2001–02 Phoenix Suns season
The 2001–02 NBA season was the 34th season for the Phoenix Suns in the National Basketball Association.[1] During the offseason, the Suns would acquire All-Star point guard Stephon Marbury from the New Jersey Nets, and re-sign former Suns guard Dan Majerle, who was a member of the team when they appeared in the 1993 NBA Finals. The team played around .500 for the first half of the season as head coach Scott Skiles struggled to a 25–26 record, and was replaced by former Suns guard Frank Johnson. 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. All home games were played at America West Arena.
2001–02 Phoenix Suns season | |
---|---|
Head coach | Scott Skiles, Frank Johnson |
General manager | Bryan Colangelo |
Owners | Jerry Colangelo |
Arena | America West Arena |
Results | |
Record | 36–46 (.439) |
Place | Division: 6th (Pacific) Conference: 10th (Western) |
Playoff finish | Did not qualify |
Stats @ Basketball-Reference.com | |
Local media | |
Television | KUTP Fox Sports Net Arizona Cox 9 |
Radio | KTAR |
Marbury would lead the team in scoring at 20.4 points per game, becoming the first Suns player to average 20 or more a game since Kevin Johnson during the 1996–97 season. Shawn Marion increased his scoring as well, averaging 19.1 per game. Rodney Rogers and Tony Delk both continued to provide the team with scoring off the bench, before being traded to the Boston Celtics for rookie Joe Johnson midway through the season. Anfernee Hardaway returned to appear in 80 games, after being sidelined all but four games the season before, and added 12 points a game. 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, starting in just half the season's games.
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. Following the season, Majerle retired after making his second stint with the Suns.
Offseason
NBA draft
Round | Pick | Player | Position | Nationality | College / Club Team |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2 | 51 | Alton Ford | Forward | United States | Houston |
Roster
Phoenix Suns roster | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Roster Notes
- 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
Pacific Division | W | L | PCT | GB | Home | Road | Div |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
y-Sacramento Kings | 61 | 21 | .744 | – | 36–5 | 25–16 | 15–9 |
x-Los Angeles Lakers | 58 | 24 | .707 | 3 | 34–7 | 24–17 | 16–8 |
x-Portland Trail Blazers | 49 | 33 | .598 | 12 | 30–11 | 19–22 | 14–10 |
x-Seattle SuperSonics | 45 | 37 | .549 | 16 | 26–15 | 19–22 | 13–11 |
Los Angeles Clippers | 39 | 43 | .476 | 22 | 25–16 | 14–27 | 9–15 |
Phoenix Suns | 36 | 46 | .439 | 25 | 23–18 | 13–28 | 12–12 |
Golden State Warriors | 21 | 61 | .256 | 40 | 14–27 | 7–34 | 5–19 |
# | Western Conference | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Team | W | L | PCT | GB | |
1 | z-Sacramento Kings | 61 | 21 | .744 | – |
2 | y-San Antonio Spurs | 58 | 24 | .707 | 3 |
3 | x-Los Angeles Lakers | 58 | 24 | .707 | 3 |
4 | x-Dallas Mavericks | 57 | 25 | .695 | 4 |
5 | x-Minnesota Timberwolves | 50 | 32 | .610 | 11 |
6 | x-Portland Trail Blazers | 49 | 33 | .598 | 12 |
7 | x-Seattle SuperSonics | 45 | 37 | .549 | 16 |
8 | x-Utah Jazz | 44 | 38 | .537 | 17 |
9 | Los Angeles Clippers | 39 | 43 | .476 | 22 |
10 | Phoenix Suns | 36 | 46 | .439 | 25 |
11 | Houston Rockets | 28 | 54 | .341 | 33 |
12 | Denver Nuggets | 27 | 55 | .329 | 34 |
13 | Memphis Grizzlies | 23 | 59 | .280 | 38 |
14 | Golden State Warriors | 21 | 61 | .256 | 40 |
Record vs. opponents
2001-02 NBA Records | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Team | ATL | BOS | CHA | CHI | CLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GSW | HOU | IND | LAC | LAL | MEM | MIA | MIL | MIN | NJN | NYK | ORL | PHI | PHO | POR | SAC | SAS | SEA | TOR | UTA | WAS |
Atlanta | — | 2–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 2–1 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 0–3 |
Boston | 2–2 | — | 2–1 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 3–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 3–1 |
Charlotte | 2–2 | 1–2 | — | 4–0 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 3–0 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 3–1 |
Chicago | 1–3 | 2–2 | 0–4 | — | 1–3 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 3–1 | 0–3 | 1–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 1–3 |
Cleveland | 1–3 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 3–1 | — | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 0–3 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 1–2 |
Dallas | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | — | 4–0 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 |
Denver | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 0–4 | — | 0–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 0–2 |
Detroit | 3–1 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | — | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 2–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 4–0 |
Golden State | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 3–1 | 1–1 | — | 1–3 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 1–1 |
Houston | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 3–1 | — | 0–2 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 |
Indiana | 3–1 | 0–3 | 1–3 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 2–0 | — | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 2–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 3–1 |
L.A. Clippers | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–1 | — | 1–3 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 1–1 |
L.A. Lakers | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 3–1 | — | 3–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–0 |
Memphis | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 1–3 | — | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 0–2 |
Miami | 1–3 | 1–3 | 0–3 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | — | 3–1 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 2–2 |
Milwaukee | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–3 | — | 0–2 | 1–2 | 1–3 | 2–1 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 3–1 |
Minnesota | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | — | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–0 |
New Jersey | 1–2 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 2–1 | 1–1 | — | 4–0 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 3–1 |
New York | 3–1 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 0–4 | — | 0–4 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 3–0 | 1–1 | 1–3 |
Orlando | 3–1 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 3–0 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 1–2 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 4–0 | — | 3–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 |
Philadelphia | 3–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2–1 | 3–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–3 | — | 2–0 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 2–3 |
Phoenix | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | — | 2–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 0–2 |
Portland | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–2 | — | 2–2 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 2–0 |
Sacramento | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 4–0 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 2–2 | — | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 1–1 |
San Antonio | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 1–3 | — | 2–2 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 2–0 |
Seattle | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 4–0 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–2 | — | 2–0 | 1–3 | 1–1 |
Toronto | 4–0 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 0–3 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | — | 1–1 | 1–2 |
Utah | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 3–1 | 1–1 | — | 2–0 |
Washington | 3–0 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 2–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 3–2 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–1 | 0–2 | — |
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
- Joe Johnson was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team.
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 |
Season
Player | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3FG% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Charlie Bell* | 5 | 0 | 8.4 | .273 | .000 | 1.000# | 0.8 | 0.4 | .0 | .0 | 1.6 |
Jud Buechler* | 6 | 0 | 9.0 | .333 | .333 | . | 1.3 | 0.5 | .2 | .0 | 1.0 |
Joe Crispin* | 15 | 0 | 8.6 | .411 | .429^ | 1.000# | 0.7 | 1.6 | .3 | .0 | 4.6 |
Vinny Del Negro | 2 | 0 | 3.0 | .250 | . | . | 0.0 | 1.0 | .0 | .0 | 1.0 |
Tony Delk* | 41 | 1 | 21.4 | .399 | .320 | .836 | 3.0 | 2.0 | .8 | .1 | 10.6 |
Alton Ford | 53 | 0 | 8.5 | .517† | . | .737 | 2.0 | 0.1 | .1 | .1 | 3.1 |
Tom Gugliotta | 44 | 40 | 25.7 | .422 | .333 | .757 | 5.0 | 1.8 | .9 | .7 | 6.5 |
Penny Hardaway | 80 | 56 | 30.8 | .418 | .277 | .810 | 4.4 | 4.1 | 1.5 | .4 | 12.0 |
Joe Johnson* | 29 | 27 | 31.5 | .420 | .333 | .778 | 4.1 | 3.6 | .9 | .4 | 9.6 |
Dan Majerle | 65 | 0 | 18.2 | .343 | .336^ | .590 | 2.7 | 1.4 | .7 | .2 | 4.6 |
Stephon Marbury | 82 | 80 | 38.9 | .442 | .286 | .781 | 3.2 | 8.1 | .9 | .2 | 20.4 |
Shawn Marion | 81 | 81 | 38.4 | .469† | .393^ | .845# | 9.9 | 2.0 | 1.8 | 1.1 | 19.1 |
Bo Outlaw* | 73 | 36 | 24.2 | .550† | .500^ | .417 | 4.6 | 1.7 | .8 | 1.1 | 4.7 |
Milt Palacio* | 28 | 1 | 9.7 | .380 | .143 | .783 | 0.8 | 1.0 | .3 | .0 | 2.8 |
Rodney Rogers* | 50 | 7 | 25.1 | .466 | .350^ | .828 | 4.8 | 1.4 | 1.0 | .3 | 12.6 |
Daniel Santiago | 3 | 0 | 8.0 | .500† | . | . | 2.3 | 0.7 | .0 | .3 | 2.7 |
Jake Tsakalidis | 67 | 47 | 23.6 | .475† | .000 | .698 | 5.6 | 0.3 | .3 | 1.0 | 7.3 |
Jake Voskuhl | 59 | 34 | 15.3 | .554† | . | .752 | 4.3 | 0.3 | .2 | .4 | 5.0 |
John Wallace | 46 | 0 | 10.7 | .435 | .385^ | .870# | 1.8 | 0.6 | .2 | .2 | 5.0 |
* – 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---- | To Phoenix Suns----
|
July 18, 2001 |
To New Jersey Nets---- | To Phoenix Suns---- |
October 29, 2001 |
To Chicago Bulls---- | To Phoenix Suns---- |
November 15, 2001 |
To Orlando Magic---- | To Phoenix Suns---- |
To Los Angeles Clippers----
| ||
February 20, 2002 |
To Boston Celtics---- | To Phoenix Suns---- |
Additions
Date | Player | Contract | Former Team |
---|---|---|---|
July 6, 2001 | Charlie Bell | Undisclosed | |
July 19, 2001 | Dan Majerle | Signed to 1-year contract for $1 million | Miami Heat |
August 29, 2001 | Daniel Santiago | Re-signed to 1-year contract for $465,850 | Phoenix Suns |
September 27, 2001 | Chris Andersen | Undisclosed | Fayetteville Patriots (NBA DL) |
September 27, 2001 | Dan McClintock | Undisclosed | Denver Nuggets |
September 27, 2001 | Derek Hood | Undisclosed | Snaidero Udine (Italy) |
September 27, 2001 | Kendrick Johnson | Undisclosed | |
January 7, 2002 | Joe Crispin | Signed for rest of season | Southern California Surf (ABA) |
Subtractions
Date | Player | Reason Left | New Team |
---|---|---|---|
September 28, 2001 | Johnny Newman | Waived | Dallas Mavericks |
October 7, 2001 | Chris Andersen | Waived | Denver Nuggets |
October 9, 2001 | Dan McClintock | Waived | Skipper Bologna |
October 11, 2001 | Kendrick Johnson | Waived | |
October 20, 2001 | Derek Hood | Waived | Mobile Revelers (NBA DL) |
December 11, 2001 | Charlie Bell | Waived | Phoenix Eclipse (ABA) |
January 7, 2002 | Daniel Santiago | Waived | Lottomatica Roma (Italy) |