2002–03 Indiana Pacers season explained

The 2002–03 NBA season was the Pacers' 27th season in the National Basketball Association, and 36th season as a franchise.[1] During the off-season, the Pacers signed free agent Erick Strickland.[2] [3] Despite a rash of early-season injuries,[4] the Pacers got off to a fast start winning 14 of their first 16 games, posting a nine-game winning streak in November, and holding a 34–15 record at the All-Star break.[5] However, the team struggled losing 12 of 13 games between February 16 and March 12.[6] In March, the team signed free agent All-Star point guard Tim Hardaway.[7] [8] The Pacers finished second in the Central Division with a 48–34 record.[9]

Head coach Isiah Thomas, Jermaine O'Neal and Brad Miller represented the Eastern Conference during the 2003 NBA All-Star Game.[10] That game was perhaps known as a storybook ending for Michael Jordan, but O'Neal ruined the moment, fouling Western Conference All-Star Kobe Bryant, who attempted a 3-pointer. Bryant hit 2 of 3 free throws to send the game into overtime. The West won 155–145 in double overtime.[11] [12] O'Neal averaged 20.8 points, 10.3 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game, and was named to the All-NBA Third Team, while Ron Artest averaged 15.5 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.3 steals per game, and was named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team, and finished in second place in Defensive Player of the Year voting.[13] [14] In addition, Brad Miller provided the team with 13.1 points and 8.3 rebounds per game, while Reggie Miller contributed 12.6 points per game, sixth man Al Harrington provided 12.2 points and 6.2 rebounds per game, and second-year guard Jamaal Tinsley averaged 7.8 points, 7.5 assists and 1.7 steals per game.[15]

In the Eastern Conference First Round of the playoffs, the Pacers lost in six games to the 6th-seeded Boston Celtics.[16] [17] [18] After the season, it was announced that Thomas would not be returning as head coach, replacing him with Rick Carlisle for the next season.[19] [20] Thomas would later return to coach the New York Knicks in 2006.[21] Also following the season, Brad Miller was traded to the Sacramento Kings, while Ron Mercer was dealt to the San Antonio Spurs,[22] [23] Strickland signed as a free agent with the Milwaukee Bucks,[24] and Hardaway retired after thirteen seasons in the NBA.

One notable highlight of the season was the Pacers defeating the Chicago Bulls, 140–89 at the Conseco Fieldhouse on March 28, 2003.[25] [26]

Offseason

Draft picks

See main article: 2002 NBA draft.

Roster

Note

Bold = All-Star selection

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
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
Boston3–0 – 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
Chicago2–2 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
Cleveland0–4 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
Dallas2–0 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
Denver0–2 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
Detroit3–1 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 State2–0 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
Houston1–1 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
Indiana2–2 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. Clippers0–2 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
Memphis1–1 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
Miami3–1 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
Milwaukee2–2 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
Minnesota2–0 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 Jersey3–1 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 Orleans2–2 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 York3–1 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
Orlando1–2 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
Philadelphia1–3 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
Phoenix2–0 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
Portland2–0 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
Sacramento1–1 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 Antonio1–1 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
Seattle1–1 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
Toronto3–1 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
Utah1–1 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 19| Boston| L 100–103| Ron Artest (26)| Jermaine O'Neal (9)| Jamaal Tinsley (9)| Conseco Fieldhouse
16,380| 0–1|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 2| April 21| Boston| W 89–77| Jermaine O'Neal (23)| Jermaine O'Neal (20)| Jamaal Tinsley (7)| Conseco Fieldhouse
15,881| 1–1|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 3| April 24| @ Boston| L 83–101| Jermaine O'Neal (21)| Jermaine O'Neal (16)| Jamaal Tinsley (8)| FleetCenter
18,624| 1–2|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 4| April 27| @ Boston| L 92–102| Jermaine O'Neal (25)| Jermaine O'Neal (19)| Jamaal Tinsley (13)| FleetCenter
18,624| 1–3|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 5| April 29| Boston| W 93–88 (OT)| Ron Artest (26)| Jermaine O'Neal (22)| Tim Hardaway (6)| Conseco Fieldhouse
15,326| 2–3|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 6| May 1| @ Boston| L 90–110| Jermaine O'Neal (25)| Jermaine O'Neal (19)| Erick Strickland (5)| FleetCenter
18,624| 2–4|-

Player statistics

Regular season

Player
SF82 37 2,467 511 125 71 33 1,002 30.1 6.2 1.5 .9 .4 12.2
PF77 76 2,864 796 155 66 178 1,600 37.2 10.3 2.0 .9 2.3 20.8
C77 2 802 279 51 28 21 162 10.4 3.6 .7 .4 .3 2.1
C73 72 2,270 603 193 65 43 955 31.1 8.3 2.6 .9 .6 13.1
PG73 69 2,237 260 548 125 18 566 30.6 3.6 7.5 1.7 .2 7.8
SG72 3 1,671 154 112 49 14 556 23.2 2.1 1.6 .7 .2 7.7
SG71 10 1,275 145 209 38 7 458 18.0 2.0 2.9 .5 .1 6.5
SG70 70 2,117 172 170 62 4 882 30.2 2.5 2.4 .9 .1 12.6
SF69 67 2,317 362 198 159 50 1,068 33.6 5.2 2.9 2.3 .7 15.5
PF49 0 633 155 56 6 13 252 12.9 3.2 1.1 .1 .3 5.1
SF46 2 819 133 42 8 56 303 17.8 2.9 .9 .2 1.2 6.6
C22 1 111 23 4 2 4 42 5.0 1.0 .2 .1 .2 1.9
SG19 1 115 9 5 6 1 23 6.1 .5 .3 .3 .1 1.2
PG10 0 127 15 24 9 0 49 12.7 1.5 2.4 .9 .0 4.9
PG10 0 80 9 18 2 1 22 8.0 .9 1.8 .2 .1 2.2

Playoffs

Player
PF6 6 272 105 4 3 18 137 45.3 17.5 .7 .5 3.0 22.8
SF6 6 252 35 13 15 6 114 42.0 5.8 2.2 2.5 1.0 19.0
PG6 6 185 18 39 4 0 51 30.8 3.0 6.5 .7 .0 8.5
SG6 6 176 14 14 1 1 55 29.3 2.3 2.3 .2 .2 9.2
C6 6 135 33 15 5 0 52 22.5 5.5 2.5 .8 .0 8.7
SG6 0 135 13 7 6 1 39 22.5 2.2 1.2 1.0 .2 6.5
SF6 0 103 22 5 6 3 18 17.2 3.7 .8 1.0 .5 3.0
C6 0 38 8 2 0 3 14 6.3 1.3 .3 .0 .5 2.3
SG5 0 42 7 8 1 0 21 8.4 1.4 1.6 .2 .0 4.2
PG4 0 47 2 9 1 0 13 11.8 .5 2.3 .3 .0 3.3
PF4 0 46 17 3 0 1 16 11.5 4.3 .8 .0 .3 4.0
SF3 0 34 7 0 0 2 17 11.3 2.3 .0 .0 .7 5.7

Awards and records

See also

Notes and References

  1. https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/IND/2003.html 2002–03 Indiana Pacers
  2. News: Staff and Wire Reports . Stackhouse Goes to Wizards . Los Angeles Times . September 12, 2002 . November 30, 2022.
  3. News: Pacers Ink G Erick Strickland . United Press International . September 11, 2002 . June 11, 2022.
  4. News: Smith . Sam . Eastern Conference Capsules . Chicago Tribune . October 30, 2002 . July 16, 2022.
  5. News: NBA Games Played on February 6, 2003 . Basketball-Reference . September 13, 2022.
  6. News: 76ers Rally to Beat Pacers, 96-93 . Midland Daily News . March 11, 2003 . June 22, 2022.
  7. News: Associated Press . Struggling Pacers Sign Tim Hardaway . Los Angeles Times . March 28, 2003 . October 27, 2022.
  8. News: In Sports from United Press International . United Press International . March 28, 2003 . June 11, 2022.
  9. Web site: 2002–03 Indiana Pacers Schedule and Results. Basketball-Reference. July 30, 2021.
  10. News: 2003 NBA All-Star Game: West 155, East 145 (2OT) . Basketball-Reference . January 13, 2022.
  11. News: Associated Press . Garnett Is the M.V.P. in Jordan's Final All-Star Game . The New York Times . February 9, 2003 . January 13, 2022.
  12. News: Wyche . Steve . Passing the Torch . The Washington Post . February 10, 2003 . June 12, 2022.
  13. News: Associated Press . Wallace Chosen Best Defender . Los Angeles Times . April 24, 2003 . September 13, 2022.
  14. News: 2002–03 NBA Awards Voting . Basketball-Reference . February 2, 2022.
  15. Web site: 2002–03 Indiana Pacers Roster and Stats. Basketball-Reference. July 30, 2021.
  16. News: Broussard . Chris . PRO BASKETBALL; Celtics Put On a Show to Defeat the Pacers . The New York Times . May 2, 2003 . August 24, 2017.
  17. News: Goodman . Jeff . Celtics Finish Off Pacers with Rout . The Washington Post . May 2, 2003 . November 27, 2022.
  18. News: Golen . Jimmy . Celtics Advance with Win Over Pacers . CT Insider . April 30, 2003 . June 11, 2022.
  19. News: Robbins . Liz . PRO BASKETBALL; With Bird in Charge, Pacers Fire Thomas . The New York Times . August 28, 2003 . June 11, 2022.
  20. News: Associated Press . Bird Fires Thomas as Coach of Pacers . Los Angeles Times . August 28, 2003 . October 27, 2022.
  21. News: Beck . Howard . Thomas Is Given an Ultimatum, and Brown a Parting Shot . The New York Times . June 27, 2006 . June 12, 2022.
  22. News: Associated Press . BASKETBALL; 3-Team Deal Gives Kings Brad Miller . The New York Times . July 25, 2003 . June 11, 2022.
  23. News: Associated Press . Sacramento Reacts, Gets Miller . Los Angeles Times . July 25, 2003 . October 27, 2022.
  24. News: Bucks Ink Three Free Agents . United Press International . July 18, 2003 . July 15, 2022.
  25. News: Pacers Spanks Bulls, 140-89 . Associated Press . March 28, 2003 . October 27, 2022.
  26. News: Chicago Bulls at Indiana Pacers Box Score, March 28, 2003 . Basketball-Reference . October 27, 2022.

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