2002–03 Chicago Bulls season

2002–03 Chicago Bulls season
Head coachBill Cartwright
General managerJerry Krause
OwnersJerry Reinsdorf
ArenaUnited Center
Results
Record30–52 (.366)
PlaceDivision: 6th (Central)
Conference: 12th (Eastern)
Playoff finishDid not qualify
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
TelevisionFox Sports Net Chicago, WGN, WCIU
RadioWMVP
< 2001–02 2003–04 >

The 2002–03 NBA season was the Bulls' 37th season in the National Basketball Association.[1] In the 2002 NBA draft, the Bulls selected Jay Williams out of Duke University with the second overall pick.[2][3][4][5] During the off-season, the team signed free agent Donyell Marshall.[6] After a 4–6 start to the season, the Bulls went on a nine-game losing streak between November and December. The Bulls finished sixth in the Central Division with a 30–52 record.[7] They also posted a franchise worst road record of 3–38. Jalen Rose led the team in scoring with 22.1 points per game, while Marshall provided the team with 13.4 points and 9.0 rebounds per game. Williams averaged 9.5 points and 4.7 assists per game, and was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team.[8] Following the season, Williams suffered a career-ending motorcycle accident, while guards Trenton Hassell and Fred Hoiberg both signed as free agents with the Minnesota Timberwolves. (See 2002–03 Chicago Bulls season#Regular season)

Offseason

NBA draft

Main article: 2002 NBA draft
Round Pick Player Position Nationality College / Club Team
1 2 Jay Williams PG  United States Duke
2 31 Roger Mason, Jr. SG  United States Virginia
2 44 Lonny Baxter PF  United States Maryland

Roster

2002–03 Chicago Bulls roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB From
C 11 Bagaric, Dalibor 7 ft 1 in (2.16 m) 255 lb (116 kg) 1980-02-07 Croatia
F/C 35 Baxter, Lonny 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 260 lb (118 kg) 1979-01-27 Maryland
F/C 43 Blount, Corie 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 240 lb (109 kg) 1969-01-04 Cincinnati
G 9 Brunson, Rick 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1972-06-14 Temple
F/C 3 Chandler, Tyson Injured 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 Injured 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 262 lb (119 kg) 1978-08-10 Iowa State
G 44 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 42 Marshall, Donyell Injured 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 218 lb (99 kg) 1973-05-18 Connecticut
G/F 31 Mason, Roger 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 1980-09-10 Virginia
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
G 22 Williams, Jay 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1981-09-10 Duke
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured Injured

Roster
Last transaction: September 18, 2002

Regular season

The Bulls entered the 2002-03 NBA season with an eager sense of anticipation on what the prior year’s moves would become.

Jalen Rose was expected to have a big year in his first full season with the club. The addition of Jay Williams, selected by the Bulls with the second overall pick in 2002 NBA draft, was expected to provide the team with an extra scoring punch. Plus, the team’s two young big men, Tyson Chandler and Eddy Curry, each had a valuable year of pro experience under their belts.

General Manager Jerry Krause had what many considered at the time to be a very successful offseason. Besides Williams, the Bulls also added Roger Mason, Jr. and Lonny Baxter via the draft. Veteran forward Donyell Marshall—signed with the team’s mid-level exception—brought size and versatility to the team, and the shape of a solid squad was beginning to form.

In the end, though, having Rose, Marshall and an abundance of talented youth did not equate to winning games. After starting the season 2–0 for the first time since the 1996–97 campaign, Chicago garnered a franchise-worst 3–38 road record. The Bulls held a 19–game road losing streak from 11/02/02–01/18/03 and the team’s 30–52 record qualified it for a fifth–consecutive NBA Draft Lottery appearance.

The franchise was ready to head in a new direction and the beginning of that movement started with the resignation of long–time executive Jerry Krause on April 7. Krause, then 64, played a major role in building Bulls World Championship teams and was a two–time NBA Executive of the Year.

“Jerry Krause is one of a kind,” Bulls Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf stated. “He brought with him a vision of how to build a champion and he proceeded to create one of the most dominant champions of all time. No basketball fan in America can begin to imagine the World Champion Chicago Bulls without his imprint.”

One week later, the Bulls named John Paxson EVP of Basketball Operations. Paxson had spent the previous seven seasons as a color analyst on both the Bulls Radio and TV networks, providing expert analysis to the broadcasts. He spent one season (1995–96) as Assistant Coach, helping the Bulls to a then NBA-record 72–10 record and the 1996 NBA Finals.

“I am really excited to accept this challenge and look forward to working with the basketball operations staff,” said Paxson. “The Bulls organization has meant a lot to me over the years, and getting the chance to help lead the team back to the upper echelon of the NBA is a true honor.”

Other Notes: Jay Williams authored his first career triple–double, recording season highs of 26 points, 14 rebounds and 13 assists in 45 minutes versus New Jersey (11/9) … Marcus Fizer suffered a torn ACL at Portland on 01/31/03 and was forced to miss the final 36 games of the season … Chicago appeared in a franchise-record nine overtime games (1–8).

Honors: Tyson Chandler (sophomore team) participated in the Schick Rookie Challenge at All-Star Weekend … Jay Williams was named the NBA’s “got milk?” Rookie of the Month for December … Williams (freshman team) also participated in the Schick Rookie Challenge at All-Star Weekend and was named to the got milk? NBA All–Rookie Second Team … Eddy Curry led the league in field goal percentage with .585 shooting from the floor … the Bulls drew an average of 19,617 fans through 41 home games (fifth in the NBA in attendance) and had 20 home crowds of 20,000+ (14–6 record), including 12 sellouts.

Season standings

Central Division
 W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-Detroit Pistons 50 32 .610 – 30–11 20–21 19–9
x-Indiana Pacers 48 34 .585 2 32–9 16–25 19–9
x-New Orleans Hornets 47 35 .573 3 29–12 18–23 17–11
x-Milwaukee Bucks 42 40 .512 8 25–16 17–24 16–12
Atlanta Hawks 35 47 .427 15 26–15 9–32 14–14
Chicago Bulls 30 52 .366 20 27–14 3–38 12–16
Toronto Raptors 24 58 .293 26 15–26 9–32 10–18
Cleveland Cavaliers 17 65 .207 33 14–27 3–38 5–23
#
Eastern Conference
Team W L PCT GB
1 c-Detroit Pistons 50 32 .610 –
2 y-New Jersey Nets 49 33 .598 1
3 x-Indiana Pacers 48 34 .585 2
4 x-Philadelphia 76ers 48 34 .585 2
5 x-New Orleans Hornets 47 35 .573 3
6 x-Boston Celtics 44 38 .537 6
7 x-Milwaukee Bucks 42 40 .512 8
8 x-Orlando Magic 42 40 .512 8
9 New York Knicks 37 45 .451 13
10 Washington Wizards 37 45 .451 13
11 Atlanta Hawks 35 47 .427 15
12 Chicago Bulls 30 52 .366 20
13 Miami Heat 25 57 .305 25
14 Toronto Raptors 24 58 .293 26
15 Cleveland Cavaliers 17 65 .207 33

Record vs. opponents

2002-03 NBA Records
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 —

Player statistics

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

Player GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Dalibor Bagarić 10 0 7.6 .308 .750 2.0 .4 .3 .3 1.9
Lonny Baxter 55 0 12.4 .466 .000 .680 3.0 .3 .2 .4 4.8
Corie Blount 50 3 16.7 .485 .571 4.1 1.0 .7 .4 3.0
Rick Brunson 17 0 11.5 .460 .667 .833 1.1 2.1 .6 .2 3.5
Tyson Chandler 75 68 24.4 .531 .608 6.9 1.0 .5 1.4 9.2
Jamal Crawford 80 31 24.9 .413 .355 .806 2.3 4.2 1.0 .3 10.7
Eddy Curry 81 48 19.4 .585 .624 4.4 .5 .2 .8 10.5
Marcus Fizer 38 0 21.3 .465 .167 .657 5.7 1.3 .4 .4 11.7
Trenton Hassell 82 53 24.4 .367 .325 .745 3.1 1.8 .5 .7 4.2
Fred Hoiberg 63 0 12.4 .389 .238 .820 2.2 1.1 .6 .1 2.3
Donyell Marshall 78 53 30.5 .459 .379 .756 9.0 1.8 1.2 1.1 13.4
Roger Mason Jr. 17 0 6.6 .355 .333 1.000 .7 .7 .2 .0 1.8
Eddie Robinson 64 18 21.2 .492 .214 .810 3.1 1.0 1.0 .2 5.7
Jalen Rose 82 82 40.9 .406 .370 .854 4.3 4.8 .9 .3 22.1
Jay Williams 75 54 26.1 .399 .322 .640 2.6 4.7 1.1 .2 9.5

Awards and records

Transactions

References

  1. ^ "2002-03 Chicago Bulls Roster and Stats | Basketball-Reference.com".
  2. ^ Passan, Jeff (June 27, 2002). "Rockets Select Yao No. 1 Overall in Draft". The Washington Post. Retrieved July 15, 2022.
  3. ^ Povtak, Tim (June 27, 2002). "Foreign Players Make Move". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
  4. ^ "Rockets Make Yao Ming First Overall Pick". ESPN. June 26, 2002. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
  5. ^ "2002 NBA Draft". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
  6. ^ Smith, Sam (October 30, 2002). "Eastern Conference Capsules". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved July 16, 2022.
  7. ^ "2002–03 Chicago Bulls Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
  8. ^ "2002–03 Chicago Bulls Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 14, 2022.

See also