The 1999-00 Seattle SuperSonics were a team in transition, finishing the NBA season with a 45-37 record. This placed them in the seventh spot in the Western Conference, but they ultimately missed the playoffs, marking a downturn for the franchise during this period. The season was notable for coaching changes, as Paul Westphal took over the reins, replacing Paul Silas.
Gary Payton continued to be the cornerstone of the team, leading with his trademark defensive tenacity and offensive prowess. Payton averaged 24.2 points, 8.9 assists, and 6.5 rebounds per game, maintaining his status as one of the league’s premier point guards. His efforts earned him another spot on the All-NBA First Team. Alongside Payton, Vin Baker provided support in the frontcourt, though his performances were inconsistent compared to previous seasons, averaging 16.6 points and 7.7 rebounds per game.
The team’s core also featured emerging talents like Rashard Lewis and Ruben Patterson. Lewis, in his second year, showed promise with improved scoring and versatility, which would become key assets in the future. Meanwhile, veteran Detlef Schrempf provided experience off the bench, contributing valuable minutes as a sixth man.
Despite their efforts, the SuperSonics struggled with defensive consistency and depth issues, which overshadowed their offensive capabilities. The season’s outcome prompted the organization to reassess its roster and strategy, laying the groundwork for future rebuilding efforts in the early 2000s.
- Regular Season Record: 45-37
- Playoff Result: Western Conference First Round: 2-3
Seattle SuperSonics Roster and Stats for 1999-00 Season
| Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% |
| Gary Payton | 82 | 24.2 | 6.5 | 8.9 | 1.9 | 0.2 | 34.0 | 5 | 25.8 | 7.6 | 7.4 | 1.8 | 0.2 | 39.1 |
| Vin Baker | 79 | 16.6 | 7.7 | 1.9 | 0.6 | 0.8 | 25.0 | 5 | 14.0 | 7.6 | 2.0 | 1.0 | 0.4 | 0.0 |
| Brent Barry | 80 | 11.8 | 4.7 | 3.6 | 1.3 | 0.4 | 41.1 | 5 | 8.4 | 2.6 | 3.0 | 0.6 | 0.6 | 40.0 |
| Ruben Patterson | 81 | 11.6 | 5.4 | 1.6 | 1.2 | 0.5 | 44.4 | 5 | 8.2 | 3.0 | 0.4 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 0.0 |
| Vernon Maxwell | 47 | 10.9 | 1.7 | 1.6 | 0.8 | 0.2 | 30.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Rashard Lewis | 82 | 8.2 | 4.1 | 0.9 | 0.8 | 0.4 | 33.3 | 5 | 15.4 | 6.2 | 0.6 | 1.0 | 0.6 | 47.4 |
| Horace Grant | 76 | 8.1 | 7.8 | 2.5 | 0.7 | 0.8 | 0.0 | 5 | 4.8 | 6.2 | 2.0 | 1.6 | 1.0 | 0.0 |
| Shammond Williams | 43 | 5.2 | 1.2 | 1.8 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 29.6 | 5 | 10.2 | 2.2 | 3.6 | 1.6 | 0.0 | 63.6 |
| Jelani McCoy | 58 | 4.3 | 3.1 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 0.8 | 0.0 | 3 | 1.3 | 2.0 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Emanual Davis | 54 | 4.0 | 1.9 | 1.3 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 30.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Lazaro Borrell | 17 | 3.6 | 2.4 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 2 | 5.0 | 5.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Greg Foster | 60 | 3.4 | 1.8 | 0.7 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 20.0 | 5 | 3.6 | 2.2 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 40.0 |
| Chuck Person | 37 | 2.8 | 1.4 | 0.6 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 25.3 | 2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Vladimir Stepania | 30 | 2.5 | 1.6 | 0.1 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Fred Vinson | 8 | 1.6 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 28.6 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
Seattle SuperSonics in the 2000 NBA Playoffs
Playoffs First Round vs. Utah Jazz
In the 2000 NBA Playoffs, the Seattle SuperSonics faced the Utah Jazz in the first round. Despite a strong effort, the Sonics were eliminated in a tightly contested series, losing 3-2. Gary Payton's leadership and dynamic play were highlights for Seattle, but they ultimately couldn't overcome the experienced Jazz team led by Karl Malone and John Stockton.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 22, 2000 | @ Utah Jazz | L 104-93 | |
| Apr 24, 2000 | @ Utah Jazz | L 101-87 | |
| Apr 29, 2000 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 89-78 | |
| May 03, 2000 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 104-93 | |
| May 05, 2000 | @ Utah Jazz | L 96-93 |
Seattle SuperSonics 1999-00 Regular Season Game Log
Here is the game log for the 1999-00 season for the Seattle SuperSonics.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 02, 1999 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | W 104-92 | |
| Nov 04, 1999 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 106-96 | |
| Nov 06, 1999 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 99-94 | |
| Nov 08, 1999 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | L 117-98 | |
| Nov 10, 1999 | @ Washington Wizards | W 109-95 | |
| Nov 11, 1999 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | W 109-103 | |
| Nov 13, 1999 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 107-99 | |
| Nov 15, 1999 | @ New Jersey Nets | W 100-92 | |
| Nov 17, 1999 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 111-108 | |
| Nov 18, 1999 | @ Vancouver Grizzlies | W 110-108 | |
| Nov 20, 1999 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 110-107 | |
| Nov 21, 1999 | @ Phoenix Suns | L 99-86 | |
| Nov 26, 1999 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 98-93 | |
| Nov 28, 1999 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 102-91 | |
| Nov 30, 1999 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 101-77 | |
| Dec 02, 1999 | @ Golden State Warriors | W 117-108 | |
| Dec 04, 1999 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | W 102-89 | |
| Dec 05, 1999 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 103-81 | |
| Dec 08, 1999 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 110-94 | |
| Dec 10, 1999 | @ Utah Jazz | L 101-83 | |
| Dec 11, 1999 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 92-88 | |
| Dec 14, 1999 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 109-84 | |
| Dec 16, 1999 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 107-81 | |
| Dec 18, 1999 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 112-89 | |
| Dec 20, 1999 | @ Chicago Bulls | W 93-84 | |
| Dec 21, 1999 | @ Indiana Pacers | L 113-103 | |
| Dec 23, 1999 | @ Minnesota Timberwolves | L 109-102 | |
| Dec 26, 1999 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 92-86 | |
| Dec 28, 1999 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 94-89 | |
| Dec 29, 1999 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 113-104 | |
| Jan 04, 2000 | @ Houston Rockets | W 103-96 | |
| Jan 05, 2000 | @ San Antonio Spurs | W 99-96 | |
| Jan 08, 2000 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 110-100 | |
| Jan 09, 2000 | @ Golden State Warriors | W 100-95 | |
| Jan 11, 2000 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 101-88 | |
| Jan 12, 2000 | @ Denver Nuggets | W 103-93 | |
| Jan 14, 2000 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 91-85 | |
| Jan 17, 2000 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | W 82-81 | |
| Jan 18, 2000 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 99-80 | |
| Jan 20, 2000 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | W 104-96 | |
| Jan 21, 2000 | @ Boston Celtics | L 111-86 | |
| Jan 23, 2000 | @ Toronto Raptors | L 94-77 | |
| Jan 24, 2000 | @ New York Knicks | L 112-106 | |
| Jan 26, 2000 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 95-92 | |
| Jan 29, 2000 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 101-99 | |
| Feb 01, 2000 | @ Utah Jazz | W 104-96 | |
| Feb 02, 2000 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 88-81 | |
| Feb 04, 2000 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 94-86 | |
| Feb 06, 2000 | @ Phoenix Suns | L 105-93 | |
| Feb 08, 2000 | @ San Antonio Spurs | L 79-77 | |
| Feb 09, 2000 | @ Dallas Mavericks | W 117-106 | |
| Feb 15, 2000 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 114-85 | |
| Feb 18, 2000 | @ Sacramento Kings | L 118-85 | |
| Feb 19, 2000 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 94-91 | |
| Feb 22, 2000 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 127-91 | |
| Feb 25, 2000 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 95-87 | |
| Feb 28, 2000 | @ Charlotte Hornets | W 84-81 | |
| Feb 29, 2000 | @ Orlando Magic | L 103-94 | |
| Mar 02, 2000 | @ Miami Heat | L 101-83 | |
| Mar 04, 2000 | @ Atlanta Hawks | W 93-81 | |
| Mar 05, 2000 | @ Minnesota Timberwolves | L 105-100 | |
| Mar 07, 2000 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 101-86 | |
| Mar 10, 2000 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 99-85 | |
| Mar 12, 2000 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 99-97 | |
| Mar 13, 2000 | @ Vancouver Grizzlies | W 113-103 | |
| Mar 16, 2000 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 117-103 | |
| Mar 18, 2000 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 97-96 | |
| Mar 21, 2000 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 100-90 | |
| Mar 24, 2000 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 98-95 | |
| Mar 27, 2000 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 90-82 | |
| Mar 29, 2000 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 110-95 | |
| Mar 31, 2000 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 123-108 | |
| Apr 02, 2000 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 95-82 | |
| Apr 04, 2000 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 106-93 | |
| Apr 07, 2000 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 119-116 | |
| Apr 08, 2000 | @ Denver Nuggets | L 105-97 | |
| Apr 10, 2000 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 106-103 | |
| Apr 12, 2000 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 110-83 | |
| Apr 14, 2000 | @ Dallas Mavericks | L 117-103 | |
| Apr 16, 2000 | @ Houston Rockets | W 121-112 | |
| Apr 18, 2000 | @ Sacramento Kings | W 119-112 | |
| Apr 19, 2000 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 114-106 |