- 2007–08 NBA season
Infobox sports season
title =2007–08 NBA season
league =National Basketball Association
sport =Basketball
logo =
pixels =
caption =
duration =October 30, 2007 – April 16, 2008
attendance =
TV =ABC, TNT, ESPN,NBA TV
season =Regular season
season_champs =
MVP = flagicon|USAKobe Bryant (L.A. Lakers)
MVP_link = National Basketball Association Most Valuable Player Award
top_scorer = flagicon|USALeBron James (Cleveland)
playoffs =Playoffs
playoffs_link =2008 NBA Playoffs
conf1 =Eastern
conf1_link =Eastern Conference (NBA)
conf1_champ =Boston Celtics
conf1_runner-up =Detroit Pistons
conf2 =Western
conf2_link =Western Conference (NBA)
conf2_champ =Los Angeles Lakers
conf2_runner-up =San Antonio Spurs
finals =Finals
finals_link =2008 NBA Finals
finals_champ =Boston Celtics
finals_runner-up =Los Angeles Lakers
finals_MVP =flagicon|USAPaul Pierce (Boston)
finals_MVP_link =NBA Finals MVP
seasonslist =List of NBA seasons
seasonslistnames =NBA
prevseason_link =2006–07 NBA season
prevseason_year =2006–07
nextseason_link =2008–09 NBA season
nextseason_year =2008–09The 2007–08 NBA season was the 62nd season of theNational Basketball Association . The 1,230-game regular season (82 games for each of the 30 teams) began on Tuesday,October 30 ,2007 , and ended on Wednesday,April 16 ,2008 . The2008 NBA Playoffs started on Saturday,April 19 ,2008 and ran until Tuesday,June 17 when theBoston Celtics defeated theLos Angeles Lakers 131-92 to win the2008 NBA Finals , four games to two. The2007 NBA Draft was held onJune 28 ,2007 andGreg Oden was selected first overall by thePortland Trail Blazers . However, he missed the entire season due to knee surgery. [ [http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/basketball/nba/wires/09/13/2030.ap.bkn.trail.blazers.oden.2nd.ld.writethru.0726/index.html Top draft pick Greg Oden to miss rookie season with Trail Blazers] , Sports Illustrated.]This season was notable for being one of the most competitive Western Conference playoff races in NBA history. Up until April 4, 2008, not a single Western Conference team had secured a playoff spot, and the 8th seeded team was a mere 6.5 games behind the 1st seed. Additionally, the quality of the teams ensured that Golden State finished with the highest winning percentage of any non-playoff team in NBA history since the switch to the 8-team playoff format, beating out the 2000-2001 Houston Rockets. The all-time record is held by the 1971-1972 Phoenix Suns (49-33), which was during the 4-team playoff era.
Notable occurrences
*The
2008 NBA All-Star Game was played at theNew Orleans Arena , home of theNew Orleans Hornets , onFebruary 17 ,2008 with the East winning 134-128 and Cleveland'sLeBron James being named the MVP. Every single All-Star Game participant would end up in the NBA playoffs, with the exception ofBrandon Roy of thePortland Trail Blazers andDwyane Wade of theMiami Heat .
*The Hornets returned toNew Orleans, Louisiana full-time, after splitting home games during the previous two seasons with New Orleans and Oklahoma City due to damage caused byHurricane Katrina .
*The NBA extended its 6-year television contract withTime Warner 's TNT andThe Walt Disney Company 's ABC andESPN through 2016.
*Sacramento Kings small forwardRon Artest andGolden State Warriors shooting guardStephen Jackson were suspended for the first seven games of the season. [ [http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2936623 Jackson, Artest suspended following court pleas] , ESPN.]
*TheOrlando Magic got approvals in the last week of July for a new arena, which is expected to be ready for the 2010-11 season. [ [http://www.orlandosentinel.com/community/news/downtown/orl-venues2407jul24,0,2226250.story?coll=orl_tab01_layout Orlando OKs venues; big hurdle awaits ] ]
*After spending 12 seasons with theMinnesota Timberwolves ,Kevin Garnett was traded to theBoston Celtics in exchange for seven different players, the largest trade in NBA history for one player.
*OnNovember 2 ,2007 , theSeattle SuperSonics made their plans to move to Oklahoma City official.cite news|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3091416 |title=Sonics tell NBA of intent to move SuperSonics to Oklahoma City |author=Associated Press |publisher="ESPN.com" |date=2007-11-03 |accessdate=2007-12-27]
*OnDecember 23 ,2007 ,Kobe Bryant became the youngest player to score 20,000 points at age 29 years, 122 days old, surpassingWilt Chamberlain 's previous record of 29 years, 134 days old. [cite news|title=NBA: Kobe youngest to reach 20,000|url=http://www.nba.com/fantasy/fantasy_playernews.jsp?date= 2007-12-23&?nav=playerwidget&type=news#kobe_bryant|date=2007-12-23|work=NBA |accessdate=2007-12-24]
*OnDecember 24 ,2007 , theChicago Bulls fired head coachScott Skiles after a 9-16 start.Jim Boylan was named the interim head coach for the remaining games in this season three days later. [cite news|title=Sports People: Chicago Bulls fire coach Scott Skiles|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/cs-071224chicagobullsfirecoachscottskiles,0,6113811.story?coll=chi-site-nav|date=2007-12-24|work=Chicago Tribune |accessdate=2007-12-25]
*OnJanuary 11 ,2008 , NBA commissionerDavid Stern granted theMiami Heat a 51.9 seconds replay on their overtimed game onDecember 19 ,2007 versus theAtlanta Hawks because the official scorer ruled incorrectly thatShaquille O'Neal was fouled out, when he was on his fifth foul. The Hawks were fined $50,000 for their "gross negligence." The replay was held onMarch 8 ,2008 , before the teams' next meeting. This was the first replay since December 1982 when then-NBA commissionerLarry O'Brien granted a replay on a double overtime game between theSan Antonio Spurs and theLos Angeles Lakers . [ [http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3192421 Heat, Hawks to replay final minute of Dec. 19 game later this year] , ESPN.] This replay was continued despite O'Neal having been traded to thePhoenix Suns . [ [http://www.nba.com/nba_news/replay_080304.html NBA Sets Guidelines for Heat-Hawks Replay] , NBA.com] The Hawks went on to win the replay.
*February 2008 was marked by several major trades by some the league's top teams. Some of the more notable trades include:
**Pau Gasol going from theMemphis Grizzlies to theLos Angeles Lakers forKwame Brown ,Javaris Crittenton ,Aaron Mckie , draft rights to his brotherMarc Gasol , and two first round draft picks in 2008 and 2010. [ [http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3226203 In dire need of frontcourt help, Lakers acquire Gasol from Grizzlies] , "ESPN".]
**Shaquille O'Neal going from theMiami Heat to thePhoenix Suns in return forShawn Marion andMarcus Banks . [ [http://www.nba.com/suns/news/release_080206.html Suns trade Marion and Banks for O'Neal to the Heat] , "NBA".]
**Mike Bibby going from theSacramento Kings to theAtlanta Hawks in exchange for Anthony Johnson,Tyronn Lue ,Shelden Williams ,Lorenzen Wright , and a second-round 2008 draft pick. [cite web |url=http://www.nba.com/hawks/news/Hawks_Acquire_Bibby_021608.html |title=HAWKS: Hawks Acquire Mike Bibby From Sacramento |accessdate=2008-02-17]
**Jason Kidd , along withMalik Allen andAntoine Wright going from theNew Jersey Nets to theDallas Mavericks in exchange forDevin Harris ,DeSagana Diop ,Maurice Ager ,Trenton Hassell , retiredKeith Van Horn , two first round draft picks and three-million dollars. [ [http://www.nba.com/mavericks/news/Kidd_trade_021908.html Mavs acquire Kidd from Nets] , "NBA".]
**Kurt Thomas going from theSeattle SuperSonics to theSan Antonio Spurs in exchange forBrent Barry ,Francisco Elson and a 2009 first round draft pick. Brent Barry was immediately waived by the Sonics. Barry was later re-signed by the Spurs. [ [http://www.nba.com/spurs/news/spurs_obtain_kurt_thomas_080220.html Duncan receives help, Spurs trade Elson and Barry for Thomas] , "NBA".]
**A three-team deal between Cleveland, Chicago, and Seattle that sawBen Wallace and Joe Smith, a 2009 2nd-round pick, Sonics forwardWally Szczerbiak and guardDelonte West all go toCleveland , Cavs forwardsDrew Gooden andCedric Simmons , guardsLarry Hughes andShannon Brown go toChicago , Cavs forwardsIra Newble andDonyell Marshall , and Bulls forwardAdrian Griffin go toSeattle . [ [http://www.nba.com/bulls/news/hughes_gooden_080221.html three-way trade deal for Chicago, Cleveland, and Seattle] , "NBA".]
**Bonzi Wells andMike James going from theHouston Rockets to theNew Orleans Hornets forpoint guard Bobby Jackson. [ [http://www.nba.com/hornets/news/HORNETS_ACQUIRE_WELLS_AND_JAME-258879-31.html Hornets acquire Wells and James/Jackson reunited with Adelman] , "NBA".]
*OnFebruary 28 ,2008 ,Cleveland Cavaliers 'LeBron James became the youngest player to score 10,000 points at age 23 years, 59 days old, surpassingKobe Bryant 's previous record of 24 years, 193 days old. [ [http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?section=nba&id=3268130 James hits milestone but Cavaliers fall to Celtics 92-87] , ESPN.]
*From January 29, 2008 to March 18, 2008, theHouston Rockets won 22 consecutive games, notching the second longest winning streak in NBA history.
*TheBoston Celtics broke the record for the best single-season turnaround inNBA history by improving from 24 wins in 2006-07 to 66 wins this season, a total of 42 games. [Mark Murphy, [http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view.bg?articleid=1085270&srvc=celt&position=1 C’s can do as they please - Stars sit, but team still clinches homecourt] , "Boston Herald ", April 6, 2008.] The previous record of 36 games was held by the 1997-98 San Antonio Spurs, who improved from 20 to 56 wins. [ [http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=280405030 No Big Three, but Celts still get top seed, complete NBA's biggest turnaround] , "Associated Press ", April 5, 2008.] [Lisa Brooks, [http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/dailydime?page=dime-080403 Celtics: From Worst To First] , "ESPN.com ", April 2, 2008.]
*The Atlanta Hawks made the playoffs for the first time since 1999, ending the league's longest playoff drought. [ [http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=AhtaAf_zB88QqffBQOxl6Ku8vLYF?slug=ap-hawks-playoffs&prov=ap&type=lgns Hawks returning to NBA playoffs for first time in 9 years] , "Associated Press ", April 14, 2008.]
*On April 28, 2008,Pat Riley announced that he would step down as theMiami Heat head coach after leading the team to a 15-67 record. Former Heat assistant coachErik Spoelstra was announced as his replacement. Riley will remain as team president. [ [http://www.nba.com/heat/news/riley_spoelstra_080428.html Riley Steps Down, Spoelstra Named Head Coach] , "NBA",28 April 2008 , accessed28 April 2008 .]
*After losing in the first round of the playoffs,Dallas Mavericks coachAvery Johnson was fired as head coach. Former Pacers coachRick Carlisle was named as Johnson's replacement.
*Mike D'Antoni agreed to a 4-year, $24 million contract with theNew York Knicks . The team D'Antoni left, thePhoenix Suns , replaced him withTerry Porter .
*The2008 NBA Finals featured No.1 seeds from both conferences for the first time since 2000. TheBoston Celtics , who earned their first finals appearance since 1987, faced theLos Angeles Lakers , reviving a classic rivalry not seen since the Lakers beat the Celtics 4-2 in 1987. This time the Celtics prevailed in 6 games over the Lakers.
*Flip Saunders was dismissed asDetroit Pistons head coach, four days after the Celtics beat the Pistons in the Eastern Conference Finals. [ [http://www.nba.com/pistons/news/saunders_080603.html Flip Saunders Not To Return As Pistons’ Coach] , "NBA",3 June 2008 , accessed3 June 2008 .]
*OnJune 17 2008 , the Boston Celtics win their record 17th NBA Championship with a six game NBA Finals triumph over the Los Angeles Lakers.Final standings
width="33%" valign="top"
width="33%" valign="top"* x - Clinched playoff berth
* y - Clinched division title
* z - Clinched top conference record
* (1) - (8) - Playoff seedings
* C - NBA Champions [ [http://www.nba.com/standings/team_record_comparison/conferenceNew_Std_Div.html 2007-08 Divisional Standing] , "NBA", accessedApril 26 2008 .]2007–08 NBA stats leaders
NBA awards
*Most Valuable Player:
Kobe Bryant ,Los Angeles Lakers [ [http://www.nba.com//news/kobe_mvp_080506.html Kobe Bryant Wins Most Valuable Player Award] , "NBA ",6 May 2008 , accessed6 May 2008 .]
*Rookie of the Year:Kevin Durant ,Seattle SuperSonics [ [http://www.nba.com//nbatvaffiliates/durant_roy_080501.html Kevin Durant Named Rookie of the Year] , "NBA ",1 May 2008 , accessed1 May 2008 .]
*Defensive Player of the Year:Kevin Garnett ,Boston Celtics [ [http://www.nba.com/news/garnett_defensive_080422.html Kevin Garnett Wins Kia Defensive Player of the Year] , "NBA ",22 April 2008 , accessed22 April 2008 .]
*Sixth Man of the Year:Manu Ginóbili ,San Antonio Spurs [ [http://www.nba.com/news/sixthman_080421.html Ginobili Wins 2007-08 Sixth Man of the Year Award Presented by Kia Motors] , "NBA",21 April 2008 , accessed21 April 2008 .]
*Most Improved Player: Hedo Turkoglu,Orlando Magic [ [http://www.nba.com/news/hedo_mip_080428.html Hedo Turkoglu Wins Most Improved Player Award] , "NBA",28 April 2008 , accessed28 April 2008 .]
*Coach of the Year: Byron Scott,New Orleans Hornets [ [http://www.nba.com/news/scott_coy_080428.html Byron Scott wins 2007-08 NBA Coach of the Year award] , "NBA",29 April 2008 , accessed29 April 2008 .]
*Executive of the Year:Danny Ainge ,Boston Celtics [ [http://www.nba.com//ainge_executive_080514.html Boston’s Danny Ainge Named 2007-08 NBA Executive of the Year] , "NBA",14 May 2008 , accessed14 May 2008 .]
*Sportsmanship Award:Grant Hill ,Phoenix Suns [ [http://www.nba.com/news/hill_sportsmanship_080425.html Suns’ Hill Wins 2007-08 NBA Sportsmanship Award] , "NBA",25 April 2008 , accessed25 April 2008 .]
*All-NBA First Team :
**FKevin Garnett -Boston Celtics
**FLeBron James -Cleveland Cavaliers
**CDwight Howard -Orlando Magic
**GKobe Bryant -Los Angeles Lakers
**GChris Paul -New Orleans Hornets [http://www.nba.com/news/all_nba_080508.html MVP Kobe Bryant highlights All-NBA First team] , "NBA",8 May 2008 , accessed8 May 2008 .]
*All-NBA Second Team:
**FDirk Nowitzki -Dallas Mavericks
**FTim Duncan -San Antonio Spurs
**CAmare Stoudemire -Phoenix Suns
**GSteve Nash -Phoenix Suns
**GDeron Williams -Utah Jazz
*All-NBA Third Team:
**FCarlos Boozer -Utah Jazz
**FPaul Pierce -Boston Celtics
**CYao Ming -Houston Rockets
**GTracy McGrady -Houston Rockets
**GManu Ginobili -San Antonio Spurs
*NBA All-Defensive First Team :
**FKevin Garnett -Boston Celtics
**FTim Duncan -San Antonio Spurs
**CMarcus Camby -Denver Nuggets
**GKobe Bryant -Los Angeles Lakers
**GBruce Bowen -San Antonio Spurs [http://www.nba.com/news/defensive_team_080512.html Kobe, Garnett Headline All-Defensive Team] , "NBA",12 May 2008 , accessed12 May 2008 .]
*NBA All-Defensive Second Team:
**FTayshaun Prince -Detroit Pistons
**FShane Battier -Houston Rockets
**CDwight Howard -Orlando Magic
**GRaja Bell -Phoenix Suns
**GChris Paul -New Orleans Hornets
*NBA All-Rookie First Team :
**Al Horford -Atlanta Hawks
**Kevin Durant -Seattle SuperSonics
**Luis Scola -Houston Rockets
**Al Thornton -Los Angeles Clippers
** Jeff Green -Seattle SuperSonics
*NBA All-Rookie Second Team:
**Jamario Moon -Toronto Raptors
** Juan Carlos Navarro -Memphis Grizzlies
**Thaddeus Young -Philadelphia 76ers
**Rodney Stuckey -Detroit Pistons
**Carl Landry -Houston Rockets [http://www.nba.com/news/all_rookie_080513.html Durant, Horford Headline T-Mobile All-Rookie Team] , "NBA",13 May 2008 , accessed13 May 2008 .]References
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