1998–99 Washington Wizards season

1998–99 Washington Wizards season
Head coachBernie Bickerstaff
Jim Brovelli
ArenaMCI Center
Results
Record18–32 (.360)
PlaceDivision: 6th (Atlantic)
Conference: 13th (Eastern)
Playoff finishDid not qualify
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
TelevisionWBDC
Home Team Sports
RadioWTEM
< 1997–98 1999–00 >

The 1998–99 NBA season was the Wizards' 38th season in the National Basketball Association.[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]

Prior to the start of the season, the Wizards acquired All-Star guard Mitch Richmond and Otis Thorpe from the Sacramento Kings.[17][18][19][20][21] However, after a 4–4 start to the season, the Wizards continued to under achieve playing below .500 for the rest of the season. Head coach Bernie Bickerstaff was fired after a 13–19 start, and was replaced with assistant Jim Brovelli as an interim coach,[22][23][24] and Juwan Howard only played 36 games due to an ankle injury.[25][26][27] The team posted a 7-game losing streak in April, and lost nine of their final eleven games finishing sixth in the Atlantic Division with a disappointing 18–32 record.[28]

Richmond led the team in scoring averaging 19.7 points per game, while Howard averaged 18.9 points and 8.1 rebounds per game, and Rod Strickland provided the team with 15.7 points and 9.9 assists per game. In addition, Thorpe provided with 11.3 points and 6.8 rebounds per game, while Calbert Cheaney contributed 7.7 points per game off the bench, and Ben Wallace led the team with 8.3 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game.[29]

Following the season, Thorpe signed as a free agent with the Miami Heat,[30][31][32] while Cheaney signed with the Boston Celtics,[33][34][35] Wallace, Terry Davis and Tim Legler were all traded to the Orlando Magic,[36][37][38][39] who then released Davis and Legler to free agency, and Brovelli was fired as head coach.[40]

Draft picks

Main article: 1998 NBA draft
Round Pick Player Position Nationality College
2 43 Jahidi White PF/C  United States Georgetown

Roster

1998–99 Washington Wizards roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB From
F 42 Bohannon, Etdrick 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 220 lb (100 kg) –– Auburn Montgomery
G/F 40 Cheaney, Calbert 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 209 lb (95 kg) –– Indiana
C 51 Coker, John 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 253 lb (115 kg) –– Boise State
C 52 Davis, Terry Injured 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 225 lb (102 kg) –– Virginia Union
F 5 Howard, Juwan Injured 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 240 lb (109 kg) –– Michigan
F 50 Jackson, Randell 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 215 lb (98 kg) –– Florida State
G 23 Legler, Tim 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 200 lb (91 kg) –– La Salle
G 10 McInnis, Jeff 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 179 lb (81 kg) –– North Carolina
F 35 Murray, Tracy 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 225 lb (102 kg) –– UCLA
G 2 Richmond, Mitch 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 215 lb (98 kg) –– Kansas State
G 1 Strickland, Rod 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 175 lb (79 kg) –– DePaul
F/C 33 Thorpe, Otis 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 225 lb (102 kg) –– Providence
C 30 Wallace, Ben 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 240 lb (109 kg) –– Virginia Union
F/C 55 White, Jahidi 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 290 lb (132 kg) –– Georgetown
G 12 Whitney, Chris 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 168 lb (76 kg) –– Clemson
F/C 43 Williams, Lorenzo Injured (IN) 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 200 lb (91 kg) –– Stetson
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • (IN) Inactive
  • Injured Injured

Roster

Roster Notes

Regular season

Season standings

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
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
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 – 3–0 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
Boston 0–3 – 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
Charlotte 0–3 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
Chicago 1–3 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
Cleveland 1–2 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
Dallas 1–0 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
Denver 0–0 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
Detroit 2–1 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 State 0–0 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
Houston 0–1 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
Indiana 1–2 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. Clippers 0–1 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. Lakers 0–0 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
Miami 3–0 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
Milwaukee 2–1 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
Minnesota 0–0 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 Jersey 2–1 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 York 1–2 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
Orlando 2–2 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
Philadelphia 1–2 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
Phoenix 0–1 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
Portland 0–0 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
Sacramento 0–0 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 Antonio 0–0 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
Seattle 0–0 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
Toronto 1–2 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
Utah 0–0 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
Vancouver 0–1 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
Washington 1–2 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 —

Game log

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

Regular season

Washington Wizards statistics
Player GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Etdrick Bohannon 2 0 2.0 .0 .0 .0 .0 .0
Calbert Cheaney 50 18 25.3 .414 .216 .493 2.8 1.5 .8 .3 7.7
John Coker 14 0 7.0 .419 .833 1.6 .0 .1 .1 2.2
Terry Davis 37 34 15.6 .533 .737 3.8 .3 .3 .1 3.4
Juwan Howard 36 36 39.7 .474 .000 .753 8.1 3.0 1.2 .4 18.9
Randell Jackson 27 8 10.0 .426 .143 .656 2.0 .3 .1 .4 4.2
Tim Legler 30 0 12.6 .443 .400 .500 1.3 .7 .1 .1 4.0
Jeff McInnis 35 6 12.2 .373 .257 .750 .6 2.1 .5 .0 3.7
Tracy Murray 36 0 18.1 .350 .320 .810 2.3 .8 .6 .2 6.5
Mitch Richmond 50 50 38.2 .412 .317 .857 3.4 2.4 1.3 .2 19.7
Rod Strickland 44 43 37.1 .416 .286 .746 4.8 9.9 1.7 .1 15.7
Otis Thorpe 49 38 31.4 .545 .000 .698 6.8 2.1 .9 .4 11.3
Ben Wallace 46 16 26.8 .578 .356 8.3 .4 1.1 2.0 6.0
Jahidi White 20 0 9.6 .531 .429 2.9 .1 .2 .6 2.5
Chris Whitney 39 1 11.3 .410 .337 .871 1.2 1.8 .5 .1 4.8

Awards and records

Transactions

References

  1. ^ 1998-99 Washington Wizards
  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. ^ "N.B.A.; Webber Traded to Sacramento". The New York Times. Associated Press. May 15, 1998. Retrieved August 13, 2021.
  18. ^ "Webber Dealt to Kings for Richmond, Thorpe". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. May 15, 1998. Retrieved July 10, 2022.
  19. ^ Bucher, Ric (May 15, 1998). "Webber Traded to Sacramento". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 30, 2022.
  20. ^ Bembry, Jerry (May 15, 1998). "Wizards Trade Webber to Kings; Richmond, Thorpe Add "Stability," "Maturity"". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved June 24, 2023.
  21. ^ Wise, Mike (February 4, 1999). "PRO BASKETBALL; A Scrum for the Title". The New York Times. Retrieved June 28, 2022.
  22. ^ "Bickerstaff Fired by Wizards". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. April 6, 1999. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
  23. ^ Wyche, Steve (April 6, 1999). "Bickerstaff Is Out as Wizards Coach". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
  24. ^ "Bickerstaff Finished as Coach of Wizards; Assistant Brovelli Named Interim Coach". The Baltimore Sun. April 6, 1999. Retrieved May 1, 2023.
  25. ^ Wyche, Steve (April 13, 1999). "Howard Out for Wizards". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
  26. ^ Armour, Terry (April 17, 1999). "Bulls End Misery (for Washington)". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
  27. ^ Wyche, Steve (April 27, 1999). "Wizards Lose 6th Straight". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
  28. ^ "1998–99 Washington Wizards Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved July 15, 2021.
  29. ^ "1998–99 Washington Wizards Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved July 15, 2021.
  30. ^ Perkins, Chris (July 15, 1999). "Versatile Thorpe a Top Target on Free-Agent List". Sun Sentinel. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
  31. ^ "Thorpe Signs with Heat". CBS News. Associated Press. August 5, 1999. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
  32. ^ Wise, Mike (October 31, 1999). "1999–2000 N.B.A. PREVIEW; The West Is Still the Best". The New York Times. Retrieved June 25, 2022.
  33. ^ "PLUS: PRO BASKETBALL -- BOSTON; Cheaney Headed to the Celtics". The New York Times. Associated Press. August 6, 1999. Retrieved October 16, 2021.
  34. ^ "Magic's Gone, So Hardaway Traded". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. August 6, 1999. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
  35. ^ Wyche, Steve (August 6, 1999). "Wizards Lose Cheaney to the Celtics". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
  36. ^ "PLUS: N.B.A. -- ORLANDO; Austin Traded to the Wizards". The New York Times. Associated Press. August 12, 1999. Retrieved October 17, 2022.
  37. ^ "The Orlando Magic, Undergoing a Massive Overhaul..." Los Angeles Times. Staff and Wire Reports. August 12, 1999. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
  38. ^ Wyche, Steve (August 12, 1999). "Wizards Trade Wallace, 3 Others to Magic for Austin". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 8, 2022.
  39. ^ "Magic Continue Overhaul by Trading Austin to Wizards; Pippen Reportedly Asks to Be Traded to the Lakers". Deseret News. Associated Press. August 12, 1999. Retrieved May 2, 2023.
  40. ^ Wyche, Steve (June 17, 1999). "Wizards See Future Success in Heard". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
  41. ^ Asher, Mark (September 10, 1999). "Wizards' Williams to Have Knee Surgery". The Washington Post. Retrieved May 1, 2023.
  42. ^ Wyche, Steve (October 28, 2000). "Wizards Release Oft-Hurt Williams". The Washington Post. Retrieved May 1, 2023.

See also