The 1998-99 Chicago Bulls season was a significant turning point in the franchise’s history. It marked the beginning of a rebuilding phase following the departure of key figures from their championship-winning squads. The Bulls were coming off a highly successful period, having won six NBA titles in eight years, but the 1998-99 season saw the team without Michael Jordan, who retired for the second time in January 1999.
Phil Jackson, the head coach who led the Bulls to their six championships, also left the team, leaving the coaching responsibilities to Tim Floyd. Additionally, star players Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman, crucial to the team’s success, were no longer with the Bulls. Pippen was traded to the Houston Rockets, and Rodman was released, highlighting a shift towards developing younger talent.
The season itself was shortened to 50 games due to a lockout, which delayed its start until February 1999. The Bulls struggled significantly, finishing with a 13-37 record, the worst in the Eastern Conference, and second-worst in the league. This was a stark contrast to their dominant performances in the previous years. With an offensive rating ranked 29th in the league, the Bulls had difficulty scoring and adjusting to the absence of their former stars.
Key players for the Bulls during this transition included Toni Kukoč, who led the team with 18.8 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game, and Brent Barry, who was acquired in a trade but played only briefly before being traded again. The season also saw the emergence of young talent like Ron Artest, who was drafted 16th overall in the 1999 NBA Draft, but it would take time for the Bulls to rebuild effectively.
Overall, the 1998-99 season was a challenging period for the Chicago Bulls, as they embarked on a rebuilding journey that would take several years to yield results. The team focused on developing younger players and acquiring new talent, setting the stage for future growth and success.
- Regular Season Record: 13-37
- Playoff Result: Did not make playoffs
Chicago Bulls Roster and Stats for 1998-99 Season
| Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% |
| Toni Kukoč | 44 | 18.8 | 7.0 | 5.3 | 1.1 | 0.3 | 28.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Ron Harper | 35 | 11.2 | 5.1 | 3.3 | 1.7 | 1.0 | 31.8 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Brent Barry | 37 | 11.1 | 3.9 | 3.1 | 1.1 | 0.3 | 30.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Dickey Simpkins | 50 | 9.1 | 6.8 | 1.3 | 0.7 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Mark Bryant | 45 | 9.0 | 5.2 | 1.1 | 0.8 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Randy Brown | 39 | 8.8 | 3.4 | 3.8 | 1.7 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Kornél Dávid | 50 | 6.2 | 3.5 | 0.8 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Rusty LaRue | 43 | 4.7 | 1.3 | 1.5 | 0.8 | 0.1 | 33.7 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Cory Carr | 42 | 4.1 | 1.2 | 1.6 | 0.5 | 0.2 | 16.7 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Andrew Lang | 21 | 3.8 | 4.4 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 0.6 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Corey Benjamin | 31 | 3.8 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 21.4 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Bill Wennington | 38 | 3.8 | 2.1 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 100.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Charles Jones | 29 | 3.7 | 1.4 | 1.4 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 31.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Keith Booth | 39 | 3.1 | 2.4 | 1.0 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 10.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Mario Bennett | 3 | 2.3 | 1.7 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
Chicago Bulls 1998-99 Regular Season Game Log
Here is the game log for the 1998-99 season for the Chicago Bulls.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 05, 1999 | @ Utah Jazz | L 104-96 | |
| Feb 07, 1999 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | W 89-84 | |
| Feb 09, 1999 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | L 87-71 | |
| Feb 11, 1999 | vs. New York Knicks | L 73-68 | |
| Feb 14, 1999 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | L 89-76 | |
| Feb 16, 1999 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | L 83-67 | |
| Feb 17, 1999 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 91-83 | |
| Feb 19, 1999 | @ Washington Wizards | L 93-91 | |
| Feb 21, 1999 | @ New York Knicks | L 79-63 | |
| Feb 22, 1999 | @ Atlanta Hawks | W 77-68 | |
| Feb 23, 1999 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | L 90-88 | |
| Feb 25, 1999 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | L 98-80 | |
| Feb 27, 1999 | vs. Charlotte Hornets | W 94-77 | |
| Feb 28, 1999 | @ Toronto Raptors | W 90-88 | |
| Mar 02, 1999 | vs. Detroit Pistons | L 108-78 | |
| Mar 03, 1999 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | L 102-86 | |
| Mar 08, 1999 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 81-76 | |
| Mar 09, 1999 | vs. New Jersey Nets | W 103-87 | |
| Mar 11, 1999 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | L 92-83 | |
| Mar 12, 1999 | vs. New York Knicks | W 76-63 | |
| Mar 15, 1999 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | L 89-85 | |
| Mar 17, 1999 | @ Orlando Magic | L 103-94 | |
| Mar 18, 1999 | vs. New Jersey Nets | W 104-95 | |
| Mar 19, 1999 | @ Indiana Pacers | L 96-87 | |
| Mar 21, 1999 | @ Boston Celtics | W 95-92 | |
| Mar 23, 1999 | vs. Toronto Raptors | L 113-90 | |
| Mar 24, 1999 | @ Charlotte Hornets | L 110-81 | |
| Mar 26, 1999 | @ Atlanta Hawks | L 93-81 | |
| Mar 28, 1999 | @ Toronto Raptors | L 91-78 | |
| Mar 30, 1999 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 91-81 | |
| Apr 01, 1999 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 107-75 | |
| Apr 02, 1999 | vs. Orlando Magic | L 115-68 | |
| Apr 04, 1999 | vs. Vancouver Grizzlies | W 88-87 | |
| Apr 06, 1999 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | L 96-89 | |
| Apr 07, 1999 | vs. Indiana Pacers | L 91-74 | |
| Apr 10, 1999 | vs. Miami Heat | L 82-49 | |
| Apr 11, 1999 | @ Boston Celtics | L 87-81 | |
| Apr 13, 1999 | @ Miami Heat | L 90-74 | |
| Apr 14, 1999 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | L 89-81 | |
| Apr 16, 1999 | @ Washington Wizards | L 87-70 | |
| Apr 18, 1999 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | W 79-77 | |
| Apr 20, 1999 | vs. Washington Wizards | W 83-77 | |
| Apr 21, 1999 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 99-87 | |
| Apr 23, 1999 | vs. Boston Celtics | L 100-71 | |
| Apr 24, 1999 | @ Indiana Pacers | L 87-69 | |
| Apr 26, 1999 | @ Dallas Mavericks | L 101-93 | |
| Apr 30, 1999 | @ Charlotte Hornets | L 92-88 | |
| May 01, 1999 | @ Miami Heat | W 101-86 | |
| May 03, 1999 | vs. Detroit Pistons | L 115-71 | |
| May 05, 1999 | vs. Orlando Magic | L 103-83 |