2002–03 Indiana Pacers season
NBA professional basketball team season
NBA professional basketball team season
The 2002–03 NBA season was the Pacers' 27th season in the National Basketball Association , and 36th season as a franchise.[ 1] During the off-season, the Pacers signed free agent Erick Strickland .[ 2] [ 3] Despite a rash of early-season injuries,[ 4] the Pacers got off to a fast start winning 14 of their first 16 games, posting a nine-game winning streak in November, and holding a 34–15 record at the All-Star break.[ 5] However, the team struggled losing 12 of 13 games between February 16 and March 12.[ 6] In March, the team signed free agent All-Star point guard Tim Hardaway .[ 7] [ 8] The Pacers finished second in the Central Division with a 48–34 record.[ 9]
Head coach Isiah Thomas , Jermaine O'Neal and Brad Miller represented the Eastern Conference during the 2003 NBA All-Star Game .[ 10] That game was perhaps known as a storybook ending for Michael Jordan , but O'Neal ruined the moment, fouling Western Conference All-Star Kobe Bryant , who attempted a 3-pointer. Bryant hit 2 of 3 free throws to send the game into overtime. The West won 155–145 in double overtime.[ 11] [ 12] O'Neal averaged 20.8 points, 10.3 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game, and was named to the All-NBA Third Team, while Ron Artest averaged 15.5 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.3 steals per game, and was named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team, and finished in second place in Defensive Player of the Year voting.[ 13] [ 14] In addition, Brad Miller provided the team with 13.1 points and 8.3 rebounds per game, while Reggie Miller contributed 12.6 points per game, sixth man Al Harrington provided 12.2 points and 6.2 rebounds per game, and second-year guard Jamaal Tinsley averaged 7.8 points, 7.5 assists and 1.7 steals per game.[ 15]
In the Eastern Conference First Round of the playoffs , the Pacers lost in six games to the 6th-seeded Boston Celtics .[ 16] [ 17] [ 18] After the season, it was announced that Thomas would not be returning as head coach, replacing him with Rick Carlisle for the next season.[ 19] [ 20] Thomas would later return to coach the New York Knicks in 2006.[ 21] Also following the season, Brad Miller was traded to the Sacramento Kings , while Ron Mercer was dealt to the San Antonio Spurs ,[ 22] [ 23] Strickland signed as a free agent with the Milwaukee Bucks ,[ 24] and Hardaway retired after thirteen seasons in the NBA.
One notable highlight of the season was the Pacers defeating the Chicago Bulls , 140–89 at the Conseco Fieldhouse on March 28, 2003.[ 25] [ 26]
Offseason
Draft picks
Round
Pick
Player
Position
Nationality
College
1
14
Fred Jones
SG
United States
Oregon
Roster
2002–03 Indiana Pacers roster
Players
Coaches
Pos.
No.
Name
Height
Weight
DOB
From
F
23
Artest, Ron
6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
244 lb (111 kg)
1979–11–13
St. John's
F
24
Bender, Jonathan
6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)
202 lb (92 kg)
1981–01–30
Picayune Memorial HS (MS)
G
2
Brewer, Jamison
6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
184 lb (83 kg)
1980–11–19
Auburn
C
27
Brezec, Primož
7 ft 2 in (2.18 m)
252 lb (114 kg)
1979–10–02
Slovenia
F
44
Croshere, Austin
6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
235 lb (107 kg)
1975–05–01
Providence
C
10
Foster, Jeff
6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)
250 lb (113 kg)
1977–01–16
Texas State
G
14
Hardaway, Tim
6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
175 lb (79 kg)
1966–09–01
UTEP
F
3
Harrington, Al
6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
230 lb (104 kg)
1980–02–17
St. Patrick HS (NJ)
G
20
Jones, Fred
6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
210 lb (95 kg)
1979–03–11
Oregon
G/F
5
Mercer, Ron
6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
210 lb (95 kg)
1976–05–18
Kentucky
C
52
Miller, Brad
6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)
244 lb (111 kg)
1976–04–12
Purdue
G/F
31
Miller, Reggie
6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
185 lb (84 kg)
1965–08–24
UCLA
F/C
7
O'Neal, Jermaine
6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)
260 lb (118 kg)
1978–10–13
Eau Claire HS (SC)
G
21
Strickland, Erick
6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
210 lb (95 kg)
1973–11–25
Nebraska
G
11
Tinsley, Jamaal
6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
195 lb (88 kg)
1978–02–28
Iowa State
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
(DP) Unsigned draft pick(FA) Free agent(S) Suspended Injured
Roster Last transaction: 2012–10–10
Note
Bold = All-Star selection
Regular season
Season standings
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
–
0–3
2–2
4–0
0–2
2–0
1–3
0–2
1–1
2–2
2–0
1–1
1–1
1–3
2–2
0–2
1–3
2–2
1–3
2–1
3–1
0–2
0–2
1–1
1–1
1–1
1–3
1–1
2–2
Boston
3–0
–
2–2
4–0
0–2
1–1
2–2
1–1
0–2
2–2
2–0
1–1
2–0
2–2
1–2
2–0
1–3
3–1
4–0
3–2
2–2
0–2
1–1
0–2
0–2
2–0
1–2
1–1
1–3
Chicago
2–2
2–2
–
3–1
0–2
1–1
0–4
1–1
1–1
2–2
0–2
1–1
1–1
1–2
2–2
0–2
2–2
1–3
2–1
1–3
1–3
1–1
1–1
0–2
0–2
0–2
2–2
1–1
1–3
Cleveland
0–4
0–4
1–3
–
0–2
1–1
0–4
1–1
1–1
0–4
2–0
1–1
0–2
1–2
0–4
0–2
2–2
1–3
1–2
0–4
0–4
0–2
0–2
0–2
0–2
1–1
3–1
1–1
0–4
Dallas
2–0
2–0
2–0
2–0
–
4–0
2–0
4–0
4–0
1–1
4–0
1–3
4–0
2–0
0–2
2–2
2–0
2–0
2–0
1–1
2–0
2–2
2–2
1–3
2–2
2–2
2–0
2–2
2–0
Denver
0–2
1–1
1–1
1–1
0–4
–
0–2
0–4
0–4
1–1
1–3
0–4
2–2
2–0
1–1
0–4
0–2
0–2
0–2
0–2
0–2
1–3
2–2
0–4
1–3
1–3
1–1
0–4
1–1
Detroit
3–1
2–2
4–0
4–0
0–2
2–0
–
1–1
2–0
2–2
1–1
1–1
2–0
3–1
1–3
1–1
2–1
2–2
2–2
2–1
2–2
1–1
0–2
1–1
0–2
1–1
3–1
2–0
3–1
Golden State
2–0
1–1
1–1
1–1
0–4
4–0
1–1
–
1–3
1–1
2–2
2–2
2–2
1–1
0–2
1–3
1–1
1–1
2–0
1–1
2–0
2–2
0–4
0–4
1–3
2–2
2–0
2–2
2–0
Houston
1–1
2–0
1–1
1–1
0–4
4–0
0–2
3–1
–
1–1
2–2
2–2
3–1
1–1
1–1
2–2
1–1
1–1
0–2
2–0
2–0
3–1
1–3
2–2
1–3
2–2
2–0
1–3
1–1
Indiana
2–2
2–2
2–2
4–0
1–1
1–1
2–2
1–1
1–1
–
2–0
0–2
1–1
4–0
3–1
2–0
1–2
3–1
3–1
2–1
2–2
1–1
0–2
0–2
0–2
2–0
3–1
1–1
2–2
L.A. Clippers
0–2
0–2
2–0
0–2
0–4
3–1
1–1
2–2
2–2
0–2
–
0–4
2–2
2–0
1–1
1–3
1–1
1–1
1–1
1–1
0–2
1–3
1–3
1–3
1–3
1–3
1–1
1–3
0–2
L.A. Lakers
1–1
1–1
1–1
1–1
3–1
4–0
1–1
2–2
2–2
2–0
4–0
–
4–0
1–1
2–0
2–2
0–2
1–1
1–1
1–1
1–1
3–1
2–2
2–2
0–4
2–2
2–0
3–1
1–1
Memphis
1–1
0–2
1–1
2–0
0–4
2–2
0–2
2–2
1–3
1–1
2–2
0–4
–
2–0
2–0
0–4
1–1
1–1
1–1
2–0
0–2
1–3
1–3
0–4
1–3
1–3
1–1
1–3
1–1
Miami
3–1
2–2
2–1
2–1
0–2
0–2
1–3
1–1
1–1
0–4
0–2
1–1
0–2
–
1–3
1–1
0–4
0–4
2–2
0–4
0–4
2–0
0–2
1–1
0–2
0–2
4–0
0–2
1–3
Milwaukee
2–2
2–1
2–2
4–0
2–0
1–1
3–1
2–0
1–1
1–3
1–1
0–2
0–2
3–1
–
0–2
2–2
2–2
3–1
2–2
2–2
0–2
2–0
0–2
0–2
1–1
2–2
0–2
2–1
Minnesota
2–0
0–2
2–0
2–0
2–2
4–0
1–1
3–1
2–2
0–2
3–1
2–2
4–0
1–1
2–0
–
0–2
1–1
2–0
1–1
1–1
3–1
3–1
2–2
2–2
2–2
1–1
1–3
2–0
New Jersey
3–1
3–1
2–2
2–2
0–2
2–0
1–2
1–1
1–1
2–1
1–1
2–0
1–1
4–0
2–2
2–0
–
2–2
3–1
2–2
1–3
1–1
2–0
0–2
1–1
1–1
4–0
0–2
3–1
New Orleans
2–2
1–3
3–1
3–1
0–2
2–0
2–2
1–1
1–1
1–3
1–1
1–1
1–1
4–0
2–2
1–1
2–2
–
3–1
1–3
2–1
2–0
0–2
1–1
0–2
2–0
4–0
2–0
2–1
New York
3–1
0–4
1–2
2–1
0–2
2–0
2–2
0–2
2–0
1–3
1–1
1–1
1–1
2–2
1–3
0–2
1–3
1–3
–
2–2
2–2
2–0
0–2
1–1
2–0
1–1
3–1
1–1
2–2
Orlando
1–2
2–3
3–1
4–0
1–1
2–0
1–2
1–1
0–2
1–2
1–1
1–1
0–2
4–0
2–2
1–1
2–2
3–1
2–2
–
2–2
0–2
0–2
1–1
0–2
2–0
2–2
1–1
2–2
Philadelphia
1–3
2–2
3–1
4–0
0–2
2–0
2–2
0–2
0–2
2–2
2–0
1–1
2–0
4–0
2–2
1–1
3–1
1–2
2–2
2–2
–
0–2
2–0
0–2
1–1
1–1
3–0
1–1
4–0
Phoenix
2–0
2–0
1–1
2–0
2–2
3–1
1–1
2–2
1–3
1–1
3–1
1–3
3–1
0–2
2–0
1–3
1–1
0–2
0–2
2–0
2–0
–
3–1
2–2
3–1
1–3
1–1
1–3
1–1
Portland
2–0
1–1
1–1
2–0
2–2
2–2
2–0
4–0
3–1
2–0
3–1
2–2
3–1
2–0
0–2
1–3
0–2
2–0
2–0
2–0
0–2
1–3
–
1–3
2–2
4–0
2–0
1–3
1–1
Sacramento
1–1
2–0
2–0
2–0
3–1
4–0
1–1
4–0
2–2
2–0
3–1
2–2
4–0
1–1
2–0
2–2
2–0
1–1
1–1
1–1
2–0
2–2
3–1
–
1–3
3–1
1–1
3–1
2–0
San Antonio
1–1
2–0
2–0
2–0
2–2
3–1
2–0
3–1
3–1
2–0
3–1
4–0
3–1
2–0
2–0
2–2
1–1
2–0
0–2
2–0
1–1
1–3
2–2
3–1
–
3–1
2–0
4–0
1–1
Seattle
1–1
0–2
2–0
1–1
2–2
3–1
1–1
2–2
2–2
0–2
3–1
2–2
3–1
2–0
1–1
2–2
1–1
0–2
1–1
0–2
1–1
3–1
0–4
1–3
1–3
–
2–0
2–2
1–1
Toronto
3–1
2–1
2–2
1–3
0–2
1–1
1–3
0–2
0–2
1–3
1–1
0–2
1–1
0–4
2–2
1–1
0–4
0–4
1–3
2–2
0–3
1–1
0–2
1–1
0–2
0–2
–
0–2
3–1
Utah
1–1
1–1
1–1
1–1
2–2
4–0
0–2
2–2
3–1
1–1
3–1
1–3
3–1
2–0
2–0
3–1
2–0
0–2
1–1
1–1
1–1
3–1
3–1
1–3
0–4
2–2
2–0
–
1–1
Washington
2–2
3–1
3–1
4–0
0–2
1–1
1–3
0–2
1–1
2–2
2–0
1–1
1–1
3–1
1–2
0–2
1–3
1–2
2–2
2–2
0–4
1–1
1–1
0–2
1–1
1–1
1–3
1–1
—
Game log
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(January 2011 )
Playoffs
2003 playoff game log
First round: 2–4 (home: 2–1; road: 0–3)
2003 schedule
Player statistics
Regular season
Player
POS
GP
GS
MP
REB
AST
STL
BLK
PTS
MPG
RPG
APG
SPG
BPG
PPG
Al Harrington
SF
82
37
2,467
511
125
71
33
1,002
30.1
6.2
1.5
.9
.4
12.2
Jermaine O'Neal
PF
77
76
2,864
796
155
66
178
1,600
37.2
10.3
2.0
.9
2.3
20.8
Jeff Foster
C
77
2
802
279
51
28
21
162
10.4
3.6
.7
.4
.3
2.1
Brad Miller
C
73
72
2,270
603
193
65
43
955
31.1
8.3
2.6
.9
.6
13.1
Jamaal Tinsley
PG
73
69
2,237
260
548
125
18
566
30.6
3.6
7.5
1.7
.2
7.8
Ron Mercer
SG
72
3
1,671
154
112
49
14
556
23.2
2.1
1.6
.7
.2
7.7
Erick Strickland
SG
71
10
1,275
145
209
38
7
458
18.0
2.0
2.9
.5
.1
6.5
Reggie Miller
SG
70
70
2,117
172
170
62
4
882
30.2
2.5
2.4
.9
.1
12.6
Ron Artest
SF
69
67
2,317
362
198
159
50
1,068
33.6
5.2
2.9
2.3
.7
15.5
Austin Croshere
PF
49
0
633
155
56
6
13
252
12.9
3.2
1.1
.1
.3
5.1
Jonathan Bender
SF
46
2
819
133
42
8
56
303
17.8
2.9
.9
.2
1.2
6.6
Primož Brezec
C
22
1
111
23
4
2
4
42
5.0
1.0
.2
.1
.2
1.9
Fred Jones
SG
19
1
115
9
5
6
1
23
6.1
.5
.3
.3
.1
1.2
Tim Hardaway
PG
10
0
127
15
24
9
0
49
12.7
1.5
2.4
.9
.0
4.9
Jamison Brewer
PG
10
0
80
9
18
2
1
22
8.0
.9
1.8
.2
.1
2.2
Playoffs
Player
POS
GP
GS
MP
REB
AST
STL
BLK
PTS
MPG
RPG
APG
SPG
BPG
PPG
Jermaine O'Neal
PF
6
6
272
105
4
3
18
137
45.3
17.5
.7
.5
3.0
22.8
Ron Artest
SF
6
6
252
35
13
15
6
114
42.0
5.8
2.2
2.5
1.0
19.0
Jamaal Tinsley
PG
6
6
185
18
39
4
0
51
30.8
3.0
6.5
.7
.0
8.5
Reggie Miller
SG
6
6
176
14
14
1
1
55
29.3
2.3
2.3
.2
.2
9.2
Brad Miller
C
6
6
135
33
15
5
0
52
22.5
5.5
2.5
.8
.0
8.7
Ron Mercer
SG
6
0
135
13
7
6
1
39
22.5
2.2
1.2
1.0
.2
6.5
Al Harrington
SF
6
0
103
22
5
6
3
18
17.2
3.7
.8
1.0
.5
3.0
Jeff Foster
C
6
0
38
8
2
0
3
14
6.3
1.3
.3
.0
.5
2.3
Erick Strickland
SG
5
0
42
7
8
1
0
21
8.4
1.4
1.6
.2
.0
4.2
Tim Hardaway
PG
4
0
47
2
9
1
0
13
11.8
.5
2.3
.3
.0
3.3
Austin Croshere
PF
4
0
46
17
3
0
1
16
11.5
4.3
.8
.0
.3
4.0
Jonathan Bender
SF
3
0
34
7
0
0
2
17
11.3
2.3
.0
.0
.7
5.7
Awards and records
Transactions
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adding to it .
(January 2011 )
References
^ 2002–03 Indiana Pacers
^ "Stackhouse Goes to Wizards" . Los Angeles Times . Staff and Wire Reports. September 12, 2002. Retrieved November 30, 2022 .
^ "Pacers Ink G Erick Strickland" . United Press International . September 11, 2002. Retrieved June 11, 2022 .
^ Smith, Sam (October 30, 2002). "Eastern Conference Capsules" . Chicago Tribune . Retrieved July 16, 2022 .
^ "NBA Games Played on February 6, 2003" . Basketball-Reference . Retrieved September 13, 2022 .
^ "76ers Rally to Beat Pacers, 96-93" . Midland Daily News . March 11, 2003. Retrieved June 22, 2022 .
^ "Struggling Pacers Sign Tim Hardaway" . Los Angeles Times . Associated Press. March 28, 2003. Retrieved October 27, 2022 .
^ "In Sports from United Press International" . United Press International . March 28, 2003. Retrieved June 11, 2022 .
^ "2002–03 Indiana Pacers Schedule and Results" . Basketball-Reference. Retrieved July 30, 2021 .
^ "2003 NBA All-Star Game: West 155, East 145 (2OT)" . Basketball-Reference . Retrieved January 13, 2022 .
^ "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 .
^ Wyche, Steve (February 10, 2003). "Passing the Torch" . The Washington Post . Retrieved June 12, 2022 .
^ "Wallace Chosen Best Defender" . Los Angeles Times . Associated Press. April 24, 2003. Retrieved September 13, 2022 .
^ "2002–03 NBA Awards Voting" . Basketball-Reference . Retrieved February 2, 2022 .
^ "2002–03 Indiana Pacers Roster and Stats" . Basketball-Reference. Retrieved July 30, 2021 .
^ Broussard, Chris (May 2, 2003). "PRO BASKETBALL; Celtics Put On a Show to Defeat the Pacers" . The New York Times . Retrieved August 24, 2017 .
^ Goodman, Jeff (May 2, 2003). "Celtics Finish Off Pacers with Rout" . The Washington Post . Retrieved November 27, 2022 .
^ Golen, Jimmy (April 30, 2003). "Celtics Advance with Win Over Pacers" . CT Insider . Retrieved June 11, 2022 .
^ Robbins, Liz (August 28, 2003). "PRO BASKETBALL; With Bird in Charge, Pacers Fire Thomas" . The New York Times . Retrieved June 11, 2022 .
^ "Bird Fires Thomas as Coach of Pacers" . Los Angeles Times . Associated Press. August 28, 2003. Retrieved October 27, 2022 .
^ Beck, Howard (June 27, 2006). "Thomas Is Given an Ultimatum, and Brown a Parting Shot" . The New York Times . Retrieved June 12, 2022 .
^ "BASKETBALL; 3-Team Deal Gives Kings Brad Miller" . The New York Times . Associated Press. July 25, 2003. Retrieved June 11, 2022 .
^ "Sacramento Reacts, Gets Miller" . Los Angeles Times . Associated Press. July 25, 2003. Retrieved October 27, 2022 .
^ "Bucks Ink Three Free Agents" . United Press International . July 18, 2003. Retrieved July 15, 2022 .
^ "Pacers Spanks Bulls, 140-89" . Associated Press . March 28, 2003. Retrieved October 27, 2022 .
^ "Chicago Bulls at Indiana Pacers Box Score, March 28, 2003" . Basketball-Reference . Retrieved October 27, 2022 .
See also
Franchise Arenas Personnel G League affiliate Retired numbers
ABA championships Rivalries Culture and lore
1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s 2020s