2002–03 New Jersey Nets season
2002–03 New Jersey Nets season | |
---|---|
Conference Champions | |
Division Champions | |
Head coach | Byron Scott |
Arena | Continental Airlines Arena |
Results | |
Record | 49–33 (.598) |
Place |
Division: 1st (Atlantic) Conference: 2nd (Eastern) |
Playoff finish |
NBA Finals (eliminated 2-4) |
Stats @ Basketball-Reference.com | |
Local media | |
Television | YES Network, WLNY |
Radio | WFAN |
The 2002–03 New Jersey Nets season was the Nets' 36th season in the National Basketball Association (NBA). During the offseason, the Nets acquired All-Star center Dikembe Mutombo from the Philadelphia 76ers and signed free agent Rodney Rogers. However, Mutombo struggled with injuries and only played in just 24 games. The Nets came into the season hoping to improve upon their 52-30 record from the previous season, but they did not, ending the year with a 49-33 record. In the first round of the playoffs, they defeated the Milwaukee Bucks in six games, then swept the Boston Celtics in four straight games in the semifinals, and then defeating Detroit Pistons in another four-game sweep in the Eastern Conference Finals. For the second consecutive year, they made it to the NBA Finals. However, they lost to the San Antonio Spurs in a six-game series. Following the season, Mutombo was released and signed as a free agent with the New York Knicks.
Offseason
On August 1, the Nets re-signed Chris Childs as a free agent. Five days later, the organization traded Todd MacCulloch and F Keith Van Horn to the Philadelphia 76ers for Dikembe Mutombo. On August 14, the Nets signed Rodney Rogers as a free agent. On October 25, they signed Anthony Johnson as a free agent. Their final offseason transaction would come three days later, when they waived Donny Marshall.
Draft picks
Round | Pick | Player | Position | Nationality | School/Club Team |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 24 | Nenad Krstić | C | Serbia and Montenegro | |
2 | 54 | Tamar Slay | SG | United States | Marshall |
Roster
New Jersey Nets roster | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Note
Bold = All-Star selection
Depth chart
Pos. | Starter | Bench | Reserve | Inactive |
---|---|---|---|---|
C | Jason Collins | Dikembe Mutombo | ||
PF | Kenyon Martin | Aaron Williams | Brian Scalabrine | |
SF | Richard Jefferson | Rodney Rogers | Donny Marshall | |
SG | Kerry Kittles | Lucious Harris | Tamar Slay | |
PG | Jason Kidd | Anthony Johnson | Brandon Armstrong |
Regular season
Atlantic Division | W | L | PCT | GB | Home | Road | Div |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
y-New Jersey Nets | 49 | 33 | .598 | – | 33–8 | 16–25 | 16–8 |
x-Philadelphia 76ers | 48 | 34 | .585 | 1 | 25–16 | 23–18 | 17–7 |
x-Boston Celtics | 44 | 38 | .537 | 5 | 25–16 | 19–22 | 13–12 |
x-Orlando Magic | 42 | 40 | .512 | 7 | 26–15 | 16–25 | 14–11 |
Washington Wizards | 37 | 45 | .451 | 12 | 23–18 | 14–27 | 11–13 |
New York Knicks | 37 | 45 | .451 | 12 | 24–17 | 13–28 | 9–15 |
Miami Heat | 25 | 57 | .305 | 24 | 16–25 | 9–32 | 5–19 |
Record vs. opponents
2002-03 NBA Records | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Team | ATL | BOS | CHI | CLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GSW | HOU | IND | LAC | LAL | MEM | MIA | MIL | MIN | NJN | NOH | NYK | ORL | PHI | PHO | POR | SAC | SAS | SEA | TOR | UTA | WAS |
Atlanta | — | 0–3 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–1 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 2–2 |
Boston | 3–0 | — | 2–2 | 4–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 1–2 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 3–2 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–2 | 1–1 | 1–3 |
Chicago | 2–2 | 2–2 | — | 3–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–2 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–1 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–3 |
Cleveland | 0–4 | 0–4 | 1–3 | — | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–2 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 1–2 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 0–4 |
Dallas | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | — | 4–0 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 1–3 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 2–0 |
Denver | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–4 | — | 0–2 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 1–1 |
Detroit | 3–1 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 4–0 | 0–2 | 2–0 | — | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 2–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 3–1 |
Golden State | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 4–0 | 1–1 | — | 1–3 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 2–0 |
Houston | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 4–0 | 0–2 | 3–1 | — | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 1–1 |
Indiana | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | — | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 1–2 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 |
L.A. Clippers | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 0–2 | — | 0–4 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 0–2 |
L.A. Lakers | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 4–0 | — | 4–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 1–1 |
Memphis | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 0–4 | — | 2–0 | 2–0 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 1–1 |
Miami | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–1 | 2–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | — | 1–3 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 4–0 | 0–2 | 1–3 |
Milwaukee | 2–2 | 2–1 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 3–1 | — | 0–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 2–1 |
Minnesota | 2–0 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | — | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 2–0 |
New Jersey | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 2–0 | — | 2–2 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 0–2 | 3–1 |
New Orleans | 2–2 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 | — | 3–1 | 1–3 | 2–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 2–1 |
New York | 3–1 | 0–4 | 1–2 | 2–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | — | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 |
Orlando | 1–2 | 2–3 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 2–2 | — | 2–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 |
Philadelphia | 1–3 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 1–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | — | 0–2 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–0 | 1–1 | 4–0 |
Phoenix | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | — | 3–1 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 1–1 |
Portland | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–3 | — | 1–3 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 1–1 |
Sacramento | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 3–1 | — | 1–3 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–0 |
San Antonio | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 3–1 | — | 3–1 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 1–1 |
Seattle | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 1–3 | — | 2–0 | 2–2 | 1–1 |
Toronto | 3–1 | 2–1 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 0–3 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | — | 0–2 | 3–1 |
Utah | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 2–0 | — | 1–1 |
Washington | 2–2 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 1–2 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 1–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 1–1 | — |
Transactions
Trades
August 6, 2002 | To Philadelphia 76ers Todd MacCulloch Keith Van Horn |
To New Jersey Nets Dikembe Mutombo |
Free agents
Additions | ||
---|---|---|
Player | Date signed | Former team |
Chris Childs | August 1 | Toronto Raptors |
Rodney Rogers | August 14 | Boston Celtics |
Anthony Johnson | October 25 | New Jersey Nets |
Donny Marshall | March 11 | New Jersey Nets |
Subtractions | ||
---|---|---|
Player | Date signed | New Team |
Donny Marshall | October 28 | New Jersey Nets |
Chris Childs | March 7 | none (retired) |
Playoffs
East First Round
(2) New Jersey Nets vs. (7) Milwaukee Bucks Last Playoff Meeting: 1986 Eastern Conference First Round (Milwaukee won 3-0)
Game | Date | Visitor | Score | Home | Score | Record
(MIL-NJN) |
Venue | TV Time | Recap |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | April 19 | Milwaukee | 96 | New Jersey | 109 | 0–1 | Continental Airlines Arena, New Jersey | ESPN 12:30et | Recap |
2 | April 22 | Milwaukee | 88 | New Jersey | 85 | 1–1 | Continental Airlines Arena, New Jersey | TNT 7:00et | Recap |
3 | April 24 | New Jersey | 103 | Milwaukee | 101 | 1–2 | Bradley Center, Milwaukee | TNT 8:30et/7:30ct | Recap |
4* | April 26 | New Jersey | 114 | Milwaukee | 119 | 2–2 | Bradley Center, Milwaukee | TNT 5:00et/4:00ct | Recap |
5 | April 29 | Milwaukee | 82 | New Jersey | 89 | 2–3 | Continental Airlines Arena, New Jersey | TNT 7:00et | Recap |
6 | May 1 | New Jersey | 113 | Milwaukee | 101 | 2–4 | Bradley Center, Milwaukee | TNT 6:00et/5:00ct | Recap |
New Jersey wins series 4–2 |
*Required overtime.
East Conference Semifinals
(2) New Jersey Nets vs. (6) Boston Celtics Last Playoff Meeting: 2002 Eastern Conference Finals (New Jersey won 4-2)
Game | Date | Visitor | Score | Home | Score | Record
(BOS-NJN) |
Venue | TV Time | Recap |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | May 5 | Boston | 93 | New Jersey | 97 | 0–1 | Continental Airlines Arena, New Jersey | TNT 7:00et | Recap |
2 | May 7 | Boston | 95 | New Jersey | 104 | 0–2 | Continental Airlines Arena, New Jersey | TNT 7:00et | Recap |
3 | May 9 | New Jersey | 94 | Boston | 76 | 0–3 | FleetCenter, Boston | TNT 8:00et | Recap |
4** | May 12 | New Jersey | 110 | Boston | 101 | 0–4 | FleetCenter, Boston | TNT 8:00et | Recap |
New Jersey wins series 4–0 |
East Conference Finals
(1) Detroit Pistons vs. (2) New Jersey Nets Last Playoff Meeting: 1985 Eastern Conference First Round (Detroit won 3-0)
Game | Date | Visitor | Score | Home | Score | Record
(NJN-DET) |
Venue | TV Time | Recap |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | May 18 | New Jersey | 76 | Detroit | 74 | 1-0 | The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills | ABC 1:00et | Recap |
2 | May 20 | New Jersey | 88 | Detroit | 86 | 2-0 | The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills | ESPN 8:00et | Recap |
3 | May 22 | Detroit | 85 | New Jersey | 97 | 3-0 | Continental Airlines Arena, New Jersey | ABC 8:00et | Recap |
4 | May 24 | Detroit | 82 | New Jersey | 102 | 4-0 | Continental Airlines Arena, New Jersey | ESPN 8:00et | Recap |
New Jersey wins Eastern Conference Championship series 4–0 |
NBA Finals
(W1) San Antonio Spurs vs. (E2) New Jersey Nets Last Playoff Meeting: 1976 ABA Semifinals (Nets won 4-3; they were based in Uniondale, New York)
Game | Date | Visitor | Score | Home | Score | Record
(NJN-SAS) |
Venue | TV Time | Recap |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | June 4 | New Jersey | 89 | San Antonio | 101 | 0–1 | SBC Center, San Antonio, Texas | ABC 8:00et/7:00ct | Recap |
2 | June 6 | New Jersey | 87 | San Antonio | 85 | 1–1 | SBC Center, San Antonio, Texas | ABC 8:00et/7:00ct | Recap |
3 | June 8 | San Antonio | 84 | New Jersey | 79 | 1–2 | Continental Airlines Arena, East Rutherford, New Jersey | ABC 8:00et/7:00ct | Recap |
4 | June 11 | San Antonio | 76 | New Jersey | 77 | 2–2 | Continental Airlines Arena, East Rutherford, New Jersey | ABC 8:00et/7:00ct | Recap |
5 | June 13 | San Antonio | 93 | New Jersey | 83 | 2–3 | Continental Airlines Arena, East Rutherford, New Jersey | ABC 8:00et/7:00ct | Recap |
6 | June 15 | New Jersey | 77 | San Antonio | 88 | 2–4 | SBC Center, San Antonio, Texas | ABC 8:00et/7:00ct | Recap |
San Antonio wins NBA Championship series 4–2 |