The 1998–99 NBA season was the Nets' 32nd season in the National Basketball Association, and 23rd season in East Rutherford, New Jersey. After a lockout wiped out nearly half of the season, cutting it to 50 games, the Nets signed free agents Eric Murdock and Scott Burrell, and acquired Jim McIlvaine from the Seattle SuperSonics. However, they struggled and got off to a poor start losing 18 of their first 21 games. Head coach John Calipari was fired after a 3–17 start, and was replaced with assistant Don Casey. At mid-season, Sam Cassell, who was out with an ankle injury after four games, was traded along with Chris Gatling to the Milwaukee Bucks in a three-team trade, as the Nets acquired Stephon Marbury from the Minnesota Timberwolves, and acquired Jamie Feick from the Bucks. As the seaso