What happened in 99?

Finish when done this lockout -if it does, it is clear is that the 2011/2012 season will be marked forever by the cancellation of matches. will be the second in 65 years that has not started on time, and that will make when we look at history is underlined, italicized, or with an asterisk, indicating that it was not a normal campaign. Just like the 98/99, also affected by a lockout and has always been underrated as atypical of it. But how was that season he suffered the first lockout?

When did you start? Who won? Which players stood out? Since n or enjoy exclusivity and, remember what brought us the first season in NBA history who had to start late. For younger or less placed on the subject, the first thing is that it should be noted that only Regular Season featured 50 games . After reaching employers union and a miraculous agreement on January 6, 99, on 5 February to finish the course started on May 5, having canceled the All planned Star Weekend in Philadelphia. Some months before the course begins, perhaps anticipating the black employment picture, Michael Jordan chose for his second retreat leaving a legacy of 'The Last Shot' and with it, the sixth ring for eight years Bulls.

Next to 'Air', also left the ship Phil Jackson, Dennis Rodman and Scottie Pippen, leaving the Illinois team did a lot. That general stampede happened was that the champion of the 62 victories last year and ring to sign a sad passed 13-37 with Tim Floyd at the controls. That power vacuum in the east was used by three teams that had spent years being alternatives. The Heat Mouring Zo and Tim Hardaway, the Magic Penny Hardaway and Reggie Miller Pacers , Jalen Rose and Rik Smits ended with an identical 33-17 record, with the final order of the classification Miami, Indiana and Orlando for the sake of direct confrontation.

After these three powers, were placed Hawks, Pistons, Sixers and Bucks, Knicks being the last ranked, 27-23 and one game ahead of the Charlotte Hornets. On the other coast, Spurs and Jazz struggled for three months of RS to be the best team in the West (and the NBA) . Finally they were Texans who took the upper hand despite equal balance with the Mormons (37-13). With Tim Duncan wearing his sophomore year gallon, David Robinson as a bodyguard of '21 'and Gregg Popovich in the bench, those of the Alamo were the real rulers, despite the strength of Karl Malone and John Stockton, who hoped to take advantage of the absence of Jordan to reach their third final and donning the coveted ring. Behind them as winners of the Pacific (then only four Divisions) Trail Blazers Mike Dunleavy (35-15), and farther Lakers, Rockets, Suns, Kings and Timberwolves. We must pause a moment to talk about the head and tail of the West.

The Rockets got together a magic trick with Olajuwon, Barkley and Pippen to try again to reign, but the rift between 'Sir Charles' and 'Pip' blew up a project that ended in complete failure, breaking the Big Three a year later to join. On a positive note, Kings succeeded, after years of ostracism, return to the elite to sneak into the playoffs and make things very complicated for the Jazz in the first round in what was the embryo of the team that half the world fell in love years later. At the individual level , Allen Iverson (26.8) was the leading scorer, Chris Webber (13.0), the most rebounds and Jason Kidd (10.8) led the assists table. As for the rookies, two glared above the rest . Vince Carter hit all and sundry Thanks to the impressive gliding and eventually win the Rookie of the Year thanks to his 18.3 points per night, while in Sacramento, a brash young white magic in his hands and revolutionized the game with his passing surprised impossible and became a breath of fresh air for a league in need of new idols. accompanied Jason Williams 'Vinsanity' quintet in the ideal of rookies, with Mike Bibby, Paul Pierce and Matt Harpring.