Before Kobe, LeBron & MJ: The Last Dance of the ’90s NBA 🏀

If you have been following along, in our world without Michael Jordan, another star player rises to rule the league. By the end of the 1998 season, MJ was winning his 6th and final title in real life, but without him around, wouldn’t you believe someone else wins 6 championships? 

That player is Charles Barkley, who entered the league the same year as MJ. Barkley first won four titles with the Dallas Mavericks (1988–1990, 1992), thanks to teammates like John Stockton and Reggie Lewis. 

With no Stockton and Malone duo to block him in Utah, Barkley went on to win two more championships paired with Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler in Houston (1997, 1998). 

So as MJ was capturing his 6th ring in 1998 in real life, Barkley was doing the same in our world. Jordan would then retire for a second time, while Barkley and the Rockets were looking to 3-peat.

The 1998–99 season was shortened due to a lockout, and we kept that part of history, meaning instead of an 82-game season, teams played 50 games. 

Before we dive into the season, let’s take a look at the 1998 first-round draft class. The top three picks went to the Detroit Pistons, LA Clippers, and Boston Celtics, with Michael Olowokandi going to Detroit, Mike Bibby to LA, and Raef LaFrentz to Boston. 

While all three immediately joined their team’s lineups, none could lead their squads to the playoffs. Meanwhile, Jason Williams joined a Nuggets team that had added key pieces, helping them return to the postseason, and Larry Hughes became an important part of the Kings’ playoff push. There were other notable rookies, but these were the players making the biggest impact in Year 1 for their drafted teams.

As for the 1999 season, the New Jersey Nets (36–14) once again reigned supreme in the East. Just two years ago, they finished as the #1 seed led by All-Star Vin Baker—but with Baker gone for two seasons, the team had to regroup. After a down year, they are back on top thanks to the new All-Star duo of Stephon Marbury and Keith Van Horn.

At #2 we find the surprise of the year: the Charlotte Hornets (34–16). With three key additions, they not only became competitive but also captured the Central Division crown for the first time in franchise history. First-time All-Star Eddie Jones, along with former champion Derrick Coleman (1994 Hawks) and Elden Campbell, have formed a dangerous new trio.

Coming in at #3, the Philadelphia 76ers (33–17) have taken another huge step forward. Last season, they made the playoffs for the first time since 1993 and nearly upset the #1 seed Knicks in a decisive Game 5. 

Now, for the first time since 1987—the final year of Julius Erving—the Sixers are among the East’s elite. Their rise is powered by MVP candidate Kevin Garnett, who has quickly transformed the franchise.

The #4 seed Orlando Magic (29–21) continued their consistency, making the playoffs for the sixth straight season. Remarkably, it is their fourth time in six years as the #4 seed. Through it all, Penny Hardaway has been their fearless leader, keeping Orlando relevant in the East.

Seeds 5 through 8 went to the New York Knicks, Miami Heat, Atlanta Hawks, and Toronto Raptors—all franchises have either championship experience or Finals appearances except for one. 

Since drafting Allen Iverson three years ago, the Knicks have been a constant force, reaching the 1997 NBA Finals and earning the #1 seed in 1998. 

The Heat, our 1996 champions, still rely on the steady duo of MVP Alonzo Mourning and Tim Hardaway. The Hawks, who shocked the league as 1994 champions, now have only Mookie Blaylock remaining from that squad. And the Raptors are celebrating only their second-ever playoff appearance.

While the Heat, Hornets, and Raptors returned to the postseason, replacing the Milwaukee Bucks, Washington Wizards, and Chicago Bulls, who all tumbled after losing cornerstone stars. 

The Bucks parted ways with Terrell Brandon, last year’s East runner-up Wizards lost Chris Webber, and the Bulls said goodbye to longtime leader Scottie Pippen. Brandon went to the Timberwolves, Webber to the Kings, and Pippen landed with the defending champion Rockets—reshaping the balance of power in both conferences.

In the Western Conference, it was the same old tune. For the fourth straight year, the Houston Rockets (43–7) finished on top. The back-to-back champions may have assembled their strongest squad yet. 

Though they lost Clyde Drexler to retirement, they reloaded in a big way by adding two-time champion Scottie Pippen and rookie Paul Pierce (via the Blazers’ pick). They now join forces with two-time champion Hakeem Olajuwon and six-time champion Charles Barkley, giving Houston a stacked lineup with championship pedigree.

At #2, the Phoenix Suns (32–18) shocked the league by capturing the Pacific Division crown over Shaquille O’Neal and the Lakers. Much like the Hornets in the East, the Suns took a leap forward thanks to the dominance of Jason Kidd, who may have been the most impactful guard in the league this season.

Meanwhile, the Dallas Mavericks (35–15) continued their consistency, locking in the #3 seed for the third straight year. Twice in that span, they’ve had the second-best record in the West, including this season. 

With four-time champion John Stockton hoping to add a fifth ring, and All-Star Grant Hill striving to bring the franchise back to its early ’90s glory days, the Mavs look poised for another deep playoff run.

Another surprise came at #4, where the Denver Nuggets (32–18) finished higher than they ever have in our 15-year history. With the return of Antonio McDyess, who put together a breakout MVP-caliber campaign, and the emergence of Danny Fortson, Denver suddenly boasts a dangerous frontcourt that powered them to a top seed.

Seeds 5 through 8 belonged to the Los Angeles Lakers, Utah Jazz, Sacramento Kings, and Minnesota Timberwolves. The Lakers endured an “off year,” but still leaned on All-Stars Gary Payton and Shaquille O’Neal to remain dangerous. 

The Jazz, meanwhile, are fueled by revenge after last season’s stunning first-round upset to the Timberwolves. With Tim Duncan now in his second season, Utah is determined to avoid a repeat disappointment.

The Sacramento Kings are back in the postseason after a one-year absence, thanks to the additions of Chris Webber and Vlade Divac, while the Timberwolves managed to sneak in despite losing franchise cornerstone Tom Gugliotta to the Suns.

The Kings and Nuggets represent the two fresh faces in this year’s Western playoff field, replacing last year’s Grizzlies and Warriors. The Grizzlies, who finished as the 8-seed in 1998, lost Otis Thorpe and narrowly missed the postseason, finishing 10th and just three games out. The Warriors fell even harder, dropping from the #7 seed last year to 13th this season after losing Jim Jackson.        

Let’s move on to the Eastern Conference Playoffs, where the top-seeded New Jersey Nets squared off against the #8 Toronto Raptors. The Nets were led by two young first-time All-Stars, Stephon Marbury and Keith Van Horn, while the Raptors featured rookie sensation Vince Carter.

The Nets had been playoff regulars in recent years, while the Raptors were making just their second postseason appearance, their first since 1996 when they were also the #8 seed, led back then by rookie Damon Stoudamire.

As expected, the 1-seed Nets came out firing, taking the first two games at home. Carter and the Raptors fought back with a dramatic Game 3 win in Toronto, but that would be their only victory. New Jersey closed the series in Game 4, showing poise beyond their years. Their leaders may be young, but they already understand the pressure of being the East’s top seed.

The other three first-round matchups were far more dramatic, with all three going the full distance.

We begin with the 2/7 series, as the #2 Charlotte Hornets faced the defending East champion #7 Atlanta Hawks. For Charlotte, this was just their third playoff appearance in 10 years, and their first as a top seed. 

The Hawks, meanwhile, were the seasoned veterans of the East — having made the Finals three times in the ’90s, including last season as a 3-seed. They won it all back in 1994 with Mookie Blaylock at the helm, and while he remained, much of that roster had turned over.

The two sides split the first four games, setting up a tense Game 5 in Charlotte. With seconds left, the Hawks clung to a one-point lead and possession. 

The Hornets chose not to foul, instead trapping Blaylock. In a stunning sequence, Eddie Jones stripped the ball and hurled a full-court pass to Derrick Coleman, who dunked as the buzzer sounded. 

The arena erupted as the Hornets captured their first-ever playoff series win in the most dramatic fashion imaginable. Coleman, once a champion with the 1994 Hawks, couldn’t hide his grin as reporters swarmed him.

Would you believe it? The 3/6 series had a similar outcome. The #3 Philadelphia 76ers — making their first top-4 seed since Julius Erving’s farewell season in 1987 — faced the #6 Miami Heat, the 1996 champions. 

This series also featured a duel between two MVP candidates: Alonzo Mourning, who took home the award, and the Sixers’ own Kevin Garnett, who finished among the finalists.

The battle raged for five games, with both stars putting up monstrous numbers. In the decisive Game 5 in Philadelphia, the Heat looked poised to advance behind Mourning and Tim Hardaway, leading most of the way. 

But in the fourth quarter, Garnett simply took over. He scored 18 of his 35 points in the final frame, almost single-handedly dragging his team to a 99–90 victory. When asked afterwards about losing the MVP race, Garnett kept it short: “I let my game speak for itself.”

Finally, the 4/5 matchup saw the Orlando Magic face the New York Knicks. Orlando had lived in this position for years, often good enough to earn the #4 seed, but rarely able to break through. 

The Knicks, on the other hand, had surged since drafting Allen Iverson in 1996 — reaching the Finals in his rookie year and earning the East’s top seed just last season before falling to Chris Webber’s Wizards.

This Knicks team entered hungry for redemption. They added Latrell Sprewell, but had to reshuffle their frontcourt with Zydrunas Ilgauskas lost for the season and Charles Oakley no longer in town. That meant Patrick Ewing and Larry Johnson carried the front line, with Sprewell slotting in at the three.

Like the other East series, this one went to Game 5, but unlike the rest, there was no late-game drama. The Knicks stormed into Orlando and controlled the game from start to finish, silencing the home crowd and punching their ticket to the Semis.

Both the Knicks and the Sixers make the Conference Semis in both real life and in our world.  The team names are the same, but the star players are different.  AI runs the show for New York, while KG is Philly's heart and soul.

The Pacers and Hawks were the other two Conference Semis participants in real life.  In our world the Pacers are a lottery team year after year, while the Hawks lost to the #2 Hornets in the first round.

Over in the Western Conference, the opening round nearly mirrored the East. The top-seeded Houston Rockets, the defending back-to-back champions, made easy work of the #8 Minnesota Timberwolves. 

It wasn’t even close — Houston dominated all three games in blowout fashion. Charles Barkley, who once led the Mavericks to a three-peat in the late ’80s, now had his sights set on doing the same with the Rockets.

From there, the rest of the West was all about survival, as every other series went the full five games.

The 2/7 matchup saw the surprise #2 Phoenix Suns, fresh off a shocking Pacific Division crown, go up against the revamped #7 Sacramento Kings. 

Sacramento had retooled their frontcourt, adding Chris Webber and Vlade Divac, which was enough to push them back into the playoffs. While the Kings’ stars made life difficult, their lack of depth caught up to them in the deciding Game 5. 

On the other side, Jason Kidd delivered one of the finest performances of his career — 33 points and 12 assists — willing the Suns to a 112–105 home victory. The win sent Phoenix to the Semis for the first time since the Barkley era.

The 3/6 series paired the steady #3 Dallas Mavericks against the #6 Utah Jazz. Dallas had carved out a reputation as a perennial contender, holding the 3-seed for three consecutive years, while the Jazz were desperate to avenge last year’s first-round exit to Minnesota. 

With Tim Duncan now in his second season alongside David Robinson, Utah’s twin towers looked poised to break through. They pushed the Mavericks to the brink, forcing a decisive Game 5 in Dallas. 

But the Mavs weren’t about to bow out early — not after coming within a game of the Finals last year. John Stockton, a four-time champion, turned back the clock with a vintage double-double, guiding Dallas to the Semis once again.

That left perhaps the most intriguing matchup of the round: the #4 Denver Nuggets vs. the #5 Los Angeles Lakers. Denver, long a middling franchise, had rocketed up the standings thanks to Antonio McDyess, who returned to the team and blossomed into an All-Star and MVP candidate. 

Alongside former Laker Nick Van Exel, the Nuggets surged from 11th place a year ago to 4th. The Lakers, meanwhile, were still chasing their first deep run of the Shaquille O’Neal era, having failed to get past the Conference Semis since his arrival.

The series went back and forth, each team trading punches. LA stole Game 1, Denver responded at home, and the Lakers cruised to another win in Game 3. 

Facing elimination in Game 4, Van Exel played inspired ball against his former teammates, lifting the Nuggets to a thrilling one-point win to force Game 5. 

Back in Denver, however, Shaq was simply unstoppable. The big man powered his way to 29 points and 15 rebounds, carrying LA to a commanding 113–102 victory and securing the upset. The question now loomed large: could Shaq, already a champion with the 1996 Heat, finally deliver a title in purple and gold?

With that, the Western Semis looked much different than in reality. In our world, Houston, Phoenix, Dallas, and Los Angeles advanced, while the real-life bracket featured the Jazz, Spurs, and Blazers alongside LA. 

In this timeline, Duncan and Robinson’s Jazz couldn’t survive Stockton and Grant Hill’s Mavericks, and both San Antonio and Portland were bound for the lottery instead of contention.

The Eastern Conference Semifinals opened with a familiar showdown: the Battle of New York III. Both the Nets and the Knicks had claimed a series victory over the years, but Allen Iverson held the upper hand, leading New York past the Nets in the Conference Finals during his rookie season. This time, the Nets were again the top seed — and again tasked with avoiding an upset at the hands of their cross-town rivals.

History wasn’t on New Jersey’s side. Since 1997, the Nets had suffered back-to-back postseason disappointments, including a shocking first-round loss to the Wizards the year prior. 

Game 1 of this series felt like more of the same. Knicks fans invaded New Jersey in force, drowning out the home crowd and rattling the young Nets. Iverson and the veteran Knicks capitalized, stealing the opener. 

The Nets regrouped in Game 2, rallying in the face of hostile chants to even the series, but once the scene shifted to Madison Square Garden, the Knicks seized full control. Behind a blistering Iverson attack, New York blew out the Nets in Games 3 and 4 to grab a commanding 3–1 lead.

Facing elimination, New Jersey leaned on veterans Kendall Gill and Jayson Williams, survivors of past heartbreak against the Knicks. In a tense Game 5, Gill hit a clutch jumper and Williams secured a critical offensive rebound in the closing moments, keeping the Nets alive. 

But Game 6 at the Garden was a repeat of the earlier routs. Iverson poured in 33 points, electrifying the home crowd and burying the Nets’ hopes once more. The Knicks advanced to their second Conference Finals in three years, and Iverson improved to 2–0 against his crosstown rivals in playoff series.

Their opponent would be decided in the Hornets–76ers series, a matchup no one had predicted. Neither franchise had ever reached the Conference Finals in this timeline, but one was guaranteed to break through. The duel between Kevin Garnett’s Sixers and the balanced Charlotte squad swung back and forth before culminating in a decisive Game 7 in Charlotte.

The Hornets, however, had something the Sixers didn’t: Derrick Coleman’s championship pedigree. Coleman had delivered the iconic series-winner in the first round against his former team, and once again, when the moment demanded it, he rose to the occasion. 

In front of a raucous Charlotte crowd, Coleman erupted for 29 points, including 12 in the fourth quarter, powering the Hornets to a 97–91 win and their first-ever trip to the Conference Finals.

The Knicks marched on in both worlds — real and alternate — but the storylines diverged sharply after that. In reality, the Pacers joined New York as the East’s final two. Here, it was the upstart Hornets, riding Derrick Coleman’s leadership and postseason swagger, and they stood one series away from the NBA Finals.

The Western Conference Semifinals opened with the defending champion Rockets facing their toughest test yet. After breezing through the first round in a three-game sweep, Houston found itself pushed to the limit by Shaquille O’Neal and the Lakers. The Diesel was relentless, powering L.A. to three wins and forcing a decisive Game 7 in Houston.

For the Lakers, it was O’Neal against the world. He managed to keep Hakeem Olajuwon in check, holding the Dream to just 17 points. But the Rockets had the firepower of three All-Stars, and when it mattered most, they rose to the occasion. 

Scottie Pippen and Charles Barkley carried the scoring load, keeping Houston just ahead in a back-and-forth contest. The dagger came from an unlikely source — rookie Paul Pierce — who buried a late jumper to push the Rockets’ lead to seven and seal the series. The defending champs advanced, while Shaq was left with yet another crushing playoff exit, his third straight season ending in disappointment.

The other matchup, between the Mavericks and Suns, wasn’t nearly as close. Despite Phoenix entering as the higher seed, the Mavericks’ superior record gave them home court advantage, and they made the most of it. 

Dallas grabbed control early and never looked back, winning three of the first four games to seize a 3–1 lead. In Game 5, veteran point guard John Stockton delivered one of his finest postseason performances. 

The four-time champion finished with 23 points and 15 assists, seven of which set up Grant Hill, who erupted for 29. The Mavericks closed out the Suns at home, returning to the Conference Finals for the second straight year.

That set the stage for a rematch of titans: the defending champion Rockets, led by Barkley, Olajuwon, and Pippen, against Stockton’s Mavericks, rebuilt around him and All-Star Grant Hill. Once again, the West would be decided in Texas. Meanwhile, in reality, it was the Spurs and Blazers who clashed for the West crown. Here, both of those franchises were stuck in the lottery.

The Conference Finals tipped off in the East, where the Hornets and Knicks clashed for a chance at history. Charlotte held home court, but it was New York that carried the weight of experience, having reached the Finals just two years earlier. 

From the opening game, the Knicks showed their resolve, stealing Game 1 in Charlotte. The Hornets regrouped to take Game 2, and when the series shifted to Madison Square Garden, the teams split again, leaving everything tied at two apiece.

That made Game 5 in Charlotte the turning point, and with the pressure at its highest, the veteran Patrick Ewing rose to the occasion. The big man poured in 25 points and grabbed 13 rebounds, powering New York to another road victory. 

Now just one win away from the Finals, the Knicks returned home to a raucous Garden crowd. There would be no late-game magic from Derrick Coleman this time. 

Instead, Allen Iverson delivered the knockout punch, exploding for 41 points in a dominant Knicks win that sealed the series. For the second time in three years, New York was headed back to the NBA Finals.

Out West, fans got a familiar showdown: a rematch of the 1998 Conference Finals between the Rockets and Mavericks. Houston had edged Dallas in seven games the year before, but this time the dynamic was different. 

Clyde Drexler was gone, replaced by Bulls legend Scottie Pippen, while Dallas leaned on their own veteran leader, John Stockton, surrounded by a core of young, rising stars.

The contrast was clear from the start. Houston, worn down after their grueling seven-game battle with the Lakers, looked sluggish. Dallas, fresh off a quick series against Phoenix, stole Game 1 in Houston and nearly took Game 2 as well — but rookie Paul Pierce saved the champs with a clutch three to even the series. 

Back in Dallas, however, the youth and energy of Grant Hill, Michael Finley, and Gary Trent overwhelmed the older Rockets, who dropped both games to fall into a 3–1 hole.

Facing elimination, the Rockets’ legendary trio of Olajuwon, Barkley, and Pippen dug deep in Game 5, refusing to bow out. They clawed out a hard-fought win in Houston, keeping their three-peat hopes alive. 

In Game 6 in Dallas, Houston again battled to stay within striking distance, even holding a nine-point lead late in the fourth quarter. But then Stockton took over. 

The floor general orchestrated a stunning 15–5 closing run, personally scoring nine points — including a dagger three — and assisting on the other baskets. The Mavericks stormed back to take the game, the series, and finally slay the defending champions.

The dream of a three-peat was over for Barkley, and Olajuwon. For Stockton and the Mavericks, it was the crowning achievement of their rebuild — a first trip to the NBA Finals.

The stage was set: the New York Knicks vs. the Dallas Mavericks. In reality, Patrick Ewing and the Knicks had reached the Finals as an 8-seed, where they ran into the twin towers of Robinson and Duncan. But in this world, it would be Iverson and Ewing taking on Stockton and Hill — an alternate clash of East vs. West for the NBA crown.

The 1999 NBA Finals began with the Mavericks riding a wave of momentum. They had just dethroned the defending champion Rockets, a team that dominated the regular season, and now carried themselves like a squad that believed it was their year. Dallas came out blazing, taking Games 1 and 2 at home in convincing fashion.

But back in New York, the Knicks weren’t about to fold. With the Garden rocking, Allen Iverson and Patrick Ewing fueled the team to two straight wins, evening the series at 2–2. 

That set up a pivotal Game 5 at Madison Square Garden, where the stakes couldn’t have been higher. Unlike the Hornets in the previous round, these were the battle-tested Mavericks, led by the steady hand of John Stockton. The floor general once again delivered in the clutch, tallying 19 points and 12 assists to silence the New York crowd and reclaim the series lead.

With a championship on the line in Game 6 back in Dallas, it was Grant Hill’s turn to shine. The All-Star erupted for 36 points, leading the Mavericks to the decisive win and the NBA title. 

For Stockton, it was a crowning moment: a fifth championship for a man who never tasted a title in reality. For Hill, it was the fulfillment of a career that — in the real timeline — never saw him reach the mountaintop.

The championship also closed the book on the 1990s, a decade largely ruled by Texas basketball. Between the Mavericks and Rockets, the Lone Star State claimed five of the decade’s ten titles, while the other five came from the East — with the Celtics, Heat, Hawks, and Bulls (twice) each making their mark.

Now, as one chapter ends, another begins. The new decade will see the rise of a generation that will shape basketball for years to come — LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, and Michael Jordan all entering the league ready to leave their imprint. The dynasty of the ’90s is complete… but the 2000s are calling.

Season 16 — coming soon.