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2001–02 Los Angeles Lakers season

The 2001–02 NBA season was the Lakers' 54th season in the National Basketball Association, and 42nd in the city of Los Angeles.[1] The Lakers entered the season as the two-time defending NBA champions, having defeated the Philadelphia 76ers in five games in the 2001 NBA Finals, winning their thirteenth NBA championship.

2001–02 Los Angeles Lakers season
NBA champions
Conference champions
Head coachPhil Jackson
General managerMitch Kupchak
Owner(s)Jerry Buss
ArenaStaples Center
Results
Record58–24 (.707)
PlaceDivision: 2nd (Pacific)
Conference: 3rd (Western)
Playoff finishNBA Champions
(Defeated Nets 4–0)
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
Television
RadioKLAC
< 2000–01 2002–03 >

Off-season

During the off-season, the Lakers signed free agents, All-Star guard Mitch Richmond and Samaki Walker,[2][3][4][5] and acquired Lindsey Hunter from the Milwaukee Bucks.[6][7][8] For the season, they added new logo changed from a lighter purple to a darker purple still remained with the gold and black color. They remained in use as of 2023.

Results

The team got off to a fast start winning their first seven games, leading to a successful 16–1 start after a nine-game winning streak between November and December, and holding a 33–13 record at the All-Star break.[9] The Lakers finished second in the Pacific Division with a 58–24 record.[10] Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal were both selected for the 2002 NBA All-Star Game, in which Bryant won MVP honors despite being booed by the hometown crowd in Philadelphia,[11][12][13][14] but O'Neal did not participate in the All-Star game due to an injury for the second year in a row.[15][16][17]

After sweeping the Portland Trail Blazers, 3–0 in the Western Conference First Round of the playoffs,[18][19][20][21] then defeating the 2nd-seeded San Antonio Spurs, 4–1 in the Western Conference Semi-finals,[22][23][24][25] the Lakers were pushed to the brink once more in the Western Conference Finals by the top-seeded Sacramento Kings, trailing 3–2,[26][27][28] but managed to win the series in seven games.[29][30][31][32] Game 6 of the Lakers-Kings series was one of the most controversial games in NBA history, due to the calls made by the referees (most of which were to the detriment of the Kings), and with the Lakers winning, 106–102 at home.[33][34][35][36][37][38] Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals on June 2 brought in a total of 23.8 million viewers, making it the most-watched Western Conference Finals game in NBA history.[39][40] The Lakers 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. The season marked the third and last of the Lakers' three-peat championships into the new millennium. O’Neal was named Finals MVP for the third straight year.[41][42][43][44][45]

Player statistics

Bryant averaged 25.2 points, 5.5 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 1.5 steals per game, while O’Neal averaged 27.2 points, 10.7 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game, and Derek Fisher provided the team with 11.2 points per game. In addition, Rick Fox contributed 7.9 points and 4.7 rebounds per game, while Robert Horry provided with 6.8 points and 5.9 rebounds per game, and Walker averaged 6.7 points and 7.0 rebounds per game.[46] Both Bryant and O'Neal were named to the All-NBA First Team, while Bryant was selected to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team. Shaq finished in third place in Most Valuable Player voting with 15 first-place votes (696 points),[47][48] and Kobe finished in fifth place in MVP voting with 1 first-place vote.[49] Bryant also finished tied in third place in Defensive Player of the Year voting.[50][51]

Aftermath

Following the season, Richmond retired ending his fourteen-year career in the NBA,[52] and Hunter was traded to the Toronto Raptors.[53] The Lakers would not win another title until 2009, in which they defeated the Orlando Magic in five games. As of 2022, the Lakers are the most recent NBA team to have accomplished a three-peat.

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

2001–02 Los Angeles Lakers roster
PlayersCoaches
Pos.No.NameHeightWeightDOBFrom
G/F8Bryant, Kobe (C)6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)205 lb (93 kg)1978–08–23Lower Merion HS (PA)
G2Fisher, Derek6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)210 lb (95 kg)1974–08–09Little Rock
F17Fox, Rick6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)230 lb (104 kg)1969–07–24North Carolina
F3George, Devean6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)235 lb (107 kg)1977–08–29Augsburg
F5Horry, Robert6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)240 lb (109 kg)1970–08–25Alabama
G10Hunter, Lindsey6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)195 lb (88 kg)1970–12–03Jackson State
F35Madsen, Mark6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)240 lb (109 kg)1976–01–28Stanford
F/C6McCoy, Jelani  6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)245 lb (111 kg)1977–12–06UCLA
C14Medvedenko, Slava6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)253 lb (115 kg)1979–04–04Ukraine
C34O'Neal, Shaquille (C)7 ft 1 in (2.16 m)325 lb (147 kg)1972–03–06LSU
G/F23Richmond, Mitch6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)215 lb (98 kg)1965–06–30Kansas State
G20Shaw, Brian6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)190 lb (86 kg)1966–03–22UC Santa Barbara
F/C52Walker, Samaki6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)250 lb (113 kg)1976–02–25Louisville
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured

Roster
Last transaction: November 24, 2001

Regular season

Season standings

Pacific Division
 W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-Sacramento Kings6121.744–36–525–1615–9
x-Los Angeles Lakers5824.707334–724–1716–8
x-Portland Trail Blazers4933.5981230–1119–2214–10
x-Seattle SuperSonics4537.5491626–1519–2213–11
Los Angeles Clippers3943.4762225–1614–279–15
Phoenix Suns3646.4392523–1813–2812–12
Golden State Warriors2161.2564014–277–345–19
#
Western Conference
Team W L PCT GB
1z-Sacramento Kings6121.744–
2y-San Antonio Spurs5824.7073
3x-Los Angeles Lakers5824.7073
4x-Dallas Mavericks5725.6954
5x-Minnesota Timberwolves5032.61011
6x-Portland Trail Blazers4933.59812
7x-Seattle SuperSonics4537.54916
8x-Utah Jazz4438.53717
9Los Angeles Clippers3943.47622
10Phoenix Suns3646.43925
11Houston Rockets2854.34133
12Denver Nuggets2755.32934
13Memphis Grizzlies2359.28038
14Golden State Warriors2161.25640

Record vs. opponents

2001–02 NBA records
TeamATLBOSCHACHICLEDALDENDETGSWHOUINDLACLALMEMMIAMILMINNJNNYKORLPHIPHOPORSACSASSEATORUTAWAS
Atlanta–2–22–23–13–10–22–01–32–01–11–31–11–12–03–11–30–22–11–31–31–31–11–10–20–20–20–41–10–3
Boston2–2–2–12–24–00–22–02–21–10–23–02–02–02–03–11–31–13–14–03–11–31–11–10–20–21–12–21–13–1
Charlotte2–21–2–4–03–10–22–01–32–01–13–11–10–21–13–02–20–21–32–23–11–32–01–10–21–11–12–21–13–1
Chicago1–32–20–4–1–30–20–21–31–12–00–40–22–01–11–32–20–20–43–10–31–21–10–20–20–21–10–40–21–3
Cleveland1–30–41–33–1–0–21–11–31–12–02–20–20–21–13–13–12–01–32–21–30–31–10–20–21–10–21–30–21–2
Dallas2–02–02–02–02–0–4–01–14–02–22–02–21–34–01–12–02–22–01–11–11–13–12–23–11–33–11–13–11–1
Denver0–20–20–22–01–10–4–0–21–32–20–21–31–33–10–20–22–21–12–00–21–13–12–20–40–43–11–11–30–2
Detroit3–12–23–13–13–11–12–0–1–11–13–11–10–22–02–12–21–13–13–12–22–11–10–20–20–21–13–11–14–0
Golden State0–21–10–21–11–10–43–11–1–1–30–22–21–33–10–20–21–31–11–10–21–10–42–20–40–40–40–20–41–1
Houston1–12–01–10–20–22–22–21–13–1–0–21–30–41–30–21–12–20–21–10–21–12–21–30–40–42–21–12–21–1
Indiana3–10–31–34–02–20–22–01–32–02–0–1–10–21–12–21–31–11–32–13–13–11–11–12–01–10–21–31–13–1
L.A. Clippers1–10–21–12–02–02–23–11–12–23–11–1–1–33–12–01–12–20–22–01–10–23–11–31–31–31–31–10–41–1
L.A. Lakers1–10–22–00–22–03–13–12–03–14–02–03–1–3–11–12–02–21–12–02–01–12–22–23–13–13–11–13–12–0
Memphis0–20–21–11–11–10–41–30–21–33–11–11–31–3–1–10–20–40–21–10–22–01–32–21–30–40–41–13–10–2
Miami1–31–30–33–11–31–12–01–22–02–02–20–21–11–1–3–10–21–32–23–11–31–11–10–21–12–01–30–22–2
Milwaukee3–13–12–22–21–30–22–02–22–01–13–11–10–22–01–3–0–21–21–32–11–30–20–20–22–00–24–02–03–1
Minnesota2–01–12–02–00–22–22–21–13–12–21–12–22–24–02–02–0–1–12–01–11–12–22–21–32–22–21–13–12–0
New Jersey1–21–33–14–03–10–21–11–31–12–03–12–01–12–03–12–11–1–4–03–12–21–11–11–12–01–12–21–13–1
New York3–10–42–21–32–21–10–21–31–11–11–20–20–21–12–23–10–20–4–0–41–31–11–11–10–22–03–01–11–3
Orlando3–11–31–33–03–11–12–02–22–02–01–31–10–22–01–31–21–11–34–0–3–12–00–21–10–20–23–11–12–2
Philadelphia3–13–13–12–13–01–11–11–21–11–11–32–01–10–23–13–11–12–23–11–3–2–00–20–21–11–11–30–22–3
Phoenix1–11–10–21–11–11–31–31–14–02–21–11–32–23–11–12–02–21–11–10–20–2–2–21–31–32–21–12–20–2
Portland1–11–11–12–02–02–22–22–02–23–11–13–12–22–21–12–02–21–11–12–02–02–2–2–21–33–11–11–32–0
Sacramento2–02–02–02–02–01–34–02–04–04–00–23–11–33–12–02–03–11–11–11–12–03–12–2–3–12–22–04–01–1
San Antonio2–02–01–12–01–13–14–02–04–04–01–13–11–34–01–10–22–20–22–02–01–13–13–11–3–2–21–14–02–0
Seattle2–01–11–11–12–01–31–31–14–02–22–03–11–34–00–22–02–21–10–22–01–12–21–32–22–2–2–01–31–1
Toronto4–02–22–24–03–11–11–11–32–01–13–11–11–11–13–10–41–12–20–31–33–11–11–10–21–10–2–1–11–2
Utah1–11–11–12–02–01–33–11–14–02–21–14–01–31–32–00–21–31–11–11–12–02–23–10–40–43–11–1–2–0
Washington3–01–31–33–12–11–12–00–41–11–11–31–10–22–02–21–30–21–33–12–23–22–00–21–10–21–12–10–2—

Game log

Pre-season

2001 preseason game log
Total: 4–4
Preseason
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
1October 7Golden StateL 89-99Kobe Bryant (30)Robert Horry (7)Kobe Bryant (5)Stan Sheriff Center (Honolulu, HI)
10,300		0-1
2October 9Golden StateL 88-113Lindsey Hunter (13)Dickey Simpkins (9)Isaac Fontaine (4)Stan Sheriff Center (Honolulu, HI)
9,227		0-2
3October 16Golden StateW 114-97Kobe Bryant (23)Shaquille O'Neal (10)Bryant & Hunter (6)Centennial Garden (Bakersfield, CA)1-2
4October 19PhoenixL 101-112Kobe Bryant (25)Fox & O'Neal (6)San Diego Sports Arena (San Diego, CA)1-3
5October 20SacramentoL 104-109Kobe Bryant (30)Shaquille O'Neal (10)3 players tied (4)Thomas & Mack Center (Las Vegas, NV)
17,982		1-4
6October 23MemphisW 128-94Kobe Bryant (24)Samaki Walker (10)Kobe Bryant (9)Arrowhead Pond (Anaheim, CA)
17,457		2-4
7October 25MilwaukeeW 109-107Shaquille O'Neal (31)O'Neal & Walker (7)Bryant & O'Neal (5)Staples Center
15,062		3-4
8October 26PhoenixW 90-71George & O'Neal (15)Shaquille O'Neal (12)Kobe Bryant (7)Staples Center
16,287		4-4
2001–02 season schedule

Regular season

2001–02 game log
Total: 58–24 (Home: 34–7; Road: 24–17)
October: 1–0 (home: 1–0; road: 0–0)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
1October 30PortlandW 98–87Bryant & O'Neal (29)Shaquille O'Neal (18)Shaquille O'Neal (5)Staples Center
18,997		1–0
November: 13–1 (home: 8–0; road: 5–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
2November 1@ UtahW 105–101Kobe Bryant (39)Rick Fox (8)Kobe Bryant (8)Delta Center
19,539		2–0
3November 2PhoenixW 117–94Shaquille O'Neal (36)Shaquille O'Neal (13)Kobe Bryant (9)Staples Center
18,997		3–0
4November 4UtahW 100–96Kobe Bryant (38)Shaquille O'Neal (8)Kobe Bryant (7)Staples Center
18,997		4–0
5November 9MemphisW 100–86Shaquille O'Neal (20)Shaquille O'Neal (8)Kobe Bryant (7)Staples Center
18,997		5–0
6November 11OrlandoW 108–95Shaquille O'Neal (38)Shaquille O'Neal (18)Kobe Bryant (8)Staples Center
18,997		6–0
7November 15@ HoustonW 98–97 (OT)Kobe Bryant (31)Shaquille O'Neal (13)Rick Fox (6)Compaq Center
16,285		7–0
8November 16@ PhoenixL 83–95Shaquille O'Neal (28)Shaquille O'Neal (12)Kobe Bryant (5)America West Arena
19,023		7–1
9November 18SacramentoW 93–85Kobe Bryant (29)Shaquille O'Neal (15)Kobe Bryant (8)Staples Center
18,997		8–1
10November 20@ L.A. ClippersW 98–93Kobe Bryant (25)Shaquille O'Neal (11)Kobe Bryant (12)Staples Center
20,316		9–1
11November 21@ DenverW 89–68Kobe Bryant (24)Bryant & O'Neal (13)Kobe Bryant (7)Pepsi Center
19,521		10–1
12November 23Golden StateW 106–90Kobe Bryant (28)Shaquille O'Neal (10)Rick Fox (5)Staples Center
18,997		11–1
13November 25DenverW 105–98Kobe Bryant (25)Kobe Bryant (7)Kobe Bryant (7)Staples Center
18,997		12–1
14November 27MilwaukeeW 104–85Kobe Bryant (33)Samaki Walker (11)Shaquille O'Neal (5)Staples Center
18,997		13–1
15November 30@ SeattleW 107–92Kobe Bryant (30)Slava Medvedenko (7)Robert Horry (8)KeyArena
17,072		14–1
December: 7–5 (home: 6–2; road: 1–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
16December 1MinnesotaW 102–76Shaquille O'Neal (23)Shaquille O'Neal (9)3 players tied (5)Staples Center
18,997		15–1
17December 5DallasW 98–94Shaquille O'Neal (46)Shaquille O'Neal (15)Rick Fox (6)Staples Center
18,997		16–1
18December 7@ SacramentoL 91–97Shaquille O'Neal (31)Shaquille O'Neal (16)Shaquille O'Neal (5)ARCO Arena
17,317		16–2
19December 11SeattleL 93–104Shaquille O'Neal (37)Shaquille O'Neal (16)Derek Fisher (8)Staples Center
18,997		16–3
20December 14L.A. ClippersW 110–80Shaquille O'Neal (28)Shaquille O'Neal (15)Kobe Bryant (7)Staples Center
18,997		17–3
21December 16Golden StateW 101–85Kobe Bryant (28)Shaquille O'Neal (7)Shaquille O'Neal (6)Staples Center
18,997		18–3
22December 20@ HoustonW 107–101Kobe Bryant (27)Shaquille O'Neal (14)Bryant & Horry (5)Compaq Center
16,285		19–3
23December 21@ MemphisL 108–114Kobe Bryant (36)O'Neal & Walker (9)Bryant & Fox (6)Pyramid Arena
19,405		19–4
24December 25PhiladelphiaW 88–82Samaki Walker (18)Bryant & Horry (11)Kobe Bryant (9)Staples Center
18,997		20–4
25December 26@ Golden StateL 90–101Kobe Bryant (39)Slava Medvedenko (8)Kobe Bryant (5)The Arena in Oakland
20,036		20–5
26December 28TorontoL 86–89Kobe Bryant (26)Samaki Walker (14)Kobe Bryant (6)Staples Center
18,997		20–6
27December 30HoustonW 114–90Bryant & Fox (16)Robert Horry (11)Kobe Bryant (11)Staples Center
18,997		21–6
January: 10–6 (home: 3–2; road: 7–4)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
28January 2@ DenverW 87–86Kobe Bryant (28)Samaki Walker (11)Rick Fox (6)Pepsi Center
17,932		22–6
29January 4PhoenixW 118–86Shaquille O'Neal (24)Samaki Walker (10)Kobe Bryant (6)Staples Center
18,997		23–6
30January 6@ TorontoW 109–89Kobe Bryant (31)Samaki Walker (10)3 players tied (4)Air Canada Centre
19,800		24–6
31January 8@ DetroitW 121–92Shaquille O'Neal (28)Shaquille O'Neal (10)Kobe Bryant (6)The Palace of Auburn Hills
22,076		25–6
32January 9@ IndianaW 109–90Kobe Bryant (31)Samaki Walker (13)Derek Fisher (6)Conseco Fieldhouse
18,345		26–6
33January 11@ MinnesotaL 102–120Shaquille O'Neal (29)Samaki Walker (9)Rick Fox (9)Target Center
19,806		26–7
34January 12@ ChicagoL 104–106 (OT)Derek Fisher (28)Robert Horry (13)Kobe Bryant (9)United Center
23,147		26–8
35January 14MemphisW 120–81Kobe Bryant (56)Robert Horry (11)Rick Fox (7)Staples Center
18,997		27–8
36January 16MiamiL 96–102Kobe Bryant (29)Samaki Walker (13)Kobe Bryant (7)Staples Center
18,997		27–9
37January 19@ San AntonioW 98–81Kobe Bryant (28)3 players tied (7)Kobe Bryant (5)Alamodome
33,544		28–9
38January 22DenverL 91–107Shaquille O'Neal (40)Shaquille O'Neal (11)Kobe Bryant (6)Staples Center
18,997		28–10
39January 23@ L.A. ClippersL 90–95Kobe Bryant (27)Samaki Walker (12)Derek Fisher (5)Staples Center
20,309		28–11
40January 25San AntonioW 94–91Kobe Bryant (27)Shaquille O'Neal (15)Kobe Bryant (6)Staples Center
18,997		29–11
41January 27@ PhiladelphiaL 87–93Shaquille O'Neal (26)Shaquille O'Neal (11)Rick Fox (6)First Union Center
20,909		29–12
42January 29@ AtlantaW 127–93Kobe Bryant (32)Samaki Walker (12)Fox & Hunter (4)Philips Arena
19,742		30–12
43January 30@ OrlandoW 111–93Shaquille O'Neal (30)Shaquille O'Neal (14)Rick Fox (5)TD Waterhouse Centre
17,248		31–12
February: 8–5 (home: 1–3; road: 7–2)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
44February 1@ MemphisW 100–85Shaquille O'Neal (26)Shaquille O'Neal (10)Rick Fox (7)Pyramid Arena
19,405		32–12
45February 3@ DallasW 101–94Shaquille O'Neal (31)Shaquille O'Neal (13)Robert Horry (8)American Airlines Center
20,179		33–12
46February 6ChicagoL 89–97Kobe Bryant (38)Samaki Walker (14)Rick Fox (5)Staples Center
18,997		33–13
All-Star Break
47February 12WashingtonW 103–94Kobe Bryant (23)Kobe Bryant (11)Kobe Bryant (15)Staples Center
18,997		34–13
48February 14@ SeattleW 92–87Kobe Bryant (23)Fox & George (8)Kobe Bryant (10)KeyArena
17,072		35–13
49February 15AtlantaL 90–93Kobe Bryant (21)3 players tied (7)Kobe Bryant (10)Staples Center
18,997		35–14
50February 17@ PortlandL 105–111Kobe Bryant (28)Robert Horry (8)Lindsey Hunter (7)Rose Garden
20,580		35–15
51February 19BostonL 108–109Kobe Bryant (27)Shaquille O'Neal (17)Lindsey Hunter (9)Staples Center
18,997		35–16
52February 21@ ClevelandW 104–97Kobe Bryant (32)Bryant & Horry (6)Kobe Bryant (6)Gund Arena
20,562		36–16
53February 22@ CharlotteW 96–94Shaquille O'Neal (31)Rick Fox (11)Kobe Bryant (6)Charlotte Coliseum
23,799		37–16
54February 24@ New YorkW 107–91Shaquille O'Neal (30)Shaquille O'Neal (15)Bryant & O'Neal (5)Madison Square Garden
19,763		38–16
55February 26@ MilwaukeeW 99–89Shaquille O'Neal (28)Shaquille O'Neal (13)Kobe Bryant (6)Bradley Center
18,717		39–16
56February 27@ MinnesotaL 101–112Shaquille O'Neal (27)Shaquille O'Neal (8)Kobe Bryant (11)Target Center
19,769		39–17
March: 13–4 (home: 11–0; road: 2–4)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
57March 1IndianaW 96–84Shaquille O'Neal (33)Shaquille O'Neal (12)Robert Horry (6)Staples Center
18,897		40–17
58March 3HoustonW 95–79Shaquille O'Neal (36)Shaquille O'Neal (14)Shaquille O'Neal (7)Staples Center
18,997		41–17
59March 5New JerseyW 101–92Shaquille O'Neal (40)Robert Horry (13)Horry & O'Neal (4)Staples Center
18,997		42–17
60March 6@ UtahL 84–92Shaquille O'Neal (28)Shaquille O'Neal (12)Bryant & Hunter (4)Delta Center
19,911		42–18
61March 10New YorkW 117–103Shaquille O'Neal (40)Robert Horry (13)Kobe Bryant (7)Staples Center
18,997		43–18
62March 12CharlotteW 107–66Kobe Bryant (23)Shaquille O'Neal (10)Bryant & Richmond (4)Staples Center
18,997		44–18
63March 14@ Golden StateW 110–102Shaquille O'Neal (40)Shaquille O'Neal (13)Bryant & Fox (6)The Arena in Oakland
20,042		45–18
64March 15L.A. ClippersW 98–92Kobe Bryant (33)Shaquille O'Neal (13)Fox & Horry (5)Staples Center
18,997		46–18
65March 17DallasW 105–103Shaquille O'Neal (28)Bryant & O'Neal (9)Kobe Bryant (11)Staples Center
18,997		47–18
66March 19@ DallasL 98–114Shaquille O'Neal (32)Shaquille O'Neal (10)Horry & Richmond (4)American Airlines Center
20,112		47–19
67March 20@ San AntonioL 90–108Kobe Bryant (20)Shaquille O'Neal (10)Brian Shaw (5)Alamodome
30,775		47–20
68March 22DetroitW 94–82Shaquille O'Neal (28)Horry & Walker (10)Kobe Bryant (7)Staples Center
18,997		48–20
69March 24@ SacramentoW 97–96Kobe Bryant (29)O'Neal & Shaw (7)Shaquille O'Neal (6)ARCO Arena
17,317		49–20
70March 26ClevelandW 121–116Shaquille O'Neal (19)Shaquille O'Neal (8)Robert Horry (6)Staples Center
18,997		50–20
71March 27@ PhoenixL 106–118Kobe Bryant (36)Shaquille O'Neal (11)Robert Horry (6)America West Arena
19,023		50–21
72March 29PortlandW 91–79Bryant & O'Neal (34)Samaki Walker (17)Kobe Bryant (6)Staples Center
18,997		51–21
73March 31San AntonioW 96–95Kobe Bryant (31)3 players tied (9)Robert Horry (4)Staples Center
18,997		52–21
April: 6–3 (home: 4–0; road: 2–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
74April 2@ WashingtonW 113–93Shaquille O'Neal (22)Shaquille O'Neal (18)Kobe Bryant (6)MCI Center
20,674		53–21
75April 3@ New JerseyL 92–94Kobe Bryant (33)Samaki Walker (14)Bryant & Shaw (3)Continental Airlines Arena
20,049		53–22
76April 5@ BostonL 81–99Kobe Bryant (26)Robert Horry (9)5 players tied (2)FleetCenter
18,624		53–23
77April 7@ MiamiW 96–88Shaquille O'Neal (40)Bryant & O'Neal (11)Robert Horry (7)American Airlines Arena
19,600		54–23
78April 9UtahW 112–82Bryant & O'Neal (22)Robert Horry (11)Kobe Bryant (5)Staples Center
18,997		55–23
79April 11MinnesotaW 96–83Shaquille O'Neal (32)Samaki Walker (10)Derek Fisher (4)Staples Center
18,997		56–23
80April 14@ PortlandL 120–128 (2OT)Shaquille O'Neal (36)Shaquille O'Neal (11)Kobe Bryant (9)Rose Garden
20,580		56–24
81April 15SeattleW 111–104Shaquille O'Neal (41)Shaquille O'Neal (11)Brian Shaw (6)Staples Center
18,997		57–24
82April 17SacramentoW 109–95Bryant & O'Neal (21)Samaki Walker (15)Kobe Bryant (5)Staples Center
18,997		58–24
2001–02 season schedule

Playoffs

2001–02 game log
Total: 15–4 (Home: 8–2; Road: 7–2)
First round: 3–0 (home: 2–0; road: 1–0)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Series
1April 21PortlandW 95–87Kobe Bryant (34)Shaquille O'Neal (9)Rick Fox (6)Staples Center
18,997		1–0
2April 25PortlandW 103–96Shaquille O'Neal (31)Shaquille O'Neal (14)Kobe Bryant (5)Staples Center
18,997		2–0
3April 28@ PortlandW 92–91Kobe Bryant (25)Shaquille O'Neal (11)Bryant & O'Neal (7)Rose Garden
20,580		3–0
Conference Semi-finals: 4–1 (home: 2–1; road: 2–0)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Series
1May 5San AntonioW 86–80Shaquille O'Neal (23)Shaquille O'Neal (17)3 players tied (4)Staples Center
18,997		1–0
2May 7San AntonioL 85–88Kobe Bryant (26)Robert Horry (11)Kobe Bryant (6)Staples Center
18,997		1–1
3May 10@ San AntonioW 99–89Kobe Bryant (31)Shaquille O'Neal (15)Kobe Bryant (6)Alamodome
35,520		2–1
4May 12@ San AntonioW 87–85Kobe Bryant (28)Shaquille O'Neal (11)Shaquille O'Neal (5)Alamodome
32,342		3–1
5May 14San AntonioW 93–87Kobe Bryant (26)Shaquille O'Neal (11)Rick Fox (7)Staples Center
18,997		4–1
Conference Finals: 4–3 (home: 2–1; road: 2–2)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Series
1May 18@ SacramentoW 106–99Kobe Bryant (30)Shaquille O'Neal (9)3 players tied (5)ARCO Arena
17,317		1–0
2May 20@ SacramentoL 90–96Shaquille O'Neal (35)Robert Horry (20)Fisher & Horry (4)ARCO Arena
17,317		1–1
3May 24SacramentoL 90–103Kobe Bryant (22)Shaquille O'Neal (19)Brian Shaw (7)Staples Center
18,997		1–2
4May 26SacramentoW 100–99Shaquille O'Neal (27)Shaquille O'Neal (18)Robert Horry (5)Staples Center
18,997		2–2
5May 28@ SacramentoL 91–92Kobe Bryant (30)Robert Horry (11)3 players tied (3)ARCO Arena
17,317		2–3
6May 31SacramentoW 106–102Shaquille O'Neal (41)Shaquille O'Neal (17)Bryant & Horry (5)Staples Center
18,997		3–3
7June 2@ SacramentoW 112–106 (OT)Shaquille O'Neal (35)Rick Fox (14)Bryant & Fox (7)ARCO Arena
17,317		4–3
NBA Finals: 4–0 (home: 2–0; road: 2–0)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Series
1June 5New JerseyW 99–94Shaquille O'Neal (36)Shaquille O'Neal (16)Kobe Bryant (6)Staples Center
18,997		1–0
2June 7New JerseyW 106–83Shaquille O'Neal (40)Shaquille O'Neal (12)Shaquille O'Neal (8)Staples Center
18,997		2–0
3June 9@ New JerseyW 106–103Kobe Bryant (36)Shaquille O'Neal (11)Derek Fisher (6)Continental Airlines Arena
19,215		3–0
4June 12@ New JerseyW 113–107Shaquille O'Neal (34)Shaquille O'Neal (10)Kobe Bryant (8)Continental Airlines Arena
19,296		4–0
2002 schedule

NBA Finals

Summary

The following scoring summary is written in a line score format, except that the quarter numbers are replaced by game numbers.

TeamGame 1Game 2Game 3Game 4Wins
Los Angeles (West)991061061134
New Jersey (East)94831031070

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.[54] The duo appeared on the All-NBA First Team and Bryant was honored with an NBA All-Defensive Second Team selection.[55][56]

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.[57] 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.[58] 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.[57] 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.[59]

With the Princeton offense installed from the coaching staff,[60] 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[55] and All-Defensive Teams[56] 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.[61] 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.[62]

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.

" You can't dig yourself a hole, get down by 19 or 20 points and expect to win. We just dug ourselves a hole against the champions. "

—Lucious Harris, Sports Illustrated[63]

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.[64] Kidd finished with a triple–double, the 26th in Finals history and the first since Charles Barkley's in the 1993 series.

Recap

Team1st Qt.2nd Qt.3rd Qt.4th Qt.Total
New Jersey1422273194
Los Angeles2919242799

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.

Recap

Team1st Qt.2nd Qt.3rd Qt.4th Qt.Total
New Jersey2122182283
Los Angeles27222829106

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.

Recap

Team1st Qt.2nd Qt.3rd Qt.4th Qt.Total
Los Angeles31212628106
New Jersey23233225103

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.

Recap

Team1st Qt.2nd Qt.3rd Qt.4th Qt.Total
Los Angeles27312629113
New Jersey34232327107

Player statistics

Legend
  GPGames 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

PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
Kobe Bryant808038.3.469.250.8295.55.51.48.4425.2
Derek Fisher703528.2.411.413.8472.12.6.94.1311.2
Rick Fox828227.9.421.313.8244.73.5.82.267.9
Devean George82121.5.411.371.6753.71.4.87.517.1
Robert Horry812326.4.398.374.7835.92.9.951.106.8
Lindsey Hunter824719.7.382.380.5001.51.6.80.235.8
Mark Madsen59511.0.452.000.6482.7.7.27.222.8
Jelani McCoy2105.0.571.000.2501.2.3.00.241.2
Slava Medvedenko71610.3.477.000.6612.2.6.41.154.7
Shaquille O'Neal676636.1.579.000.55510.73.0.612.0427.2
Mike Penberthy304.0.500.000.750.7.7.67.001.7
Mitch Richmond64211.1.405.290.9551.5.9.28.094.1
Brian Shaw58010.9.353.330.6921.91.5.43.052.9
Samaki Walker696324.0.512.000.6677.0.9.411.286.7

Playoffs

PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
Kobe Bryant191943.8.434.379.7595.84.61.42.8926.6
Derek Fisher191934.2.357.358.7863.32.71.00.0510.2
Rick Fox191934.3.482.349.7555.43.41.11.329.8
Devean George19017.2.365.229.7333.6.6.58.535.0
Robert Horry191437.0.449.387.7898.13.21.74.849.3
Lindsey Hunter1807.3.311.276.000.4.6.11.002.0
Mark Madsen701.4.000.000.000.3.0.00.00.0
Slava Medvedenko703.0.600.000.000.6.0.00.00.9
Shaquille O'Neal191940.8.529.000.64912.62.8.532.5328.5
Mitch Richmond202.01.000.000.500.5.0.00.001.5
Brian Shaw19012.5.333.2811.0001.81.6.26.322.9
Samaki Walker19512.6.4621.000.7654.1.2.11.323.3

Award winners

Legacy

  • By winning the third straight Finals MVP, Shaquille O'Neal became only the second player to achieve this feat, after Michael Jordan doing it twice in 1991-93 and 1996-98.

Transactions

References

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