2002–03 Detroit Pistons season explained

The 2002–03 NBA season was the Pistons' 62nd season as a franchise, the 55th in the National Basketball Association, and the 46th in the Detroit area.[1] During the off-season, the Pistons acquired Richard Hamilton from the Washington Wizards,[2] [3] [4] and signed free agent Chauncey Billups.[5] [6] With the acquisitions of Hamilton and Billups, the Pistons got off to a solid start winning 12 of their first 16 games, and held a 32–15 record at the All-Star break.[7] However, the team suffered a 7-game losing streak between February and March, but managed to finish first place in the Eastern Conference with a 50–32 record, which tied the 1977 Philadelphia 76ers for the worst record by a number one-seeded team in the history of the league.[8] The Pistons were the only team in the Eastern Conference with 50 or more wins this season.

Ben Wallace averaged 6.9 points, 15.4 rebounds and 3.2 blocks per game, and was voted to play in the 2003 NBA All-Star Game for the first time in his career.[9] He also won the Defensive Player of the Year Award for the second year in a row,[10] [11] and was named to the All-NBA Second Team, and NBA All-Defensive First Team, and also finished in eighth place in Most Valuable Player voting.[12] In addition, Hamilton led the team in scoring averaging 19.7 points per game, while Billups provided them with 16.2 points and 3.9 assists per game, Clifford Robinson contributed 12.2 points per game, and sixth man Corliss Williamson provided with 12.0 points and 4.4 rebounds per game off the bench.[13]

In the Eastern Conference First Round of the playoffs, the Pistons faced elimination trailing 3–1 to the 8th-seeded Orlando Magic,[14] [15] but managed to win the next three games, thus the series.[16] [17] [18] In the Eastern Conference Semi-finals, the Pistons defeated Allen Iverson and the Philadelphia 76ers in six games, and were a serious title contender, reaching the Eastern Conference finals for the first time since 1991.[19] [20] [21] Instead, they had their season ended with a sweep to the 2nd-seeded New Jersey Nets in four straight Eastern Conference Final games.[22] [23] [24] The Nets would reach the Finals for the second consecutive year, but would lose in six games to the San Antonio Spurs.[25] [26] [27]

Following the season, Pistons head coach Rick Carlisle was fired after just two seasons with the team and was replaced by Larry Brown, who had resigned from the 76ers' head coaching position on Memorial Day.[28] [29] Carlisle would go on to coach the Indiana Pacers as he replaced Isiah Thomas, who was fired after failing to reach the second round for three consecutive seasons in the playoffs.[30] Also following the season, Robinson was traded to the Golden State Warriors,[31] [32] while three-point specialist Jon Barry signed as a free agent with the Denver Nuggets,[33] and Michael Curry was dealt to the Toronto Raptors.

Draft picks

See main article: 2002 NBA draft.

Regular season

Season standings

z – clinched division title

y – clinched division title

x – clinched playoff spot

Record vs. opponents

2002-03 NBA Records
width=100TeamATLBOSCHICLEDALDENDETGSWHOUINDLACLALMEMMIAMILMINNJNNOHNYKORLPHIPHOPORSACSASSEATORUTAWAS
— 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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. Lakers1–1 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Washington2–2 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 —

Game log

Playoffs

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 1| April 20| Orlando| L 94–99| Richard Hamilton (28)| Ben Wallace (13)| Chauncey Billups (8)| The Palace of Auburn Hills
21,261| 0–1|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 2| April 23| Orlando| W 89–77| Richard Hamilton (30)| Ben Wallace (16)| Richard Hamilton (5)| The Palace of Auburn Hills
22,076| 1–1|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 3| April 25| @ Orlando| L 80–89| Richard Hamilton (22)| Ben Wallace (22)| Chauncey Billups (5)| TD Waterhouse Centre
17,283| 1–2|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 4| April 27| @ Orlando| L 92–100| Chauncey Billups (25)| Ben Wallace (24)| Barry, Billups (3)| TD Waterhouse Centre
17,283| 1–3|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 5| April 30| Orlando| W 98–67| Richard Hamilton (24)| Ben Wallace (21)| Billups, Robinson (4)| The Palace of Auburn Hills
22,076| 2–3|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 6| May 2| @ Orlando| W 103–88| Chauncey Billups (40)| Ben Wallace (17)| Chauncey Billups (4)| TD Waterhouse Centre
16,909| 3–3|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 7| May 4| Orlando| W 108–93| Chauncey Billups (37)| Ben Wallace (12)| Michael Curry (6)| The Palace of Auburn Hills
22,076| 4–3|-|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 1| May 6| Philadelphia| W 98–87| Richard Hamilton (25)| Ben Wallace (12)| Billups, Robinson (4)| The Palace of Auburn Hills
22,076| 1–0|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 2| May 8| Philadelphia| W 104–97 (OT)| Atkins, Hamilton (23)| Ben Wallace (15)| Richard Hamilton (6)| The Palace of Auburn Hills
22,076| 2–0|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 3| May 10| @ Philadelphia| L 83–93| Richard Hamilton (24)| Mehmet Okur (10)| Billups, Robinson (4)| First Union Center
20,743| 2–1|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 4| May 11| @ Philadelphia| L 82–95| Richard Hamilton (30)| Ben Wallace (15)| three players tied (3)| First Union Center
20,549| 2–2|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 5| May 14| Philadelphia| W 78–77| Richard Hamilton (20)| Ben Wallace (17)| Atkins, Hamilton (5)| The Palace of Auburn Hills
22,076| 3–2|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 6| May 16| @ Philadelphia| W 93–89 (OT)| Chauncey Billups (28)| Ben Wallace (18)| Chauncey Billups (5)| First Union Center
20,888| 4–2|-|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 1| May 18| New Jersey| L 74–76| Richard Hamilton (24)| Ben Wallace (22)| Chauncey Billups (6)| The Palace of Auburn Hills
22,076| 0–1|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 2| May 20| New Jersey| L 86–88| Richard Hamilton (24)| Ben Wallace (19)| Chauncey Billups (10)| The Palace of Auburn Hills
22,076| 0–2|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 3| May 22| @ New Jersey| L 85–97| Richard Hamilton (21)| Ben Wallace (15)| five players tied (3)| Continental Airlines Arena
19,923| 0–3|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 4| May 24| @ New Jersey| L 82–102| Clifford Robinson (21)| Ben Wallace (13)| Chauncey Billups (6)| Continental Airlines Arena
19,923| 0–4|-

Player statistics

Season

PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
65721.5.361.355.8161.52.70.40.17.1
80018.4.450.407.8602.32.60.80.26.9
747431.4.421.392.8783.73.90.90.216.2
787719.9.402.296.8001.61.30.60.13.0
4317.6.392.333.8330.80.70.10.01.8
828232.2.443.269.8333.92.50.80.219.7
1306.8.406.375.8331.40.50.70.22.6
72919.0.426.339.7734.71.00.30.56.9
42510.4.449.426.6471.10.60.20.33.3
301216.3.552----.7923.10.30.20.66.6
1010.0.000---.5000.00.00.00.01.0
816934.9.398.336.6763.93.31.11.112.2
904.1.000-------0.70.90.60.00.0
737339.4.481.167.45015.41.61.43.26.9
82125.1.453.182.7904.41.30.50.312.0

Playoffs

PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
17 3 18.4 .352 .367 .808 1.2 1.5 1.0 .0 6.1
14 0 12.3 .426 .455 1.000 1.7 1.4 .6 .1 5.0
14 14 34.6 .374 .310 .933 3.4 4.7 .6 .1 18.0
15 14 18.3 .364 .333 .857 1.1 1.1 .5 .1 2.7
17 17 38.8 .442 .333 .906 3.9 2.6 .8 .1 22.5
4 0 3.5 .333 .000 .8 .0 .0 .3 .5
17 0 19.0 .438 .538 .531 4.1 .8 .7 .7 5.5
15 3 25.5 .426 .292 .763 3.8 1.5 .5 .9 9.4
4 0 7.3 .353 .714 1.3 .0 .0 .0 4.3
17 17 30.9 .358 .373 .595 2.7 2.9 .9 .8 9.3
17 17 42.5 .486 .000 .446 16.3 1.6 2.5 3.1 8.9
15 0 15.5 .411 .741 2.2 1.0 .3 .2 7.8

Awards and records

Transactions

Trades

September 11, 2002To Washington Wizards
Brian Cardinal
Jerry Stackhouse
Ratko Varda
To Detroit Pistons
Hubert Davis
Richard Hamilton
Bobby Simmons
October 1, 2002To Denver Nuggets
Rodney White
To Detroit Pistons
Mengke Bateer
Don Reid
2004 first-round pick
October 3, 2002To San Antonio Spurs
Mengke Bateer
To Detroit Pistons
2003 second-round pick

Free agents

Additions
PlayerDate signedFormer team
Chauncey BillupsJuly 17Minnesota Timberwolves
Pepe SánchezOctober 10Panathinaikos
Danny ManningFebruary 5Dallas Mavericks
Subtractions
PlayerDate signedNew Team
Mikki MooreAugust 5Boston Celtics
Bobby SimmonsSeptember 24Washington Wizards

Player Transactions Citation:[34]

See also

Notes and References

  1. https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/DET/2003.html 2002-03 Detroit Pistons
  2. News: PLUS: PRO BASKETBALL; Pistons' Stackhouse Traded to Wizards . The New York Times . September 12, 2002 . January 13, 2022.
  3. News: Staff and Wire Reports . Stackhouse Goes to Wizards . Los Angeles Times . September 12, 2002 . November 30, 2022.
  4. News: Wyche . Steve . Wizards Get Stackhouse from Detroit . The Washington Post . September 12, 2002 . July 15, 2022.
  5. News: Associated Press . PLUS: PRO BASKETBALL; Pistons Sign Billups, But Not to Start . The New York Times . July 18, 2002 . August 24, 2017.
  6. News: Smith . Sam . Eastern Conference Capsules . Chicago Tribune . October 30, 2002 . June 9, 2022.
  7. News: NBA Games Played on February 6, 2003 . Basketball-Reference . September 13, 2022.
  8. Web site: 2002–03 Detroit Pistons Schedule and Results. Basketball-Reference. July 30, 2021.
  9. News: 2003 NBA All-Star Game: West 155, East 145 (2OT) . Basketball-Reference . January 13, 2022.
  10. News: Associated Press . Wallace Chosen Best Defender . Los Angeles Times . April 24, 2003 . September 13, 2022.
  11. News: NBA & ABA Defensive Player of the Year Award Winners . Basketball-Reference . November 29, 2022.
  12. News: 2002–03 NBA Awards Voting . Basketball-Reference . February 2, 2022.
  13. Web site: 2002–03 Detroit Pistons Roster and Stats. Basketball-Reference. July 30, 2021.
  14. News: Nobles . Charlie . PRO BASKETBALL; Magic Nearing Upset of Pistons . The New York Times . April 28, 2003 . June 11, 2022.
  15. News: Magic Takes 3-1 Lead in Series . The Washington Post . April 28, 2003 . October 27, 2022.
  16. News: Lapointe . Joe . PRO BASKETBALL; Pistons Thank the N.B.A. for Those Two Extra Games . The New York Times . May 5, 2003 . January 13, 2022.
  17. News: Associated Press . Pistons Get Past the Magic . Los Angeles Times . May 5, 2003 . June 11, 2022.
  18. News: Schmitz . Brian . Magic Fall Flat . Orlando Sentinel . May 5, 2003 . November 27, 2022.
  19. News: Popper . Steve . PRO BASKETBALL; Billups Hits Sixers Late and Pistons March On . The New York Times . May 17, 2003 . January 13, 2022.
  20. News: Maaddi . Rob . Billups Back, Pistons Go Forward . The Washington Post . May 17, 2003 . November 27, 2022.
  21. News: Detroit Sends 76ers Packing . Tampa Bay Times . May 17, 2003 . June 11, 2022.
  22. News: Nets Sweep Pistons and Return to Finals . The New York Times . May 25, 2003 . January 13, 2022.
  23. News: Associated Press . Nets Punch Return Ticket to the Finals . Los Angeles Times . May 25, 2003 . November 27, 2022.
  24. News: Nichols . Rachel . Nets Are Worth a Return Trip . The Washington Post . May 25, 2003 . June 11, 2022.
  25. News: Associated Press . Spurs Defeat Nets to Win N.B.A. Title . The New York Times . June 15, 2003 . July 15, 2022.
  26. News: Heisler . Mark . Spurs Reduce the 'Risk . Los Angeles Times . June 16, 2003 . July 15, 2022.
  27. News: San Antonio 88, New Jersey 77 . United Press International . June 15, 2003 . September 13, 2022.
  28. News: Associated Press . PRO BASKETBALL; Pistons Oust Carlisle and Want to Talk to Brown . The New York Times . June 1, 2003 . June 9, 2022.
  29. News: Associated Press . Brown Expected to Replace Carlisle . Los Angeles Times . June 1, 2003 . October 27, 2022.
  30. News: Robbins . Liz . PRO BASKETBALL; With Bird in Charge, Pacers Fire Thomas . The New York Times . August 28, 2003 . June 11, 2022.
  31. News: Associated Press . PLUS: PRO BASKETBALL; Liberty Rallies to Beat Mystics . The New York Times . August 22, 2003 . June 11, 2022.
  32. News: Warriors Acquire F-C Robinson from Pistons for G Sura . ESPN . August 21, 2003 . October 27, 2022.
  33. News: Nuggets Sign Voshon Lenard . Associated Press . September 12, 2003 . July 15, 2022.
  34. Web site: 2002–03 Detroit Pistons Transactions. Basketball-Reference. January 13, 2022.

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