in the 1996–97 Detroit Pistons season, Grant Hill finished 3rd in MVP voting behind Karl Malone and another Basketball player born in which year ?
1996–97 Detroit Pistons season The 1996–97 NBA season was the Pistons' 49th season in the National Basketball Association, and 40th season in the city of Detroit. During the offseason, the Pistons re-signed free agent Rick Mahorn, who was a member of the championship team in the 1989 NBA Finals. The team also acquired Stacey Augmon and Grant Long from the Atlanta Hawks, but later on sent Augmon to the Portland Trail Blazers for Aaron McKie at midseason. The Pistons got off to a fast start winning ten of their first eleven games on their way to a 20–4 start. However, they went 34–24 for the remainder of the season finishing third in the Central Division with a 54–28 record. Grant Hill averaged 21.4 points, 9.0 rebounds, 7.3 assists and 1.8 steals per game, while finishing third in MVP voting behind Karl Malone and Michael Jordan. Hill along with Joe Dumars, and head coach Doug Collins represented the Eastern Conference during the 1997 NBA All-Star Game.
1996–97 Houston Rockets season The 1996–97 NBA season was the Rockets' 30th season in the National Basketball Association, and 26th season in Houston. During the offseason, the Rockets acquired All-Star forward Charles Barkley from the Phoenix Suns, and signed free agents Kevin Willis and Brent Price. The Rockets blasted off to a 21–2 start, but later on struggled posting a six-game losing streak between January and February. Barkley averaged 19.2 points per game, but appeared in just 53 games due to ankle and hip injuries. At midseason, the Rockets signed free agents Eddie Johnson and Sedale Threatt as they finished second in the Midwest Division with a 57–25 record. Barkley, Hakeem Olajuwon, Clyde Drexler and head coach Rudy Tomjanovich represented the Western Conference during the 1997 NBA All-Star Game. However, Barkley and Drexler did not play due to injuries.