Every NBA Team’s Best Player In The 1998 Season

The 1998 NBA season was one for the ages, as we saw Michael Jordan complete an incredible 3-peat for the second time as a member of the Chicago Bulls. The Bulls were stacked all year with Jordan and Scottie Pippen leading the way, and there was no stopping them at the end of the year. Of course, during the regular season, it was still Michael Jordan’s league, as he was by far the best player in the world.

But what about the other teams? Every team had a distinguished player that dominated the court and had the greatest impact. Besides Jordan completing his iconic 3-peat with the Bulls, other amazing events happened in the 1998 season, including the rise of a rookie Tim Duncan, the brilliance of three separate 60+ win teams in the West, and other All-Star players having amazing seasons, including Karl Malone, Gary Payton, and Shaquille O’Neal.

Without further ado, here is every NBA team’s best player during the iconic 1998 NBA season.

Atlanta Hawks – Dikembe Mutombo

1997-98 Stats: 13.4 PPG, 11.4 RPG, 1.0 APG, 0.4 SPG, 3.4 BPG

The most dominant shot-blocker in the league, Dikembe Mutombo averaged over 3 BPG while continuing his All-Star form with the iconic Atlanta Hawks franchise after arriving from the Denver Nuggets. Mutombo was simply an enforcer for his team, defending the rim with force and also taking up space in the paint.

Thanks to Mutombo’s defensive leadership, the Hawks finished with a strong 50-32 record but eventually lost in the first round to the Charlotte Hornets. Regardless, the African superstar was at the heart of the Hawks and had some of the best seasons of his career with the franchise.

Boston Celtics – Antoine Walker

1997-98 Stats: 22.4 PPG, 10.2 RPG, 3.3 APG, 1.7 SPG, 0.7 BPG

Antoine Walker was a very good scorer for the Celtics during a time when the team was not competing for championships. Walker made 3 All-Star Teams with the Boston Celtics and was a great versatile power forward that could score in many ways, with the ability to get hot when his shot was falling. His first All-Star appearance came in 1998, in the player’s second season.

In many ways, Antoine was one of the first stretch forwards who could create his own shot as well. He put up 22.4 PPG in his second season while making his first All-Star Team, nailing 42.4% of his shots from the field, 31.2% from three, and 64.5% from the stripe. His efficiency wasn’t great, but he was Boston’s best player by quite a margin.

Charlotte Hornets – Glen Rice

1997-98 Stats: 22.3 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 2.2 APG, 0.9 SPG, 0.3 BPG

After 6 seasons with the Miami Heat to start his career, sharpshooter Glen Rice became an All-Star with the Charlotte Hornets. Rice was coming off the best season of his career in 1997 when he posted 26.8 PPG on a career-high 47.0% 3-PT FG. His third season with the Hornets came in the 1998 season, as Rice averaged 22.3 PPG on 43.3% 3-PT FG.

Each one of Rice’s seasons with the Hornets resulted in All-Star appearances, and the small forward even won All-Star Game MVP in his second year with the team. But in 1998, Rice made the All-NBA Third Team in what would be the sharpshooter’s final season in Charlotte, which capped off an impressive 3-year-run.

Chicago Bulls – Michael Jordan

1997-98 Stats: 28.7 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 3.5 APG, 1.7 SPG, 0.5 BPG

The greatest player of all time was still the best player in the world during the 1998 season. The superstar shooting guard was fresh off his 5th NBA championship and 9th straight scoring title, turning that into his 6th title and 10th scoring title in 1998. Michael Jordan was not only the best scorer in the world but possibly the most dominant defensive guard in the game alongside Gary Payton.

The 1998 season was the last one where Jordan was the best player in the world, and he capped it with an MVP award. Completing his second 3-peat and once again proving he is the greatest athlete in the history of American team sports, Jordan happily stepped away from the court in what would be the ultimate farewell for the GOAT.

Cleveland Cavaliers – Shawn Kemp

1997-98 Stats: 18.0 PPG, 9.3 RPG, 2.5 APG, 1.4 SPG, 1.1 BPG

After making a Finals appearance and forming one of the best duos in the NBA alongside Gary Payton, Shawn Kemp was traded in a three-way trade which saw the big man ending up in Cleveland. Shawn Kemp was not the same All-Star player he was alongside Gary Payton, but he was still a proficient scorer.

Kemp averaged 18.0 PPG in his first season with the Cavaliers, marking his 6th and final All-Star season in 1998. The powerhouse dunker averaged 20.5 PPG the next season in 42 games, but that would slowly mark the end of a great career. Kemp was certainly better in Seattle, but he was the best player for the Cavs in 1998 in terms of impact and talent.

Dallas Mavericks – Michael Finley

1997-98 Stats: 21.5 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 4.9 APG, 1.6 SPG, 0.4 BPG

One of the most important pieces for the Mavericks franchise in the early 2000s, Michael Finley, was a very consistent scorer for his team. Finley was immediately tasked with being a go-to scorer in his second season for the Mavericks, averaging 21.5 PPG on 44.9% shooting in 41.4 MPG.

A consistent scorer who had no conscious and a very short memory, the 6’7” small forward was never afraid to carry an offense, even if the team was very poor at 20-62. Luckily, it wouldn’t be long before Finley would get help in the form of a rookie Dirk Nowitzki in the 1999 season. Regardless, the small forward was the best player on his team as an offensive kickstarter.

Denver Nuggets – LaPhonso Ellis

1997-98 Stats: 14.3 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 2.8 APG, 0.9 SPG, 0.6 BPG

The 1998 Denver Nuggets were absolutely horrific, going 11-71 and finishing with the worst record in the NBA. Unfortunately for him, LaPhonso Ellis was the most consistent performer on the team by posting 14.3 PPG and 7.2 RPG while playing in 76 out of the team’s 82 games.

Ellis stood 6’8” and weighed an impressive 240 lbs, meaning the forward had the size to be an impact player when he was scoring consistently and also crashing the boards. The Nuggets just did not have enough as go-to perimeter scorer Eric Williams only played 4 games, and Ellis was forced to be the team’s best player.

Detroit Pistons – Grant Hill

1997-98 Stats: 21.1 PPG, 7.7 RPG, 6.8 APG, 1.8 SPG, 0.7 BPG

One of the most talented wings in NBA history, Grant Hill made his 4th straight All-Star Team with the Detroit Pistons. After winning Rookie of the Year and bursting onto the scene as an All-Star, Hill was his usual dominant self by producing elite all-around numbers. Detroit was not a winning team just yet, but Hill was showing glimpses of becoming the next-best player in the world after Michael Jordan ran off into the sunset.

Of course, injuries greatly derailed Hill’s career, and we have to look at what Hill did in the late 1990s to understand how special he was. The triple-double threat was not only a tremendous physical specimen with regard to how explosive he was but also a player with a very high basketball IQ in terms of scoring. In 1998, Hill was easily Detroit’s star man.

Golden State Warriors – Latrell Sprewell

1997-98 Stats: 21.4 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 4.9 APG, 1.4 SPG, 0.4 BPG

Latrell Sprewell was a bundle of talent as soon he arrived in the NBA and had one of the most versatile skill sets we have seen from a 6’5” small forward. Thanks to his ability to handle the ball, score, and defend, Latrell was the best player for the 1998 Golden State Warriors.

Sprewell posted 21.4 PPG, 3.6 RPG, and 4.9 APG to go along with 1.4 SPG in a great all-around season at an individual level. The team wasn’t great, going 19-63 in the West, which was the third-worst in the conference. The forward could do a lot on the court, but he did not have enough help to make a true difference in the win-loss column.

Houston Rockets – Hakeem Olajuwon

1997-98 Stats: 16.4 PPG, 9.8 RPG, 3.0 APG, 1.8 SPG, 2.0 BPG

The best player to ever play for the Rockets by a huge margin, Hakeem Olajuwon was not only the best post-scorer in NBA history but also one of the league’s greatest defensive players as well. Even at age 35 in the 1998 season with the Houston Rockets, Olajuwon was the most important performer.

Still capable of pulling off the “Dream Shake” or nailing an efficient jumper, Hakeem averaged 16.4 PPG over 47 games, slowly marking the end of the big man’s illustrious career due to age and attrition. There was not much for Olajuwon to prove anyways because his impact with the Rockets was solidified.

Indiana Pacers – Reggie Miller

1997-98 Stats: 19.5 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 2.1 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.1 BPG

One of the most clutch players in NBA history, Reggie Miller, was at his clutch-shooting best during the 1998 season. This was the last season that Reggie averaged at least 19 PPG, and he did it while nailing 42.9% of his three-pointers. Leading the Indiana Pacers to a 58-24 record, which was good for 2nd in the Eastern Conference.

Of course, Reggie was the star for a Pacers team that lost in 7 games to the Bulls in the Eastern Conference Finals. Miller did everything he could to get his team over the hump, but Michael was just too good and too talented. No shame there because Miller still proved his worth in the 1998 season.

Los Angeles Clippers – Lamond Murray

1997-98 Stats: 15.2 PPG, 8.7 RPG, 3.4 APG, 0.7 SPG, 0.8 BPG

The Los Angeles Clippers are going through somewhat of a great moment in their history because they struggled a lot throughout history. In 1998, that was much of the same because the team finished with a poor 17-65 record, with Lamond Murray doing everything in his power to keep the guys afloat.

Posting 15.4 PPG, 6.1 RPG, and 1.5 SPG in 1998, the small forward was effective on the offensive side of the court while also doing his job on the boards. Murray might be a forgotten name in Clippers lore because he averaged at least 14 PPG twice in his career with the franchise, but he was the team’s best player in 1998.

Los Angeles Lakers – Shaquille O’Neal

1997-98 Stats: 28.3 PPG, 11.4 RPG, 2.4 APG, 0.7 SPG, 2.4 BPG

The most dominant physical player in the game, Shaquille O’Neal, was beginning his reign in the league with the Lakers. The center put up monster numbers all year long, carrying the Lakers to a 61-21 record despite falling in the Western Conference Finals to the Utah Jazz. Alongside 19-year-old Kobe Bryant, who made his first All-Star Team, O’Neal would soon have enough help to start dominating the league.

But in 1998, there was no doubt that Shaq was the best center in the game by a wide margin when looking at his numbers. The Diesel posted 28.3 PPG and 11.4 RPG on 58.4% from the field and also blocked 2.4 shots per game. As a completely immovable force inside, Shaq’s time atop the NBA world would soon come.

Miami Heat – Tim Hardaway

1997-98 Stats: 18.9 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 8.3 APG, 1.7 SPG, 0.2 BPG

One of the greatest dribblers of all time, Tim Hardaway, made his second straight All-Star Team with the Miami Heat as the team finished 3rd in the Eastern Conference. The 1998 season would also mark his 5th total All-Star selection, and he did it in an exciting fashion. Miami went as Hardaway went, as he was absolutely critical on the offensive end for his squad.

Unfortunately for Hardaway and the Heat, the New York Knicks ended their playoff run in 5 games. Regardless, the point guard was exceptional with the ball in his hands and did his job in scoring the ball or otherwise feeding Alonzo Mourning inside. Mourning was the best defensive player on the team, but Tim was the only player to make an All-NBA Team for the Heat.

Milwaukee Bucks – Glenn Robinson

1997-98 Stats: 23.4 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 2.8 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.6 BPG

Making his third straight All-Star Team, Glen Rice was arguably the best all-around player for the Charlotte Hornets in 1998. The 6’8” small forward averaged 22.3 PPG on a scintillating 43.3% shooting from three and 84.9% from the stripe.

Rice was the best shooter on the Hornets team that finished with a 51-31 record which was good for 4th in the East. Unfortunately, Rice and the Hornets ran into Jordan and the Bulls in the second round of the playoffs. That would become a common theme for any player in the 1990s, so nothing is held against Rice, who was one of Charlotte’s best-ever players.

Minnesota Timberwolves – Kevin Garnett

1997-98 Stats: 18.5 PPG, 9.6 RPG, 4.2 APG, 1.7 SPG, 1.8 BPG

Kevin Garnett was by far the best player on the Minnesota Timberwolves in the player’s third season in 1998, posting 18.5 PPG, 9.6 RPG, and 4.2 APG as the best all-around player on the team. An elite two-way player, Garnett was the heart and soul of the franchise even at such a young age.

The Timberwolves made the postseason in 1998, holding a 45-37 record thanks to Garnett’s play and leadership as a 21-year-old. Tom Gugliotta was solid through 41 games in the season, posting 18.7 PPG and 8.1 RPG, but he was not as available and consistent as Garnett was.

New Jersey Nets – Sam Cassell

1997-98 Stats: 19.6 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 8.0 APG, 1.6 SPG, 0.3 BPG

Somehow, the New Jersey Nets made the playoffs thanks to the efficiency of Sam Cassell, who posted solid all-around numbers. The Nets finished with a 43-39 record, good enough for the 8th seed, and the point guard’s play was impressive, to say the least.

Cassell averaged 19.6 PPG and 8.0 APG to go along with 1.6 SPG for the Nets, shooting 44.1% from the field and 86.0% from the free-throw line. Cassell was in his prime at 28 years old and helped role players such as Keith Van Horn (21 years old) blossom into talented players. No doubt, Cassell was an important part of the Nets franchise in 1998.

New York Knicks – Patrick Ewing

1997-98 Stats: 20.8 PPG, 10.2 RPG, 1.1 APG, 0.6 SPG, 2.2 BPG

Patrick Ewing is the greatest player in New York Knicks history, and in the 1998 season, at 35 years old, he was still the best player on the team. Ewing would be done making All-Star Teams following the 1997 season, but his numbers were still very solid.

Ewing put up his customary double-double while blocking over 2 shots per game on average. The Knicks finished 7th in the Eastern Conference, making it to the second round of the playoffs with Ewing leading the way even at his latter stages.

Orlando Magic – Penny Hardaway

1997-98 Stats: 16.4 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 3.6 APG, 1.5 SPG, 0.8 BPG

Shaquille O’Neal was no longer on the Orlando Magic starting in the 1997 season, and that meant Penny Hardaway was in charge of the franchise in the 1998 season. The point guard was solid when he was showcasing his skills, but he clearly missed the superstar center because the team finished with a 41-41 record while missing the playoffs.

The Magic ended up missing the playoffs, and only Penny’s skills through 19 games were the highlight for the team. Even if Penny only played in 19 games, he showed enough to make his final All-Star Team because injuries would permanently derail his career.

Philadelphia 76ers – Allen Iverson

1997-98 Stats: 22.0 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 6.2 APG, 2.2 SPG, 0.3 BPG

Allen Iverson was only in his second NBA season in 1998 but was already the best player on the team. Iverson followed up the Rookie of the Year campaign with a season in which he posted 22.0 PPG, 6.2 RPG, and 2.2 SPG,

As a shot-creator and limitless offensive player, The Answer was becoming unstoppable at only 22 years old. Iverson was guiding the Philadelphia 76ers slowly but surely, as the team finished with a 31-51 record which was the second-worst in the Eastern Conference.

Phoenix Suns – Jason Kidd

1997-98 Stats: 11.6 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 9.1 APG, 2.0 SPG, 0.3 BPG

Jason Kidd was an All-Star in 1998, in only his 4th NBA season and second season with the Phoenix Suns. Kidd was solid, posting excellent all-around numbers and proving his worth as a franchise player. Of course, Kidd would become an iconic Suns player in due time.

Kidd led Phoenix to a solid 56-26 record, so his presence clearly worked. The point guard was not the best shooter, but he had size, speed, and tremendous skill at feeding teammates the ball and pushing the pace. At 24 years old, Kidd was the star of the Suns.

Portland Trail Blazers – Arvydas Sabonis

1997-98 Stats: 16.0 PPG, 10.0 RPG, 3.0 APG, 0.9 SPG, 1.1 BPG

Arvydas Sabonis was only in his third season in the NBA in 1998, although he had played 9 years in Europe before his stint in America. The Lithuanian was a very talented passer at the center position and also a tremendous inside presence as a scorer and rebounder.

In 1998, Sabonis guided the Portland Trail Blazers to a 46-36 record as they made the playoffs. Isaiah Rider was the leading scorer all year long (19.7 PPG), but Sabonis was more effective at using his all-around presence and intelligent play to make the difference.

Sacramento Kings – Mitch Richmond

1997-98 Stats: 23.2 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 4.0 APG, 1.3 SPG, 0.2 BPG

One of the premier scorers of his era, Mitch Richmond, was an excellent outside shooter and a consistent offensive player with a silky smooth touch. Even if his team did not perform well during the regular season, Richmond was very effective with his scoring at 44.5% from the field and 38.9% from three. Getting to the foul line at least 3 times per game, Mitch also nailed 86.4% of his foul shots.

All that offense from Richmond was still not enough for the Sacramento Kings to make the postseason. The Kings had a poor 27-55 record, with only Richmond getting adulation by making the All-Star Team and the All-NBA Third Team as by far the best player on the team.

San Antonio Spurs – Tim Duncan

1997-98 Stats: 21.1 PPG, 11.9 RPG, 2.7 APG, 0.7 SPG, 2.5 BPG

Rookie of the Year Tim Duncan was sensational as soon as he arrived in the league, making All-NBA First Team and somehow usurping veteran David Robinson as the most talented player on the San Antonio Spurs. A dominant defensive power forward with an incredibly high basketball IQ, Duncan was shockingly great as he made the All-Star Team by playing all 82 games.

David Robinson was the star man for the Spurs for years prior to Duncan’s arrival, but there was no doubt that the man to be known as “The Big Fundamental” was already the best player on the roster. Some might argue that Robinson was the best player in San Antonio, but Duncan averaged more rebounds and was the fresh blood on the team.

Seattle SuperSonics – Gary Payton

1997-98 Stats: 19.2 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 8.3 APG, 2.3 SPG, 0.2 BPG

The Glove, Gary Payton, formed an incredible duo with big man Vin Baker in Seattle. A competitive guard with a high basketball IQ, Gary Payton played all 82 games at 38.4 MPG at a star level on both ends of the floor. Seattle finished with the second-best record in the league, and there was no doubt who the premier point guard in the game was.

Losing to the Lakers in the second round is nothing to be ashamed of, and Payton was easily the best point guard in the NBA in 1998. He actually helped Vin Baker make his 4th straight All-Star Team, all while shutting down opposing guards every night. Gary Payton needs more respect on his name because he was one of the best point guards of the 1990s.

Toronto Raptors – Damon Stoudamire

1997-98 Stats: 19.4 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 8.1 APG, 1.6 SPG, 0.1 BPG

Despite only playing in 49 games, Damon Stoudamire was the standout player for the Toronto Raptors in an otherwise forgetful season. The team was simply not good, as only Doug Christie could only be relied upon to provide above-average play on both ends of the court.

Stoudamire was traded 49 games into the season to the Portland Trail Blazers but did his job over the time he spent in Toronto. The point guard put up very solid numbers as the best offensive player on the team and deserves praise for trying his best to keep his team afloat.

Utah Jazz – Karl Malone

1997-98 Stats: 27.0 PPG, 10.3 RPG, 3.9 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.9 BPG

The Mailman once again had an incredible season for the Utah Jazz, making his 11th All-Star Team as the best power forward in the game. With the arrival of Tim Duncan in San Antonio, Malone knew he had some competition but was still the king of his spot. Alongside John Stockton, Malone was an automatic scorer.

Malone put up 27.0 PPG and 10.3 RPG on 53.0% shooting from the field, guiding Utah to the best record in the East and also making the NBA Finals in a losing effort to the Bulls. All year long, teams were struggling to stop The Mailman, although it did not affect what Utah was doing with their best player leading the way all season.

Vancouver Grizzlies – Shareef Abdur-Rahim

1997-98 Stats: 22.3 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 2.6 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.9 BPG

A talented offensive power forward who was taken No. 3 overall in the 1996 NBA Draft, Shareef Abdur-Rahim made an All-Rookie Team in 1997 with the Vancouver Grizzlies by posting 18.7 PPG. He followed that up with a very solid season in 1998 by averaging 22.3 PPG and 7.1 RPG.

Abdur-Rahim was a solid mid-range jump shooter and could score around the rim, but also shot 41.2% from three in the 1998 season. While the forward was not required to nail threes consistently, he hardly took enough of them and picked his spots. Overall, his quick start in the NBA and a very solid 1998 season made Abdur-Rahim the best player on the Grizzlies.

Washington Wizards – Rod Strickland

1997-98 Stats: 17.8 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 10.5 APG, 1.7 SPG, 0.3 BPG

Rod Strickland was a very popular player during his time, and he had his best season in 1998 by leading the league in assists. The talented 6’3” point guard was spectacular for the Washington Wizards, averaging a monster double-double on 43.4% shooting from the field.

Armed with dribble moves and elite offensive IQ, “Hot Rod” Strickland was simply sensational as Washington finished above .500 but still missed the playoffs. Regardless, Strickland was exceptional with the ball in his hands, and his peers greatly respected what he did on the court in the 1998 season when he made the All-NBA Second Team.

We sincerely appreciate and respect you as a reader of our site. It would help us a lot if you follow us on Google News because of the latest update.

Thanks for following us. We really appreciate your support. 

Read More

1998 NBA Champions Chicago Bulls: Where Are They Now?

Ranking Michael Jordan’s Best NBA Finals Performances

10 Greatest Chicago Bulls Players Of All Time

Michael Jordan’s Perfect Record Against NBA Rivals: 310 Players Never Won Against The GOAT

Michael Jordan’s Career-High Against Every NBA Team: The GOAT Destroyed The Cleveland Cavaliers