2001–02_Phoenix_Suns_season

2001–02 Phoenix Suns season

2001–02 Phoenix Suns season

NBA team season

The 2001–02 NBA season was the 34th season for the Phoenix Suns in the National Basketball Association.[1] During the off-season, the Suns acquired All-Star point guard Stephon Marbury from the New Jersey Nets,[2][3][4][5] and re-signed former All-Star Suns guard and three-point specialist Dan Majerle, who was a member of the team when they appeared in the 1993 NBA Finals.[6][7][8] Early into the season, the team acquired Bo Outlaw from the Orlando Magic.[9][10] The Suns got off to a 18–13 start, but soon began to slip under .500 as the season progressed as head coach Scott Skiles struggled to a 25–26 record, and was replaced by former Suns guard Frank Johnson.[11][12] The Suns posted a six-game losing streak in March and lost eight of their final eleven games, finishing the regular season at 36–46, and missing the playoffs for the first time since 1988.[13] All home games were played at America West Arena.

Quick Facts Phoenix Suns season, Head coach ...

Marbury would lead the team in scoring and assists, averaging 20.4 points and 8.1 assists per game, becoming the first Suns player to average 20 or more points per game since Kevin Johnson during the 1996–97 season. Shawn Marion increased his scoring as well, averaging 19.1 points per game along with 9.9 rebounds per game. Rodney Rogers and Tony Delk both continued to provide the team with scoring off the bench, before both being traded to the Boston Celtics in exchange for top draft pick Joe Johnson midway through the season.[14][15][16] Penny Hardaway returned to appear in 80 games, after being sidelined all but four games the season before, and averaged 12.0 points and 4.1 assists per game.[17] Johnson, who earned NBA All-Rookie Second Team honors, rounded out a team rich in talent at the guard position. Tom Gugliotta was again plagued by knee injury, only playing just 44 games due to left quadriceps tendonitis.[18][19]

The season was a disappointment for an organization looking to build a new core of talent. For the first time since the 1996–97 season, the All-Star Game did not feature a Suns player. To complete the season on a low note, a franchise-record of 13 straight playoff appearances was snapped when the Suns failed to qualify for postseason play.[20] Following the season, Majerle retired after playing in his second stint with the Suns.[21]

Offseason

NBA draft

Main article: 2001 NBA draft
More information Round, Pick ...

Roster

More information Players, Coaches ...

Roster Notes

  • Point guard Randy Brown was acquired from the Boston Celtics at midseason, but did not play for the Suns this season due to a right adductor strain.

Regular season

Standings

More information W, L ...
More information #, Team ...

Record vs. opponents

More information Team, ATL ...

Awards and honors

Week/Month

  • Shawn Marion was named Western Conference Player of the Month for March.
  • Stephon Marbury was named Western Conference Player of the Week for games played November 26 through December 2.
  • Shawn Marion was named Western Conference Player of the Week for games played March 25 through March 31.

Season

Player statistics

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

Season

More information Player, GP ...

* – Stats with the Suns.
† – Minimum 300 field goals made.
^ – Minimum 55 three-pointers made.
# – Minimum 125 free throws made.

Transactions

Trades

July 18, 2001 To Detroit Pistons
United States Clifford Robinson		 To Phoenix Suns
United States Jud Buechler
United States John Wallace
$1.6 million trade exception
July 18, 2001 To New Jersey Nets
United States Chris Dudley
United States Jason Kidd
 To Phoenix Suns
United States Stephon Marbury
United States Johnny Newman
Mali Soumaila Samake
October 29, 2001 To Chicago Bulls
Mali Soumaila Samake
2003 second-round draft pick (United States Matt Bonner)
 To Phoenix Suns
United States Jake Voskuhl
November 15, 2001 To Orlando Magic
United States Jud Buechler		 To Phoenix Suns
United States Bo Outlaw
2002 first-round draft pick (United States Amar'e Stoudemire)
To Los Angeles Clippers
United States Vinny Del Negro
Cash considerations
February 20, 2002 To Boston Celtics
United States Tony Delk
United States Rodney Rogers
 To Phoenix Suns
United States Randy Brown
United States Joe Johnson
Belize Milt Palacio
2002 first-round draft pick (United States Casey Jacobsen)

Free agents

Additions

More information Date, Player ...

Subtractions

More information Date, Player ...

Player Transactions Citation:[22]

References

  1. [1]
    "2001-02 Phoenix Suns Roster and Stats".
  2. [2]
    Robbins, Liz (June 29, 2001). "PRO BASKETBALL; Nets' Shake-Up Ships Marbury for Suns' Kidd". The New York Times. Retrieved July 30, 2021.
  3. [3]
    Heisler, Mark (June 29, 2001). "Kidd, Marbury Latest Big Deal". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
  4. [4]
    "Suns Trade Star Guard Kidd, Get Nets' Marbury in Return". The Washington Post. June 29, 2001. Retrieved July 13, 2022.
  5. [5]
    "Suns Agree to Trade Kidd to Nets for Marbury". Tampa Bay Times. June 29, 2001. Retrieved November 30, 2022.
  6. [6]
    "Dan Majerle Signs with Suns". United Press International. July 19, 2001. Retrieved December 31, 2021.
  7. [7]
    Tutumello, Mike (October 4, 2001). "Majerle Goes Home to the Arizona Heat". Sun Sentinel. Retrieved October 20, 2022.
  8. [8]
    Wise, Mike (October 30, 2001). "PRO BASKETBALL; Jordan Against the New Generation, Lakers Against the World". The New York Times. Retrieved July 16, 2022.
  9. [9]
    Brewer, Jerry (November 17, 2001). "Magic Send Outlaw to Suns". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved October 20, 2022.
  10. [10]
    "Suns Get Outlaw in 3-Team Trade". United Press International. November 16, 2001. Retrieved January 11, 2022.
  11. [11]
    "PRO BASKETBALL; Skiles Resigns as Suns' Coach". The New York Times. Associated Press. February 18, 2002. Retrieved January 11, 2022.
  12. [12]
    "Suns' Skiles Resigns, Johnson Takes Over". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. February 18, 2002. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
  13. [13]
    "2001–02 Phoenix Suns Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved July 2, 2021.
  14. [14]
    "Report: Rogers, Delk to Celtics". United Press International. February 20, 2002. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
  15. [15]
    "Boston Acquires Delk, Rogers from Phoenix". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. February 21, 2002. Retrieved October 20, 2022.
  16. [16]
    "Celts, Suns Make Trade; Jackson Set to Be Dealt". Deseret News. February 21, 2002. Retrieved July 24, 2021.
  17. [17]
    "2001–02 Phoenix Suns Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved July 2, 2021.
  18. [18]
    "Suns Place Gugliotta on Injured List". United Press International. January 8, 2002. Retrieved January 11, 2022.
  19. [19]
    "Suns Activate Oft-Injured Gugliotta". Midland Daily News. February 12, 2002. Retrieved October 25, 2022.
  20. [20]
    "Phoenix Suns". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 24, 2022.
  21. [21]
    "Buford Clarifies Drug Suspension". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. February 15, 2002. Retrieved October 25, 2022.
  22. [22]
    "2001–02 Phoenix Suns Transactions". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved July 2, 2021.

See also
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