2002–03 NBA season

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2002–03 NBA season
League National Basketball Association
Sport Basketball
Duration October 29, 2002 – April 16, 2003
April 19 – May 29, 2003 (Playoffs)
June 4 – 15, 2003 (Finals)
Number of teams 29
TV partner(s) ABC, TNT, ESPN, NBA TV
Draft
Top draft pick Yao Ming
Picked by Houston Rockets
Regular season
Top seed San Antonio Spurs
Season MVP Tim Duncan (San Antonio)
Top scorer Tracy McGrady (Orlando)
Playoffs
Eastern champions New Jersey Nets
  Eastern runners-up Detroit Pistons
Western champions San Antonio Spurs
  Western runners-up Dallas Mavericks
Finals
Champions San Antonio Spurs
  Runners-up New Jersey Nets
Finals MVP Tim Duncan (San Antonio)
NBA seasons

The 2002–03 NBA season was the 57th season of the National Basketball Association. The season ended with the San Antonio Spurs beating the New Jersey Nets 4-2 in the 2003 NBA Finals. This would be Michael Jordan's last season in the NBA.

Notable occurrences

Coaching changes
Offseason
Team 2001-02 coach 2002-03 coach
Denver Nuggets Mike Evans Jeff Bzdelik
Golden State Warriors Brian Winters Eric Musselman
In-season
Team Outgoing coach Incoming coach
Atlanta Hawks Lon Kruger Terry Stotts
Cleveland Cavaliers John Lucas Keith Smart
Los Angeles Clippers Alvin Gentry Dennis Johnson
Memphis Grizzlies Sidney Lowe Hubie Brown
  • The Hornets relocate from Charlotte, North Carolina to New Orleans, Louisiana, leaving Charlotte without an NBA team until the Bobcats (renamed the Hornets in 2014 following the New Orleans franchise's rebrand as the Pelicans the year before) were formed in 2004. They also play their first game at New Orleans Arena. As a result the NBA prohibits NBA games (except national games) from being broadcast in the Carolinas for two seasons. Twelve years later, revised records between the two teams suggest that the Charlotte NBA franchise suspended operations following the original team's relocation to New Orleans.
  • In their New Orleans debut (Oct. 30, 2002) against the city's former occupants, the Utah Jazz, the Hornets posthumously retired Pete Maravich's No. 7, even though he never played for the team, but was honored for his basketball contributions to the city.
  • The San Antonio Spurs played their first game at the SBC Center (now the AT&T Center).
  • The Houston Rockets played their final game at the Compaq Center (formerly The Summit).
  • The 2003 NBA All-Star Game was held at the Philips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. The West won 155-145 in double overtime, the longest All-Star game in NBA history. Minnesota's Kevin Garnett took the game's MVP honors. It was also the last time an Eastern Conference city hosted an All-Star Game (until 2012), and the last time a rookie played (until 2011) and started an All-Star game, with Yao Ming making his all-star debut.
  • Michael Jordan announces his third and final retirement. He plays his last game on April 16, 2003 in Philadelphia.
  • The NBA on ABC begins (replacing NBA on NBC) again after a 29 year hiatus when the NBA signs new television deals with TNT and the consortium of ABC and ESPN. This agreement significantly decreased the amount of games on network television, including the playoffs, in which very few games are shown on ABC, with the exception of the NBA Finals, which are shown entirely on ABC. Also, both conference finals are shown live on cable for the first time.
  • For the first time in NBA history, two former ABA teams contest each other in the NBA Finals, the New Jersey Nets versus the San Antonio Spurs. The Nets became the only team in NBA Finals history to wear a throwback uniform in a Finals game, wearing their 1976 home uniforms in Game 5.
  • A new instant replay rule is in effect to help officials in determining close calls. Bright red lights are installed on the backboards and scoring tables to make the shot easier to figure out.
  • The NBA changes the first round format from a best of five game series to a best of seven game series for the 2003 NBA Playoffs.
  • A new low in television ratings for the NBA Finals is reached, replacing the 1981 series as the least watched Finals (later surpassed by the 2007 finals).
  • On January 7, Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers scored 45 points against the Seattle SuperSonics. Kobe made nine consecutive three-pointers and finished with 12 overall, a new NBA record for most "3's" in a game, later tied by Donyell Marshall.
  • Eight NBA teams (the Denver Nuggets, Houston Rockets, Milwaukee Bucks, New Jersey Nets, Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns, Sacramento Kings, and Washington Wizards) wore throwback uniforms to celebrate the first ever NBA Hardwood Classics Nights, commemorating either a player milestone, team anniversary or championship anniversary. The NBA All-Star Game in Atlanta featured NBA players wearing the 1987 All-Star uniforms as an extension.
  • The Los Angeles Lakers debuted their white and gold alternate jerseys in a loss against the Sacramento Kings on December 25, 2002, at Staples Center. The jerseys were designed as a tribute to long-time announcer Chick Hearn, who died on August 5 from a head injury caused by a fall. The Lakers also sport a black patch in his honor.
  • Lenny Wilkens becomes the all time leader in losses surpassing Bill Fitch.
  • Reebok became the official outfitter for NBA teams, except those still under contract with Nike. Reebok would later become the endorser for all NBA teams in 2004 until its merger and subsequent transfer to Adidas in 2006.
  • David Robinson announced his retirement. He would eventually go on to win the championship with the Spurs.
  • The elimination of Utah Jazz in the first round of the playoffs marks the end of 18 year Karl Malone-John Stockton tandem. Stockton would go on to retire, while Malone would play with the Lakers next season before retiring in mid-2004.

Final standings

By division

Atlantic Division
W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-New Jersey Nets 49 33 .598 – 33–8 16–25 16–8
x-Philadelphia 76ers 48 34 .585 1 25–16 23–18 17–7
x-Boston Celtics 44 38 .537 5 25–16 19–22 13–12
x-Orlando Magic 42 40 .512 7 26–15 16–25 14–11
Washington Wizards 37 45 .451 12 23–18 14–27 11–13
New York Knicks 37 45 .451 12 24–17 13–28 9–15
Miami Heat 25 57 .305 24 16–25 9–32 5–19


Central Division
W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-Detroit Pistons 50 32 .610 – 30–11 20–21 19–9
x-Indiana Pacers 48 34 .585 2 32–9 16–25 19–9
x-New Orleans Hornets 47 35 .573 3 29–12 18–23 17–11
x-Milwaukee Bucks 42 40 .512 8 25–16 17–24 16–12
Atlanta Hawks 35 47 .427 15 26–15 9–32 14–14
Chicago Bulls 30 52 .366 20 27–14 3–38 12–16
Toronto Raptors 24 58 .293 26 15–26 9–32 10–18
Cleveland Cavaliers 17 65 .207 33 14–27 3–38 5–23


Midwest Division
W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-San Antonio Spurs 60 22 .732 – 33–8 27–14 17–7
x-Dallas Mavericks 60 22 .732 – 33–8 27–14 18–6
x-Minnesota Timberwolves 51 31 .622 9 33–8 18–23 15–9
x-Utah Jazz 47 35 .573 13 29–12 18–23 15–9
Houston Rockets 43 39 .524 17 28–13 15–26 11–13
Memphis Grizzlies 28 54 .341 32 20–21 8–33 5–17
Denver Nuggets 17 65 .207 43 13–28 4–37 3–21


Pacific Division
W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-Sacramento Kings 59 23 .720 – 35–6 24–17 17–7
x-Los Angeles Lakers 50 32 .610 9 31–10 19–22 15–9
x-Portland Trail Blazers 50 32 .610 9 27–14 23–18 15–9
x-Phoenix Suns 44 38 .537 15 30–11 14–27 12–12
Seattle SuperSonics 40 42 .488 19 25–16 15–26 11–13
Golden State Warriors 38 44 .463 21 24–17 14–27 8–16
Los Angeles Clippers 27 55 .329 32 16–25 11–30 6–18

By conference

# Eastern Conference
Team W L PCT GB
1 c-Detroit Pistons 50 32 .610 –
2 y-New Jersey Nets 49 33 .598 1
3 x-Indiana Pacers 48 34 .585 2
4 x-Philadelphia 76ers 48 34 .585 2
5 x-New Orleans Hornets 47 35 .573 3
6 x-Boston Celtics 44 38 .537 6
7 x-Milwaukee Bucks 42 40 .512 8
8 x-Orlando Magic 42 40 .512 8
9 New York Knicks 37 45 .451 13
9 Washington Wizards 37 45 .451 13
11 Atlanta Hawks 35 47 .427 15
12 Chicago Bulls 30 52 .366 20
13 Miami Heat 25 57 .305 25
14 Toronto Raptors 24 58 .293 26
15 Cleveland Cavaliers 17 65 .207 33


# Western Conference
Team W L PCT GB
1 z-San Antonio Spurs 60 22 .732 –
2 y-Sacramento Kings 59 23 .720 1
3 x-Dallas Mavericks 60 22 .732 –
4 x-Minnesota Timberwolves 51 31 .622 9
5 x-Los Angeles Lakers 50 32 .610 10
6 x-Portland Trail Blazers 50 32 .610 10
7 x-Utah Jazz 47 35 .573 13
8 x-Phoenix Suns 44 38 .537 16
9 Houston Rockets 43 39 .524 17
10 Seattle SuperSonics 40 42 .488 20
11 Golden State Warriors 38 44 .463 22
12 Memphis Grizzlies 28 54 .341 32
13 Los Angeles Clippers 27 55 .329 33
14 Denver Nuggets 17 65 .207 43


Notes

  • z – Clinched home court advantage for the entire playoffs
  • c – Clinched home court advantage for the conference playoffs
  • y – Clinched division title
  • x – Clinched playoff spot

Playoffs

Teams in bold advanced to the next round. The numbers to the left of each team indicate the team's seeding in its conference, and the numbers to the right indicate the number of games the team won in that round. The division champions are marked by an asterisk. Home court advantage does not necessarily belong to the higher-seeded team, but instead the team with the better regular season record; teams enjoying the home advantage are shown in italics.

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Main article: 2003 NBA Playoffs
First Round Conference Semifinals Conference Finals NBA Finals
                       
1 San Antonio 4
8 Phoenix 2
1 San Antonio 4
5 L.A. Lakers 2
4 Minnesota 2
5 L.A. Lakers 4
1 San Antonio 4
Western Conference
3 Dallas 2
3 Dallas 4
6 Portland 3
3 Dallas 4
2 Sacramento 3
2 Sacramento 4
7 Utah 1
W1 San Antonio 4
E2 New Jersey 2
1 Detroit 4
8 Orlando 3
1 Detroit 4
4 Philadelphia 2
4 Philadelphia 4
5 New Orleans 2
1 Detroit 0
Eastern Conference
2 New Jersey 4
3 Indiana 2
6 Boston 4
6 Boston 0
2 New Jersey 4
2 New Jersey 4
7 Milwaukee 2

Statistics leaders

Category Player Team Stat
Points per game Tracy McGrady Orlando Magic 32.1
Rebounds per game Ben Wallace Detroit Pistons 15.4
Assists per game Jason Kidd New Jersey Nets 8.9
Steals per game Allen Iverson Philadelphia 76ers 2.74
Blocks per game Theo Ratliff Atlanta Hawks 3.23
FG% Eddy Curry Chicago Bulls .585
FT% Allan Houston New York Knicks .919
3FG% Bruce Bowen San Antonio Spurs .441

Awards

Yearly awards

Players of the month

The following players were named the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Month.

Month Eastern Conference Western Conference
October – November Tracy McGrady (Orlando Magic) (1/2) Michael Finley (Dallas Mavericks) (1/1)
Steve Nash (Dallas Mavericks) (1/1)
Dirk Nowitzki (Dallas Mavericks) (1/1)
December Jason Kidd (New Jersey Nets) (1/1) Chris Webber (Sacramento Kings) (1/1)
January Jermaine O'Neal (Indiana Pacers) (1/1) Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles Lakers) (1/1)
February Jamal Mashburn (New Orleans Hornets) (1/1) Kevin Garnett (Minnesota Timberwolves) (1/2)
March Tracy McGrady (Orlando Magic) (2/2) Shaquille O'Neal (Los Angeles Lakers) (1/1)
April Jamaal Magloire (New Orleans Hornets) (1/1) Kevin Garnett (Minnesota Timberwolves) (2/2)

Rookies of the month

The following players were named the Eastern and Western Conference Rookies of the Month.

Month Eastern Conference Western Conference
October – November Caron Butler (Miami Heat) (1/4) Drew Gooden (Memphis Grizzlies) (1/1)
December Jay Williams (Chicago Bulls) (1/1) Yao Ming (Houston Rockets) (1/2)
January Caron Butler (Miami Heat) (2/4) Amar'e Stoudemire (Phoenix Suns) (1/2)
February Caron Butler (Miami Heat) (3/4) Yao Ming (Houston Rockets) (2/2)
March Caron Butler (Miami Heat) (4/4) Manu Ginóbili (San Antonio Spurs) (1/1)
April Carlos Boozer (Cleveland Cavaliers) (1/1) Amar'e Stoudemire (Phoenix Suns) (2/2)

Coaches of the month

The following coaches were named the Eastern and Western Conference Coaches of the Month.

Month Eastern Conference Western Conference
October – November Isiah Thomas (Indiana Pacers) (1/1) Don Nelson (Dallas Mavericks) (1/1)
December Byron Scott (New Jersey Nets) (1/1) Frank Johnson (Phoenix Suns) (1/1)
January George Karl (Milwaukee Bucks) (1/1) Gregg Popovich (San Antonio Spurs) (1/2)
February Larry Brown (Philadelphia 76ers) (1/2) Flip Saunders (Minnesota Timberwolves) (1/1)
March Larry Brown (Philadelphia 76ers) (2/2) Gregg Popovich (San Antonio Spurs) (2/2)
April Paul Silas (New Orleans Hornets) (1/1) Phil Jackson (Los Angeles Lakers) (1/1)

References

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