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1998–99 Los Angeles Clippers season

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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
Local media
TelevisionKCAL-TV
Fox Sports West 2
(Ralph Lawler, Bill Walton)
RadioKXTA
(Rory Markas)
< 1997–98 1999–00 >

The 1998–99 NBA season was the Clippers' 29th season in the National Basketball Association, and their 15th season in Los Angeles.[1] Due to a lockout, the regular season began on February 5, 1999, and was cut from 82 games to 50.[2]

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,[3][4][5][6] and signed free agents Sherman Douglas,[7][8] and undrafted rookie forward Tyrone Nesby in the off-season.[9]

However, the Clippers still struggled under new head coach Chris Ford,[10][11] 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).[12] During the midseason period, the team signed second-year guard Troy Hudson in March.[13] 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.[14] 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.[15]

Following the season, Murray was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers,[16][17][18][19] while Rogers signed as a free agent with the Phoenix Suns,[20][21][22][23] Wright was dealt to the Atlanta Hawks,[24][25][26] Douglas re-signed with the New Jersey Nets,[27][28] Martin signed with the Sacramento Kings, and Pooh Richardson was released to free agency.[29][30]

Draft picks

[edit]
Main article: 1998 NBA draft
Round Pick Player Position Nationality College
1 1 Michael Olowokandi C  Nigeria Pacific
1 22 Brian Skinner PF  United States Baylor

Roster

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

Roster
Updated: 2009-10-04

Roster Notes

[edit]
  • Point guard Scott Brooks missed the entire season due to a knee injury, and never played for the Clippers.[31]

Regular season

[edit]

Season standings

[edit]
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
#
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

Record vs. opponents

[edit]
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

[edit]

Player statistics

[edit]
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% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Maurice Taylor 46 45 32.7 46.1 16.7 72.8 5.3 1.5 0.3 0.6 16.8
Lamond Murray 50 13 26.3 39.1 33.0 80.3 3.9 1.2 1.2 0.4 12.2
Eric Piatkowski 49 38 25.3 43.2 39.4 86.3 2.9 1.1 0.9 0.1 10.5
Tyrone Nesby 50 36 25.8 44.9 36.5 78.2 3.5 1.6 1.5 0.4 10.1
Michael Olowokandi 45 36 28.4 43.1 0.0 48.3 7.9 0.6 0.6 1.2 8.9
Sherman Douglas 30 19 28.1 43.8 0.0 63.2 1.9 4.1 0.9 0.1 8.2
Darrick Martin 37 25 25.4 36.7 29.2 80.3 1.3 3.9 1.2 0.1 8.0
James Robinson 14 0 20.0 39.8 26.7 74.1 1.9 1.3 1.0 0.2 7.6
Rodney Rogers 47 7 20.6 44.1 28.6 67.3 3.8 1.6 1.0 0.5 7.4
Troy Hudson 25 6 21.0 40.0 31.9 89.5 2.2 3.7 0.4 0.1 6.8
Lorenzen Wright 48 15 23.6 45.8 0.0 69.2 7.5 0.7 0.5 0.8 6.6
Brian Skinner 21 0 12.3 46.5 0.0 60.6 2.5 0.0 0.5 0.6 4.1
Charles Smith 23 10 13.8 36.1 21.2 43.8 1.0 0.6 0.7 0.6 3.7
Pooh Richardson 11 0 11.8 33.3 0.0 100.0 1.2 2.7 0.4 0.0 2.5
Keith Closs 15 0 5.8 52.2 0.0 80.0 1.7 0.0 0.2 0.6 2.1
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:[15]

Awards and records

[edit]

Injuries and surgeries

[edit]
Player Injury Date Injury Type
Scott Brooks January 30, 1999 Strained right MCL

Transactions

[edit]

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

Re-signed

[edit]
Player Signed Contract
Darrick Martin January 22, 1999 One-year deal

Trades

[edit]

No trades occurred for this team during this season.

Free agents

[edit]

Player Transactions Citation:[32]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ 1998-99 Los Angeles Clippers
  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 8, 2023.
  4. ^ Wise, Mike (June 25, 1998). "PRO BASKETBALL; 7 Feet 1 Inch of Potential at No. 1". The New York Times. Retrieved July 25, 2021.
  5. ^ Mills, Roger (June 25, 1998). "Olowokandi Shoots to the Top". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
  6. ^ "1998 NBA Draft". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
  7. ^ White, Lonnie (February 4, 1999). "Douglas Is Expected to Sign". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 29, 2022.
  8. ^ "Douglas to Shoot for Clippers". CBS News. CBS News.com Staff. February 4, 1999. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
  9. ^ White, Lonnie (November 4, 1999). "Nesby Adjusts to His Role Off Bench". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
  10. ^ "Clippers to Name Ford as New Coach". The Washington Post. January 13, 1999. Retrieved May 1, 2023.
  11. ^ White, Lonnie (January 14, 1999). "Hoping to Get Ford Tough, Clippers Finally Hire Coach". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
  12. ^ 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.
  13. ^ White, Lonnie (March 27, 1999). "Hudson Won't Forget Debut". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
  14. ^ "1998–99 Los Angeles Clippers Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved July 15, 2021.
  15. ^ a b "1998–99 Los Angeles Clippers Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved July 15, 2021.
  16. ^ "Cavs Send Anderson to Clips". CBS News. Associated Press. August 4, 1999. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
  17. ^ "Clippers Trade Murray for Anderson". Associated Press. August 4, 1999. Retrieved January 2, 2022.
  18. ^ "Cavaliers". Orlando Sentinel. August 5, 1999. Retrieved July 9, 2023.
  19. ^ White, Lonnie (August 9, 1999). "Clippers Deal the Lakers a Blow". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
  20. ^ "Rogers' Shooting for the Suns". CBS News. Associated Press. August 2, 1999. Retrieved January 2, 2022.
  21. ^ Wise, Mike (August 3, 1999). "PRO BASKETBALL; Trading Begins in the N.B.A. Bazaar". The New York Times. Retrieved July 9, 2023.
  22. ^ Kawakami, Tim (August 3, 1999). "Rogers Agrees to Terms with Suns". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 15, 2022.
  23. ^ "Blazers Trade Rider, Sign Schrempf, O'Neal". Chicago Tribune. Tribune News Services. August 3, 1999. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
  24. ^ "Clippers to Make Wright Trade". CBS News. Associated Press. August 8, 1999. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
  25. ^ White, Lonnie (August 8, 1999). "Clippers to Trade Wright to Atlanta". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
  26. ^ "Wright Traded for $42-Million". Tampa Bay Times. August 9, 1999. Retrieved July 9, 2023.
  27. ^ "Douglas Back in New Jersey". CBS News. Associated Press. October 20, 1999. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
  28. ^ "PRO BASKETBALL; Douglas Returns to Play for Nets". The New York Times. October 21, 1999. Retrieved October 17, 2022.
  29. ^ 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.
  30. ^ 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.
  31. ^ White, Lonnie (January 31, 1999). "For Clippers, Loss Is No Big Deal". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
  32. ^ "1998–99 Los Angeles Clippers Transactions". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved July 15, 2021.
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