1998–99 Houston Rockets season

{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}

{{NBA season

| team = Houston Rockets

| end_year = 1999

| coach = Rudy Tomjanovich

| gm = Carroll Dawson

| owner = Leslie Alexander

| arena = Compaq Center

| wins = 31

| losses = 19

| division = Midwest

| division_place = 3

| conf_place = 5

| playoffs = First round
(lost to Lakers 1–3)

| bbr_team = HOU

| television = KHWB
Fox Sports Southwest

| radio = KTRH

}}

The 1998–99 NBA season was the 32nd season for the Houston Rockets in the National Basketball Association and their 28th season in Houston, Texas.[https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/HOU/1999.html 1998-99 Houston Rockets] Due to a lockout, the regular season began on February 5, 1999, and was cut from 82 games to 50.{{cite news | agency = CBS News.com Staff | title = NBA: Let The Games Begin! | work = CBS News | date = January 6, 1999 | url = https://www.cbsnews.com/news/nba-let-the-games-begin/ | access-date = December 15, 2022}}

The Rockets had three first-round draft picks in the 1998 NBA draft, selecting shooting guard Michael Dickerson from the University of Arizona with the fourteenth overall pick, point guard Bryce Drew out of Valparaiso University with the sixteenth overall pick, and power forward, and Turkish basketball star Mirsad Türkcan with the eighteenth overall pick; the team also drafted shooting guard Cuttino Mobley from the University of Rhode Island with the 41st overall pick in the second round.{{cite news | agency = CBS News.com Staff | title = Clippers Pick Olowokandi No. 1 | work = CBS News | date = June 24, 1998 | url = https://www.cbsnews.com/news/clippers-pick-olowokandi-no-1/ | access-date = June 8, 2023}}{{cite news | last = Mills | first = Roger | title = Olowokandi Shoots to the Top | work = Tampa Bay Times | date = June 25, 1998 | url = https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1998/06/25/olowokandi-shoots-to-the-top/ | access-date = June 8, 2023}}{{cite news | title = 1998 NBA Draft Selections | work = Deseret News | date = June 25, 1998 | url = https://www.deseret.com/1998/6/25/19387811/1998-nba-draft-selections | access-date = June 8, 2023}}{{cite news | title = 1998 NBA Draft: Round 2 | newspaper = The Washington Post | url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/nba/longterm/1998/draft/round2.htm | access-date = June 8, 2023}}{{cite web | title = 1998 NBA Draft | publisher = Basketball-Reference | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1998.html | access-date = June 8, 2023}} However, Türkcan never played for the Rockets, and was later on traded to the Philadelphia 76ers.{{cite news | last = Gardner | first = Kris | title = Knicks Acquiring Sprewell Highlights Six-Deal Day | work = The Houston Roundball Review | date = January 21, 1999 | url = https://www.thehrr.com/nba/trade_archive/'98-'99season/0121Sprewell_5more.html | access-date = June 8, 2023}}{{cite news | last = Wise | first = Mike | title = BASKETBALL; Knicks to Get First Look at First Pick | work = The New York Times | date = July 21, 1999 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1999/07/21/sports/basketball-knicks-to-get-first-look-at-first-pick.html | access-date = June 8, 2023}}

To replace the retiring Clyde Drexler, the Rockets acquired All-Star forward, and six-time champion Scottie Pippen from the Chicago Bulls,{{cite news | agency = CBS News.com Staff | title = Pippen Headed to Houston | work = CBS News | date = January 18, 1999 | url = https://www.cbsnews.com/news/pippen-headed-to-houston/ | access-date = June 20, 2023}}{{cite news | last = Smith | first = Sam | title = Bulls Shippin' Pippen | work = Chicago Tribune | date = January 19, 1999 | url = https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1999-01-19-9901190055-story.html | access-date = May 25, 2022}}{{cite news | last = Sheridan | first = Chris | title = Sprewell, Pippen on the Move | newspaper = The Washington Post | date = January 19, 1999 | url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1999/01/19/sprewell-pippen-on-the-move/e64dd8ea-450c-4c6e-8b3b-97c3b1a7540e/ | access-date = July 10, 2022}}{{cite news | last = Armour | first = Nancy | title = Scottie Pippen to Play for Rockets | work = Associated Press | date = January 19, 1999 | url = https://apnews.com/article/5b019faeb829639130dbb44c9b2370ac | access-date = November 30, 2022}}{{cite news | last = Broussard | first = Chris | title = PRO BASKETBALL; Ruining of Bulls Begins in Earnest | work = The New York Times | date = January 20, 1999 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1999/01/20/sports/pro-basketball-ruining-of-bulls-begins-in-earnest.html | access-date = May 25, 2022}} and signed free agent Antoine Carr, who previous had two NBA Finals appearances with the Utah Jazz.{{cite news | title = Rockets Sign Antoine Carr | work = Associated Press | date = January 23, 1999 | url = https://apnews.com/article/16a7c5022dbbed7754437e9764f4235d | access-date = July 27, 2021}}{{cite news | last = Wise | first = Mike | title = PRO BASKETBALL; A Scrum for the Title | work = The New York Times | date = February 4, 1999 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1999/02/04/sports/pro-basketball-a-scrum-for-the-title.html | access-date = June 28, 2022}} Pippen, Hakeem Olajuwon and Charles Barkley had previously played together on the U.S. Men's basketball team in the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia.{{cite news | title = SPORTS PEOPLE: BASKETBALL; Dream Teamers Picked | work = The New York Times | date = April 13, 1996 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1996/04/13/sports/sports-people-basketball-dream-teamers-picked.html | access-date = January 5, 2022}}

With the addition of Pippen, the Rockets got off to a 6–2 start to the regular season, but then lost five of their next seven games. At mid-season, the team traded second-year guard Rodrick Rhodes to the Vancouver Grizzlies in exchange for three-point specialist, and former Rockets guard Sam Mack.{{cite news | title = Transactions | work = The New York Times | date = March 12, 1999 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1999/03/12/sports/transactions-726311.html | access-date = July 18, 2021}}{{cite news | title = Marbury Heads Home | work = Deseret News | date = March 12, 1999 | url = https://www.deseret.com/1999/3/12/19433978/marbury-heads-home | access-date = January 9, 2023}}{{cite news | title = Rockets, Grizzlies Set to Make 10-Player Trade, Report Says | work = Deseret News | date = August 27, 1999 | url = https://www.deseret.com/1999/8/27/19462754/rockets-grizzlies-set-to-make-10-player-trade-report-says | access-date = November 14, 2022}} The Rockets played solid basketball posting a nine-game winning streak in March, and finished in third place in the Midwest Division with a 31–19 record, earning the #5 seed in the Western Conference.{{cite web | title = 1998–99 Houston Rockets Schedule and Results | publisher = Basketball-Reference | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/HOU/1999_games.html | access-date = June 22, 2021}} The Rockets had the fifth best team offensive rating in the NBA.

Olajuwon averaged 18.9 points, 9.6 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game, and was named to the All-NBA Third Team, while Barkley averaged 16.1 points and led the team with 12.3 rebounds per game, and Pippen provided the team with 14.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 5.9 assists and 2.0 steals per game. In addition, Dickerson provided with 10.9 points per game, while Mobley contributed 9.9 points per game, as both players were named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team. Off the bench, Othella Harrington averaged 9.8 points and 6.4 rebounds per game, and Brent Price contributed 7.3 points and 2.8 assists per game.{{cite web | title = 1998–99 Houston Rockets Roster and Stats | publisher = Basketball-Reference | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/HOU/1999.html | access-date = June 22, 2021}} Three-point specialist Matt Maloney only played just 15 games this season due to an elbow injury.{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = Hakeem Sends Rockets Over Kings | work = CBS News | date = March 22, 1999 | url = https://www.cbsnews.com/news/hakeem-sends-rockets-over-kings/#app | access-date = October 3, 2022}}{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = Olajuwon Scores 32 for Rockets | work = Los Angeles Times | date = March 23, 1999 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-mar-23-sp-20293-story.html | access-date = November 15, 2022}}

However, in the Western Conference First Round of the 1999 NBA playoffs, the Rockets lost in four games to the Los Angeles Lakers;{{cite news | last = Kawakami | first = Tim | title = Lakers Can Keep Spurs On | work = Los Angeles Times | date = May 16, 1999 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-may-16-sp-37920-story.html | access-date = June 3, 2022}}{{cite news | last = Graczyk | first = Michael | title = Lakers Silence Rockets, 98-88 | newspaper = The Washington Post | date = May 15, 1999 | url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/nba/longterm/1999/playoffs/lakers16.htm | access-date = November 25, 2022}}{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = Lakers End Rockets Flight | work = CBS News | date = May 15, 1999 | url = https://www.cbsnews.com/news/lakers-end-rockets-flight/ | access-date = June 26, 2021}}{{cite web | title = 1999 NBA Western Conference First Round: Rockets vs. Lakers | publisher = Basketball-Reference | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1999-nba-western-conference-first-round-rockets-vs-lakers.html | access-date = February 9, 2023}} after the defeat, the Rockets would not return to the NBA playoffs until 2004. Pippen spent only one season with the Rockets, as he and Barkley had trouble getting along as teammates.{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = Pippen Unloads on Barkley | work = Los Angeles Times | date = September 30, 1999 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-sep-30-sp-16816-story.html | access-date = October 3, 2022}}{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = Pippen Trash-Talks Barkley | work = CBS News | date = September 30, 1999 | url = https://www.cbsnews.com/news/pippen-trash-talks-barkley/ | access-date = February 20, 2023}}{{cite news | last = Wise | first = Mike | title = PRO BASKETBALL: NOTEBOOK; Pippen, on His Way to Portland, Takes a Parting Shot at Barkley | work = The New York Times | date = October 3, 1999 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1999/10/03/sports/pro-basketball-notebook-pippen-his-way-portland-takes-parting-shot-barkley.html | access-date = July 18, 2021}}

Following the season, Pippen was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers,{{cite news | last = Wise | first = Mike | title = PRO BASKETBALL; Rockets Are Sending Pippen to Trail Blazers for Six Players | work = The New York Times | date = October 2, 1999 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1999/10/02/sports/pro-basketball-rockets-are-sending-pippen-to-trail-blazers-for-six-players.html | access-date = March 2, 2017}}{{cite news | title = Pippen to Go to Blazers for Six | newspaper = The Washington Post | date = October 2, 1999 | url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1999/10/02/pippen-to-go-to-blazers-for-six/04402657-738b-4d58-b5c9-8a3df885a182/ | access-date = July 10, 2022}}{{cite news | last = Smith | first = Sam | title = Blastoff: Rockets Sending Pippen to Portland for 6 | work = Chicago Tribune | date = October 2, 1999 | url = https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1999-10-02-9910020106-story.html | access-date = June 24, 2023}}{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = Pippen to Be Swapped for 6 Players; Unhappy Rocket Apparently Headed to Trail Blazers | work = Deseret News | date = October 2, 1999 | url = https://www.deseret.com/1999/10/2/19468473/pippen-to-be-swapped-for-6-players-br-unhappy-rocket-apparently-headed-to-trail-blazers | access-date = November 30, 2022}}{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = Pippen Comes to Portland Blazing | work = Los Angeles Times | date = October 5, 1999 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-oct-05-sp-19084-story.html | access-date = May 29, 2022}} while Dickerson, Harrington, Carr and Price were all traded to the Vancouver Grizzlies,{{cite news | last = White | first = Lonnie | title = Rockets Set to Get Francis in 10-Player Deal | work = Los Angeles Times | date = August 27, 1999 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-aug-27-sp-4259-story.html | access-date = June 8, 2022}}{{cite news | last = Wyche | first = Steve | title = Ex-Terp Francis Is Headed to the Rockets | newspaper = The Washington Post | date = August 27, 1999 | url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1999/08/27/ex-terp-francis-is-headed-to-the-rockets/5a7a5d28-6b27-4902-be05-2af1d9251dbd/ | access-date = April 6, 2023}}{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = PRO BASKETBALL: ROUNDUP -- HOUSTON; Rockets Get Francis in 3-Team Deal | work = The New York Times | date = August 28, 1999 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1999/08/28/sports/pro-basketball-roundup-houston-rockets-get-francis-in-3-team-deal.html | access-date = July 27, 2021}}{{cite news | last = Bembry | first = Jerry | title = Francis Gets Boot to Houston; In an 11-Player Deal, Grizzlies Part with Disgruntled Top Pick; Trade NBA's Largest Ever; At the Last Moment, Orlando Joins Mix | work = The Baltimore Sun | date = August 28, 1999 | url = https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1999-08-28-9908280022-story.html | access-date = July 9, 2023}} Mack and Maloney were both released to free agency, as Maloney signed as a free agent with the Chicago Bulls midway through the next season,{{cite news | title = Bulls Sign Maloney | work = United Press International | date = January 7, 2000 | url = https://www.upi.com/Archives/2000/01/07/Bulls-sign-Mahoney/7605947221200/ | access-date = June 25, 2022}}{{cite news | last = Mitchell | first = Fred | title = Rudy T. "Very Happy" for Maloney | work = Chicago Tribune | date = January 16, 2000 | url = https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2000-01-16-0001160182-story.html | access-date = November 9, 2022}} and Eddie Johnson retired.