2001–02 Houston Rockets season

March 2026 August 2023 Houston Rockets 2002 28 54 Midwest 5 11 Rudy Tomjanovich Compaq Center KTBUFox Sports Net Southwest KTRH Did not qualify HOU The 2001–02 Houston Rockets season was the 35th season for the Houston Rockets in the National Basketball Association, and their 31st season in Houston, Texas. Houston Rockets Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/HOU/ August 6, 2026 Season summary Off-season The Rockets received the 13th overall pick in the 2001 NBA draft, and selected small forward Richard Jefferson from the University of Arizona; the team also selected center Jason Collins out of Stanford University with the 18th overall pick, and selected shooting guard Brandon Armstrong out of Pepperdine University with the 23rd overall pick. However, the Rockets soon traded all three players to the New Jersey Nets in exchange for rookie power forward, and first-round draft pick Eddie Griffin out of Seton Hall University on draft day. Wise Mike Pro Basketball: Three High School Stars Are Among First Four Chosen The New York Times June 28, 2001 https://www.nytimes.com/2001/06/28/sports/pro-basketball-three-high-school-stars-are-among-first-four-chosen.html?mcubz=1 July 24, 2021 Sheridan Chris High School Player Tops NBA Draft Associated Press June 28, 2001 https://apnews.com/article/6f39adc4be9ec92a86703829fae2e372 July 15, 2022 2001 NBA Draft Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_2001.html December 1, 2022 During the off-season, the team acquired All-Star forward Glen Rice from the New York Knicks, Robbins Liz Pro Basketball: Looking for Balance, the Knicks Trade Rice The New York Times August 11, 2001 https://www.nytimes.com/2001/08/11/sports/pro-basketball-looking-for-balance-the-knicks-trade-rice.html January 11, 2022 Services Times Wire Rice Goes to Houston in Three-Team Trade Los Angeles Times August 11, 2001 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2001-aug-11-sp-33006-story.html October 25, 2022 Wise Mike Pro Basketball: Jordan Against the New Generation, Lakers Against the World The New York Times October 30, 2001 https://www.nytimes.com/2001/10/30/sports/pro-basketball-jordan-against-the-new-generation-lakers-against-the-world.html July 16, 2022 and re-acquired former Rockets forward Kevin Willis from the Milwaukee Bucks. Gardner Kris Rockets Get Kevin Willis The Houston Roundball Review October 22, 2001 https://www.thehrr.com/nba/trade_archive/'01-'02/2001_off-season/1022Willis_to_Rockets.html June 9, 2022 Regular season With the addition of Rice, Griffin and Willis, and in their first season since 1983–84 without All-Star center Hakeem Olajuwon, the Rockets got off to a 7–5 start to the regular season. However, the team suffered a dreadful 15-game losing streak afterwards, as Rice only played just 20 games due to a knee injury, Berman Marc Rice Reunion Derailed by Injury New York Post January 7, 2002 https://nypost.com/2002/01/07/rice-reunion-derailed-by-injury/ October 25, 2022 and Maurice Taylor was out for the entire season due to a ruptured Achilles tendon. Plus: Basketball: Rockets' Taylor Will Miss Season The New York Times September 6, 2001 https://www.nytimes.com/2001/09/06/sports/plus-basketball-rockets-taylor-will-miss-season.html January 12, 2022 Services Wire Wizards Keep Rolling Los Angeles Times December 17, 2001 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2001-dec-17-sp-15703-story.html October 25, 2022 Due to injuries that hindered their roster for parts of the year, the Rockets played mediocre basketball all season long, losing 15 of their final 18 games, and finishing in fifth place in the Midwest Division with a disappointing 28–54 record. 2001–02 Houston Rockets Schedule and Results Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/HOU/2002_games.html September 20, 2021 Team captain Steve Francis averaged 21.6 points, 7.0 rebounds and 6.4 assists per game, but only played 57 games due to recurring foot injuries and migraines, Associated Press Cartwright Gets Bulls' Promotion Los Angeles Times December 29, 2001 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2001-dec-29-sp-18949-story.html October 25, 2022 Francis' Migraine Eases Up; Guard Rejoins Team Chron January 18, 2002 https://www.chron.com/sports/rockets/amp/Francis-migraine-eases-up-guard-rejoins-team-2059538.php January 12, 2022 while Cuttino Mobley led the Rockets with 21.7 points and 1.5 steals per game, and with 149 three-point field goals, and Kenny Thomas provided the team with 14.1 points and 7.2 rebounds per game. In addition, Walt Williams contributed 9.4 points per game, while Griffin averaged 8.8 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game, and was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team. Meanwhile, Rice contributed 8.6 points per game, Moochie Norris provided with 8.1 points and 4.9 assists per game, Kelvin Cato averaged 6.6 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game, and Willis averaged 6.1 points and 5.8 rebounds per game. 2001–02 Houston Rockets Roster and Stats Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/HOU/2002.html September 20, 2021 During the NBA All-Star weekend at the First Union Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Francis was selected for the 2002 NBA All-Star Game, as a member of the Western Conference All-Star team; it was his first ever All-Star appearance. NBA All-Star Game Rosters United Press International February 8, 2002 https://www.upi.com/Archives/2002/02/08/NBA-All-Star-game-rosters/6931013144400/ October 23, 2024 NBA.com Staff 2002 NBA All-Star Recap NBA.com September 13, 2021 https://www.nba.com/news/history-all-star-recap-2002 May 4, 2023 2002 NBA All-Star Game: West 135, East 120 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/allstar/NBA_2002.html December 31, 2021 In addition, Francis also participated in the NBA Slam Dunk Contest for the second time. Basketball The Spokesman-Review February 10, 2002 C10 https://books.google.com/books?id=ApJXAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA9&dq=2002+NBA+Slam+Dunk+Contest+Jason+Richardson&article_id=1311,7430907&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj0qLm6hKCQAxXR48kDHUkfCYI4ChDoAXoECAkQAw#v=onepage&q=2002%20NBA%20Slam%20Dunk%20Contest%20Jason%20Richardson&f=false October 17, 2025 NBA & ABA All-Star Game Contest Winners Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/allstar/contest.html October 15, 2025 The Rockets finished 28th in the NBA in home-game attendance, with an attendance of 481,227 at the Compaq Center during the regular season, which was the second-lowest in the league. 2001–02 NBA Season Summary Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2002.html January 25, 2026 Aftermath Following the season, Williams signed as a free agent with the Dallas Mavericks, Mavericks Sign Walt Williams United Press International October 18, 2002 https://www.upi.com/Sports_News/2002/10/18/Mavericks-sign-Walt-Williams/30581034980824/ July 15, 2022 and Willis signed with the San Antonio Spurs. Spurs Sign C-F Kevin Willis United Press International August 27, 2002 https://www.upi.com/Sports_News/2002/08/27/Spurs-sign-C-F-Kevin-Willis/25281030460154/ July 15, 2022 Heisler Mark West Capsules in Predicted Order of Finish Los Angeles Times October 28, 2002 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2002-oct-28-sp-1westcap28-story.html October 20, 2022 Offseason Draft picks 2001 NBA draft Round Pick Player Position Nationality College 1 13 Richard Jefferson SF United States Arizona 1 18 Jason Collins C United States Stanford 1 23 Brandon Armstrong SG United States Pepperdine Roster Houston Rockets 2001–02 #1D2951 #FFFFFF #B50000 #FFFFFF 10 Tierre Brown G 6 2 189 McNeese State 13 Kelvin Cato F/C 6 11 255 Iowa State 52 Jason Collier C 7 0 260 Georgia Tech 3 Steve Francis G 6 3 195 Maryland 33 Eddie Griffin basketball F/C 6 10 220 Seton Hall 14 Dan Langhi F 6 11 220 Vanderbilt 5 Cuttino Mobley G/F 6 4 190 Rhode Island 44 Terence Morris F 6 9 221 Maryland 12 Moochie Norris G 6 1 175 West Florida 41 Glen Rice F 6 7 215 Michigan yes 21 Kenny Thomas basketball F 6 7 261 New Mexico 18 Óscar Torres basketball G/F 6 8 215 Xavier 2 Maurice Taylor F/C 6 9 260 Michigan yes IN 42 Walt Williams basketball F 6 8 219 Maryland yes 43 Kevin Willis F/C 7 0 245 Michigan State Rudy Tomjanovich Jim Boylen Larry Smith Mike Wells (IN) Inactive https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/HOU/2002.html Roster notes Power forward Maurice Taylor was on the injured reserve list due to a ruptured Achilles tendon, and missed the entire regular season. Regular season Season standings HOU HOU Game log Player statistics Season Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPGPPGTierre Brown 40 1 10.1 .426 .333 .750 1.1 1.8 .5 .1 3.1Kelvin Cato 75 73 25.6 .583 .000 .582 7.0 .4 .5 1.3 6.6Jason Collier 25 2 14.6 .432 .000 .750 3.3 .4 .2 .2 4.2Steve Francis 57 56 41.1 .417 .324 .773 7.0 6.4 1.2 .4 21.6Eddie Griffin basketball 73 24 26.0 .366 .330 .744 5.7 .7 .2 1.8 8.8Dan Langhi 34 8 12.8 .392 .250 .727 2.0 .4 .2 .1 3.1Cuttino Mobley 74 74 42.1 .438 .395 .850 4.1 2.5 1.5 .5 21.7Terence Morris 68 12 16.3 .384 .192 .643 3.1 .9 .3 .4 3.8Moochie Norris 82 26 27.4 .398 .269 .751 3.0 4.9 1.0 .0 8.1Glen Rice 20 20 30.3 .389 .281 .800 2.4 1.6 .6 .2 8.6Kenny Thomas basketball 72 71 34.5 .478 .000 .664 7.2 1.9 1.2 .9 14.1Óscar Torres basketball 65 13 16.5 .396 .294 .781 1.9 .6 .4 .1 6.0Walt Williams basketball 48 25 23.3 .419 .426 .784 3.4 1.4 .4 .2 9.4Kevin Willis 52 5 16.6 .440 .000 .747 5.8 .3 .5 .4 6.1 Player statistics citation: Awards and records Eddie Griffin, NBA All-Rookie Team 2nd Team Transactions List of 2001–02 NBA season transactions References Category:Houston Rockets seasons Houston Category:2001 in sports in Texas Category:2002 in sports in Texas Category:2001 in Houston Category:2002 in Houston