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The 2001–02 NBA season was the Bulls' 36th season in the National Basketball Association. After finishing with the worst record the previous season, the Bulls selected high school basketball star Eddy Curry with the fourth overall pick in the 2001 NBA draft, and acquired top draft pick and high school basketball star Tyson Chandler from the Los Angeles Clippers, who selected him with the second overall pick. During the off-season, the team re-acquired former Bulls forward Charles Oakley from the Toronto Raptors, acquired Greg Anthony from the Portland Trail Blazers, and signed free agents Eddie Robinson, and Kevin Ollie. Oakley had played three seasons for the Bulls from 1985 to 1988.

However, the Bulls still struggled losing 23 of their first 27 games, posting a ten-game losing streak in November. Head coach Tim Floyd resigned on Christmas Eve after a 4–21 start to the season, then after two games under assistant Bill Berry, the team hired former Bulls center Bill Cartwright as their new coach. Midway through the season, the Bulls traded Ollie along with Ron Mercer, Ron Artest and Brad Miller to the Indiana Pacers in exchange for Jalen Rose and Travis Best, while Anthony was released to free agency and later on signed with the Milwaukee Bucks. The Bulls struggled all season long finishing last place in the Central Division with a 21–61 record.

Rose averaged 23.8 points per game with the team, while second-year forward Marcus Fizer provided them with 12.3 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. Following the season, Oakley signed as a free agent with the Washington Wizards, and Best signed with the Miami Heat. (See 2001–02 Chicago Bulls season#Regular season)

Offseason

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NBA draft

Round	Pick	Player	Position	Nationality	College / Club Team
1	4	Eddy Curry	C	United States
2	29	Trenton Hassell	SG	United States	Austin Peay
2	44	Sean Lampley	SF	United States	California

Roster

2001–02 Chicago Bulls roster

Players

Coaches

Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB From C 44 Bagaric, Dalibor 7 ft 1 in (2.16 m) 255 lb (116 kg) 1980–02–07 Croatia G 6 Best, Travis 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 182 lb (83 kg) 1972–07–12 Georgia Tech F/C 3 Chandler, Tyson 7 ft 1 in (2.16 m) 235 lb (107 kg) 1982–10–02 Dominguez HS (CA) G 1 Crawford, Jamal 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1980–03–20 Michigan C 2 Curry, Eddy 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 285 lb (129 kg) 1982–12–05 Thornwood HS (IL) F 21 Fizer, Marcus 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 262 lb (119 kg) 1978–08–10 Iowa State G 11 Guyton, A.J. 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1978–02–12 Indiana G/F 22 Hassell, Trenton 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 1979–03–04 Austin Peay G 20 Hoiberg, Fred 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 203 lb (92 kg) 1972–10–15 Iowa State F/C 34 Oakley, Charles  6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1963–12–18 Virginia Union G 31 Richardson, Norm 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1979–07–24 Hofstra G/F 32 Robinson, Eddie 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1976–04–19 Central Oklahoma G/F 5 Rose, Jalen 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1973–01–30 Michigan

Head coach Tim Floyd (resigned) Bill Berry (interim) Bill Cartwright Assistant coach(es) Norm Ellenberger Pete Myers Fred Tedeschi (trainer) Legend (DP) Unsigned draft pick (FA) Free agent (S) Suspended Injured Roster Last transaction: March 1, 2002

Regular season

In 2001-02, the make-up and direction of the Chicago Bulls changed significantly: by the season's end, a pair of 18-year-old phenoms and an All-Star caliber player were in the line-up while Elton Brand, once thought to be the franchise's cornerstone for rebuilding efforts, was not. The result was a renewed sense of optimism and hope surrounding the team's future with Tyson Chandler, Eddy Curry and Jalen Rose as the centers of attention.

It all began on the night of the 2001 NBA draft, when the Bulls used their first-round pick, fourth overall, to select Thornwood High School's Eddy Curry, a 6–11, 285-pound center. Minutes later, Chicago dealt Brand to the L.A. Clippers for Dominguez High School product Tyson Chandler (picked second overall) and Brian Skinner. Chicago also acquired one of the steals of the draft in Trenton Hassell out of Austin Peay in the second round.

With the addition of free agent Eddie Robinson (signed Aug. 7), the new look Bulls, a young and athletic squad, were ready to take the floor. The importance of having NBA experience was again displayed as the team struggled and finished the season 21–61. The beginning of the year was not pleasant for Chicago. The Bulls set a franchise record for worst loss with a 53-point loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Nov. 8, Head Coach Tim Floyd, who compiled a 49–190 record over four seasons with the club, resigned on Christmas Eve. Bill Berry was named interim coach and four days later, Bill Cartwright was named head coach on Dec. 28.

The team went on to suffer an 18-game road losing streak from Nov. 2 to Jan. 11. On Feb. 18, the Bulls grabbed a franchise-low 25 rebounds in Miami.

A change was needed and on February 19, it was delivered in the form of a seven-player trade. The Bulls acquired Jalen Rose, Travis Best and Norman Richardson from the Indiana Pacers for Brad Miller, Ron Artest, Ron Mercer and Kevin Ollie.

“We feel Jalen is an outstanding all-around player who can play three positions offensively and defensively,” EVP of Basketball Operations Jerry Krause explained. “He’s a very good passer, extremely unselfish, a fine scorer and in the prime of his career at age 29. His leadership qualities and versatility are an added plus.”

“I'm excited about it,” Rose said upon his arrival to Chicago. “I embrace the opportunity. Every kid dreams about standing in this position talking about having an opportunity to take a team to a championship level.”

The team went on to post their first three-game winning streak in two years from Feb. 20–23. Jamal Crawford, who tore his ACL over the summer and required surgery to repair it, returned to the active roster on March 3 after missing the first 58 games of the season. On March 11, the Bulls and Bill Cartwright mutually agreed to a three-year extension on the head coach's contract. Other notes from the season included Marcus Fizer’s (sophomore team) participation in the Schick Rookie Challenge at All-Star Weekend and Trenton Hassell being named to the NBA’s ‘got milk?’ Rookie of the Month for February.

Season standings

Record vs. opponents

Player statistics

Regular season

• Denotes player spent time with another team in the season. Stats reflect time with the Bulls only.

Awards and records

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Transactions

Trades

Subtractions

Player Transactions Citation:

References

1. "2001-02 Chicago Bulls Roster and Stats".
2. "Wizards Go Young, But Bulls Go Younger". ESPN. Associated Press. June 27, 2001. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
3. Wise, Mike (June 28, 2001). "High School Star Taken No. 1 in N.B.A. Draft". The New York Times. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
4. Denlinger, Ken (June 28, 2001). "NBA Draft Is Elementary". The Washington Post. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
5. Brewer, Jerry (June 28, 2001). "And a Child Leads Them". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
6. "2001 NBA Draft". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
7. "PLUS: BASKETBALL; Bulls Get Oakley for a Second Time". The New York Times. Associated Press. July 14, 2001. Retrieved January 11, 2022.
8. Smith, Sam (July 14, 2001). "Oakley's Tough, Respected". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved October 25, 2022.
9. "Oakley Returns to Bulls in Trade". ESPN. Associated Press. July 19, 2001. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
10. Gardner, Kris (July 19, 2001). "Charles Oakley Returns to Chicago". The Houston Roundball Review. Retrieved November 9, 2024.
11. "Bulls Acquire Greg Anthony". United Press International. July 20, 2001. Retrieved October 25, 2022.
12. Johnson, K.C. (July 18, 2001). "Bulls Are Plotting More Moves". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved July 13, 2022.
13. "Eddie Robinson Signs with Bulls". CBC. CBC Sports. August 7, 2001. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
14. Wise, Mike (October 30, 2001). "PRO BASKETBALL; Jordan Against the New Generation, Lakers Against the World". The New York Times. Retrieved July 16, 2022.
15. "Bulls Acquire Rose for Mercer, Three Others". ESPN. Associated Press. February 19, 2002. Retrieved October 23, 2024.
16. Smith, Sam (February 19, 2002). "NBA Trade Winds". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved July 30, 2021.
17. "Pacers Send Rose to Bulls in Seven-Player Trade". The Washington Post. February 20, 2002. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
18. Jones, Grahame L. (February 21, 2002). "Bulls' Trade Ensures Reign of Terrible". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 13, 2022.
19. Smith, Sam (March 1, 2002). "Anthony Will Be Waived". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
20. "Bucks Sign Point Guard Greg Anthony". Midland Daily News. March 4, 2002. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
21. "Bucks Sign Anthony". The Telegraph-Herald. March 6, 2002. p. 2B. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
22. "2001–02 Chicago Bulls Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved September 18, 2021.
23. "2001–02 Chicago Bulls Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved September 20, 2021.
24. "2001–02 Chicago Bulls Transactions". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved September 20, 2021.

External links

See also

• 2001–02 NBA season

• Chicago Bulls seasons
• 2001 in sports in Illinois
• 2002 in sports in Illinois
• 2001–02 NBA season by team
• 2001 in Chicago
• 2002 in Chicago