1998–99 New York Knicks season

1998–99 New York Knicks season
Conference Champions
Head coach Jeff Van Gundy
General manager Ernie Grunfeld
Dave Checketts
Owner(s) Cablevision
Arena Madison Square Garden
Results
Record 27–23 (.540)
Place Division: 4th
Conference: 8th
Playoff finish NBA Finals
(eliminated 1-4)

Stats @ Basketball-Reference.com

Local media
Television MSG Network
Radio WFAN

The 1998–99 New York Knicks season was the 52nd season of NBA basketball in New York City, New York.[1] The Head Coach was Jeff Van Gundy, serving for his 4th year. The team played its home games at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. Key contributors included Patrick Ewing, Marcus Camby, Larry Johnson, Latrell Sprewell and Allan Houston. The team finished with a 27-23 record, to secure the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference. New York made it all the way to the NBA Finals, the first time in NBA history a No. 8 seed had advanced that far in the playoffs. Following the season, Herb Williams retired.

Recap

The Knicks started the season with championship aspirations as they had acquired Latrell Sprewell and Marcus Camby via trade. However, because of the lockout shortened season, and injuries to Sprewell and Patrick Ewing, the team had to build chemistry on the fly, and barely made the playoffs with a 27-23 record. New York had to win six of its remaining eight games just to qualify.[2]

The Knicks attempted to defy expectations against the top-seeded Miami Heat in the First Round and took two of the first three games, including a 20-point blowout in game one. With a chance to win the series at home in Game 4, the Knicks squandered an eight-point lead and the Heat came charging back to win 87-72 to set up a decisive Game 5. Game 5 was a defensive struggle all the way, but Miami held a one-point lead with only a 2.7 seconds left. However, shooting guard Allan Houston hit one of the biggest shots in Knicks' history, as his running one-hander indecisively bounced on the rim before falling with 0.8 seconds in play to give New York a thrilling 78-77 victory.[3]

The Knicks cruised past the Atlanta Hawks in a second round sweep as Camby, who had struggled through most of the regular season, emerged as one of the key players off a deep Knicks bench. Camby's 11 points and 13 rebounds in Game 2 of the Atlanta series proved to be his coming-out party, as the Knicks advanced to the Conference Finals to meet a familiar foe, Reggie Miller and the Indiana Pacers.[4]

However, the Knicks would lose Ewing after Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Ewing had been battling through an Achilles injury, but it was learned that the tendon (which he had played on in Game 2) was partially torn, and he would be forced to miss the rest of the playoffs.[5] The Knicks were rescued by Larry Johnson in Game 3. Standing outside the three-point line with 11.9 seconds left, Johnson held the ball, and then began to dribble. He leaned into defender Antonio Davis before jumping up. The referee called the foul about a half-second before Johnson released the ball, but it was counted as a continuation shooting foul. The three-point basket and the ensuing free throw gave the Knicks a 92-91 victory.[6]

The Knicks would stamp their ticket to the NBA finals with a 90-82 in Game 6, despite losing Larry Johnson to a knee injury in the first half. Led by Houston's 32-point performance and defense against Miller (3-18 shooting), the Knicks closed out the Pacers. The Knicks' 27-23 record was the worst for a team to reach the Finals since Houston did it with a 40-42 in 1981.[7]

In the finals, the Knicks were halted in five games against the San Antonio Spurs. Completely overmatched by the Spurs' height with Tim Duncan and David Robinson, the Knicks lost at home with a 78-77 loss in Game 5 despite Sprewell's 35 points. For the series, Sprewell averaged 26.0 points and Houston 21.6.[8]

Offseason

NBA Draft

Main article: 1998 NBA Draft
Round Pick Player Position Nationality School/Club Team
2 38 DeMarco Johnson PF UNC Charlotte
2 44 Sean Marks PF California

Transactions

Roster

New York Knicks roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB (YYYY–MM–DD) From
PG 9 United States Brunson, Rick 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 190 lb (86 kg) Temple
C 23 United States Camby, Marcus 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 220 lb (100 kg) Massachusetts
PG 1 United States Childs, Chris 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 195 lb (88 kg) Boise State
PF 4 United States Davis, Ben 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 240 lb (109 kg) Arizona
C 14 United States Dudley, Chris 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 235 lb (107 kg) Yale
C 33 United States Ewing, Patrick 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 240 lb (109 kg) Georgetown
SG 20 United States Houston, Allan 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 220 lb (100 kg) Tennessee
PF 2 United States Johnson, Larry 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 250 lb (113 kg) UNLV
SF 8 United States Sprewell, Latrell 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 190 lb (86 kg) Alabama
PF 40 United States Thomas, Kurt 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 230 lb (104 kg) Texas Christian
PG 21 United States Ward, Charlie 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 190 lb (86 kg) Florida State
C 32 United States Williams, Herb 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 242 lb (110 kg) Ohio State
SG 25 United States Wingate, David 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 185 lb (84 kg) Georgetown
Head coach
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured

Depth chart

Pos. Starter Bench Reserve Inactive
C Patrick Ewing Marcus Camby Chris Dudley Herb Williams
PF Larry Johnson Kurt Thomas Ben Davis
SF Latrell Sprewell
SG Allan Houston Rick Brunson
David Wingate
PG Charlie Ward Chris Childs

Regular season

Season Standings

Eastern Conference

Atlantic Division
Team W L PCT GB
Miami Heat 33 17 .660 -
Orlando Magic 33 17 .660 -
Philadelphia 76ers 28 22 .560 5
New York Knicks - E 27 23 .540 6
Boston Celtics 19 31 .380 14
Washington Wizards 18 32 .360 15
New Jersey Nets 16 34 .320 17
Central Division
Team W L PCT GB
Indiana Pacers 33 17 .660 -
Atlanta Hawks 31 19 .620 2
Detroit Pistons 29 21 .580 4
Milwaukee Bucks 28 22 .560 5
Charlotte Hornets 26 24 .520 7
Toronto Raptors 23 27 .460 10
Cleveland Cavaliers 22 28 .440 11
Chicago Bulls 13 37 .260 20

Western Conference

Midwest Division
Team W L PCT GB
San Antonio Spurs - C 37 13 .740 -
Utah Jazz 37 13 .740 -
Houston Rockets 31 19 .620 6
Minnesota Timberwolves 25 25 .500 12
Dallas Mavericks 19 31 .380 18
Denver Nuggets 14 36 .280 23
Vancouver Grizzlies 8 42 .160 29
Pacific Division
Team W L PCT GB
Portland Trail Blazers 35 15 .700 -
Los Angeles Lakers 31 19 .620 4
Sacramento Kings 27 23 .540 8
Phoenix Suns 27 23 .540 8
Seattle SuperSonics 25 25 .500 10
Golden State Warriors 21 29 .420 14
Los Angeles Clippers 9 41 .180 26

C - NBA Champions E - Eastern Conference Champions

Schedule

Feb.
Feb. 5 	Orlando 93, New York 85 (0-1) 	 	 
Feb. 7 	Miami 83, New York 79 (0-2)	 	 
Feb. 10 	New York 101, Washington 88 (1-2) 	 	 
Feb. 11 	New York 73, Chicago 68 (2-2)	 	 
Feb. 15 	New York 78, Detroit 69 (3-2)	 	 
Feb. 16 	New York 95, Toronto 85 (4-2)	 	 
Feb. 18 	Cleveland 98, New York 74 (4-3)	 	 
Feb. 19 	New York 78, Philadelphia 67 (5-3)	 	 
Feb. 21 	New York 79, Chicago 63 (6-3)	 	 
Feb. 23 	New York 82, New Jersey 74 (7-3) 	 	 
Feb. 25 	New York 115, Minnesota 113 (8-3)	 	 
Feb. 26 	Boston 94, New York 80 (8-4) 	 	 
Feb. 28 	Detroit 89, New York 68 (8-5)	 	 
 
Mar.
Mar. 1 	New York 85, Cleveland 78 (9-5)	 	 
Mar. 2 	Miami 85, New York 84 (9-6)	 	 
Mar. 5 	Milwaukee 88, New York 87 (9-7)	 	 
Mar. 7 	New York 97, New Jersey 86 (10-7)	 	 
Mar. 9 	Milwaukee 87, New York 86 (10-8)	 	 
Mar. 11 	New York 98, Washington 86 (11-8)	 	 
Mar. 12 	Chicago 76, New York 63 (11-9)	 	 
Mar. 14 	New York 94, Charlotte 86 (12-9) 	 	 
Mar. 15 	New York 108, Milwaukee 102 (13-9) 	 	 
Mar. 16 	New York 113, Los Angeles Clippers 89 (14-9)	 	 
Mar. 18 	Orlando 86, New York 78 (14-10)	 	 
Mar. 20 	New York 96, Boston 78 (15-10)	 	 
Mar. 21 	Toronto 85, New York 81 (15-11)	 	 
Mar. 22 	Atlanta 80, New York 71 (15-12) 	 	 
Mar. 24 	Sacramento 92, New York 91 (15-13) 	 	 
Mar. 26 	New York 94, Phoenix 87 (16-13)	 	 
Mar. 28 	Los Angeles Lakers 99, New York 91 (16-14) 	 	 
Mar. 30 	New York 94, Indiana 93 (17-14)	 	 
 
Apr.
Apr. 1 	New York 78, Cleveland 74 (18-14) 	 	 
Apr. 4 	Indiana 108, New York 95 (18-15) 	 	 
Apr. 6 	Orlando 81, New York 72 (18-16)	 	 
Apr. 7 	Charlotte 106, New York 82 (18-17)	 	 
Apr. 9 	New York 86, Atlanta 78 (19-17)	 	 
Apr. 11 	New York 93, New Jersey 78 (20-17) 	 	 
Apr. 13 	New York 91, Philadelphia 72 (21-17)	 	 
Apr. 14 	Washington 95, New York 89 (21-18)	 	 
Apr. 16 	Detroit 80, New York 71 (21-19)	 	 
Apr. 17 	Toronto 93, New York 90 (21-20) 	 	 
Apr. 19 	Philadelphia 72, New York 67 (21-21)	 	 
Apr. 23 	New York 110, Charlotte 105 (22-21) 	 	 
Apr. 25 	New York 82, Miami 80 (23-21)	 	 
Apr. 26 	New York 91, Charlotte 84 (24-21)	 	 
Apr. 28 	Atlanta 76, New York 73 (24-22)	 	 
Apr. 29 	New York 85, Philadelphia 70 (25-22) 	 	 
 
May
May 2 		Indiana 94, New York 71 (25-23)	 	 
May 3 		New York 95, Boston 88 (26-23) 	 	 
May 5 		New York 101, Miami 88 (27-23)

Statistics

Player 	G 	MPG 	FG% 	3p% 	FT% 	REB	APG 	SPG 	BPG 	TO 	PF 	PPG
Ewing 		38 	34.2 	.435 	.000 	.706 	9.90 	1.1 	.79 	2.63 	2.61 	2.80 	17.3
Sprewell 	37 	33.3 	.415 	.273 	3.10 	4.20 	2.5 	1.24 	.05 	2.14 	1.80 	16.4
Houston 	50 	36.3 	.418 	.407 	.862 	3.00 	2.7 	.70 	.18 	2.60 	2.30 	16.3
Johnson 	49 	33.4 	.459 	.359 	.817 	5.80 	2.4 	.69 	.20 	1.82 	3.00 	12.0
Thomas 	50 	23.6 	.462 	.000 	.611 	5.70 	1.1 	.90 	.34 	1.46 	3.20 	8.1
Ward 		50 	31.1 	.404 	.356 	.705 	3.40 	5.4 	2.06 	.16 	2.62 	2.10 	7.6
Camby 		46 	20.5 	.521 	.000 	.553 	5.50 	.3 	.63 	1.61 	.85 	2.80 	7.2
Childs 	48 	27.0 	.427 	.383 	.821 	2.80 	4.0 	.92 	.02 	1.77 	3.30 	6.8
Dudley 	46 	14.9 	.440 	.000 	.475 	4.20 	.2 	.28 	.83 	.52 	2.50 	2.5
Davis 		8 	2.6 	.412 	.000 	.500 	1.40 	.4 	.00 	.00 	.13 	.50 	2.1
Williams 	6 	5.7 	.500 	.000 	1.000 	1.00 	.0 	.00 	.33 	.33 	.30 	1.7
Brunson 	17 	5.6 	.286 	.000 	.278 	.60 	1.1 	.53 	.00 	.71 	.50 	1.0
Wingate 	20 	4.6 	.438 	.000 	.000 	.40 	.3 	.20 	.00 	.30 	.50 	.7
Team Averages 	50 	242.0 	.435 	.353 	.732 	41.2 	19.3 	7.9 	5.2 	16.1 	22.8 	86.4
Opponents 	50 	242.0 	.403 	.353 	.733 	40.8 	18.5 	8.5 	4.3 	15.3 	20.7 	85.4

Playoffs

East First Round

(1) Miami Heat vs. (8) New York Knicks: Knicks win series 3-2

Last Playoff Meeting: 1998 Eastern Conference First Round (New York won 3-2)

East Conference Semifinals

(4) Atlanta Hawks vs. (8) New York Knicks: Knicks win series 4-0

Last Playoff Meeting: 1971 Eastern Conference Semifinals (New York won 4-0)

East Conference Finals

(2) Indiana Pacers vs. (8) New York Knicks: Knicks win series 4-2

Last Playoff Meeting: 1998 Eastern Conference Semifinals (New York won 4-2)

NBA Finals

(W1) San Antonio Spurs vs. (E8) New York Knicks: Spurs win series 4-1

Playoff Statistics

NAME       G  MIN  FG%   FT%  3FG 3GA  TRB  AST STL  TO BLK  PF AVG
Sprewell  20  743  .419  .850   4  25   96   43  19  58   6  40 20.4
Houston   20  783  .443  .883   9  36   54   51   8  50   1  40 18.5
Ewing     11  347  .430  .778   0   0   96    6   7  10   8  35 13.1
Johnson   20  683  .426  .674  24  82   97   31  21  33   1  64 11.5
Camby     20  509  .566  .616   0   1   153   6  24  15  38  76 10.4
Thomas    20  419  .381  .696   0   0   110   7  15  19  12  76  5.3
Childs    20  494  .355  .731   9  28   47   73  13  30   1  64  4.7
Ward      20  494  .366  .750  18  56   46   75  35  24   3  45  4.6
Dudley    18  294  .421  .393   0   0   82    5   9   9   8  63  2.4
Brunson   9   18   .400 1.000   0   0   1     2   0   4   0   3  0.7
Williams  8   16   .200   ---   0   0   3     0   0   0   0   3  0.3

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1998-99 New York Knicks
  2. ↑ http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B04E2D91331F931A25751C1A96F958260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=all
  3. ↑ http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/1999/playoffs/eastern/news/1999/05/16/knicks_heat_game5/index.html
  4. ↑ http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/1999/playoffs/eastern/news/1999/05/20/knicks_hawks/
  5. ↑ http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=990CEED71E30F930A35755C0A96F958260
  6. ↑ http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/1999/playoffs/eastern/news/1999/06/05/pacers_knicks_game3/
  7. ↑ http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/1999/playoffs/eastern/news/1999/06/11/pacers_knicks_game6/index.html
  8. ↑ http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9A03E3DE133AF935A15755C0A96F958260
  9. ↑ http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/1998/06/25/archive/main12612.shtml
  10. ↑ http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/1999/01/18/archive/main29035.shtml
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