The 2001–02 NBA season was the 56th season of the National Basketball Association (NBA). The regular season commenced on November 1, 2001, and concluded on April 17, 2002, followed by the 2002 NBA Playoffs, which ran until June 12, 2002. The Los Angeles Lakers won the NBA championship, defeating the New Jersey Nets in a six‑game NBA Finals series.
Overview
- Number of teams: 29 (the league expanded to 30 teams the following season).
- Regular‑season games per team: 82.
- Season dates: November 1, 2001 – April 17, 2002 (regular season); June 12, 2002 (final game of the Finals).
Regular season
The regular season featured a balanced schedule in which each team played 82 games. The Eastern Conference was led by the New Jersey Nets (61–21) and the Detroit Pistons (50–32). In the Western Conference, the Los Angeles Lakers (58–24) and the Sacramento Kings (61–21) posted the best records. Notable individual performances included Allen Iverson leading the league in scoring with 31.4 points per game, Ben Wallace topping the rebounding chart with 13.0 rebounds per game, and Jason Kidd leading in assists with 10.3 per game.
All‑Star Game
The 2002 NBA All‑Star Game was held on February 10, 2002, at the First Union Center in Philadelphia. The Western Conference defeated the Eastern Conference 135–120. Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs was named the All‑Star Game MVP.
Playoffs
The 2002 NBA Playoffs featured 16 teams (eight from each conference). The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves, Sacramento Kings, and Dallas Mavericks to reach the Finals. The New Jersey Nets advanced past the Boston Celtics, Charlotte Hornets, and Boston Celtics again (via a best‑of‑seven Eastern Conference Finals) to earn their first NBA Finals appearance.
NBA Finals
The Finals began on June 5, 2002, and concluded on June 12, 2002. The Los Angeles Lakers won the series 4–2, capturing the franchise’s third consecutive title. Shaquille O'Neal was named Finals MVP, averaging 36.3 points, 12.3 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game.
Major awards
- Most Valuable Player (MVP): Tim Duncan (San Antonio Spurs)
- Defensive Player of the Year: Ben Wallace (Detroit Pistons)
- Rookie of the Year: Pau Gasol (Memphis Grizzlies)
- Coach of the Year: Rick Pitino (Boston Celtics)
Notable events and milestones
- The season marked the first NBA championship for the Los Angeles Lakers under the trio of Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant, and head coach Phil Jackson.
- Allen Iverson became the first player in NBA history to average over 30 points per game while playing for a team with a losing record (Philadelphia 76ers finished 43–39).
- The Miami Heat opened the newly constructed AmericanAirlines Arena (later known as the FTX Arena) in October 2001, though the venue officially opened for regular‑season games during the 2001–02 season.
- The league’s television contracts with ESPN/ABC and TNT continued, maintaining the national broadcast of games.
Statistical leaders
| Category | Player | Team | Statistic |
|---|---|---|---|
| Points per game | Allen Iverson | Philadelphia 76ers | 31.4 |
| Rebounds per game | Ben Wallace | Detroit Pistons | 13.0 |
| Assists per game | Jason Kidd | Dallas Mavericks | 10.3 |
| Field‑goal percentage | Yao Ming | Houston Rockets | .571 |
| 3‑point percentage | Ray Allen | Seattle SuperSonics | .456 |
| Free‑throw percentage | Ray Allen | Seattle SuperSonics | .925 |
Legacy
The 2001–02 season is frequently referenced for the Lakers' three‑peat, the emergence of Allen Iverson as a scoring leader, and the continued development of international players such as Pau Gasol and Yao Ming. The season also preceded the league's expansion to a 30‑team roster with the addition of the Charlotte Bobcats (now the Charlotte Hornets) in the 2004–05 season.
All information presented reflects widely documented and verifiable sources from the 2001–02 NBA season.