Helena Frye
The Los Angeles Lakers won the 2002 NBA Finals, beating the New Jersey Nets 4-0. This was the Lakers' third consecutive NBA championship, and their fourteenth overall. The 2002 NBA Finals were broadcast on NBC and were the last NBA games to be aired on the network. The Lakers' Shaquille O'Neal was named the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player for the third year in a row, and Lakers coach Phil Jackson won his ninth ring, tying him with Red Auerbach for the most of all time.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year | 2002 |
| Competition | NBA Finals |
| Winners | Los Angeles Lakers |
| Score | 4-0 |
| Runners-up | New Jersey Nets |
| Conference Winners | Western Conference: Los Angeles Lakers; Eastern Conference: New Jersey Nets |
| MVP | Shaquille O'Neal |
| Coach of Winning Team | Phil Jackson |
| Coach's Wins | 9 rings (most all-time) |
| Coach's Previous Wins | 156 career playoff wins |
| Previous Wins of Winning Team | Two-time defending NBA champions |
| Previous Wins of Runners-up | First NBA Finals appearance |
| Broadcasters | NBC; Marv Albert; Jim Gray; Lewis Johnson; Bob Costas; Tom Tolbert; Ernie Johnson; Kenny Smith; Charles Barkley; Brent Musburger; Jack Ramsay; Hannah Storm |
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Los Angeles Lakers won the 2002 NBA Finals
The Los Angeles Lakers won the 2002 NBA Finals, claiming their 14th NBA championship title and third consecutive championship. The best-of-seven playoff series was played between June 5 and 12 and saw the Lakers defeat the Eastern Conference champion New Jersey Nets four games to none. This was the last of three consecutive NBA championship wins for the Lakers, making them the last team to achieve a 'three-peat' in North American professional sports.
The 2002 NBA Finals were the culmination of the National Basketball Association's (NBA) 2001-02 season and marked the end of a 12-year run of broadcasting NBA basketball for NBC. The series was also Marv Albert's last NBA Finals assignment. The Lakers were led by coach Phil Jackson, who won his ninth ring, tying him with Red Auerbach for the most of all time. Shaquille O'Neal was named the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP) for the third consecutive year, averaging 36.3 points and 12.3 rebounds.
The Lakers entered the 2002 NBA Finals with high expectations, having won the previous two NBA championships. They faced a challenging playoff schedule, defeating the Portland Trail Blazers in three games, the San Antonio Spurs in five games, and the Sacramento Kings in the Western Conference finals. The Kings presented the biggest challenge to the Lakers' championship reign, holding the best record in the West and home-court advantage. Despite this, the Lakers emerged victorious, sweeping the Nets in four games to secure their historic championship victory.
The Lakers' victory in the 2002 NBA Finals marked the beginning of a successful year for professional sports teams in the Los Angeles metropolitan area. The nearby Anaheim Angels went on to win their first World Series championship four months later, and the Los Angeles Sparks won the WNBA Finals two months after the Lakers' triumph. The Lakers' dominance in the 2002 NBA Finals showcased their talent and determination, solidifying their place as one of the most formidable teams in the league's history.
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Lakers' Shaquille O'Neal was named MVP
The 2002 NBA Finals saw the Western Conference champion Los Angeles Lakers defeat the Eastern Conference champion New Jersey Nets to win the franchise's 14th NBA championship and third consecutive NBA championship. The Lakers swept the Nets, four games to none.
Lakers Shaquille O'Neal was named MVP of the 2002 NBA Finals, marking the third consecutive year he had won the award. O'Neal's performance was dominant, averaging 36.3 points, 12.3 rebounds, four assists, and three blocks. This was the last year that NBC broadcast the NBA games, ending a 12-year run.
O'Neal's success in 2002 was not without challenges. There were tensions between co-captains O'Neal and Kobe Bryant, but the Lakers still managed a stellar season, finishing 58-24. Both O'Neal and Bryant were voted starters in the 2002 NBA All-Star Game, with Bryant winning the MVP trophy. Despite this, O'Neal and Bryant, using coach Phil Jackson's triangle offense, enjoyed tremendous success, leading the Lakers to three consecutive titles from 2000 to 2002. O'Neal was named MVP of the NBA Finals each time and had the highest scoring average for a center in NBA Finals history.
O'Neal's jersey number, 34, was retired by the Lakers in 2013, and a statue of him was placed outside the Crypto.com Arena.
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Nets made their first NBA Finals appearance
The 2002 NBA Finals were the culmination of the National Basketball Association's (NBA) 2001–02 season. The championship series was played between the Western Conference champion Los Angeles Lakers and the Eastern Conference champion New Jersey Nets. The Nets made their first NBA Finals appearance that year, becoming the third former American Basketball Association (ABA) team to make the Finals.
The Nets' road to the 2002 NBA Finals began with a conference semifinals victory over the Charlotte Hornets, marking their first appearance in the Eastern Conference Finals. They then defeated the Detroit Pistons, making it to the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history. This prevented a Celtics-Lakers NBA Finals matchup.
The Nets' performance in the 2002 NBA playoffs was notable, with a particular highlight being their victory over the Boston Celtics in Game 4 by a score of 94-92. This game saw a strong comeback from the Celtics, but the Nets ultimately secured the win. The Nets went on to win the next two games in convincing fashion, showcasing their determination and skill.
The Nets' first NBA Finals appearance was a significant milestone in the franchise's history, and they demonstrated their capabilities on the court. However, they were swept by the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2002 NBA Finals, losing the series 4-0. The Lakers secured their 14th NBA championship and their third consecutive title. Despite the loss, the Nets' performance in the 2002 NBA playoffs left a lasting impression, and they continued their pursuit of championship aspirations in subsequent seasons.
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Boston Celtics made their first Eastern Conference Finals since 1988
The 2002 NBA Finals were a showdown between the Los Angeles Lakers and the New Jersey Nets, with the Lakers sweeping the Nets four games to none to win their third consecutive NBA championship. The Lakers' Shaquille O'Neal was named the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP) for the third year in a row.
In the 2002 NBA playoffs, the Boston Celtics made their first Eastern Conference Finals appearance since 1988. They defeated the Detroit Pistons in the conference semifinals, coming back from a 21-point deficit in the fourth quarter to win Game 3, 94-90. However, they ultimately lost the Eastern Conference Finals to the New Jersey Nets, who went on to face the Lakers in the NBA Finals. The Celtics' appearance in the 2002 Eastern Conference Finals marked a return to playoff success, as they had not won a playoff series since 1992.
The 2002 season was also notable for the Boston Celtics due to their rivalry with the Pistons, which had peaked in the 1980s with players like Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, and Isiah Thomas. The Celtics and Pistons met in the NBA playoffs five times between 1985 and 1991, with the Celtics winning in 1985 and 1987, and the Pistons claiming victory in 1988 on their way to back-to-back championships.
The Boston Celtics are one of the most successful teams in NBA history, having won 18 NBA championships, the most recent being in 2024. They were founded in 1946 and play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. They have appeared in the NBA Finals 23 times and hold the record for the longest championship streak in US professional sports history, with 8 consecutive NBA titles.
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Lakers coach Phil Jackson won his ninth ring
The 2002 NBA Finals saw the Los Angeles Lakers defeat the New Jersey Nets to win their third consecutive NBA championship. The Lakers swept the Nets, winning four games to none. This was the Lakers' 14th NBA championship.
The 2002 victory was also notable for Lakers coach Phil Jackson, who won his ninth championship ring. Jackson, who had previously coached the Chicago Bulls to six championship victories, joined the Lakers in 1999. With the Lakers, Jackson led the team to three consecutive championship wins from 2000 to 2002. This feat made him the first person in NBA history to lead a team to three consecutive championships twice, having also achieved this with the Bulls from 1996 to 1998.
Jackson's success as a coach is widely recognised, and he is known for his ability to manage players' egos and develop their talent. He has authored several books about his coaching strategies and his holistic approach, influenced by Eastern philosophy, earned him the nickname "Zen Master". Jackson's nine championship rings tied him with Red Auerbach for the most all-time, a record he would later surpass in 2009 when he won his tenth ring. Jackson's 11 championship wins as a head coach are the most in NBA history.
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