Last time on The New Millennium, we saw the Los Angeles Clippers luck out, getting the number one pick in the lottery and selecting Pau Gasol. Plus, after their first round exit in the playoffs, the 76ers spent big in free agency to replace Aaron McKie and Dikembe Mutombo. We now head into the 2001-2002 season, as we see new rookies enter the league and Shaq attempt to three peat as MVP.
Western Conference
In a surprising turn of events, the Vancouver Grizzlies were the top team in the West, winning a tiebreaker over the Utah Jazz thanks to a better conference record. Led by Most Improved Player Mike Bibby(17 ppg, 9.7 apg), Shareef Abur-Rahim(21.7 ppg, 8.5 rpg) and rookie Tyson Chandler(12.6 ppg, 12.9 rpg), the Grizzlies are established in Vancouver and are ready to make a playoff run. The Jazz also had a great season, thanks in large part to Donyell Marshall(15.3 ppg), but the age of the team remains a very real issue. The reining champs will be disappointed, as the Lakers finished in third and the young Kobe Bryant(23 ppg) was forced to lead the team with Shaq struggling. Yet again, the Trail Blazers were the best defensive team in the West, and secured the fourth spot. They'll face Houston in the first round, who posses the dangerous backcourt of Steve Francis and Cuttino Mobley, along with rookie starter Richard Jefferson. In Denver, Antonio McDyess(21.7 ppg, 13.3 rpg, 1st Team All-NBA) starred to lead the Nuggets back to the playoffs. After missing out last year, the Sacramento Kings upped their game, providing stellar offense to just claim the seventh spot. Finally, the SuperSonics would make a late run, just edging out the Spurs for the final playoff berth. Missing out on the playoffs were some surprising names, including the Timberwolves, Warriors and Mavericks, who posses a great trio in Steve Nash, Dirk Nowitzki and rookie Joe Johnson.
Eastern Conference
On a path of redemption, Allen Iverson(27.5 ppg) claimed the MVP and led his 76ers to the top spot in the league, with 55 wins. New signings Shawn Bradley, Sean Elliott and Arvydas Sabonis all played well, but this is clearly AI's team. The Heat regressed a bit from last year, but still did enough to finish in second. Tracy McGrady and Grant Hill led the Magic to another third place finish, and now McGrady must face his former team in the first round. The Bucks improved to finish in the top four, with Michael Redd(15 ppg) providing excellent scoring off the bench. Paul Pierce(23.3 ppg) would not be denied the playoffs again, leading the Celtics into fifth. The story of the first round, will be Vince Carter vs Tracy McGrady, as the Raptors finished in sixth and earned their shot at Orlando. The Knicks are back in the playoffs, as Allan Houston's heroics paired well with solid play from big man Marcus Camby(12.1 ppg, 13 rpg, 3rd Team All-NBA). The New Jersey Nets struggled down the stretch, but did enough to claim the final playoff spot, with one hell of a rookie season from Jason Richardson(17.4 ppg, 9 rpg 2nd Team All-NBA). The Bulls and Wizards came up just short of qualifying, while the Pacers miss out again and the Hawks somehow managed to win only 15 games.
Awards
MVP: Allen Iverson, Philadelphia 76ers
Sixth Man: Ruben Patterson, Chicago Bulls
Defensive Player: Ben Wallace, Detroit Pistons
Most Improved: Mike Bibby, Vancouver Grizzlies
Coach of the Year: Larry Brown, Philadelphia 76ers
Can the Grizzlies complete the Hollywood ending and bring home the Larry O'Brien Trophy? Will the 76ers and Heat be able to get out of the first round this year? Can the Lakers, from third place, complete the three peat? The Playoffs are next on The New Millennium.
Western Conference
In a surprising turn of events, the Vancouver Grizzlies were the top team in the West, winning a tiebreaker over the Utah Jazz thanks to a better conference record. Led by Most Improved Player Mike Bibby(17 ppg, 9.7 apg), Shareef Abur-Rahim(21.7 ppg, 8.5 rpg) and rookie Tyson Chandler(12.6 ppg, 12.9 rpg), the Grizzlies are established in Vancouver and are ready to make a playoff run. The Jazz also had a great season, thanks in large part to Donyell Marshall(15.3 ppg), but the age of the team remains a very real issue. The reining champs will be disappointed, as the Lakers finished in third and the young Kobe Bryant(23 ppg) was forced to lead the team with Shaq struggling. Yet again, the Trail Blazers were the best defensive team in the West, and secured the fourth spot. They'll face Houston in the first round, who posses the dangerous backcourt of Steve Francis and Cuttino Mobley, along with rookie starter Richard Jefferson. In Denver, Antonio McDyess(21.7 ppg, 13.3 rpg, 1st Team All-NBA) starred to lead the Nuggets back to the playoffs. After missing out last year, the Sacramento Kings upped their game, providing stellar offense to just claim the seventh spot. Finally, the SuperSonics would make a late run, just edging out the Spurs for the final playoff berth. Missing out on the playoffs were some surprising names, including the Timberwolves, Warriors and Mavericks, who posses a great trio in Steve Nash, Dirk Nowitzki and rookie Joe Johnson.
Eastern Conference
On a path of redemption, Allen Iverson(27.5 ppg) claimed the MVP and led his 76ers to the top spot in the league, with 55 wins. New signings Shawn Bradley, Sean Elliott and Arvydas Sabonis all played well, but this is clearly AI's team. The Heat regressed a bit from last year, but still did enough to finish in second. Tracy McGrady and Grant Hill led the Magic to another third place finish, and now McGrady must face his former team in the first round. The Bucks improved to finish in the top four, with Michael Redd(15 ppg) providing excellent scoring off the bench. Paul Pierce(23.3 ppg) would not be denied the playoffs again, leading the Celtics into fifth. The story of the first round, will be Vince Carter vs Tracy McGrady, as the Raptors finished in sixth and earned their shot at Orlando. The Knicks are back in the playoffs, as Allan Houston's heroics paired well with solid play from big man Marcus Camby(12.1 ppg, 13 rpg, 3rd Team All-NBA). The New Jersey Nets struggled down the stretch, but did enough to claim the final playoff spot, with one hell of a rookie season from Jason Richardson(17.4 ppg, 9 rpg 2nd Team All-NBA). The Bulls and Wizards came up just short of qualifying, while the Pacers miss out again and the Hawks somehow managed to win only 15 games.
Awards
MVP: Allen Iverson, Philadelphia 76ers
Sixth Man: Ruben Patterson, Chicago Bulls
Defensive Player: Ben Wallace, Detroit Pistons
Most Improved: Mike Bibby, Vancouver Grizzlies
Coach of the Year: Larry Brown, Philadelphia 76ers
Can the Grizzlies complete the Hollywood ending and bring home the Larry O'Brien Trophy? Will the 76ers and Heat be able to get out of the first round this year? Can the Lakers, from third place, complete the three peat? The Playoffs are next on The New Millennium.
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