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

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]

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
Main article: 2001 NBA draft
  • 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
Players Coaches
Pos.No.NameHeightWeightDOBFrom
G/F 8 Bryant, Kobe (C) 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 1978–08–23 Lower Merion HS (PA)
G 2 Fisher, Derek 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1974–08–09 Little Rock
F 17 Fox, Rick 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 230 lb (104 kg) 1969–07–24 North Carolina
F 3 George, Devean 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 235 lb (107 kg) 1977–08–29 Augsburg
F 5 Horry, Robert 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 240 lb (109 kg) 1970–08–25 Alabama
G 10 Hunter, Lindsey 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1970–12–03 Jackson State
F 35 Madsen, Mark 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 240 lb (109 kg) 1976–01–28 Stanford
F/C 6 McCoy, Jelani Injured 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 245 lb (111 kg) 1977–12–06 UCLA
C 14 Medvedenko, Slava 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 253 lb (115 kg) 1979–04–04 Ukraine
C 34 O'Neal, Shaquille (C) 7 ft 1 in (2.16 m) 325 lb (147 kg) 1972–03–06 LSU
G/F 23 Richmond, Mitch 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1965–06–30 Kansas State
G 20 Shaw, Brian 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1966–03–22 UC Santa Barbara
F/C 52 Walker, Samaki 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 250 lb (113 kg) 1976–02–25 Louisville
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured Injured

Roster
Last transaction: November 24, 2001

Regular season

Season standings
Pacific Division
 W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-Sacramento Kings 6121.744–36–525–1615–9
x-Los Angeles Lakers 5824.707334–724–1716–8
x-Portland Trail Blazers 4933.5981230–1119–2214–10
x-Seattle SuperSonics 4537.5491626–1519–2213–11
Los Angeles Clippers 3943.4762225–1614–279–15
Phoenix Suns 3646.4392523–1813–2812–12
Golden State Warriors 2161.2564014–277–345–19
#
Western Conference
Team W L PCT GB
1 z-Sacramento Kings6121.744–
2 y-San Antonio Spurs5824.7073
3 x-Los Angeles Lakers5824.7073
4 x-Dallas Mavericks5725.6954
5 x-Minnesota Timberwolves5032.61011
6 x-Portland Trail Blazers4933.59812
7 x-Seattle SuperSonics4537.54916
8 x-Utah Jazz4438.53717
9 Los Angeles Clippers3943.47622
10 Phoenix Suns3646.43925
11 Houston Rockets2854.34133
12 Denver Nuggets2755.32934
13 Memphis Grizzlies2359.28038
14 Golden State Warriors2161.25640

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 –2–22–23–13–10–22–01–32–01–11–31–11–12–03–11–30–22–11–31–31–31–11–10–20–20–20–41–10–3
Boston 2–2–2–12–24–00–22–02–21–10–23–02–02–02–03–11–31–13–14–03–11–31–11–10–20–21–12–21–13–1
Charlotte 2–21–2–4–03–10–22–01–32–01–13–11–10–21–13–02–20–21–32–23–11–32–01–10–21–11–12–21–13–1
Chicago 1–32–20–4–1–30–20–21–31–12–00–40–22–01–11–32–20–20–43–10–31–21–10–20–20–21–10–40–21–3
Cleveland 1–30–41–33–1–0–21–11–31–12–02–20–20–21–13–13–12–01–32–21–30–31–10–20–21–10–21–30–21–2
Dallas 2–02–02–02–02–0–4–01–14–02–22–02–21–34–01–12–02–22–01–11–11–13–12–23–11–33–11–13–11–1
Denver 0–20–20–22–01–10–4–0–21–32–20–21–31–33–10–20–22–21–12–00–21–13–12–20–40–43–11–11–30–2
Detroit 3–12–23–13–13–11–12–0–1–11–13–11–10–22–02–12–21–13–13–12–22–11–10–20–20–21–13–11–14–0
Golden State 0–21–10–21–11–10–43–11–1–1–30–22–21–33–10–20–21–31–11–10–21–10–42–20–40–40–40–20–41–1
Houston 1–12–01–10–20–22–22–21–13–1–0–21–30–41–30–21–12–20–21–10–21–12–21–30–40–42–21–12–21–1
Indiana 3–10–31–34–02–20–22–01–32–02–0–1–10–21–12–21–31–11–32–13–13–11–11–12–01–10–21–31–13–1
L.A. Clippers 1–10–21–12–02–02–23–11–12–23–11–1–1–33–12–01–12–20–22–01–10–23–11–31–31–31–31–10–41–1
L.A. Lakers 1–10–22–00–22–03–13–12–03–14–02–03–1–3–11–12–02–21–12–02–01–12–22–23–13–13–11–13–12–0
Memphis 0–20–21–11–11–10–41–30–21–33–11–11–31–3–1–10–20–40–21–10–22–01–32–21–30–40–41–13–10–2
Miami 1–31–30–33–11–31–12–01–22–02–02–20–21–11–1–3–10–21–32–23–11–31–11–10–21–12–01–30–22–2
Milwaukee 3–13–12–22–21–30–22–02–22–01–13–11–10–22–01–3–0–21–21–32–11–30–20–20–22–00–24–02–03–1
Minnesota 2–01–12–02–00–22–22–21–13–12–21–12–22–24–02–02–0–1–12–01–11–12–22–21–32–22–21–13–12–0
New Jersey 1–21–33–14–03–10–21–11–31–12–03–12–01–12–03–12–11–1–4–03–12–21–11–11–12–01–12–21–13–1
New York 3–10–42–21–32–21–10–21–31–11–11–20–20–21–12–23–10–20–4–0–41–31–11–11–10–22–03–01–11–3
Orlando 3–11–31–33–03–11–12–02–22–02–01–31–10–22–01–31–21–11–34–0–3–12–00–21–10–20–23–11–12–2
Philadelphia 3–13–13–12–13–01–11–11–21–11–11–32–01–10–23–13–11–12–23–11–3–2–00–20–21–11–11–30–22–3
Phoenix 1–11–10–21–11–11–31–31–14–02–21–11–32–23–11–12–02–21–11–10–20–2–2–21–31–32–21–12–20–2
Portland 1–11–11–12–02–02–22–22–02–23–11–13–12–22–21–12–02–21–11–12–02–02–2–2–21–33–11–11–32–0
Sacramento 2–02–02–02–02–01–34–02–04–04–00–23–11–33–12–02–03–11–11–11–12–03–12–2–3–12–22–04–01–1
San Antonio 2–02–01–12–01–13–14–02–04–04–01–13–11–34–01–10–22–20–22–02–01–13–13–11–3–2–21–14–02–0
Seattle 2–01–11–11–12–01–31–31–14–02–22–03–11–34–00–22–02–21–10–22–01–12–21–32–22–2–2–01–31–1
Toronto 4–02–22–24–03–11–11–11–32–01–13–11–11–11–13–10–41–12–20–31–33–11–11–10–21–10–2–1–11–2
Utah 1–11–11–12–02–01–33–11–14–02–21–14–01–31–32–00–21–31–11–11–12–02–23–10–40–43–11–1–2–0
Washington 3–01–31–33–12–11–12–00–41–11–11–31–10–22–02–21–30–21–33–12–23–22–00–21–10–21–12–10–2—

Game log

Pre-season
2001 preseason game log
Total: 4–4
Preseason
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
1 October 7 Golden State L 89-99 Kobe Bryant (30) Robert Horry (7) Kobe Bryant (5) Stan Sheriff Center (Honolulu, HI)
10,300		 0-1
2 October 9 Golden State L 88-113 Lindsey Hunter (13) Dickey Simpkins (9) Isaac Fontaine (4) Stan Sheriff Center (Honolulu, HI)
9,227		 0-2
3 October 16 Golden State W 114-97 Kobe Bryant (23) Shaquille O'Neal (10) Bryant & Hunter (6) Centennial Garden (Bakersfield, CA) 1-2
4 October 19 Phoenix L 101-112 Kobe Bryant (25) Fox & O'Neal (6) San Diego Sports Arena (San Diego, CA) 1-3
5 October 20 Sacramento L 104-109 Kobe Bryant (30) Shaquille O'Neal (10) 3 players tied (4) Thomas & Mack Center (Las Vegas, NV)
17,982		 1-4
6 October 23 Memphis W 128-94 Kobe Bryant (24) Samaki Walker (10) Kobe Bryant (9) Arrowhead Pond (Anaheim, CA)
17,457		 2-4
7 October 25 Milwaukee W 109-107 Shaquille O'Neal (31) O'Neal & Walker (7) Bryant & O'Neal (5) Staples Center
15,062		 3-4
8 October 26 Phoenix W 90-71 George & 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
1 October 30 Portland W 98–87 Bryant & 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
2 November 1 @ Utah W 105–101 Kobe Bryant (39) Rick Fox (8) Kobe Bryant (8) Delta Center
19,539		 2–0
3 November 2 Phoenix W 117–94 Shaquille O'Neal (36) Shaquille O'Neal (13) Kobe Bryant (9) Staples Center
18,997		 3–0
4 November 4 Utah W 100–96 Kobe Bryant (38) Shaquille O'Neal (8) Kobe Bryant (7) Staples Center
18,997		 4–0
5 November 9 Memphis W 100–86 Shaquille O'Neal (20) Shaquille O'Neal (8) Kobe Bryant (7) Staples Center
18,997		 5–0
6 November 11 Orlando W 108–95 Shaquille O'Neal (38) Shaquille O'Neal (18) Kobe Bryant (8) Staples Center
18,997		 6–0
7 November 15 @ Houston W 98–97 (OT) Kobe Bryant (31) Shaquille O'Neal (13) Rick Fox (6) Compaq Center
16,285		 7–0
8 November 16 @ Phoenix L 83–95 Shaquille O'Neal (28) Shaquille O'Neal (12) Kobe Bryant (5) America West Arena
19,023		 7–1
9 November 18 Sacramento W 93–85 Kobe Bryant (29) Shaquille O'Neal (15) Kobe Bryant (8) Staples Center
18,997		 8–1
10 November 20 @ L.A. Clippers W 98–93 Kobe Bryant (25) Shaquille O'Neal (11) Kobe Bryant (12) Staples Center
20,316		 9–1
11 November 21 @ Denver W 89–68 Kobe Bryant (24) Bryant & O'Neal (13) Kobe Bryant (7) Pepsi Center
19,521		 10–1
12 November 23 Golden State W 106–90 Kobe Bryant (28) Shaquille O'Neal (10) Rick Fox (5) Staples Center
18,997		 11–1
13 November 25 Denver W 105–98 Kobe Bryant (25) Kobe Bryant (7) Kobe Bryant (7) Staples Center
18,997		 12–1
14 November 27 Milwaukee W 104–85 Kobe Bryant (33) Samaki Walker (11) Shaquille O'Neal (5) Staples Center
18,997		 13–1
15 November 30 @ Seattle W 107–92 Kobe 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
16 December 1 Minnesota W 102–76 Shaquille O'Neal (23) Shaquille O'Neal (9) 3 players tied (5) Staples Center
18,997		 15–1
17 December 5 Dallas W 98–94 Shaquille O'Neal (46) Shaquille O'Neal (15) Rick Fox (6) Staples Center
18,997		 16–1
18 December 7 @ Sacramento L 91–97 Shaquille O'Neal (31) Shaquille O'Neal (16) Shaquille O'Neal (5) ARCO Arena
17,317		 16–2
19 December 11 Seattle L 93–104 Shaquille O'Neal (37) Shaquille O'Neal (16) Derek Fisher (8) Staples Center
18,997		 16–3
20 December 14 L.A. Clippers W 110–80 Shaquille O'Neal (28) Shaquille O'Neal (15) Kobe Bryant (7) Staples Center
18,997		 17–3
21 December 16 Golden State W 101–85 Kobe Bryant (28) Shaquille O'Neal (7) Shaquille O'Neal (6) Staples Center
18,997		 18–3
22 December 20 @ Houston W 107–101 Kobe Bryant (27) Shaquille O'Neal (14) Bryant & Horry (5) Compaq Center
16,285		 19–3
23 December 21 @ Memphis L 108–114 Kobe Bryant (36) O'Neal & Walker (9) Bryant & Fox (6) Pyramid Arena
19,405		 19–4
24 December 25 Philadelphia W 88–82 Samaki Walker (18) Bryant & Horry (11) Kobe Bryant (9) Staples Center
18,997		 20–4
25 December 26 @ Golden State L 90–101 Kobe Bryant (39) Slava Medvedenko (8) Kobe Bryant (5) The Arena in Oakland
20,036		 20–5
26 December 28 Toronto L 86–89 Kobe Bryant (26) Samaki Walker (14) Kobe Bryant (6) Staples Center
18,997		 20–6
27 December 30 Houston W 114–90 Bryant & 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
28 January 2 @ Denver W 87–86 Kobe Bryant (28) Samaki Walker (11) Rick Fox (6) Pepsi Center
17,932		 22–6
29 January 4 Phoenix W 118–86 Shaquille O'Neal (24) Samaki Walker (10) Kobe Bryant (6) Staples Center
18,997		 23–6
30 January 6 @ Toronto W 109–89 Kobe Bryant (31) Samaki Walker (10) 3 players tied (4) Air Canada Centre
19,800		 24–6
31 January 8 @ Detroit W 121–92 Shaquille O'Neal (28) Shaquille O'Neal (10) Kobe Bryant (6) The Palace of Auburn Hills
22,076		 25–6
32 January 9 @ Indiana W 109–90 Kobe Bryant (31) Samaki Walker (13) Derek Fisher (6) Conseco Fieldhouse
18,345		 26–6
33 January 11 @ Minnesota L 102–120 Shaquille O'Neal (29) Samaki Walker (9) Rick Fox (9) Target Center
19,806		 26–7
34 January 12 @ Chicago L 104–106 (OT) Derek Fisher (28) Robert Horry (13) Kobe Bryant (9) United Center
23,147		 26–8
35 January 14 Memphis W 120–81 Kobe Bryant (56) Robert Horry (11) Rick Fox (7) Staples Center
18,997		 27–8
36 January 16 Miami L 96–102 Kobe Bryant (29) Samaki Walker (13) Kobe Bryant (7) Staples Center
18,997		 27–9
37 January 19 @ San Antonio W 98–81 Kobe Bryant (28) 3 players tied (7) Kobe Bryant (5) Alamodome
33,544		 28–9
38 January 22 Denver L 91–107 Shaquille O'Neal (40) Shaquille O'Neal (11) Kobe Bryant (6) Staples Center
18,997		 28–10
39 January 23 @ L.A. Clippers L 90–95 Kobe Bryant (27) Samaki Walker (12) Derek Fisher (5) Staples Center
20,309		 28–11
40 January 25 San Antonio W 94–91 Kobe Bryant (27) Shaquille O'Neal (15) Kobe Bryant (6) Staples Center
18,997		 29–11
41 January 27 @ Philadelphia L 87–93 Shaquille O'Neal (26) Shaquille O'Neal (11) Rick Fox (6) First Union Center
20,909		 29–12
42 January 29 @ Atlanta W 127–93 Kobe Bryant (32) Samaki Walker (12) Fox & Hunter (4) Philips Arena
19,742		 30–12
43 January 30 @ Orlando W 111–93 Shaquille 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
44 February 1 @ Memphis W 100–85 Shaquille O'Neal (26) Shaquille O'Neal (10) Rick Fox (7) Pyramid Arena
19,405		 32–12
45 February 3 @ Dallas W 101–94 Shaquille O'Neal (31) Shaquille O'Neal (13) Robert Horry (8) American Airlines Center
20,179		 33–12
46 February 6 Chicago L 89–97 Kobe Bryant (38) Samaki Walker (14) Rick Fox (5) Staples Center
18,997		 33–13
All-Star Break
47 February 12 Washington W 103–94 Kobe Bryant (23) Kobe Bryant (11) Kobe Bryant (15) Staples Center
18,997		 34–13
48 February 14 @ Seattle W 92–87 Kobe Bryant (23) Fox & George (8) Kobe Bryant (10) KeyArena
17,072		 35–13
49 February 15 Atlanta L 90–93 Kobe Bryant (21) 3 players tied (7) Kobe Bryant (10) Staples Center
18,997		 35–14
50 February 17 @ Portland L 105–111 Kobe Bryant (28) Robert Horry (8) Lindsey Hunter (7) Rose Garden
20,580		 35–15
51 February 19 Boston L 108–109 Kobe Bryant (27) Shaquille O'Neal (17) Lindsey Hunter (9) Staples Center
18,997		 35–16
52 February 21 @ Cleveland W 104–97 Kobe Bryant (32) Bryant & Horry (6) Kobe Bryant (6) Gund Arena
20,562		 36–16
53 February 22 @ Charlotte W 96–94 Shaquille O'Neal (31) Rick Fox (11) Kobe Bryant (6) Charlotte Coliseum
23,799		 37–16
54 February 24 @ New York W 107–91 Shaquille O'Neal (30) Shaquille O'Neal (15) Bryant & O'Neal (5) Madison Square Garden
19,763		 38–16
55 February 26 @ Milwaukee W 99–89 Shaquille O'Neal (28) Shaquille O'Neal (13) Kobe Bryant (6) Bradley Center
18,717		 39–16
56 February 27 @ Minnesota L 101–112 Shaquille 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
57 March 1 Indiana W 96–84 Shaquille O'Neal (33) Shaquille O'Neal (12) Robert Horry (6) Staples Center
18,897		 40–17
58 March 3 Houston W 95–79 Shaquille O'Neal (36) Shaquille O'Neal (14) Shaquille O'Neal (7) Staples Center
18,997		 41–17
59 March 5 New Jersey W 101–92 Shaquille O'Neal (40) Robert Horry (13) Horry & O'Neal (4) Staples Center
18,997		 42–17
60 March 6 @ Utah L 84–92 Shaquille O'Neal (28) Shaquille O'Neal (12) Bryant & Hunter (4) Delta Center
19,911		 42–18
61 March 10 New York W 117–103 Shaquille O'Neal (40) Robert Horry (13) Kobe Bryant (7) Staples Center
18,997		 43–18
62 March 12 Charlotte W 107–66 Kobe Bryant (23) Shaquille O'Neal (10) Bryant & Richmond (4) Staples Center
18,997		 44–18
63 March 14 @ Golden State W 110–102 Shaquille O'Neal (40) Shaquille O'Neal (13) Bryant & Fox (6) The Arena in Oakland
20,042		 45–18
64 March 15 L.A. Clippers W 98–92 Kobe Bryant (33) Shaquille O'Neal (13) Fox & Horry (5) Staples Center
18,997		 46–18
65 March 17 Dallas W 105–103 Shaquille O'Neal (28) Bryant & O'Neal (9) Kobe Bryant (11) Staples Center
18,997		 47–18
66 March 19 @ Dallas L 98–114 Shaquille O'Neal (32) Shaquille O'Neal (10) Horry & Richmond (4) American Airlines Center
20,112		 47–19
67 March 20 @ San Antonio L 90–108 Kobe Bryant (20) Shaquille O'Neal (10) Brian Shaw (5) Alamodome
30,775		 47–20
68 March 22 Detroit W 94–82 Shaquille O'Neal (28) Horry & Walker (10) Kobe Bryant (7) Staples Center
18,997		 48–20
69 March 24 @ Sacramento W 97–96 Kobe Bryant (29) O'Neal & Shaw (7) Shaquille O'Neal (6) ARCO Arena
17,317		 49–20
70 March 26 Cleveland W 121–116 Shaquille O'Neal (19) Shaquille O'Neal (8) Robert Horry (6) Staples Center
18,997		 50–20
71 March 27 @ Phoenix L 106–118 Kobe Bryant (36) Shaquille O'Neal (11) Robert Horry (6) America West Arena
19,023		 50–21
72 March 29 Portland W 91–79 Bryant & O'Neal (34) Samaki Walker (17) Kobe Bryant (6) Staples Center
18,997		 51–21
73 March 31 San Antonio W 96–95 Kobe 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
74 April 2 @ Washington W 113–93 Shaquille O'Neal (22) Shaquille O'Neal (18) Kobe Bryant (6) MCI Center
20,674		 53–21
75 April 3 @ New Jersey L 92–94 Kobe Bryant (33) Samaki Walker (14) Bryant & Shaw (3) Continental Airlines Arena
20,049		 53–22
76 April 5 @ Boston L 81–99 Kobe Bryant (26) Robert Horry (9) 5 players tied (2) FleetCenter
18,624		 53–23
77 April 7 @ Miami W 96–88 Shaquille O'Neal (40) Bryant & O'Neal (11) Robert Horry (7) American Airlines Arena
19,600		 54–23
78 April 9 Utah W 112–82 Bryant & O'Neal (22) Robert Horry (11) Kobe Bryant (5) Staples Center
18,997		 55–23
79 April 11 Minnesota W 96–83 Shaquille O'Neal (32) Samaki Walker (10) Derek Fisher (4) Staples Center
18,997		 56–23
80 April 14 @ Portland L 120–128 (2OT) Shaquille O'Neal (36) Shaquille O'Neal (11) Kobe Bryant (9) Rose Garden
20,580		 56–24
81 April 15 Seattle W 111–104 Shaquille O'Neal (41) Shaquille O'Neal (11) Brian Shaw (6) Staples Center
18,997		 57–24
82 April 17 Sacramento W 109–95 Bryant & 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
1 April 21 Portland W 95–87 Kobe Bryant (34) Shaquille O'Neal (9) Rick Fox (6) Staples Center
18,997		 1–0
2 April 25 Portland W 103–96 Shaquille O'Neal (31) Shaquille O'Neal (14) Kobe Bryant (5) Staples Center
18,997		 2–0
3 April 28 @ Portland W 92–91 Kobe 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
1 May 5 San Antonio W 86–80 Shaquille O'Neal (23) Shaquille O'Neal (17) 3 players tied (4) Staples Center
18,997		 1–0
2 May 7 San Antonio L 85–88 Kobe Bryant (26) Robert Horry (11) Kobe Bryant (6) Staples Center
18,997		 1–1
3 May 10 @ San Antonio W 99–89 Kobe Bryant (31) Shaquille O'Neal (15) Kobe Bryant (6) Alamodome
35,520		 2–1
4 May 12 @ San Antonio W 87–85 Kobe Bryant (28) Shaquille O'Neal (11) Shaquille O'Neal (5) Alamodome
32,342		 3–1
5 May 14 San Antonio W 93–87 Kobe 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
1 May 18 @ Sacramento W 106–99 Kobe Bryant (30) Shaquille O'Neal (9) 3 players tied (5) ARCO Arena
17,317		 1–0
2 May 20 @ Sacramento L 90–96 Shaquille O'Neal (35) Robert Horry (20) Fisher & Horry (4) ARCO Arena
17,317		 1–1
3 May 24 Sacramento L 90–103 Kobe Bryant (22) Shaquille O'Neal (19) Brian Shaw (7) Staples Center
18,997		 1–2
4 May 26 Sacramento W 100–99 Shaquille O'Neal (27) Shaquille O'Neal (18) Robert Horry (5) Staples Center
18,997		 2–2
5 May 28 @ Sacramento L 91–92 Kobe Bryant (30) Robert Horry (11) 3 players tied (3) ARCO Arena
17,317		 2–3
6 May 31 Sacramento W 106–102 Shaquille O'Neal (41) Shaquille O'Neal (17) Bryant & Horry (5) Staples Center
18,997		 3–3
7 June 2 @ Sacramento W 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
1 June 5 New Jersey W 99–94 Shaquille O'Neal (36) Shaquille O'Neal (16) Kobe Bryant (6) Staples Center
18,997		 1–0
2 June 7 New Jersey W 106–83 Shaquille O'Neal (40) Shaquille O'Neal (12) Shaquille O'Neal (8) Staples Center
18,997		 2–0
3 June 9 @ New Jersey W 106–103 Kobe Bryant (36) Shaquille O'Neal (11) Derek Fisher (6) Continental Airlines Arena
19,215		 3–0
4 June 12 @ New Jersey W 113–107 Shaquille 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.

Team Game 1 Game 2 Game 3 Game 4 Wins
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

Team 1st Qt. 2nd Qt. 3rd Qt. 4th Qt. Total
New Jersey 142227 3194
Los Angeles 291924 2799

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

Team 1st Qt. 2nd Qt. 3rd Qt. 4th Qt. Total
New Jersey 212218 2283
Los Angeles 272228 29106

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

Team 1st Qt. 2nd Qt. 3rd Qt. 4th Qt. Total
Los Angeles 312126 28106
New Jersey 232332 25103

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

Team 1st Qt. 2nd Qt. 3rd Qt. 4th Qt. Total
Los Angeles 273126 29113
New Jersey 342323 27107

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 808038.3.469.250.8295.55.51.48.4425.2
Derek Fisher 703528.2.411.413.8472.12.6.94.1311.2
Rick Fox 828227.9.421.313.8244.73.5.82.267.9
Devean George 82121.5.411.371.6753.71.4.87.517.1
Robert Horry 812326.4.398.374.7835.92.9.951.106.8
Lindsey Hunter 824719.7.382.380.5001.51.6.80.235.8
Mark Madsen 59511.0.452.000.6482.7.7.27.222.8
Jelani McCoy 2105.0.571.000.2501.2.3.00.241.2
Slava Medvedenko 71610.3.477.000.6612.2.6.41.154.7
Shaquille O'Neal 676636.1.579.000.55510.73.0.612.0427.2
Mike Penberthy 304.0.500.000.750.7.7.67.001.7
Mitch Richmond 64211.1.405.290.9551.5.9.28.094.1
Brian Shaw 58010.9.353.330.6921.91.5.43.052.9
Samaki Walker 696324.0.512.000.6677.0.9.411.286.7

Playoffs
Player GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Kobe Bryant 191943.8.434.379.7595.84.61.42.8926.6
Derek Fisher 191934.2.357.358.7863.32.71.00.0510.2
Rick Fox 191934.3.482.349.7555.43.41.11.329.8
Devean George 19017.2.365.229.7333.6.6.58.535.0
Robert Horry 191437.0.449.387.7898.13.21.74.849.3
Lindsey Hunter 1807.3.311.276.000.4.6.11.002.0
Mark Madsen 701.4.000.000.000.3.0.00.00.0
Slava Medvedenko 703.0.600.000.000.6.0.00.00.9
Shaquille O'Neal 191940.8.529.000.64912.62.8.532.5328.5
Mitch Richmond 202.01.000.000.500.5.0.00.001.5
Brian Shaw 19012.5.333.2811.0001.81.6.26.322.9
Samaki Walker 19512.6.4621.000.7654.1.2.11.323.3

Award winners

Transactions

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