2001–02 Los Angeles Lakers season
2001–02 Los Angeles Lakers season | |
---|---|
NBA Champions | |
Conference Champions | |
Head coach | Phil Jackson |
General manager | Mitch Kupchak |
Owner(s) | Jerry Buss |
Arena | Staples Center |
Results | |
Record | 58–24 (.707) |
Place |
Division: 2nd (Pacific) Conference: 3rd (Western) |
Playoff finish |
NBA Champions (Defeated Nets 4-0) |
Stats @ Basketball-Reference.com | |
Local media | |
Television | Fox Sports Net West, KCAL |
Radio | AM 570 KLAC |
The 2001–02 NBA season was the Lakers' 54th season in the National Basketball Association, and 42nd in the city of Los Angeles.[1] During the offseason, the Lakers signed All-Star guard Mitch Richmond and free agent Samaki Walker, while acquiring Lindsey Hunter from the Milwaukee Bucks. The team got off to a fast start winning 16 of their first 17 games, and finished second in the Pacific Division with a 58–24 record. Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal were both selected for the 2002 NBA All-Star Game in which Bryant won MVP honors, but O'Neal did not participate in the All-Star game due to an injury.
After sweeping the Portland Trail Blazers 3–0 in the first round of the playoffs, then defeating the San Antonio Spurs 4–1 in the semifinals, the Lakers where pushed to the brink once more in the Western Conference Finals by their archrivals the Sacramento Kings, who they narrowly defeated in a deciding seventh game. They then went on to win the NBA Finals, defeating and sweeping the New Jersey Nets in four straight games for their second three-peat in franchise history, the first since 1952–54. Following the season, Richmond retired and Hunter was traded to the Toronto Raptors.
This would be the third and final consecutive NBA Championship the Lakers won in the early 2000s, as in the next season, their quest for a fourth consecutive NBA Championship ended with a playoff elimination by the San Antonio Spurs in six games in the semifinals, who would then go on to win the NBA Finals that season and their second NBA Championship. Although the Lakers returned to the Finals in 2004, the Lakers would lose to the Detroit Pistons in five games, despite being the heavy favorites to win and having former All-Stars and veterans Gary Payton and Karl Malone, leading to O'Neal's departure from the Lakers amidst boiling points between the Lakers staff and management and Kobe Bryant, culminating in his trade to the Miami Heat, ending the early 2000s Lakers dynasty. The Lakers would not win another title until 2009, in which they defeated the Orlando Magic in five games.
Draft picks
- The Los Angeles Lakers did not have any Draft Picks.
- The Lakers owned the 27th Pick Overall and it was sent to New York.
- They also owned the 56th Pick Overall and it was sent to San Antonio.
Roster
Los Angeles Lakers roster | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Players | Coaches | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Roster |
Regular season
Season standings
Pacific Division | W | L | PCT | GB | Home | Road | Div |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
y-Sacramento Kings | 61 | 21 | .744 | – | 36–5 | 25–16 | 15–9 |
x-Los Angeles Lakers | 58 | 24 | .707 | 3 | 34–7 | 24–17 | 16–8 |
x-Portland Trail Blazers | 49 | 33 | .598 | 12 | 30–11 | 19–22 | 14–10 |
x-Seattle SuperSonics | 45 | 37 | .549 | 16 | 26–15 | 19–22 | 13–11 |
Los Angeles Clippers | 39 | 43 | .476 | 22 | 25–16 | 14–27 | 9–15 |
Phoenix Suns | 36 | 46 | .439 | 25 | 23–18 | 13–28 | 12–12 |
Golden State Warriors | 21 | 61 | .256 | 40 | 14–27 | 7–34 | 5–19 |
# | Western Conference | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Team | W | L | PCT | GB | |
1 | z-Sacramento Kings | 61 | 21 | .744 | – |
2 | y-San Antonio Spurs | 58 | 24 | .707 | 3 |
3 | x-Los Angeles Lakers | 58 | 24 | .707 | 3 |
4 | x-Dallas Mavericks | 57 | 25 | .695 | 4 |
5 | x-Minnesota Timberwolves | 50 | 32 | .610 | 11 |
6 | x-Portland Trail Blazers | 49 | 33 | .598 | 12 |
7 | x-Seattle SuperSonics | 45 | 37 | .549 | 16 |
8 | x-Utah Jazz | 44 | 38 | .537 | 17 |
9 | Los Angeles Clippers | 39 | 43 | .476 | 22 |
10 | Phoenix Suns | 36 | 46 | .439 | 25 |
11 | Houston Rockets | 28 | 54 | .341 | 33 |
12 | Denver Nuggets | 27 | 55 | .329 | 34 |
13 | Memphis Grizzlies | 23 | 59 | .280 | 38 |
14 | Golden State Warriors | 21 | 61 | .256 | 40 |
Record vs. opponents
2001-02 NBA Records | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Team | ATL | BOS | CHA | CHI | CLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GSW | HOU | IND | LAC | LAL | MEM | MIA | MIL | MIN | NJN | NYK | ORL | PHI | PHO | POR | SAC | SAS | SEA | TOR | UTA | WAS |
Atlanta | — | 2–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 2–1 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 0–3 |
Boston | 2–2 | — | 2–1 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 3–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 3–1 |
Charlotte | 2–2 | 1–2 | — | 4–0 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 3–0 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 3–1 |
Chicago | 1–3 | 2–2 | 0–4 | — | 1–3 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 3–1 | 0–3 | 1–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 1–3 |
Cleveland | 1–3 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 3–1 | — | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 0–3 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 1–2 |
Dallas | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | — | 4–0 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 |
Denver | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 0–4 | — | 0–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 0–2 |
Detroit | 3–1 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | — | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 2–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 4–0 |
Golden State | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 3–1 | 1–1 | — | 1–3 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 1–1 |
Houston | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 3–1 | — | 0–2 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 |
Indiana | 3–1 | 0–3 | 1–3 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 2–0 | — | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 2–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 3–1 |
L.A. Clippers | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–1 | — | 1–3 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 1–1 |
L.A. Lakers | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 3–1 | — | 3–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–0 |
Memphis | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 1–3 | — | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 0–2 |
Miami | 1–3 | 1–3 | 0–3 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | — | 3–1 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 2–2 |
Milwaukee | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–3 | — | 0–2 | 1–2 | 1–3 | 2–1 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 3–1 |
Minnesota | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | — | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–0 |
New Jersey | 1–2 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 2–1 | 1–1 | — | 4–0 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 3–1 |
New York | 3–1 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 0–4 | — | 0–4 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 3–0 | 1–1 | 1–3 |
Orlando | 3–1 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 3–0 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 1–2 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 4–0 | — | 3–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 |
Philadelphia | 3–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2–1 | 3–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–3 | — | 2–0 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 2–3 |
Phoenix | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | — | 2–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 0–2 |
Portland | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–2 | — | 2–2 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 2–0 |
Sacramento | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 4–0 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 2–2 | — | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 1–1 |
San Antonio | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 1–3 | — | 2–2 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 2–0 |
Seattle | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 4–0 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–2 | — | 2–0 | 1–3 | 1–1 |
Toronto | 4–0 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 0–3 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | — | 1–1 | 1–2 |
Utah | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 3–1 | 1–1 | — | 2–0 |
Washington | 3–0 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 2–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 3–2 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–1 | 0–2 | — |
Playoffs
West First Round
(3) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (6) Portland Trail Blazers Last Playoff Meeting: 2001 Western Conference First Round (Los Angeles won 3-0)
Game | Date | Visitor | Score | Home | Score | Record
(LAL-POR) |
Venue | TV Time | Recap |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | April 21 | Portland | 87 | Los Angeles | 95 | 1-0 | Staples Center | NBC 5:30et/2:30pt | Recap |
2 | April 25 | Portland | 96 | Los Angeles | 103 | 2-0 | Staples Center | TNT 10:30et/7:30pt | Recap |
3 | April 28 | Los Angeles | 92 | Portland | 91 | 3-0 | Rose Garden | NBC 5:30et/2:30pt | Recap |
Los Angeles wins series 3–0 |
West Conference Semifinals
(2) San Antonio Spurs vs. (3) Los Angeles Lakers Last Playoff Meeting: 2001 Western Conference Finals (Los Angeles won 4-0)
Game | Date | Visitor | Score | Home | Score | Record
(LAL-SAS) |
Venue | TV Time | Recap |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | May 5 | San Antonio | 80 | Los Angeles | 86 | 1-0 | Staples Center | NBC 5:30et/2:30pt | Recap |
2 | May 7 | San Antonio | 88 | Los Angeles | 85 | 1-1 | Staples Center | TBS 10:30et/7:30pt | Recap |
3 | May 10 | Los Angeles | 99 | San Antonio | 89 | 2-1 | Alamodome | TNT 9:30et/8:30ct | Recap |
4 | May 12 | Los Angeles | 87 | San Antonio | 85 | 3-1 | Alamodome | NBC 5:30et/4:30ct | Recap |
5 | May 14 | San Antonio | 87 | Los Angeles | 93 | 4-1 | Staples Center | TBS 10:30et/7:30pt | Recap |
Los Angeles wins series 4–1 |
West Conference Finals
(1) Sacramento Kings vs. (3) Los Angeles Lakers
Last Playoff Meeting: 2001 Western Conference Semifinals (Los Angeles won 4-0)
Game | Date | Visitor | Score | Home | Score | Record
(SAC-LAL) |
Venue | TV Time (EST) | Recap |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | May 18 | Los Angeles | 106 | Sacramento | 99 | 0-1 | ARCO Arena | NBC 6:30 | Recap |
2 | May 20 | Los Angeles | 90 | Sacramento | 96 | 1-1 | ARCO Arena | TNT 9:00 | Recap |
3 | May 24 | Sacramento | 103 | Los Angeles | 90 | 2-1 | Staples Center | NBC 9:00 | Recap |
4 | May 26 | Sacramento | 99 | Los Angeles | 100 | 2-2 | Staples Center | NBC 5:30 | Recap |
5 | May 28 | Los Angeles | 91 | Sacramento | 92 | 3-2 | ARCO Arena | NBC 9:00 | Recap |
6 | May 31 | Sacramento | 102 | Los Angeles | 106 | 3-3 | Staples Center | NBC 9:30 | Recap |
7* | June 2 | Los Angeles | 112 | Sacramento | 106 | 3-4 | ARCO Arena | NBC 7:30 | Recap |
Los Angeles wins Western Conference Championship 4–3 |
NBA Finals
Summary
The following scoring summary is written in a line score format, except that the quarter numbers are replaced by game numbers.
Team | Game 1 | Game 2 | Game 3 | Game 4 | Wins |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Los Angeles (West) | 99 | 106 | 106 | 113 | 4 |
New Jersey (East) | 94 | 83 | 103 | 107 | 0 |
Aspects
Amid tensions between co-captains Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant, the franchise had another stellar season, finishing 58–24 (.707), good for second in the Pacific Division and earning the third seed in the Western Conference. Bryant and O'Neal were voted starters in the 2002 NBA All-Star Game, where Bryant won the game MVP trophy in his hometown Philadelphia.[2] The duo appeared on the All-NBA First Team and Bryant was honored with a NBA All-Defensive Second Team selection.[3][4]
Entering the 2001–02 season, the New Jersey Nets were enduring a three-year playoff drought and had a 73–141 record over that span. In 1999, the Nets hired Rod Thorn as team president and immediately, he hired the recently retired Byron Scott to coach New Jersey. Thorn then dealt for Stephon Marbury in a three-team trade with the Milwaukee Bucks and Minnesota Timberwolves, trading Sam Cassell away to the Bucks.[5] Due to the Nets' 31–51 season in 1999–00 season, they had the first overall pick in the 2000 NBA draft, which they used to select power forward Kenyon Martin out of the University of Cincinnati.[6] Despite the reshuffling of the roster and a Rookie of the Year season for Martin, New Jersey struggled, ending the season with a 26–56 (.317) record, and were bestowed the 7th pick in the upcoming draft.
With another lottery pick, Thorn dealt it to the Houston Rockets for draftees Richard Jefferson, Jason Collins and Brandon Armstrong.[5] The next day, Phoenix Suns owner Jerry Colangelo announced a franchise-shaking trade; Phoenix would swap their point guard Jason Kidd for his New Jersey counterpart Stephon Marbury.[7]
With the Princeton offense installed from the coaching staff,[8] the Nets rebounded to a 52–30 (.634) mark, a twenty-six-win improvement from the last season, and clinched the number-one seed in the Eastern Conference. Kidd finished the season awarded with first team spots on both the All-NBA[3] and All-Defensive Teams[4] and was selected for his fifth All-Star game. He also finished runner-up to San Antonio Spurs power forward Tim Duncan in the Most Valuable Player voting.[9] Richard Jefferson was an All-Rookie second team selection and Thorn, the architect of the franchise's resurgence, was awarded NBA Executive of the Year.[10]
Game One
Wednesday, June 5, 2002, 6:00 at the Staples Center.
Los Angeles's Staples Center sold out for the inaugural game of the 2002 NBA Finals, with nearly 19,000 on hand. The Nets trotted out a lineup of Kidd, Kittles, Martin, Van Horn and MacCulloth to hold up against the two-time defending and heavily favored champions. The Lakers brought out Derek Fisher, Rick Fox, Shaquille O'Neal, Robert Horry, and Kobe Bryant, who drew the assignment of guarding Kidd. New Jersey head coach Byron Scott, a member of the Showtime Lakers, received a standing ovation.
Taking advantage of a late arrival to the arena by New Jersey, L.A. dominated the first 17 minutes of play with a 42-19 score by the 6:41 mark in the second quarter. From that point on, the Nets went on a 17–6 to close the lead to a respectable 12. They had no answer for O'Neal, however, who had bullied MacCulloth into 16 points and 6 rebounds by half-time. The Nets outscored the Lakers in the third but stood steadfast as Bryant scored 11 of his 22 in the third.
—Lucious Harris, Sports Illustrated[11]
New Jersey battled back, coming as close as three several times in the final quarter. Desperate to take the lead, they utilized the "Hack-a-Shaq" strategy midway in the fourth. It backfired, as O'Neal was 5–8 from the free throw line and had 16 points and 9 rebounds in the period alone.
New Jersey was doomed by their late start and poor shooting. The Nets, who shot 45% from the field and 74% on free throws were 39% and 57% respectively.[12] Kidd finished with a triple–double, the 26th in Finals history and the first since Charles Barkley's in the 1993 series.
Team | 1st Qt. | 2nd Qt. | 3rd Qt. | 4th Qt. | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
New Jersey | 14 | 22 | 27 | 31 | 91 |
Los Angeles | 29 | 19 | 24 | 27 | 99 |
Game Two
Friday, June 7, 2002, 6:00 at the Staples Center.
The second game was more of statement as the Lakers clobbered the Nets by a score of 106-83 thanks to Shaquille O'Neal's 40 points, 12 rebounds, and 8 assists.
Team | 1st Qt. | 2nd Qt. | 3rd Qt. | 4th Qt. | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
New Jersey | 21 | 22 | 18 | 22 | 83 |
Los Angeles | 27 | 22 | 28 | 29 | 106 |
Game Three
Sunday, June 9, 2002, 8:30 at the Continental Airlines Arena.
Game Three would prove to a hard fought game (much like the first game of the series) as the Lakers and Nets would trade leads throughout the game but thanks to Kobe Bryant's 36 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 blocks the Lakers prevail by a score of 106-103 to take a commanding 3-0 series lead.
Team | 1st Qt. | 2nd Qt. | 3rd Qt. | 4th Qt. | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Los Angeles | 31 | 21 | 26 | 28 | 106 |
New Jersey | 23 | 23 | 32 | 25 | 103 |
Game Four
Wednesday, June 12, 2002, 9:00 at the Continental Airlines Arena.
Despite this being a hard fought battle (much like the previous game and as well as the first game of the series) the Lakers still won game four and the championship, giving Phil Jackson his Red Auerbach-tying ninth title and the Lakers their third consecutive title (and fourteenth overall) making them the fifth team to win three consecutive titles and denying the Nets their first ever championship since the franchise moved to East Rutherford.
Team | 1st Qt. | 2nd Qt. | 3rd Qt. | 4th Qt. | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Los Angeles | 27 | 31 | 26 | 29 | 113 |
New Jersey | 34 | 23 | 23 | 27 | 107 |
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 |
Season
Player | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Kobe Bryant | 80 | 80 | 38.3 | .469 | .250 | .829 | 5.5 | 5.5 | 1.48 | .44 | 25.2 |
Derek Fisher | 70 | 35 | 28.2 | .411 | .413 | .847 | 2.1 | 2.6 | .94 | .13 | 11.2 |
Rick Fox | 82 | 82 | 27.9 | .421 | .313 | .824 | 4.7 | 3.5 | .82 | .26 | 7.9 |
Devean George | 82 | 1 | 21.5 | .411 | .371 | .675 | 3.7 | 1.4 | .87 | .51 | 7.1 |
Robert Horry | 81 | 23 | 26.4 | .398 | .374 | .783 | 5.9 | 2.9 | .95 | 1.10 | 6.8 |
Lindsey Hunter | 82 | 47 | 19.7 | .382 | .380 | .500 | 1.5 | 1.6 | .80 | .23 | 5.8 |
Mark Madsen | 59 | 5 | 11.0 | .452 | .000 | .648 | 2.7 | .7 | .27 | .22 | 2.8 |
Jelani McCoy | 21 | 0 | 5.0 | .571 | .000 | .250 | 1.2 | .3 | .00 | .24 | 1.2 |
Slava Medvedenko | 71 | 6 | 10.3 | .477 | .000 | .661 | 2.2 | .6 | .41 | .15 | 4.7 |
Shaquille O'Neal | 67 | 66 | 36.1 | .579 | .000 | .555 | 10.7 | 3.0 | .61 | 2.04 | 27.2 |
Mike Penberthy | 3 | 0 | 4.0 | .500 | .000 | .750 | .7 | .7 | .67 | .00 | 1.7 |
Mitch Richmond | 64 | 2 | 11.1 | .405 | .290 | .955 | 1.5 | .9 | .28 | .09 | 4.1 |
Brian Shaw | 58 | 0 | 10.9 | .353 | .330 | .692 | 1.9 | 1.5 | .43 | .05 | 2.9 |
Samaki Walker | 69 | 63 | 24.0 | .512 | .000 | .667 | 7.0 | .9 | .41 | 1.28 | 6.7 |
Playoffs
Player | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Kobe Bryant | 19 | 19 | 43.8 | .434 | .379 | .759 | 5.8 | 4.6 | 1.42 | .89 | 26.6 |
Derek Fisher | 19 | 19 | 34.2 | .357 | .358 | .786 | 3.3 | 2.7 | 1.00 | .05 | 10.2 |
Rick Fox | 19 | 19 | 34.3 | .482 | .349 | .755 | 5.4 | 3.4 | 1.11 | .32 | 9.8 |
Devean George | 19 | 0 | 17.2 | .365 | .229 | .733 | 3.6 | .6 | .58 | .53 | 5.0 |
Robert Horry | 19 | 14 | 37.0 | .449 | .387 | .789 | 8.1 | 3.2 | 1.74 | .84 | 9.3 |
Lindsey Hunter | 18 | 0 | 7.3 | .311 | .276 | .000 | .4 | .6 | .11 | .00 | 2.0 |
Mark Madsen | 7 | 0 | 1.4 | .000 | .000 | .000 | .3 | .0 | .00 | .00 | .0 |
Slava Medvedenko | 7 | 0 | 3.0 | .600 | .000 | .000 | .6 | .0 | .00 | .00 | .9 |
Shaquille O'Neal | 19 | 19 | 40.8 | .529 | .000 | .649 | 12.6 | 2.8 | .53 | 2.53 | 28.5 |
Mitch Richmond | 2 | 0 | 2.0 | 1.000 | .000 | .500 | .5 | .0 | .00 | .00 | 1.5 |
Brian Shaw | 19 | 0 | 12.5 | .333 | .281 | 1.000 | 1.8 | 1.6 | .26 | .32 | 2.9 |
Samaki Walker | 19 | 5 | 12.6 | .462 | 1.000 | .765 | 4.1 | .2 | .11 | .32 | 3.3 |
Award winners
- Shaquille O'Neal, NBA Finals Most Valuable Player
- Shaquille O'Neal, All-NBA First Team
- Shaquille O'Neal, League Leader, FG%, 57.9
- Kobe Bryant, All-NBA First Team
- Kobe Bryant, NBA All-Defensive Second Team
- Kobe Bryant, NBA All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award
References
- ↑ http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/LAL/2002.html
- ↑ West Wins! Kobe Stakes Claim in All-Star Lore NBA.com
- 1 2 Bryant, McGrady are first-time All-NBA selections, USA Today
- 1 2 Payton ties mark with ninth All-Defensive slot USA Today
- 1 2 Nets Trade History NBA.com/nets
- ↑ Holding to form: Nets take Martin with first pick SportsIllustrated.com
- ↑ Kidd, Marbury primary players in trade, USA Today
- ↑ Liz Robbins (2002-02-02). "PRO BASKETBALL; Nets Get a New Read From the Old School". New York Times. Retrieved 2009-05-16.
- ↑ It's official: Duncan captures MVP award USA Today. Retrieved December 28, 2008
- ↑ Title goes to one sharp Thorn: Nets GM honored as wheeler-deeler, New York Daily-News. Accessed 2009-04-14. Archived 2009-05-14.
- ↑ Nets' slow start costs them dearly in Game 1
- ↑ "Nets' slow start costs them dearly in Game 1". Sports Illustrated. Associated Press. 2002-06-06. Retrieved 2009-05-16.