1999–2000 Utah Jazz season

{{short description|NBA professional basketball team season}}

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

{{NBA season

| team = Utah Jazz

| end_year = 2000

| DivisionWin = yes

| wins = 55

| losses = 27

| division = midwest

| division_place = 1

| conf_place = 2

| coach = Jerry Sloan

| arena = Delta Center

| television = KJZZ-TV
Fox Sports Net Utah

| radio = KFNZ

| playoffs = Conference semifinals
(lost to Trail Blazers 1–4)

| bbr_team = UTA

}}

The 1999–2000 NBA season was the Utah Jazz's 26th season in the National Basketball Association, and 21st season in Salt Lake City, Utah.[https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/UTA/2000.html 1999-00 Utah Jazz] During the off-season, the Jazz signed free agent Olden Polynice,{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = Polynice Signs Two-Year Deal | work = CBS News | date = August 31, 1999 | url = https://www.cbsnews.com/news/polynice-signs-two-year-deal/ | access-date = July 19, 2021}}{{cite news | title = O.P. Passes Physical and Officially Joins Jazz | work = Deseret News | date = September 1, 1999 | url = https://www.deseret.com/1999/9/1/19463553/o-p-passes-physical-and-officially-joins-jazz | access-date = January 26, 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 = May 30, 2022}} then later on signed Armen Gilliam in January;{{cite news | last = Buckley | first = Tim | title = Gilliam Joins Jazz; Chilcutt Says Good-Bye | work = Deseret News | date = January 8, 2000 | url = https://www.deseret.com/2000/1/8/19552267/gilliam-joins-jazz-chilcutt-says-good-bye | access-date = October 3, 2022}}{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = N.B.A.; Gilliam Helps Jazz Right Away | work = The New York Times | date = January 14, 2000 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2000/01/14/sports/nba-gilliam-helps-jazz-right-away.html | access-date = July 19, 2021}}{{cite news | last = Buckley | first = Tim | title = Newest Jazzman Is Talk of the Town | work = Deseret News | date = January 19, 2000 | url = https://www.deseret.com/2000/1/19/19552975/newest-jazzman-is-talk-of-the-town | access-date = January 26, 2023}} Polynice became the team's starting center this season, as Greg Ostertag came off the bench as a backup to Polynice.{{cite news | last = Buckley | first = Tim | title = Zen Again; New-Look Lakers Get Jazz Off to an 0-1 Start | work = Deseret News | date = November 3, 1999 | url = https://www.deseret.com/1999/11/3/19473679/zen-again-br-new-look-lakers-get-jazz-off-to-an-0-1-start/ | access-date = March 17, 2024}}

The Jazz were now the oldest team in the NBA,{{cite news | last = Wise | first = Mike | title = The Jazz, Not Modern by N.B.A. Standards, Plods On | work = The New York Times | date = March 5, 2000 | url = https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/library/sports/basketball/030500bkn-jazz.html | access-date = June 10, 2022}}{{cite news | title = Playing the Oldies | work = Deseret News | date = April 22, 2000 | url = https://www.deseret.com/2000/4/22/19503161/playing-the-oldies?_amp=true | access-date = January 26, 2023}} as they got off to a solid 15–7 start, which included a 7-game winning streak,{{cite news | title = Utah 96, Boston 86 | work = United Press International | date = December 15, 1999 | url = https://www.upi.com/Archives/1999/12/15/Utah-96-Boston-86/2225945234000/ | access-date = September 16, 2022}} but then lost six straight games between January and February, holding 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}} However, they won nine consecutive games between February and March, finishing in first place in the Midwest Division with a solid 55–27 record,{{cite web | title = 1999–2000 Utah Jazz Schedule and Results | publisher = Basketball-Reference | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/UTA/2000_games.html | access-date = June 22, 2021}} qualifying for the playoffs for the 17th straight season.{{cite web | title = Utah Jazz | publisher = Basketball-Reference | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/UTA/ | access-date = January 20, 2022}}

Karl Malone averaged 25.5 points and 9.5 rebounds per game, was named to the All-NBA Second Team, and finished in fourth place in NBA Most Valuable Player voting,{{cite news | last = Nadel | first = John | title = THE NBA: Shaq Runaway MVP | work = Kitsap Sun | date = May 10, 2000 | url = https://products.kitsapsun.com/archive/2000/05-10/0072_the_nba__shaq_runaway_mvp.html | access-date = March 28, 2023}}{{cite news | last = Beslic | first = Stephen | title = "I Got Death Threats"; Fred Hickman on the Aftermath of Denying Shaquille O'Neal His Unanimous MVP | work = Basketball Network | date = April 9, 2022 | url = https://www.basketballnetwork.net/old-school/fred-hickman-on-the-aftermath-of-denying-shaquille-oneal-his-unanimous-mvp | access-date = March 17, 2024}}{{cite web | title = 1999–2000 NBA Awards Voting | publisher = Basketball-Reference | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/awards_2000.html | access-date = January 2, 2022}} and also reached a milestone by scoring his 30,000th career point during this season.{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = Malone's 30,000th Not Enough | work = CBS News | date = January 29, 2000 | url = https://www.cbsnews.com/news/malones-30000th-not-enough/ | access-date = May 17, 2023}}{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = N.B.A.: ROUNDUP; Malone Reaches 30,000 Points | work = The New York Times | date = January 30, 2000 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2000/01/30/sports/nba-roundup-malone-reaches-30000-points.html | access-date = May 17, 2023}}{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = Malone Passes 30,000 in Loss | work = Los Angeles Times | date = January 30, 2000 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-jan-30-sp-59282-story.html | access-date = May 17, 2023}}{{cite news | title = Malone Hits Mark in Jazz Loss | newspaper = The Washington Post | date = January 30, 2000 | url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/2000/01/30/malone-hits-mark-in-jazz-loss/4d663c1c-927b-4cef-86d7-c8add5794c38/ | access-date = May 17, 2023}}{{cite news | last = Buckley | first = Tim | title = Pesky Timberwolves Top Jazz, Ruin Malone's Day | work = Deseret News | date = January 30, 2000 | url = https://www.deseret.com/2000/1/30/19488382/pesky-timberwolves-top-jazz-ruin-malone-s-day | access-date = May 17, 2023}} In addition, Bryon Russell averaged 14.1 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game, while Jeff Hornacek contributed 12.4 points per game, John Stockton provided the team with 12.1 points, 8.6 assists and 1.7 steals per game, and sixth man Howard Eisley contributed 8.6 points and 4.2 assists per game off the bench. On the defensive side, Polynice averaged 5.3 points and 5.5 rebounds per game, and Ostertag provided with 6.0 rebounds, and led the team with 2.1 blocks per game off the bench.{{cite web | title = 1999–2000 Utah Jazz Roster and Stats | publisher = Basketball-Reference | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/UTA/2000.html | access-date = June 22, 2021}}

During the All-Star Weekend in Oakland, California, Malone and Stockton were both selected for the 2000 NBA All-Star Game, which was also Stockton's final All-Star appearance,{{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 = Associated Press | title = Kidd Shows Stockton, Malone Some Respect at All-Star Game | work = Deseret News | date = February 14, 2000 | url = https://www.deseret.com/2000/2/14/19491023/kidd-shows-stockton-malone-some-respect-at-all-star-game | access-date = November 17, 2022}}{{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 = October 15, 2021}} and Hornacek won both the Three-Point Shootout, and the 2-Ball competition.{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = Hornacek Wins 2Ball for Utah at Buzzer | work = ESPN | date = February 12, 2000 | url = https://www.espn.com/nba/news/2000/0212/352955.html | access-date = March 28, 2023}}{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = Hornacek Defends Shootout Title | work = ESPN | date = February 12, 2000 | url = https://www.espn.com/nba/news/2000/0212/353106.html | access-date = March 28, 2023}}{{cite news | last = Wise | first = Mike | title = PRO BASKETBALL: NOTEBOOK; Carter Flies to Dunk Contest Victory | work = The New York Times | date = February 13, 2000 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2000/02/13/sports/pro-basketball-notebook-carter-flies-to-dunk-contest-victory.html | access-date = November 15, 2022}}{{cite news | last = Buckley | first = Tim | title = Hornacek's Hot Hand Produces All-Star Gold | work = Deseret News | date = February 13, 2000 | url = https://www.deseret.com/2000/2/13/19490741/hornacek-s-hot-hand-produces-all-star-gold | access-date = July 1, 2022}}

In the playoffs, the Jazz defeated the Seattle SuperSonics three games to two in the Western Conference First Round,{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = PRO BASKETBALL; Malone and Stockton Lead Way in Finale | work = The New York Times | date = May 6, 2000 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2000/05/06/sports/pro-basketball-malone-and-stockton-lead-way-in-finale.html | access-date = May 25, 2022}}{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = Jazz Keeps Composure, Finishes SuperSonics | work = Los Angeles Times | date = May 6, 2000 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-may-06-sp-27151-story.html | access-date = June 3, 2022}}{{cite news | last = Buckley | first = Tim | title = Takin' Out the Trash | work = Deseret News | date = May 6, 2000 | url = https://www.deseret.com/platform/amp/2000/5/6/19558842/takin-out-the-trash | access-date = July 16, 2021}}{{cite web | title = 2000 NBA Western Conference First Round: SuperSonics vs. Jazz | publisher = Basketball-Reference | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/2000-nba-western-conference-first-round-supersonics-vs-jazz.html | access-date = February 14, 2023}} but would lose in five games to the Pacific Division champion Portland Trail Blazers in the Western Conference Semi-finals for the second consecutive year.{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = N.B.A.: LAST NIGHT; Lakers and Blazers, as Expected, Will Meet | work = The New York Times | date = May 17, 2000 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2000/05/17/sports/nba-last-night-lakers-and-blazers-as-expected-will-meet.html | access-date = May 5, 2022}}{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = Pippen Becomes the Hero | work = Los Angeles Times | date = May 17, 2000 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-may-17-sp-30876-story.html | access-date = May 29, 2022}}{{cite news | title = Pippen Sends Jazz Home After Game 5 | newspaper = The Washington Post | date = May 17, 2000 | url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/2000/05/17/pippen-sends-jazz-home-after-game-5/bf0670a5-86dc-4054-9350-8f46cef59e08/ | access-date = November 26, 2022}}{{cite web | title = 2000 NBA Western Conference Semifinals: Jazz vs. Trail Blazers | publisher = Basketball-Reference | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/2000-nba-western-conference-semifinals-jazz-vs-trail-blazers.html | access-date = February 14, 2023}}

Following the season, Hornacek retired ending his fourteen-year career in the NBA.{{cite news | last = Evans | first = Rich | title = Hornacek Won't Close Door Completely on Retirement | work = Deseret News | date = April 20, 2000 | url = https://www.deseret.com/2000/4/20/19502818/hornacek-won-t-close-door-completely-on-retirement | access-date = May 17, 2023}}{{cite news | last = Adande | first = J.A. | title = Faint Beat | work = Los Angeles Times | date = May 14, 2000 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-may-14-sp-30074-story.html | access-date = September 13, 2022}}{{cite news | last = Robinson | first = Doug | title = Gone, But Never Forgotten: Jeff Hornacek Opens New Chapter as Full-Time Husband, Dad | work = Deseret News | date = May 18, 2000 | url = https://www.deseret.com/platform/amp/2000/5/18/19507234/gone-but-never-forgotten-br-jeff-hornacek-opens-new-chapter-as-full-time-husband-dad | access-date = July 16, 2021}}{{cite news | last = Robinson | first = Doug | title = Hornacek's Much Too Busy for Basketball | work = Deseret News | date = October 18, 2000 | url = https://www.deseret.com/2000/10/18/19534525/hornacek-s-much-too-busy-for-basketball | access-date = May 17, 2023}} Meanwhile, Gilliam also retired, while Eisley and Adam Keefe were both involved in a four-team trade; Eisley was traded to the Dallas Mavericks, and Keefe was dealt to the Golden State Warriors.{{cite news | last = Buckley | first = Tim | title = Jazz Make Deal for Marshall | work = Deseret News | date = August 14, 2000 | url = https://www.deseret.com/2000/8/14/19523717/jazz-make-deal-for-marshall | access-date = July 4, 2023}}{{cite news | agency = Staff and Wire Reports | title = Marshall, Eisley Included in Four-Team NBA Trade | work = Los Angeles Times | date = August 15, 2000 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-aug-15-sp-4653-story.html | access-date = July 4, 2023}}{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = Four NBA Teams in 9-Man Swap | work = CBS News | date = August 16, 2000 | url = https://www.cbsnews.com/news/four-nba-teams-in-9-man-swap/ | access-date = July 4, 2023}}{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = PLUS: PRO BASKETBALL; 4 N.B.A. Teams Involved in Trade | work = The New York Times | date = August 17, 2000 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2000/08/17/sports/plus-pro-basketball-4-nba-teams-involved-in-trade.html | access-date = July 4, 2023}}