2002–03 New York Knicks season

The 2002–03 New York Knicks season was the 57th season for the Knicks in the National Basketball Association. After missing the playoffs for the first time in 15 years,[1] the Knicks received the seventh pick in the 2002 NBA draft, and selected Brazilian Nenê Hilario,[2][3] who was soon traded to the Denver Nuggets in exchange for Antonio McDyess.[4][5] However, the team's hopes for a rebound season took a hit before the start of the season, as McDyess needed knee surgery and was lost for the entire season.[6][7][8] Meanwhile, Latrell Sprewell showed up to training camp with a broken hand, and was fined $250,000.[9][10][11]

2002–03 New York Knicks season
Head coachDon Chaney
General managerScott Layden
OwnersCablevision
ArenaMadison Square Garden
Results
Record37–45 (.451)
PlaceDivision: 6th (Atlantic)
Conference: 10th (Eastern)
Playoff finishDid not qualify

Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
TelevisionMSG Network
RadioWFAN
< 2001–02 2003–04 >

In Don Chaney's first full season as head coach, the Knicks lost ten of their first twelve games, held a 21–27 record at the All-Star break, and missed the NBA Playoffs for the second straight year,[1][12][13] finishing tied for fifth in the Atlantic Division with a 37–45 record, which was a 7-game improvement over their previous season.[1][14] Allan Houston led the team in scoring, averaging 22.5 points per game, while Sprewell averaged 16.4 points, 4.5 assists and 1.4 steals per game, and Kurt Thomas provided the team with 14.0 points and 7.9 rebounds per game. In addition, Howard Eisley contributed 9.1 points and 5.4 assists per game, while Shandon Anderson added 8.4 points per game off the bench, and Othella Harrington averaged 7.7 points and 6.4 rebounds per game.[14] Following the season, Sprewell was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves.[15][16][17]

On February 4, 2003, in a game against the Los Angeles Clippers, Sprewell scored 38 points and made each of his nine three-point field goal attempts. His performance set an NBA single-game record for the most three-pointers made without missing a three-point attempt.[18][19][20]

NBA draft edit

Round Pick Player Position Nationality School/Club Team
1 7 Nenê Hilario PF   Brazil Vasco da Gama {Brazil)
2 36 Miloš Vujanić G   Yugoslavia Partizan Belgrade

Roster edit

2002–03 New York Knicks roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB From
G/F 49 Anderson, Shandon 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 208 lb (94 kg) 1973–12–31 Georgia
C 51 Doleac, Michael 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 262 lb (119 kg) 1977–06–15 Utah
G 4 Eisley, Howard 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 177 lb (80 kg) 1972–12–04 Boston College
F/C 32 Harrington, Othella   6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 235 lb (107 kg) 1974–01–31 Georgetown
G 20 Houston, Allan 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 1971–04–20 Tennessee
C 44 Knight, Travis 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 235 lb (107 kg) 1974–09–13 Connecticut
F 34 McDyess, Antonio   (IN) 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1974–09–07 Alabama
F 54 Nailon, Lee 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 238 lb (108 kg) 1975–02–22 TCU
G 7 Postell, Lavor 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1978–02–26 St. John's
G/F 8 Sprewell, Latrell 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1970–09–08 Alabama
F/C 40 Thomas, Kurt 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 230 lb (104 kg) 1972–10–04 TCU
G 21 Ward, Charlie 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1970–10–12 Florida State
F 35 Weatherspoon, Clarence 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 240 lb (109 kg) 1970–09–08 Southern Miss
G 30 Williams, Frank 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 212 lb (96 kg) 1980–02–25 Illinois
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)

Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • (IN) Inactive
  •   Injured

Roster
Last transaction: October 30, 2002

Roster notes edit

Regular season edit

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
#
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 edit

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 stats 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

Regular season edit

Awards and records edit

Transactions edit

Trades edit

August 2, 2002
To New York Knicks To Denver Nuggets

Free agents edit

Additions
Player Date signed Former team
Michael Doleac August 7 Cleveland Cavaliers
Mark Pope September 30 Milwaukee Bucks
Lee Nailon October 30 Charlotte Hornets

Source:[21]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c "New York Knickerbockers Franchise Index". Basketball-Reference. Archived from the original on January 6, 2010. Retrieved February 14, 2010.
  2. ^ Povtak, Tim (June 27, 2002). "Foreign Players Make Move". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
  3. ^ "2002 NBA Draft". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved October 14, 2021.
  4. ^ Broussard, Chris (June 27, 2002). "Pro Basketball; Knicks Get McDyess for Camby and Jackson". The New York Times. Retrieved June 12, 2022.
  5. ^ Ford, Chad (June 27, 2002). "Knicks blockbuster may be the tip of iceberg". ESPN. Retrieved October 14, 2021.
  6. ^ Broussard, Chris (October 14, 2002). "Pro Basketball; McDyess's Knee Injury Buckles the Knicks". The New York Times. Retrieved June 12, 2022.
  7. ^ a b Isola, Frank (October 14, 2002). "Bad Break for Knicks' Season: Knee Fractured, McDyess Is Gone". New York Daily News. Retrieved February 27, 2016.
  8. ^ Smith, Sam (October 30, 2002). "Eastern Conference Capsules". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved July 16, 2022.
  9. ^ Broussard, Chris (October 7, 2002). "Pro Basketball; Sprewell Situation Hangs Over Knicks". The New York Times. Retrieved November 28, 2022.
  10. ^ Hack, Damon (October 7, 2002). "Knicks Fine Sprewell $250,000". The New York Times. Retrieved November 28, 2022.
  11. ^ Hack, Damon; Broussard, Chris (October 8, 2002). "Pro Basketball; Knicks Fine Sprewell $250,000 and Say Stay Away". The New York Times. Retrieved September 9, 2016.
  12. ^ "NBA Games Played on February 6, 2003". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved September 13, 2022.
  13. ^ "2002–03 New York Knicks Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved March 28, 2017.
  14. ^ a b "2002–03 New York Knicks Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved October 14, 2021.
  15. ^ Robbins, Liz (July 24, 2003). "Pro Basketball; It's a Done Deal: Exit Sprewell, Enter Van Horn". The New York Times. Retrieved June 12, 2022.
  16. ^ "Sprewell Is Part of 4-Team Trade". Los Angeles Times. Times Wire Services. July 24, 2003. Retrieved July 15, 2022.
  17. ^ Isola, Frank (July 24, 2003). "Knicks Send Sprewell Packing: Trade Nets Van Horn". New York Daily News. Retrieved April 8, 2016.
  18. ^ Broussard, Chris (February 5, 2003). "Basketball; Sprewell Sinks 9 of 9 3-Pointers, a Record". The New York Times. Retrieved August 17, 2017.
  19. ^ Teaford, Elliott (February 5, 2003). "Sprewell Pours It on Clippers". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 28, 2022.
  20. ^ "Sprewell: 9 of 9 from 3-Point Line". The Washington Post. February 5, 2003. Retrieved November 28, 2022.
  21. ^ "2002–03 New York Knicks Transactions". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved July 31, 2021.