The 2002–03 NBA season was the 57th season of the National Basketball Association. The season ended with the San Antonio Spurs beating the New Jersey Nets 4-2 in the 2003 NBA Finals.
The Hornets relocate from Charlotte, North Carolina to New Orleans, Louisiana, resulting in a two-year absence for the Carolinas, until the birth of the Charlotte Bobcats in 2004. They also play their first game at New Orleans Arena. As a result the NBA prohibits NBA games (except national games) from being broadcast in the Carolinas.
The San Antonio Spurs played their first game at the SBC Center (now the AT&T Center).
The Houston Rockets played their final game at the Compaq Center (formerly The Summit).
The 2003 NBA All-Star Game was held at the Philips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. The West won 155-145 in double overtime, the longest All-Star game in NBA history. Minnesota's Kevin Garnett took the game's MVP honors. It was also the last time an Eastern Conference city hosted an All-Star Game, and the last time a rookie played (and started) an All-Star game, with Yao Ming making his all-star debut.
Michael Jordan announces his third and final retirement. He plays his last game on April 16, 2003 in Philadelphia.
The NBA on ABC begins (replacing NBA on NBC) again after a 29 year hiatus when the NBA signs new television deals with TNT and the consortium of ABC and ESPN. This agreement significantly decreased the amount of games on network television, including the playoffs, in which very few games are shown on ABC, with the exception of the NBA Finals, which are shown entirely on ABC. Also, both conference finals are shown live on cable for the first time.
For the first time in NBA history, two former ABA teams contest each other in the NBA Finals, the New Jersey Nets versus the San Antonio Spurs. The Nets became the only team in NBA Finals history to wear a throwback uniform in a Finals game, wearing their 1976 home uniforms in Game 5.
A new instant replay rule is in effect to help officials in determining close calls. Bright red lights are installed on the backboards and scoring tables to make the shot easier to figure out.
The NBA changes the first round format from a best of five game series to a best of seven game series for the 2003 NBA Playoffs.
A new low in television ratings for the NBA Finals is reached, replacing the 1981 series as the least watched Finals (later surpassed by the 2007 finals).
On January 7, Kobe Bryant scored 45 points against Seattle. Kobe made nine consecutive three-pointers and finished with 12 overall, a new NBA record for most "3's" in a game, later tied by Donyell Marshall.
Eight NBA teams (the Denver Nuggets, Houston Rockets, Milwaukee Bucks, New Jersey Nets, Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns, Sacramento Kings, and Washington Wizards) wore throwback uniforms to celebrate the first ever NBA Hardwood Classics Nights, commemorating either a player milestone, team anniversary or championship anniversary. The NBA All-Star Game in Atlanta featured NBA players wearing the 1987 All-Star uniforms as an extension.
The Los Angeles Lakers debuted their white and gold alternate jerseys in a loss against the Sacramento Kings on December 25, 2002 at Staples Center. The jerseys were designed as a tribute to long-time announcer Chick Hearn, who passed away on August 5 from a head injury caused by a fall. The Lakers also sport a black patch in his honor.
The Toronto Raptors set a dubious NBA record by not dressing 12 players for any of their games.
Lenny Wilkens becomes the all time leader in losses surpassing Bill Fitch.
Reebok became the official outfitter for NBA teams, except those still under contract with Nike. Reebok would later become the endorser for all NBA teams in 2004 until its merger and subsequent transfer to Adidas in 2006.
Final standings
Eastern Conference
Atlantic Division
Team
W
L
PCT
GB
New Jersey Nets
49
33
.598
-
Philadelphia 76ers
48
34
.585
1
Boston Celtics
44
38
.537
5
Orlando Magic
42
40
.512
7
Washington Wizards
37
45
.451
12
New York Knicks
37
45
.451
12
Miami Heat
25
57
.305
24
Central Division
Team
W
L
PCT
GB
Detroit Pistons
50
32
.610
-
Indiana Pacers
48
34
.585
2
New Orleans Hornets
47
35
.573
3
Milwaukee Bucks
42
40
.512
8
Atlanta Hawks
35
47
.427
15
Chicago Bulls
30
52
.366
20
Toronto Raptors
24
58
.293
26
Cleveland Cavaliers
17
65
.207
33
Western Conference
Midwest Division
Team
W
L
PCT
GB
San Antonio Spurs C
60
22
.732
-
Dallas Mavericks
60
22
.732
-
Minnesota Timberwolves
51
31
.622
9
Utah Jazz
47
35
.573
13
Houston Rockets
43
39
.524
17
Memphis Grizzlies
28
54
.341
32
Denver Nuggets
17
65
.207
43
Pacific Division
Team
W
L
PCT
GB
Sacramento Kings
59
23
.720
-
Los Angeles Lakers
50
32
.610
9
Portland Trail Blazers
50
32
.610
9
Phoenix Suns
44
38
.537
15
Seattle SuperSonics
40
42
.488
19
Golden State Warriors
38
44
.463
21
Los Angeles Clippers
27
55
.329
32
C - NBA Champions
Statistics leaders
Category
Player
Team
Stat
Points per game
Tracy McGrady
Orlando Magic
32.1
Rebounds per game
Ben Wallace
Detroit Pistons
15.4
Assists per game
Jason Kidd
New Jersey Nets
8.9
Steals per game
Allen Iverson
Philadelphia 76ers
2.7
Blocks per game
Theo Ratliff
Atlanta Hawks
3.2
FG%
Eddy Curry
Chicago Bulls
58.5
FT%
Allan Houston
New York Knicks
91.9
3FG%
Bruce Bowen
San Antonio Spurs
44.1
NBA awards
Most Valuable Player: Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs
Rookie of the Year: Amar'e Stoudemire, Phoenix Suns
Defensive Player of the Year: Ben Wallace, Detroit Pistons
Sixth Man of the Year: Bobby Jackson, Sacramento Kings
Most Improved Player: Gilbert Arenas, Golden State Warriors
Coach of the Year: Gregg Popovich, San Antonio Spurs
Executive of the Year: Joe Dumars, Detroit Pistons
Sportsmanship Award: Ray Allen, Seattle SuperSonics