1999–2000 New York Knicks season

{{short description|Season of National Basketball Association team the New York Knicks}}

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

{{NBA season

| team = New York Knicks

| end_year = 2000

| wins = 50

| losses = 32

| division = atlantic

| division_place = 2

| conf_place = 3

| coach = Jeff Van Gundy

| gm = Scott Layden

| owners = Cablevision

| arena = Madison Square Garden

| television = MSG Network

| radio = WFAN

| playoffs = Eastern Conference finals
(lost to Pacers 2–4)

| bbr_team = NYK

}}

The 1999–2000 NBA season was the 53rd season of the team in the National Basketball Association.[https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/NYK/2000.html 1999–2000 New York Knicks] The Knicks entered the season as runner-ups of the 1999 NBA Finals, where despite losing to the San Antonio Spurs in five games, they became the first eighth seeded team to reach the NBA Finals. During the off-season, the team signed free agents John Wallace and Andrew Lang; Wallace previously played for the Knicks during the 1996–97 season.{{cite news | last = Wise | first = Mike | title = PRO BASKETBALL; He Vowed to Return, and Now Wallace Has | work = The New York Times | date = August 7, 1999 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1999/08/07/sports/pro-basketball-he-vowed-to-return-and-now-wallace-has.html | access-date = July 5, 2023}}{{cite news | last = Wise | first = Mike | title = PRO BASKETBALL; Knicks Acquire Lang to Help Fill the Gap Left by Ewing | work = The New York Times | date = September 29, 1999 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1999/09/29/sports/pro-basketball-knicks-acquire-lang-to-help-fill-the-gap-left-by-ewing.html | access-date = July 5, 2023}}{{cite news | last = Wise | first = Mike | title = 1999–2000 N.B.A. PREVIEW; The West Is Still the Best | work = The New York Times | date = October 31, 1999 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1999/10/31/sports/1999-2000-nba-preview-the-west-is-still-the-best.html | access-date = January 13, 2022}}{{cite news | last = Roberts | first = Selena | title = BASKETBALL; Knicks' Wallace Is Out of Step | work = The New York Times | date = December 2, 1999 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1999/12/02/sports/basketball-knicks-wallace-is-out-of-step.html | access-date = July 19, 2021}}

After advancing to the NBA Finals as the #8 seed last year, the Knicks won their first three games, but then lost seven of their next ten games, as Patrick Ewing missed the first 20 games with Achilles tendonitis.{{cite news | last = Roberts | first = Selena | title = PRO BASKETBALL; Ewing Says He'll Play When His Pain Subsides | work = The New York Times | date = October 5, 1999 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1999/10/05/sports/pro-basketball-ewing-says-he-ll-play-when-his-pain-subsides.html | access-date = January 10, 2022}}{{cite news | last = Roberts | first = Selena | title = PRO BASKETBALL; The Return of Ewing May Not Be Too Far Off | work = The New York Times | date = November 17, 1999 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1999/11/17/sports/pro-basketball-the-return-of-ewing-may-not-be-too-far-off.html | access-date = February 20, 2023}}{{cite news | last = Roberts | first = Selena | title = The Knicks Must Cool Their Heels Over Ewing | work = The New York Times | date = December 9, 1999 | url = https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/library/sports/basketball/120999bkn-knicks.html | access-date = November 26, 2022}}{{cite news | title = Knicks' Ewing Leaves Game Injured | work = Associated Press | date = May 25, 2000 | url = https://apnews.com/article/7b7cf8b63719be8959510f2b5118db9b | access-date = January 10, 2022}} However, they won 11 of their next 13 games, then later on held a 29–18 record at the All-Star break,{{cite web | title = NBA Games Played on February 10, 2000 | publisher = Basketball-Reference | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/?month=2&day=10&year=2000 | access-date = July 22, 2022}} and finished in second place in the Atlantic Division with a 50–32 record, good enough for their first 50-win season since 1997.{{cite web | title = 1999–2000 New York Knicks Schedule and Results | publisher = Basketball-Reference | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/NYK/2000_games.html | access-date = June 22, 2021}}

Allan Houston led the team in scoring averaging 19.7 points per game, while Latrell Sprewell, who became the team's starting small forward after playing off the bench the previous season, averaged 18.6 points and 1.3 steals per game, and Ewing provided the team with 15.0 points, 9.7 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game. In addition, Larry Johnson contributed 10.7 points and 5.4 rebounds per game, while Marcus Camby played a sixth man role averaging 10.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game off the bench, but only played 59 games due to a knee injury.{{cite news | last = Roberts | first = Selena | title = BASKETBALL; Knicks Exhale: Camby's Knee Injury Is a Strain, Not a Tear | work = The New York Times | date = February 9, 2000 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2000/02/09/sports/basketball-knicks-exhale-camby-s-knee-injury-is-a-strain-not-a-tear.html | access-date = January 10, 2022}}{{cite news | last = Popper | first = Steve | title = PRO BASKETBALL; Camby, After Practicing, Waits for Knee's Answer | work = The New York Times | date = March 14, 2000 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2000/03/14/sports/pro-basketball-camby-after-practicing-waits-for-knee-s-answer.html | access-date = October 12, 2022}}{{cite news | last = Berman | first = Marc | title = Camby's Present: Marcus Plays Despite Aching Knee on B-Day | work = New York Post | date = March 23, 2000 | url = https://nypost.com/2000/03/23/cambys-presentmarcus-plays-despite-aching-knee-on-b-day/ | access-date = July 8, 2023}} Kurt Thomas provided with 8.0 points and 6.3 rebounds per game also off the bench, while Charlie Ward contributed 7.3 points, 4.2 assists and 1.3 steals per game, and Chris Childs contributed 5.3 points and 4.0 assists per game off the bench.{{cite web | title = 1999–2000 New York Knicks Roster and Stats | publisher = Basketball-Reference | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/NYK/2000.html | access-date = June 22, 2021}} Houston and head coach Jeff Van Gundy both represented the Eastern Conference during the 2000 NBA All-Star Game in Oakland, California.{{cite news | last = Roberts | first = Selena | title = PRO BASKETBALL; Van Gundy to Coach All-Stars | work = The New York Times | date = January 31, 2000 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2000/01/31/sports/pro-basketball-van-gundy-to-coach-all-stars.html | access-date = November 26, 2022}}{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = Stockton, Malone Among All-Star Reserves | work = ESPN | date = February 1, 2000 | url = https://www.espn.com/nba/news/2000/0201/328614.html | access-date = May 2, 2023}}{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = NBA All-Star Team Selected | work = CBS News | date = February 1, 2000 | url = https://www.cbsnews.com/news/nba-all-star-team-selected/ | access-date = May 2, 2023}}{{cite news | title = NBA All-Star 2000 | work = Deseret News | date = February 13, 2000 | url = https://www.deseret.com/2000/2/13/19490723/nba-all-star-2000 | access-date = January 9, 2023}}{{cite news | agency = NBA.com Staff | title = 2000 NBA All-Star Recap | work = NBA.com | date = September 13, 2021 | url = https://www.nba.com/news/history-all-star-recap-2000 | access-date = May 15, 2023}}{{cite web | title = 2000 NBA All-Star Game: West 137, East 126 | publisher = Basketball-Reference | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/allstar/NBA_2000.html | access-date = November 27, 2021}}

In the Eastern Conference First Round of the playoffs, the Knicks swept the Toronto Raptors in three straight games.{{cite news | last = Roberts | first = Selena | title = First Task Complete, Now the Heat | work = The New York Times | date = April 30, 2000 | url = https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/library/sports/basketball/050100bkn-knicks.html | access-date = July 16, 2021}}{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = Knicks Move On with "Lucky One" | work = Los Angeles Times | date = May 1, 2000 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-may-01-sp-25350-story.html | access-date = November 26, 2022}}{{cite news | title = New York 87, Toronto 80 | work = United Press International | date = April 30, 2000 | url = https://www.upi.com/Archives/2000/04/30/New-York-87-Toronto-80/3479957067200/ | access-date = June 3, 2022}}{{cite web | title = 2000 NBA Eastern Conference First Round: Raptors vs. Knicks | publisher = Basketball-Reference | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/2000-nba-eastern-conference-first-round-raptors-vs-knicks.html | access-date = February 14, 2023}} In the Eastern Conference Semi-finals, they faced off against the Miami Heat for the fourth consecutive year; despite trailing 3–2 after losing Game 5 in Miami, 87–81,{{cite news | last = Roberts | first = Selena | title = Knicks Can't Stand Rain of Heat 3-Pointers | work = The New York Times | date = May 18, 2000 | url = https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/library/sports/basketball/051800bkn-knicks.html | access-date = May 25, 2022}}{{cite news | last = Elliott | first = Helene | title = Loss Leaves Knicks Feeling the Heat | work = Los Angeles Times | date = May 18, 2000 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-may-18-sp-31483-story.html | access-date = February 20, 2023}}{{cite news | last = Perkins | first = Chris | title = Numbers Game Victimizes N.Y. | work = Sun Sentinel | date = May 18, 2000 | url = https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-2000-05-18-0005180263-story.html | access-date = October 12, 2022}} the Knicks would defeat the 2nd-seeded Heat in a tough, hard-fought seven-game series,{{cite news | last = Roberts | first = Selena | title = PRO BASKETBALL; Knicks Hand Heat Familiar Fate, Ousting Rival for 3rd Year in Row | work = The New York Times | date = May 22, 2000 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2000/05/22/sports/pro-basketball-knicks-hand-heat-familiar-fate-ousting-rival-for-3rd-year-in-row.html | access-date = June 26, 2021}}{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = Knicks Shock Heat; Again, Heat Believe N.Y. Was Aided in Final Seconds by Bad Call | work = Deseret News | date = May 22, 2000 | url = https://www.deseret.com/2000/5/22/19508098/knicks-shock-heat-again-br-heat-believe-n-y-was-aided-in-final-seconds-by-bad-call | access-date = November 26, 2022}}{{cite news | title = New York 83, Miami 82 | work = United Press International | date = May 21, 2000 | url = https://www.upi.com/Archives/2000/05/21/New-York-83-Miami-82/3173958881600/ | access-date = May 30, 2022}}{{cite web | title = 2000 NBA Eastern Conference Semi-finals: Knicks vs. Heat | publisher = Basketball-Reference | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/2000-nba-eastern-conference-semifinals-knicks-vs-heat.html | access-date = February 14, 2023}} but would lose in six games to the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals, ending their hopes of making the Finals for a second straight year.{{cite news | last = Robbins | first = Liz | title = PRO BASKETBALL; For 2 Pacers, 13 Years of Dues Pay Off with First Trip to Finals | work = The New York Times | date = June 3, 2000 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2000/06/03/sports/pro-basketball-for-2-pacers-13-years-of-dues-pay-off-with-first-trip-to-finals.html | access-date = May 4, 2022}}{{cite news | last = Heisler | first = Mark | title = Miller Puts Final Knock on Knicks | work = Los Angeles Times | date = June 3, 2000 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-jun-03-sp-37027-story.html | access-date = November 18, 2022}}{{cite news | last = Wyche | first = Steve | title = Giddy Pacers Achieve Dream | newspaper = The Washington Post | date = June 4, 2000 | url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/2000/06/04/giddy-pacers-achieve-dream/adfdfeb2-fdc5-42e1-9314-5240a91b95be/ | access-date = May 29, 2022}}{{cite web | title = 2000 NBA Eastern Conference Finals: Knicks vs. Pacers | publisher = Basketball-Reference | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/2000-nba-eastern-conference-finals-knicks-vs-pacers.html | access-date = February 14, 2023}} The Pacers would lose in six games to the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Finals.{{cite news | last = Wise | first = Mike | title = O'Neal and Lakers Win a Title for Tinseltown | work = The New York Times | date = June 20, 2000 | url = https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/library/sports/basketball/062000bkn-finals.html | access-date = May 4, 2022}}{{cite news | last = Kawakami | first = Tim | title = With Shaq and Kobe in the Starring Roles, Lakers Win First Championship in a Dozen Years | work = Los Angeles Times | date = June 20, 2000 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-jun-20-sp-42872-story.html | access-date = May 29, 2022}}{{cite news | last = Wilbon | first = Michael | title = Shaq at Center of L.A. Renaissance | newspaper = The Washington Post | date = June 20, 2000 | url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/2000/06/20/shaq-at-center-of-la-renaissance/d56bc215-392b-4811-b6fe-d1f1b999c3a8/ | access-date = September 12, 2022}}{{cite news | last = Sheridan | first = Chris | title = Lakers 116, Pacers 111 | work = Associated Press | date = June 20, 2000 | url = https://apnews.com/article/6cb0449bd0a3dd94d2ff1ce381462b3d | access-date = December 15, 2022}}{{cite web | title = 2000 NBA Finals: Pacers vs. Lakers | publisher = Basketball-Reference | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/2000-nba-finals-pacers-vs-lakers.html | access-date = February 14, 2023}} As of 2024, this was the last time the Knicks had reached the Eastern Conference Finals.

The Knicks finished fourth in the NBA in home-game attendance, with an attendance of 810,103 at Madison Square Garden during the regular season.{{cite web | title = 1999-2000 NBA Season Summary | publisher = Basketball-Reference | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2000.html | access-date = December 15, 2024}} This season marked an end of an era as Ewing was traded to the Seattle SuperSonics in an off-season four-team trade, after playing fifteen seasons in New York.{{cite news | last = Lisi | first = Clemente | title = KNICK FANS: See Ew Later, Big Guy – Trade to Seattle Expected to Be a Done Deal Today | work = New York Post | date = August 22, 2000 | url = https://nypost.com/2000/08/22/knick-fans-see-ew-later-big-guy-trade-to-seattle-expected-to-be-a-done-deal-today/ | access-date = November 26, 2022}}{{cite news | last = Broussard | first = Chris | title = Knicks Send Ewing to Sonics as 4-Team Deal Ends an Era | work = The New York Times | date = September 21, 2000 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2000/09/21/sports/knicks-send-ewing-to-sonics-as-4-team-deal-ends-an-era.html | access-date = March 14, 2017}}{{cite news | last = Heisler | first = Mark | title = Lakers Move Forward | work = Los Angeles Times | date = September 21, 2000 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-sep-21-sp-24481-story.html | access-date = July 2, 2023}}{{cite news | last = Wyche | first = Steve | title = Done Deal: Ewing Goes to Seattle | newspaper = The Washington Post | date = September 21, 2000 | url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/2000/09/21/done-deal-ewing-goes-to-seattle/fe4710e7-22cf-4a99-997b-1adc4e3f5665/ | access-date = July 1, 2022}}{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = Ewing "Shocked" by Trade from Knicks to SuperSonics | work = Los Angeles Times | date = September 24, 2000 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-sep-24-sp-26212-story.html | access-date = May 25, 2022}} Also following the season, Chris Dudley was traded to the Phoenix Suns,{{cite news | title = NBA - Knicks End Ewing Era After 15 Seasons | work = ESPN | date = September 20, 2000 | url = https://www.espn.com/nba/news/2000/0920/761826.html | access-date = June 28, 2022}} while Wallace was dealt to the Dallas Mavericks,{{cite news | last = Gardner | first = Kris | title = Nine NBA Draft 2000 Deals | work = The Houston Roundball Review | date = June 28, 2000 | url = https://www.thehrr.com/nba/trade_archive/'00-'01/2000_off-season/Draft_Day_Deals.html | access-date = July 5, 2023}}{{cite news | last = Berman | first = Marc | title = Knicks Deal Pick for Mavs' Guard | work = New York Post | date = June 29, 2000 | url = https://nypost.com/2000/06/29/knicks-deal-pick-for-mavs-guard/ | access-date = July 5, 2023}}{{cite news | last = Broussard | first = Chris | title = PRO BASKETBALL; Strickland Is Surprised, But Happy to Be a Knick | work = The New York Times | date = June 30, 2000 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2000/06/30/sports/pro-basketball-strickland-is-surprised-but-happy-to-be-a-knick.html | access-date = June 28, 2022}} and Lang was released to free agency.

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