2001–02 Seattle SuperSonics season

2001–02 Seattle SuperSonics season
Head coachNate McMillan
General managerRick Sund
OwnersHoward Schultz
ArenaKeyArena
Results
Record45–37 (.549)
PlaceDivision: 4th (Pacific)
Conference: 7th (Western)
Playoff finishWest First Round
(lost to Spurs 2–3)

Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
TelevisionKING-TV
KONG
Fox Sports Net Northwest
RadioKJR
< 2000–01 2002–03 >

The 2001–02 NBA season was the 35th season for the Seattle SuperSonics in the National Basketball Association.[1] During the off-season, the Sonics signed free agents Calvin Booth,[2][3] and Jerome James.[4][5] Heading into Nate McMillan's first full season as head coach, the Sonics struggled losing five of their first seven games, and held a 9–14 start to the season. However, they won 14 of their next 20 games and played above .500 for the remainder of the season, holding a 25–23 record at the All-Star break,[6] but lost six of their final eight games, finishing fourth in the Pacific Division with a 45–37 record, which was only a one-game improvement over the previous season where they missed the playoffs.[7]

Gary Payton averaged 22.1 points, 9.0 assists and 1.6 steals per game, and was named to the All-NBA Second Team, NBA All-Defensive First Team, and was selected for the 2002 NBA All-Star Game.[8][9][10][11][12] In addition, Rashard Lewis averaged 16.8 points and 7.0 rebounds per game, while Brent Barry provided the team with 14.4 points per game, Vin Baker contributed 14.1 points and 6.4 rebounds per game, but only played 55 games due to a shoulder injury,[13][14][15] second-year forward Desmond Mason provided with 12.4 points per game off the bench, and top draft pick Vladimir Radmanovic was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team.[16] Payton also finished in sixth place in Most Valuable Player voting.[17]

However, their season would end quickly as the Sonics lost in five games in the Western Conference First Round of the playoffs to the San Antonio Spurs led by Tim Duncan, who was MVP following the season.[18][19][20][21] This season was also Payton's final full season in Seattle, as he was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks midway through next season.[22][23][24][25] Also following the season, Baker and Shammond Williams were both traded to the Boston Celtics,[26][27][28][29] and second round draft pick Earl Watson signed as a free agent with the Memphis Grizzlies.[30][31]

For the season, the Sonics changed their primary logo,[32] and added new uniforms,[33][34] going back to their traditional color scheme of emerald green and yellow. The logo and uniforms both remained in use until 2008.

Draft picks

[edit]
Round Pick Player Position Nationality College
1 12 Vladimir Radmanovic SF/PF  Yugoslavia
2 39 Earl Watson PG  United States UCLA
2 41 Bobby Simmons SF/PF  United States DePaul

Roster

[edit]
2001–02 Seattle SuperSonics roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB From
F/C 42 Baker, Vin 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 232 lb (105 kg) 1971–11–23 Hartford
G/F 31 Barry, Brent 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1971–12–31 Oregon State
F/C 52 Booth, Calvin Injured 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 230 lb (104 kg) 1976–05–07 Penn State
F/C 14 Drobnjak, Predrag 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 270 lb (122 kg) 1975–10–27 FR Yugoslavia
C 33 James, Jerome 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 300 lb (136 kg) 1975–11–17 Florida A&M
F 7 Lewis, Rashard 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 235 lb (107 kg) 1979–08–08 Alief Elsik HS (TX)
G 9 Livingston, Randy 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 209 lb (95 kg) 1975–04–02 LSU
F 35 Long, Art Injured 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 250 lb (113 kg) 1972–10–01 Cincinnati
G/F 24 Mason, Desmond 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 224 lb (102 kg) 1977–10–11 Oklahoma State
C 00 Oyedeji, Olumide 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 240 lb (109 kg) 1981–05–11 Nigeria
G 20 Payton, Gary 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1968–07–23 Oregon State
F 77 Radmanović, Vladimir 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 227 lb (103 kg) 1980–11–19 FR Yugoslavia
F 45 Sesay, Ansu 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1976–07–29 Mississippi
G 25 Watson, Earl 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1979–06–12 UCLA
G 1 Williams, Shammond 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 201 lb (91 kg) 1975–04–05 North Carolina
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)

Legend
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured Injured

Roster

Roster Notes

[edit]
  • Point Guard Shammond Williams holds American and Georgian dual citizenship. He was born in the United States but he later played on the Georgian national team.

Regular season

[edit]

Season standings

[edit]
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
#
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
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

Game log

[edit]

Playoffs

[edit]
2002 playoff game log
First round: 2–3 (home: 1–1; road: 1–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Series
1 April 20 @ San Antonio L 89–110 Vin Baker (22) Vin Baker (7) four players tied (2) Alamodome
23,634
0–1
2 April 22 @ San Antonio W 98–90 Gary Payton (21) Gary Payton (11) Gary Payton (5) Alamodome
23,059
1–1
3 April 27 San Antonio L 75–102 Gary Payton (20) Brent Barry (8) Gary Payton (6) KeyArena
17,072
1–2
4 May 1 San Antonio W 91–79 Gary Payton (28) Gary Payton (12) Gary Payton (11) KeyArena
17,072
2–2
5 May 3 @ San Antonio L 78–101 Gary Payton (23) Gary Payton (9) Gary Payton (5) Alamodome
23,369
2–3
2002 schedule

Player statistics

[edit]
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

[edit]
Player GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Gary Payton 82 82 40.3 .467 .314 .797 4.8 9.0 1.6 0.3 22.1
Brent Barry 81 81 37.5 .508 .424 .846 5.4 5.3 1.8 0.5 14.4
Rashard Lewis 71 70 36.4 .468 .389 .810 7.0 1.7 1.5 0.6 16.8
Desmond Mason 75 20 32.3 .464 .271 .848 4.7 1.4 0.9 0.4 12.4
Vin Baker 55 41 31.1 .485 .125 .633 6.4 1.3 0.4 0.7 14.1
Vladimir Radmanovic 61 16 20.2 .412 .420 .681 3.8 1.3 0.9 0.4 6.7
Calvin Booth 15 15 18.6 .427 .958 3.6 1.1 0.4 0.9 6.2
Predrag Drobnjak 64 12 18.3 .461 .000 .753 3.4 0.8 0.3 0.5 6.8
Jerome James 56 40 16.9 .491 .500 4.1 0.4 0.4 1.5 5.3
Ansu Sesay 9 0 15.8 .500 .700 2.2 0.9 0.3 0.2 6.4
Art Long 63 27 15.7 .492 .529 4.0 0.7 0.3 0.4 4.5
Earl Watson 64 0 15.1 .453 .364 .639 1.3 2.0 0.9 0.1 3.6
Randy Livingston 13 0 13.5 .278 .125 .909 1.9 2.0 0.7 0.2 3.2
Shammond Williams 50 2 12.1 .420 .373 .795 1.3 1.7 0.4 0.0 4.4
Antonio Harvey 5 3 9.4 .333 .500 1.8 1.0 0.2 0.6 1.8
Olumide Oyedeji 36 1 6.1 .537 .611 2.2 0.1 0.1 0.1 1.5

Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table Generated 2/17/2017.

Playoffs

[edit]
Player GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Gary Payton 5 5 41.4 .425 .267 .586 8.6 5.8 0.6 0.4 22.2
Desmond Mason 5 5 41.0 .421 .333 .588 6.2 1.8 0.8 0.4 11.8
Brent Barry 5 5 29.8 .412 .438 1.000 4.6 2.8 0.6 0.8 7.8
Vin Baker 5 4 28.8 .500 1.000 .778 5.0 0.8 0.6 1.2 13.2
Rashard Lewis 3 2 26.3 .375 .167 1.000 3.7 0.7 0.3 0.0 12.7
Vladimir Radmanovic 5 2 22.6 .438 .538 1.000 3.6 1.0 0.2 0.2 7.6
Randy Livingston 5 0 16.0 .412 .333 1.000 1.2 2.0 0.4 0.0 4.0
Ansu Sesay 4 0 15.0 .375 1.000 3.5 1.0 0.0 1.0 1.8
Jerome James 5 1 14.0 .391 .000 2.4 0.8 0.0 1.0 3.6
Predrag Drobnjak 3 1 12.7 .333 .500 2.7 0.7 0.3 0.0 3.3
Shammond Williams 3 0 12.7 .429 .500 .667 1.3 1.0 0.7 0.0 5.3
Olumide Oyedeji 3 0 5.7 .800 .200 2.0 0.3 0.0 0.0 3.0

Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table Generated 2/17/2017.

Awards and records

[edit]

Transactions

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "2001-02 Seattle SuperSonics". Basketball-reference.com. Retrieved 2012-06-11.
  2. ^ "Mavericks' Backup Set to Replace Departed Ewing". ESPN. Associated Press. July 31, 2001. Retrieved October 25, 2022.
  3. ^ Wise, Mike (October 30, 2001). "PRO BASKETBALL; Jordan Against the New Generation, Lakers Against the World". The New York Times. Retrieved July 16, 2022.
  4. ^ "Transactions". The Victoria Advocate. September 6, 2001. p. 4B. Retrieved October 26, 2024.
  5. ^ Carpenter, Les (April 26, 2002). "A Player's Tale: the Strange Path of Jerome James". The Seattle Times. Retrieved October 17, 2021.
  6. ^ "NBA Games Played on February 7, 2002". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved September 11, 2022.
  7. ^ "2001–02 Seattle SuperSonics Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 26, 2021.
  8. ^ "Sports Digest". The Southeast Missourian. January 30, 2002. p. 2B. Retrieved October 23, 2024.
  9. ^ "NBA All-Star Game Rosters". United Press International. February 8, 2002. Retrieved October 23, 2024.
  10. ^ "2002 NBA All-Star Recap". NBA.com. NBA.com Staff. September 13, 2021. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
  11. ^ "2002 All-Star Weekend - at Philadelphia: February 8-10". Eskimo North. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
  12. ^ "2002 NBA All-Star Game: West 135, East 120". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved November 28, 2021.
  13. ^ Cour, Jim (January 27, 2002). "Sonics Baker in Doubt on Sore Shoulder". Midland Reporter-Telegram. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
  14. ^ "Hoping for Fast Recovery, Baker Can't Raise Arm". ESPN. Associated Press. January 28, 2002. Retrieved October 24, 2022.
  15. ^ "Jazz Beats the Heat to End Losing Streak". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. January 29, 2002. Retrieved October 24, 2022.
  16. ^ "2001–02 Seattle SuperSonics Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 26, 2021.
  17. ^ "2001–02 NBA Awards Voting". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 11, 2022.
  18. ^ "N.B.A.: ROUNDUP; Spurs Ride Duncan's 23 to Advance". The New York Times. Associated Press. May 4, 2002. Retrieved July 24, 2021.
  19. ^ Adande, J.A. (May 4, 2002). "Duncan's Presence No Minor Difference". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 2, 2022.
  20. ^ "Duncan Returns, Spurs Advance". The Washington Post. May 4, 2002. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
  21. ^ "2002 NBA Western Conference First Round: SuperSonics vs. Spurs". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
  22. ^ "Gary Payton Traded for Ray Allen". United Press International. February 20, 2003. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
  23. ^ Popper, Steve (February 21, 2003). "PRO BASKETBALL; Sonics Deal Payton to Bucks for Allen". The New York Times. Retrieved June 12, 2022.
  24. ^ Heisler, Mark (February 21, 2003). "Losses Will Fit Seattle Like a Glove". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 12, 2022.
  25. ^ Nichols, Rachel (February 21, 2003). "Sonics Trade Payton to Bucks". The Washington Post. Retrieved July 2, 2022.
  26. ^ Ford, Chad (July 23, 2002). "Celtics Acquire Baker in Five-Player Deal". ESPN. Retrieved October 24, 2024.
  27. ^ Broussard, Chris (July 23, 2002). "PRO BASKETBALL; Baker Goes to Boston in a Five-Player Trade". The New York Times. Retrieved July 24, 2021.
  28. ^ "Baker Traded to the Celtics". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. July 23, 2002. Retrieved October 20, 2022.
  29. ^ "Celts Get Sonics' Baker in 5-Player Deal". Chicago Tribune. July 23, 2002. Retrieved November 30, 2022.
  30. ^ "G Earl Watson Officially Joins Memphis". United Press International. August 7, 2002. Retrieved October 20, 2022.
  31. ^ Hughes, Frank (September 12, 2002). "West's Shrewd Moves Make Him Best G.M." ESPN. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
  32. ^ "Seattle Supersonics Logo". Chris Creamer's Sports Logos Page - SportsLogos.Net. Retrieved November 24, 2021.
  33. ^ "Seattle SuperSonics Uniform". Chris Creamer's Sports Logos Page - SportsLogos.Net. Retrieved November 24, 2021.
  34. ^ "Seattle SuperSonics Uniform". Chris Creamer's Sports Logos Page - SportsLogos.Net. Retrieved November 24, 2021.

See also

[edit]