The 2001–02 NBA season was the Nuggets' 26th season in the National Basketball Association , and 35th season as a franchise.[ 1] During the off-season, the Nuggets signed free agents Isaiah Rider and Avery Johnson .[ 2] However, Rider would play in just ten games before being waived in November.[ 3] After finishing just two games below .500 the previous season, the Nuggets suffered another disastrous setback as Antonio McDyess suffered a preseason knee injury, which limited him to just ten games.[ 4] [ 5] The Nuggets got off to a 6–5 start, but then lost nine of their next ten games.
Things would only get worse on December 11, 2001, after a 99–96 home loss to the Charlotte Hornets , as head coach Dan Issel got into hot water after yelling a racial slur at a Mexican fan; Issel was suspended for four games and was forced to resign, being replaced by his assistant Mike Evans after a 9–17 start.[ 6] [ 7] [ 8] At mid-season, Nick Van Exel was traded along with Johnson, Raef LaFrentz and Tariq Abdul-Wahad to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for Juwan Howard , All-Star guard Tim Hardaway , and second-year forward Donnell Harvey .[ 9] [ 10] [ 11] [ 12] The Nuggets went on a 7-game losing streak in March, and finished sixth in the Midwest Division with a 27–55 record.[ 13]
Howard averaged 17.9 points and 7.9 rebounds per game with the team, while McDyess averaged 11.3 points and 5.5 rebounds per game.[ 14] Following the season, McDyess was traded to the New York Knicks ,[ 15] [ 16] while Voshon Lenard signed as a free agent with the Toronto Raptors ,[ 17] Calbert Cheaney signed with the Utah Jazz ,[ 18] George McCloud was traded to the Washington Wizards , but was released to free agency, Hardaway was released, and Evans was fired as head coach.[ 19]
Round
Pick
Player
Position
Nationality
School/Club Team
2
47
Ousmane Cisse
F
Mali
St. Jude HS (AL)
2001–02 Denver Nuggets roster
Players
Coaches
Pos.
No.
Name
Height
Weight
DOB
From
C
27
Bateer, Mengke
6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)
290 lb (132 kg)
China
F
15
Andersen, Chris
6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)
230 lb (104 kg)
Blinn
G
30
Arroyo, Carlos
6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
202 lb (92 kg)
FIU
F
32
Bowen, Ryan
6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
215 lb (98 kg)
Iowa
G/F
29
Cheaney, Calbert
6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
209 lb (95 kg)
Indiana
C
25
Hamilton, Zendon
6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)
250 lb (113 kg)
St. John's
G
10
Hardaway, Tim
6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
175 lb (79 kg)
UTEP
F
1
Harvey, Donnell
6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
220 lb (100 kg)
Florida
F
7
Howard, Juwan
6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
240 lb (109 kg)
Michigan
G
5
Lenard, Voshon
6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
205 lb (93 kg)
Minnesota
F
21
McCloud, George
6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
205 lb (93 kg)
Florida State
F/C
24
McDyess, Antonio
6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
220 lb (100 kg)
Alabama
G/F
41
Posey, James
6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
215 lb (98 kg)
Xavier
G
11
Satterfield, Kenny
6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
186 lb (84 kg)
Cincinnati
F/C
42
Williams, Scott
6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)
230 lb (104 kg)
North Carolina
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
(DP) Unsigned draft pick(FA) Free agent(S) Suspended Injured
Roster
z - clinched division title
y - clinched division title
x - clinched playoff spot
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
—
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(January 2011 )
Player Statistics Citation:[ 14]
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(January 2011 )
^ 2001-02 Denver Nuggets
^ Wise, Mike (October 30, 2001). "PRO BASKETBALL; Jordan Against the New Generation, Lakers Against the World" . The New York Times . Retrieved July 16, 2022 .
^ "Nuggets Waive Isiah Rider" . United Press International . November 20, 2001. Retrieved June 9, 2022 .
^ "PLUS: PRO BASKETBALL; Nuggets Sign Cook, Former St. John's Star" . The New York Times . Associated Press. October 10, 2001. Retrieved October 25, 2022 .
^ "Nuggets' McDyess Has Knee Surgery" . Associated Press . October 12, 2001. Retrieved January 12, 2022 .
^ "PRO BASKETBALL; Issel Apologizes for Slur and Will Miss 4 Games" . The New York Times . Associated Press. December 13, 2001. Retrieved January 12, 2022 .
^ "Nuggets Bench Issel for Outburst" . Los Angeles Times . Associated Press. December 13, 2001. Retrieved June 2, 2022 .
^ "Coach Quits After Slur Controversy" . CBS News . December 27, 2001. Retrieved October 20, 2022 .
^ "Van Exel to Mavericks in Seven-Player Deal" . United Press International . February 21, 2002. Retrieved November 30, 2022 .
^ Broussard, Chris (February 22, 2002). "BASKETBALL; Van Exel and LaFrentz Are Traded to the Mavericks" . The New York Times . Retrieved January 12, 2022 .
^ "Mavericks Get Van Exel, LaFrentz" . Los Angeles Times . Associated Press. February 22, 2002. Retrieved September 12, 2022 .
^ "Van Exel, Howard Are Part of Big Trade" . The Washington Post . February 22, 2002. Retrieved May 5, 2023 .
^ "2001–02 Denver Nuggets Schedule and Results" . Basketball-Reference. Retrieved September 20, 2021 .
^ a b "2001–02 Denver Nuggets Roster and Stats" . Basketball-Reference. Retrieved September 20, 2021 .
^ Broussard, Chris (June 27, 2002). "PRO BASKETBALL; Knicks Get McDyess for Camby and Jackson" . The New York Times . Retrieved January 11, 2022 .
^ "Nuggets Trade McDyess, Get Draft-Day Makeover" . ESPN . Associated Press. June 26, 2002. Retrieved October 25, 2022 .
^ Mathur, Ashish (June 12, 2020). "Raptors: Every Notable Toronto Free-Agent Signing, by Year" . Clutch Points . Retrieved October 25, 2022 .
^ Buckley, Tim (October 28, 2002). "Utah Jazz Season Preview 2002-03" . Deseret News . Retrieved October 25, 2022 .
^ Heisler, Mark (October 28, 2002). "West Capsules in Predicted Order of Finish" . Los Angeles Times . Retrieved October 20, 2022 .