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2001–02 Los Angeles Lakers season

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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
< 2000–01 2002–03 >

Off-season

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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][9] For the season, they added new logo changed from a lighter purple to a darker purple still remained with the gold and black color. They remained in use as of 2023.

Results

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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.[10] The Lakers finished second in the Pacific Division with a 58–24 record.[11] 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, Pennsylvania,[12][13][14][15][16] but O'Neal did not participate in the All-Star game due to an injury for the second year in a row.[17][18][19][20]

After sweeping the Portland Trail Blazers, 3–0 in the Western Conference First Round of the playoffs,[21][22][23][24] then defeating the 2nd-seeded San Antonio Spurs, 4–1 in the Western Conference Semi-finals,[25][26][27][28] the Lakers were pushed to the brink once more in the Western Conference Finals by the top-seeded Sacramento Kings, trailing 3–2,[29][30][31] but managed to win the series in seven games.[32][33][34][35] 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.[36][37][38][39][40][41] 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.[42][43]

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.[44][45][46][47][48]

Player statistics

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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.[49]

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),[50][51] and Kobe finished in fifth place in MVP voting with 1 first-place vote.[52] Bryant also finished tied in third place in Defensive Player of the Year voting.[53][54]

Aftermath

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Following the season, Richmond retired ending his fourteen-year career in the NBA,[55] and Hunter was traded to the Toronto Raptors.[56][57] The Lakers would not win another title until 2009, in which they defeated the Orlando Magic in five games. As of 2024, the Lakers are the most recent NBA team to have accomplished a three-peat.

Draft picks

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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

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2001–02 Los Angeles Lakers roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB From
G/F 8 Bryant, Kobe 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 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 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
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  •   Injured

Roster
Last transaction: November 24, 2001

Regular season

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Season standings

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Pacific Division
 W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-Sacramento Kings 61 21 .744 – 36–5 25–16 15–9
x-Los Angeles Lakers 58 24 .707 3 34–7 24–17 16–8
x-Portland Trail Blazers 49 33 .598 12 30–11 19–22 14–10
x-Seattle SuperSonics 45 37 .549 16 26–15 19–22 13–11
Los Angeles Clippers 39 43 .476 22 25–16 14–27 9–15
Phoenix Suns 36 46 .439 25 23–18 13–28 12–12
Golden State Warriors 21 61 .256 40 14–27 7–34 5–19
#
Western Conference
Team W L PCT GB
1 z-Sacramento Kings 61 21 .744 –
2 y-San Antonio Spurs 58 24 .707 3
3 x-Los Angeles Lakers 58 24 .707 3
4 x-Dallas Mavericks 57 25 .695 4
5 x-Minnesota Timberwolves 50 32 .610 11
6 x-Portland Trail Blazers 49 33 .598 12
7 x-Seattle SuperSonics 45 37 .549 16
8 x-Utah Jazz 44 38 .537 17
9 Los Angeles Clippers 39 43 .476 22
10 Phoenix Suns 36 46 .439 25
11 Houston Rockets 28 54 .341 33
12 Denver Nuggets 27 55 .329 34
13 Memphis Grizzlies 23 59 .280 38
14 Golden State Warriors 21 61 .256 40

Record vs. opponents

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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 —

Game log

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Pre-season

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2001 preseason game log
Total: 4–4
Preseason
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
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

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2001–02 game log
Total: 58–24 (Home: 34–7; Road: 24–17)
October: 1–0 (home: 1–0; road: 0–0)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
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)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
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)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
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)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
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)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
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)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
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)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
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

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2001–02 game log
Total: 15–4 (Home: 8–2; Road: 7–2)
First round: 3–0 (home: 2–0; road: 1–0)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
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)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
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)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
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)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
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

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Summary

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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) 99 106 106 113 4
New Jersey (East) 94 83 103 107 0

Aspects

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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.[58] The duo appeared on the All-NBA First Team and Bryant was honored with an NBA All-Defensive Second Team selection.[59][60]

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.[61] 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.[62] 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.[61] 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.[63]

With the Princeton offense installed from the coaching staff,[64] 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[59] and All-Defensive Teams[60] 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.[65] 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.[66]

Game One

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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[67]

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.[68] 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 14 22 27 31 94
Los Angeles 29 19 24 27 99

Game Two

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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 21 22 18 22 83
Los Angeles 27 22 28 29 106

Game Three

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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 31 21 26 28 106
New Jersey 23 23 32 25 103

Game Four

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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 27 31 26 29 113
New Jersey 34 23 23 27 107

Player statistics

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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

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Player GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Kobe Bryant 80 80 38.3 .469 .250 .829 5.5 5.5 1.48 .44 25.2
Derek Fisher 70 35 28.2 .411 .413 .847 2.1 2.6 .94 .13 11.2
Rick Fox 82 82 27.9 .421 .313 .824 4.7 3.5 .82 .26 7.9
Devean George 82 1 21.5 .411 .371 .675 3.7 1.4 .87 .51 7.1
Robert Horry 81 23 26.4 .398 .374 .783 5.9 2.9 .95 1.10 6.8
Lindsey Hunter 82 47 19.7 .382 .380 .500 1.5 1.6 .80 .23 5.8
Mark Madsen 59 5 11.0 .452 .000 .648 2.7 .7 .27 .22 2.8
Jelani McCoy 21 0 5.0 .571 .000 .250 1.2 .3 .00 .24 1.2
Slava Medvedenko 71 6 10.3 .477 .000 .661 2.2 .6 .41 .15 4.7
Shaquille O'Neal 67 66 36.1 .579 .000 .555 10.7 3.0 .61 2.04 27.2
Mike Penberthy 3 0 4.0 .500 .000 .750 .7 .7 .67 .00 1.7
Mitch Richmond 64 2 11.1 .405 .290 .955 1.5 .9 .28 .09 4.1
Brian Shaw 58 0 10.9 .353 .330 .692 1.9 1.5 .43 .05 2.9
Samaki Walker 69 63 24.0 .512 .000 .667 7.0 .9 .41 1.28 6.7

Playoffs

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Player GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Kobe Bryant 19 19 43.8 .434 .379 .759 5.8 4.6 1.42 .89 26.6
Derek Fisher 19 19 34.2 .357 .358 .786 3.3 2.7 1.00 .05 10.2
Rick Fox 19 19 34.3 .482 .349 .755 5.4 3.4 1.11 .32 9.8
Devean George 19 0 17.2 .365 .229 .733 3.6 .6 .58 .53 5.0
Robert Horry 19 14 37.0 .449 .387 .789 8.1 3.2 1.74 .84 9.3
Lindsey Hunter 18 0 7.3 .311 .276 .000 .4 .6 .11 .00 2.0
Mark Madsen 7 0 1.4 .000 .000 .000 .3 .0 .00 .00 .0
Slava Medvedenko 7 0 3.0 .600 .000 .000 .6 .0 .00 .00 .9
Shaquille O'Neal 19 19 40.8 .529 .000 .649 12.6 2.8 .53 2.53 28.5
Mitch Richmond 2 0 2.0 1.000 .000 .500 .5 .0 .00 .00 1.5
Brian Shaw 19 0 12.5 .333 .281 1.000 1.8 1.6 .26 .32 2.9
Samaki Walker 19 5 12.6 .462 1.000 .765 4.1 .2 .11 .32 3.3

Award winners

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Legacy

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  • By winning the third straight Finals MVP, Shaquille O'Neal became only the second player to achieve this feat, after Michael Jordan doing it twice in 1991-93 and 1996–98.

Transactions

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References

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