Last time on The New Millennium, Cleveland was the biggest winner, drafting Yao Ming with the first pick and signing Paul Pierce in free agency. Chauncey Billups joined a stacked Clippers team hungry to make the playoffs, whilst Dirk Nowitzki left Dallas to head to the nation's capital. How will all of these moves effect the 2002-2003 season?
Western Conference
(Henry's Note- I've decided to use a different look for these season recaps, now showing every team and their record. Hopefully you like this more)
1. Los Angeles Lakers(55-27)
2. Denver Nuggets(53-29)
3. Vancouver Grizzlies(50-32)
4. Portland Trail Blazers(47-35)
5. Seattle SuperSonics(45-37)
6. Minnesota Timberwolves(43-39)
7. Sacramento Kings(41-41)
8. Dallas Mavericks(41-41)
9. Utah Jazz(41-41)
10. Phoenix Suns(41-41)
11. Houston Rockets(39-43)
12. Los Angeles Clippers(35-47)
13. San Antonio Spurs(33-49)
14. Golden State Warriors(24-58)
15. New Orleans Pelicans(13-69)
Taking a look through these standings, I want to address that logjam between seventh and tenth place. The reason the Kings and Mavericks made the playoffs is down to Utah's poor record in their division, and the Suns' poor record in conference games. New MVP Kevin Garnett dragged a very poor Timberwolves team into the playoffs, but Pau Gasol could not do the same for his disappointing Clippers squad. The Mavericks somehow made it in despite losing Dirk, as Joe Johnson stepped up, and the Lakers returned to the top with new addition Carlos Boozer.
Eastern Conference
1. Indiana Pacers(58-24)
2. New Jersey Nets(50-32)
3. Milwaukee Bucks(49-33)
4. Toronto Raptors(47-35)
5. Orlando Magic(47-35)
6. Washington Wizards(45-37)
7. Cleveland Cavaliers(45-37)
8. Philadelphia 76ers(45-37)
9. Miami Heat(44-38)
10. Charlotte Hornets(42-40)
11. Boston Celtics(38-44)
12. Detroit Pistons(38-44)
13. Chicago Bulls(33-49)
14. New York Knicks(27-55)
15. Atlanta Hawks(21-61)
Wow, just look at the Pacers go! After missing the playoffs in two consecutive years, they signed Antwan Jamison at the start of the season, and got a big year from rookie Justin Galloway to cruise to the best record in the league. For the second year in a row, we'll see the Raptors and Magic meet up in the first round, as Vince Carter seeks revenge. Dirk and Paul Pierce led their new teams to the playoffs, and Allen Iverson did just enough to sneak Philly in for their third shot at winning in the first round. Boston hurt their chances at a high pick with a surprisingly good year, as Antoine Walker scored almost 20 points a game, and the Knicks, just two years removed from a NBA Finals appearance, fell off a cliff.
Awards
MVP: Kevin Garnett, Minnesota Timberwolves
Sixth Man: Fred Hoiberg, Houston Rockets
Defensive Player: Ben Wallace, Detroit Pistons
Most Improved: Joe Johnson, Dallas Mavericks
Coach of the Year: Isiah Thomas, Indiana Pacers
Could we be heading for a rematch of the 2000 NBA Finals, with the Lakers and Pacers as the top team in their conference? Can Orlando retain their title? Can the 76ers finally win a playoff series? Find out next time on The New Millennium!
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