Head coach Byron Scott Television YES Network, WLNY | Record 49–33 (.598) | |
Arena Continental Airlines Arena Place Division: 1st (Atlantic)
Conference: 2nd (Eastern) Playoff finish NBA Finals
(Lost to Spurs 2-4) | ||
The 2002–03 New Jersey Nets season was the Nets' 36th season in the National Basketball Association (NBA). During the offseason, the Nets acquired All-Star center Dikembe Mutombo from the Philadelphia 76ers and signed free agent Rodney Rogers. However, Mutombo struggled with injuries and only played in just 24 games. The Nets finished their season first in the Atlantic Division with a 49–33 record, as Jason Kidd was selected for the 2003 NBA All-Star Game. In the first round of the playoffs, they defeated the Milwaukee Bucks in six games, then swept the Boston Celtics in four straight games in the semifinals, and then defeating Detroit Pistons in another four-game sweep in the Eastern Conference Finals. For the second consecutive year, they made it to the NBA Finals. However, they lost to the San Antonio Spurs in a six-game series. Following the season, Mutombo was released and signed as a free agent with the New York Knicks.
Contents
Offseason
On August 1, the Nets re-signed Chris Childs as a free agent. Five days later, the organization traded Todd MacCulloch and F Keith Van Horn to the Philadelphia 76ers for Dikembe Mutombo. On August 14, the Nets signed Rodney Rogers as a free agent. On October 25, they signed Anthony Johnson as a free agent. Their final offseason transaction would come three days later, when they waived Donny Marshall.
Note
Bold = All-Star selection
East First Round
(2) New Jersey Nets vs. (7) Milwaukee Bucks Last Playoff Meeting: 1986 Eastern Conference First Round (Milwaukee won 3-0)
*Required overtime.
East Conference Semifinals
(2) New Jersey Nets vs. (6) Boston Celtics Last Playoff Meeting: 2002 Eastern Conference Finals (New Jersey won 4-2)
East Conference Finals
(1) Detroit Pistons vs. (2) New Jersey Nets Last Playoff Meeting: 1985 Eastern Conference First Round (Detroit won 3-0)
NBA Finals
(W1) San Antonio Spurs vs. (E2) New Jersey Nets Last Playoff Meeting: 1976 ABA Semifinals (Nets won 4-3; they were based in Uniondale, New York)