2002–03 New York Knicks season explained

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, the Knicks received the seventh pick in the 2002 NBA draft, and selected Brazilian Nenê Hilario,[1] [2] who was soon traded to the Denver Nuggets in exchange for Antonio McDyess.[3] [4] 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.[5] [6] [7] Meanwhile, Latrell Sprewell showed up to training camp with a broken hand, and was fined $250,000.[8] [9] [10]

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,[11] [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.[11] [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

See main article: 2002 NBA draft.

Notes and References

  1. News: Povtak . Tim . Foreign Players Make Move . Orlando Sentinel . June 27, 2002 . November 27, 2022.
  2. Web site: 2002 NBA Draft . Basketball-Reference . October 14, 2021.
  3. News: Broussard . Chris . Pro Basketball; Knicks Get McDyess for Camby and Jackson . The New York Times . June 27, 2002 . June 12, 2022.
  4. Web site: Ford. Chad. Knicks blockbuster may be the tip of iceberg. ESPN. June 27, 2002. October 14, 2021.
  5. News: Broussard . Chris . Pro Basketball; McDyess's Knee Injury Buckles the Knicks . The New York Times . October 14, 2002 . June 12, 2022.
  6. News: Isola. Frank. Bad Break for Knicks' Season: Knee Fractured, McDyess Is Gone. New York Daily News. October 14, 2002. February 27, 2016.
  7. News: Smith . Sam . Eastern Conference Capsules . Chicago Tribune . October 30, 2002 . July 16, 2022.
  8. News: Broussard . Chris . Pro Basketball; Sprewell Situation Hangs Over Knicks . The New York Times . October 7, 2002 . November 28, 2022.
  9. News: Hack . Damon . Knicks Fine Sprewell $250,000 . The New York Times . October 7, 2002 . November 28, 2022.
  10. News: Hack. Damon. Broussard. Chris. Pro Basketball; Knicks Fine Sprewell $250,000 and Say Stay Away. The New York Times. October 8, 2002. September 9, 2016.
  11. Web site: New York Knickerbockers Franchise Index. Basketball-Reference. February 14, 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20100106014855/http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/NYK/. January 6, 2010 . live.
  12. News: NBA Games Played on February 6, 2003 . Basketball-Reference . September 13, 2022.
  13. Web site: 2002–03 New York Knicks Schedule and Results. Basketball-Reference. March 28, 2017.
  14. Web site: 2002–03 New York Knicks Roster and Stats. Basketball-Reference. October 14, 2021.
  15. News: Robbins . Liz . Pro Basketball; It's a Done Deal: Exit Sprewell, Enter Van Horn . The New York Times . July 24, 2003 . June 12, 2022.
  16. News: Times Wire Services . Sprewell Is Part of 4-Team Trade . Los Angeles Times . July 24, 2003 . July 15, 2022.
  17. News: Isola. Frank. Knicks Send Sprewell Packing: Trade Nets Van Horn. New York Daily News. July 24, 2003. April 8, 2016.
  18. News: Broussard . Chris . Basketball; Sprewell Sinks 9 of 9 3-Pointers, a Record . The New York Times . February 5, 2003 . August 17, 2017.
  19. News: Teaford . Elliott . Sprewell Pours It on Clippers . Los Angeles Times . February 5, 2003 . November 28, 2022.
  20. News: Sprewell: 9 of 9 from 3-Point Line . The Washington Post . February 5, 2003 . November 28, 2022.
  21. Web site: 2002–03 New York Knicks Transactions. Basketball-Reference. July 31, 2021.

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