2002–03 Minnesota Timberwolves season

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]

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

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
Main article: 2002 NBA draft
Round Pick Player Position Nationality College
129Forfeited pick
252Marcus TaylorPG United StatesMichigan State

Roster
2002–03 Minnesota Timberwolves roster
Players Coaches
Pos.No.NameHeightWeightDOBFrom
G 7 Brandon, Terrell Injured (IN) 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1970–05–20 Oregon
F 21 Garnett, Kevin (C) 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 Injured (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 Injured 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
  • (C) Team captain
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • (IN) Inactive
  • Injured Injured

Roster
Last transaction: February 12, 2003

Roster Notes
  • 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

Season standings
Midwest Division
 W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-San Antonio Spurs 6022.732–33–827–1417–7
x-Dallas Mavericks 6022.732–33–827–1418–6
x-Minnesota Timberwolves 5131.622933–818–2315–9
x-Utah Jazz 4735.5731329–1218–2315–9
Houston Rockets 4339.5241728–1315–2611–13
Memphis Grizzlies 2854.3413220–218–335–17
Denver Nuggets 1765.2074313–284–373–21
#
Western Conference
Team W L PCT GB
1 z-San Antonio Spurs6022.732–
2 y-Sacramento Kings5923.7201
3 x-Dallas Mavericks6022.732–
4 x-Minnesota Timberwolves5131.6229
5 x-Los Angeles Lakers5032.61010
6 x-Portland Trail Blazers5032.61010
7 x-Utah Jazz4735.57313
8 x-Phoenix Suns4438.53716
9 Houston Rockets4339.52417
10 Seattle SuperSonics4042.48820
11 Golden State Warriors3844.46322
12 Memphis Grizzlies2854.34132
13 Los Angeles Clippers2755.32933
14 Denver Nuggets1765.20743
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 –0–32–24–00–22–01–30–21–12–22–01–11–11–32–20–21–32–21–32–13–10–20–21–11–11–11–31–12–2
Boston 3–0–2–24–00–21–12–21–10–22–22–01–12–02–21–22–01–33–14–03–22–20–21–10–20–22–01–21–11–3
Chicago 2–22–2–3–10–21–10–41–11–12–20–21–11–11–22–20–22–21–32–11–31–31–11–10–20–20–22–21–11–3
Cleveland 0–40–41–3–0–21–10–41–11–10–42–01–10–21–20–40–22–21–31–20–40–40–20–20–20–21–13–11–10–4
Dallas 2–02–02–02–0–4–02–04–04–01–14–01–34–02–00–22–22–02–02–01–12–02–22–21–32–22–22–02–22–0
Denver 0–21–11–11–10–4–0–20–40–41–11–30–42–22–01–10–40–20–20–20–20–21–32–20–41–31–31–10–41–1
Detroit 3–12–24–04–00–22–0–1–12–02–21–11–12–03–11–31–12–12–22–22–12–21–10–21–10–21–13–12–03–1
Golden State 2–01–11–11–10–44–01–1–1–31–12–22–22–21–10–21–31–11–12–01–12–02–20–40–41–32–22–02–22–0
Houston 1–12–01–11–10–44–00–23–1–1–12–22–23–11–11–12–21–11–10–22–02–03–11–32–21–32–22–01–31–1
Indiana 2–22–22–24–01–11–12–21–11–1–2–00–21–14–03–12–01–23–13–12–12–21–10–20–20–22–03–11–12–2
L.A. Clippers 0–20–22–00–20–43–11–12–22–20–2–0–42–22–01–11–31–11–11–11–10–21–31–31–31–31–31–11–30–2
L.A. Lakers 1–11–11–11–13–14–01–12–22–22–04–0–4–01–12–02–20–21–11–11–11–13–12–22–20–42–22–03–11–1
Memphis 1–10–21–12–00–42–20–22–21–31–12–20–4–2–02–00–41–11–11–12–00–21–31–30–41–31–31–11–31–1
Miami 3–12–22–12–10–20–21–31–11–10–40–21–10–2–1–31–10–40–42–20–40–42–00–21–10–20–24–00–21–3
Milwaukee 2–22–12–24–02–01–13–12–01–11–31–10–20–23–1–0–22–22–23–12–22–20–22–00–20–21–12–20–22–1
Minnesota 2–00–22–02–02–24–01–13–12–20–23–12–24–01–12–0–0–21–12–01–11–13–13–12–22–22–21–11–32–0
New Jersey 3–13–12–22–20–22–01–21–11–12–11–12–01–14–02–22–0–2–23–12–21–31–12–00–21–11–14–00–23–1
New Orleans 2–21–33–13–10–22–02–21–11–11–31–11–11–14–02–21–12–2–3–11–32–12–00–21–10–22–04–02–02–1
New York 3–10–41–22–10–22–02–20–22–01–31–11–11–12–21–30–21–31–3–2–22–22–00–21–12–01–13–11–12–2
Orlando 1–22–33–14–01–12–01–21–10–21–21–11–10–24–02–21–12–23–12–2–2–20–20–21–10–22–02–21–12–2
Philadelphia 1–32–23–14–00–22–02–20–20–22–22–01–12–04–02–21–13–11–22–22–2–0–22–00–21–11–13–01–14–0
Phoenix 2–02–01–12–02–23–11–12–21–31–13–11–33–10–22–01–31–10–20–22–02–0–3–12–23–11–31–11–31–1
Portland 2–01–11–12–02–22–22–04–03–12–03–12–23–12–00–21–30–22–02–02–00–21–3–1–32–24–02–01–31–1
Sacramento 1–12–02–02–03–14–01–14–02–22–03–12–24–01–12–02–22–01–11–11–12–02–23–1–1–33–11–13–12–0
San Antonio 1–12–02–02–02–23–12–03–13–12–03–14–03–12–02–02–21–12–00–22–01–11–32–23–1–3–12–04–01–1
Seattle 1–10–22–01–12–23–11–12–22–20–23–12–23–12–01–12–21–10–21–10–21–13–10–41–31–3–2–02–21–1
Toronto 3–12–12–21–30–21–11–30–20–21–31–10–21–10–42–21–10–40–41–32–20–31–10–21–10–20–2–0–23–1
Utah 1–11–11–11–12–24–00–22–23–11–13–11–33–12–02–03–12–00–21–11–11–13–13–11–30–42–22–0–1–1
Washington 2–23–13–14–00–21–11–30–21–12–22–01–11–13–11–20–21–31–22–22–20–41–11–10–21–11–11–31–1—

Playoffs
2003 playoff game log
First round: 2–4 (home: 1–2; road: 1–2)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
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
Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field-goal percentage  3P%  3-point field-goal percentage  FT%  Free-throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game

Season
Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Kevin Garnett 82
Kendall Gill
Troy Hudson
Marc Jackson
Anthony Peeler
Igor Rakocevic
Reggie Slater
Joe Smith
Rod Strickland
Wally Szczerbiak
Gary Trent
Mike Wilks
Loren Woods

Playoffs
Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Kevin Garnett
Kendall Gill
Troy Hudson
Marc Jackson
Rasho Nesterovic
Anthony Peeler
Joe Smith
Rod Strickland
Wally Szczerbiak
Gary Trent
Mike Wilks
Loren Woods

Awards and records

Transactions

References
  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
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