2001-02 NBA
Physical / Isolation Era
Los Angeles Lakers won the title.
- Teams
- 29
- Games per team
- 82
- Pace (poss. per 48 min)
- 90.7
- Points per team game
- 95.5
- League true shooting
- .520
- Share of shots from three
- 18.1%
Award winners
- MVPTim Duncan
- Defensive Player of the YearBen Wallace
- Rookie of the YearPau Gasol
- Sixth ManCorliss Williamson
- Most ImprovedJermaine O'Neal
Standings and postseason
East
| Team | W | L | SRS | Postseason |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Nets | 52 | 30 | 3.67 | Lost Finals |
| Detroit Pistons | 50 | 32 | 1.69 | Lost conf. finals |
| Boston Celtics | 49 | 33 | 1.75 | Lost conf. finals |
| Charlotte Hornets | 44 | 38 | 0.57 | Lost conf. finals |
| Orlando Magic | 44 | 38 | 1.25 | Lost conf. finals |
| Philadelphia 76ers | 43 | 39 | 1.27 | Lost 2nd round |
| Indiana Pacers | 42 | 40 | -0.07 | Lost 1st round |
| Toronto Raptors | 42 | 40 | -0.71 | Lost conf. finals |
| Milwaukee Bucks | 41 | 41 | -0.62 | Missed playoffs |
| Washington Wizards | 37 | 45 | -1.58 | Missed playoffs |
| Miami Heat | 36 | 46 | -1.84 | Missed playoffs |
| Atlanta Hawks | 33 | 49 | -4.41 | Missed playoffs |
| New York Knicks | 30 | 52 | -4.15 | Missed playoffs |
| Cleveland Cavaliers | 29 | 53 | -3.52 | Missed playoffs |
| Chicago Bulls | 21 | 61 | -8.52 | Missed playoffs |
West
| Team | W | L | SRS | Postseason |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sacramento Kings | 61 | 21 | 7.61 | Lost conf. finals |
| Los Angeles Lakers | 58 | 24 | 7.15 | Won title |
| San Antonio Spurs | 58 | 24 | 6.28 | Lost conf. finals |
| Dallas Mavericks | 57 | 25 | 4.41 | Lost conf. finals |
| Minnesota Timberwolves | 50 | 32 | 3.58 | Lost conf. finals |
| Portland Trail Blazers | 49 | 33 | 3.21 | Lost 1st round |
| Seattle SuperSonics | 45 | 37 | 3.24 | Lost conf. finals |
| Utah Jazz | 44 | 38 | 1.21 | Lost 2nd round |
| Los Angeles Clippers | 39 | 43 | -0.09 | Missed playoffs |
| Phoenix Suns | 36 | 46 | -0.30 | Missed playoffs |
| Houston Rockets | 28 | 54 | -4.31 | Missed playoffs |
| Denver Nuggets | 27 | 55 | -5.19 | Missed playoffs |
| Memphis Grizzlies | 23 | 59 | -6.74 | Missed playoffs |
| Golden State Warriors | 21 | 61 | -4.80 | Missed playoffs |
Rules in force
| Free-throw lane width | 16 ft |
|---|---|
| Restricted area arc | 4 ft arc |
| Three-point line | 23 ft 9 in (22 ft corners) |
| Arm bar / forearm contact | allowed (source pending) |
| Defensive three seconds | enforced |
| Hand-checking | restricted (source pending) |
| Zone defense | legal |
| Flagrant fouls | flagrant 1 / flagrant 2 (source pending) |
| Team foul penalty (bonus) | bonus after team foul limit |
| Backcourt count | 8 seconds |
| Shot clock | 24 seconds |
See how each rule changed over time on the rules timeline.
What changed this season
Zone defense legalized; defensive three seconds introduced
Illegal-defense rules are replaced: zones become legal, and defenders may not camp in the lane for more than three seconds.