This week, we will be looking back at the 2000-01 NBA season. Besides the Lakers having one of the best teams in NBA history and Allen Iverson dominating the league, what else was going on that season?
Defending Champions: Los Angeles Lakers
Draft
Top 5 Draft Picks:
5. Mike Miller, Orlando Magic
4. Marcus Fizer, Chicago Bulls
3. Darius Miles, Los Angeles Clippers
2. Stromile Swift, Vancouver Grizzlies
1. Kenyon Martin, New Jersey Nets
Award Winners
Rookie of the Year: Mike Miller, Orlando Magic
Defensive Player of the Year: Dikembe Mutombo, Philadelphia 76ers, Atlanta Hawks
Sixth Man of the Year: Aaron McKie, Philadelphia 76ers
Most Improved Player: Tracy McGrady, Orlando Magic
Coach of the Year: Larry Brown, Philadelphia 76ers
MVP: Allen Iverson, Philadelphia 76ers
All-NBA First Team:
Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs
Chris Webber, Sacramento Kings
Shaquille O’Neal, Los Angeles Lakers
Allen Iverson, Philadelphia 76ers
Jason Kidd, Phoenix Suns
All-NBA Second Team:
Tracy McGrady, Orlando Magic
Vince Carter, Toronto Raptors
Dikembe Mutombo, Philadelphia 76ers, Atlanta Hawks
Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers
Kevin Garnett, Minnesota Timberwolves
All-NBA Third Team:
Karl Malone, Utah Jazz
Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks
David Robinson, San Antonio Spurs
Gary Payton, Seattle Sonics
Ray Allen, Milwaukee Bucks
All-NBA Defensive First Team:
Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs
Kevin Garnett, Minnesota Timberwolves
Dikembe Mutombo, Philadelphia 76ers, Atlanta Hawks
Gary Payton, Seattle Sonics
Jason Kidd, Phoenix Suns
All-NBA Defensive Second Team:
Bruce Bowen, Miami Heat
P.J. Brown, Charlotte Hornets
Shaquille O’Neal, Los Angeles Lakers
Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers
Doug Christie, Sacramento Kings
Statistical Leaders
Leading Scorer: Allen Iverson, Philadelphia 76ers
Leading Rebounder: Dikembe Mutombo, Philadelphia 76ers, Atlanta Hawks
Assists Leader: Jason Kidd, Phoenix Suns
Blocks Leader: Theo Ratliff, Philadelphia 76ers
Steals Leader: Allen Iverson, Philadelphia 76ers
Field Goal % Leader: Shaquille O’Neal, Los Angeles Lakers
Free Throw % Leader: Reggie Miller, Indiana Pacers
3 Point % Leader: Brent Barry, Seattle Sonics
All-Star Game: The Eastern Conference beat the Western Conference 111-110 in Washington D.C. Allen Iverson was named the game’s MVP, as he led the Eastern Conference back from a 21 point deficit in the fourth quarter.
Best Record: San Antonio Spurs, 58-24
Worst Record: Chicago Bulls, 15-67
Playoffs
Eastern Conference Finals: The Philadelphia 76ers beat the Milwaukee Bucks in seven games to advance to the NBA Finals. Throughout the series, Milwaukee players and coaches complained the referees were making bad calls against them because the NBA did not want a small market team playing in the Finals.
Western Conference Finals: The Los Angeles Lakers swept the San Antonio Spurs in four games to advance to the NBA Finals for the second straight season. The Lakers swept all three of their Western Conference playoff opponents that season. The team entered the Finals with a perfect 11-0 playoff record.
NBA Finals: After a stunning game 1 loss to the 76ers, the Lakers bounced back and won the next four games to capture back to back NBA championships. The game 1 loss to Philadelphia was the only playoff loss for the Lakers. The Lakers finished the postseason with the best playoff winning percentage in league history.
So, basketball fans, what do you remember from the 2000-2001 season? Drop a comment telling us what your favorite moments, players, and teams were from that season.
Next Week: 2001-2002 season
Joshua Sexton is a lifelong basketball fanatic, who watches as many games as possible. In addition, He has played and coached the game at the high school level. He has recently started writing about the game of basketball.
