2002–03 Dallas Mavericks season
Mavericks' 23rd NBA season
NBA professional basketball team season
The 2002–03 NBA season was the Mavericks' 23rd season in the National Basketball Association .[1] During the off-season, the Mavericks signed free agents Walt Williams ,[2] and Raja Bell .[3] The Mavericks started the season strong by winning their first fourteen games of the season, which was one win shy of tying the NBA record set by the 1948–49 Washington Capitols and the 1993–94 Houston Rockets (15–0).[4] They later held a 38–10 record at the All-Star break,[5] and finished with a 60–22 record and lost the tie-breaker with the Spurs for the Midwest Division title.[6]
Dirk Nowitzki and Steve Nash were both selected to play in the 2003 NBA All-Star Game . It was the second straight All-Star appearance for both players.[7] Nowitzki averaged 25.1 points, 9.9 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game, and was named to the All-NBA Second Team, while Nash averaged 17.7 points and 7.3 assists per game, and was named to the All-NBA Third Team. In addition, Michael Finley provided the team with 19.3 points and 5.8 rebounds per game, while sixth man Nick Van Exel contributed 12.5 points and 4.3 assists per game off the bench, and Raef LaFrentz provided with 9.3 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game.[8] Nowitzki finished in seventh place in Most Valuable Player voting, while Van Exel finished in fourth place in Sixth Man of the Year voting.[9]
The Mavericks defeated the Portland Trail Blazers in a tough seven game Western Conference First Round series.[10] [11] [12] Although they lost Game 1 at home against the Sacramento Kings in the Western Conference Semi-finals, 124–113,[13] they came back to win Game 2, where Kings captain Chris Webber suffered a season-ending knee injury. It would be the "Nick Van Exel Show" as he scored 36 points to tie the series 1–1, with a 132–110 win.[14] [15] In Game 3 at the ARCO Arena , Van Exel scored a career and playoff-high of 40 points to help the Mavericks take the series 2–1, with a 141-137 double-overtime win.[16] Dallas defeated the Kings in seven games to advance to the Western Conference finals for the first time since 1988,[17] [18] [19] where they met their in-state rival, the San Antonio Spurs . However, after losing Nowitzki to a knee injury in Game 3,[20] [21] the Mavericks would go on to lose the series in six games.[22] [23] [24] San Antonio won its second NBA Championship defeating the New Jersey Nets in six games in the Finals.[25] [26] [27]
Following the season, Van Exel was traded to the Golden State Warriors ,[28] [29] while LaFrentz was traded to the Boston Celtics ,[30] [31] Adrian Griffin signed as a free agent with the Houston Rockets ,[32] Bell signed with the Utah Jazz , and Williams retired.
Offseason
Draft picks
Roster
2002–03 Dallas Mavericks roster
Players
Coaches
Pos.
No.
Name
Height
Weight
DOB
From
G
9
Abdul-Wahad, Tariq
6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
223 lb (101 kg)
1973–11–03
San José State
G
11
Bell, Raja
6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
204 lb (93 kg)
1976–09–19
FIU
C
44
Bradley, Shawn
7 ft 6 in (2.29 m)
235 lb (107 kg)
1972–03–22
BYU
C
42
Eschmeyer, Evan
6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)
255 lb (116 kg)
1975–05–30
Northwestern
F
4
Finley, Michael
6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
225 lb (102 kg)
1973–03–06
Wisconsin
G
7
Griffin, Adrian
6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
217 lb (98 kg)
1974–07–04
Seton Hall
G
6
Johnson, Avery
5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
175 lb (79 kg)
1965–03–25
Southern
F
54
Jones, Popeye
6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
250 lb (113 kg)
1970–06–17
Murray State
C
45
LaFrentz, Raef
7 ft 0 in (2.13 m)
240 lb (109 kg)
1976–05–29
Kansas
F
14
Nájera, Eduardo
6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
235 lb (107 kg)
1976–07–11
Oklahoma
G
13
Nash, Steve
6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
180 lb (82 kg)
1974–02–07
Santa Clara
F
41
Nowitzki, Dirk
7 ft 0 in (2.13 m)
245 lb (111 kg)
1978–06–19
Germany
G
17
Rigaudeau, Antoine
6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
210 lb (95 kg)
1971–12–17
France
G
31
Van Exel, Nick
6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
170 lb (77 kg)
1971–11–27
Cincinnati
F
43
Williams, Walt
6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
219 lb (99 kg)
1970–04–16
Maryland
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
(DP) Unsigned draft pick(FA) Free agent(S) Suspended Injured
Roster Last transaction: January 17, 2003
Roster Notes
Center Shawn Bradley also holds American citizenship, but he played for the German national team and was born in Germany.
Regular season
Season standings
z – clinched division title
y – clinched division title
x – clinched playoff spot
Record vs. opponents
2002-03 NBA Records
Team
ATL
BOS
CHI
CLE
DAL
DEN
DET
GSW
HOU
IND
LAC
LAL
MEM
MIA
MIL
MIN
NJN
NOH
NYK
ORL
PHI
PHO
POR
SAC
SAS
SEA
TOR
UTA
WAS
Atlanta
–
0–3
2–2
4–0
0–2
2–0
1–3
0–2
1–1
2–2
2–0
1–1
1–1
1–3
2–2
0–2
1–3
2–2
1–3
2–1
3–1
0–2
0–2
1–1
1–1
1–1
1–3
1–1
2–2
Boston
3–0
–
2–2
4–0
0–2
1–1
2–2
1–1
0–2
2–2
2–0
1–1
2–0
2–2
1–2
2–0
1–3
3–1
4–0
3–2
2–2
0–2
1–1
0–2
0–2
2–0
1–2
1–1
1–3
Chicago
2–2
2–2
–
3–1
0–2
1–1
0–4
1–1
1–1
2–2
0–2
1–1
1–1
1–2
2–2
0–2
2–2
1–3
2–1
1–3
1–3
1–1
1–1
0–2
0–2
0–2
2–2
1–1
1–3
Cleveland
0–4
0–4
1–3
–
0–2
1–1
0–4
1–1
1–1
0–4
2–0
1–1
0–2
1–2
0–4
0–2
2–2
1–3
1–2
0–4
0–4
0–2
0–2
0–2
0–2
1–1
3–1
1–1
0–4
Dallas
2–0
2–0
2–0
2–0
–
4–0
2–0
4–0
4–0
1–1
4–0
1–3
4–0
2–0
0–2
2–2
2–0
2–0
2–0
1–1
2–0
2–2
2–2
1–3
2–2
2–2
2–0
2–2
2–0
Denver
0–2
1–1
1–1
1–1
0–4
–
0–2
0–4
0–4
1–1
1–3
0–4
2–2
2–0
1–1
0–4
0–2
0–2
0–2
0–2
0–2
1–3
2–2
0–4
1–3
1–3
1–1
0–4
1–1
Detroit
3–1
2–2
4–0
4–0
0–2
2–0
–
1–1
2–0
2–2
1–1
1–1
2–0
3–1
1–3
1–1
2–1
2–2
2–2
2–1
2–2
1–1
0–2
1–1
0–2
1–1
3–1
2–0
3–1
Golden State
2–0
1–1
1–1
1–1
0–4
4–0
1–1
–
1–3
1–1
2–2
2–2
2–2
1–1
0–2
1–3
1–1
1–1
2–0
1–1
2–0
2–2
0–4
0–4
1–3
2–2
2–0
2–2
2–0
Houston
1–1
2–0
1–1
1–1
0–4
4–0
0–2
3–1
–
1–1
2–2
2–2
3–1
1–1
1–1
2–2
1–1
1–1
0–2
2–0
2–0
3–1
1–3
2–2
1–3
2–2
2–0
1–3
1–1
Indiana
2–2
2–2
2–2
4–0
1–1
1–1
2–2
1–1
1–1
–
2–0
0–2
1–1
4–0
3–1
2–0
1–2
3–1
3–1
2–1
2–2
1–1
0–2
0–2
0–2
2–0
3–1
1–1
2–2
L.A. Clippers
0–2
0–2
2–0
0–2
0–4
3–1
1–1
2–2
2–2
0–2
–
0–4
2–2
2–0
1–1
1–3
1–1
1–1
1–1
1–1
0–2
1–3
1–3
1–3
1–3
1–3
1–1
1–3
0–2
L.A. Lakers
1–1
1–1
1–1
1–1
3–1
4–0
1–1
2–2
2–2
2–0
4–0
–
4–0
1–1
2–0
2–2
0–2
1–1
1–1
1–1
1–1
3–1
2–2
2–2
0–4
2–2
2–0
3–1
1–1
Memphis
1–1
0–2
1–1
2–0
0–4
2–2
0–2
2–2
1–3
1–1
2–2
0–4
–
2–0
2–0
0–4
1–1
1–1
1–1
2–0
0–2
1–3
1–3
0–4
1–3
1–3
1–1
1–3
1–1
Miami
3–1
2–2
2–1
2–1
0–2
0–2
1–3
1–1
1–1
0–4
0–2
1–1
0–2
–
1–3
1–1
0–4
0–4
2–2
0–4
0–4
2–0
0–2
1–1
0–2
0–2
4–0
0–2
1–3
Milwaukee
2–2
2–1
2–2
4–0
2–0
1–1
3–1
2–0
1–1
1–3
1–1
0–2
0–2
3–1
–
0–2
2–2
2–2
3–1
2–2
2–2
0–2
2–0
0–2
0–2
1–1
2–2
0–2
2–1
Minnesota
2–0
0–2
2–0
2–0
2–2
4–0
1–1
3–1
2–2
0–2
3–1
2–2
4–0
1–1
2–0
–
0–2
1–1
2–0
1–1
1–1
3–1
3–1
2–2
2–2
2–2
1–1
1–3
2–0
New Jersey
3–1
3–1
2–2
2–2
0–2
2–0
1–2
1–1
1–1
2–1
1–1
2–0
1–1
4–0
2–2
2–0
–
2–2
3–1
2–2
1–3
1–1
2–0
0–2
1–1
1–1
4–0
0–2
3–1
New Orleans
2–2
1–3
3–1
3–1
0–2
2–0
2–2
1–1
1–1
1–3
1–1
1–1
1–1
4–0
2–2
1–1
2–2
–
3–1
1–3
2–1
2–0
0–2
1–1
0–2
2–0
4–0
2–0
2–1
New York
3–1
0–4
1–2
2–1
0–2
2–0
2–2
0–2
2–0
1–3
1–1
1–1
1–1
2–2
1–3
0–2
1–3
1–3
–
2–2
2–2
2–0
0–2
1–1
2–0
1–1
3–1
1–1
2–2
Orlando
1–2
2–3
3–1
4–0
1–1
2–0
1–2
1–1
0–2
1–2
1–1
1–1
0–2
4–0
2–2
1–1
2–2
3–1
2–2
–
2–2
0–2
0–2
1–1
0–2
2–0
2–2
1–1
2–2
Philadelphia
1–3
2–2
3–1
4–0
0–2
2–0
2–2
0–2
0–2
2–2
2–0
1–1
2–0
4–0
2–2
1–1
3–1
1–2
2–2
2–2
–
0–2
2–0
0–2
1–1
1–1
3–0
1–1
4–0
Phoenix
2–0
2–0
1–1
2–0
2–2
3–1
1–1
2–2
1–3
1–1
3–1
1–3
3–1
0–2
2–0
1–3
1–1
0–2
0–2
2–0
2–0
–
3–1
2–2
3–1
1–3
1–1
1–3
1–1
Portland
2–0
1–1
1–1
2–0
2–2
2–2
2–0
4–0
3–1
2–0
3–1
2–2
3–1
2–0
0–2
1–3
0–2
2–0
2–0
2–0
0–2
1–3
–
1–3
2–2
4–0
2–0
1–3
1–1
Sacramento
1–1
2–0
2–0
2–0
3–1
4–0
1–1
4–0
2–2
2–0
3–1
2–2
4–0
1–1
2–0
2–2
2–0
1–1
1–1
1–1
2–0
2–2
3–1
–
1–3
3–1
1–1
3–1
2–0
San Antonio
1–1
2–0
2–0
2–0
2–2
3–1
2–0
3–1
3–1
2–0
3–1
4–0
3–1
2–0
2–0
2–2
1–1
2–0
0–2
2–0
1–1
1–3
2–2
3–1
–
3–1
2–0
4–0
1–1
Seattle
1–1
0–2
2–0
1–1
2–2
3–1
1–1
2–2
2–2
0–2
3–1
2–2
3–1
2–0
1–1
2–2
1–1
0–2
1–1
0–2
1–1
3–1
0–4
1–3
1–3
–
2–0
2–2
1–1
Toronto
3–1
2–1
2–2
1–3
0–2
1–1
1–3
0–2
0–2
1–3
1–1
0–2
1–1
0–4
2–2
1–1
0–4
0–4
1–3
2–2
0–3
1–1
0–2
1–1
0–2
0–2
–
0–2
3–1
Utah
1–1
1–1
1–1
1–1
2–2
4–0
0–2
2–2
3–1
1–1
3–1
1–3
3–1
2–0
2–0
3–1
2–0
0–2
1–1
1–1
1–1
3–1
3–1
1–3
0–4
2–2
2–0
–
1–1
Washington
2–2
3–1
3–1
4–0
0–2
1–1
1–3
0–2
1–1
2–2
2–0
1–1
1–1
3–1
1–2
0–2
1–3
1–2
2–2
2–2
0–4
1–1
1–1
0–2
1–1
1–1
1–3
1–1
—
Game log
2002–03 game log Total: 60–22 (home: 33–8; road: 27–14)
October: 1–0 (home: 0–0; road: 1–0)
November
: 14–1 (home: 8–0; road: 6–1)
Game
Date
Team
Score
High points
High rebounds
High assists
Location Attendance
Record
2
November 2
Phoenix
W 97–83
Dirk Nowitzki (22)
Shawn Bradley (8)
Steve Nash (8)
American Airlines Center 19,783
2-0
3
November 4
Golden State
W 107–100
Steve Nash (30)
Dirk Nowitzki (13)
Steve Nash (5)
American Airlines Center 19,368
3-0
4
November 6
@ Toronto
W 106–92
Dirk Nowitzki (28)
Dirk Nowitzki , Shawn Bradley (13)
Steve Nash (6)
Air Canada Centre 19,800
4-0
5
November 8
@ Chicago
W 114–87
Dirk Nowitzki (24)
Shawn Bradley , Walt Williams (11)
Steve Nash (6)
United Center 21,028
5-0
6
November 9
Detroit
W 114–75
Michael Finley (25)
Dirk Nowitzki (8)
Steve Nash (10)
American Airlines Center 19,644
6-0
7
November 11
Portland
W 82–73
Dirk Nowitzki (26)
Shawn Bradley (18)
Steve Nash (7)
American Airlines Center 19,548
7-0
8
November 13
@ Cleveland
W 103–99
Michael Finley (26)
Dirk Nowitzki (12)
Steve Nash (7)
Gund Arena 12,764
8-0
9
November 15
@ Boston
W 97–86
Dirk Nowitzki (32)
Dirk Nowitzki (9)
Steve Nash (9)
FleetCenter 18,624
9-0
10
November 16
@ New Jersey
W 96–88
Steve Nash (30)
Michael Finley (13)
Steve Nash (9)
Continental Airlines Arena 16,634
10-0
11
November 19
L. A. Lakers
W 98–72
Steve Nash (21)
Dirk Nowitzki (17)
Steve Nash (6)
American Airlines Center 20,096
11-0
12
November 21
Houston
W 103–90
Michael Finley (28)
Eduardo Nájera (11)
Steve Nash (8)
American Airlines Center 19,853
12-0
13
November 23
Seattle
W 115–103
Michael Finley , Dirk Nowitzki (29)
Michael Finley (11)
Steve Nash (8)
American Airlines Center 20,011
13-0
14
November 27
@ Detroit
W 102–82
Michael Finley (42)
Dirk Nowitzki (15)
Steve Nash (7)
The Palace of Auburn Hills 22,076
14-0
15
November 28
@ Indiana
L 98–110
Steve Nash (29)
Dirk Nowitzki (8)
Steve Nash (9)
Conseco Fieldhouse 17,948
14-1
16
November 30
Chicago
W 103–90
Steve Nash (18)
Dirk Nowitzki (11)
Steve Nash , Nick Van Exel (7)
American Airlines Center 19,940
15-1
December
: 0–0 (home: 0–0; road: 0–0)
January
: 0–0 (home: 0–0; road: 0–0)
Game
Date
Team
Score
High points
High rebounds
High assists
Location Attendance
Record
February
: 0–0 (home: 0–0; road: 0–0)
Game
Date
Team
Score
High points
High rebounds
High assists
Location Attendance
Record
March
: 0–0 (home: 0–0; road: 0–0)
Game
Date
Team
Score
High points
High rebounds
High assists
Location Attendance
Record
April
: 0–0 (home: 0–0; road: 0–0)
Game
Date
Team
Score
High points
High rebounds
High assists
Location Attendance
Record
2002–03 schedule
Playoffs
2003 playoff game log
First round: 4–3 (home: 3–1; road: 1–2)
Conference Semi-finals: 4–3 (home: 3–1; road: 1–2)
Conference finals: 2–4 (home: 0–3; road: 2–1)
Game
Date
Team
Score
High points
High rebounds
High assists
Location Attendance
Series
1
May 19
@ San Antonio
W 113–110
Dirk Nowitzki (38)
Dirk Nowitzki (15)
Steve Nash (3)
SBC Center 18,797
1–0
2
May 21
@ San Antonio
L 106–119
Michael Finley (29)
Finley , Nowitzki (10)
Steve Nash (8)
SBC Center 18,797
1–1
3
May 23
San Antonio
L 83–96
Nick Van Exel (16)
Dirk Nowitzki (9)
Steve Nash (9)
American Airlines Center 20,695
1–2
4
May 25
San Antonio
L 95–102
Finley , Nash (25)
Van Exel , Williams (8)
Van Exel , Williams (3)
American Airlines Center 20,561
1–3
5
May 27
@ San Antonio
W 103–91
Michael Finley (31)
three players tied (8)
Steve Nash (6)
SBC Center 18,797
2–3
6
May 29
San Antonio
L 78–90
Nick Van Exel (19)
Raef LaFrentz (12)
Steve Nash (11)
American Airlines Center 20,812
2–4
2003 schedule
Player statistics
Season
Playoffs
Awards and records
Transactions
Overview
Players Added
Via draft
Via trade
Via free agency
Players Lost
Via trade
Via free agency
Date
From
To
Transaction
9/20/02
WAS
DAL
The Dallas Mavericks signed Popeye Jones as a free agent.
10/1/02
PHI
DAL
The Dallas Mavericks signed Raja Bell as a free agent.
10/10/02
N/A
DAL
The Dallas Mavericks signed Adam Harrington as a free agent.
10/18/02
HOU
DAL
The Dallas Mavericks signed Walt Williams as a free agent.
11/17/02
ATL
DAL
The Dallas Mavericks signed Mark Strickland as a free agent.
1/17/03
N/A
DAL
The Dallas Mavericks signed Antoine Rigaudeau as a free agent.
Player Transactions Citation:[33]
See also
References
^ "2002-03 Dallas Mavericks" . Basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 11, 2012 .
^ "Mavericks Sign Walt Williams" . United Press International . October 18, 2002. Retrieved June 12, 2022 .
^ "WESTERN CONFERENCE: Team-by-Team Preview" . The New York Times . October 28, 2002. Retrieved July 16, 2022 .
^ "Finley's Shooting Puts Dallas at 14-0" . Los Angeles Times . Associated Press. November 28, 2002. Retrieved August 24, 2017 .
^ "NBA Games Played on February 6, 2003" . Basketball-Reference . Retrieved September 13, 2022 .
^ "2002–03 Dallas Mavericks Schedule and Results" . Basketball-Reference. Retrieved July 30, 2021 .
^ "2003 NBA All-Star Game: West 155, East 145 (2OT)" . Basketball-Reference . Retrieved January 13, 2022 .
^ "2002–03 Dallas Mavericks Roster and Stats" . Basketball-Reference. Retrieved July 30, 2021 .
^ "2002–03 NBA Awards Voting" . Basketball-Reference . Retrieved February 2, 2022 .
^ Crowe, Jerry (May 5, 2003). "Mavericks Find Touch at the End -- Finally" . Los Angeles Times . Retrieved June 11, 2022 .
^ Smith, Sam (May 5, 2003). "Mavericks Wake Up, Win Series" . The Washington Post . Retrieved January 13, 2022 .
^ "Dallas 107, Portland 95" . United Press International . May 4, 2003. Retrieved November 27, 2022 .
^ Crowe, Jerry (May 7, 2003). "Kings Execute Against Dallas" . Los Angeles Times . Retrieved September 13, 2022 .
^ "Mavericks Rout Kings, Who May Lose Webber" . Los Angeles Times . Associated Press. May 9, 2003. Retrieved September 13, 2022 .
^ Fernas, Rob (May 10, 2003). "Kings Lose Webber for Rest of Playoffs" . Los Angeles Times . Retrieved September 13, 2022 .
^ Crowe, Jerry (May 11, 2003). "With Webber Out, Kings Left Hurting" . Los Angeles Times . Retrieved September 13, 2022 .
^ Broussard, Chris (May 18, 2003). "PRO BASKETBALL; Mavs Are No Softies, Ousting Kings" . The New York Times . Retrieved January 13, 2022 .
^ Crowe, Jerry (May 18, 2003). "Mavericks Apply the Chokehold" . Los Angeles Times . Retrieved June 11, 2022 .
^ Wilbon, Michael (May 18, 2003). "Nowitzki, Mavericks March On" . The Washington Post . Retrieved November 27, 2022 .
^ Broussard, Chris (May 24, 2003). "PRO BASKETBALL; Spurs Win, and the Mavericks May Lose Nowitzki" . The New York Times . Retrieved October 27, 2022 .
^ "Mavericks' Nowitzki Doubtful for Game 4" . Los Angeles Times . Associated Press. May 25, 2003. Retrieved June 11, 2022 .
^ "Kerr's Shooting Helps Spurs Advance Past Mavericks, 90-78" . The New York Times . Associated Press. May 29, 2003. Retrieved January 13, 2022 .
^ Heisler, Mark (May 30, 2003). "Mavericks Collapse in Biggest of Ways" . Los Angeles Times . Retrieved June 11, 2022 .
^ Wyche, Steve (May 30, 2003). "Spurs Rally, Finish the Mavericks" . The Washington Post . Retrieved November 27, 2022 .
^ "Spurs Defeat Nets to Win N.B.A. Title" . The New York Times . Associated Press. June 15, 2003. Retrieved January 13, 2022 .
^ Heisler, Mark (June 16, 2003). "Spurs Reduce the 'Risk" . Los Angeles Times . Retrieved June 11, 2022 .
^ "San Antonio 88, New Jersey 77" . United Press International . June 15, 2003. Retrieved September 13, 2022 .
^ "Mavericks Get Jamison from the Warriors" . The New York Times . Associated Press. August 18, 2003. Retrieved June 11, 2022 .
^ "Mavericks Get Jamison in Nine-Player Trade" . Los Angeles Times . Associated Press. August 19, 2003. Retrieved October 27, 2022 .
^ Broussard, Chris (October 21, 2003). "PRO BASKETBALL; Dallas Acquires Antoine Walker, Adding Even More Scoring Punch" . The New York Times . Retrieved June 22, 2022 .
^ "Mavericks Get Walker" . Los Angeles Times . October 21, 2003. Retrieved October 27, 2022 .
^ "Transactions" . The New York Times . August 8, 2003. Retrieved October 27, 2022 .
^ "2002–03 Dallas Mavericks Transactions" . Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 13, 2022 .
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