1998–99 San Antonio Spurs season

1998–99 San Antonio Spurs season
NBA champions
Conference champions
Division champions
Head coachGregg Popovich
PresidentGregg Popovich (vice)
General managerGregg Popovich
OwnerPeter Holt
ArenaAlamodome
Results
Record37–13 (.740)
PlaceDivision: 1st (Midwest)
Conference: 1st (Western)
Playoff finishNBA champions
(Defeated Knicks 4–1)
Stats at Basketball Reference
Local media
TelevisionKSAT-TV
KRRT
Fox Sports Southwest
RadioWOAI

The 1998–99 San Antonio Spurs season was the 23rd season for the San Antonio Spurs in the National Basketball Association, and their 32nd season as a franchise.[1] Due to a lockout, the regular season began on February 5, 1999, and was cut from 82 games to 50.[2]

During the off-season, the Spurs acquired second-year guard Antonio Daniels from the Vancouver Grizzlies,[3][4][5] acquired three-point specialist Steve Kerr from the Chicago Bulls,[6][7][8] and signed free agents Mario Elie,[8][9][10] and Jerome Kersey.[11][10] After a promising rookie season from second-year star Tim Duncan, the Spurs got off to a slow start posting a 6–8 record in February.[12] However, in March and April, the team won 31 of their final 36 games of the regular season, finishing in first place in the Midwest Division with a league-best 37–13 record, which was roughly equivalent to 61–21 in a full season, and earning the first seed in the Western Conference.[13]

Duncan averaged 21.7 points, 11.4 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game, and was named to the All-NBA First Team, and to the NBA All-Defensive First Team, while David Robinson averaged 15.8 points, 10.0 rebounds, 1.4 steals and 2.4 blocks per game, and Sean Elliott provided the team with 11.2 points and 4.3 rebounds per game. In addition, Avery Johnson provided with 9.7 points and 7.4 assists per game, while Elie also contributed 9.7 points per game. Off the bench, three-point specialist Jaren Jackson contributed 6.4 points per game, while Malik Rose averaged 6.0 points and 3.9 rebounds per game, Daniels provided with 4.7 points and 2.3 assists per game, Kerr contributed 4.4 points per game, and Kersey averaged 3.2 points and 2.9 rebounds per game, but only shot .340 in field-goal percentage.[14]

Duncan also finished in third place in Most Valuable Player voting, behind Karl Malone of the Utah Jazz, and Alonzo Mourning of the Miami Heat, while Robinson finished in twelfth place;[15][16] Robinson also finished in fourth place in Defensive Player of the Year voting, while Duncan finished tied in fifth place,[16] and head coach Gregg Popovich finished tied in sixth place in Coach of the Year voting.[16]

In the Western Conference First Round of the 1999 NBA playoffs, the Spurs faced off against the 8th–seeded Minnesota Timberwolves, a team that featured All-Star forward Kevin Garnett, Terrell Brandon and Joe Smith. The Spurs won Game 1 over the Timberwolves at home, 99–86 at the Alamodome, but then lost Game 2 at home, 80–71 as the Timberwolves evened the series. The Spurs won the next two games on the road, which included a Game 4 win over the Timberwolves at the Target Center, 92–85 to win the series in four games.[17][18][19]

In the Western Conference Semi-finals, the team faced off against the 4th–seeded Los Angeles Lakers, who were led by the All-Star trio of Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant and Glen Rice. The Spurs won the first two games over the Lakers at the Alamodome, and then won the next two games on the road, including a Game 4 win over the Lakers at the Great Western Forum, 118–107 to win the series in a four-game sweep.[20][21][22]

In the Western Conference Finals, the Spurs then faced off against the 2nd–seeded, and Pacific Division champion Portland Trail Blazers, who were led by Isaiah Rider, Rasheed Wallace and Damon Stoudamire. After winning Game 1 at the Alamodome, 80–76,[23][24][25] the Spurs trailed by 17 points against the Trail Blazers in Game 2; however, the Spurs made a fourth-quarter run that culminated with a game-winning three-pointer from Elliott, which was dubbed as the "Memorial Day Miracle" as the team defeated the Trail Blazers at home, 86–85.[26][27][28] The Spurs won the next two games on the road, which included a Game 4 win over the Trail Blazers at the Rose Garden Arena, 94–80 to win the series in another four-game sweep, becoming the first former ABA team to advance to the NBA Finals.[29][30][31]

In the 1999 NBA Finals, the Spurs faced off against the 8th–seeded New York Knicks, a team that featured All-Star center Patrick Ewing, Allan Houston, and sixth man Latrell Sprewell. However, Ewing was out due to a ruptured Achilles tendon injury, in which he sustained during Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Indiana Pacers.[32][33][34] The Spurs won the first two games over the Knicks at home at the Alamodome, and took a 2–0 series lead, before losing Game 3 on the road, 89–81 at Madison Square Garden. The Spurs won their next two road games, including a Game 5 win over the Knicks at Madison Square Garden, 78–77, in which Johnson hit the title-winning shot. The Spurs won the series over the Knicks in five games, winning their first ever NBA championship in franchise history, as Duncan was named the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player.[35][36][37] Kerr, who previously won three consecutive championships with the Chicago Bulls, won his fourth consecutive NBA title.

The Spurs finished second in the NBA in home-game attendance behind the Chicago Bulls, with an attendance of 527,357 at the Alamodome during the regular season.[14][38] Following the season, Will Perdue re-signed as a free agent with his former team, the Bulls.[39][40] In 2024, HoopsHype would list this Spurs squad as the team with the 24th easiest route to an NBA Finals championship, due to the opponents they faced in the first round, and the Finals in particular.[41]

Offseason

On June 24, 1998, the Spurs traded Carl Herrera and first-round draft pick Felipe Lopez to the Vancouver Grizzlies for guard Antonio Daniels.[42][43][5] The team also signed free agents Mario Elie, Steve Kerr and Jerome Kersey during the offseason.[10][44]

NBA draft

Main article: 1998 NBA draft
Round Pick Player Position Nationality College
1 24 Felipe López Guard  Dominican Republic St. John's
2 52 Derrick Dial Guard  United States Eastern Michigan

Roster

1998–99 San Antonio Spurs roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Player Height Weight DOB From
G 33 Antonio Daniels 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 1975–03–19 Bowling Green
F/C 21 Tim Duncan 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 250 lb (113 kg) 1976–04–25 Wake Forest
G/F 17 Mario Elie 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1963–11–26 American International
F 32 Sean Elliott 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 1968–02–02 Arizona
G/F 10 Andrew Gaze 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 1965–07–24 Seton Hall
G 2 Jaren Jackson 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1967–10–27 Georgetown
G 6 Avery Johnson 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 1965–03–25 Southern
G 4 Steve Kerr 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 1965–09–29 Arizona
F 25 Jerome Kersey 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1962–06–26 Longwood
F 54 Gerard King 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 230 lb (104 kg) 1972–11–25 Nicholls State
C 41 Will Perdue 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 240 lb (109 kg) 1965–08–29 Vanderbilt
C 50 David Robinson 7 ft 1 in (2.16 m) 235 lb (107 kg) 1965–08–06 Navy
F 31 Malik Rose 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 250 lb (113 kg) 1974–11–23 Drexel
G 11 Brandon Williams 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1975–02–27 Davidson
Head coach
Assistant(s)
Legend
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured

Roster

Regular season

Season standings

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
#
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
z - clinched division title
y - clinched division title
x - clinched playoff spot

Game log

Regular season

1998–99 game log
Total: 37–13 (Home: 21–4; Road: 16–9)
February: 6–8 (home: 4–3; road: 2–5)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
1 February 5 Sacramento W 101–83 Tim Duncan (19) Tim Duncan (17) Avery Johnson (6) Alamodome
19,002 		1–0
2 February 6 Minnesota W 96–82 Duncan, Elliott (22) Tim Duncan (14) Avery Johnson (9) Alamodome
21,319 		2–0
3 February 8 L. A. Lakers L 75–80 Tim Duncan (19) Tim Duncan (15) Mario Elie (6) Alamodome
33,788 		2–1
4 February 9 @ Minnesota L 70–74 David Robinson (16) Robinson, Duncan (11) Avery Johnson (10) Target Center
16,422 		2–2
5 February 11 @ Cleveland L 89–99 Tim Duncan (31) Tim Duncan (14) Avery Johnson (7) Gund Arena
14,228 		2–3
6 February 12 @ Philadelphia W 98–94 Malik Rose (22) Malik Rose (9) Avery Johnson (5) First Union Center
16,892 		3–3
7 February 14 @ Chicago W 89–76 David Robinson (22) Tim Duncan (14) Tim Duncan (4) United Center
22,386 		4–3
8 February 17 Phoenix L 76–79 Tim Duncan (20) Tim Duncan (12) Avery Johnson (7) Alamodome
16,419 		4–4
9 February 19 @ L. A. Lakers L 94–106 Tim Duncan (26) Tim Duncan (11) Mario Elie (4) Great Western Forum
17,505 		4–5
10 February 21 Detroit W 85–64 Tim Duncan (17) Tim Duncan (14) Avery Johnson (5) Alamodome
19,495 		5–5
11 February 22 @ Minnesota L 89–95 Avery Johnson (20) David Robinson (17) Avery Johnson (5) Target Center
15,374 		5–6
12 February 24 Seattle W 99–81 David Robinson (29) David Robinson (17) Avery Johnson (7) Alamodome
15,209 		6–6
13 February 26 @ Seattle L 82–92 Tim Duncan (22) David Robinson (14) Avery Johnson (8) KeyArena
17,072 		6–7
14 February 28 Utah L 87–101 Tim Duncan (21) Tim Duncan (13) Mario Elie (6) Alamodome
18,165 		6–8
March: 14–2 (home: 6–1; road: 8–1)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
15 March 2 @ Houston W 99–82 Tim Duncan (23) Tim Duncan (14) Avery Johnson (13) Compaq Center
16,285 		7–8
16 March 4 @ Dallas W 95–79 Tim Duncan (26) Tim Duncan (12) Avery Johnson (10) Reunion Arena
14,719 		8–8
17 March 6 L. A. Clippers W 114–85 Tim Duncan (27) David Robinson (10) Avery Johnson (10) Alamodome
18,394 		9–8
18 March 7 @ Denver W 106–96 Tim Duncan (34) Tim Duncan (13) Avery Johnson (14) McNichols Sports Arena
12,037 		10–8
19 March 10 Orlando W 81–79 David Robinson (19) Tim Duncan (11) Avery Johnson (8) Alamodome
17,954 		11–8
20 March 12 @ Phoenix W 99–97 Tim Duncan (26) David Robinson (15) Avery Johnson (8) America West Arena
19,023 		12–8
21 March 13 Denver W 92–61 Tim Duncan (27) Duncan, Perdue (8) Avery Johnson (8) Alamodome
32,982 		13–8
22 March 16 @ Sacramento W 121–109 Tim Duncan (29) Tim Duncan (12) Avery Johnson (15) ARCO Arena
14,570 		14–8
23 March 17 @ Golden State W 82–78 Duncan, Rose (17) Tim Duncan (17) Avery Johnson (6) The Arena in Oakland
10,257 		15–8
24 March 19 @ Portland L 85–90 Tim Duncan (29) Tim Duncan (15) Avery Johnson (8) Rose Garden Arena
20,041 		15–9
25 March 20 @ Vancouver W 92–88 (OT) Tim Duncan (24) Tim Duncan (14) Avery Johnson (9) General Motors Place
19,193 		16–9
26 March 23 Denver W 112–82 Tim Duncan (19) David Robinson (9) Avery Johnson (7) Alamodome
16,501 		17–9
27 March 25 @ Denver W 86–65 Tim Duncan (28) David Robinson (13) David Robinson (5) McNichols Sports Arena
10,695 		18–9
28 March 26 Toronto L 91–93 David Robinson (24) David Robinson (16) Avery Johnson (11) Alamodome
16,290 		18–10
29 March 27 Dallas W 99–77 Tim Duncan (21) Tim Duncan (15) Avery Johnson (8) Alamodome
25,921 		19–10
30 March 30 Seattle W 95–87 Tim Duncan (26) David Robinson (10) Avery Johnson (9) Alamodome
16,565 		20–10
April: 13–3 (home: 9–0; road: 4–3)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
31 April 1 Vancouver W 103–91 Tim Duncan (39) Tim Duncan (13) Avery Johnson (8) Alamodome
16,384 		21–10
32 April 3 L. A. Clippers W 103–82 Robinson, Elie (19) David Robinson (13) Avery Johnson (8) Alamodome
17,915 		22–10
33 April 5 Golden State W 93–86 Robinson, Duncan (25) David Robinson (16) Avery Johnson (4) Alamodome
14,773 		23–10
34 April 8 @ Houston W 92–83 Sean Elliott (19) Tim Duncan (13) Avery Johnson (10) Compaq Center
16,285 		24–10
35 April 10 @ Phoenix L 84–110 Tim Duncan (21) Tim Duncan (10) Avery Johnson (6) America West Arena
19,023 		24–11
36 April 12 Phoenix W 94–77 Tim Duncan (26) David Robinson (13) Duncan, Elliott (4) Alamodome
14,352 		25–11
37 April 13 @ Dallas L 86–92 David Robinson (22) Tim Duncan (11) Avery Johnson (5) Reunion Arena
13,142 		25–12
38 April 14 Minnesota W 95–79 David Robinson (21) David Robinson (15) Avery Johnson (6) Alamodome
15,864 		26–12
39 April 16 Portland W 81–80 Robinson, Duncan (20) Tim Duncan (12) Avery Johnson (8) Alamodome
21,368 		27–12
40 April 18 Houston W 86–83 Mario Elie (21) David Robinson (14) Johnson, Duncan (8) Alamodome
24,077 		28–12
41 April 20 @ Utah W 83–69 Tim Duncan (36) Robinson, Rose (11) Johnson, Duncan (8) Delta Center
19,911 		29–12
42 April 22 Dallas W 103–76 David Robinson (18) Tim Duncan (10) Avery Johnson (8) Alamodome
18,720 		30–12
43 April 24 L. A. Lakers W 108–81 Tim Duncan (21) Tim Duncan (13) Avery Johnson (12) Alamodome
31,972 		31–12
44 April 26 @ L. A. Clippers W 94–88 Tim Duncan (22) Robinson, Kersey (7) Johnson, Duncan (7) Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena
8,260 		32–12
45 April 27 @ Sacramento L 100–104 (OT) Tim Duncan (32) Tim Duncan (19) Avery Johnson (12) ARCO Arena
16,776 		32–13
46 April 29 @ Vancouver W 99–72 Tim Duncan (19) Tim Duncan (10) Avery Johnson (8) General Motors Place
18,448 		33–13
May: 4–0 (home: 2–0; road: 2–0)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
47 May 1 Portland W 98–90 (OT) David Robinson (26) Robinson, Duncan (12) Avery Johnson (8) Alamodome
28,806 		34–13
48 May 2 Utah W 84–78 Tim Duncan (26) Tim Duncan (14) Avery Johnson (3) Alamodome
35,122 		35–13
49 May 4 @ Portland W 87–81 David Robinson (29) David Robinson (12) Duncan, Johnson (6) Rose Garden Arena
20,715 		36–13
50 May 5 @ Golden State W 88–81 Tim Duncan (28) David Robinson (20) Sean Elliott (6) The Arena in Oakland
17,235 		37–13
1998–99 schedule

Playoffs

1999 playoff game log
First Round: 3–1 (home: 1–1; road: 2–0)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Series
1 May 9 Minnesota W 99–86 Tim Duncan (26) Tim Duncan (12) Avery Johnson (10) Alamodome
22,356 		1–0
2 May 11 Minnesota L 71–80 Tim Duncan (18) Tim Duncan (16) Mario Elie (4) Alamodome
22,494 		1–1
3 May 13 @ Minnesota W 85–71 Avery Johnson (24) David Robinson (18) Duncan, Robinson (7) Target Center
17,444 		2–1
4 May 15 @ Minnesota W 92–85 David Robinson (19) David Robinson (11) Avery Johnson (6) Target Center
15,898 		3–1
Conference Semifinals: 4–0 (home: 2–0; road: 2–0)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Series
1 May 17 L.A. Lakers W 87–81 Tim Duncan (25) Will Perdue (9) Avery Johnson (8) Alamodome
25,297 		1–0
2 May 19 L.A. Lakers W 79–76 Tim Duncan (21) Tim Duncan (8) Avery Johnson (10) Alamodome
33,293 		2–0
3 May 22 @ L.A. Lakers W 103–91 Tim Duncan (37) Tim Duncan (14) Avery Johnson (7) Great Western Forum
17,505 		3–0
4 May 23 @ L.A. Lakers W 118–107 Tim Duncan (33) Tim Duncan (14) Avery Johnson (10) Great Western Forum
17,505 		4–0
Conference Finals: 4–0 (home: 2–0; road: 2–0)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Series
1 May 29 Portland W 80–76 Duncan, Robinson (21) Tim Duncan (13) Avery Johnson (9) Alamodome
35,165 		1–0
2 May 31 Portland W 86–85 Tim Duncan (23) Tim Duncan (10) Avery Johnson (7) Alamodome
35,260 		2–0
3 June 4 @ Portland W 85–63 Jaren Jackson (19) David Robinson (9) Avery Johnson (8) Rose Garden
20,732 		3–0
4 June 6 @ Portland W 94–80 David Robinson (20) David Robinson (10) Avery Johnson (6) Rose Garden
20,735 		4–0
NBA Finals: 4–1 (home: 2–0; road: 2–1)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Series
1 June 16 New York W 89–77 Tim Duncan (33) Tim Duncan (16) Avery Johnson (8) Alamodome
39,514 		1–0
2 June 18 New York W 80–67 Tim Duncan (25) Tim Duncan (15) Avery Johnson (5) Alamodome
39,554 		2–0
3 June 21 @ New York L 81–89 David Robinson (25) Tim Duncan (12) Avery Johnson (4) Madison Square Garden
19,763 		2–1
4 June 23 @ New York W 96–89 Tim Duncan (28) Tim Duncan (18) Avery Johnson (10) Madison Square Garden
19,763 		3–1
5 June 25 @ New York W 78–77 Tim Duncan (31) David Robinson (12) Avery Johnson (9) Madison Square Garden
19,763 		4–1
1999 schedule

Player statistics

Regular season

Player POS GP GS MP REB AST STL BLK PTS MPG RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Tim Duncan PF 50 50 1,963 571 121 45 126 1,084 39.3 11.4 2.4 .9 2.5 21.7
Avery Johnson PG 50 50 1,672 118 369 51 11 487 33.4 2.4 7.4 1.0 .2 9.7
Sean Elliott SF 50 50 1,509 213 117 26 17 561 30.2 4.3 2.3 .5 .3 11.2
David Robinson C 49 49 1,554 492 103 69 119 775 31.7 10.0 2.1 1.4 2.4 15.8
Mario Elie SG 47 37 1,291 137 89 46 12 455 27.5 2.9 1.9 1.0 .3 9.7
Jaren Jackson SG 47 13 861 99 49 41 9 301 18.3 2.1 1.0 .9 .2 6.4
Antonio Daniels PG 47 0 614 54 106 30 6 220 13.1 1.1 2.3 .6 .1 4.7
Malik Rose PF 47 0 608 182 29 40 22 284 12.9 3.9 .6 .9 .5 6.0
Jerome Kersey SF 45 0 699 130 41 37 14 145 15.5 2.9 .9 .8 .3 3.2
Steve Kerr PG 44 0 734 44 49 23 3 192 16.7 1.0 1.1 .5 .1 4.4
Will Perdue C 37 1 445 138 18 9 10 90 12.0 3.7 .5 .2 .3 2.4
Gerard King SF 19 0 63 14 4 2 1 23 3.3 .7 .2 .1 .1 1.2
Andrew Gaze SG 19 0 58 5 6 2 1 21 3.1 .3 .3 .1 .1 1.1
Brandon Williams SG 3 0 4 1 0 0 0 2 1.3 .3 .0 .0 .0 .7

Playoffs

Player POS GP GS MP REB AST STL BLK PTS MPG RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Tim Duncan PF 17 17 733 195 48 13 45 395 43.1 11.5 2.8 .8 2.6 23.2
Avery Johnson PG 17 17 653 42 126 20 1 215 38.4 2.5 7.4 1.2 .1 12.6
David Robinson C 17 17 600 168 43 28 40 265 35.3 9.9 2.5 1.6 2.4 15.6
Sean Elliott SF 17 17 574 58 45 9 4 203 33.8 3.4 2.6 .5 .2 11.9
Mario Elie SG 17 17 526 59 50 22 2 135 30.9 3.5 2.9 1.3 .1 7.9
Jaren Jackson SG 17 0 345 41 18 13 0 140 20.3 2.4 1.1 .8 .0 8.2
Malik Rose PF 17 0 194 39 3 7 4 46 11.4 2.3 .2 .4 .2 2.7
Antonio Daniels PG 15 0 106 10 16 4 0 27 7.1 .7 1.1 .3 .0 1.8
Jerome Kersey SF 14 0 152 30 4 6 1 36 10.9 2.1 .3 .4 .1 2.6
Will Perdue C 12 0 86 28 0 0 1 13 7.2 2.3 .0 .0 .1 1.1
Steve Kerr PG 11 0 97 9 8 2 0 24 8.8 .8 .7 .2 .0 2.2
Gerard King SF 8 0 14 4 1 0 1 4 1.8 .5 .1 .0 .1 .5

NBA Finals

The 1999 NBA Finals saw some firsts for both the Spurs and the opposing New York Knicks.

The Spurs:

  • Became the first former ABA team to play and win in an NBA Finals. (This feat would be duplicated by the Denver Nuggets in 2023.)
  • Attracted record crowds for the two games at the Alamodome. Attendance was 39,514 for Game 1 and 39,554 for Game 2 (the largest crowd to see an NBA Finals game).
  • Steve Kerr became the first non-Celtic to win four straight championships, as he won titles with the Bulls from 1996 to 1998.

The Knicks became the first 8th seed to ever play in an NBA Finals. (This feat would be duplicated by the Miami Heat in 2023.)

Summary

The following scoring summary is written in a line score format, except that the quarter numbers are replaced by game numbers.

Team Game 1 Game 2 Game 3 Game 4 Game 5 Wins
San Antonio (West) 89 80 81 96 78 4
New York (East) 77 67 89 89 77 1

With time running out in Game 5, and the 1999 championship on the line, the Spurs looked to Avery Johnson as he hit a long clutch 2 from the corner with 47 seconds to go, giving the Spurs a 1-point lead. It was considered one of the franchise's best moments since the first 26 years in San Antonio.

Schedule

The Finals were played using a 2-3-2 site format, where the first two and last two games are held at the team with home court advantage. The NBA, after experimenting in the early years, restored this original format for the Finals in 1985. So far, the other playoff series are still running on a 2-2-1-1-1 site format.

Award winners

References

  1. ^ "1998-99 San Antonio Spurs Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference.com.
  2. ^ "NBA: Let The Games Begin!". CBS News. CBS News.com Staff. January 6, 1999. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
  3. ^ "Clippers Pick Olowokandi No. 1". CBS News. CBS News.com Staff. June 24, 1998. Retrieved June 26, 2023.
  4. ^ Wise, Mike (June 25, 1998). "PRO BASKETBALL; 7 Feet 1 Inch of Potential at No. 1". The New York Times. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
  5. ^ a b Popper, Steve (June 25, 1998). "PRO BASKETBALL; Lopez of St. John's Ends Up with Grizzlies". The New York Times. Retrieved April 27, 2022.
  6. ^ "Kerr Leaving Bulls for Spurs?". CBS News. CBS News.com Staff. January 17, 1999. Retrieved June 26, 2023.
  7. ^ Broussard, Chris (January 20, 1999). "PRO BASKETBALL; Ruining of Bulls Begins in Earnest". The New York Times. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
  8. ^ a b "NBA DEALINGS: McDyess, Divac and Smith Sign". Kitsap Sun. Associated Press. January 23, 1999. Retrieved June 26, 2023.
  9. ^ "Elie Provides Spurs with a Much-Needed Edge". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. May 31, 1999. Retrieved November 16, 2022.
  10. ^ a b c Steele, David (June 15, 1999). "Elie, Other Free Agents Pushed Spurs to Top". SFGate. Retrieved June 26, 2023.
  11. ^ Wise, Mike (February 4, 1999). "PRO BASKETBALL; A Scrum for the Title". The New York Times. Retrieved June 28, 2022.
  12. ^ Jorgensen, Loren (March 1, 1999). "Ostertag Sparks Jazz Over Spurs, Center Praised — Except By a Hesitant Malone". Deseret News. Retrieved July 8, 2021.
  13. ^ "1998–99 San Antonio Spurs Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  14. ^ a b "1998–99 San Antonio Spurs Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  15. ^ "N.B.A.: M.V.P. AWARD; Malone Wins 2d Award in 3 Years". The New York Times. Associated Press. June 4, 1999. Retrieved May 25, 2022.
  16. ^ a b c "1998–99 NBA Awards Voting". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 2, 2022.
  17. ^ "Spurs Get Mad, Then Get Going". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. May 16, 1999. Retrieved June 3, 2022.
  18. ^ "Spurs Send T'Wolves Packing". CBS News. Associated Press. May 15, 1999. Retrieved June 26, 2021.
  19. ^ "1999 NBA Western Conference First Round: Timberwolves vs. Spurs". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 9, 2023.
  20. ^ Gurnick, Ken (May 24, 1999). "N.B.A. PLAYOFFS; Farewell to Lakers, and to Forum". The New York Times. Retrieved May 25, 2022.
  21. ^ Plaschke, Bill (May 24, 1999). "Laker Season Was Building to Anticlimax". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  22. ^ "1999 NBA Western Conference Semifinals: Lakers vs. Spurs". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 9, 2023.
  23. ^ Baum, Bob (May 29, 1999). "Duncan, Robinson Lead San Antonio in Game 1". The Washington Post. Retrieved April 6, 2023.
  24. ^ Broussard, Chris (May 30, 1999). "N.B.A. PLAYOFFS; Wallace Had a Look, But Spurs See a 1-0 Lead". The New York Times. Retrieved January 18, 2022.
  25. ^ Heisler, Mark (May 30, 1999). "Spurs Find Foe That Won't Quit". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
  26. ^ Heisler, Mark (June 1, 1999). "Elliott's Three-Point Basket Puts Portland on Its Heels". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
  27. ^ Broussard, Chris (June 2, 1999). "N.B.A. PLAYOFFS; Spurs Seem to Hold Spell the Blazers Can't Break". The New York Times. Retrieved July 28, 2017.
  28. ^ Mathewson, Eryn (May 24, 2023). "Sean Elliott: What Life Is Like for "Memorial Day Miracle"; NBA Star After Kidney Transplant". CNN. Retrieved June 26, 2023.
  29. ^ "N.B.A. PLAYOFFS; Ready and Waiting: Spurs Sweep Into First Finals". The New York Times. Associated Press. June 7, 1999. Retrieved May 25, 2022.
  30. ^ Heisler, Mark (June 7, 1999). "Only Blazing Is Done by Spurs". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  31. ^ "1999 NBA Western Conference Finals: Trail Blazers vs. Spurs". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 9, 2023.
  32. ^ Roberts, Selena (June 3, 1999). "N.B.A. PLAYOFFS; Ewing to Miss Rest of Playoffs with a Torn Achilles' Tendon". The New York Times. Retrieved January 15, 2026.
  33. ^ Adande, J.A. (June 3, 1999). "Ewing Felled by Achilles". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 15, 2026.
  34. ^ Wyche, Steve (June 3, 1999). "Ewing Out for the Season". The Washington Post. Retrieved January 15, 2026.
  35. ^ Roberts, Selena (June 26, 1999). "Spurs Win Title as Knicks' Dream Ends". The New York Times. Retrieved May 29, 2022.
  36. ^ Kawakami, Tim (June 26, 1999). "Spurs Tower Over NBA". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
  37. ^ "1999 NBA Finals: Knicks vs. Spurs". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 9, 2023.
  38. ^ "1998–99 NBA Season Summary". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved October 9, 2025.
  39. ^ Smith, Sam (September 2, 1999). "Bulls Just Being Prudent by Signing Recycled Products". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved November 16, 2022.
  40. ^ Wise, Mike (October 31, 1999). "1999–2000 N.B.A. PREVIEW; The West Is Still the Best". The New York Times. Retrieved June 8, 2022.
  41. ^ "Ranking the easiest paths to an NBA title ever". HoopsHype. June 18, 2024. Retrieved August 19, 2024.
  42. ^ Duarte, Jeph (June 1, 2018). "Spurs Used the 1998 Draft to Acquire Antonio Daniels". Pounding The Rock.
  43. ^ "San Antonio Spurs: 25 Best Players to Play for the Spurs". August 29, 2016.
  44. ^ "1998–99 San Antonio Spurs Transactions". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved December 28, 2021.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 unless otherwise noted. Additional terms may apply for the media files.