<< 1997-98 Los Angeles Lakers | 1999-00 Los Angeles Lakers >>
The 1998-99 NBA season was shortened to 50 games due to a lockout. Meanwhile, the Chicago Bulls dynasty crashed to its end, as Michael Jordan retired, Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman moved on, and coach Phil Jackson was fired. This meant the league was wide open to crown a new champion.
In the 50-game shortened season, nine out of 29 teams won at least 30 games, meaning it was completely unclear who would win it all when the postseason began. The Los Angeles Lakers went 31-19 to grab the No. 4 seed and defeated the Houston Rockets in the first round.
They then went up against the San Antonio Spurs led by Tim Duncan and David Robinson. The Spurs clobbered L.A. in four games and would go on to win the NBA championship with relative ease. It was the Spurs first ever championship in their first Finals appearance, and would pave the way for years of success.
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