The head coach during the 1997–98 Indiana Pacers season retired as a player from what NBA team?
1997–98 Indiana Pacers season The 1997–98 NBA season was the Pacers' 22nd season in the National Basketball Association, and 31st season as a franchise. It was also Larry Bird's first year as head coach. During the offseason, the Pacers acquired All-Star forward Chris Mullin from the Golden State Warriors. The team struggled early in the season losing five of their first seven games, but then won 15 of their next 18 games. The Pacers won nine of their final eleven games, and returned to the playoffs after a one-year absence finishing second in the Central Division with a 58–24 record. It was also the first time since joining the NBA that the Pacers finished with a winning road record. Reggie Miller, Rik Smits and coach Bird represented the Eastern Conference during the 1998 NBA All-Star Game. It was Smits' only All-Star appearance. Bird was also named Coach of The Year.
1997–98 Milwaukee Bucks season The 1997–98 NBA season was the Bucks' 30th season in the National Basketball Association. In the offseason, the Bucks acquired All-Star guard Terrell Brandon and Tyrone Hill from the Cleveland Cavaliers in a three-team trade. Other offseason acquisitions included acquiring Ervin Johnson from the Denver Nuggets, signing free agent Michael Curry, and re-signing former Bucks star Ricky Pierce. The Bucks hovered around .500 for the first half of the season as Glenn Robinson averaged a career high of 23.4 points per game. However, with Robinson out for the remainder of the season with a knee injury after 56 games, the Bucks struggled and went on a nine-game losing streak in March. Brandon played just 50 games due to an ankle injury, and Hill played 57 games due to a strained back.