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2002–03 Minnesota Timberwolves season

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2002–03 Minnesota Timberwolves season
Head coachFlip Saunders
General managerKevin McHale
Owner(s)Glen Taylor
ArenaTarget Center
Results
Record51–31 (.622)
PlaceDivision: 3rd (Midwest)
Conference: 4th (Western)
Playoff finishFirst round
(lost to Lakers 2–4)
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
Television
RadioWFAN
< 2001–02 2003–04 >

The 2002–03 NBA season was the 14th season the Timberwolves has competed in the National Basketball Association.[1] During the off-season, the Timberwolves signed free agents Troy Hudson and Kendall Gill.[2][3][4] Kevin Garnett performed well throughout the season, winning the All-Star MVP award in the 2003 NBA All-Star Game in Atlanta,[5][6][7][8] and finishing second in MVP voting behind MVP Tim Duncan with 43 first-place votes,[9][10] plus also finishing in third place in Defensive Player of the Year voting.[11][12] Despite losing both Terrell Brandon and Felipe Lopez for the entire season to knee injuries,[13][14] the Timberwolves posted a 12–1 record in February, held a 29–20 record at the All-Star break,[15] and finished the season with a 51–31 record, good enough to earn the fourth seed in the Western Conference and home court advantage for the playoffs.[16]

Garnett averaged 23.0 points, 13.4 rebounds, 6.0 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.6 blocks per game, and was named to the All-NBA First Team, and the NBA All-Defensive First Team. In addition, Wally Szczerbiak averaged 17.6 points per game, while Hudson provided the team with 14.2 points and 5.7 assists per game, Rasho Nesterovic provided with 11.2 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game, and Joe Smith contributed 7.5 points and 5.0 rebounds per game.[17]

However, for the seventh straight year in the Garnett era, the Timberwolves did not make it out of the first round of the playoffs, as they lost to the 5th-seeded and the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers in six games in the Western Conference First Round.[18][19][20] Following the season, Smith was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks,[21][22] while Anthony Peeler signed as a free agent with the Sacramento Kings,[23] Gill signed with the Chicago Bulls,[24] and Brandon was traded to the Atlanta Hawks.[25]

Draft picks

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Main article: 2002 NBA draft
Round Pick Player Position Nationality College
1 29 Forfeited pick
2 52 Marcus Taylor PG  United States Michigan State

Roster

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2002–03 Minnesota Timberwolves roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB From
G 7 Brandon, Terrell (IN) 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1970–05–20 Oregon
F 21 Garnett, Kevin 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1976–05–19 Farragut Academy (IL)
G 9 Gill, Kendall 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1968–05–25 Illinois
G 16 Hudson, Troy 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 1976–03–13 Southern Illinois
C 25 Jackson, Marc 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 270 lb (122 kg) 1975–01–16 Temple
G 13 López, Felipe (IN) 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1974–12–19 St. John's
C 8 Nesterović, Rasho 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 255 lb (116 kg) 1976–05–30 Slovenia
G 44 Peeler, Anthony 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 208 lb (94 kg) 1969–11–25 Missouri
G 36 Rakocevic, Igor 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 183 lb (83 kg) 1978–03–29 Serbia
F 32 Smith, Joe 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1975–07–26 Maryland
G 1 Strickland, Rod 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 1966–07–11 DePaul
F 10 Szczerbiak, Wally 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 244 lb (111 kg) 1977–03–05 Miami (OH)
F 20 Trent, Gary 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 250 lb (113 kg) 1974–09–22 Ohio
G 29 Wilks, Mike 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1979–05–07 Rice
C 3 Woods, Loren 7 ft 2 in (2.18 m) 260 lb (118 kg) 1978–06–21 Arizona
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • (IN) Inactive
  • Injured Injured

Roster
Last transaction: February 12, 2003

Roster Notes

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  • Point guard Terrell Brandon missed the entire season due to a knee injury.
  • Shooting guard Felipe Lopez missed the entire season due to a torn ACL and MCL in his left knee.

Regular season

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Season standings

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Midwest Division
 W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-San Antonio Spurs 60 22 .732 – 33–8 27–14 17–7
x-Dallas Mavericks 60 22 .732 – 33–8 27–14 18–6
x-Minnesota Timberwolves 51 31 .622 9 33–8 18–23 15–9
x-Utah Jazz 47 35 .573 13 29–12 18–23 15–9
Houston Rockets 43 39 .524 17 28–13 15–26 11–13
Memphis Grizzlies 28 54 .341 32 20–21 8–33 5–17
Denver Nuggets 17 65 .207 43 13–28 4–37 3–21
#
Western Conference
Team W L PCT GB
1 z-San Antonio Spurs 60 22 .732 –
2 y-Sacramento Kings 59 23 .720 1
3 x-Dallas Mavericks 60 22 .732 –
4 x-Minnesota Timberwolves 51 31 .622 9
5 x-Los Angeles Lakers 50 32 .610 10
6 x-Portland Trail Blazers 50 32 .610 10
7 x-Utah Jazz 47 35 .573 13
8 x-Phoenix Suns 44 38 .537 16
9 Houston Rockets 43 39 .524 17
10 Seattle SuperSonics 40 42 .488 20
11 Golden State Warriors 38 44 .463 22
12 Memphis Grizzlies 28 54 .341 32
13 Los Angeles Clippers 27 55 .329 33
14 Denver Nuggets 17 65 .207 43
z - clinched division title
y - clinched division title
x - clinched playoff spot

Record vs. opponents

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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

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Playoffs

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2003 playoff game log
First round: 2–4 (home: 1–2; road: 1–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Series
1 April 20 L.A. Lakers L 98–117 Kevin Garnett (23) Kevin Garnett (14) Kevin Garnett (7) Target Center
17,097 		0–1
2 April 22 L.A. Lakers W 119–91 Troy Hudson (37) Kevin Garnett (20) Troy Hudson (10) Target Center
17,132 		1–1
3 April 24 @ L.A. Lakers W 114–110 (OT) Kevin Garnett (33) Kevin Garnett (14) Rod Strickland (7) Staples Center
18,997 		2–1
4 April 27 @ L.A. Lakers L 97–102 Garnett, Hudson (28) Kevin Garnett (18) Kevin Garnett (5) Staples Center
18,997 		2–2
5 April 29 L.A. Lakers L 90–120 Kevin Garnett (25) Kevin Garnett (16) Troy Hudson (7) Target Center
20,098 		2–3
6 May 1 @ L.A. Lakers L 85–101 Garnett, Hudson (18) Kevin Garnett (12) Garnett, Szczerbiak (5) Staples Center
18,997 		2–4
2003 schedule

Player statistics

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Ragular season

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Player POS GP GS MP REB AST STL BLK PTS MPG RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Kevin Garnett PF 82 82 3,321 1,102 495 113 129 1,883 40.5 13.4 6.0 1.4 1.6 23.0
Anthony Peeler SG 82 39 2,245 241 244 72 13 630 27.4 2.9 3.0 .9 .2 7.7
Kendall Gill SG 82 34 2,068 248 156 78 15 714 25.2 3.0 1.9 1.0 .2 8.7
Gary Trent SF 80 22 1,222 291 77 32 23 476 15.3 3.6 1.0 .4 .3 6.0
Troy Hudson PG 79 74 2,600 183 452 60 7 1,123 32.9 2.3 5.7 .8 .1 14.2
Rasho Nesterović C 77 77 2,337 504 114 39 116 861 30.4 6.5 1.5 .5 1.5 11.2
Marc Jackson C 77 0 1,041 225 37 24 30 421 13.5 2.9 .5 .3 .4 5.5
Joe Smith SF 54 21 1,117 270 38 14 55 404 20.7 5.0 .7 .3 1.0 7.5
Wally Szczerbiak SF 52 42 1,836 241 136 44 22 913 35.3 4.6 2.6 .8 .4 17.6
Rod Strickland PG 47 8 956 95 215 46 6 320 20.3 2.0 4.6 1.0 .1 6.8
Igor Rakočević PG 42 0 244 17 33 4 0 78 5.8 .4 .8 .1 .0 1.9
Loren Woods C 38 11 353 95 19 10 13 80 9.3 2.5 .5 .3 .3 2.1
Mike Wilks† PG 31 0 324 30 50 11 3 62 10.5 1.0 1.6 .4 .1 2.0
Reggie Slater PF 26 0 141 31 4 6 1 81 5.4 1.2 .2 .2 .0 3.1
  • † Denotes player spent time with another team in the season. Stats reflect time with the Timberwolves only.

Playoffs

[edit]
Player POS GP GS MP REB AST STL BLK PTS MPG RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Kevin Garnett PF 6 6 265 94 31 10 10 162 44.2 15.7 5.2 1.7 1.7 27.0
Wally Szczerbiak SF 6 6 252 30 13 6 1 87 42.0 5.0 2.2 1.0 .2 14.5
Troy Hudson PG 6 6 221 12 33 8 0 141 36.8 2.0 5.5 1.3 .0 23.5
Rasho Nesterović C 6 6 169 30 4 1 4 42 28.2 5.0 .7 .2 .7 7.0
Anthony Peeler SG 6 5 166 21 18 4 1 29 27.7 3.5 3.0 .7 .2 4.8
Kendall Gill SG 6 0 118 13 7 4 1 31 19.7 2.2 1.2 .7 .2 5.2
Marc Jackson C 6 0 110 33 8 2 1 50 18.3 5.5 1.3 .3 .2 8.3
Rod Strickland PG 6 0 73 6 17 4 2 28 12.2 1.0 2.8 .7 .3 4.7
Gary Trent SF 6 0 42 7 1 1 0 14 7.0 1.2 .2 .2 .0 2.3
Joe Smith SF 5 1 40 6 0 1 1 14 8.0 1.2 .0 .2 .2 2.8
Mike Wilks PG 4 0 7 0 0 0 0 3 1.8 .0 .0 .0 .0 .8
Loren Woods C 2 0 2 1 0 0 0 2 1.0 .5 .0 .0 .0 1.0

Awards and records

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Transactions

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References

[edit]
  1. ^ 2002-03 Minnesota Timberwolves
  2. ^ "Report: Wolves Sign G Troy Hudson". United Press International. August 26, 2002. Retrieved June 11, 2022.
  3. ^ "Timberwolves Sign Kendall Gill". United Press International. September 26, 2002. Retrieved June 11, 2022.
  4. ^ "WESTERN CONFERENCE: Team-by-Team Preview". The New York Times. October 28, 2002. Retrieved July 16, 2022.
  5. ^ "Garnett Is the M.V.P. in Jordan's Final All-Star Game". The New York Times. Associated Press. February 9, 2003. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  6. ^ Wyche, Steve (February 10, 2003). "Passing the Torch". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 12, 2022.
  7. ^ "2003 NBA All-Star Game: West 155, East 145 (2OT)". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  8. ^ "NBA & ABA All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award Winners". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved November 29, 2022.
  9. ^ "PRO BASKETBALL; Duncan Is M.V.P. Once Again". The New York Times. Associated Press. May 5, 2003. Retrieved June 11, 2022.
  10. ^ Teaford, Elliott (May 4, 2003). "Duncan to Win Second MVP in a Row". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 13, 2022.
  11. ^ "Wallace Chosen Best Defender". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. April 24, 2003. Retrieved September 13, 2022.
  12. ^ "2002–03 NBA Awards Voting". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  13. ^ "Timberwolves' Hudson Hurts Ankle". Midland Daily News. January 12, 2003. Retrieved June 11, 2022.
  14. ^ Heisler, Mark (April 28, 2003). "He's Guy Bringing Dread to the Lakers". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 27, 2022.
  15. ^ "NBA Games Played on February 6, 2003". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved September 13, 2022.
  16. ^ "2002–03 Minnesota Timberwolves Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  17. ^ "2002–03 Minnesota Timberwolves Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  18. ^ Wise, Mike (May 2, 2003). "PRO BASKETBALL; Looking Like Champs, Lakers Advance". The New York Times. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  19. ^ Brown, Tim (May 2, 2003). "Lakers Earn Their Spurs". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 11, 2022.
  20. ^ Neiman, David (May 2, 2003). "Lakers Finish Timberwolves to Advance to West Semis". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
  21. ^ Broussard, Chris (June 28, 2003). "PRO BASKETBALL; In Fallout from Draft, Bucks Trade Cassell". The New York Times. Retrieved June 11, 2022.
  22. ^ "Bucks Send Cassell to Minnesota". United Press International. June 27, 2003. Retrieved October 27, 2022.
  23. ^ "Kings Ink Anthony Peeler". United Press International. August 15, 2003. Retrieved July 15, 2022.
  24. ^ Johnson, K.C. (October 28, 2003). "Kendall Gill's 'Pizza' Diet". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved October 27, 2022.
  25. ^ "Sprewell Is Part of 4-Team Trade". Los Angeles Times. July 24, 2003. Retrieved July 15, 2022.

See also

[edit]
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