The 1995–96 NBA season was the Jazz's 22nd season in the National Basketball Association, and 17th season in Salt Lake City, Utah. During the off-season, the Jazz signed free agents Chris Morris, Greg Foster, and second-year guard Howard Eisley. The team also released James Donaldson, who was out with a strained hamstring, to free agency in December. The Jazz got off to a fast start winning ten of their first twelve games, then later on holding a 32–16 record at the All-Star break, then winning seven straight games between February and March, and finishing second in the Midwest Division with a 55–27 record. They made their thirteenth consecutive trip to the playoffs.
John Stockton had another record breaking season, leading the NBA in assists for the ninth straight season, while breaking Maurice Cheeks career record in steals, and being named to the All-NBA Second Team, averaging 14.7 points, leading the league with 11.2 assists and contributing 1.7 steals per game. Meanwhile, Karl Malone moved into ninth place in all-time scoring, and was named to the All-NBA First Team, averaging 25.7 points, 9.8 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game. In addition, Jeff Hornacek provided the team with 15.2 points and 1.3 steals per game, while Morris contributed 10.5 points per game, and David Benoit provided with 8.2 points and 4.7 rebounds per game. Off the bench, Antoine Carr contributed 7.3 points per game, while Adam Keefe provided with 6.1 points and 5.5 rebounds per game, and Felton Spencer averaged 5.6 points and 4.3 rebounds per game. Both Stockton and Malone were selected for the 1996 NBA All-Star Game, and Malone finished in seventh place in Most Valuable Player voting.
In the Western Conference First Round of the playoffs, the Jazz defeated the Portland Trail Blazers in a full five game series, which included a 38-point margin in a 102–64 home win in Game 5. In the Western Conference Semi-finals, they continued to play strong basketball as they beat the Midwest Division champion San Antonio Spurs in six games. However, in the Western Conference finals for the third time in five years, they lost to the Seattle SuperSonics in seven games. The Sonics would reach the NBA Finals, but would lose in six games to the Michael Jordan-led Chicago Bulls.
Following the season, Benoit signed as a free agent with the New Jersey Nets, and Spencer was traded to the Orlando Magic.
Draft picks
Round
|
Pick
|
Player
|
Position
|
Nationality
|
College
|
1 |
28 |
Greg Ostertag |
C |
United States |
Kansas
|
Roster
1995–96 Utah Jazz roster
|
Players
|
Coaches
|
Pos. |
No. |
Name |
Height |
Weight |
DOB |
From
|
F
|
21
|
Benoit, David
|
6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
|
220 lb (100 kg)
|
1968–05–09
|
Alabama
|
F
|
55
|
Carr, Antoine
|
6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
|
225 lb (102 kg)
|
1961–07–23
|
Wichita State
|
G
|
10
|
Eisley, Howard
|
6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
|
177 lb (80 kg)
|
1972–12–04
|
Boston College
|
C
|
44
|
Foster, Greg
|
6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)
|
240 lb (109 kg)
|
1968–10–03
|
UTEP
|
G
|
14
|
Hornacek, Jeff
|
6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
|
190 lb (86 kg)
|
1963–05–03
|
Iowa State
|
F
|
31
|
Keefe, Adam
|
6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
|
230 lb (104 kg)
|
1970–02–22
|
Stanford
|
F
|
32
|
Malone, Karl (C)
|
6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
|
250 lb (113 kg)
|
1963–07–24
|
Louisiana Tech
|
F
|
43
|
Morris, Chris
|
6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
|
210 lb (95 kg)
|
1966–01–20
|
Auburn
|
C
|
00
|
Ostertag, Greg
|
7 ft 2 in (2.18 m)
|
280 lb (127 kg)
|
1973–03–06
|
Kansas
|
F
|
34
|
Russell, Bryon
|
6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
|
225 lb (102 kg)
|
1970–12–31
|
Long Beach State
|
C
|
50
|
Spencer, Felton
|
7 ft 0 in (2.13 m)
|
265 lb (120 kg)
|
1968–01–15
|
Louisville
|
G
|
12
|
Stockton, John (C)
|
6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
|
170 lb (77 kg)
|
1962–03–26
|
Gonzaga
|
F
|
5
|
Toolson, Andy
|
6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
|
210 lb (95 kg)
|
1966–01–19
|
BYU
|
F
|
15
|
Watson, Jamie
|
6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
|
190 lb (86 kg)
|
1972–02–23
|
South Carolina
|
|
- Head coach
- Assistant coach(es)
- Legend
-
(C) Team captain
-
(DP) Unsigned draft pick
-
(FA) Free agent
-
(S) Suspended
-
Injured
Roster Last transaction: January 23, 1996
|
Roster Notes
Regular season
Season standings
Record vs. opponents
1995-96 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
|
— |
4–0 |
3–1 |
0–4 |
3–1 |
1–1 |
1–1 |
2–2 |
1–1 |
1–1 |
1–3 |
2–0 |
0–2 |
2–2 |
2–2 |
1–1 |
4–0 |
2–1 |
2–2 |
2–1 |
0–2 |
2–0 |
2–0 |
0–2 |
0–2 |
4–0 |
1–1 |
2–0 |
1–3
|
Boston
|
0–4 |
— |
2–2 |
0–3 |
1–3 |
0–2 |
1–1 |
2–1 |
0–2 |
1–1 |
0–4 |
2–0 |
0–2 |
3–1 |
3–1 |
2–0 |
2–2 |
0–4 |
1–3 |
4–0 |
1–1 |
0–2 |
2–0 |
0–2 |
0–2 |
3–1 |
0–2 |
1–1 |
2–2
|
Charlotte
|
1–3 |
2–2 |
— |
1–3 |
3–1 |
2–0 |
2–0 |
1–3 |
0–2 |
0–2 |
1–3 |
1–1 |
2–0 |
2–2 |
3–1 |
1–1 |
0–3 |
3–0 |
0–4 |
3–1 |
2–0 |
1–1 |
1–1 |
0–2 |
0–2 |
3–1 |
1–1 |
2–0 |
3–1
|
Chicago
|
4–0 |
3–0 |
3–1 |
— |
4–0 |
2–0 |
1–1 |
4–0 |
2–0 |
2–0 |
2–2 |
2–0 |
2–0 |
3–1 |
4–0 |
2–0 |
3–0 |
3–1 |
3–1 |
4–0 |
1–1 |
2–0 |
2–0 |
2–0 |
1–1 |
3–1 |
2–0 |
2–0 |
4–0
|
Cleveland
|
1–3 |
3–1 |
1–3 |
0–4 |
— |
2–0 |
1–1 |
2–2 |
2–0 |
1–1 |
2–2 |
2–0 |
2–0 |
1–3 |
4–0 |
2–0 |
1–2 |
3–1 |
1–2 |
4–0 |
2–0 |
1–1 |
1–1 |
0–2 |
0–2 |
3–1 |
0–2 |
2–0 |
3–1
|
Dallas
|
1–1 |
2–0 |
0–2 |
0–2 |
0–2 |
— |
2–2 |
0–2 |
2–2 |
1–3 |
0–2 |
2–2 |
0–4 |
0–2 |
1–1 |
0–4 |
1–1 |
0–2 |
1–1 |
0–2 |
1–3 |
0–4 |
2–2 |
2–2 |
2–2 |
1–1 |
1–3 |
4–0 |
0–2
|
Denver
|
1–1 |
1–1 |
0–2 |
1–1 |
1–1 |
2–2 |
— |
1–1 |
2–2 |
1–3 |
0–2 |
1–3 |
2–2 |
0–2 |
1–1 |
4–0 |
0–2 |
1–1 |
1–1 |
2–0 |
3–1 |
0–4 |
0–4 |
0–4 |
1–3 |
2–0 |
3–1 |
3–1 |
1–1
|
Detroit
|
2–2 |
1–2 |
3–1 |
0–4 |
2–2 |
2–0 |
1–1 |
— |
2–0 |
1–1 |
2–2 |
2–0 |
0–2 |
1–3 |
2–2 |
1–1 |
4–0 |
0–4 |
1–3 |
4–0 |
2–0 |
2–0 |
1–1 |
2–0 |
1–1 |
4–0 |
0–2 |
2–0 |
1–2
|
Golden State
|
1–1 |
2–0 |
2–0 |
0–2 |
0–2 |
2–2 |
2–2 |
0–2 |
— |
2–2 |
1–1 |
3–1 |
1–3 |
1–1 |
1–1 |
3–1 |
2–0 |
0–2 |
0–2 |
2–0 |
1–3 |
1–3 |
1–3 |
1–3 |
0–4 |
1–1 |
1–3 |
4–0 |
1–1
|
Houston
|
1–1 |
1–1 |
2–0 |
0–2 |
1–1 |
3–1 |
3–1 |
1–1 |
2–2 |
— |
2–0 |
4–0 |
3–1 |
0–2 |
2–0 |
2–2 |
2–0 |
0–2 |
0–2 |
2–0 |
3–1 |
2–2 |
2–2 |
1–3 |
0–4 |
2–0 |
2–2 |
4–0 |
1–1
|
Indiana
|
3–1 |
4–0 |
3–1 |
2–2 |
2–2 |
2–0 |
2–0 |
2–2 |
1–1 |
0–2 |
— |
2–0 |
1–1 |
3–0 |
3–1 |
1–1 |
1–3 |
1–3 |
2–2 |
3–1 |
1–1 |
1–1 |
0–2 |
1–1 |
2–0 |
4–0 |
0–2 |
2–0 |
3–0
|
L.A. Clippers
|
0–2 |
0–2 |
1–1 |
0–2 |
0–2 |
2–2 |
3–1 |
0–2 |
1–3 |
0–4 |
0–2 |
— |
0–4 |
1–1 |
1–1 |
3–1 |
1–1 |
1–1 |
0–2 |
2–0 |
3–1 |
2–2 |
2–2 |
1–3 |
0–4 |
0–2 |
1–3 |
3–1 |
1–1
|
L.A. Lakers
|
2–0 |
2–0 |
0–2 |
0–2 |
0–2 |
4–0 |
2–2 |
2–0 |
3–1 |
1–3 |
1–1 |
4–0 |
— |
2–0 |
2–0 |
3–1 |
2–0 |
1–1 |
1–1 |
1–1 |
3–1 |
2–2 |
3–1 |
1–3 |
2–2 |
2–0 |
2–2 |
4–0 |
1–1
|
Miami
|
2–2 |
1–3 |
2–2 |
1–3 |
3–1 |
2–0 |
2–0 |
3–1 |
1–1 |
2–0 |
0–3 |
1–1 |
0–2 |
— |
3–0 |
1–1 |
5–0 |
1–3 |
1–3 |
3–1 |
1–1 |
0–2 |
1–1 |
1–1 |
0–2 |
2–1 |
0–2 |
1–1 |
2–2
|
Milwaukee
|
2–2 |
1–3 |
1–3 |
0–4 |
0–4 |
1–1 |
1–1 |
2–2 |
1–1 |
0–2 |
1–3 |
1–1 |
0–2 |
0–3 |
— |
1–1 |
1–3 |
2–2 |
1–3 |
2–1 |
0–2 |
2–0 |
0–2 |
1–1 |
0–2 |
2–2 |
0–2 |
1–1 |
1–3
|
Minnesota
|
1–1 |
0–2 |
1–1 |
0–2 |
0–2 |
4–0 |
0–4 |
1–1 |
1–3 |
2–2 |
1–1 |
1–3 |
1–3 |
1–1 |
1–1 |
— |
1–1 |
0–2 |
0–2 |
1–1 |
1–3 |
0–4 |
3–1 |
1–3 |
0–4 |
1–1 |
1–3 |
2–2 |
0–2
|
New Jersey
|
0–4 |
2–2 |
3–0 |
0–3 |
2–1 |
1–1 |
2–0 |
0–4 |
0–2 |
0–2 |
3–1 |
1–1 |
0–2 |
0–5 |
3–1 |
1–1 |
— |
2–2 |
0–4 |
2–2 |
0–2 |
1–1 |
1–1 |
0–2 |
0–2 |
2–2 |
0–2 |
2–0 |
2–2
|
New York
|
1–2 |
4–0 |
0–3 |
1–3 |
1–3 |
2–0 |
1–1 |
4–0 |
2–0 |
2–0 |
3–1 |
1–1 |
1–1 |
3–1 |
2–2 |
2–0 |
2–2 |
— |
1–3 |
3–1 |
0–2 |
0–2 |
0–2 |
1–1 |
1–1 |
4–0 |
1–1 |
1–1 |
3–1
|
Orlando
|
2–2 |
3–1 |
4–0 |
1–3 |
2–1 |
1–1 |
1–1 |
3–1 |
2–0 |
2–0 |
2–2 |
2–0 |
1–1 |
3–1 |
3–1 |
2–0 |
4–0 |
3–1 |
— |
4–0 |
2–0 |
1–1 |
1–1 |
1–1 |
1–1 |
2–1 |
1–1 |
2–0 |
4–0
|
Philadelphia
|
1–2 |
0–4 |
1–3 |
0–4 |
0–4 |
2–0 |
0–2 |
0–4 |
0–2 |
0–2 |
1–3 |
0–2 |
1–1 |
1–3 |
1–2 |
1–1 |
2–2 |
1–3 |
0–4 |
— |
0–2 |
0–2 |
0–2 |
0–2 |
0–2 |
3–1 |
1–1 |
1–1 |
1–3
|
Phoenix
|
2–0 |
1–1 |
0–2 |
1–1 |
0–2 |
3–1 |
1–3 |
0–2 |
3–1 |
1–3 |
1–1 |
1–3 |
1–3 |
1–1 |
2–0 |
3–1 |
2–0 |
2–0 |
0–2 |
2–0 |
— |
2–2 |
2–2 |
1–3 |
0–4 |
2–0 |
1–3 |
4–0 |
2–0
|
Portland
|
0–2 |
2–0 |
1–1 |
0–2 |
1–1 |
4–0 |
4–0 |
0–2 |
3–1 |
2–2 |
1–1 |
2–2 |
2–2 |
2–0 |
0–2 |
4–0 |
1–1 |
2–0 |
1–1 |
2–0 |
2–2 |
— |
1–3 |
1–3 |
1–3 |
2–0 |
1–3 |
2–2 |
0–2
|
Sacramento
|
0–2 |
0–2 |
1–1 |
0–2 |
1–1 |
2–2 |
4–0 |
1–1 |
3–1 |
2–2 |
2–0 |
2–2 |
1–3 |
1–1 |
2–0 |
1–3 |
1–1 |
2–0 |
1–1 |
2–0 |
2–2 |
3–1 |
— |
1–3 |
0–4 |
2–0 |
0–4 |
2–2 |
0–2
|
San Antonio
|
2–0 |
2–0 |
2–0 |
0–2 |
2–0 |
2–2 |
4–0 |
0–2 |
3–1 |
3–1 |
1–1 |
3–1 |
3–1 |
1–1 |
1–1 |
3–1 |
2–0 |
1–1 |
1–1 |
2–0 |
3–1 |
3–1 |
3–1 |
— |
2–2 |
2–0 |
3–1 |
4–0 |
1–1
|
Seattle
|
2–0 |
2–0 |
2–0 |
1–1 |
2–0 |
2–2 |
3–1 |
1–1 |
4–0 |
4–0 |
0–2 |
4–0 |
2–2 |
2–0 |
2–0 |
4–0 |
2–0 |
1–1 |
1–1 |
2–0 |
4–0 |
3–1 |
4–0 |
2–2 |
— |
1–1 |
3–1 |
3–1 |
1–1
|
Toronto
|
0–4 |
1–3 |
1–3 |
1–3 |
1–3 |
1–1 |
0–2 |
0–4 |
1–1 |
0–2 |
0–4 |
2–0 |
0–2 |
1–2 |
2–2 |
1–1 |
2–2 |
0–4 |
1–2 |
1–3 |
0–2 |
0–2 |
0–2 |
0–2 |
1–1 |
— |
0–2 |
1–1 |
3–1
|
Utah
|
1–1 |
2–0 |
1–1 |
0–2 |
2–0 |
3–1 |
1–3 |
2–0 |
3–1 |
2–2 |
2–0 |
3–1 |
2–2 |
2–0 |
2–0 |
3–1 |
2–0 |
1–1 |
1–1 |
1–1 |
3–1 |
3–1 |
4–0 |
1–3 |
1–3 |
2–0 |
— |
4–0 |
1–1
|
Vancouver
|
0–2 |
1–1 |
0–2 |
0–2 |
0–2 |
0–4 |
1–3 |
0–2 |
0–4 |
0–4 |
0–2 |
1–3 |
0–4 |
1–1 |
1–1 |
2–2 |
0–2 |
1–1 |
0–2 |
1–1 |
0–4 |
2–2 |
2–2 |
0–4 |
1–3 |
1–1 |
0–4 |
— |
0–2
|
Washington
|
3–1 |
2–2 |
1–3 |
0–4 |
1–3 |
2–0 |
1–1 |
2–1 |
1–1 |
1–1 |
0–3 |
1–1 |
1–1 |
2–2 |
3–1 |
2–0 |
2–2 |
1–3 |
0–4 |
3–1 |
0–2 |
2–0 |
2–0 |
1–1 |
1–1 |
1–3 |
1–1 |
2–0 |
—
|
Game log
Playoffs
1996 playoff game log
|
First Round: 3–2 (home: 3–0; road: 0–2)
|
Conference semifinals: 4–2 (home: 3–0; road: 1–2)
|
Conference finals: 3–4 (home: 2–1; road: 1–3)
Game |
Date |
Team |
Score |
High points |
High rebounds |
High assists |
Location Attendance |
Series
|
1
|
May 18
|
@ Seattle
|
L 72–102
|
Karl Malone (21)
|
Karl Malone (8)
|
John Stockton (7)
|
KeyArena 17,072
|
0–1
|
2
|
May 20
|
@ Seattle
|
L 87–91
|
Karl Malone (32)
|
Karl Malone (13)
|
John Stockton (7)
|
KeyArena 17,072
|
0–2
|
3
|
May 24
|
Seattle
|
W 96–76
|
Malone, Hornacek (28)
|
Karl Malone (18)
|
Jeff Hornacek (8)
|
Delta Center 19,911
|
1–2
|
4
|
May 26
|
Seattle
|
L 86–88
|
Karl Malone (25)
|
Karl Malone (12)
|
Malone, Stockton (8)
|
Delta Center 19,911
|
1–3
|
5
|
May 28
|
@ Seattle
|
W 98–95 (OT)
|
Karl Malone (29)
|
Karl Malone (15)
|
John Stockton (6)
|
KeyArena 17,072
|
2–3
|
6
|
May 30
|
Seattle
|
W 118–83
|
Karl Malone (32)
|
Karl Malone (10)
|
John Stockton (12)
|
Delta Center 19,911
|
3–3
|
7
|
June 2
|
@ Seattle
|
L 86–90
|
Malone, Stockton (22)
|
John Stockton (8)
|
Malone, Stockton (7)
|
KeyArena 17,072
|
3–4
|
|
1996 schedule
|
Player statistics
Season
Player
|
GP
|
GS
|
MPG
|
FG%
|
3FG%
|
FT%
|
RPG
|
APG
|
SPG
|
BPG
|
PPG
|
David Benoit
|
81 |
63 |
24.2 |
.439 |
.333 |
.777 |
4.7 |
1.0 |
0.5 |
0.6 |
8.2
|
Antoine Carr
|
80 |
0 |
19.2 |
.457 |
.000 |
.792 |
2.5 |
0.9 |
0.4 |
0.8 |
7.3
|
Howard Eisley
|
65 |
0 |
14.8 |
.430 |
.226 |
.844 |
1.2 |
2.2 |
0.4 |
0.0 |
4.4
|
Greg Foster
|
73 |
2 |
11.0 |
.439 |
.125 |
.847 |
2.4 |
0.3 |
0.1 |
0.3 |
3.8
|
Jeff Hornacek
|
82 |
59 |
31.6 |
.502 |
.466 |
.893 |
2.5 |
4.1 |
1.3 |
0.2 |
15.2
|
Adam Keefe
|
82 |
0 |
20.8 |
.520 |
.000 |
.692 |
5.5 |
0.8 |
0.6 |
0.5 |
6.1
|
Karl Malone
|
82 |
82 |
38.0 |
.519 |
.400 |
.723 |
9.8 |
4.2 |
1.7 |
0.7 |
25.7
|
Chris Morris
|
66 |
33 |
21.6 |
.437 |
.320 |
.772 |
3.5 |
1.2 |
1.0 |
0.3 |
10.5
|
Greg Ostertag
|
57 |
10 |
11.6 |
.473 |
|
.667 |
3.1 |
0.1 |
0.1 |
1.1 |
3.6
|
Bryon Russell
|
59 |
9 |
9.8 |
.394 |
.350 |
.716 |
1.5 |
0.5 |
0.5 |
0.1 |
2.9
|
Felton Spencer
|
71 |
70 |
17.8 |
.520 |
|
.689 |
4.3 |
0.2 |
0.3 |
0.8 |
5.6
|
John Stockton
|
82 |
82 |
35.5 |
.538 |
.422 |
.830 |
2.8 |
11.2 |
1.7 |
0.2 |
14.7
|
Andy Toolson
|
13 |
0 |
4.1 |
.364 |
.250 |
.750 |
0.5 |
0.1 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
1.7
|
Jamie Watson
|
16 |
0 |
13.6 |
.419 |
.429 |
.692 |
1.7 |
1.5 |
0.5 |
0.1 |
3.0
|
Playoffs
Player
|
GP
|
GS
|
MPG
|
FG%
|
3FG%
|
FT%
|
RPG
|
APG
|
SPG
|
BPG
|
PPG
|
David Benoit
|
14 |
5 |
18.5 |
.471 |
.500 |
.778 |
2.6 |
0.5 |
0.1 |
0.2 |
6.2
|
Antoine Carr
|
18 |
0 |
18.8 |
.474 |
|
.680 |
1.9 |
1.2 |
0.2 |
0.8 |
6.1
|
Howard Eisley
|
18 |
0 |
11.2 |
.381 |
.333 |
.818 |
1.2 |
2.4 |
0.2 |
0.1 |
2.9
|
Greg Foster
|
12 |
0 |
6.3 |
.500 |
|
.600 |
1.0 |
0.2 |
0.1 |
0.2 |
2.3
|
Jeff Hornacek
|
18 |
18 |
35.8 |
.502 |
.586 |
.890 |
3.6 |
3.3 |
1.1 |
0.2 |
17.5
|
Adam Keefe
|
17 |
0 |
10.5 |
.676 |
.500 |
.647 |
1.9 |
0.1 |
0.2 |
0.1 |
3.4
|
Karl Malone
|
18 |
18 |
40.3 |
.469 |
.000 |
.574 |
10.3 |
4.4 |
1.9 |
0.6 |
26.5
|
Chris Morris
|
18 |
13 |
17.8 |
.425 |
.270 |
.750 |
3.9 |
1.1 |
0.7 |
0.4 |
6.2
|
Greg Ostertag
|
15 |
0 |
14.1 |
.444 |
|
.619 |
3.3 |
0.1 |
0.1 |
1.4 |
3.5
|
Bryon Russell
|
18 |
0 |
25.5 |
.468 |
.472 |
.816 |
4.2 |
1.2 |
1.3 |
0.5 |
9.6
|
Felton Spencer
|
18 |
18 |
15.3 |
.434 |
.000 |
.556 |
3.0 |
0.1 |
0.3 |
1.2 |
2.8
|
John Stockton
|
18 |
18 |
37.7 |
.446 |
.289 |
.814 |
3.2 |
10.8 |
1.6 |
0.4 |
11.1
|
Awards and records
Transactions