1998–99 Los Angeles Clippers season

The 1998–99 NBA season was the Clippers' 29th season in the National Basketball Association, and their 15th season in Los Angeles.[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]

1998–99 Los Angeles Clippers season
Head coachChris Ford
OwnersDonald Sterling
ArenaLos Angeles Sports Arena
Arrowhead Pond
Results
Record9–41 (.180)
PlaceDivision: 7th (Pacific)
Conference: 13th (Western)
Playoff finishDid not qualify
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
TelevisionKCAL-TV
Fox Sports West 2
(Ralph Lawler, Bill Walton)
RadioKXTA
(Rory Markas)

This was also the final season where the team played at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena, and played occasional home games at the Arrowhead Pond in Anaheim. The Clippers won the Draft Lottery selecting Michael Olowokandi out of Pacific University with the first overall pick in the 1998 NBA draft,[17][18][19][20][21] and signed free agents Sherman Douglas,[22][23] and undrafted rookie forward Tyrone Nesby in the off-season.[24] However, the Clippers still struggled under new head coach Chris Ford,[25][26] losing their first 17 games of the season, tying the 1988–89 Miami Heat for the then-worst start in NBA history (later on broken by the 2009–10 New Jersey Nets, who lost their first 18 games of the season).[27] During the midseason period, the team signed second-year guard Troy Hudson in March.[28] The Clippers lost 30 of their first 33 games, then lost their final six games, finishing last place in the Pacific Division with a 9–41 record.[29] They tied the 1972–73 Philadelphia 76ers for the fourth-lowest win total for a season behind the 1998–99 Vancouver Grizzlies, the 2011–12 Charlotte Bobcats, and the 1947–48 Providence Steamrollers.

Second-year forward Maurice Taylor showed improvement, averaging 16.8 points and 5.3 rebounds per game, while Lamond Murray played a sixth man role off the bench, averaging 12.2 points per game. In addition, three-point specialist Eric Piatkowski contributed 10.5 points per game, while Nesby provided the team with 10.1 points and 1.5 steals per game, and Olowokandi averaged 8.9 points and 7.9 rebounds per game, and was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team. Douglas contributed 8.2 points and 4.1 assists per game, while Darrick Martin contributed 8.0 points and 3.9 assists per game, Rodney Rogers provided with 7.4 points per game off the bench, and Lorenzen Wright averaged 6.6 points and 7.5 rebounds per game.[30]

Following the season, Murray was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers,[31][32][33][34] while Rogers signed as a free agent with the Phoenix Suns,[35][36][37][38] Wright was dealt to the Atlanta Hawks,[39][40][41] Douglas re-signed with the New Jersey Nets,[42][43] Martin signed with the Sacramento Kings, and Pooh Richardson was released to free agency.[44][45]

Draft picks
Main article: 1998 NBA draft
Round Pick Player Position Nationality College
11Michael OlowokandiC NigeriaPacific
122Brian SkinnerPF United StatesBaylor

Roster
1998–99 Los Angeles Clippers roster
Players Coaches
Pos.No.NameHeightWeightDOBFrom
G 1 Brooks, Scott Injured (IN) 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 165 lb (75 kg) –– UC Irvine
C 33 Closs, Keith 7 ft 3 in (2.21 m) 215 lb (98 kg) –– Central Connecticut State
G 20 Douglas, Sherman 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 195 lb (88 kg) –– Syracuse
G 6 Hudson, Troy 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 170 lb (77 kg) –– Southern Illinois
G 15 Martin, Darrick Injured 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 170 lb (77 kg) –– UCLA
F 7 Murray, Lamond 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 236 lb (107 kg) –– California
G/F 8 Nesby, Tyrone 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 225 lb (102 kg) –– UNLV
C 34 Olowokandi, Michael 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 270 lb (122 kg) –– Pacific
G 52 Piatkowski, Eric 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 215 lb (98 kg) –– Nebraska
G 24 Richardson, Pooh Injured (C) 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 180 lb (82 kg) –– UCLA
F 54 Rogers, Rodney 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 260 lb (118 kg) –– Wake Forest
F 32 Skinner, Brian 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 230 lb (104 kg) –– Michigan
G 5 Smith, Charles 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 194 lb (88 kg) –– New Mexico
F 23 Taylor, Maurice 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 260 lb (118 kg) –– Michigan
C 11 Vrankovic, Stojko Injured 7 ft 2 in (2.18 m) 260 lb (118 kg) –– Croatia
F/C 55 Wright, Lorenzen 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 240 lb (109 kg) –– Memphis
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • (IN) Inactive
  • Injured Injured

Roster
Last transaction: 2009-10-04

Roster Notes
  • Point guard Scott Brooks missed the entire season due to a knee injury, and never played for the Clippers.[46]

Regular season

Season standings
Pacific Division
 W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-Portland Trail Blazers 3515.700–22–313–1215–7
x-Los Angeles Lakers 3119.620418–713–1214–8
x-Sacramento Kings 2723.540816–911–1411–9
x-Phoenix Suns 2723.540815–1012–139–10
Seattle SuperSonics 2525.5001017–88–1711–10
Golden State Warriors 2129.4201413–128–178–11
Los Angeles Clippers 941.180266–193–223–16
#
Western Conference
Team W L PCT GB
1 z-San Antonio Spurs3713.740–
2 y-Portland Trail Blazers3515.7002
3 x-Utah Jazz3713.740–
4 x-Los Angeles Lakers3119.6206
5 x-Houston Rockets3119.6206
6 x-Sacramento Kings2723.54010
7 x-Phoenix Suns2723.54010
8 x-Minnesota Timberwolves2525.50012
9 Seattle SuperSonics2525.50012
10 Golden State Warriors2129.42016
11 Dallas Mavericks1931.38018
12 Denver Nuggets1436.28023
13 Los Angeles Clippers941.18028
14 Vancouver Grizzlies842.16029
z - clinched division title
y - clinched division title
x - clinched playoff spot

Record vs. opponents
1998-99 NBA Records
Team ATL BOS CHA CHI CLE DAL DEN DET GSW HOU IND LAC LAL MIA MIL MIN NJN NYK ORL PHI PHO POR SAC SAS SEA TOR UTA VAN WAS
Atlanta –3–03–03–12–10–10–01–20–01–03–11–00–00–31–20–01–22–12–22–11–00–00–00–00–02–10–01–02–1
Boston 0–3–1–22–12–20–01–00–30–00–00–31–00–03–00–30–11–21–21–21–20–00–10–10–00–01–20–01–03–1
Charlotte 0–32–1–2–12–10–00–03–00–10–01–20–00–11–22–20–03–01–31–21–21–01–00–00–00–02–11–00–02–1
Chicago 1–31–21–2–0–30–10–00–30–00–00–31–00–01–21–30–02–11–20–31–20–00–00–00–10–11–20–11–01–2
Cleveland 1–22–21–23–0–0–00–01–21–00–10–30–01–00–31–20–03–01–21–21–21–00–00–01–00–02–20–10–01–2
Dallas 1–00–00–01–00–0–2–10–12–22–20–03–00–30–10–01–20–10–01–00–01–30–32–21–30–30–00–32–10–0
Denver 0–00–10–00–00–01–2–0–01–30–40–13–01–20–11–00–31–00–00–00–00–30–30–30–42–20–01–23–10–1
Detroit 2–13–00–33–02–11–00–0–0–00–02–10–00–02–12–10–12–12–10–41–31–00–00–00–11–02–11–00–02–1
Golden State 0–00–01–00–00–12–23–10–0–0–31–02–11–20–00–12–20–00–00–10–01–22–21–20–31–20–00–44–00–0
Houston 0–10–00–00–01–02–24–00–03–0–0–03–11–20–10–02–11–00–00–10–02–22–13–00–32–11–00–34–00–0
Indiana 1–23–02–13–03–00–01–01–20–10–0–0–01–02–23–00–03–12–11–21–20–00–10–00–00–02–10–01–03–0
L.A. Clippers 0–10–10–00–10–00–30–30–01–21–30–0–0–40–00–02–21–00–10–00–00–31–21–20–30–30–11–31–30–0
L.A. Lakers 0–00–01–00–00–13–02–10–02–12–10–14–0–0–00–02–10–01–01–00–13–12–21–22–12–20–01–32–10–0
Miami 3–00–32–12–13–01–01–01–20–01–02–20–00–0–2–10–13–12–22–12–10–00–00–00–00–03–00–10–03–0
Milwaukee 2–13–02–23–12–10–00–11–21–00–00–30–00–01–2–1–02–12–11–21–20–10–00–00–01–03–10–00–02–1
Minnesota 0–01–00–00–00–02–13–01–02–21–20–02–21–21–00–1–0–00–10–00–01–20–33–12–22–10–10–33–10–0
New Jersey 2–12–10–31–20–31–00–11–20–00–11–30–10–01–31–20–0–0–30–31–20–00–10–00–01–02–10–00–02–1
New York 1–22–13–12–12–10–00–01–20–00–01–21–00–12–21–21–03–0–0–33–11–00–00–10–00–01–20–00–02–1
Orlando 2–22–12–13–02–10–10–04–01–01–02–10–00–11–22–10–03–03–0–1–20–00–01–00–10–01–20–00–02–1
Philadelphia 1–22–12–12–12–10–00–03–10–00–02–10–01–01–22–10–02–11–32–1–0–00–11–00–10–12–10–01–01–2
Phoenix 0–10–00–10–00–13–13–00–12–12–20–03–01–30–01–02–10–00–10–00–0–0–30–32–23–00–02–23–00–0
Portland 0–01–00–10–00–03–03–00–02–21–21–02–12–20–00–03–01–00–00–01–03–0–4–01–32–20–01–24–00–0
Sacramento 0–01–01–00–00–02–23–00–02–10–30–02–12–10–00–01–30–01–00–10–13–00–4–1–22–20–01–24–01–0
San Antonio 0–00–00–01–00–13–14–01–03–03–00–03–01–20–00–02–20–00–01–01–02–23–12–1–2–10–12–13–00–0
Seattle 0–00–00–01–00–03–02–20–12–11–20–03–02–20–00–11–20–10–00–01–00–32–22–21–2–0–02–22–10–1
Toronto 1–22–11–22–12–20–00–01–20–00–11–21–00–00–31–31–01–22–12–11–20–00–00–01–00–0–0–01–02–2
Utah 0–00–00–11–01–03–02–10–14–03–00–03–13–11–00–03–00–00–00–00–02–22–12–11–22–20–0–3–01–0
Vancouver 0–10–10–00–10–01–21–30–00–30–40–13–11–20–00–01–30–00–00–00–10–30–30–40–31–20–10–3–0–0
Washington 1–21–31–22–12–10–01–01–20–10–00–30–00–00–31–20–01–21–21–22–10–00–10–10–01–02–20–10–0—

Player statistics
Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field-goal percentage  3P%  3-point field-goal percentage  FT%  Free-throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game
Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Maurice Taylor 464532.746.116.772.85.31.50.30.616.8
Lamond Murray 501326.339.133.080.33.91.21.20.412.2
Eric Piatkowski 493825.343.239.486.32.91.10.90.110.5
Tyrone Nesby 503625.844.936.578.23.51.61.50.410.1
Michael Olowokandi 453628.443.10.048.37.90.60.61.28.9
Sherman Douglas 301928.143.80.063.21.94.10.90.18.2
Darrick Martin 372525.436.729.280.31.33.91.20.18.0
James Robinson 14020.039.826.774.11.91.31.00.27.6
Rodney Rogers 47720.644.128.667.33.81.61.00.57.4
Troy Hudson 25621.040.031.989.52.23.70.40.16.8
Lorenzen Wright 481523.645.80.069.27.50.70.50.86.6
Brian Skinner 21012.346.50.060.62.50.00.50.64.1
Charles Smith 231013.836.121.243.81.00.60.70.63.7
Pooh Richardson 11011.833.30.0100.01.22.70.40.02.5
Keith Closs 1505.852.20.080.01.70.00.20.62.1
Stojko Vrankovic 2 0 6.0 25.0 0.0 0.0 3.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.0

Player Statistics Citation:[30]

Awards and records

Injuries and surgeries
Player Injury Date Injury Type
Scott Brooks January 30, 1999 Strained right MCL

Transactions

The Clippers have been involved in the following transactions during the 1998–1999 season.

Re-signed
Player Signed Contract
Darrick Martin January 22, 1999 One-year deal

Trades

No trades occurred for this team during this season.

Free agents

Player Transactions Citation:[47]

See also

References
  1. 1998-99 Los Angeles Clippers
  2. Wise, Mike (June 30, 1998). "BASKETBALL; It's Their Ball, and N.B.A. Owners Call for Lockout". The New York Times. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
  3. Heisler, Mark (June 30, 1998). "NBA Lockout". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
  4. "NBA Lockout Begins". CBS News. CBS News.com Staff. June 30, 1998. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
  5. Bembry, Jerry (June 30, 1998). "Billion-Dollar Question: NBA Facing Long Timeout? Rising Salaries Spur Basketball Owners to Lock Out Players". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
  6. Steele, David (June 30, 1998). "NBA Lockout Now a Certainty". SFGate. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
  7. "NBA Cancels All-Star Game". CBS News. CBS News.com Staff. December 8, 1998. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
  8. Wise, Mike (December 9, 1998). "PRO BASKETBALL; It's Official: N.B.A. Cancels Its All-Star Game". The New York Times. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
  9. Heisler, Mark (December 9, 1998). "NBA Dunks All-Star Game". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
  10. Asher, Mark (December 9, 1998). "NBA Cancels All-Star Game". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
  11. Steele, David (December 9, 1998). "NBA Drops All-Stars -- What's Left?; February Game in Philly Latest Casualty of Lockout". SFGate. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
  12. "NBA: Let The Games Begin!". CBS News. CBS News.com Staff. January 6, 1999. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
  13. Wise, Mike (January 7, 1999). "With Little Time on Clock, NBA and Players Settle". The New York Times. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
  14. Heisler, Mark (January 7, 1999). "NBA, Players Union Agree to End Lockout". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
  15. Justice, Richard; Asher, Mark (January 7, 1999). "NBA Labor Dispute Ends After 6 Months". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
  16. Bembry, Jerry (January 7, 1999). "Just Beating Buzzer, NBA Unlocks Season; With Only Day Left to Make Deal, Owners, Players Union Agree". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
  17. "Clippers Pick Olowokandi No. 1". CBS News. CBS News.com Staff. June 24, 1998. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
  18. Wise, Mike (June 25, 1998). "PRO BASKETBALL; 7 Feet 1 Inch of Potential at No. 1". The New York Times. Retrieved July 25, 2021.
  19. "Olowokandi Is the Center of Attention". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. June 25, 1998. Retrieved October 18, 2022.
  20. Mills, Roger (June 25, 1998). "Olowokandi Shoots to the Top". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
  21. "1998 NBA Draft". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
  22. White, Lonnie (February 4, 1999). "Douglas Is Expected to Sign". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 29, 2022.
  23. "Douglas to Shoot for Clippers". CBS News. CBS News.com Staff. February 4, 1999. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
  24. White, Lonnie (November 4, 1999). "Nesby Adjusts to His Role Off Bench". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
  25. "Clippers to Name Ford as New Coach". The Washington Post. January 13, 1999. Retrieved May 1, 2023.
  26. White, Lonnie (January 14, 1999). "Hoping to Get Ford Tough, Clippers Finally Hire Coach". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
  27. White, Lonnie (March 11, 1999). "As Clippers Tie Record Losing Streak, Lakers Break Up Winning Hand in Five-Player Trade with Charlotte". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
  28. White, Lonnie (March 27, 1999). "Hudson Won't Forget Debut". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
  29. "1998–99 Los Angeles Clippers Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved July 15, 2021.
  30. "1998–99 Los Angeles Clippers Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved July 15, 2021.
  31. "Cavs Send Anderson to Clips". CBS News. Associated Press. August 4, 1999. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
  32. "Clippers Trade Murray for Anderson". Associated Press. August 4, 1999. Retrieved January 2, 2022.
  33. "Cavaliers". Orlando Sentinel. August 5, 1999. Retrieved July 9, 2023.
  34. White, Lonnie (August 9, 1999). "Clippers Deal the Lakers a Blow". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
  35. "Rogers' Shooting for the Suns". CBS News. Associated Press. August 2, 1999. Retrieved January 2, 2022.
  36. Wise, Mike (August 3, 1999). "PRO BASKETBALL; Trading Begins in the N.B.A. Bazaar". The New York Times. Retrieved July 9, 2023.
  37. Kawakami, Tim (August 3, 1999). "Rogers Agrees to Terms with Suns". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 15, 2022.
  38. "Blazers Trade Rider, Sign Schrempf, O'Neal". Chicago Tribune. Tribune News Services. August 3, 1999. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
  39. "Clippers to Make Wright Trade". CBS News. Associated Press. August 8, 1999. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
  40. White, Lonnie (August 8, 1999). "Clippers to Trade Wright to Atlanta". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
  41. "Wright Traded for $42-Million". Tampa Bay Times. August 9, 1999. Retrieved July 9, 2023.
  42. "Douglas Back in New Jersey". CBS News. Associated Press. October 20, 1999. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
  43. "PRO BASKETBALL; Douglas Returns to Play for Nets". The New York Times. October 21, 1999. Retrieved October 17, 2022.
  44. 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.
  45. White, Lonnie (September 24, 1999). "Another Pointed Day for Clippers: Pro Basketball: They Get Murdock in Trade with Nets, But Hear from Falk That Taylor Will Leave Team After the Season". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 17, 2022.
  46. White, Lonnie (January 31, 1999). "For Clippers, Loss Is No Big Deal". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
  47. "1998–99 Los Angeles Clippers Transactions". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved July 15, 2021.
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