2001–02 Boston Celtics season
| 2001–02 Boston Celtics season | |
|---|---|
| Head coach | Jim O'Brien |
| General manager | Chris Wallace |
| Owner | Paul Gaston |
| Arena | Fleet Center |
| Results | |
| Record | 49–33 (.598) |
| Place | Division: 2nd (Atlantic) Conference: 3rd (Eastern) |
| Playoff finish | Eastern Conference finals (lost to Nets 2–4) |
Stats at Basketball Reference | |
| Local media | |
| Television | Fox Sports Net New England |
| Radio | WWZN |
The 2001–02 Boston Celtics season was the 56th season for the Boston Celtics in the National Basketball Association.[1] The Celtics received the tenth overall pick in the 2001 NBA draft, and selected shooting guard Joe Johnson from the University of Arkansas, and also selected small forward Kedrick Brown out of Okaloosa-Walton Community College with the eleventh overall pick.[2][3][4] During the off-season, the team signed free agent Erick Strickland.[5][6]
The Celtics struggled with a 5–6 start to the regular season, but then won 12 of their next 14 games, and held a 28–21 record at the All-Star break.[7] At mid-season, the team traded Johnson, and Randy Brown to the Phoenix Suns in exchange for Rodney Rogers, and Tony Delk.[8][9][10] The Celtics later on posted a 7-game winning streak in March, and won eight of their final nine games of the season, finishing in second place in the Atlantic Division with a 49–33 record, earning the third seed in the Eastern Conference, and qualifying for the NBA playoffs for the first time since the 1994–95 season.[11][12]
Paul Pierce averaged 26.1 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.9 steals per game, contributed 210 three-point field goals, and was named to the All-NBA Third Team, while Antoine Walker averaged 22.1 points, 8.8 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 1.5 steals per game, along with 222 three-point field goals, and Kenny Anderson provided the team with 9.6 points, 5.3 assists and 1.9 steals per game. In addition, Strickland contributed 7.7 points per game off the bench, while Tony Battie provided with 6.9 points and 6.5 rebounds per game, Eric Williams contributed 6.4 points per game, and Vitaly Potapenko averaged 4.6 points and 4.4 rebounds per game.[13]
During the NBA All-Star weekend at the First Union Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Pierce and Walker were both selected for the 2002 NBA All-Star Game, as members of the Eastern Conference All-Star team; it was Pierce's first ever All-Star appearance.[14][15][16] In addition, Pierce also participated in the NBA Three-Point Shootout,[17][18] while before the mid-season trade, Johnson was selected for the NBA Rookie Challenge Game, as a member of the Rookies team.[19][20]
In the Eastern Conference First Round of the 2002 NBA playoffs, the Celtics faced off against the 6th–seeded Philadelphia 76ers, a team that featured All-Star guard Allen Iverson, All-Star center Dikembe Mutombo, and Derrick Coleman. The Celtics won the first two games over the 76ers at home at the FleetCenter, but then lost the next two games on the road, which included a Game 4 loss to the 76ers at the First Union Center, 83–81. With the series tied at 2–2, the Celtics won Game 5 over the 76ers at the FleetCenter, 120–87 to win in a hard-fought five-game series, and advance to the second round of the NBA playoffs for the first time since the 1991–92 season.[21][22][23]
In the Eastern Conference Semi-finals, the team faced off against the 2nd–seeded, and Central Division champion Detroit Pistons, who were led by All-Star guard Jerry Stackhouse, Clifford Robinson, and Defensive Player of the Year, Ben Wallace. The Celtics lost Game 1 to the Pistons on the road, 96–84 at The Palace of Auburn Hills.[24][25] However, the team managed to win Game 2 on the road, 85–77, and then won the next two games at home, including a Game 4 win over the Pistons at the FleetCenter, 90–79 to take a 3–1 series lead. The Celtics won Game 5 over the Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills, 90–81 to win the series in five games, and advance to the Conference Finals for the first time since the 1987–88 season.[26][27][28]
In the Eastern Conference Finals, the Celtics then faced off against the top–seeded, and Atlantic Division champion New Jersey Nets, who were led by the trio of All-Star guard Jason Kidd, second-year star Kenyon Martin, and Keith Van Horn. The Celtics lost Game 1 to the Nets on the road, 104–97 at the Continental Airlines Arena, but managed to win the next two games, including a Game 3 home win over the Nets at the FleetCenter, 94–90 to take a 2–1 series lead.[29][30] However, the Celtics lost the next three games, including a Game 6 loss to the Nets at the FleetCenter, 96–88, thus losing the series in six games.[31][32][33] The Nets would advance to the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history, but would lose to the 2-time defending NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers in a four-game sweep in the 2002 NBA Finals.[34][35][36]
The Celtics finished 18th in the NBA in home-game attendance, with an attendance of 659,751 at the FleetCenter during the regular season.[13][37] Following the season, Anderson and Potapenko were both traded to the Seattle SuperSonics,[38][39][40] while Rogers signed as a free agent with the New Jersey Nets,[41][42][43] Strickland signed with the Indiana Pacers,[44][45] and Mark Blount signed with the Denver Nuggets.
Draft picks
| Round | Pick | Player | Position | Nationality | College |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 10 | Joe Johnson | SG | United States | Arkansas |
| 1 | 11 | Kedrick Brown | SF/SG | United States | Okaloosa-Walton |
| 1 | 21 | Joseph Forte | SG | United States | North Carolina |
Roster
| Players | Coaches | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Head coach
Assistant(s)
Legend
Roster |
Roster Notes
- Rookie point guard Omar Cook also holds American citizenship, but he represents Montenegro in international play; he was signed by the Celtics on April 16, 2002, but never played for the team.
- Small forward Roshown McLeod was on the injured reserve list due to a nerve ailment in his lower left leg, missed the entire regular season, and never played for the Celtics.[46]
Regular season
Standings
| W | L | PCT | GB | Home | Road | Div | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| y-New Jersey Nets | 52 | 30 | .634 | – | 33–8 | 19–22 | 16–8 |
| x-Boston Celtics | 49 | 33 | .598 | 3 | 27–14 | 22–19 | 17–7 |
| x-Orlando Magic | 44 | 38 | .537 | 8 | 27–14 | 17–24 | 12–12 |
| x-Philadelphia 76ers | 43 | 39 | .524 | 9 | 22–19 | 21–20 | 14–11 |
| e-Washington Wizards | 37 | 45 | .451 | 15 | 22–19 | 15–26 | 12–13 |
| e-Miami Heat | 36 | 46 | .439 | 16 | 18–23 | 18–23 | 10–14 |
| e-New York Knicks | 30 | 52 | .366 | 22 | 19–22 | 11–30 | 4–20 |
| # | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team | W | L | PCT | GB | |
| 1 | c-New Jersey Nets | 52 | 30 | .634 | – |
| 2 | y-Detroit Pistons | 50 | 32 | .610 | 2 |
| 3 | x-Boston Celtics | 49 | 33 | .598 | 3 |
| 4 | x-Charlotte Hornets | 44 | 38 | .537 | 8 |
| 5 | x-Orlando Magic | 44 | 38 | .537 | 8 |
| 6 | x-Philadelphia 76ers | 43 | 39 | .524 | 9 |
| 7 | x-Toronto Raptors | 42 | 40 | .512 | 10 |
| 8 | x-Indiana Pacers | 42 | 40 | .512 | 10 |
| 9 | e-Milwaukee Bucks | 41 | 41 | .500 | 11 |
| 10 | e-Washington Wizards | 37 | 45 | .451 | 15 |
| 11 | e-Miami Heat | 36 | 46 | .439 | 16 |
| 12 | e-Atlanta Hawks | 33 | 49 | .402 | 19 |
| 13 | e-New York Knicks | 30 | 52 | .366 | 22 |
| 14 | e-Cleveland Cavaliers | 29 | 53 | .354 | 23 |
| 15 | e-Chicago Bulls | 21 | 61 | .256 | 31 |
Game log
| 2001-02 game log Total: 49–33 (home: 27–14; road: 22–19) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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October (home: 0-1; road: 1-0)
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November (home: 4-2; road: 2-3)
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December (home: 6-0; road: 5-5)
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January (home: 5-4; road: 3-4)
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February (home: 1-3; road: 4-4)
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March (home: 7-4; road: 4-2)
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April (home: 4-0; road: 3-1)
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| 2001-02 Schedule |
Playoffs
Player statistics
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kenny Anderson | 76 | 76 | 32.0 | .436 | .273 | .742 | 3.6 | 5.3 | 1.9 | .1 | 9.6 |
| Tony Battie | 74 | 73 | 24.6 | .541 | .000 | .677 | 6.5 | .5 | .8 | .9 | 6.9 |
| Mark Blount | 44 | 0 | 9.4 | .421 | .811 | 1.9 | .2 | .4 | .4 | 2.1 | |
| Kedrick Brown | 29 | 5 | 8.4 | .329 | .185 | .600 | 1.7 | .5 | .6 | .2 | 2.2 |
| Randy Brown | 1 | 0 | 6.0 | .000 | .0 | 2.0 | .0 | 1.0 | .0 | ||
| Tony Delk† | 22 | 16 | 25.9 | .349 | .299 | .733 | 3.6 | 2.3 | 1.0 | .3 | 7.4 |
| Joseph Forte | 8 | 0 | 4.9 | .083 | .000 | 1.000 | .8 | .8 | .3 | .0 | .8 |
| Joe Johnson† | 48 | 33 | 20.9 | .439 | .273 | .769 | 2.9 | 1.5 | .7 | .2 | 6.3 |
| Walter McCarty | 56 | 0 | 12.8 | .444 | .394 | .684 | 2.3 | .7 | .3 | .1 | 3.8 |
| Milt Palacio† | 41 | 0 | 12.6 | .385 | .353 | .706 | 1.2 | 1.3 | .5 | .1 | 3.7 |
| Paul Pierce | 82 | 82 | 40.3 | .442 | .404 | .809 | 6.9 | 3.2 | 1.9 | 1.0 | 26.1 |
| Vitaly Potapenko | 79 | 9 | 17.0 | .455 | .742 | 4.4 | .4 | .5 | .2 | 4.6 | |
| Rodney Rogers† | 27 | 1 | 23.2 | .482 | .411 | .700 | 4.0 | 1.5 | .6 | .4 | 10.7 |
| Erick Strickland | 79 | 4 | 20.8 | .389 | .385 | .845 | 2.7 | 2.3 | .7 | .0 | 7.7 |
| Antoine Walker | 81 | 81 | 42.0 | .394 | .344 | .741 | 8.8 | 5.0 | 1.5 | .5 | 22.1 |
| Eric Williams | 74 | 30 | 23.6 | .374 | .279 | .731 | 3.0 | 1.5 | 1.0 | .1 | 6.4 |
Playoffs
| Player | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kenny Anderson | 16 | 16 | 35.0 | .416 | .800 | 3.1 | 4.8 | 1.3 | .0 | 12.0 | |
| Tony Battie | 16 | 16 | 27.7 | .488 | .619 | 7.6 | .8 | .6 | 1.9 | 6.1 | |
| Mark Blount | 4 | 0 | 9.8 | .500 | 1.000 | 1.8 | .3 | .5 | .5 | 1.5 | |
| Kedrick Brown | 2 | 0 | 1.5 | 1.000 | 1.000 | .0 | .0 | .0 | .5 | 2.5 | |
| Tony Delk | 14 | 0 | 16.2 | .354 | .394 | .583 | 2.4 | 1.1 | .6 | .4 | 4.7 |
| Walter McCarty | 14 | 0 | 13.9 | .447 | .167 | .778 | 2.4 | .3 | .3 | .0 | 3.1 |
| Paul Pierce | 16 | 16 | 42.0 | .403 | .288 | .764 | 8.6 | 4.1 | 1.7 | 1.3 | 24.6 |
| Rodney Rogers | 16 | 0 | 24.6 | .426 | .365 | .886 | 5.5 | 2.1 | 1.0 | .4 | 8.9 |
| Erick Strickland | 12 | 0 | 9.8 | .282 | .200 | 1.000 | 1.1 | 1.4 | .4 | .1 | 2.9 |
| Antoine Walker | 16 | 16 | 43.9 | .411 | .385 | .781 | 8.6 | 3.3 | 1.5 | .4 | 22.1 |
| Eric Williams | 16 | 16 | 30.4 | .500 | .467 | .739 | 4.4 | 1.3 | 1.6 | .3 | 7.8 |
- † Denotes player spent time with another team in the season. Stats reflect time with the Celtics only.
Player statistics citation:[13]
Awards and records
- Paul Pierce, All-NBA Third Team
See also
- Reebok Pro Summer League, a summer league hosted by the Celtics
References
- ^ 2001-02 Boston Celtics
- ^ Wise, Mike (June 28, 2001). "Pro Basketball; Three High School Stars Are Among First Four Chosen". The New York Times. Retrieved July 15, 2022.
- ^ Sheridan, Chris (June 28, 2001). "High School Player Tops NBA Draft". Associated Press. Retrieved July 24, 2021.
- ^ "2001 NBA Draft". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
- ^ "Transactions". ESPN. November 1, 2001. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
- ^ "Celtics Sign Strickland". United Press International. November 1, 2001. Retrieved January 11, 2022.
- ^ "NBA Games Played on February 7, 2002". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved September 11, 2022.
- ^ "Report: Celts Acquire F Rogers, G Delk from Suns". ESPN. February 20, 2002. Retrieved October 24, 2024.
- ^ "Boston Acquires Delk, Rogers from Phoenix". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. February 21, 2002. Retrieved October 20, 2022.
- ^ "Celts, Suns Make Trade; Jackson Set to Be Dealt". Deseret News. February 21, 2002. Retrieved July 24, 2021.
- ^ "2001–02 Boston Celtics Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 23, 2021.
- ^ "Boston Celtics". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
- ^ a b c "2001–02 Boston Celtics Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 23, 2021.
- ^ "NBA All-Star Game Rosters". United Press International. February 8, 2002. Retrieved October 23, 2024.
- ^ "2002 NBA All-Star Recap". NBA.com. NBA.com Staff. September 13, 2021. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
- ^ "2002 NBA All-Star Game: West 135, East 120". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved October 16, 2021.
- ^ "Basketball". The Spokesman-Review. February 10, 2002. p. C10. Retrieved October 17, 2025.
- ^ "NBA & ABA All-Star Game Contest Winners". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved October 17, 2025.
- ^ "Rookie Challenge Today". The Daily Gazette. February 9, 2002. p. D3. Retrieved October 17, 2025.
- ^ "2002 NBA Rising Stars: Rookies 103, Sophomores 97". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved October 17, 2025.
- ^ Broussard, Chris (May 4, 2002). "PRO BASKETBALL; Sparked by Pierce's 46, Celtics Return to Glory". The New York Times. Retrieved August 22, 2017.
- ^ Wyche, Steve (May 5, 2002). "The Celtics Pierce the 76ers' Bubble". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 2, 2022.
- ^ "2002 NBA Eastern Conference First Round: 76ers vs. Celtics". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
- ^ "Pistons Just Point to the Defense". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. May 6, 2002. Retrieved October 20, 2022.
- ^ "2002 NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals Game 1: Boston Celtics at Detroit Pistons Box Score, May 5, 2002". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved October 20, 2022.
- ^ "PRO BASKETBALL; Celtics Return to Eastern Finals". The New York Times. Associated Press. May 15, 2002. Retrieved July 24, 2021.
- ^ Lage, Larry (May 15, 2002). "Celtics Rev Up, Eliminate Pistons". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 2, 2022.
- ^ "2002 NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals: Celtics vs. Pistons". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
- ^ Robbins, Liz (May 26, 2002). "PRO BASKETBALL; The Nets Dig a Big Hole for the Celtics, and Then Fall in". The New York Times. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
- ^ Pucin, Diane (May 26, 2002). "Nets Buckle Under to Celtics". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 20, 2022.
- ^ Rhoden, William C. (June 1, 2002). "Sports of the Times; Nets Prove They Are Better Team". The New York Times. Retrieved August 22, 2017.
- ^ Wyche, Steve (June 2, 2002). "New Jersey Fueled by Power of 1". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 2, 2022.
- ^ "2002 NBA Eastern Conference Finals: Celtics vs. Nets". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
- ^ "Lakers Sweep Nets for Another Title". The New York Times. Associated Press. June 13, 2002. Retrieved June 3, 2022.
- ^ Brown, Tim (June 13, 2002). "O'Neal Is a Three-Peat MVP as Lakers Finally Cut Down the Nets". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 3, 2022.
- ^ "2002 NBA Finals: Nets vs. Lakers". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
- ^ "2001–02 NBA Season Summary". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 25, 2026.
- ^ Ford, Chad (July 23, 2002). "Celtics Acquire Baker in Five-Player Deal". ESPN. Retrieved October 24, 2024.
- ^ Broussard, Chris (July 23, 2002). "PRO BASKETBALL; Baker Goes to Boston in a Five-Player Trade". The New York Times. Retrieved July 24, 2021.
- ^ "Baker Traded to the Celtics". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. July 23, 2002. Retrieved October 20, 2022.
- ^ "Nets Sign F Rodney Rogers". United Press International. August 14, 2002. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
- ^ "Kings Get Bigger, Deeper by Adding Clark". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. August 15, 2002. Retrieved October 20, 2022.
- ^ Robbins, Liz (September 27, 2002). "PRO BASKETBALL; Though Nets Got Close, They Have Far to Go". The New York Times. Retrieved December 31, 2021.
- ^ "Stackhouse Goes to Wizards". Los Angeles Times. Staff and Wire Reports. September 12, 2002. Retrieved November 30, 2022.
- ^ "Pacers Ink G Erick Strickland". United Press International. September 11, 2002. Retrieved July 2, 2022.
- ^ "Celtics Activate McLeod". Associated Press. November 14, 2001. Retrieved May 28, 2022.