The Grizzlies relocated from Vancouver, British Columbia to Memphis, Tennessee. They played their first seasons at The Pyramid in Memphis.
The Hornets played their final season in Charlotte, before relocating to New Orleans for the following season.
The San Antonio Spurs played their final home game at the Alamodome.
The 2002 NBA All-Star Game was held at First Union Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Kobe Bryant of the Lakers took MVP honors amidst boos from the Philadelphia fans following a 135-120 victory by the West.
Prior to the start of the season, NBA legend Michael Jordan, then part-owner of the Washington Wizards, announced his second comeback to the NBA, this time with the Wizards.
The Dallas Mavericks played their first game at the American Airlines Center, not to be confused with the American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida.
This was the last season that both NBC and TBS televise NBA games.
NBA teams wore patches on their jerseys with the American flag and ribbon, in honor of the victims of the September 11 attacks. The Raptors wore the American and Canadian flags on theirs.
The Toronto Raptors, after losing 17 of 18 to drop to 30-38, win 12 of their last 14 to finish at 42-40 and go to the NBA playoffs with the seventh seed in the East.
The New Jersey Nets, who had never won 50 games in a season and had only been to the second round of the playoffs once, won 52 games and went to their first NBA Finals.
With the Nets appearing in the Finals, the Denver Nuggets remained as the only former ABA team to not reach the Finals.
Former All-Star Jayson Williams was charged with the murder of his limo driver on 14 February 2002. He was immediately fired from his spot on NBC's Verizon Wireless at the Half shortly after appearing on TV during the All-Star Game the previous week.
Marv Albert and Mike Fratello were involved in a limo crash prior to the start of the 2002 Playoffs and were unable to announce for NBC. Marv returned to announce the 2002 Western Conference Finals and NBA Finals.
The 2002 NBA Playoffs featured several controversial last-second shots. During Game 4 of the series between the Charlotte Hornets and Orlando Magic, Baron Davis hit a three-pointer at the buzzer that should have counted, but was waved off. Later, Reggie Miller of the Indiana Pacers was awarded a game-tying three-pointer from half-court against the New Jersey Nets that should not have counted, but was. In the Western Conference Finals between the Sacramento Kings and Los Angeles Lakers, Lakers forward Samaki Walker hit a three-pointer to end the half that should not have counted (the three points would later haunt the Kings as Robert Horry won the game on a last second shot). After the playoffs ended, it was decided that instant replay was needed in the NBA. In addition, the NBA installed red light beams on the backboard to determine the end of the shot clock and/or the game clock.
This season marked the first time the league's scoring leader (in this case Allen Iverson) failed to make the All-NBA First Team.
Final standings[]
Eastern Conference[]
Atlantic Division
Team
W
L
PCT
GB
New Jersey Nets
52
30
.634
-
Boston Celtics
49
33
.598
3
Orlando Magic
44
38
.537
8
Philadelphia 76ers
43
39
.524
9
Washington Wizards
37
45
.451
15
Miami Heat
36
46
.439
16
New York Knicks
30
52
.366
22
Central Division
Team
W
L
PCT
GB
Detroit Pistons
50
32
.610
-
Charlotte Hornets
44
38
.537
6
Toronto Raptors
42
40
.512
8
Indiana Pacers
42
40
.512
8
Milwaukee Bucks
41
41
.500
9
Atlanta Hawks
33
49
.402
17
Cleveland Cavaliers
29
53
.354
21
Chicago Bulls
21
61
.256
29
Western Conference[]
Midwest Division
Team
W
L
PCT
GB
San Antonio Spurs
58
24
.707
-
Dallas Mavericks
57
25
.695
1
Minnesota Timberwolves
50
32
.610
8
Utah Jazz
44
38
.537
14
Houston Rockets
28
54
.341
30
Denver Nuggets
27
55
.329
31
Memphis Grizzlies
23
59
.280
35
Pacific Division
Team
W
L
PCT
GB
Sacramento Kings
61
21
.744
-
Los Angeles Lakers C
58
24
.707
3
Portland Trail Blazers
49
33
.598
12
Seattle SuperSonics
45
37
.549
16
Los Angeles Clippers
39
43
.476
22
Phoenix Suns
36
46
.439
25
Golden State Warriors
21
61
.256
40
C - NBA Champions
Statistics leaders[]
Category
Player
Team
Stat
Points per game
Allen Iverson
Philadelphia 76ers
31.4
Rebounds per game
Ben Wallace
Detroit Pistons
13.0
Assists per game
Andre Miller
Cleveland Cavaliers
10.9
Steals per game
Allen Iverson
Philadelphia 76ers
2.8
Blocks per game
Ben Wallace
Detroit Pistons
3.5
FG%
Shaquille O'Neal
Los Angeles Lakers
57.9
FT%
Reggie Miller
Indiana Pacers
91.1
3FG%
Steve Smith
San Antonio Spurs
47.2
NBA awards[]
Most Valuable Player: Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs
Rookie Of The Year: Pau Gasol, Memphis Grizzlies
Defensive Player Of The Year: Ben Wallace, Detroit Pistons
Sixth Man Of The Year: Corliss Williamson, Detroit Pistons
Most Improved Player: Jermaine O'Neal, Indiana Pacers
Coach Of The Year: Rick Carlisle, Detroit Pistons
Executive of the Year: Rod Thorn, New Jersey Nets
Sportsmanship Award: Steve Smith, San Antonio Spurs
