1998–99 Philadelphia 76ers season explained

The 1998–99 NBA season was the 76ers 50th season in the National Basketball Association, and 36th season in Philadelphia.[1] On March 23, 1998, the owners of all 29 NBA teams voted 27–2 to reopen the league's collective bargaining agreement, seeking changes to the league's salary cap system, and a ceiling on individual player salaries. The National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) opposed to the owners' plan, and wanted raises for players who earned the league's minimum salary. After both sides failed to reach an agreement, the owners called for a lockout, which began on July 1, 1998, putting a hold on all team trades, free agent signings and training camp workouts, and cancelling many NBA regular season and preseason games.[2] [3] [4] [5] [6] Due to the lockout, the NBA All-Star Game, which was scheduled to be played in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on February 14, 1999, was also cancelled.[7] [8] [9] [10] [11]

However, on January 6, 1999, NBA commissioner David Stern, and NBPA director Billy Hunter finally reached an agreement to end the lockout. The deal was approved by both the players and owners, and was signed on January 20, ending the lockout after 204 days. The regular season began on February 5, and was cut short to just 50 games instead of the regular 82-game schedule.[12] [13] [14] [15] [16]

The Sixers had the eighth overall pick in the 1998 NBA draft, and selected Larry Hughes out of Saint Louis University.[17] [18] [19] [20] [21] In the off-season, the Sixers signed free agents Matt Geiger, George Lynch and Harvey Grant,[22] [23] [24] [25] and later on re-signed former 76ers forward Rick Mahorn in late February.[26] [27] At midseason, they traded second-year forward Tim Thomas and Scott Williams to the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for Tyrone Hill.[28] [29] [30] [31] The Sixers won six straight games after a 4–5 start, and had their first winning month in five years winning 8 of 13 games in February, on their way to making the playoffs for the first time in eight years with a 28–22 record, third in the Atlantic Division.[32]

After playing point guard for the previous two seasons, Allen Iverson moved into the shooting guard position, and led the league in scoring averaging 26.8 points, 4.6 assists and 2.3 steals per game, and was selected to the All-NBA First Team. In addition, Geiger averaged 13.5 points and 7.2 rebounds per game, while Theo Ratliff provided the team with 11.2 points, 8.1 rebounds and 3.0 blocks per game, and was named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team, and Hughes contributed 9.1 points per game off the bench. Eric Snow became the team's starting point guard, and provided with 8.6 points, 6.3 assists and 2.1 steals per game, and Lynch averaged 8.3 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2.0 steals per game.[33] Iverson also finished in fourth place in Most Valuable Player voting,[34] while Snow finished in second place in Most Improved Player voting,[35] [36] and head coach Larry Brown finished in second place in Coach of the Year voting.[37]

In the Eastern Conference First Round of the playoffs, and Iverson's first ever playoff appearance, the Sixers defeated the 3rd–seeded Orlando Magic in four games,[38] [39] [40] [41] in which Iverson recorded a playoff career-high of ten steals in a 97–85 Game 3 home win over the Magic.[42] [43] [44] However, the Sixers were swept in the Eastern Conference Semi-finals by the Indiana Pacers in four straight games.[45] [46] [47] [48]

Following the season, Grant and second-year guard Anthony Parker were both traded to the Orlando Magic, who released Grant to free agency,[49] [50] [51] and Mahorn retired after playing in his second stint with the 76ers.

Offseason

Draft picks

See main article: 1998 NBA draft.

RoundPickPlayerPositionNationalityCollege
18Larry HughesSGSaint Louis University
237Casey ShawCUniversity of Toledo

Regular season

Season standings

z – clinched division title

y – clinched division title

x – clinched playoff spot

Record vs. opponents

1998-99 NBA Records
width=100TeamATLBOSCHACHICLEDALDENDETGSWHOUINDLACLALMIAMILMINNJNNYKORLPHIPHOPORSACSASSEATORUTAVANWAS
Atlanta3–0 3–0 3–1 2–1 0–1 0–0 1–2 0–0 1–0 3–1 1–0 0–0 0–3 1–2 0–0 1–2 2–1 2–2 2–1 1–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 2–1 0–0 1–0 2–1
Boston0–3 1–2 2–1 2–2 0–0 1–0 0–3 0–0 0–0 0–3 1–0 0–0 3–0 0–3 0–1 1–2 1–2 1–2 1–2 0–0 0–1 0–1 0–0 0–0 1–2 0–0 1–0 3–1
Charlotte0–3 2–1 2–1 2–1 0–0 0–0 3–0 0–1 0–0 1–2 0–0 0–1 1–2 2–2 0–0 3–0 1–3 1–2 1–2 1–0 1–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 2–1 1–0 0–0 2–1
Chicago1–3 1–2 1–2 0–3 0–1 0–0 0–3 0–0 0–0 0–3 1–0 0–0 1–2 1–3 0–0 2–1 1–2 0–3 1–2 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–1 0–1 1–2 0–1 1–0 1–2
Cleveland1–2 2–2 1–2 3–0 0–0 0–0 1–2 1–0 0–1 0–3 0–0 1–0 0–3 1–2 0–0 3–0 1–2 1–2 1–2 1–0 0–0 0–0 1–0 0–0 2–2 0–1 0–0 1–2
Dallas1–0 0–0 0–0 1–0 0–0 2–1 0–1 2–2 2–2 0–0 3–0 0–3 0–1 0–0 1–2 0–1 0–0 1–0 0–0 1–3 0–3 2–2 1–3 0–3 0–0 0–3 2–1 0–0
Denver0–0 0–1 0–0 0–0 0–0 1–2 0–0 1–3 0–4 0–1 3–0 1–2 0–1 1–0 0–3 1–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–3 0–3 0–3 0–4 2–2 0–0 1–2 3–1 0–1
Detroit2–1 3–0 0–3 3–0 2–1 1–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 2–1 0–0 0–0 2–1 2–1 0–1 2–1 2–1 0–4 1–3 1–0 0–0 0–0 0–1 1–0 2–1 1–0 0–0 2–1
Golden State0–0 0–0 1–0 0–0 0–1 2–2 3–1 0–0 0–3 1–0 2–1 1–2 0–0 0–1 2–2 0–0 0–0 0–1 0–0 1–2 2–2 1–2 0–3 1–2 0–0 0–4 4–0 0–0
Houston0–1 0–0 0–0 0–0 1–0 2–2 4–0 0–0 3–0 0–0 3–1 1–2 0–1 0–0 2–1 1–0 0–0 0–1 0–0 2–2 2–1 3–0 0–3 2–1 1–0 0–3 4–0 0–0
Indiana1–2 3–0 2–1 3–0 3–0 0–0 1–0 1–2 0–1 0–0 0–0 1–0 2–2 3–0 0–0 3–1 2–1 1–2 1–2 0–0 0–1 0–0 0–0 0–0 2–1 0–0 1–0 3–0
L.A. Clippers0–1 0–1 0–0 0–1 0–0 0–3 0–3 0–0 1–2 1–3 0–0 0–4 0–0 0–0 2–2 1–0 0–1 0–0 0–0 0–3 1–2 1–2 0–3 0–3 0–1 1–3 1–3 0–0
L.A. Lakers0–0 0–0 1–0 0–0 0–1 3–0 2–1 0–0 2–1 2–1 0–1 4–0 0–0 0–0 2–1 0–0 1–0 1–0 0–1 3–1 2–2 1–2 2–1 2–2 0–0 1–3 2–1 0–0
Miami3–0 0–3 2–1 2–1 3–0 1–0 1–0 1–2 0–0 1–0 2–2 0–0 0–0 2–1 0–1 3–1 2–2 2–1 2–1 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 3–0 0–1 0–0 3–0
Milwaukee2–1 3–0 2–2 3–1 2–1 0–0 0–1 1–2 1–0 0–0 0–3 0–0 0–0 1–2 1–0 2–1 2–1 1–2 1–2 0–1 0–0 0–0 0–0 1–0 3–1 0–0 0–0 2–1
Minnesota0–0 1–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 2–1 3–0 1–0 2–2 1–2 0–0 2–2 1–2 1–0 0–1 0–0 0–1 0–0 0–0 1–2 0–3 3–1 2–2 2–1 0–1 0–3 3–1 0–0
New Jersey2–1 2–1 0–3 1–2 0–3 1–0 0–1 1–2 0–0 0–1 1–3 0–1 0–0 1–3 1–2 0–0 0–3 0–3 1–2 0–0 0–1 0–0 0–0 1–0 2–1 0–0 0–0 2–1
New York1–2 2–1 3–1 2–1 2–1 0–0 0–0 1–2 0–0 0–0 1–2 1–0 0–1 2–2 1–2 1–0 3–0 0–3 3–1 1–0 0–0 0–1 0–0 0–0 1–2 0–0 0–0 2–1
Orlando2–2 2–1 2–1 3–0 2–1 0–1 0–0 4–0 1–0 1–0 2–1 0–0 0–1 1–2 2–1 0–0 3–0 3–0 1–2 0–0 0–0 1–0 0–1 0–0 1–2 0–0 0–0 2–1
Philadelphia1–2 2–1 2–1 2–1 2–1 0–0 0–0 3–1 0–0 0–0 2–1 0–0 1–0 1–2 2–1 0–0 2–1 1–3 2–1 0–0 0–1 1–0 0–1 0–1 2–1 0–0 1–0 1–2
Phoenix0–1 0–0 0–1 0–0 0–1 3–1 3–0 0–1 2–1 2–2 0–0 3–0 1–3 0–0 1–0 2–1 0–0 0–1 0–0 0–0 0–3 0–3 2–2 3–0 0–0 2–2 3–0 0–0
Portland0–0 1–0 0–1 0–0 0–0 3–0 3–0 0–0 2–2 1–2 1–0 2–1 2–2 0–0 0–0 3–0 1–0 0–0 0–0 1–0 3–0 4–0 1–3 2–2 0–0 1–2 4–0 0–0
Sacramento0–0 1–0 1–0 0–0 0–0 2–2 3–0 0–0 2–1 0–3 0–0 2–1 2–1 0–0 0–0 1–3 0–0 1–0 0–1 0–1 3–0 0–4 1–2 2–2 0–0 1–2 4–0 1–0
San Antonio0–0 0–0 0–0 1–0 0–1 3–1 4–0 1–0 3–0 3–0 0–0 3–0 1–2 0–0 0–0 2–2 0–0 0–0 1–0 1–0 2–2 3–1 2–1 2–1 0–1 2–1 3–0 0–0
Seattle0–0 0–0 0–0 1–0 0–0 3–0 2–2 0–1 2–1 1–2 0–0 3–0 2–2 0–0 0–1 1–2 0–1 0–0 0–0 1–0 0–3 2–2 2–2 1–2 0–0 2–2 2–1 0–1
Toronto1–2 2–1 1–2 2–1 2–2 0–0 0–0 1–2 0–0 0–1 1–2 1–0 0–0 0–3 1–3 1–0 1–2 2–1 2–1 1–2 0–0 0–0 0–0 1–0 0–0 0–0 1–0 2–2
Utah0–0 0–0 0–1 1–0 1–0 3–0 2–1 0–1 4–0 3–0 0–0 3–1 3–1 1–0 0–0 3–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 2–2 2–1 2–1 1–2 2–2 0–0 3–0 1–0
Vancouver0–1 0–1 0–0 0–1 0–0 1–2 1–3 0–0 0–3 0–4 0–1 3–1 1–2 0–0 0–0 1–3 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–1 0–3 0–3 0–4 0–3 1–2 0–1 0–3 0–0
Washington1–2 1–3 1–2 2–1 2–1 0–0 1–0 1–2 0–1 0–0 0–3 0–0 0–0 0–3 1–2 0–0 1–2 1–2 1–2 2–1 0–0 0–1 0–1 0–0 1–0 2–2 0–1 0–0

Playoffs

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 1| May 9| @ Orlando| W 104–90| Allen Iverson (30)| George Lynch (12)| Allen Iverson (7)| Orlando Arena
15,267| 1–0|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 2| May 11| @ Orlando| L 68–79| Allen Iverson (13)| Theo Ratliff (8)| George Lynch (6)| Orlando Arena
16,345| 1–1|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 3| May 13| Orlando| W 97–85| Allen Iverson (33)| Tyrone Hill (9)| Eric Snow (8)| First Union Center
20,874| 2–1|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 4| May 15| Orlando| W 101–91| Allen Iverson (37)| George Lynch (10)| Allen Iverson (9)| First Union Center
20,550| 3–1|-|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 1| May 17| @ Indiana| L 90–94| Allen Iverson (35)| Matt Geiger (11)| Eric Snow (10)| Market Square Arena
16,723| 0–1|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 2| May 19| @ Indiana| L 82–85| Allen Iverson (23)| Theo Ratliff (12)| Eric Snow (6)| Market Square Arena
16,795| 0–2|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 3| May 21| Indiana| L 86–97| Allen Iverson (32)| Tyrone Hill (12)| Eric Snow (9)| First Union Center
20,930| 0–3|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 4| May 23| Indiana| L 86–89| Allen Iverson (25)| Matt Geiger (13)| Eric Snow (7)| First Union Center
20,844| 0–4|-

Player statistics

Regular season

PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
6 0 5.5 .286 1.3 .2 .0 .0 .7
50 40 30.8 .479 .200 .797 7.2 1.2 .8 .8 13.5
47 10 17.0 .369 .167 .724 2.3 .5 .4 .3 3.1
21 6 28.0 .480 .507 7.3 .9 .8 .4 8.5
13 0 6.9 .259 .357 .750 .8 .2 .3 .2 1.9
50 1 19.8 .411 .154 .709 3.8 1.5 .9 .3 9.1
48 48 41.5 .412 .291 .751 4.9 4.6 2.3 .1 26.8
43 43 30.6 .421 .391 .631 6.5 1.8 2.0 .5 8.3
16 0 7.9 .278 .375 1.4 .1 .3 .1 .8
50 4 19.2 .401 .194 .710 2.8 2.0 1.3 .1 4.8
26 0 4.7 .357 .571 1.4 .1 .2 .2 1.6
10 0 3.7 .333 .000 .2 .4 .1 .0 1.0
2 0 1.5 1.000 .0 .0 .0 .0 1.0
50 50 32.5 .470 .725 8.1 .6 .9 3.0 11.2
9 0 1.6 .125 .3 .0 .0 .0 .2
48 48 35.8 .428 .238 .733 3.4 6.3 2.1 .0 8.6
17 0 11.1 .403 .263 .792 1.9 .9 .2 .2 4.6
2 0 8.5 .000 1.0 .5 1.0 .5 .0

Playoffs

PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
8 8 29.9 .438 .000 .828 7.6 .8 1.1 .8 13.5
4 0 7.3 1.000 1.0 .0 .0 .3 .5
8 1 24.5 .487 .368 7.4 .0 .4 .3 5.6
6 0 2.0 .200 .000 .2 .0 .0 .0 .3
8 2 24.8 .403 .000 .833 4.6 2.0 1.9 1.1 10.3
8 8 44.8 .411 .283 .712 4.1 4.9 2.5 .3 28.5
8 6 31.1 .446 .333 .706 6.6 2.0 2.3 .3 9.0
5 0 5.8 .333 .500 1.6 .2 .2 .0 1.0
6 0 16.2 .304 .000 .857 2.5 1.8 .7 .0 3.3
3 0 1.0 .0 .0 .0 .0 .0
7 7 29.1 .465 .579 7.3 .9 .7 2.6 7.3
8 8 38.3 .420 .231 .815 4.1 7.1 1.0 .1 12.4

Awards and records

See also

Notes and References

  1. https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/PHI/1999.html 1998-99 Philadelphia 76ers
  2. News: Wise . Mike . BASKETBALL; It's Their Ball, and N.B.A. Owners Call for Lockout . The New York Times . June 30, 1998 . December 15, 2022.
  3. News: Heisler . Mark . NBA Lockout . Los Angeles Times . June 30, 1998 . December 15, 2022.
  4. News: CBS News.com Staff . NBA Lockout Begins . CBS News . June 30, 1998 . December 15, 2022.
  5. News: Bembry . Jerry . Billion-Dollar Question: NBA Facing Long Timeout? Rising Salaries Spur Basketball Owners to Lock Out Players . The Baltimore Sun . June 30, 1998 . May 17, 2023.
  6. News: Steele . David . NBA Lockout Now a Certainty . SFGate . June 30, 1998 . December 15, 2022.
  7. News: CBS News.com Staff . NBA Cancels All-Star Game . CBS News . December 8, 1998 . December 15, 2022.
  8. News: Wise . Mike . PRO BASKETBALL; It's Official: N.B.A. Cancels Its All-Star Game . The New York Times . December 9, 1998 . December 15, 2022.
  9. News: Heisler . Mark . NBA Dunks All-Star Game . Los Angeles Times . December 9, 1998 . May 17, 2023.
  10. News: Asher . Mark . NBA Cancels All-Star Game . The Washington Post . December 9, 1998 . December 15, 2022.
  11. News: Steele . David . NBA Drops All-Stars -- What's Left?; February Game in Philly Latest Casualty of Lockout . SFGate . December 9, 1998 . December 15, 2022.
  12. News: CBS News.com Staff . NBA: Let The Games Begin! . CBS News . January 6, 1999 . December 15, 2022.
  13. News: Wise . Mike . With Little Time on Clock, NBA and Players Settle . The New York Times . January 7, 1999 . May 17, 2023.
  14. News: Heisler . Mark . NBA, Players Union Agree to End Lockout . Los Angeles Times . January 7, 1999 . December 15, 2022.
  15. News: Justice . Richard . Asher . Mark . NBA Labor Dispute Ends After 6 Months . The Washington Post . January 7, 1999 . December 15, 2022.
  16. News: Bembry . Jerry . Just Beating Buzzer, NBA Unlocks Season; With Only Day Left to Make Deal, Owners, Players Union Agree . The Baltimore Sun . January 7, 1999 . December 15, 2022.
  17. News: CBS News.com Staff . Clippers Pick Olowokandi No. 1 . CBS News . June 24, 1998 . June 8, 2023.
  18. News: Wise . Mike . PRO BASKETBALL; 7 Feet 1 Inch of Potential at No. 1 . The New York Times . June 25, 1998 . July 25, 2021.
  19. News: Associated Press . Olowokandi Is the Center of Attention . Los Angeles Times . June 25, 1998 . October 18, 2022.
  20. News: Mills . Roger . Olowokandi Shoots to the Top . Tampa Bay Times . June 25, 1998 . June 8, 2023.
  21. Web site: 1998 NBA Draft . Basketball-Reference . December 1, 2022.
  22. News: Associated Press . 76ers Add Plenty of New Faces . Pocono Record . January 22, 1999 . October 10, 2022.
  23. News: Adande . J.A. . Geiger Counter Is Off . Los Angeles Times . January 30, 1999 . October 3, 2022.
  24. News: Long . Ernie . Sixers Hope to Get More Out of Benjamin Than His Number . The Morning Call . January 30, 1999 . October 18, 2022.
  25. News: Wise . Mike . PRO BASKETBALL; A Scrum for the Title . The New York Times . February 4, 1999 . June 28, 2022.
  26. News: CBS News.com Staff . Sixers Sign Rick Mahorn . CBS News . February 24, 1999 . October 14, 2021.
  27. News: Transactions . The New York Times . February 25, 1999 . April 6, 2023.
  28. News: Associated Press . Marbury Traded to Nets; Timberwolves Get Brandon . Los Angeles Times . March 12, 1999 . September 30, 2022.
  29. News: Smith . Sam . Nets, 76ers Appear to Benefit from Heavy Trading . Chicago Tribune . March 12, 1999 . June 24, 2023.
  30. News: Marbury Heads Home . Deseret News . March 12, 1999 . January 9, 2023.
  31. News: Long . Ernie . Wow! Did 76ers Really Deal Thomas? . The Morning Call . March 15, 1999 . July 19, 2021.
  32. Web site: 1998–99 Philadelphia 76ers Schedule and Results. Basketball-Reference. June 23, 2021.
  33. Web site: 1998–99 Philadelphia 76ers Roster and Stats. Basketball-Reference. June 23, 2021.
  34. News: Malone MVP for Second Time . Los Angeles Times . June 4, 1999 . July 13, 2022.
  35. News: Associated Press . Armstrong Wins Most Improved . CBS News . May 10, 1999 . September 30, 2022.
  36. News: 1998–99 NBA Awards Voting . Basketball-Reference . January 2, 2022.
  37. News: Associated Press . Dunleavy Honored as Top Coach . Los Angeles Times . May 22, 1999 . November 14, 2022.
  38. News: Broussard . Chris . Inspired by Fans Starved for Victory, 76ers Eliminate Magic . The New York Times . May 16, 1999 . May 25, 2022.
  39. News: Associated Press . Iverson Shows Orlando Some Magic . Los Angeles Times . May 16, 1999 . November 25, 2022.
  40. News: Wyche . Steve . Iverson's Tricks Make the Magic Disappear . The Washington Post . May 15, 1999 . May 30, 2022.
  41. News: 1999 NBA Eastern Conference First Round: 76ers vs. Magic . Basketball-Reference . February 9, 2023.
  42. News: Broussard . Chris . N.B.A. PLAYOFFS; 76ers Pummel the Magic with Speed and Strength . The New York Times . May 14, 1999 . May 25, 2022.
  43. News: Wyche . Steve . Magic Belongs to Iverson . The Washington Post . May 14, 1999 . June 28, 2022.
  44. News: Tribune News Services . Perkins Puts Indiana Through Paces for Sweep . Chicago Tribune . May 14, 1999 . November 25, 2022.
  45. News: Berkow . Ira . N.B.A. PLAYOFFS; Pacers Bury the 76ers, and Then Praise Them . The New York Times . May 24, 1999 . May 25, 2022.
  46. News: Associated Press . Determined Pacers Sweep 76ers . Los Angeles Times . May 24, 1999 . November 25, 2022.
  47. News: Wyche . Steve . Pacers Sweep 76ers Out of Playoff Picture, 89-86 . The Washington Post . May 24, 1999 . May 30, 2022.
  48. News: 1999 NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals: 76ers vs. Pacers . Basketball-Reference . February 9, 2023.
  49. News: Associated Press . Sixers and Magic Do a Deal . CBS News . August 13, 1999 . July 3, 2023.
  50. News: Povtak . Tim . Magic Trade Owens for Sixers' Grant, Parker . Orlando Sentinel . August 14, 1999 . June 8, 2022.
  51. News: Fry . Darrell . Questions Abound for New-Look Magic . Tampa Bay Times . October 3, 1999 . November 15, 2022.