1998–99 Chicago Bulls season
1998–99 Chicago Bulls season
- The season was shortened to 50 games because of a lockout, starting February 5, 1999.
- The Bulls were the defending NBA champions from the 1998 Finals, but big changes happened: Phil Jackson resigned as coach; Scottie Pippen was traded to Houston; Dennis Rodman signed with the Lakers; and Michael Jordan retired for a second time.
- Tim Floyd became the new head coach, with new players Brent Barry, Mark Bryant, and Andrew Lang joining the team.
- The Bulls struggled, starting with a rough stretch and finishing 13–37 (about 21–61 in a full season equivalent).
- They finished last in the Central Division and 15th in the Eastern Conference, missing the playoffs for the first time since 1983–84. They were only the second defending champion to miss the playoffs.
- Toni Kukoč was the top scorer, averaging 18.8 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game. Other key contributors included Ron Harper (11.2 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 1.7 spg), Brent Barry (11.1 ppg), Dickey Simpkins (9.1 ppg, 6.8 rpg), Bryant (9.0 ppg, 5.2 rpg), and Randy Brown (8.8 ppg, 1.7 spg). Kornél Dávid, a Hungarian rookie, averaged 6.2 ppg and 3.5 rpg. Rusty LaRue added 4.7 ppg, and Lang contributed 3.8 ppg and 4.4 rpg but played only 21 games due to injury.
- Randy Brown tied for 10th in Most Improved Player voting.
- On April 10, 1999, the Bulls set an all-time low for points in a game in the shot clock era with an 82–49 loss to the Miami Heat.
- The Bulls led the NBA in home attendance, with 560,012 fans at the United Center.
- After the season, Brent Barry was traded to Seattle, Ron Harper signed with the Los Angeles Lakers to reunite with Jackson (who would coach the Lakers), Toni Kukoč signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers, and Mark Lang and Bill Wenning-ton were released.
- Key roster note: the season reflected a rebuilding phase after the end of the Bulls’ dynasty.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 08:45 (CET).