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 4, 2023.

[51] Nathan, Alec. "Spurs Tie All-Time NBA Record for Most Home Wins in Regular Season". Bleacher Report. Retrieved September 24, 2021.

[52] Macenka, Joe (April 28, 1997). "Knicks 104, Hornets 95". The Washington Post. Associated Press. Retrieved May 30, 2022.

[53] "Knicks 104, Hornets 95". United Press International. April 28, 1997. Retrieved November 25, 2022.

[54] Wise, Mike (April 29, 1997). "Knicks Sweep Away Hornets, and Season of Doubts". The New York Times. Retrieved July 28, 2021.

[55] "1997 NBA Eastern Conference First Round: Hornets vs. Knicks". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 4, 2023.

[56] Sheridan, Chris (May 7, 2000). "Knicks, Heat continue their simmering rivalry". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. p. 9C. Retrieved March 13, 2010.

[57] Vecsey, George (May 13, 1997). "Quiet No More: Starks Comes Out Shooting". The New York Times. Retrieved January 19, 2022.

[58] Heisler, Mark (May 13, 1997). "Heat Feeling Some After Knicks Roll". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 20, 2023.

[59] Lupica, Mike (May 14, 1997). "Riley's Heat Almost Toast". Sun-Sentinel. Retrieved October 10, 2022.

[60] Brown, Clifton (May 19, 1997). "Next Stop, Chicago: Riley Adjusts Rearview Mirror to See Knicks". The New York Times. Retrieved July 28, 2021.

[61] Heisler, Mark (May 19, 1997). "Knicks Can't Take the Heat". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 25, 2022.

[62] Adande, J. A. (May 19, 1997). "Hardaway Applies the Heat as Miami Ousts Knicks". The Washington Post. Retrieved May 30, 2022.

[63] "1997 NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals: Knicks vs. Heat". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 4, 2023.

[64] Wise, Mike (May 15, 1997). "Not for the Faint-Hearted: Knicks–Heat Turns Nasty". The New York Times. Retrieved January 18, 2022.

[65] Adande, J. A. (May 15, 1997). "Miami's Fighting Spirit Is Too Much for Knicks". The Washington Post. Retrieved July 11, 2022.

[66] Winderman, Ira (May 15, 1997). "Heat Fights Back". Sun-Sentinel. Retrieved November 25, 2022.

[67] Wise, Mike (May 16, 1997). "5 Knicks Barred for Melee; 3 to Miss Game 6". The New York Times. Retrieved June 10, 2023.

[68] Isola, Frank (May 16, 1997). "NBA – No Brawls Allowed: Ewing Among Five Suspended Knicks". New York Daily News. Retrieved August 4, 2018.

[69] Shapiro, Mark (September 8, 1997). "Dudley's Trade to Knicks Approved". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved July 2, 2023.

[70] Sheridan, Chris (October 9, 1997). "Appeals Panel Clears Dudley Trade". Associated Press. Retrieved April 23, 2023.

[71] Roberts, Selena (October 10, 1997). "Pro Basketball; Knicks Finally Get Wish: Dudley". The New York Times. Retrieved April 22, 2023.

[72] Roberts, Selena (October 23, 1997). "Pro Basketball; Knicks Send Four Players to the Celtics for Mills". The New York Times. Retrieved April 23, 2023.

[73] "Knicks Trade Four Players to Get Mills". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. October 23, 1997. Retrieved April 23, 2023.

[74] Greenberg, Alan (October 23, 1997). "One of Pitino's Slick Moves". Hartford Courant. Retrieved July 2, 2023.

[75] May, Peter (October 24, 1997). "Jones Envisions Much Better Time". The Boston Globe. p. D3.

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 In the [[1996–97 NBA season|regular season]], the Knicks won eight of their first ten games, and held a 34–14 record by February 6,<ref>{{cite news | title = NBA Games Played on February 6, 1997 | publisher = Basketball-Reference | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/?month=2&day=6&year=1997 | access-date = July 19, 2022}}</ref><ref name="results"/> finishing in second place in the [[Atlantic Division (NBA)|Atlantic Division]] with a 57–25 record,<ref name="br">{{cite web|title=1996–97 New York Knickerbockers Roster and Statistics|publisher=Basketball-Reference|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/NYK/1997.html|access-date=March 13, 2010| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20100425075233/http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/NYK/1997.html| archivedate= April 25, 2010 | url-status= live}}</ref> and made the [[NBA playoffs]] for the 10th consecutive year.<ref name="franchise">{{cite web|title=New York Knickerbockers Franchise Index|publisher=Basketball-Reference|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/NYK/|access-date=March 13, 2010| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20100424040233/http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/NYK/| archivedate= April 24, 2010 | url-status= live}}</ref> The team also posted three seven-game winning streaks during the regular season, which were its longest this season.<ref name="results">{{cite web|title=1996–97 New York Knicks Schedule and Results|publisher=Basketball-Reference|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/NYK/1997_games.html|access-date=April 15, 2021}}</ref> The Knicks enjoyed a successful season, with their 57 wins tied for the third-most in franchise history;<ref name="franchise"/> they finished second in the Atlantic Division and third in the [[Eastern Conference (NBA)|Eastern Conference]].<ref name="summary"/>
-With Houston as the team's starting shooting guard, [[John Starks (basketball)|John Starks]] played a sixth man role off the bench,<ref>{{cite news | last = Wise | first = Mike | title = Starks Is Making Houston's Job Easier | work = The New York Times | date = October 6, 1996 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1996/10/06/sports/starks-is-making-houston-s-job-easier.html | access-date = April 20, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last = Brown | first = Clifton | title = Pro Basketball | work = The New York Times | date = October 17, 1996 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1996/10/17/sports/pro-basketball.html | access-date = April 20, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite newspaper | title = Bulls, Drexler, Shaq Still Hot | work = Kentucky New Era | date = November 2, 1996 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=nvArAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA20&dq=1996+New+York+Knicks+allan+houston+john+starks+shooting+guard+lineup+sixth+man&article_id=2911,165895&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjv_Nu4iPeFAxUr38kDHfz0BfsQ6AF6BAgLEAM#v=onepage&q=1996%20New%20York%20Knicks%20allan%20houston%20john%20starks%20shooting%20guard%20lineup%20sixth%20man&f=false | access-date = May 5, 2024}}</ref> averaging 13.8 points per game and leading the team with 150 three-point field goals.<ref name="br"/> He was named the [[NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award|Sixth Man of the Year]], receiving 84 out of a possible 115 first-place votes from the media.<ref name="summary">{{cite web|title=1996–97 NBA Season Summary|publisher=Basketball-Reference|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1997.html|access-date=March 13, 2010| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20100412122830/http://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1997.html| archivedate= April 12, 2010 | url-status= live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title = Sixth Man Award for Starks | work = The New York Times | date = April 24, 1997 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1997/04/24/sports/sixth-man-award-for-starks.html | access-date = October 3, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = Knicks' Starks Turns Demotion Into Honor | work = The Spokesman-Review | date = April 24, 1997 | url = https://www.spokesman.com/stories/1997/apr/24/knicks-starks-turns-demotion-into-honor/ | access-date = June 10, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | agency = Staff and Wire Reports | title = NBA Notes: Knicks' Starks Wins Sixth Man Award; Warriors Draw 8th Seed in Lottery | work = SFGate | date = April 24, 1997 | url = https://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/NBA-NOTES-Knicks-Starks-Wins-Sixth-Man-Award-2843209.php | access-date = June 10, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = NBA & ABA Sixth Man of the Year Award Winners | publisher = Basketball-Reference | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/smoy.html | access-date = November 29, 2022}}</ref> In addition, [[Patrick Ewing]] averaged 22.4 points, 10.7 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game,<ref name="br"/> and was selected for the [[1997 NBA All-Star Game]],<ref>{{cite news | title = Webber's All-Star Stats Aren't Ticket to Game; Bullets Forward Not Picked as Reserve | work = The Baltimore Sun | date = January 29, 1997 | url = https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1997-01-29-1997029074-story.html | access-date = December 28, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last = Jorgensen | first = Loren | title = No Offense, But Malone Would Rather Be Home | work = Deseret News | date = February 8, 1997 | url = https://www.deseret.com/1997/2/8/19293914/no-offense-but-malone-would-rather-be-home | access-date = April 19, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | agency = NBA.com Staff | title = 1997 NBA All-Star Recap | work = NBA.com | date = September 13, 2021 | url = https://www.nba.com/news/history-all-star-recap-1997 | access-date = May 16, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = 1997 NBA All-Star Game: East 132, West 120 | publisher = Basketball-Reference | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/allstar/NBA_1997.html | access-date = November 27, 2021}}</ref> but did not play due to a groin injury,<ref>{{cite news | title = Knicks' Ewing to Miss All-Star Game | publisher = United Press International | date = February 5, 1997 | url = https://www.upi.com/Archives/1997/02/05/Knicks-Ewing-to-miss-All-Star-Game/8619855118800/ | access-date = December 3, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last = Brown | first = Clifton | title = Ewing, Still Injured, Quits All-Star Roster | work = The New York Times | date = February 6, 1997 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1997/02/06/sports/ewing-still-injured-quits-all-star-roster.html | access-date = October 3, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Cummings|first=D. L.|title=Stars Are Out for Ewing: Groin Injury KOs Patrick|work=New York Daily News|date=February 6, 1997|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/sports/stars-ewing-groin-injury-kos-patrick-article-1.752666|access-date=January 23, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170811010343/http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/sports/stars-ewing-groin-injury-kos-patrick-article-1.752666|archive-date=August 11, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | agency = Tribune News Services | title = Mourning Latest All-Star Casualty; Dumars on Team | work = Chicago Tribune | date = February 7, 1997 | url = https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1997-02-07-9702070214-story.html | access-date = January 28, 2023}}</ref> despite playing 78 games this season.<ref name="br"/> It would also be his final All-Star selection, having played in his final All-Star Game the previous year.<ref>{{cite web|title=Patrick Ewing|publisher=Basketball-Reference|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/e/ewingpa01.html|access-date=January 23, 2023}}</ref> Ewing also earned [[All-NBA Second Team]] honors,<ref name="summary"/> finished in eighth place in [[NBA Most Valuable Player Award|Most Valuable Player]] voting,<ref>{{cite news | last = Kawakami | first = Tim | title = MVP: Malone, the Standout Jazz Forward Known as Mailman, Edges Jordan in the Voting to Earn Stamp of Greatness | work = Los Angeles Times | date = May 19, 1997 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-05-19-sp-60282-story.html | access-date = September 24, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = 1996–97 Regular Season Award Winners | work = Eskimo North | url = https://www.eskimo.com/~pbender/misc/awards97.txt | access-date = June 10, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = 1996–97 NBA Awards Voting | publisher = Basketball-Reference | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/awards_1997.html | access-date = January 2, 2022}}</ref> and was named one of the [[50 Greatest Players in NBA History]].<ref>{{cite web|title=NBA History: The NBA's 50 Greatest Players|publisher=[[National Basketball Association]]|url=http://www.nba.com/history/50greatest.html|accessdate=August 26, 2019|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100405004357/http://www.nba.com/history/50greatest.html|archivedate=April 5, 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref> Houston finished second on the team in scoring with 14.8 points per game, while Johnson averaged 12.8 points and 5.2 rebounds per game, [[Charles Oakley]] provided the team with 10.8 points, 9.8 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game, and Childs contributed 9.3 points and 6.1 assists per game.<ref name="br"/> Off the bench, Williams averaged 6.3 points and 5.4 rebounds per game, and [[Charlie Ward]] contributed 5.2 points and 4.1 assists per game.<ref name="br"/> In the last game of the season, at the [[United Center]], the Knicks defeated the then-69–12 [[1996–97 Chicago Bulls season|Chicago Bulls]], preventing them from posting two consecutive 70-win seasons, and tying the best home record (40–1 set by the [[1985–86 Boston Celtics season|1985–86 Boston Celtics]], and later matched by the [[2015–16 San Antonio Spurs season|2015–16 San Antonio Spurs]]).<ref>{{cite news | last = Wise | first = Mike | title = Knicks Shock the Bulls to Sew Up Third Spot | work = The New York Times | date = April 20, 1997 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1997/04/20/sports/knicks-shock-the-bulls-to-sew-up-third-spot.html | access-date = November 19, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Brown|first=Clifton|title=When a Knick Victory Is Not Just a Victory|work=The New York Times|date=April 20, 1997|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/04/20/sports/when-a-knick-victory-is-not-just-a-victory.html|access-date=March 13, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last = Armour | first = Terry | title = Knicks 103, Bulls 101 | work = Chicago Tribune | date = April 20, 1997 | url = https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1997-04-20-9704200332-story.html | access-date = June 28, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = New York Knicks at Chicago Bulls Box Score, April 19, 1997 | publisher = Basketball-Reference | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199704190CHI.html | access-date = January 4, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Nathan|first=Alec|title=Spurs Tie All-Time NBA Record for Most Home Wins in Regular Season|publisher=[[Bleacher Report]]|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2632495-spurs-tie-all-time-nba-record-for-most-home-wins-in-regular-season|access-date=September 24, 2021}}</ref>
+With Houston as the team's starting shooting guard, [[John Starks (basketball)|John Starks]] played a sixth man role off the bench,<ref>{{cite news | last = Wise | first = Mike | title = Starks Is Making Houston's Job Easier | work = The New York Times | date = October 6, 1996 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1996/10/06/sports/starks-is-making-houston-s-job-easier.html | access-date = April 20, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last = Brown | first = Clifton | title = Pro Basketball | work = The New York Times | date = October 17, 1996 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1996/10/17/sports/pro-basketball.html | access-date = April 20, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite newspaper | title = Bulls, Drexler, Shaq Still Hot | work = Kentucky New Era | date = November 2, 1996 | page = 3B | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=nvArAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA20&dq=1996+New+York+Knicks+allan+houston+john+starks+shooting+guard+lineup+sixth+man&article_id=2911,165895&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjv_Nu4iPeFAxUr38kDHfz0BfsQ6AF6BAgLEAM#v=onepage&q=1996%20New%20York%20Knicks%20allan%20houston%20john%20starks%20shooting%20guard%20lineup%20sixth%20man&f=false | access-date = May 5, 2024}}</ref> averaging 13.8 points per game and leading the team with 150 three-point field goals.<ref name="br"/> He was named the [[NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award|Sixth Man of the Year]], receiving 84 out of a possible 115 first-place votes from the media.<ref name="summary">{{cite web|title=1996–97 NBA Season Summary|publisher=Basketball-Reference|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1997.html|access-date=March 13, 2010| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20100412122830/http://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1997.html| archivedate= April 12, 2010 | url-status= live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title = Sixth Man Award for Starks | work = The New York Times | date = April 24, 1997 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1997/04/24/sports/sixth-man-award-for-starks.html | access-date = October 3, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = Knicks' Starks Turns Demotion Into Honor | work = The Spokesman-Review | date = April 24, 1997 | url = https://www.spokesman.com/stories/1997/apr/24/knicks-starks-turns-demotion-into-honor/ | access-date = June 10, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | agency = Staff and Wire Reports | title = NBA Notes: Knicks' Starks Wins Sixth Man Award; Warriors Draw 8th Seed in Lottery | work = SFGate | date = April 24, 1997 | url = https://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/NBA-NOTES-Knicks-Starks-Wins-Sixth-Man-Award-2843209.php | access-date = June 10, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = NBA & ABA Sixth Man of the Year Award Winners | publisher = Basketball-Reference | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/smoy.html | access-date = November 29, 2022}}</ref> In addition, [[Patrick Ewing]] averaged 22.4 points, 10.7 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game,<ref name="br"/> and was selected for the [[1997 NBA All-Star Game]],<ref>{{cite news | title = Webber's All-Star Stats Aren't Ticket to Game; Bullets Forward Not Picked as Reserve | work = The Baltimore Sun | date = January 29, 1997 | url = https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1997-01-29-1997029074-story.html | access-date = December 28, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last = Jorgensen | first = Loren | title = No Offense, But Malone Would Rather Be Home | work = Deseret News | date = February 8, 1997 | url = https://www.deseret.com/1997/2/8/19293914/no-offense-but-malone-would-rather-be-home | access-date = April 19, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | agency = NBA.com Staff | title = 1997 NBA All-Star Recap | work = NBA.com | date = September 13, 2021 | url = https://www.nba.com/news/history-all-star-recap-1997 | access-date = May 16, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = 1997 NBA All-Star Game: East 132, West 120 | publisher = Basketball-Reference | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/allstar/NBA_1997.html | access-date = November 27, 2021}}</ref> but did not play due to a groin injury,<ref>{{cite news | title = Knicks' Ewing to Miss All-Star Game | publisher = United Press International | date = February 5, 1997 | url = https://www.upi.com/Archives/1997/02/05/Knicks-Ewing-to-miss-All-Star-Game/8619855118800/ | access-date = December 3, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last = Brown | first = Clifton | title = Ewing, Still Injured, Quits All-Star Roster | work = The New York Times | date = February 6, 1997 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1997/02/06/sports/ewing-still-injured-quits-all-star-roster.html | access-date = October 3, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Cummings|first=D. L.|title=Stars Are Out for Ewing: Groin Injury KOs Patrick|work=New York Daily News|date=February 6, 1997|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/sports/stars-ewing-groin-injury-kos-patrick-article-1.752666|access-date=January 23, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170811010343/http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/sports/stars-ewing-groin-injury-kos-patrick-article-1.752666|archive-date=August 11, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | agency = Tribune News Services | title = Mourning Latest All-Star Casualty; Dumars on Team | work = Chicago Tribune | date = February 7, 1997 | url = https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1997-02-07-9702070214-story.html | access-date = January 28, 2023}}</ref> despite playing 78 games this season.<ref name="br"/> It would also be his final All-Star selection, having played in his final All-Star Game the previous year.<ref>{{cite web|title=Patrick Ewing|publisher=Basketball-Reference|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/e/ewingpa01.html|access-date=January 23, 2023}}</ref> Ewing also earned [[All-NBA Second Team]] honors,<ref name="summary"/> finished in eighth place in [[NBA Most Valuable Player Award|Most Valuable Player]] voting,<ref>{{cite news | last = Kawakami | first = Tim | title = MVP: Malone, the Standout Jazz Forward Known as Mailman, Edges Jordan in the Voting to Earn Stamp of Greatness | work = Los Angeles Times | date = May 19, 1997 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-05-19-sp-60282-story.html | access-date = September 24, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = 1996–97 Regular Season Award Winners | work = Eskimo North | url = https://www.eskimo.com/~pbender/misc/awards97.txt | access-date = June 10, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = 1996–97 NBA Awards Voting | publisher = Basketball-Reference | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/awards_1997.html | access-date = January 2, 2022}}</ref> and was named one of the [[50 Greatest Players in NBA History]].<ref>{{cite web|title=NBA History: The NBA's 50 Greatest Players|publisher=[[National Basketball Association]]|url=http://www.nba.com/history/50greatest.html|accessdate=August 26, 2019|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100405004357/http://www.nba.com/history/50greatest.html|archivedate=April 5, 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref> Houston finished second on the team in scoring with 14.8 points per game, while Johnson averaged 12.8 points and 5.2 rebounds per game, [[Charles Oakley]] provided the team with 10.8 points, 9.8 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game, and Childs contributed 9.3 points and 6.1 assists per game.<ref name="br"/> Off the bench, Williams averaged 6.3 points and 5.4 rebounds per game, and [[Charlie Ward]] contributed 5.2 points and 4.1 assists per game.<ref name="br"/> In the last game of the season, at the [[United Center]], the Knicks defeated the then-69–12 [[1996–97 Chicago Bulls season|Chicago Bulls]], preventing them from posting two consecutive 70-win seasons, and tying the best home record (40–1 set by the [[1985–86 Boston Celtics season|1985–86 Boston Celtics]], and later matched by the [[2015–16 San Antonio Spurs season|2015–16 San Antonio Spurs]]).<ref>{{cite news | last = Wise | first = Mike | title = Knicks Shock the Bulls to Sew Up Third Spot | work = The New York Times | date = April 20, 1997 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1997/04/20/sports/knicks-shock-the-bulls-to-sew-up-third-spot.html | access-date = November 19, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Brown|first=Clifton|title=When a Knick Victory Is Not Just a Victory|work=The New York Times|date=April 20, 1997|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/04/20/sports/when-a-knick-victory-is-not-just-a-victory.html|access-date=March 13, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last = Armour | first = Terry | title = Knicks 103, Bulls 101 | work = Chicago Tribune | date = April 20, 1997 | url = https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1997-04-20-9704200332-story.html | access-date = June 28, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = New York Knicks at Chicago Bulls Box Score, April 19, 1997 | publisher = Basketball-Reference | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199704190CHI.html | access-date = January 4, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Nathan|first=Alec|title=Spurs Tie All-Time NBA Record for Most Home Wins in Regular Season|publisher=[[Bleacher Report]]|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2632495-spurs-tie-all-time-nba-record-for-most-home-wins-in-regular-season|access-date=September 24, 2021}}</ref>
 In the [[1997 NBA Playoffs|playoffs]], New York defeated the [[1996–97 Charlotte Hornets season|Charlotte Hornets]] in a three-game sweep in the Eastern Conference first round, and advanced to the Eastern Conference semi-finals,<ref>{{cite news | last = Macenka | first = Joe | title = Knicks 104, Hornets 95 | work = The Washington Post | agency = Associated Press | date = April 28, 1997 | url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/nba/longterm/1997/playoffs/chany3.htm | access-date = May 30, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title = Knicks 104, Hornets 95 | publisher = United Press International | date = April 28, 1997 | url = https://www.upi.com/Archives/1997/04/28/Knicks-104-Hornets-95/7854862200000/ | access-date = November 25, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last = Wise | first = Mike | title = Knicks Sweep Away Hornets, and Season of Doubts | work = The New York Times | date = April 29, 1997 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1997/04/29/sports/knicks-sweep-away-hornets-and-season-of-doubts.html | access-date = July 28, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = 1997 NBA Eastern Conference First Round: Hornets vs. Knicks | publisher = Basketball-Reference | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1997-nba-eastern-conference-first-round-hornets-vs-knicks.html | access-date = February 4, 2023}}</ref> where they faced the Atlantic Division champion [[1996–97 Miami Heat season|Miami Heat]], in what would eventually become the first chapter of one of the fiercest NBA [[Knicks–Heat rivalry|rivalries]] of the period.<ref name="summary"/><ref>{{cite news|last=Sheridan|first=Chris|title=Knicks, Heat continue their simmering rivalry|work=[[Milwaukee Journal Sentinel]]|date=May 7, 2000|page=9C|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=XbQaAAAAIBAJ&sjid=si8EAAAAIBAJ&pg=6831,7349973&dq=knicks+heat+rivalry&hl=en|accessdate=March 13, 2010}}</ref> After jumping to a 3–1 lead in the series,<ref>{{cite news | last = Vecsey | first = George | title = Quiet No More: Starks Comes Out Shooting | work = The New York Times | date = May 13, 1997 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1997/05/13/sports/quiet-no-more-starks-comes-out-shooting.html | access-date = January 19, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last = Heisler | first = Mark | title = Heat Feeling Some After Knicks Roll | work = Los Angeles Times | date = May 13, 1997 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-05-13-sp-58341-story.html | access-date = February 20, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last = Lupica | first = Mike | title = Riley's Heat Almost Toast | work = Sun-Sentinel | date = May 14, 1997 | url = https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1997-05-14-9705130401-story.html | access-date = October 10, 2022}}</ref> the Knicks were eliminated by the Heat in seven games,<ref>{{cite news | last = Brown | first = Clifton | title = Next Stop, Chicago: Riley Adjusts Rearview Mirror to See Knicks | work = The New York Times | date = May 19, 1997 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1997/05/19/sports/next-stop-chicago-riley-adjusts-rearview-mirror-to-see-knicks.html | access-date = July 28, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last = Heisler | first = Mark | title = Knicks Can't Take the Heat | work = Los Angeles Times | date = May 19, 1997 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-05-19-sp-60270-story.html | access-date = November 25, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last = Adande | first = J. A. | title = Hardaway Applies the Heat as Miami Ousts Knicks | work = The Washington Post | date = May 19, 1997 | url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1997/05/19/hardaway-applies-the-heat-as-miami-ousts-knicks/2dfdaf0c-6168-4653-901b-7e47796f1f30/ | access-date = May 30, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = 1997 NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals: Knicks vs. Heat | publisher = Basketball-Reference | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1997-nba-eastern-conference-semifinals-knicks-vs-heat.html | access-date = February 4, 2023}}</ref> after a brawl erupted at the end of Game 5 that led to the suspensions of five key Knicks players: Ewing, Houston, Johnson, Starks and Ward.<ref>{{cite news | last = Wise | first = Mike | title = Not for the Faint-Hearted: Knicks–Heat Turns Nasty |work= The New York Times | date = May 15, 1997 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1997/05/15/sports/not-for-the-faint-hearted-knicks-heat-turns-nasty.html | access-date = January 18, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last = Adande | first = J. A. | title = Miami's Fighting Spirit Is Too Much for Knicks | work = The Washington Post | date = May 15, 1997 | url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/nba/longterm/1997/playoffs/heat15.htm | access-date = July 11, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last = Winderman | first = Ira | title = Heat Fights Back | work = Sun-Sentinel | date = May 15, 1997 | url = https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1997-05-15-9705150051-story.html | access-date = November 25, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last = Wise | first = Mike | title = 5 Knicks Barred for Melee; 3 to Miss Game 6 | work = The New York Times | date = May 16, 1997 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1997/05/16/sports/5-knicks-barred-for-melee-3-to-miss-game-6.html | access-date = June 10, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Isola|first=Frank|title=NBA – No Brawls Allowed: Ewing Among Five Suspended Knicks|work=New York Daily News|date=May 16, 1997|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/sports/nba-no-brawls-allowed-ewing-suspended-knicks-article-1.750555|access-date=August 4, 2018}}</ref>

v t e New York Knicks
Founded in 1946 Based in New York City, New York
Franchise	History All-time roster Draft history Head coaches Seasons Current season
Arenas	Madison Square Garden III 69th Regiment Armory Madison Square Garden IV
Personnel	Owner(s) Madison Square Garden Sports (James Dolan, chairman) President Leon Rose General manager Vacant Head coach Tom Thibodeau
G League affiliate	Westchester Knicks
Retired numbers	10 12 15 15 19 22 24 33 613
NBA championships	1970 1973
Rivalries	Boston Celtics Brooklyn Nets Chicago Bulls Indiana Pacers Miami Heat
Culture and lore	Broadcasters Dancing Harry Eddie Spike Lee Diedrich Knickerbocker Whatever Happened to Micheal Ray? Theme from New York, New York Mike Walczewski George Kalinsky Trent Tucker Rule Disputed foul against Scottie Pippen June 17th, 1994 Knicks–Nuggets brawl Linsanity Sweetwater