2001–02 Phoenix Suns Season

The 2001–02 NBA season was the 34th season for the Phoenix Suns in the National Basketball Association. During the off-season, the Suns acquired All-Star point guard Stephon Marbury from the New Jersey Nets, 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, and acquired John Wallace and Jud Buechler from the Detroit Pistons. Early into the regular season, Buechler was traded to the Orlando Magic in exchange for Bo Outlaw in November.

The Suns got off to a 18–13 start to the regular season, but soon began to slip under .500 as the season progressed, as head coach Scott Skiles resigned after a 25–26 start, and was replaced by assistant and former Suns guard Frank Johnson. The Suns posted a six-game losing streak in March, and lost eight of their final eleven games of the season, finishing in sixth place in the Pacific Division with a 36–46 record, and missing the NBA playoffs for the first time since the 1987–88 season. All home games were played at the America West Arena.

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. In addition, Shawn Marion increased his scoring as well, averaging 19.1 points per game along with 9.9 rebounds per game, while 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. 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. 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.

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 NBA All-Star Game did not feature a Suns player. To complete the season on a low note, a franchise-record of 13 straight NBA playoff appearances was snapped when the Suns failed to qualify for postseason play. Following the season, Majerle retired after playing in his second stint with the Suns, and Wallace was released to free agency.

Offseason

NBA draft

Roster

Roster Notes

* Point guard Randy Brown was acquired by the Suns from the Boston Celtics in a mid-season trade, but was placed on the injured reserve list due to a right adductor strain, and did not play for the Suns this season.

Regular season

Standings

Record vs. opponents

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

Season

* – Stats with the Suns.

† – Minimum 300 field goals made.

^ – Minimum 55 three-pointers made.

# – Minimum 125 free throws made.

Player Statistics Citation:

Transactions

Trades

Free agents

Additions

Subtractions

Player Transactions Citation:

References

External links

Standings on Basketball Reference

See also

* 2001–02 NBA season

{{DEFAULTSORT:2001-02 Phoenix Suns season
Phoenix Suns seasons