1998–99 Utah Jazz season
The 1998–99 NBA season was the Jazz's 25th season in the National Basketball Association, and 20th season in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Jazz entered the season once again as runners-up in the NBA Finals, having lost back-to-back NBA Finals to the Chicago Bulls, both in six games. However, with Michael Jordan retiring for a second time, Scottie Pippen being traded to the Houston Rockets, Dennis Rodman signing with the Los Angeles Lakers as a free agent, and Phil Jackson's contract expiring, the Bulls dynasty that headlined much of the 1990s  was dramatically dismantled, and the Jazz hoped to make the NBA Finals for a third time. During the off-season, the team re-signed free agent, and former Jazz forward Thurl Bailey, who came out of his retirement. Bailey last played for the Minnesota Timberwolves during the 1993–94 season. The start of the Jazz season was delayed by a lockout, which cut the season to 50 games. When the season finally started, the Jazz got off to a 19–4 start, and then posted an 11-game winning streak in April. However, they struggled a bit down the stretch as they  lost their grip on first place. They finished with a league best record of 37–13. However, their record was tied by the San Antonio Spurs, who won the Midwest Division by a tie-breaker. They made their sixteenth consecutive trip to the playoffs. Karl Malone averaged 23.8 points and 9.4 rebounds per game, and was named Most Valuable Player for the second time, while being named to the All-NBA First Team, and NBA All-Defensive First Team. In addition, Bryon Russell returned to the starting lineup after coming off the bench last season, averaging 12.4 points, 5.3 rebounds and  1.5 steals per game, while Jeff Hornacek contributed 12.2 points per game, and John Stockton provided the team with 11.1 points, 7.5 assists and 1.6 steals per game, and was selected to the All-NBA Third Team. Greg Ostertag averaged 7.3 rebounds and 2.7 blocks per game, while off the bench, Shandon Anderson contributed 8.5 points per game, and Howard Eisley provided with 7.5 points and 3.7 assists per game. In the Western Conference First Round of the playoffs, the Jazz faced elimination as they trailed 2–1 against the 6th–seeded Sacramento Kings. However, they won Game 4 on the  road, 90–89, and went on to win the series in five games. In the Western Conference Semi-finals, they struggled and lost to the Pacific Division champion Portland Trail Blazers in six games. Following the season, Anderson signed as a free agent with the Houston Rockets, while Greg Foster signed with the Seattle SuperSonics, and Bailey retired for the second time. For the season, the Jazz added new black alternate road uniforms with brown side panels to their jerseys and shorts that lasted until 2004. Player statistics. NOTE: Please write players statistics in alphabetical order by last name. 1998–99 Utah