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1995–96 Miami Heat season

NBA professional basketball team season

NBA professional basketball team season

Sunshine Network (lost to Bulls 0–3) The 1995–96 Miami Heat season was the eighth season for the Miami Heat in the National Basketball Association. The Heat received the tenth overall pick in the 1995 NBA draft, and selected power forward Kurt Thomas out of Texas Christian University, and acquired Rex Chapman from the Washington Bullets during the off-season. Under new head coach, and team president Pat Riley, the Heat would be restructured; on the first day of the regular season, which began on November 3, 1995, the team acquired All-Star center Alonzo Mourning from the Charlotte Hornets.

With the addition of Mourning, the Heat won 11 of their first 14 games of the regular season, but then lost 23 of their next 34 games, holding a 22–26 at the All-Star break. Riley continued to make changes as he would make three more deals at the trading deadline; the team traded Kevin Willis and Bimbo Coles to the Golden State Warriors in exchange for All-Star guard Tim Hardaway and Chris Gatling, while trading Billy Owens and Kevin Gamble to the Sacramento Kings in exchange for Walt Williams and Tyrone Corbin, and then trading rookie points guard Terrence Rencher to the Phoenix Suns in exchange for Tony Smith.

The flurry of deadline deals led to one of the most remarkable wins of the season, as the Heat only had eight players available to face the Chicago Bulls at the Miami Arena on February 23, 1996, but won 113–104, thanks mainly to a 39-point game by Chapman (this was one of only 10 losses the Bulls suffered on their way to a then-record 72-win season). The team also signed free agents Jeff Malone, who was previously released by the Philadelphia 76ers, and rookie shooting guard Voshon Lenard, who previously played in the Continental Basketball Association.

With the addition of Hardaway, the Heat played above .500 in winning percentage for the remainder of the regular season, winning 10 of their 14 games in March, and then winning five of their final seven games. The team finished in third place in the Atlantic Division with a 42–40 record, which earned them the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference, as they qualified for their third NBA playoff appearance.

Mourning averaged 23.2 points, 10.4 rebounds and 2.7 blocks per game, while Hardaway averaged 17.2 points, 10.0 assists and 2.1 steals per game in 28 games after the trade, and Gatling played a sixth man role off the bench, as he provided the team with 15.2 points and 7.3 rebounds per game in 24 games. In addition, Chapman contributed 14.0 points per game, and led the Heat with 125 three-point field goals, but only played 56 games due to an Achilles tendon injury, while rookie shooting guard Sasha Danilovic contributed 13.4 points per game, but only played just 19 games due to a wrist injury, Williams averaged 12.0 points per game in 28 games, Thomas provided with 9.0 points and 5.9 rebounds per game, and Keith Askins contributed 6.1 points and 4.3 rebounds per game.

During the NBA All-Star weekend at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, Mourning was selected for the 1996 NBA All-Star Game, as a member of the Eastern Conference All-Star team, while Thomas was selected for the NBA Rookie Game, as a member of the Eastern Conference Rookie team. Mourning also finished in 14th place in Most Valuable Player voting, while Gatling finished tied in seventh place in Sixth Man of the Year voting.

In the Eastern Conference First Round of the 1996 NBA playoffs, the Heat faced off against the top–seeded, and Central Division champion Bulls, who were led by the trio of All-Star guard, and Most Valuable Player of the Year, Michael Jordan, All-Star forward Scottie Pippen, and rebound-specialist Dennis Rodman. The Heat lost the first two games to the Bulls on the road at the United Center, and then lost Game 3 at home, 112–91 at the Miami Arena, thus losing the series in a three-game sweep. The Bulls would defeat the Seattle SuperSonics in six games in the 1996 NBA Finals, winning their fourth NBA championship in six years.

The Heat finished 25th in the NBA in home-game attendance, with an attendance of 606,088 at the Miami Arena during the regular season, which was the fifth-lowest in the league. Following the season, Chapman signed as a free agent with the Phoenix Suns, while Williams signed with the Toronto Raptors, Gatling signed with the Dallas Mavericks, Corbin signed with the Atlanta Hawks, Smith signed with the Charlotte Hornets, and Malone retired.

For the season, the Heat added new red alternate road uniforms, which would remain in use until 1999.

Offseason

NBA draft

Main article: 1995 NBA draft

RoundPickPlayerPositionNationalitySchool/Club team
110Kurt ThomasPF/CUnited StatesTCU
246George BanksFUnited StatesUTEP

Roster

  • Pat Riley
  • Jeff Bzdelik
  • Tony Fiorentino
  • Bob McAdoo
  • Scotty Robertson
  • Stan Van Gundy

Regular season

Season standings

Schedule

82April 21AtlantaLoss9210442-40Lost 1

Playoffs

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 1 | April 26 | @ Chicago | L 85–102 | Tim Hardaway (30) | Chris Gatling (9) | Tim Hardaway (7) | United Center 24,104 | 0–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 2 | April 28 | @ Chicago | L 75–106 | Sasha Danilovic (15) | Chris Gatling (11) | Tim Hardaway (4) | United Center 24,202 | 0–2 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 3 | May 1 | Chicago | L 91–112 | Alonzo Mourning (30) | Mourning, Thomas (8) | Tim Hardaway (6) | Miami Arena 15,200

0–3

Player statistics

Ragular season

PlayerPOSGPGSMPREBASTSTLBLKPTSMPGRPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
SF**75**141,897324121486145825.34.31.6.6.86.1
PF74421,65543946473666622.45.9.6.6.59.0
C70**70****2,671****727**159**70****189****1,623****38.2****10.4**2.31.0**2.7****23.2**
SG56501,865145166451078633.32.63.0.8.214.0
†PG52521,882201**296**631266436.23.95.71.2.212.8
†PF47421,35742034192547928.98.9.7.4.510.2
†SF44131,033868231530523.52.01.9.7.16.9
†SF40401,388286134302259034.77.23.4.8.614.8
†SG3916397397141118416.41.92.5.4.34.7
†PG341397425416110311.71.21.6.5.03.0
C326399899111610112.52.8.3.3.53.2
SG30032352316117610.81.71.0.2.05.9
†PG28281,0479828058648237.43.5**10.0****2.1**.217.2
†SF282878811265321633728.14.02.31.1.612.0
†SG251410396816510916.41.62.7.6.24.4
†PF24056517517171136523.57.3.7.7.515.2
†SF220354652316310116.13.01.0.7.14.6
SG1918542464715325528.52.42.5.8.213.4
†PF1832353610814313.12.0.6.4.12.4
PF150156232723810.41.5.1.5.12.5
C121748423136.2.7.3.2.31.1
†SG7010387303114.71.11.0.4.04.4
  • † Denotes player spent time with another team in the season. Stats reflect time with the Heat only.

Playoffs

PlayerPOSGPGSMPREBASTSTLBLKPTSMPGRPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
PG**3****3****110**5**17**3053**36.7**1.7**5.7**1.0.017.7
C**3****3**921842**3****54**30.76.01.3.7**1.0****18.0**
SG**3****3**8865302729.32.01.71.0.09.0
SF**3****3**70125111423.34.01.7.3.34.7
PF**3****3**60163211220.05.31.0.7.34.0
PF**3**068**24**1201822.7**8.0**.3.7.06.0
SG**3**06148**4**02220.31.32.7**1.3**.07.3
SG**3**06014102520.0.31.3.3.08.3
SF**3**04882101316.02.7.7.3.04.3
SF20347120517.03.5.51.0.02.5
C2017400078.52.0.0.0.03.5
PF10123100112.03.01.0.0.01.0

Transactions

July 1, 1995

  • Released Brad Lohaus.
  • Released Ledell Eackles.

September 1, 1995

  • Traded a 1996 1st round draft pick (Walter McCarty) to the New York Knicks for Pat Riley (coach).

September 29, 1995

  • Brad Lohaus signed as an unrestricted free agent with the San Antonio Spurs.

October 5, 1995

  • Signed Ron Grandison as a free agent.
  • Signed Stacey King as a free agent.
  • Signed Bruce Bowen as a free agent.

October 13, 1995

  • Waived Bruce Bowen.

November 3, 1995

  • Traded Matt Geiger, Khalid Reeves, Glen Rice, and a 1996 1st round draft pick (Tony Delk) to the Charlotte Hornets for LeRon Ellis, Alonzo Mourning, and Pete Myers.

December 12, 1995

  • Signed Danny Schayes to a contract for remainder of season.

December 27, 1995

  • Waived LeRon Ellis.

December 29, 1995

  • Signed Voshon Lenard as a free agent.

January 5, 1996

  • Waived Ron Grandison.

February 12, 1996

  • Signed Jeff Malone to a 10-day contract.
  • Waived Pete Myers.

February 22, 1996

  • Traded Bimbo Coles and Kevin Willis to the Golden State Warriors for Chris Gatling and Tim Hardaway.
  • Traded Kevin Gamble and Billy Owens to the Sacramento Kings for Tyrone Corbin and Walt Williams.
  • Traded Terrence Rencher to the Phoenix Suns for Tony Smith.

March 3, 1996

  • Signed Jeff Malone to a contract for remainder of season.

June 26, 1996

  • Traded a 2000 1st round draft pick (DeShawn Stevenson) to the Utah Jazz for Martin Müürsepp.

Player Transactions Citation:

Postseason

The Heat would qualify for the playoffs by beating out the Charlotte Hornets by 1 game for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference with a record of 42 wins and 40 losses. In the playoffs, the Heat were swept in 3 straight games. The Heat would lose by double digits in each game to the eventual World Champion Chicago Bulls.

Awards, records, and honors

Pat Riley led the Heat to a 42–40 record which tying the franchise record for best record. Alonzo Mourning was voted by fans to be in the All-Star Game.

References

;Notes ;Sources

References

  1. [https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/MIA/1996.html 1995-96 Miami Heat]
  2. Wise, Mike. (June 29, 1995). "PRO BASKETBALL; Underclassmen Rule Atop N.B.A. Draft Board". The New York Times.
  3. Heisler, Mark. (June 29, 1995). "NBA Is a Young Man's Game: Draft: Smith, McDyess, Stackhouse, Wallace and Garnett Lead the Way". Los Angeles Times.
  4. "1995 NBA Draft". Basketball-Reference.
  5. Justice, Richard. (June 29, 1995). "Bullets Select UNC's Wallace". The Washington Post.
  6. Mallozzi, Vincent M.. (June 30, 1995). "BASKETBALL; Knicks File Tampering Charges Over Riley". The New York Times.
  7. Justice, Richard. (July 1, 1995). "Pollin on Chapman: "I'm Disappointed"". The Washington Post.
  8. Winderman, Ira. (September 2, 1995). "Heat Will Name Riley Coach Today". Sun Sentinel.
  9. Wise, Mike. (September 3, 1995). "PRO BASKETBALL; Riley Back in Spotlight and Back at the Helm". The New York Times.
  10. Wise, Mike. (September 8, 1995). "PRO BASKETBALL; Book Is Closed on the Knicks-Riley Saga". The New York Times.
  11. Brown, Clifton. (November 4, 1995). "PRO BASKETBALL; For Riley and the Heat, It Is Mourning in Miami". The New York Times.
  12. Heisler, Mark. (November 4, 1995). "Mourning Turns Up with Heat: Pro Basketball: Center Is Traded for Rice, Reeves and Geiger After Turning Down Hornets". Los Angeles Times.
  13. Winderman, Ira. (November 4, 1995). "A New Mourning". Sun Sentinel.
  14. "NBA Games Played on February 8, 1996". Basketball-Reference.
  15. Brown, Clifton. (February 23, 1996). "PRO BASKETBALL; On Deadline, Riley Makes Bold Moves". The New York Times.
  16. (February 23, 1996). "Hardaway Heads for the Heat in Trade". Los Angeles Times.
  17. Patton, Robes. (February 24, 1996). "Heat's Months of Preparation Pay Off on Trading Day". Sun Sentinel.
  18. Winderman, Ira. (February 23, 1996). "Meet the New Heat: Miami's Trades Bring 5 Players". Chicago Tribune.
  19. (February 23, 1996). "Riley's Heat The Big Movers on D-Day". Deseret News.
  20. (February 24, 1996). "PRO BASKETBALL; Chapman, Heat Surprise Bulls". The New York Times.
  21. (February 24, 1996). "Chapman's 39 Lead Heat Over the Bulls". The Washington Post.
  22. "Chicago Bulls at Miami Heat Box Score, February 23, 1996". Basketball-Reference.
  23. Winderman, Ira. (January 6, 1996). "Mourning Travels West". Sun Sentinel.
  24. "1995–96 Miami Heat Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference.
  25. [http://www.sportsecyclopedia.com/nba/miami/heat.html Miami Heat (1988-Present)]
  26. (November 23, 1995). "Chapman Has Surgery". The Washington Post.
  27. Winderman, Ira. (November 23, 1995). "Chapman Out 3 Months After Achilles Surgery". Sun Sentinel.
  28. Patton, Robes. (January 23, 1996). "Chapman Keeps Firing, Starts Hitting". Sun Sentinel.
  29. Winderman, Ira. (January 3, 1996). "Surgery Sidelines Danilovic for Year". Sun Sentinel.
  30. (January 2, 1996). "Heat's Danilovic to Miss 3-4 Months". United Press International.
  31. "1995–96 Miami Heat Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference.
  32. Heisler, Mark. (February 11, 1996). "NBA Has All-Stars in Its Eyes". Los Angeles Times.
  33. (September 13, 2021). "1996 NBA All-Star Recap". NBA.com.
  34. "1996 NBA All-Star Game: East 129, West 118". Basketball-Reference.
  35. (February 10, 1996). "Pro Basketball". The Gainesville Sun.
  36. "1996 NBA Rising Stars: East 94, West 92". Basketball-Reference.
  37. "1995–96 NBA Awards Voting". Basketball-Reference.
  38. (May 2, 1996). "NBA PLAYOFFS; Jordan Sends Heat Home". The New York Times.
  39. Greenstein, Teddy. (May 2, 1996). "Triple Double Backs Up Pippen's Forecast". Chicago Tribune.
  40. "1996 NBA Eastern Conference First Round: Heat vs. Bulls". Basketball-Reference.
  41. Brown, Clifton. (June 17, 1996). "N.B.A. FINALS; After a Few Anxious Days, Jordan and Bulls Get Their Title". The New York Times.
  42. (June 17, 1996). "Bulls Drown Out SuperSonics, 87-75". Los Angeles Times.
  43. "1996 NBA Finals: SuperSonics vs. Bulls". Basketball-Reference.
  44. "1995–96 NBA Season Summary". Basketball-Reference.
  45. (October 12, 1996). "Raptors Sign Benjamin for Backup Role". Los Angeles Times.
  46. (October 12, 1996). "New York Knicks". Orlando Sentinel.
  47. Winderman, Ira. (November 25, 1996). "Chapman Burned Up Over Treatment from Riley, Heat". Sun Sentinel.
  48. (August 30, 1996). "Raptors Sign Walt Williams for Minimum". The New York Times.
  49. Winderman, Ira. (August 30, 1996). "Raptors Get Williams for Minimum". Sun Sentinel.
  50. (August 30, 1996). "Raptors Sign Walt Williams for 1 Year". United Press International.
  51. (July 17, 1996). "Mavericks Sign Gatling to 5-Year Deal". United Press International.
  52. Brown, Clifton. (July 18, 1996). "PRO BASKETBALL; Lakers Up Offer to O'Neal to $140 Million". The New York Times.
  53. (July 18, 1996). "Magic Said to Be Keeping Grant". Los Angeles Times.
  54. (September 13, 1996). "Hawks Sign Corbin and Burton". The New York Times.
  55. Winderman, Ira. (October 26, 1996). "Corbin Starting for Hawks". Sun Sentinel.
  56. (October 21, 1996). "Ex-Laker Smith Joins Hornets". Los Angeles Times.
  57. "Miami Heat Uniform".
  58. "1995–96 Miami Heat Transactions". Basketball-Reference.
  59. "Year by Year: 1995-96". NBA.com.
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