Lakers vs Bulls
A season of change: three coaches, a lockout-shortened schedule, and a playoff run cut short by the Spurs.
The 1998–99 Los Angeles Lakers season was the 51st season for the Lakers in the NBA, and their 39th in Los Angeles. Due to a lockout, the regular season began on February 5, 1999, and was cut from 82 games to 50. This was also the Lakers' final season playing home games at the Great Western Forum.
Quick Facts
- First major playoff clash
- 1985 Western Conference Finals
- Peak rivalry era
- 1980s - Early 1990s
- Key lakers figures
- Magic Johnson
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
- James Worthy
- Key bulls figures
- Michael Jordan
- Scottie Pippen
- Phil Jackson
- Most memorable series
- 1991 NBA Finals (Bulls win 4-1)
- Cultural impact
- Defined the transition from Showtime to the Jordan Era
Lore & Background
The Lakers went through three coaches during the season: Del Harris (6–6), Bill Bertka (1–0) and Kurt Rambis (24–13). They signed free agent Derek Harper and re-acquired Travis Knight. In February, they signed Dennis Rodman, who was released after 23 games. At mid-season, they traded Eddie Jones and Elden Campbell to the Charlotte Hornets for Glen Rice, J.R. Reid and B. J. Armstrong. The Lakers posted a 10-game winning streak between February and March, finishing 31–19, second in the Pacific Division. In the playoffs, they defeated the Houston Rockets in the first round, then were swept by the San Antonio Spurs in the semifinals.
Reader's Guide
The Lakers finished 31–19, earning the fourth seed in the Western Conference. Shaquille O'Neal averaged 26.3 points, 10.7 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game, and was named to the All-NBA Second Team. Kobe Bryant averaged 19.9 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.4 steals per game, and was named to the All-NBA Third Team. Glen Rice provided 17.5 points per game in 27 games after the trade. The Lakers ranked second in the league in scoring at 99.0 points per game.
Did You Know?
- Dennis Rodman averaged 11.2 rebounds per game in 23 games before being released.
- The Lakers won 10 consecutive games from February 25 to March 12.
- Shaquille O'Neal shot .540 from the free throw line, contributing to the Lakers being the fourth worst free throw shooting team in the league at .683.
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