NBA Additional Awards, 1997-1998

Updated September 9, 2022 | Infoplease Staff

Defensive Player of the Year— Dikembe Mutombo, Atlanta; Most Improved Player— Alan Henderson, Atlanta; Sixth Man Award— Danny Manning, Phoenix; Kennedy PBWAA Citizenship Award— Steve Smith, Atlanta; NBA Sportsmanship Award— Avery Johnson, San Antonio; The Sporting News Executive of the Year— Wayne Embry, Cleveland.

Defensive Player of the Year

Awarded since 1983 and voted on by a panel of 116 sportwriters and broadcasters.

  Votes
Dikembe Mutombo, Atlanta 39
Gary Payton, Seattle 37
David Robinson, San Antonio 10
Michael Jordan, Chicago 6
Mookie Blaylock, Atlanta 4
Tim Duncan, San Antonio 4
Bo Outlaw, Orlando 4
Dennis Rodman, Chicago 4
Anthony Mason, Charlotte 2
Scottie Pippen, Chicago 2
Kevin Garnett, Minnesota 1
Kendall Gill, New Jersey 1
Horace Grant, Orlando 1
Brevin Knight, Cleveland 1

Most Improved Player

Awarded since 1986 and voted on by 116 sportswriters and broadcasters.

  Votes
Alan Henderson, Atlanta 33
Corliss Williamson, Sacramento 25
Donyell Marshall, Golden State 24
Nick Anderson, Orlando 6
Michael Finley, Dallas 6
Theo Ratliff, Philadelphia 5
Kobe Bryant, LA Lakers 3
Vin Baker, Seattle 2
Lamond Murray, LA Clippers 2
Bo Outlaw, Orlando 2
Antoine Walker, Boston 2
John Wallace, Toronto 2
Matt Geiger, Charlotte 1
Karl Malone, Utah 1
Jalen Rose, Indiana 1
Rod Strickland, Washington 1

Sixth Man Award

Awarded since 1983 and voted on by 116 sportswriters and broadcasters.

  Votes
Danny Manning, Phoenix 57
Kobe Bryant, LA Lakers 31
Dale Ellis, Seattle 21
John Starks, New York 3
Jerry Stackhouse, Detroit 2
Michael Curry, Milwaukee 1
Tracy Murray, Washington 1

 

IBM Award Annual Awards  

 

 
1997 Annual Basketball Awards
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