1996–97 Los Angeles Lakers season

NBA season
team = Los Angeles Lakers
misc = Kobe Bryant’s Rookie Year
end_year = 1997
wins = 56
losses = 26
division = Pacific
division_place = 2
conf_place = 4
coach = Del Harris
arena = Great Western Forum
owners = Jerry Buss
television =
radio =
playoffs = Conference semifinals (eliminated 4–1)
bbr_team = LAL

The highlight of the Los Angeles Lakers season was signing Shaquille O'Neal to a multi-year deal.

Offseason

NBA Draft

Before he was chosen as the 13th overall draft pick by the Charlotte Hornets in 1996, the 17-year-old Bryant had made a lasting impression on then-Lakers general manager Jerry West, who immediately foresaw potential in Bryant's basketball ability during pre-draft workouts. He went on to state that Bryant's workouts were some of the best he had seen. Immediately after the draft, Bryant expressed that he did not wish to play for the Hornets and wanted to play for the Lakers instead. Fifteen days later, West traded his starting center, Vlade Divac to the Hornets for the young Kobe Bryant.

Regular season

Kobe’s Rookie Season

During his first season, Bryant mostly came off the bench behind guards Eddie Jones and Nick Van Exel. Initially, he played limited minutes, but as the season continued, he began to see some more playing time. He earned himself a reputation as a high-flyer and a fan-favorite by winning the 1997 Slam Dunk Contest.

eason standings

Playoffs

* Won Western Conference First Round over Portland Trail Blazers (3 games to 1)
* Lost Western Conference Semifinals to Utah Jazz (4 games to 1)

Player stats

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

Award Winners

* Kobe Bryant, Second Team, NBA All-Rookie Team
* Travis Knight, Second Team, NBA All-Rookie Team

References

* [http://www.databasebasketball.com/teams/teamyear.htm?yr=1996&tm=LAL&lg=N Lakers on Database Basketball]
* [http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/LAL/1997.html Lakers on Basketball Reference]