Stuart Scott and Rich Eisen host Sportscenter in coverage of the 1997 NBA Draft. They also discuss the rumored trading of Scottie Pippen from the Chicago Bulls for the 3rd and 6th picks of the Boston Celtics. The first pick of the draft was Tim Duncan, chosen by the San Antonio Spurs. Other notable draftees are Chauncey Billups (3rd) and Tracy McGrady (9th).
Although the Boston Celtics had the second-worst record in the 1996-97 season and the best odds (36 percent) of winning the lottery with two picks, the Spurs, usually a model of winning and consistency, lost David Robinson and Sean Elliott to injury early in the season, finished with the third-worst record, and subsequently won the lottery. Leading up to the draft, there was no doubt that Tim Duncan would be selected at No. 1 by the Spurs, and the rest of the draft was regarded with some skepticism. The Celtics had the third and sixth picks, selecting Chauncey Billups and Ron Mercer, both of whom were traded in the next two years.
The Washington Wizards forfeited their 1997 first-round pick in connection with the signing of Juwan Howard. (Washington would have had the 17th pick.) Thus, the draft only had 28 first-round selections and 57 selections overall.
**Up until recently, I've been downloading my personal VHS collection. However, the collection is obviously limited. I started a Patreon page to better find and purchase old VHS videos on EBAY and other websites, as well as at garage sales and other locations that might have VHS available, so I can upload them for all to see and share for free. See it here: / tombombadil
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