2001–02 Chicago Bulls season

NBA professional basketball team season March 2026 August 2023 Chicago Bulls 2002 21 61 central 8 15 Tim Floyd, Bill Cartwright Jerry Krause Jerry Reinsdorf United Center WGN-TVWCIU-TVFox Sports Net Chicago WMVP Did not qualify CHI The 2001–02 Chicago Bulls season was the 36th season for the Chicago Bulls in the National Basketball Association. Chicago Bulls Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CHI/ August 6, 2026 Season summary Off-season After finishing with a league-worst 15–67 record the previous season, the Bulls received the fourth overall pick in the 2001 NBA draft, and selected center and high school basketball star Eddy Curry. The team also acquired rookie center, first-round draft pick, and high school basketball star Tyson Chandler from the Los Angeles Clippers on draft day; the Clippers selected Chandler with the second overall pick in the draft. Associated Press NBA Draft 2001: Wizards Go Young, But Bulls Go Younger ESPN June 27, 2001 https://a.espncdn.com/nba/draft2001/s/2001/0627/1219569.html July 10, 2023 Wise Mike High School Star Taken No. 1 in N.B.A. Draft The New York Times June 28, 2001 https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/learning/students/pop/010629snapfriday.html July 10, 2023 2001 NBA Draft Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_2001.html July 10, 2023 During the off-season, the Bulls re-acquired former forward Charles Oakley from the Toronto Raptors, Associated Press Plus: Basketball: Bulls Get Oakley for a Second Time The New York Times July 14, 2001 https://www.nytimes.com/2001/07/14/sports/plus-basketball-bulls-get-oakley-for-a-second-time.html January 11, 2022 Smith Sam Oakley's Tough, Respected Chicago Tribune July 14, 2001 https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2001-07-14-0107140060-story.html October 25, 2022 Associated Press NBA: Oakley Returns to Bulls in Trade ESPN July 19, 2001 https://www.espn.com/nba/news/2001/0713/1225745.html October 25, 2024 acquired Greg Anthony from the Portland Trail Blazers, Bulls Acquire Greg Anthony United Press International July 20, 2001 https://www.upi.com/Archives/2001/07/20/Bulls-acquire-Greg-Anthony/1191995601600/ October 25, 2022 and signed free agents Eddie Robinson, Johnson K.C. Bulls Are Plotting More Moves Chicago Tribune July 18, 2001 https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2001-07-18-0107180330-story.html July 13, 2022 CBC Sports Eddie Robinson Signs with Bulls CBC August 7, 2001 https://www.cbc.ca/sports/basketball/eddie-robinson-signs-with-bulls-1.282056 October 25, 2024 and Kevin Ollie. 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 Oakley had played three seasons for the Bulls from 1985 to 1988. Regular season With the addition of Chandler, Curry, Anthony and Oakley, the Bulls continued to struggled losing 23 of their first 27 games of the regular season, posting a 10-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 coach Bill Berry as an interim coach, the team hired former Bulls center Bill Cartwright as their new coach. Associated Press  NBA: Floyd Steps Down as Coach of Bulls  ESPN  December 24, 2001  https://www.espn.com/nba/news/2001/1224/1300880.html June 4, 2026 Floyd Resigns as Bulls Coach  United Press International  December 24, 2001  https://www.upi.com/Archives/2001/12/24/Floyd-resigns-as-Bulls-coach/1011009170000/ June 4, 2026 At mid-season, the Bulls traded Ollie, Ron Mercer, Ron Artest, and Brad Miller to the Indiana Pacers in exchange for Jalen Rose and Travis Best, Associated Press NBA: Bulls Acquire Rose for Mercer, Three Others ESPN February 19, 2002 https://www.espn.com/nba/news/2002/0219/1336371.html October 23, 2024 Pacers Send Rose to Bulls in Seven-Player Trade The Washington Post February 20, 2002 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/2002/02/20/pacers-send-rose-to-bulls-in-seven-player-trade/d867a64f-6ef6-4b1a-8e3f-759419787fee/ November 26, 2022 Jones Grahame L. Bulls' Trade Ensures Reign of Terrible Los Angeles Times February 21, 2002 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2002-feb-21-sp-briefing21-story.html July 13, 2022 while Anthony was released to free agency, and later on signed with the Milwaukee Bucks. Smith Sam Anthony Will Be Waived Chicago Tribune March 1, 2002 https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2002-03-01-0203010412-story.html November 26, 2022 Bucks Sign Point Guard Greg Anthony Midland Daily News March 4, 2002 https://www.ourmidland.com/news/article/Bucks-Sign-Point-Guard-Greg-Anthony-7098578.php November 26, 2022 The Bulls struggled all season long finishing in last place in the Central Division with a 21–61 record; 2001–02 Chicago Bulls Schedule and Results Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CHI/2002_games.html September 18, 2021 their record was also tied with the Golden State Warriors as the worst regular-season record in the league. Rose averaged 23.8 points and 5.3 assists per game in 30 games after the trade, while second-year forward Marcus Fizer averaged 12.3 points and 5.6 rebounds per game, and Best provided the team with 9.3 points and 5.0 assists per game in 30 games. In addition, second-year guard Jamal Crawford contributed 9.3 points per game, but only played just 23 games due to a torn ACL, while Robinson provided with 9.0 points per game, but only played just 29 games also due to injury, and rookie shooting guard, and second-round draft pick Trenton Hassell contributed 8.7 points per game. Meanwhile, Curry averaged 6.7 points and 3.8 rebounds per game, Chandler averaged 6.1 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game, Fred Hoiberg contributed 4.4 points per game, and Oakley provided with 3.8 points and 6.0 rebounds per game. 2001–02 Chicago Bulls Roster and Stats Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CHI/2002.html September 20, 2021 During the NBA All-Star weekend at the First Union Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Fizer was selected for the NBA Rookie Challenge Game, as a member of the Sophomores team. Rookie Challenge Today The Daily Gazette February 9, 2002 D3 https://books.google.com/books?id=5XIhAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA19&dq=2002+nba+rookie+challenge+morris+peterson&article_id=2443,2136771&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjS0d-e76uQAxXsnCYFHR1SB4c4ChDoAXoECA4QAw#v=onepage&q&f=false October 17, 2025 2002 NBA Rising Stars: Rookies 103, Sophomores 97 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/allstar/NBA_2002_rookie.html October 17, 2025 The Bulls finished ninth in the NBA in home-game attendance, with an attendance of 776,311 at the United Center during the regular season. 2001–02 NBA Season Summary Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2002.html January 25, 2026 Aftermath Following the season, Oakley signed as a free agent with the Washington Wizards,Wyche Steve October 13, 2002 Oakley Signs with Wizards https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/2002/10/13/oakley-signs-with-wizards/82ad885a-666f-4a40-8bbd-31cc089cafc0/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20241130052414/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/2002/10/13/oakley-signs-with-wizards/82ad885a-666f-4a40-8bbd-31cc089cafc0/ November 30, 2024 June 4, 2026 The Washington Post and Best signed with the Miami Heat. (See 2001–02 Chicago Bulls season#Regular season) 2 NBA draft 2001 NBA draft Round Pick Player Position Nationality College / Club Team 1 4 Eddy Curry C 2 29 Trenton Hassell SG Austin Peay 2 44 Sean Lampley SF California Roster Chicago Bulls 2001–02 44 Dalibor Bagaric C 7 1 255 1980–02–07 Croatia 6 Travis Best G 5 11 182 1972–07–12 Georgia Tech 3 Tyson Chandler FC 7 1 235 1982–10–02 Dominguez HS (CA) 1 Jamal Crawford G 6 6 185 1980–03–20 Michigan 2 Eddy Curry C 6 11 285 1982–12–05 Thornwood HS (IL) 21 Marcus Fizer F 6 9 262 1978–08–10 Iowa State 11 A.J. Guyton G 6 1 180 1978–02–12 Indiana 22 Trenton Hassell GF 6 5 200 1979–03–04 Austin Peay 20 Fred Hoiberg G 6 4 203 1972–10–15 Iowa State 34 Charles Oakley FC 6 8 225 1963–12–18 Virginia Union yes 31 Norm Richardson Norman Richardson (basketball) G 6 5 190 1979–07–24 Hofstra 32 Eddie Robinson basketball GF 6 8 210 1976–04–19 Central Oklahoma 5 Jalen Rose GF 6 8 210 1973–01–30 Michigan Tim Floyd (resigned) Bill Berry (interim) Bill Cartwright Norm Ellenberger Pete Myers Fred Tedeschi (trainer) https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CHI/2002.html 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. “Following the trade, Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Jerry Krause praised Rose's versatility, noting his ability to play multiple positions offensively and defensively, as well as his passing, scoring ability, and leadership qualities.” “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 CHI CHI Player statistics Regular season PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPGGreg Anthony† 36 35 26.7 .394 .322 .671 2.4 5.6 1.4 .1 8.4Ron Artest Metta Sandiford-Artest† 27 26 30.5 .433 .396 .628 4.9 2.9 2.8 .9 15.6Dalibor Bagarić 50 0 12.8 .404 .000 .586 3.2 .5 .3 .5 3.7Travis Best† 30 18 26.4 .441 .320 .922 2.7 5.0 1.1 .0 9.3Tyson Chandler 71 31 19.6 .497 .604 4.8 .8 .4 1.3 6.1Jamal Crawford 23 6 20.9 .476 .448 .769 1.5 2.4 .8 .2 9.3Eddy Curry 72 31 16.0 .501 .656 3.8 .3 .2 .7 6.7Marcus Fizer 76 20 25.8 .438 .171 .668 5.6 1.6 .6 .3 12.3A. J. Guyton 45 6 13.5 .361 .374 .815 1.0 1.8 .2 .2 5.4Trenton Hassell 78 47 28.7 .425 .364 .763 3.3 2.2 .7 .6 8.7Fred Hoiberg 79 8 17.8 .416 .261 .840 2.7 1.7 .8 .1 4.4Ron Mercer† 40 40 37.6 .399 .298 .778 3.9 3.0 .8 .3 16.8Brad Miller basketball† 48 47 29.0 .460 .500 .751 8.4 2.1 1.1 .6 12.7Charles Oakley 57 36 24.3 .369 .167 .750 6.0 2.0 .9 .2 3.8Kevin Ollie† 52 17 22.0 .383 .500 .838 2.5 3.7 .7 .0 5.8Norman Richardson basketball† 8 0 7.9 .435 .500 .667 .9 .1 .0 .0 3.8Eddie Robinson basketball 29 12 22.5 .453 .400 .750 2.7 1.3 .8 .4 9.0Jalen Rose† 30 30 40.5 .470 .370 .839 4.1 5.3 1.1 .5 23.8 † Denotes player spent time with another team in the season. Stats reflect time with the Bulls only. Player statistics citation: Transactions Trades February 19, 2002 To Indiana PacersKevin Ollie To Chicago Bulls Travis Best February 19, 2002 To Indiana PacersRon Artest, Brad Miller and Ron Mercer To Chicago BullsJalen Rose, Norm Richardson, and a second round draft pick Subtractions March 1, 2002PlayerReason leftNew teamGreg AnthonyWaivedMilwaukee Bucks Player Transactions Citation:2001–02 Chicago Bulls Transactions Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CHI/2002_transactions.html September 20, 2021 References External links See also 2001–02 NBA season Category:Chicago Bulls seasons Chicago Chicago Chicago Category:2001 in Chicago Category:2002 in Chicago