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{{short description|53rd NBA season}}
{{Template:Nba season|this year=1999}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{more citations needed|date=December 2022}}
{{Infobox sports season
| title = 1998–99 NBA season
| league = ]
| sport = ]
| duration = {{Bulleted list
| February 5 – May 5, 1999
| May 8 – June 11, 1999 (Playoffs)
| June 16 – 25, 1999 (Finals)
}}
| no_of_games = 50
| no_of_teams = 29
| TV = ], ], ]
| draft = Draft
| draft_link = 1998 NBA draft
| top_pick = ]
| top_pick_link = List of first overall NBA draft picks
| picked_by = ]
| season = Regular season
| top_seed = ]
| MVP = ] (])
| MVP_link = NBA Most Valuable Player Award
| top_scorer = ] (])
| top_scorer_link = List of National Basketball Association annual scoring leaders
| playoffs = Playoffs
| playoffs_link = 1999 NBA playoffs
| conf1 = Eastern
| conf1_link = Eastern Conference (NBA)
| conf1_champ = ]
| conf1_runner-up = ]
| conf2 = Western
| conf2_link = Western Conference (NBA)
| conf2_champ = San Antonio Spurs
| conf2_runner-up = ]
| finals = Finals
| finals_link = 1999 NBA Finals
| finals_champ = San Antonio Spurs
| finals_runner-up = New York Knicks
| finals_MVP = ] (San Antonio)
| finals_MVP_link = Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award
| seasonslist = List of NBA seasons
| seasonslistnames = NBA
| prevseason_link = 1997–98 NBA season
| prevseason_year = 1997–98
| nextseason_link = 1999–2000 NBA season
| nextseason_year = 1999–2000
}}
The '''1998–99 NBA season''' was the 53rd season of the ] (NBA). Due to a ], the season did not start until February 5, 1999, after a new six-year ] was reached between the NBA and the National Basketball Players Association. All 29 teams played a shortened 50-game-per-team regular season schedule and the 16 teams who qualified for the playoffs played a full post-season schedule. That season's ], which would have been held in Philadelphia, was also canceled. The season ended with the ] winning the franchise's first NBA championship, beating the ] 4 games to 1 in the ]. This was the 50th season since the BAA and NBL had merged into the NBA.


==Lockout==
The '''1998-99 NBA season''' was the 53rd season of the ]. Due to a ] in a labor dispute, the season didn't start until ] ] after a new six year ] was reached between the NBA and the ]. All 29 teams played a shortened 50 game regular season schedule, and the 16 teams who qualified for the playoffs played a full post-season schedule. The season ended with the San Antonio Spurs winning the franchise's first NBA championship, beating the New York Knicks 4 games to 1 in the ] on June 25th.
{{main article|1998–99 NBA lockout}}
The third ] in the history of the NBA lasted from July 1, 1998, to January 20, 1999. NBA owners were seeking changes to the ] system and a ceiling on individual player salaries. The ] opposed the owners' plans and wanted raises for players who earned the league's minimum salary.


As the labor dispute continued into September, the preseason was shortened to just two games instead of the normal eight, and training camps were postponed indefinitely.<ref>{{cite news| title = Lockout cuts into preseason schedule| work = ] | date = September 25, 1998| page = D11}}</ref> By October, it became the first time in NBA history that games were canceled due to a labor dispute.<ref>{{cite news| last = Wise| first = Mike| title = Pro Basketball; N.B.A. Owners Cool To Players' Proposal| work = The New York Times| date = October 15, 1998| url = https://www.nytimes.com/1998/10/15/sports/pro-basketball-nba-owners-cool-to-players-proposal.html| access-date = April 22, 2009}}</ref> Further games were canceled by November and December, including the league's ] (which had been played on an annual basis since 1947)<ref>{{cite web| last = Reynolds| first = Tim| title = NBA's Christmas lineup headlined by LeBron vs. Warriors| work = ]| agency = Associated Press| date = December 24, 2018| url = https://abcnews.go.com/Sports/wireStory/nbas-christmas-lineup-headlined-lebron-warriors-59994358| access-date = February 26, 2020}}</ref> and ], which had been scheduled to be played on February 14, 1999. The preseason consisted of 2 exhibition games.
==Notable Occurrences==
*The NBA and the Players Association reached an agreement on a new Collective Bargaining Agreement on ], 1999.
*The ] was not held this year due to the league's lockout.
*Due to the lockout, the pre-season was shortened to just two games instead of the normal eight, and some teams have never met each other at all during the course of this 50 game season.


An agreement between the owners and players was eventually reached on January 18, 1999. When play resumed, the regular season was shortened to 50 games per team, as opposed to the normal 82. To preserve games between teams in the same conference, much of the time missed was made up for by skipping well over half of the games played between teams in the opposite conference. As a result, some teams did not meet each other at all during the course of the shortened season.
==Final standings==

====Eastern Conference====
==Notable occurrences==
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
{| class="wikitable" style="float:right"
|+ '''Atlantic Division'''
|+Coaching changes
! Team !! W !! L !! PCT !! GB
! colspan="3"|Offseason
|- |-
! Team
| align="left" | ] || 33 || 17 || .660 || -
! 1997–98 coach
! 1998–99 coach
|- |-
| ]
| align="left" | ] || 33 || 17 || .660 || -
| ]
| ]
|- |-
| ]
| align="left" | ] || 28 || 22 || .560 || 5
| ]
| ]
|- |-
| ]
| align="left" | ] || 27 || 23 || .540 || 6
| ]
| ]
|- |-
| ]
| align="left" | ] || 19 || 31 || .380 || 14
| ]
| ]
|- |-
| ]
| align="left" | ] || 18 || 32 || .360 || 15
| ]
| ]
|- |-
| ]
| align="left" | ] || 16 || 34 || .320 || 17
| ]
| ]
|-
! colspan="3"|In-season
|-
! Team
! Outgoing coach
! Incoming coach
|-
| ]
| ]
| ]
|-
| rowspan="2"|]
| ]
| ]
|-
| ]
| ]
|-
| ]
| ]
| ]
|-
| ]
| ]
| ]
|} |}
*] announced his retirement for the second time on January 13, 1999, while the lockout was still ongoing. He would later return to play two more seasons for the Washington Wizards from 2001 to 2003.
*The ] became only the second #8 seed to advance in the ] by defeating a #1 seed.
*The ] played their final season at the ]. Because the ] ceased to exist two seasons prior, the arena name was replaced by the team name on center court, in anticipation of the move to the ].
*The ] played their final season at the ]; they too would move to the Staples Center the following season.
*The ] played their final season at the ].
*The ] played their final season at the ].
*The ] played their final season at the ], although they still played the first two months of the ] at this arena before moving to the ] in January 2000.
*The ] played their first game in ] on February 21.
*The San Antonio Spurs became the first former ] team to win a championship. (They are one of two surviving ABA teams to win an NBA Title, as the ] won a title in 2023. The ] and ] have not yet won the NBA Championship despite both appearing in at least one NBA Finals.)
*The ] played another season in the ] while ] was constructed for the ]. This season would be the Hawks' last playoff appearance until the ].
* The Clippers tied the 1988–89 Miami Heat for the longest losing streak to start the season (17) from February 5 until March 11 when they defeated the ]. In December 2009, this record was broken by the ] who lost the first eighteen games of the season.
* ] guard ] retired after fourteen years in the NBA, all of which he spent playing with the Pistons.
*] coach ] died on November 13, 1998, at age 78.
*For the first time in 15 seasons, the ] missed the playoffs. They would also become the second defending champion in NBA history that failed to make the playoffs, joining the 1969–70 ].
* ] of the ] wins his second MVP award in three years and became the oldest ] in NBA history as of today.


==1998–99 NBA changes==
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
* The ] added new gold pinstripe alternate uniforms with dark navy blue side panels to their jerseys and shorts.
|+ '''Central Division'''
* The ] added new black alternate uniforms.
! Team !! W !! L !! PCT !! GB
* The ] added new gray alternate uniforms with dark navy blue side panels to their jerseys and shorts.
* The ] changed their uniforms, replacing the pinstripes with slightly visible stars on their jerseys.
* The ] added new purple alternate uniforms with black side panels to their shorts.
* The ] moved into ] during the regular season.
* The ] added new black alternate uniforms with brown side panels to their jerseys and shorts.

==Teams==
{| class="wikitable" style="width:auto"
|- |-
| bgcolor="#0047AB" align="center" colspan="5"|'''<span style="color:white;">1998-99 National Basketball Association</span>'''
| align="left" | ] || 33 || 17 || .660 || -
|- |-
| bgcolor="red" align="center" colspan="5"|'''<span style="color;">{{color|#FFFFFF|Eastern Conference}}</span>'''
| align="left" | ] || 31 || 19 || .620 || 2
|- |-
| align="left" | ] || 29 || 21 || .580 || 4 ! Division || Team || City || Arena || Capacity
|- |-
! rowspan="7" | Atlantic
| align="left" | ] || 28 || 22 || .560 || 5
| ]
| ], ]
| ]
| 19,156
|- |-
| ]
| align="left" | ] || 26 || 24 || .520 || 7
| ], ]
| ]
| 15,200
|- |-
| ]
| align="left" | ] || 23 || 27 || .460 || 10
| ], ]
| ]
| 20,049
|- |-
| ]
| align="left" | ] || 22 || 28 || .440 || 11
| ], ]
| ]
| 19,812
|- |-
| ]
| align="left" | ] || 13 || 37 || .260 || 20
| ], ]
|}
| ]

| 17,283
====Western Conference====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
|+ '''Midwest Division'''
! Team !! W !! L !! PCT !! GB
|- |-
| ]
| align="left" | ] '''C''' || 37 || 13 || .740 || -
| ], ]
| ]
| 20,338
|- |-
| ]
| align="left" | ] || 37 || 13 || .740 || -
| ], ]
| ]
| 20,356
|- |-
! rowspan="8" | Central
| align="left" | ] || 31 || 19 || .620 || 6
| ]
| ], ]
| ]
| 71,000
|- |-
| ]
| align="left" | ] || 25 || 25 || .500 || 12
| ], ]
| ]
| 24,042
|- |-
| ]
| align="left" | ] || 19 || 31 || .380 || 18
| ], ]
| ]
| 21,711
|- |-
| ]
| align="left" | ] || 14 || 36 || .280 || 23
| ], ]
| ]
| 19,432
|- |-
| ]
| align="left" | ] || 8 || 42 || .160 || 29
| ], ]
| ]
| 22,076
|-
| ]
| ], ]
| ]
| 17,171
|-
| ]
| ], ]
| ]
| 18,717
|-
| ]
| ], ]
| ] <br> ]
| 28,708 <br> 19,800
|-
| bgcolor="red" align="center" colspan="5"|'''<span style="color;">{{color|#FFFFFF|Western Conference}}</span>'''
|-
! rowspan="7" | Midwest
| ]
| ], ]
| ]
| 18,293
|-
| ]
| ], ]
| ]
| 17,171
|-
| ]
| ], ]
| ]
| 16,285
|-
| ]
| ], ]
| ]
| 18,798
|-
| ]
| ], ]
| ]
| 20,557
|-
| ]
| ], ]
| ]
| 18,306
|-
| ]
| ], ]
| ]
| 19,193
|-
! rowspan="7" | Pacific
| ]
| ], ]
| ]
| 19,596
|-
| ]
| ], ]
| ]
| 16,161
|-
| ]
| ], ]
| ]
| 17,505
|-
| ]
| ], ]
| ]
| 19,023
|-
| ]
| ], ]
| ]
| 21,401
|-
| ]
| ], ]
| ]
| 17,317
|-
| ]
| ], ]
| ]
| 17,072
|} |}


==Map of teams==
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
{{CSS crop
|+ '''Pacific Division'''
|Location=left
! Team !! W !! L !! PCT !! GB
|Description=] Atlantic Division ] Central Division ] Midwest Division ] Pacific Division
|bSize=995
|cWidth=550
|cHeight=350
|oLeft=425
|oTop=0
|Content=
{{Location map+ | USA
| width = 575
| caption =
| places =

{{Location map~ | USA
| lat_deg = 42.37
| lon_deg = -71.06
| mark = Blue pog.svg
| label_size = 80
| position = top
| label = ''']'''}}

{{Location map~ | USA
| lat_deg = 25.78
| lon_deg = -80.19
| mark = Blue pog.svg
| label_size = 80
| position = bottom
| label = ''']'''}}

{{Location map~ | USA
| lat_deg = 40.81
| lon_deg = -74.07
| mark = Blue pog.svg
| label_size = 80
| position = left
| label = ''']'''}}

{{Location map~ | USA
| lat_deg = 40.75
| lon_deg = -73.99
| mark = Blue pog.svg
| label_size = 80
| position = top
| label = ''']'''}}

{{Location map~ | USA
| lat_deg = 28.55
| lon_deg = -81.39
| mark = Blue pog.svg
| label_size = 80
| position = top
| label = ''']'''}}

{{Location map~ | USA
| lat_deg = 39.90
| lon_deg = -75.17
| mark = Blue pog.svg
| label_size = 80
| position = right
| label = ''']'''}}

{{Location map~ | USA
| lat_deg = 38.90
| lon_deg = -77.02
| mark = Blue pog.svg
| label_size = 80
| position = bottom
| label = ''']'''}}

{{Location map~ | USA
| lat_deg = 33.76
| lon_deg = -84.40
| mark = Red pog.svg
| label_size = 80
| position = bottom
| label = ''']'''}}

{{Location map~ | USA
| lat_deg = 35.19
| lon_deg = -80.91
| mark = Red pog.svg
| label_size = 80
| position = top
| label = ''']'''}}

{{Location map~ | USA
| lat_deg = 41.88
| lon_deg = -87.67
| mark = Red pog.svg
| label_size = 80
| position = bottom
| label = ''']'''}}

{{Location map~ | USA
| lat_deg = 41.50
| lon_deg = -81.69
| mark = Red pog.svg
| label_size = 80
| position = bottom
| label = ''']'''}}

{{Location map~ | USA
| lat_deg = 42.70
| lon_deg = -83.25
| mark = Red pog.svg
| label_size = 80
| position = top
| label = ''']'''}}

{{Location map~ | USA
| lat_deg = 39.77
| lon_deg = -86.15
| mark = Red pog.svg
| label_size = 80
| position = bottom
| label = ''']'''}}

{{Location map~ | USA
| lat_deg = 43.04
| lon_deg = -87.92
| mark = Red pog.svg
| label_size = 80
| position = top
| label = ''']'''}}

{{Location map~ | USA
| lat_deg = 43.64
| lon_deg = -79.38
| mark = Red pog.svg
| label_size = 80
| position = top
| label = ''']'''}}

{{Location map~ | USA
| lat_deg = 32.77
| lon_deg = -96.81
| mark = Black pog.svg
| label_size = 80
| position = top
| label = ''']'''}}

{{Location map~ | USA
| lat_deg = 39.74
| lon_deg = -105.02
| mark = Black pog.svg
| label_size = 80
| position = bottom
| label = ''']'''}}

{{Location map~ | USA
| lat_deg = 29.73
| lon_deg = -95.44
| mark = Black pog.svg
| label_size = 80
| position = right
| label = ''']'''}}

{{Location map~ | USA
| lat_deg = 44.98
| lon_deg = -93.28
| mark = Black pog.svg
| label_size = 80
| position = top
| label = ''']'''}}

{{Location map~ | USA
| lat_deg = 29.42
| lon_deg = -98.48
| mark = Black pog.svg
| label_size = 80
| position = bottom
| label = ''']'''}}

{{Location map~ | USA
| lat_deg = 40.77
| lon_deg = -111.90
| mark = Black pog.svg
| label_size = 80
| position = bottom
| label = ''']'''}}

{{Location map~ | USA
| lat_deg = 49.28
| lon_deg = -123.11
| mark = Black pog.svg
| label_size = 80
| position = right
| label = ''']'''}}

{{Location map~ | USA
| lat_deg = 37.75
| lon_deg = -122.20
| mark = Green pog.svg
| label_size = 80
| position = bottom
| label = ''']'''}}

{{Location map~ | USA
| lat_deg = 34.01
| lon_deg = -118.29
| mark = Green pog.svg
| label_size = 80
| position = top
| label = ''']'''}}

{{Location map~ | USA
| lat_deg = 33.96
| lon_deg = -118.34
| mark = Green pog.svg
| label_size = 80
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| label = ''']'''}}

{{Location map~ | USA
| lat_deg = 33.45
| lon_deg = -112.07
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| label_size = 80
| position = bottom
| label = ''']'''}}

{{Location map~ | USA
| lat_deg = 45.53
| lon_deg = -122.67
| mark = Green pog.svg
| label_size = 80
| position = bottom
| label = ''']'''}}

{{Location map~ | USA
| lat_deg = 38.65
| lon_deg = -121.52
| mark = Green pog.svg
| label_size = 80
| position = top
| label = ''']'''}}

{{Location map~ | USA
| lat_deg = 47.62
| lon_deg = -122.35
| mark = Green pog.svg
| label_size = 80
| position = left
| label = ''']'''}}
}}
}}

{{Clear}}

==Final standings==

===By division===
<div style="white-space:nowrap">
;]
{{1998–99 NBA Atlantic standings}}
{{1998–99 NBA Central standings}}
;]
{{1998–99 NBA Midwest standings}}
{{1998–99 NBA Pacific standings}}
</div>

===By conference===
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
{{1998–99 NBA East standings}}
{{col-2}}
{{1998–99 NBA West standings}}
{{col-end}}

'''Notes'''
*'''z'''&nbsp;– Clinched home court advantage for the entire playoffs
*'''c'''&nbsp;– Clinched home court advantage for the conference playoffs
*'''y'''&nbsp;– Clinched division title
*'''x'''&nbsp;– Clinched playoff spot

==Playoffs==
{{main|1999 NBA playoffs}}
Teams in bold advanced to the next round. The numbers to the left of each team indicate the team's seeding in its conference, and the numbers to the right indicate the number of games the team won in that round. The division champions are marked by an asterisk. ] does not necessarily belong to the higher-seeded team, but instead the team with the better regular season record; teams enjoying the home advantage are shown in italics.
{{excerpt|1999 NBA playoffs|Bracket|bold=yes|hat=no}}

==Statistics leaders==
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+
|- |-
! Category !! Player || Team || Stat
| align="left" | ] || 35 || 15 || .700 || -
|- |-
| align="left" | ] || 31 || 19 || .620 || 4 | Points per game || ] || ] || 26.8
|- |-
| align="left" | ] || 27 || 23 || .540 || 8 | Rebounds per game || ] || ] || 13.0
|- |-
| align="left" | ] || 27 || 23 || .540 || 8 | Assists per game || ] || ] || 10.8
|- |-
| align="left" | ] || 25 || 25 || .500 || 10 | Steals per game || ] || ] || 2.68
|- |-
| align="left" | ] || 21 || 29 || .420 || 14 | Blocks per game || ] || ] || 3.91
|-
| FG% || ] || ] || .576
|-
| FT% || ] || ] || .915
|-
| 3FG% || ] || ] || .476
|- |-
| align="left" | ] || 9 || 41 || .180 || 26
|} |}

'''C''' - NBA Champions


==NBA awards== ==NBA awards==
*'''Most Valuable Player:''' ], ] *''']:''' ], ]
*'''Rookie of the Year:''' ], ] *''']:''' ], ]
*'''Defensive Player of the Year:''' ], ] *''']:''' ], ]
*'''Sixth Man of the Year:''' ], ] *''']:''' ], ]
*'''Most Improved Player:''' Darrell Armstrong, Orlando Magic *''']:''' ], ]
*'''Coach of the Year:''' ], ] *''']:''' ], ]
*''']:''' ], ]
*'''All-NBA First Team:'''
*''']:''' ], ]
**F - ], ]
{{col-begin|width=99%}}
**F - Karl Malone, Utah Jazz
{{col-break|width=33%}}
**C - Alonzo Mourning, Miami Heat
*''']:'''
**G - ], ]
**G - ], ] **F – ], ]
**F – ], ]
*'''All-NBA Rookie Team:'''
**C – ], ]
**Vince Carter, Toronto Raptors
**G – ], ]
**G – ], ]
{{col-break|width=33%}}
*'''All-NBA Second Team:'''
**F – ], ]
**F – ], ]
**C – ], ]
**G – ], ]
**G – ], ]
{{col-break|width=33%}}
*'''All-NBA Third Team:'''
**F – ], ]
**F – ], ]
**C – ], ]
**G – ], ]
**G – ], ]
{{col-end}}
{{col-begin|width=66%}}
{{col-break|width=33%}}
*''']:'''
**F – ], ]
**F – ], ]
**F – ], ]
**C – ], ]
**G – ], ]
**G – ], ]
{{col-break|width=33%}}
*'''NBA All-Defensive Second Team:'''
**F – ], ]
**F – ], ]
**C – ], ]
**G – ], ]/]
**G – ], ]
{{col-end}}
{{col-begin|width=66%}}
{{col-break|width=33%}}
*''']:'''
**], ]
**], ] **], ]
**], ] **], ]
**], ] **], ]
**], ] **], ]
{{col-break|width=33%}}
*'''All-NBA Rookie Second Team:'''
**], ]
**], ]
**], ]
**], ]
**], ]
{{col-end}}


===Players of the month===
''Note: All information on this page were obtained on the History section on ''
The following players were named the Players of the Month.
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Month
!Player
|-
|align=center|{{Hs|4}}February
|{{sortname|Allen|Iverson}} (])
|-
|align=center|{{Hs|5}}March
|{{sortname|Tim|Duncan}} (])
|-
|align=center|{{Hs|6}}April
|{{sortname|Jason|Kidd}} (])
|}

===Rookies of the month===
The following players were named the Rookies of the Month.
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Month
!Player
|-
|align=center|{{Hs|4}}February
|{{sortname|Paul|Pierce}} (])
|-
|align=center|{{Hs|5}}March
|{{sortname|Vince|Carter}} (])
|-
|align=center|{{Hs|6}}April
|{{sortname|Vince|Carter}} (])
|}

===Coaches of the month===
The following coaches were named Coaches of the Month.
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Month
!Coach
|-
|align=center|{{Hs|4}}February
|{{sortname|Jerry|Sloan}} (])
|-
|align=center|{{Hs|5}}March
|{{sortname|Mike|Dunleavy, Sr.}} (])
|-
|align=center|{{Hs|5}}April
|{{sortname|Gregg|Popovich}} (])
|}


==See also== ==See also==
*] * ]
*]
*]


==References==
{{start box}}
{{reflist}}
{{succession box |

before = ] |
== Further reading ==
after = ] |
*{{Cite news |last=Golianopoulos |first=Thomas |date=2019-02-14 |title="It Was All About Money": An Oral History of the 1998-99 NBA Lockout |url=https://www.theringer.com/nba/2019/2/14/18222040/lockout-1998-99-season-david-stern-david-falk-billy-hunter-patrick-ewing-michael-jordan-oral-history |access-date=2023-10-04 |website=The Ringer |language=en}}
title = ] |
*{{Cite news |last=Golianopoulos |first=Thomas |date=2019-02-19 |title="An Unmitigated Disaster": An Oral History of the Lockout-Shortened 1999 NBA Season |url=https://www.theringer.com/nba/2019/2/19/18228706/lockout-1999-season-san-antonio-spurs-new-york-knicks |access-date=2023-10-04 |website=The Ringer |language=en}}
years = 1998-99|

}}
{{end box}} {{NBA seasons|1999}}
{{1998–99 NBA season by team}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:1998-99 Nba Season}}
]
] ]
]
]

Latest revision as of 00:35, 22 December 2024

53rd NBA season

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Find sources: "1998–99 NBA season" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (December 2022) (Learn how and when to remove this message)
Sports season
1998–99 NBA season
LeagueNational Basketball Association
SportBasketball
Duration
  • February 5 – May 5, 1999
  • May 8 – June 11, 1999 (Playoffs)
  • June 16 – 25, 1999 (Finals)
Number of games50
Number of teams29
TV partner(s)NBC, TBS, TNT
Draft
Top draft pickMichael Olowokandi
Picked byLos Angeles Clippers
Regular season
Top seedSan Antonio Spurs
Season MVPKarl Malone (Utah)
Top scorerAllen Iverson (Philadelphia)
Playoffs
Eastern championsNew York Knicks
  Eastern runners-upIndiana Pacers
Western championsSan Antonio Spurs
  Western runners-upPortland Trail Blazers
Finals
ChampionsSan Antonio Spurs
  Runners-upNew York Knicks
Finals MVPTim Duncan (San Antonio)
NBA seasons
← 1997–981999–2000 →

The 1998–99 NBA season was the 53rd season of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Due to a lockout, the season did not start until February 5, 1999, after a new six-year collective bargaining agreement was reached between the NBA and the National Basketball Players Association. All 29 teams played a shortened 50-game-per-team regular season schedule and the 16 teams who qualified for the playoffs played a full post-season schedule. That season's All-Star Game, which would have been held in Philadelphia, was also canceled. The season ended with the San Antonio Spurs winning the franchise's first NBA championship, beating the New York Knicks 4 games to 1 in the 1999 NBA Finals. This was the 50th season since the BAA and NBL had merged into the NBA.

Lockout

Main article: 1998–99 NBA lockout

The third lockout in the history of the NBA lasted from July 1, 1998, to January 20, 1999. NBA owners were seeking changes to the league's salary cap system and a ceiling on individual player salaries. The National Basketball Players Association opposed the owners' plans and wanted raises for players who earned the league's minimum salary.

As the labor dispute continued into September, the preseason was shortened to just two games instead of the normal eight, and training camps were postponed indefinitely. By October, it became the first time in NBA history that games were canceled due to a labor dispute. Further games were canceled by November and December, including the league's Christmas games (which had been played on an annual basis since 1947) and All-Star Game, which had been scheduled to be played on February 14, 1999. The preseason consisted of 2 exhibition games.

An agreement between the owners and players was eventually reached on January 18, 1999. When play resumed, the regular season was shortened to 50 games per team, as opposed to the normal 82. To preserve games between teams in the same conference, much of the time missed was made up for by skipping well over half of the games played between teams in the opposite conference. As a result, some teams did not meet each other at all during the course of the shortened season.

Notable occurrences

Coaching changes
Offseason
Team 1997–98 coach 1998–99 coach
Chicago Bulls Phil Jackson Tim Floyd
Denver Nuggets Bill Hanzlik Mike D'Antoni
Los Angeles Clippers Bill Fitch Chris Ford
Milwaukee Bucks Chris Ford George Karl
Sacramento Kings Eddie Jordan Rick Adelman
Seattle SuperSonics George Karl Paul Westphal
In-season
Team Outgoing coach Incoming coach
Charlotte Hornets Dave Cowens Paul Silas
Los Angeles Lakers Del Harris Bill Bertka
Bill Bertka Kurt Rambis
New Jersey Nets John Calipari Don Casey
Washington Wizards Bernie Bickerstaff Jim Brovelli

1998–99 NBA changes

  • The Indiana Pacers added new gold pinstripe alternate uniforms with dark navy blue side panels to their jerseys and shorts.
  • The Minnesota Timberwolves added new black alternate uniforms.
  • The New Jersey Nets added new gray alternate uniforms with dark navy blue side panels to their jerseys and shorts.
  • The Orlando Magic changed their uniforms, replacing the pinstripes with slightly visible stars on their jerseys.
  • The Sacramento Kings added new purple alternate uniforms with black side panels to their shorts.
  • The Toronto Raptors moved into Air Canada Centre during the regular season.
  • The Utah Jazz added new black alternate uniforms with brown side panels to their jerseys and shorts.

Teams

1998-99 National Basketball Association
Eastern Conference
Division Team City Arena Capacity
Atlantic Boston Celtics Boston, Massachusetts FleetCenter 19,156
Miami Heat Miami, Florida Miami Arena 15,200
New Jersey Nets East Rutherford, New Jersey Continental Airlines Arena 20,049
New York Knicks New York, New York Madison Square Garden 19,812
Orlando Magic Orlando, Florida Orlando Arena 17,283
Philadelphia 76ers Philadelphia, Pennsylvania First Union Center 20,338
Washington Wizards Washington, District of Columbia MCI Center 20,356
Central Atlanta Hawks Atlanta, Georgia Georgia Dome 71,000
Charlotte Hornets Charlotte, North Carolina Charlotte Coliseum 24,042
Chicago Bulls Chicago, Illinois United Center 21,711
Cleveland Cavaliers Cleveland, Ohio Gund Arena 19,432
Detroit Pistons Auburn Hills, Michigan The Palace of Auburn Hills 22,076
Indiana Pacers Indianapolis, Indiana Market Square Arena 17,171
Milwaukee Bucks Milwaukee, Wisconsin Bradley Center 18,717
Toronto Raptors Toronto, Ontario SkyDome
Air Canada Centre 		28,708
19,800
Western Conference
Midwest Dallas Mavericks Dallas, Texas Reunion Arena 18,293
Denver Nuggets Denver, Colorado McNichols Sports Arena 17,171
Houston Rockets Houston, Texas Compaq Center 16,285
Minnesota Timberwolves Minneapolis, Minnesota Target Center 18,798
San Antonio Spurs San Antonio, Texas Alamodome 20,557
Utah Jazz Salt Lake City, Utah Delta Center 18,306
Vancouver Grizzlies Vancouver, British Columbia General Motors Place 19,193
Pacific Golden State Warriors Oakland, California The Arena in Oakland 19,596
Los Angeles Clippers Los Angeles, California Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena 16,161
Los Angeles Lakers Inglewood, California Great Western Forum 17,505
Phoenix Suns Phoenix, Arizona America West Arena 19,023
Portland Trail Blazers Portland, Oregon Rose Garden 21,401
Sacramento Kings Sacramento, California ARCO Arena 17,317
Seattle SuperSonics Seattle, Washington Key Arena 17,072

Map of teams

1998–99 NBA season is located in the United StatesCelticsCelticsHeatHeatNetsNetsKnicksKnicksMagicMagic76ers76ersWizardsWizardsHawksHawksHornetsHornetsBullsBullsCavaliersCavaliersPistonsPistonsPacersPacersBucksBucksRaptorsRaptorsMavericksMavericksNuggetsNuggetsRocketsRocketsTimber wolvesTimber
wolvesSpursSpursJazzJazzGrizzliesGrizzliesWarriorsWarriorsClippersClippersLakersLakersSunsSunsBlazersBlazersKingsKingsSonicsSonics Atlantic Division Central Division Midwest Division Pacific Division

Final standings

By division

Eastern Conference
Atlantic DivisionWLPCTGBHomeRoadDivGP
c-Miami Heat3317.660–18‍–‍715‍–‍1012–850
x-Orlando Magic3317.660–21‍–‍412‍–‍1312–650
x-Philadelphia 76ers2822.5605.017‍–‍811‍–‍149–1050
x-New York Knicks2723.5406.019‍–‍68‍–‍1712–850
Boston Celtics1931.38014.010‍–‍159‍–‍1610–950
Washington Wizards1832.36015.013‍–‍125‍–‍206–1350
New Jersey Nets1634.32017.012‍–‍134‍–‍216–1350
Central DivisionWLPCTGBHomeRoadDivGP
y-Indiana Pacers3317.660–18‍–‍715‍–‍1015–750
x-Atlanta Hawks3119.6202.016‍–‍915‍–‍1015–850
x-Detroit Pistons2921.5804.017‍–‍812‍–‍1313–850
x-Milwaukee Bucks2822.5605.017‍–‍811‍–‍1413–1150
Charlotte Hornets2624.5207.016‍–‍910‍–‍1512–1050
Toronto Raptors2327.46010.014‍–‍119‍–‍169–1450
Cleveland Cavaliers2228.44011.015‍–‍107‍–‍189–1350
Chicago Bulls1337.26020.08‍–‍175‍–‍204–1950
Western Conference
Midwest Division W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-San Antonio Spurs 37 13 .740 – 21–4 16–9 17–4
x-Utah Jazz 37 13 .740 – 22–3 15–10 15–3
x-Houston Rockets 31 19 .620 6 19–6 12–13 12–9
x-Minnesota Timberwolves 25 25 .500 12 18–7 7–18 11–9
Dallas Mavericks 19 31 .380 18 15–10 4–21 8–12
Denver Nuggets 14 36 .280 23 12–13 2–23 5–16
Vancouver Grizzlies 8 42 .160 29 7–18 1–24 3–18
Pacific Division W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-Portland Trail Blazers 35 15 .700 – 22–3 13–12 15–7
x-Los Angeles Lakers 31 19 .620 4 18–7 13–12 14–8
x-Sacramento Kings 27 23 .540 8 16–9 11–14 11–9
x-Phoenix Suns 27 23 .540 8 15–10 12–13 9–10
Seattle SuperSonics 25 25 .500 10 17–8 8–17 11–10
Golden State Warriors 21 29 .420 14 13–12 8–17 8–11
Los Angeles Clippers 9 41 .180 26 6–19 3–22 3–16

By conference

Eastern Conference
#TeamWLPCTGBGP
1c-Miami Heat *3317.660–50
2y-Indiana Pacers *3317.660–50
3x-Orlando Magic3317.660–50
4x-Atlanta Hawks3119.6202.050
5x-Detroit Pistons2921.5804.050
6x-Philadelphia 76ers2822.5605.050
7x-Milwaukee Bucks2822.5605.050
8x-New York Knicks2723.5406.050
9Charlotte Hornets2624.5207.050
10Toronto Raptors2327.46010.050
11Cleveland Cavaliers2228.44011.050
12Boston Celtics1931.38014.050
13Washington Wizards1832.36015.050
14New Jersey Nets1634.32017.050
15Chicago Bulls1337.26020.050
# Western Conference
Team W L PCT GB
1 z-San Antonio Spurs 37 13 .740 –
2 y-Portland Trail Blazers 35 15 .700 2
3 x-Utah Jazz 37 13 .740 –
4 x-Los Angeles Lakers 31 19 .620 6
5 x-Houston Rockets 31 19 .620 6
6 x-Sacramento Kings 27 23 .540 10
7 x-Phoenix Suns 27 23 .540 10
8 x-Minnesota Timberwolves 25 25 .500 12
9 Seattle SuperSonics 25 25 .500 12
10 Golden State Warriors 21 29 .420 16
11 Dallas Mavericks 19 31 .380 18
12 Denver Nuggets 14 36 .280 23
13 Los Angeles Clippers 9 41 .180 28
14 Vancouver Grizzlies 8 42 .160 29

Notes

  • z – Clinched home court advantage for the entire playoffs
  • c – Clinched home court advantage for the conference playoffs
  • y – Clinched division title
  • x – Clinched playoff spot

Playoffs

Main article: 1999 NBA playoffs

Teams in bold advanced to the next round. The numbers to the left of each team indicate the team's seeding in its conference, and the numbers to the right indicate the number of games the team won in that round. The division champions are marked by an asterisk. Home court advantage does not necessarily belong to the higher-seeded team, but instead the team with the better regular season record; teams enjoying the home advantage are shown in italics.

First Round Conference Semifinals Conference Finals NBA Finals
            
E1 Miami* 2
E8 New York 3
E8 New York 4
E4 Atlanta 0
E4 Atlanta 3
E5 Detroit 2
E8 New York 4
Eastern Conference
E2 Indiana* 2
E3 Orlando 1
E6 Philadelphia 3
E6 Philadelphia 0
E2 Indiana* 4
E2 Indiana* 3
E7 Milwaukee 0
E8 New York 1
W1 San Antonio* 4
W1 San Antonio* 3
W8 Minnesota 1
W1 San Antonio* 4
W4 LA Lakers 0
W4 LA Lakers 3
W5 Houston 1
W1 San Antonio* 4
Western Conference
W2 Portland* 0
W3 Utah 3
W6 Sacramento 2
W3 Utah 2
W2 Portland* 4
W2 Portland* 3
W7 Phoenix 0
  • * Division winner
  • Bold Series winner
  • Italic Team with home-court advantage

Statistics leaders

Category Player Team Stat
Points per game Allen Iverson Philadelphia 76ers 26.8
Rebounds per game Chris Webber Sacramento Kings 13.0
Assists per game Jason Kidd Phoenix Suns 10.8
Steals per game Kendall Gill New Jersey Nets 2.68
Blocks per game Alonzo Mourning Miami Heat 3.91
FG% Shaquille O'Neal Los Angeles Lakers .576
FT% Reggie Miller Indiana Pacers .915
3FG% Dell Curry Milwaukee Bucks .476

NBA awards

Players of the month

The following players were named the Players of the Month.

Month Player
February Allen Iverson (Philadelphia 76ers)
March Tim Duncan (San Antonio Spurs)
April Jason Kidd (Phoenix Suns)

Rookies of the month

The following players were named the Rookies of the Month.

Month Player
February Paul Pierce (Boston Celtics)
March Vince Carter (Toronto Raptors)
April Vince Carter (Toronto Raptors)

Coaches of the month

The following coaches were named Coaches of the Month.

Month Coach
February Jerry Sloan (Utah Jazz)
March Mike Dunleavy, Sr. (Portland Trail Blazers)
April Gregg Popovich (San Antonio Spurs)

See also

References

  1. "Lockout cuts into preseason schedule". The San Diego Union-Tribune. September 25, 1998. p. D11.
  2. Wise, Mike (October 15, 1998). "Pro Basketball; N.B.A. Owners Cool To Players' Proposal". The New York Times. Retrieved April 22, 2009.
  3. Reynolds, Tim (December 24, 2018). "NBA's Christmas lineup headlined by LeBron vs. Warriors". ABC News. Associated Press. Retrieved February 26, 2020.

Further reading

NBA seasons
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1950s
1949–50 1950–51 1951–52 1952–53 1953–54 1954–55 1955–56 1956–57 1957–58 1958–59
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1959–60 1960–61 1961–62 1962–63 1963–64 1964–65 1965–66 1966–67 1967–68 1968–69
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1969–70 1970–71 1971–72 1972–73 1973–74 1974–75 1975–76 1976–77 1977–78 1978–79
1980s
1979–80 1980–81 1981–82 1982–83 1983–84 1984–85 1985–86 1986–87 1987–88 1988–89
1990s
1989–90 1990–91 1991–92 1992–93 1993–94 1994–95 1995–96 1996–97 1997–98 1998–99
2000s
1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 2005–06 2006–07 2007–08 2008–09
2010s
2009–10 2010–11 2011–12 2012–13 2013–14 2014–15 2015–16 2016–17 2017–18 2018–19
2020s
2019–20 2020–21 2021–22 2022–23 2023–24 2024–25
1998–99 NBA season by team
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