1999–2000 Boston Celtics season

Season of National Basketball Association team the Boston Celtics

NBA professional basketball team season
1999–2000 Boston Celtics season
Head coachRick Pitino
General managerChris Wallace
Owner(s)Paul Gaston
ArenaFleet Center
Results
Record35–47 (.427)
PlaceDivision: 5th (Atlantic)
Conference: 10th (Eastern)
Playoff finishDid not qualify
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
TelevisionFox Sports Net New England
RadioWEEI
< 1998–99 2000–01 >

The 1999–00 NBA season was the 54th season for the Boston Celtics in the National Basketball Association.[1] During the off-season, the Celtics acquired Danny Fortson, and former Celtics forward Eric Williams from the Denver Nuggets,[2][3][4][5] and signed free agents Calbert Cheaney,[6][7][8] and undrafted rookie guard Adrian Griffin.[9][10][11] In their third season under head coach Rick Pitino, the Celtics won their first three games, but played below .500 for the first few months, holding a 21–28 record at the All-Star break.[12] At midseason, the team traded Fortson to the Toronto Raptors in exchange for Alvin Williams, but the trade was voided due to Williams failing his physical exam; Fortson only played 55 games this season due to a stress fracture in his right foot.[13][14][15][16] The Celtics struggled and suffered a ten-game losing streak between March and April, but managed to win five of their final six games, finishing fifth in the Atlantic Division with a 35–47 record, and missing the playoffs again for the fifth straight season.[17]

Second-year star Paul Pierce had a stellar season, averaging 19.5 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.1 steals per game, while Antoine Walker averaged 20.5 points, 8.0 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game, and Kenny Anderson contributed 14.0 points, 5.1 assists and 1.7 steals per game. In addition, Vitaly Potapenko provided the team with 9.2 points and 6.3 rebounds per game, and Griffin provided with 6.7 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game. Off the bench, Fortson averaged 7.6 points and 6.7 rebounds per game, while Williams and Dana Barros both contributed 7.2 points per game each, and Tony Battie provided with 6.6 points and 5.0 rebounds per game.[18]

This season also reached a breaking point for the Celtics, after a 96–94 home loss to the Raptors on March 1, 2000, where All-Star guard Vince Carter hit a three-pointer at the buzzer, which even drew cheers from the Celtics fans at the Fleet Center; Pitino went on a legendary rant in his post-game interview, wherein he blamed fans and the media for being negative towards the Celtics, and demanded them to stop reliving past glories; best remembered by the phrase "walking through that door", as he referred to retired Celtics legends Larry Bird, Kevin McHale and Robert Parish, who all won three championships with the team in the 1980s.[19][20][21][22][23] This would not leave Celtics fans nor the Boston media any more satiated, and contributed to his eventual downfall.

Following the season, the Celtics were involved in a four-team trade, as Barros was traded to the Dallas Mavericks, while Fortson was dealt to the Golden State Warriors.[24][25][26][27] However, Barros never played for the Mavericks, as he was traded to the Detroit Pistons two months later.[28][29][30] Meanwhile, Cheaney was traded to the Denver Nuggets,[31][32][33] and Pervis Ellison signed as a free agent with the Seattle SuperSonics.[34][35] For the season, the team added their alternate logo of a cloverleaf above the shorts of their uniforms.[36][37]

Draft picks

Round Pick Player Position Nationality College
2 55 Kris Clack SG/SF  United States Texas

Roster

1999–2000 Boston Celtics roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB From
G 7 Anderson, Kenny 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 168 lb (76 kg) 1970–10–09 Georgia Tech
G 11 Barros, Dana (C) 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 163 lb (74 kg) 1967–04–13 Boston College
C 4 Battie, Tony 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 230 lb (104 kg) 1976–02–11 Texas Tech
G/F 40 Cheaney, Calbert 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 209 lb (95 kg) 1971–07–17 Indiana
F/C 29 Ellison, Pervis Injured 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1967–04–03 Louisville
F/C 27 Fortson, Danny 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 260 lb (118 kg) 1976–03–27 Cincinnati
G 44 Griffin, Adrian 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 217 lb (98 kg) 1974–07–04 Seton Hall
F/C 0 McCarty, Walter 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 230 lb (104 kg) 1974–02–01 Kentucky
G/F 9 Minor, Greg Injured (IN) 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1971–09–18 Louisville
G 20 Overton, Doug 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1969–08–03 La Salle
G/F 34 Pierce, Paul 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 235 lb (107 kg) 1977–10–13 Kansas
C 52 Potapenko, Vitaly 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 280 lb (127 kg) 1975–03–21 Wright State
F 8 Walker, Antoine (C) 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 224 lb (102 kg) 1976–08–12 Kentucky
F 55 Williams, Eric 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1972–07–17 Providence
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • (IN) Inactive
  • Injured Injured

Roster
Last transaction: December 23, 1999

Roster Notes

Regular season

Season standings

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  • t
  • e
 W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-Miami Heat 52 30 .634 – 33–8 19–22 18–6
x-New York Knicks 50 32 .610 2 33–8 17–24 14–10
x-Philadelphia 76ers 49 33 .598 3 29–12 20–21 13–11
Orlando Magic 41 41 .500 11 26–15 15–26 12–13
Boston Celtics 35 47 .427 17 26–15 9–32 12–12
New Jersey Nets 31 51 .378 21 22–19 9–32 9–16
Washington Wizards 29 53 .354 23 17–24 12–29 7–17
#
Eastern Conference
  • v
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  • e
Team W L PCT GB
1 c-Indiana Pacers 56 26 .683 –
2 y-Miami Heat 52 30 .634 4
3 x-New York Knicks 50 32 .610 6
4 x-Charlotte Hornets 49 33 .598 7
5 x-Philadelphia 76ers 49 33 .598 7
6 x-Toronto Raptors 45 37 .549 11
7 x-Detroit Pistons 42 40 .512 14
8 x-Milwaukee Bucks 42 40 .512 14
9 Orlando Magic 41 41 .500 15
10 Boston Celtics 35 47 .427 21
11 Cleveland Cavaliers 32 50 .390 24
12 New Jersey Nets 31 51 .378 25
13 Washington Wizards 29 53 .354 27
14 Atlanta Hawks 28 54 .341 28
15 Chicago Bulls 17 65 .207 39

Record vs. opponents

1999-2000 NBA Records
Team ATL BOS CHA CHI CLE DAL DEN DET GSW HOU IND LAC LAL MIA MIL MIN NJN NYK ORL PHI PHO POR SAC SAS SEA TOR UTA VAN WAS
Atlanta – 1–3 1–3 3–1 3–1 0–2 1–1 1–3 0–2 1–1 1–3 1–1 0–2 2–2 0–4 1–1 3–1 2–1 0–3 0–4 0–2 0–2 2–0 0–2 1–1 2–2 0–2 1–1 1–3
Boston 3–1 – 1–3 2–2 2–2 1–1 2–0 0–3 1–1 1–1 1–3 1–1 0–2 1–3 1–2 0–2 3–1 2–2 2–2 1–3 1–1 0–2 1–1 0–2 1–1 2–2 1–1 1–1 3–1
Charlotte 3–1 3–1 – 4–0 3–1 1–1 1–1 2–2 2–0 1–1 2–2 2–0 0–2 2–2 3–1 2–0 2–1 1–3 2–2 3–1 1–1 0–2 0–2 0–2 1–1 3–1 0–2 2–0 3–0
Chicago 1–3 2–2 0–4 – 1–3 0–2 1–1 1–3 0–2 0–2 1–3 2–0 0–2 2–2 1–3 0–2 2–1 0–3 0–4 0–4 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–4 0–2 0–2 2–2
Cleveland 1–3 2–2 1–3 3–1 – 2–0 2–0 2–2 1–1 1–1 0–4 2–0 0–2 0–3 1–3 0–2 2–2 3–1 2–1 0–4 0–2 1–1 0–2 1–1 0–2 0–4 0–2 2–0 3–1
Dallas 2–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 0–2 – 3–1 2–0 4–0 1–3 1–1 4–0 1–3 0–2 0–2 2–2 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–2 3–1 2–2 1–3 2–2 1–3 1–1 1–3 3–1 1–1
Denver 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–3 – 1–1 2–2 2–2 0–2 3–1 1–3 0–2 2–0 2–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 2–0 1–3 2–2 2–2 1–3 1–3 2–0 2–2 2–2 1–1
Detroit 3–1 3–0 2–2 3–1 2–2 0–2 1–1 – 2–0 1–1 1–3 2–0 0–2 2–2 3–1 0–2 2–1 1–3 2–2 2–2 0–2 1–1 0–2 1–1 2–0 2–2 0–2 2–0 2–2
Golden State 2–0 1–1 0–2 2–0 1–1 0–4 2–2 0–2 – 1–3 0–2 1–3 0–4 1–1 1–1 1–3 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–2 0–4 0–4 1–3 0–4 0–4 0–2 0–4 3–1 1–1
Houston 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 3–1 2–2 1–1 3–1 – 0–2 4–0 2–2 1–1 0–2 0–4 1–1 0–2 0–2 1–1 2–2 2–2 1–3 0–4 1–3 0–2 1–3 2–2 1–1
Indiana 3–1 3–1 2–2 3–1 4–0 1–1 2–0 3–1 2–0 2–0 – 1–1 1–1 2–2 2–2 1–1 3–1 2–2 2–1 2–2 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 3–1 2–0 2–0 2–1
L.A. Clippers 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–4 1–3 0–2 3–1 0–4 1–1 – 0–4 0–2 0–2 1–3 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 0–4 0–4 1–3 0–4 1–3 0–2 0–4 1–3 1–1
L.A. Lakers 2–0 2–0 2–0 2–0 2–0 3–1 3–1 2–0 4–0 2–2 1–1 4–0 – 2–0 2–0 4–0 2–0 2–0 2–0 2–0 4–0 2–2 3–1 1–3 3–1 1–1 3–1 4–0 1–1
Miami 2–2 3–1 2–2 2–2 3–0 2–0 2–0 2–2 1–1 1–1 2–2 2–0 0–2 – 2–2 2–0 2–2 3–1 3–1 3–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–2 1–1 1–1 4–0
Milwaukee 4–0 2–1 1–3 3–1 3–1 2–0 0–2 1–3 1–1 2–0 2–2 2–0 0–2 2–2 – 0–2 1–3 0–4 4–0 0–3 1–1 0–2 1–1 2–0 1–1 2–2 1–1 1–1 3–1
Minnesota 1–1 2–0 0–2 2–0 2–0 2–2 2–2 2–0 3–1 4–0 1–1 3–1 0–4 0–2 2–0 – 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–3 2–2 3–1 3–1 2–2 2–0 3–1 4–0 0–2
New Jersey 1–3 1–3 1–2 1–2 2–2 2–0 1–1 1–2 2–0 1–1 1–3 1–1 0–2 2–2 3–1 1–1 – 1–3 3–2 1–3 0–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–2 2–2 0–2 0–2 1–3
New York 1–2 2–2 3–1 3–0 1–3 2–0 1–1 3–1 2–0 2–0 2–2 1–1 0–2 1–3 4–0 1–1 3–1 – 3–1 3–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–3 0–2 2–0 2–2
Orlando 3–0 2–2 2–2 4–0 1–2 1–1 2–0 2–2 1–1 2–0 1–2 2–0 0–2 1–3 0–4 1–1 2–3 1–3 – 2–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 1–1 1–1 2–2 1–1 2–0 4–0
Philadelphia 4–0 3–1 1–3 4–0 4–0 2–0 0–2 2–2 2–0 1–1 2–2 1–1 0–2 1–3 3–0 1–1 3–1 1–3 2–2 – 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–2 2–0 3–0 1–1 2–0 3–1
Phoenix 2–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 2–0 1–3 3–1 2–0 4–0 2–2 1–1 4–0 0–4 1–1 1–1 3–1 2–0 1–1 2–0 2–0 – 1–3 4–0 2–2 2–2 1–1 0–4 4–0 2–0
Portland 2–0 2–0 2–0 2–0 1–1 2–2 2–2 1–1 4–0 2–2 0–2 4–0 2–2 1–1 2–0 2–2 1–1 0–2 2–0 2–0 3–1 – 4–0 3–1 4–0 1–1 3–1 3–1 2–0
Sacramento 0–2 1–1 2–0 2–0 2–0 3–1 2–2 2–0 3–1 3–1 1–1 3–1 1–3 0–2 1–1 1–3 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 0–4 0–4 – 3–1 2–2 1–1 1–3 3–1 2–0
San Antonio 2–0 2–0 2–0 2–0 1–1 2–2 3–1 1–1 4–0 4–0 1–1 4–0 3–1 1–1 0–2 1–3 2–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 2–2 1–3 1–3 – 2–2 1–1 2–2 4–0 1–1
Seattle 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 3–1 3–1 0–2 4–0 3–1 1–1 3–1 1–3 1–1 1–1 2–2 2–0 0–2 1–1 0–2 2–2 0–4 2–2 2–2 – 0–2 2–2 4–0 2–0
Toronto 2–2 2–2 1–3 4–0 4–0 1–1 0–2 2–2 2–0 2–0 1–3 2–0 1–1 2–1 2–2 0–2 2–2 3–1 2–2 0–3 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 – 1–1 1–1 2–2
Utah 2–0 1–1 2–0 2–0 2–0 3–1 2–2 2–0 4–0 3–1 0–2 4–0 1–3 1–1 1–1 1–3 2–0 2–0 1–1 1–1 4–0 1–3 3–1 2–2 2–2 1–1 – 3–1 2–0
Vancouver 1–1 1–1 0–2 2–0 0–2 1–3 2–2 0–2 1–3 2–2 0–2 3–1 0–4 1–1 1–1 0–4 2–0 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–4 1–3 1–3 0–4 0–4 1–1 1–3 – 1–1
Washington 3–1 1–3 0–3 2–2 1–3 1–1 1–1 2–2 1–1 1–1 1–2 1–1 1–1 0–4 1–3 2–0 3–1 2–2 0–4 1–3 0–2 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–2 2–2 0–2 1–1 —

Game log

Player statistics

Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field-goal percentage  3P%  3-point field-goal percentage  FT%  Free-throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game

Awards and records

Transactions

See also

References

  1. ^ 1999-2000 Boston Celtics
  2. ^ "Celtics Trade Mercer in Six-Player Deal". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. August 4, 1999. Retrieved September 15, 2022.
  3. ^ Greenberg, Alan (August 4, 1999). "Celts Cash Out on Mercer". Hartford Courant. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
  4. ^ "NBA Teams Get Busy Trading and Signing". Deseret News. Associated Press. August 4, 1999. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
  5. ^ "NBA Trade Roundup". Associated Press. August 4, 1999. Retrieved October 14, 2021.
  6. ^ "PLUS: PRO BASKETBALL -- BOSTON; Cheaney Headed to the Celtics". The New York Times. Associated Press. August 6, 1999. Retrieved September 16, 2022.
  7. ^ "Magic's Gone, So Hardaway Traded". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. August 6, 1999. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
  8. ^ Wyche, Steve (August 6, 1999). "Wizards Lose Cheaney to the Celtics". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
  9. ^ a b Goldberg, Jeff (October 6, 1999). "Dues Paid, Griffin Joins Club at Last". Hartford Courant. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
  10. ^ Wise, Mike (October 31, 1999). "1999–2000 N.B.A. PREVIEW; The West Is Still the Best". The New York Times. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  11. ^ Berman, Marc (November 13, 1999). "The Hall's Griffin Finds Home in Boston After CBA Journey". New York Post. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
  12. ^ "NBA Games Played on February 10, 2000". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved July 22, 2022.
  13. ^ "Fortson Back with Celtics". CBS News. Associated Press. February 11, 2000. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
  14. ^ "Celtics Cancel Trade with Raptors". Associated Press. February 11, 2000. Retrieved October 17, 2022.
  15. ^ Gardner, Kris (February 11, 2000). "Fortson Dealt to Toronto". The Houston Roundball Review. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
  16. ^ "N.B.A. ROUNDUP -- BOSTON; Trade Rescinded After Williams Flunks Physical". The New York Times. Associated Press. February 12, 2000. Retrieved October 17, 2022.
  17. ^ "1999–2000 Boston Celtics Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved July 15, 2021.
  18. ^ "1999–2000 Boston Celtics Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved July 15, 2021.
  19. ^ "Pitino Frustrated in Post-Game Comments". ESPN. Associated Press. March 1, 2000. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
  20. ^ "Carter Is Mr. Big Shot in Victory Over Celtics". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. March 2, 2000. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
  21. ^ MacLeod, Robert (March 2, 2000). "Carter Shot Steals a Win". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
  22. ^ Thompson, Jack (March 3, 2000). "Pitino Rips Boston Fans, Media as Celtics' Frustration Grows". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
  23. ^ "Celtics' Failures Have Pitino Feeling Some Heat; Boston Coach Blaming Media for City's Bad Attitude Toward Team". Deseret News. Associated Press. March 6, 2000. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
  24. ^ Buckley, Tim (August 14, 2000). "Jazz Make Deal for Marshall". Deseret News. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
  25. ^ "Marshall, Eisley Included in Four-Team NBA Trade". Los Angeles Times. Staff and Wire Reports. August 15, 2000. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
  26. ^ "Four NBA Teams in 9-Man Swap". CBS News. Associated Press. August 16, 2000. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
  27. ^ "PLUS: PRO BASKETBALL; 4 N.B.A. Teams Involved in Trade". The New York Times. Associated Press. August 17, 2000. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
  28. ^ Gardner, Kris (October 17, 2000). "Dallas, Detroit Complete Three-Player Deal". The Houston Roundball Review. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
  29. ^ "Mavs Get Vaught from Pistons for Barros and Sesay". CBC. CBC Sports. October 17, 2000. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
  30. ^ "Mavericks Acquire Loy Vaught from Pistons". United Press International. October 17, 2000. Retrieved January 5, 2022.
  31. ^ "PLUS: PRO BASKETBALL; Pack Trade to Nuggets Official". The New York Times. October 17, 2000. Retrieved January 11, 2022.
  32. ^ "Celtics, Nuggets Complete Four-Player Trade". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. October 17, 2000. Retrieved October 19, 2022.
  33. ^ Gardner, Kris (October 29, 2000). "Pack Returns to Nuggets". The Houston Roundball Review. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
  34. ^ "THE NBA: Fans Get First Look at Sonics in Scrimmage". Kitsap Sun. Sun Sports. October 24, 2000. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
  35. ^ Wise, Mike (October 30, 2000). "PRO BASKETBALL; West Side Story, the Sequel". The New York Times. Retrieved September 12, 2022.
  36. ^ "Boston Celtics Uniform". Chris Creamer's Sports Logos Page - SportsLogos.Net. Retrieved January 22, 2022.
  37. ^ "Boston Celtics Uniform". Chris Creamer's Sports Logos Page - SportsLogos.Net. Retrieved January 22, 2022.
  38. ^ Goldberg, Jeff (October 5, 1999). "Celtics Hope Upgrade Holds Up for Y2k". Hartford Courant. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
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Bold indicates NBA Finals victory