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2001–02 Phoenix Suns season

NBA team season

NBA team season

FieldValue
teamPhoenix Suns
end_year2002
wins36
losses46
divisionPacific
division_place6
conf_place10
gmBryan Colangelo
ownerJerry Colangelo
arenaAmerica West Arena
playoffsDid not qualify
bbr_teamPHO
radioKTAR
  • Scott Skiles (resigned)
  • Frank Johnson
  • KUTP
  • Fox Sports Net Arizona
  • Cox 9 The 2001–02 Phoenix Suns 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, acquired second-year center Jake Voskuhl from the Chicago Bulls, 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.

With the addition of Marbury, and with Penny Hardaway back after only appearing in just four games the previous season due to a knee injury, the Suns lost three of their first four games of the regular season, but soon recovered by posting a five-game winning streak between November and December, and holding an 18–13 record at the end of December. However, the team soon struggled and fell below .500 in winning percentage by posting a five-game losing streak soon afterwards, and later on holding a 24–24 record at the All-Star break.

Head coach Scott Skiles resigned after a 25–26 start to the season, and was replaced with assistant and former Suns guard Frank Johnson, while Rodney Rogers and Tony Delk were both traded to the Boston Celtics in exchange for rookie shooting guard, and top draft pick Joe Johnson, and Randy Brown in a mid-season trade. Under 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 disappointing 36–46 record, and missing the NBA playoffs for the first time since the 1987–88 season.

Marbury averaged 20.4 points and 8.1 assists per game, while Shawn Marion averaged 19.1 points, 9.9 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game, and Hardaway provided the team with 12.0 points, 4.1 assists and 1.5 steals per game. In addition, Joe Johnson contributed 9.6 points and 3.6 assists per game in 27 games after the trade, and was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team, while second-year center Jake Tsakalidis provided with 7.3 points and 5.6 rebounds per game, and Tom Gugliotta averaged 6.5 points and 5.0 rebounds per game, but continued to struggle with knee injuries, as he only appeared in just 44 games due to left quadriceps tendonitis. Meanwhile, Voskuhl averaged 5.0 points and 4.3 rebounds per game, Wallace contributed 5.0 points per game, Outlaw provided with 4.7 points and 4.6 rebounds per game, and Majerle contributed 4.6 points per game, but shot just .343 in field-goal percentage.

The Suns finished 17th in the NBA in home-game attendance, with an attendance of 668,939 at the America West Arena during the regular season. This 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 thirteen consecutive NBA playoff appearances ended when the Suns failed to qualify for the postseason.

Following the season, Majerle retired after playing in his second stint with the Suns, and Wallace was released to free agency.

Offseason

NBA draft

Main article: 2001 NBA draft

RoundPickPlayerPositionNationalityCollege / Club Team
251Alton FordCenterUnited StatesHouston

Roster

  • Scott Skiles (resigned)
  • Frank Johnson
  • Al Bianchi
  • Jim Boylan
  • Robin Pound
  • Phil Weber

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

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

PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
*508.4.273.0001.000#0.80.4.0.01.6
*609.0.333.333.1.30.5.2.01.0
*1508.6.411.429^1.000#0.71.6.3.04.6
203.0.250..0.01.0.0.01.0
*41121.4.399.320.8363.02.0.8.110.6
5308.5.517†..7372.00.1.1.13.1
444025.7.422.333.7575.01.8.9.76.5
805630.8.418.277.8104.44.11.5.412.0
*292731.5.420.333.7784.13.6.9.49.6
65018.2.343.336^.5902.71.4.7.24.6
828038.9.442.286.7813.28.1.9.220.4
818138.4.469†.393^.845#9.92.01.81.119.1
*733624.2.550†.500^.4174.61.7.81.14.7
*2819.7.380.143.7830.81.0.3.02.8
*50725.1.466.350^.8284.81.41.0.312.6
308.0.500†..2.30.7.0.32.7
674723.6.475†.000.6985.60.3.31.07.3
593415.3.554†..7524.30.3.2.45.0
46010.7.435.385^.870#1.80.6.2.25.0
  • – 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

DatePlayerContractFormer Team
July 6, 2001Charlie BellUndisclosedMichigan State Spartans
July 19, 2001Dan MajerleSigned to 1-year contract for $1 millionMiami Heat
August 29, 2001Daniel SantiagoRe-signed to 1-year contract for $465,850Phoenix Suns
September 27, 2001Chris AndersenUndisclosedFayetteville Patriots (NBA DL)
September 27, 2001Dan McClintockUndisclosedDenver Nuggets
September 27, 2001Derek HoodUndisclosedSnaidero Udine (Italy)
September 27, 2001Kendrick JohnsonUndisclosed
January 7, 2002Joe CrispinSigned for rest of seasonSouthern California Surf (ABA)

Subtractions

DatePlayerReason leftNew team
September 28, 2001Johnny NewmanWaivedDallas Mavericks
October 7, 2001Chris AndersenWaivedDenver Nuggets
October 9, 2001Dan McClintockWaivedSkipper Bologna
October 11, 2001Kendrick JohnsonWaived
October 20, 2001Derek HoodWaivedMobile Revelers (NBA DL)
December 11, 2001Charlie BellWaivedPhoenix Eclipse (ABA)
January 7, 2002Daniel SantiagoWaivedLottomatica Roma (Italy)

Player Transactions Citation:

References

References

  1. "2001-02 Phoenix Suns Roster and Stats".
  2. (June 29, 2001). "Both Kidd and Marbury to Get Fresh Starts". ESPN.
  3. Robbins, Liz. (June 29, 2001). "PRO BASKETBALL; Nets' Shake-Up Ships Marbury for Suns' Kidd". The New York Times.
  4. Heisler, Mark. (June 29, 2001). "Kidd, Marbury Latest Big Deal". Los Angeles Times.
  5. (July 19, 2001). "Dan Majerle Signs with Suns". United Press International.
  6. Tutumello, Mike. (October 4, 2001). "Majerle Goes Home to the Arizona Heat". Sun Sentinel.
  7. Wise, Mike. (October 30, 2001). "PRO BASKETBALL; Jordan Against the New Generation, Lakers Against the World". The New York Times.
  8. (June 29, 2001). "Pistons Add Robinson in Deal with Suns". ESPN.
  9. (June 30, 2001). "PLUS: BASKETBALL; Suns' Robinson Is Dealt to Pistons". The New York Times.
  10. (November 16, 2001). "Suns Get Outlaw from Magic as Part of Three-Team Deal". ESPN.
  11. (November 16, 2001). "Suns Get Outlaw in 3-Team Trade". United Press International.
  12. Brewer, Jerry. (November 17, 2001). "Magic Send Outlaw to Suns". Orlando Sentinel.
  13. "NBA Games Played on February 7, 2002". Basketball-Reference.
  14. (February 17, 2002). "Skiles Agrees to Leave, Assistant Johnson Takes Over". ESPN.
  15. (February 18, 2002). "PRO BASKETBALL; Skiles Resigns as Suns' Coach". The New York Times.
  16. (February 18, 2002). "Suns' Skiles Resigns, Johnson Takes Over". Los Angeles Times.
  17. (February 20, 2002). "Report: Celts Acquire F Rogers, G Delk from Suns". ESPN.
  18. (February 21, 2002). "Boston Acquires Delk, Rogers from Phoenix". Los Angeles Times.
  19. (February 21, 2002). "Celts, Suns Make Trade; Jackson Set to Be Dealt". Deseret News.
  20. "2001–02 Phoenix Suns Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference.
  21. (January 8, 2002). "Suns Place Gugliotta on Injured List". United Press International.
  22. (February 12, 2002). "Suns Activate Oft-Injured Gugliotta". Midland Daily News.
  23. "2001–02 Phoenix Suns Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference.
  24. "2001–02 NBA Season Summary". Basketball-Reference.
  25. "Phoenix Suns". Basketball-Reference.
  26. (February 15, 2002). "Buford Clarifies Drug Suspension". Los Angeles Times.
  27. "2001–02 Phoenix Suns Transactions". Basketball-Reference.
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