The 2001–02 NBA season was the Rockets' 35th season in the National Basketball Association , 31st season in the city of Houston , and their 27th and penultimate season at Compaq Center .[ 1] In the 2001 NBA draft , the Rockets selected Richard Jefferson from the University of Arizona with the thirteenth overall pick,[ 2] but soon traded him to the New Jersey Nets in exchange for top draft pick Eddie Griffin out of Seton Hall University .[ 3] [ 4] During the off-season, the team acquired All-Star forward Glen Rice from the New York Knicks ,[ 5] [ 6] [ 7] and re-acquired former Rockets forward Kevin Willis from the Milwaukee Bucks .[ 8]
In their first season without All-Star center Hakeem Olajuwon , the Rockets got off to a 7–5 start, but then suffered a dreadful 15-game losing streak. Rice only played just 20 games due to a knee injury,[ 9] and Maurice Taylor missed the entire season with a ruptured Achilles tendon.[ 10] [ 11] Due to injuries that hindered their roster for parts of the year, the Rockets played mediocre basketball all season long, losing 15 of their final 18 games, and finishing fifth in the Midwest Division with a disappointing 28–54 record.[ 12]
Team captain Steve Francis averaged 21.6 points, 7.0 rebounds and 6.4 assists per game, and made his first All-Star appearance being selected for the 2002 NBA All-Star Game in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania ,[ 13] [ 14] [ 15] [ 16] [ 17] but he only played 57 games, and starting 56 of them due to recurring foot injuries and migraines.[ 18] [ 19] He also participated in the Slam Dunk Contest. Cuttino Mobley led the team in scoring averaging 21.7 points per game, and Griffin was selected to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team.[ 20]
Following the season, Walt Williams signed as a free agent with the Dallas Mavericks ,[ 21] and Willis signed with the San Antonio Spurs .[ 22] [ 23]
2001–02 Houston Rockets roster
Players
Coaches
Pos.
No.
Name
Height
Weight
DOB
From
G
10
Brown, Tierre
6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
189 lb (86 kg)
McNeese State
F/C
13
Cato, Kelvin
6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)
255 lb (116 kg)
Iowa State
C
52
Collier, Jason
7 ft 0 in (2.13 m)
260 lb (118 kg)
Georgia Tech
G
3
Francis, Steve
6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
195 lb (88 kg)
Maryland
F/C
33
Griffin, Eddie
6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)
220 lb (100 kg)
Seton Hall
F
14
Langhi, Dan
6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)
220 lb (100 kg)
Vanderbilt
G/F
5
Mobley, Cuttino
6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
190 lb (86 kg)
Rhode Island
F
44
Morris, Terence
6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
221 lb (100 kg)
Maryland
G
12
Norris, Moochie
6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
175 lb (79 kg)
West Florida
F
41
Rice, Glen
6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
215 lb (98 kg)
Michigan
F
21
Thomas, Kenny
6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
261 lb (118 kg)
New Mexico
G/F
18
Torres, Oscar
6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
215 lb (98 kg)
Xavier
F/C
2
Taylor, Maurice (IN)
6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
260 lb (118 kg)
Michigan
F
42
Williams, Walt
6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
219 lb (99 kg)
Maryland
F/C
43
Willis, Kevin
7 ft 0 in (2.13 m)
245 lb (111 kg)
Michigan State
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
(DP) Unsigned draft pick(FA) Free agent(S) Suspended(IN) Inactive Injured
Roster
Forward/center Maurice Taylor missed the entire season due to a ruptured Achilles tendon.
Record vs. opponents
edit
2001-02 NBA Records
Team
ATL
BOS
CHA
CHI
CLE
DAL
DEN
DET
GSW
HOU
IND
LAC
LAL
MEM
MIA
MIL
MIN
NJN
NYK
ORL
PHI
PHO
POR
SAC
SAS
SEA
TOR
UTA
WAS
Atlanta
—
2–2
2–2
3–1
3–1
0–2
2–0
1–3
2–0
1–1
1–3
1–1
1–1
2–0
3–1
1–3
0–2
2–1
1–3
1–3
1–3
1–1
1–1
0–2
0–2
0–2
0–4
1–1
0–3
Boston
2–2
—
2–1
2–2
4–0
0–2
2–0
2–2
1–1
0–2
3–0
2–0
2–0
2–0
3–1
1–3
1–1
3–1
4–0
3–1
1–3
1–1
1–1
0–2
0–2
1–1
2–2
1–1
3–1
Charlotte
2–2
1–2
—
4–0
3–1
0–2
2–0
1–3
2–0
1–1
3–1
1–1
0–2
1–1
3–0
2–2
0–2
1–3
2–2
3–1
1–3
2–0
1–1
0–2
1–1
1–1
2–2
1–1
3–1
Chicago
1–3
2–2
0–4
—
1–3
0–2
0–2
1–3
1–1
2–0
0–4
0–2
2–0
1–1
1–3
2–2
0–2
0–4
3–1
0–3
1–2
1–1
0–2
0–2
0–2
1–1
0–4
0–2
1–3
Cleveland
1–3
0–4
1–3
3–1
—
0–2
1–1
1–3
1–1
2–0
2–2
0–2
0–2
1–1
3–1
3–1
2–0
1–3
2–2
1–3
0–3
1–1
0–2
0–2
1–1
0–2
1–3
0–2
1–2
Dallas
2–0
2–0
2–0
2–0
2–0
—
4–0
1–1
4–0
2–2
2–0
2–2
1–3
4–0
1–1
2–0
2–2
2–0
1–1
1–1
1–1
3–1
2–2
3–1
1–3
3–1
1–1
3–1
1–1
Denver
0–2
0–2
0–2
2–0
1–1
0–4
—
0–2
1–3
2–2
0–2
1–3
1–3
3–1
0–2
0–2
2–2
1–1
2–0
0–2
1–1
3–1
2–2
0–4
0–4
3–1
1–1
1–3
0–2
Detroit
3–1
2–2
3–1
3–1
3–1
1–1
2–0
—
1–1
1–1
3–1
1–1
0–2
2–0
2–1
2–2
1–1
3–1
3–1
2–2
2–1
1–1
0–2
0–2
0–2
1–1
3–1
1–1
4–0
Golden State
0–2
1–1
0–2
1–1
1–1
0–4
3–1
1–1
—
1–3
0–2
2–2
1–3
3–1
0–2
0–2
1–3
1–1
1–1
0–2
1–1
0–4
2–2
0–4
0–4
0–4
0–2
0–4
1–1
Houston
1–1
2–0
1–1
0–2
0–2
2–2
2–2
1–1
3–1
—
0–2
1–3
0–4
1–3
0–2
1–1
2–2
0–2
1–1
0–2
1–1
2–2
1–3
0–4
0–4
2–2
1–1
2–2
1–1
Indiana
3–1
0–3
1–3
4–0
2–2
0–2
2–0
1–3
2–0
2–0
—
1–1
0–2
1–1
2–2
1–3
1–1
1–3
2–1
3–1
3–1
1–1
1–1
2–0
1–1
0–2
1–3
1–1
3–1
L.A. Clippers
1–1
0–2
1–1
2–0
2–0
2–2
3–1
1–1
2–2
3–1
1–1
—
1–3
3–1
2–0
1–1
2–2
0–2
2–0
1–1
0–2
3–1
1–3
1–3
1–3
1–3
1–1
0–4
1–1
L.A. Lakers
1–1
0–2
2–0
0–2
2–0
3–1
3–1
2–0
3–1
4–0
2–0
3–1
—
3–1
1–1
2–0
2–2
1–1
2–0
2–0
1–1
2–2
2–2
3–1
3–1
3–1
1–1
3–1
2–0
Memphis
0–2
0–2
1–1
1–1
1–1
0–4
1–3
0–2
1–3
3–1
1–1
1–3
1–3
—
1–1
0–2
0–4
0–2
1–1
0–2
2–0
1–3
2–2
1–3
0–4
0–4
1–1
3–1
0–2
Miami
1–3
1–3
0–3
3–1
1–3
1–1
2–0
1–2
2–0
2–0
2–2
0–2
1–1
1–1
—
3–1
0–2
1–3
2–2
3–1
1–3
1–1
1–1
0–2
1–1
2–0
1–3
0–2
2–2
Milwaukee
3–1
3–1
2–2
2–2
1–3
0–2
2–0
2–2
2–0
1–1
3–1
1–1
0–2
2–0
1–3
—
0–2
1–2
1–3
2–1
1–3
0–2
0–2
0–2
2–0
0–2
4–0
2–0
3–1
Minnesota
2–0
1–1
2–0
2–0
0–2
2–2
2–2
1–1
3–1
2–2
1–1
2–2
2–2
4–0
2–0
2–0
—
1–1
2–0
1–1
1–1
2–2
2–2
1–3
2–2
2–2
1–1
3–1
2–0
New Jersey
1–2
1–3
3–1
4–0
3–1
0–2
1–1
1–3
1–1
2–0
3–1
2–0
1–1
2–0
3–1
2–1
1–1
—
4–0
3–1
2–2
1–1
1–1
1–1
2–0
1–1
2–2
1–1
3–1
New York
3–1
0–4
2–2
1–3
2–2
1–1
0–2
1–3
1–1
1–1
1–2
0–2
0–2
1–1
2–2
3–1
0–2
0–4
—
0–4
1–3
1–1
1–1
1–1
0–2
2–0
3–0
1–1
1–3
Orlando
3–1
1–3
1–3
3–0
3–1
1–1
2–0
2–2
2–0
2–0
1–3
1–1
0–2
2–0
1–3
1–2
1–1
1–3
4–0
—
3–1
2–0
0–2
1–1
0–2
0–2
3–1
1–1
2–2
Philadelphia
3–1
3–1
3–1
2–1
3–0
1–1
1–1
1–2
1–1
1–1
1–3
2–0
1–1
0–2
3–1
3–1
1–1
2–2
3–1
1–3
—
2–0
0–2
0–2
1–1
1–1
1–3
0–2
2–3
Phoenix
1–1
1–1
0–2
1–1
1–1
1–3
1–3
1–1
4–0
2–2
1–1
1–3
2–2
3–1
1–1
2–0
2–2
1–1
1–1
0–2
0–2
—
2–2
1–3
1–3
2–2
1–1
2–2
0–2
Portland
1–1
1–1
1–1
2–0
2–0
2–2
2–2
2–0
2–2
3–1
1–1
3–1
2–2
2–2
1–1
2–0
2–2
1–1
1–1
2–0
2–0
2–2
—
2–2
1–3
3–1
1–1
1–3
2–0
Sacramento
2–0
2–0
2–0
2–0
2–0
1–3
4–0
2–0
4–0
4–0
0–2
3–1
1–3
3–1
2–0
2–0
3–1
1–1
1–1
1–1
2–0
3–1
2–2
—
3–1
2–2
2–0
4–0
1–1
San Antonio
2–0
2–0
1–1
2–0
1–1
3–1
4–0
2–0
4–0
4–0
1–1
3–1
1–3
4–0
1–1
0–2
2–2
0–2
2–0
2–0
1–1
3–1
3–1
1–3
—
2–2
1–1
4–0
2–0
Seattle
2–0
1–1
1–1
1–1
2–0
1–3
1–3
1–1
4–0
2–2
2–0
3–1
1–3
4–0
0–2
2–0
2–2
1–1
0–2
2–0
1–1
2–2
1–3
2–2
2–2
—
2–0
1–3
1–1
Toronto
4–0
2–2
2–2
4–0
3–1
1–1
1–1
1–3
2–0
1–1
3–1
1–1
1–1
1–1
3–1
0–4
1–1
2–2
0–3
1–3
3–1
1–1
1–1
0–2
1–1
0–2
—
1–1
1–2
Utah
1–1
1–1
1–1
2–0
2–0
1–3
3–1
1–1
4–0
2–2
1–1
4–0
1–3
1–3
2–0
0–2
1–3
1–1
1–1
1–1
2–0
2–2
3–1
0–4
0–4
3–1
1–1
—
2–0
Washington
3–0
1–3
1–3
3–1
2–1
1–1
2–0
0–4
1–1
1–1
1–3
1–1
0–2
2–0
2–2
1–3
0–2
1–3
3–1
2–2
3–2
2–0
0–2
1–1
0–2
1–1
2–1
0–2
—
^ 2001-02 Houston Rockets
^ "2001 NBA Draft" . Basketball-Reference . Retrieved December 1, 2022 .
^ Wise, Mike (June 28, 2001). "PRO BASKETBALL; Three High School Stars Are Among First Four Chosen" . The New York Times . Retrieved July 24, 2021 .
^ Sheridan, Chris (June 28, 2001). "High School Player Tops NBA Draft" . Associated Press . Retrieved July 15, 2022 .
^ Robbins, Liz (August 11, 2001). "PRO BASKETBALL; Looking for Balance, the Knicks Trade Rice" . The New York Times . Retrieved January 11, 2022 .
^ Services, Times Wire (August 11, 2001). "Rice Goes to Houston in Three-Team Trade" . Los Angeles Times . Retrieved October 25, 2022 .
^ Wise, Mike (October 30, 2001). "PRO BASKETBALL; Jordan Against the New Generation, Lakers Against the World" . The New York Times . Retrieved July 16, 2022 .
^ Gardner, Kris (October 22, 2001). "Rockets Get Kevin Willis" . The Houston Roundball Review . Retrieved June 9, 2022 .
^ Berman, Marc (January 7, 2002). "Rice Reunion Derailed by Injury" . New York Post . Retrieved October 25, 2022 .
^ "PLUS: BASKETBALL; Rockets' Taylor Will Miss Season" . The New York Times . September 6, 2001. Retrieved January 12, 2022 .
^ Services, Wire (December 17, 2001). "Wizards Keep Rolling" . Los Angeles Times . Retrieved October 25, 2022 .
^ "2001–02 Houston Rockets Schedule and Results" . Basketball-Reference. Retrieved September 20, 2021 .
^ "NBA All-Star Game Rosters" . United Press International . February 8, 2002. Retrieved October 23, 2024 .
^ Liao, Henry (February 10, 2002). "Five Teams, Five Pairs" . Philippine Daily Inquirer . p. A19. Retrieved October 23, 2024 .
^ "2002 NBA All-Star Recap" . NBA.com . NBA.com Staff. September 13, 2021. Retrieved May 4, 2023 .
^ "2002 All-Star Weekend - at Philadelphia: February 8-10" . Eskimo North . Retrieved May 4, 2023 .
^ "2002 NBA All-Star Game: West 135, East 120" . Basketball-Reference . Retrieved December 31, 2021 .
^ "Cartwright Gets Bulls' Promotion" . Los Angeles Times . Associated Press. December 29, 2001. Retrieved October 25, 2022 .
^ "Francis' Migraine Eases Up; Guard Rejoins Team" . Chron . January 18, 2002. Retrieved January 12, 2022 .
^ "2001–02 Houston Rockets Roster and Stats" . Basketball-Reference. Retrieved September 20, 2021 .
^ "Mavericks Sign Walt Williams" . United Press International . October 18, 2002. Retrieved July 15, 2022 .
^ "Spurs Sign C-F Kevin Willis" . United Press International . August 27, 2002. Retrieved July 15, 2022 .
^ Heisler, Mark (October 28, 2002). "West Capsules in Predicted Order of Finish" . Los Angeles Times . Retrieved October 20, 2022 .