2001–02 Chicago Bulls season

The 2001–02 NBA season was the Bulls' 36th season in the National Basketball Association.[1] After finishing with the worst record the previous season, the Bulls selected high school basketball star Eddy Curry with the fourth overall pick in the 2001 NBA draft, and acquired top draft pick and high school basketball star Tyson Chandler from the Los Angeles Clippers, who selected him with the second overall pick.[2][3][4][5][6] During the off-season, the team re-acquired former Bulls forward Charles Oakley from the Toronto Raptors,[7][8][9][10] acquired Greg Anthony from the Portland Trail Blazers,[11] and signed free agents Eddie Robinson,[12][13] and Kevin Ollie.[14] Oakley had played three seasons for the Bulls from 1985 to 1988.

2001–02 Chicago Bulls season
Head coachTim Floyd, Bill Cartwright
General managerJerry Krause
OwnersJerry Reinsdorf
ArenaUnited Center
Results
Record21–61 (.256)
PlaceDivision: 8th (Central)
Conference: 15th (Eastern)
Playoff finishDid not qualify

Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
TelevisionWGN-TV
WCIU-TV
Fox Sports Net Chicago
RadioWMVP
< 2000–01 2002–03 >

However, the Bulls still struggled losing 23 of their first 27 games, posting a ten-game losing streak in November. Head coach Tim Floyd resigned on Christmas Eve after a 4–21 start to the season, then after two games under assistant Bill Berry, the team hired former Bulls center Bill Cartwright as their new coach. Midway through the season, the Bulls traded Ollie along with Ron Mercer, Ron Artest and Brad Miller to the Indiana Pacers in exchange for Jalen Rose and Travis Best,[15][16][17][18] while Anthony was released to free agency and later on signed with the Milwaukee Bucks.[19][20][21] The Bulls struggled all season long finishing last place in the Central Division with a 21–61 record.[22]

Rose averaged 23.8 points per game with the team, while second-year forward Marcus Fizer provided them with 12.3 points and 5.6 rebounds per game.[23] Following the season, Oakley signed as a free agent with the Washington Wizards, and Best signed with the Miami Heat. (See 2001–02 Chicago Bulls season#Regular season)

Offseason

edit

NBA draft

edit
Round Pick Player Position Nationality College / Club Team
1 4 Eddy Curry C   United States
2 29 Trenton Hassell SG   United States Austin Peay
2 44 Sean Lampley SF   United States California

Roster

edit
2001–02 Chicago Bulls roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB From
C 44 Bagaric, Dalibor 7 ft 1 in (2.16 m) 255 lb (116 kg) 1980–02–07 Croatia
G 6 Best, Travis 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 182 lb (83 kg) 1972–07–12 Georgia Tech
F/C 3 Chandler, Tyson 7 ft 1 in (2.16 m) 235 lb (107 kg) 1982–10–02 Dominguez HS (CA)
G 1 Crawford, Jamal 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1980–03–20 Michigan
C 2 Curry, Eddy 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 285 lb (129 kg) 1982–12–05 Thornwood HS (IL)
F 21 Fizer, Marcus 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 262 lb (119 kg) 1978–08–10 Iowa State
G 11 Guyton, A.J. 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1978–02–12 Indiana
G/F 22 Hassell, Trenton 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 1979–03–04 Austin Peay
G 20 Hoiberg, Fred 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 203 lb (92 kg) 1972–10–15 Iowa State
F/C 34 Oakley, Charles   6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1963–12–18 Virginia Union
G 31 Richardson, Norm 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1979–07–24 Hofstra
G/F 32 Robinson, Eddie 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1976–04–19 Central Oklahoma
G/F 5 Rose, Jalen 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1973–01–30 Michigan
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)

Legend
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  •   Injured

Roster
Last transaction: March 1, 2002

Regular season

edit

In 2001-02, the make-up and direction of the Chicago Bulls changed significantly: by the season's end, a pair of 18-year-old phenoms and an All-Star caliber player were in the line-up while Elton Brand, once thought to be the franchise's cornerstone for rebuilding efforts, was not. The result was a renewed sense of optimism and hope surrounding the team's future with Tyson Chandler, Eddy Curry and Jalen Rose as the centers of attention.

It all began on the night of the 2001 NBA draft, when the Bulls used their first-round pick, fourth overall, to select Thornwood High School's Eddy Curry, a 6–11, 285-pound center. Minutes later, Chicago dealt Brand to the L.A. Clippers for Dominguez High School product Tyson Chandler (picked second overall) and Brian Skinner. Chicago also acquired one of the steals of the draft in Trenton Hassell out of Austin Peay in the second round.

With the addition of free agent Eddie Robinson (signed Aug. 7), the new look Bulls, a young and athletic squad, were ready to take the floor. The importance of having NBA experience was again displayed as the team struggled and finished the season 21–61. The beginning of the year was not pleasant for Chicago. The Bulls set a franchise record for worst loss with a 53-point loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Nov. 8, Head Coach Tim Floyd, who compiled a 49–190 record over four seasons with the club, resigned on Christmas Eve. Bill Berry was named interim coach and four days later, Bill Cartwright was named head coach on Dec. 28.

The team went on to suffer an 18-game road losing streak from Nov. 2 to Jan. 11. On Feb. 18, the Bulls grabbed a franchise-low 25 rebounds in Miami.

A change was needed and on February 19, it was delivered in the form of a seven-player trade. The Bulls acquired Jalen Rose, Travis Best and Norman Richardson from the Indiana Pacers for Brad Miller, Ron Artest, Ron Mercer and Kevin Ollie.

“We feel Jalen is an outstanding all-around player who can play three positions offensively and defensively,” EVP of Basketball Operations Jerry Krause explained. “He’s a very good passer, extremely unselfish, a fine scorer and in the prime of his career at age 29. His leadership qualities and versatility are an added plus.”

“I'm excited about it,” Rose said upon his arrival to Chicago. “I embrace the opportunity. Every kid dreams about standing in this position talking about having an opportunity to take a team to a championship level.”

The team went on to post their first three-game winning streak in two years from Feb. 20–23. Jamal Crawford, who tore his ACL over the summer and required surgery to repair it, returned to the active roster on March 3 after missing the first 58 games of the season. On March 11, the Bulls and Bill Cartwright mutually agreed to a three-year extension on the head coach's contract. Other notes from the season included Marcus Fizer’s (sophomore team) participation in the Schick Rookie Challenge at All-Star Weekend and Trenton Hassell being named to the NBA’s ‘got milk?’ Rookie of the Month for February.

Season standings

edit
W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-Detroit Pistons 50 32 .610 26–15 24–17 20–8
x-Charlotte Hornets 44 38 .537 6 21–20 23–18 17–11
x-Toronto Raptors 42 40 .512 8 24–17 18–23 17–11
x-Indiana Pacers 42 40 .512 8 25–16 17–24 13–15
Milwaukee Bucks 41 41 .500 9 25–16 16–25 17–11
Atlanta Hawks 33 49 .402 17 23–18 10–31 11–17
Cleveland Cavaliers 29 53 .354 21 20–21 9–32 12–16
Chicago Bulls 21 61 .256 29 14–27 7–34 5–23
#
Team W L PCT GB
1 c-New Jersey Nets 52 30 .634
2 y-Detroit Pistons 50 32 .610 2
3 x-Boston Celtics 49 33 .598 3
4 x-Charlotte Hornets 44 38 .537 8
5 x-Orlando Magic 44 38 .537 8
6 x-Philadelphia 76ers 43 39 .524 9
7 x-Toronto Raptors 42 40 .512 10
8 x-Indiana Pacers 42 40 .512 10
9 Milwaukee Bucks 41 41 .500 11
10 Washington Wizards 37 45 .451 15
11 Miami Heat 36 46 .439 16
12 Atlanta Hawks 33 49 .402 19
13 New York Knicks 30 52 .366 22
14 Cleveland Cavaliers 29 53 .354 23
15 Chicago Bulls 21 61 .256 31

Record vs. opponents

edit
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

Player statistics

edit
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

Regular season

edit
Player GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Greg Anthony 36 35 26.7 .394 .322 .671 2.4 5.6 1.4 .1 8.4
Ron Artest 27 26 30.5 .433 .396 .628 4.9 2.9 2.8 .9 15.6
Dalibor Bagarić 50 0 12.8 .404 .000 .586 3.2 .5 .3 .5 3.7
Travis Best 30 18 26.4 .441 .320 .922 2.7 5.0 1.1 .0 9.3
Tyson Chandler 71 31 19.6 .497 .604 4.8 .8 .4 1.3 6.1
Jamal Crawford 23 6 20.9 .476 .448 .769 1.5 2.4 .8 .2 9.3
Eddy Curry 72 31 16.0 .501 .656 3.8 .3 .2 .7 6.7
Marcus Fizer 76 20 25.8 .438 .171 .668 5.6 1.6 .6 .3 12.3
A. J. Guyton 45 6 13.5 .361 .374 .815 1.0 1.8 .2 .2 5.4
Trenton Hassell 78 47 28.7 .425 .364 .763 3.3 2.2 .7 .6 8.7
Fred Hoiberg 79 8 17.8 .416 .261 .840 2.7 1.7 .8 .1 4.4
Ron Mercer 40 40 37.6 .399 .298 .778 3.9 3.0 .8 .3 16.8
Brad Miller 48 47 29.0 .460 .500 .751 8.4 2.1 1.1 .6 12.7
Charles Oakley 57 36 24.3 .369 .167 .750 6.0 2.0 .9 .2 3.8
Kevin Ollie 52 17 22.0 .383 .500 .838 2.5 3.7 .7 .0 5.8
Norman Richardson 8 0 7.9 .435 .500 .667 .9 .1 .0 .0 3.8
Eddie Robinson 29 12 22.5 .453 .400 .750 2.7 1.3 .8 .4 9.0
Jalen Rose 30 30 40.5 .470 .370 .839 4.1 5.3 1.1 .5 23.8
  • Denotes player spent time with another team in the season. Stats reflect time with the Bulls only.

Awards and records

edit

Transactions

edit

Trades

edit
February 19, 2002 To Indiana Pacers
Kevin Ollie
To Chicago Bulls
Travis Best
February 19, 2002 To Indiana Pacers
Ron Artest, Brad Miller and Ron Mercer
To Chicago Bulls
Jalen Rose, Norm Richardson, and a second round draft pick

Subtractions

edit
March 1, 2002
Player Reason left New team
Greg Anthony Waived Milwaukee Bucks

Player Transactions Citation:[24]

References

edit
  1. ^ "2001-02 Chicago Bulls Roster and Stats".
  2. ^ "Wizards Go Young, But Bulls Go Younger". ESPN. Associated Press. June 27, 2001. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
  3. ^ Wise, Mike (June 28, 2001). "High School Star Taken No. 1 in N.B.A. Draft". The New York Times. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
  4. ^ Denlinger, Ken (June 28, 2001). "NBA Draft Is Elementary". The Washington Post. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
  5. ^ Brewer, Jerry (June 28, 2001). "And a Child Leads Them". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
  6. ^ "2001 NBA Draft". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
  7. ^ "PLUS: BASKETBALL; Bulls Get Oakley for a Second Time". The New York Times. Associated Press. July 14, 2001. Retrieved January 11, 2022.
  8. ^ Smith, Sam (July 14, 2001). "Oakley's Tough, Respected". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved October 25, 2022.
  9. ^ "Oakley Returns to Bulls in Trade". ESPN. Associated Press. July 19, 2001. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
  10. ^ Gardner, Kris (July 19, 2001). "Charles Oakley Returns to Chicago". The Houston Roundball Review. Retrieved November 9, 2024.
  11. ^ "Bulls Acquire Greg Anthony". United Press International. July 20, 2001. Retrieved October 25, 2022.
  12. ^ Johnson, K.C. (July 18, 2001). "Bulls Are Plotting More Moves". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved July 13, 2022.
  13. ^ "Eddie Robinson Signs with Bulls". CBC. CBC Sports. August 7, 2001. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
  14. ^ Wise, Mike (October 30, 2001). "PRO BASKETBALL; Jordan Against the New Generation, Lakers Against the World". The New York Times. Retrieved July 16, 2022.
  15. ^ "Bulls Acquire Rose for Mercer, Three Others". ESPN. Associated Press. February 19, 2002. Retrieved October 23, 2024.
  16. ^ Smith, Sam (February 19, 2002). "NBA Trade Winds". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved July 30, 2021.
  17. ^ "Pacers Send Rose to Bulls in Seven-Player Trade". The Washington Post. February 20, 2002. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
  18. ^ Jones, Grahame L. (February 21, 2002). "Bulls' Trade Ensures Reign of Terrible". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 13, 2022.
  19. ^ Smith, Sam (March 1, 2002). "Anthony Will Be Waived". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
  20. ^ "Bucks Sign Point Guard Greg Anthony". Midland Daily News. March 4, 2002. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
  21. ^ "Bucks Sign Anthony". The Telegraph-Herald. March 6, 2002. p. 2B. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
  22. ^ "2001–02 Chicago Bulls Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved September 18, 2021.
  23. ^ "2001–02 Chicago Bulls Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved September 20, 2021.
  24. ^ "2001–02 Chicago Bulls Transactions". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved September 20, 2021.
edit

See also

edit