2003 NBA

1. Tim Duncan: Won the MVP for the 2^nd straight season.

He was the Finals MVP for the 2^nd time in his career.

He was first team All-NBA for the 6^th straight year and first team all-defense for the 5^th straight.

Duncan was 7^th in scoring (23.3), 3^rd in rebounds (12.9) and blocks (2.9).

The Spurs forward was also shot 51% and four assists per game.

He started for the West in the All-Star game (19 points and 15 rebounds).

Duncan had 58 double doubles including seven games with at least 20 rebounds.

He led the league with 3.3 blocks per game in the playoffs.

The Spurs finished the Suns in the first round behind a triple double (15-20-10) from Duncan.

He averaged 32-15 in Games Five and Six as San Antonio dethroned the three time champion Lakers.

The MVP averaged 28-16-6 and 3 blocks per game in the West Finals win over the Mavericks in six games.

He put up 24-17 and over five assists and blocks a game in the Finals.

His near quadruple- double in Game Six put the Nets away and gave the Spurs their second title.

San Antonio was a league best 60-22 and won the Midwest Division. They won all four series on their way to the title in six games.

2. Kevin Garnett: Was 2^nd in the MVP, and 3^rd in the Defensive Player of the Year voting.

He was first team All-NBA and first team All-Defense.

Garnett was Player of the Month in February and April.

He was the All-Star game MVP (37-9 on 17-24 shooting).

KG was 2^nd in rebounding (13.7), ninth in scoring (23), and 8^th in minutes (40.5).

The Big Ticket also averaged a career high six assists per game and he shot 50% from the field in all 82 games.

68 of those 82 games were double doubles, six were triple doubles, and five were 20+ point-rebound games.

In Games 2-3 vs. the Lakers in the 1^st round, Garnett averaged 34-17-5.5. The Timberwolves took a 2-1 lead in the series behind Garnett’s play.

For the series KG averaged 27-15-5 with double doubles in all six games.

The Wolves went 51-31 and was the four seed in the West. They lost in the 1^st round for the 7^th straight season.

3. Kobe Bryant: Was 3^rd in the MVP voting. He was first team All-NBA and All-Defense.

He was player of the month in January.

Kobe led the league in field goals and total points while playing in 82 games.

Bryant averaged 30 points a game; good for 2^nd in the league.

He was 4^th in minutes (41.5) and 6^th in steals (2.2).

Bryant averaged a career high 6.9 rebounds per game and also six assists a game.

He had nine straight 40 points games in February, the second longest in NBA history. He had three 50 point games on the season.

He was an All-Star and scored 22 points.

Kobe led all playoff scorers with 32.1 per game. 

The Lakers ended their 3 year run as champs. They won 50 games and beat Minnesota in the 1^st round. They lost to the eventual champions Spurs in six games in the 2^nd round. 

2003 College Basketball

1. Carmelo Anthony:  He was the Most Outstanding Player in the Final Four after leading Syracuse to their first ever national championship.

He was the consensus NCAA Freshman of the Year, 2^nd team All-American, and 1^st team All-Big East.

He averaged 22.2 PPG (4^th in the Big East), 10 RPG (3^rd), 36.4 minutes per game (4^th), and 1.6 steals per game.

Melo had 26 games with at least 20 points and 22 double doubles.

Syracuse beat three straight top 6 Big 12 teams to win the title.

In the regional final vs. #3 Oklahoma, Carmelo had 20-10 on 9-16 shooting in 40 minutes as Syracuse shutdown the Sooners 63-49.

Anthony averaged 20.2 points per game in the tournament.

He had 33-14 and three steals and shot 12-19 from the field in the Final Four vs. #5 Texas.

Anthony had 20 points, 10 rebs. and 7 assists in the final over #6 Kansas.

Syracuse won the title 81-78 over KU.

The Orange were Big East co-champs with 13-3 record.  They were 24-5 in the regular season (30-5 overall) and were #13 in the final poll.

2. Nick Collison: Was the NABC Player of the Year and consensus first team All-American.

 

He was also the Big 12 Player of the Year.

Collison became the Big 12 all-time leading scorer.

He was among the Big 12 leaders in scoring with 18.5 PPG (2^nd), 3^rd in RPG (10), 3^rd in blocks (1.9), and 2^nd in FG% (55.4).

The senior center had 16 double-doubles. That included 24 point 23 rebound heroic effort vs. #5 Texas.

Collison propelled Kansas back to the Elite Eight with a career high 33 vs. #7 Duke.  He also had 19 rebounds.

With the Jayhawks down by one in the second half, he scored seven straight points to give Kansas a six point lead, a lead they would not relinquish, with less than six minutes to play.

He had 12-15-5 in the Final Four pounding of #9 Marquette.

Collison finished his great career with 21 rebounds, 19 points (8-14 FGs) and three blocks and steals in title game vs. Syracuse. He played all 40 minutes.

Kansas won the Big 12 regular season with 14-2 record and was 30-8 overall. They were #6 in the final polls. They advanced to their 2^nd straight Final Four.

Collison was on the USA national team as the only non-professional. He averaged just under five points per game as the US went 10-0 win the FIBA Americas and qualify for the 2004 Olympics.

3. Dwayne Wade: Was a consensus All-American and finalist for the Player of the Year.

He was the Conference USA Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year.

He was the MVP of the Midwest region in the NCAA tournament.

Wade carried Marquette past top ranked Kentucky 83-69 in the regional final. The win ended UK’s 26 game winning streak.

He was the 4^th player, including Magic Johnson, to record a triple double in the NCAA tournament. He finished with 29-11-11 and four blocks.

In the tournament “Flash” average 21.8 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 6 APG.

He led Conference USA in scoring (21.5), and was 8^th in assists (4.4), and was 2^nd in steals (2.2). He also averaged over six rebounds, and 1.3 blocks a game.

Wade had 21 twenty point games , including 28 vs. #14 Louisville.

In Marquette’s sweet 16 upset of #3 Pittsburgh, Wade scored 22 on 10-19 FGs.

He had 19-6-4 in Marquette’s blowout loss to Kansas in the Final Four.

Marquette finished #9 in final poll. They were 27-6 and 14-2 in Conference USA as regular season champions. The Golden Eagles advanced to their first Final Four in 26 years.

NFL 2002

1. Derrick Brooks: He was the Defensive Player of the Year.

 

He guided the Bucs to their first Super Bowl with a clinching interception return for a touchdown.

He made his 6^th straight Pro Bowl and was a consensus All-Pro.

He also defensive Player of the Month in October.

The Bucs linebacker had 118 tackles, five picks, three returned for scores, and returned a fumble for TD.

He had at least 10+ tackles in four of the last seven games, to help get Tampa Bay to their fourth straight playoffs.

In the divisional round vs. the 49ers, Brooks had 7 tackles, ½ sack, and Int. as the Tampa pounded San Francisco 31-6.

In the NFC Championship game he posted seven more tackles.

The Bucs finished with NFL’s top defense allowing just 12 points per game, and gave up the league’s least amount of yards. They went 12-4 and won the NFC South.

They handled the Eagles 27-10 to win the NFC. Tampa Bay routed Oakland 48-21 in the Super Bowl.

2. Rich Gannon: Was the regular season MVP and first team All-Pro.

He led the NFL in competitions with a single season record of 418. He also topped the league in yards with 4,689.

The 37 year old QB was also 5^th in TD passes with 26, and 2^nd in rating (97.3) and competition percentage (67.6).

He had 10 300+ yard games.

Gannon help the Raiders get past the Jets for the 2^nd straight year in the playoffs. He tossed two second half TD passes, as Oakland outscored New York 20-0 in the second half.

He finished with 283 yards passing on the night.

In the AFC title game the Raider quarterback threw three first half TD passes to give Oakland a 24-17 lead on Tennessee. His TD scamper put Oakland in front by 10 in the fourth.

Gannon threw for 286 and ran for 41 as the Raiders pounded the Titans 41-24 to advance to their first Super Bowl in 19 years.

He threw two TDs and for 272 yards in the Super Bowl. He threw five picks, and three that were returned for scores.

Oakland went 11-5 and won the AFC West. They were second in the NFL averaging 28.1 points per game.

3. Terrell Owens:  Was consensus first team All-Pro for the 3^rd straight season.

He led the NFL in TD catches with 13 for the second straight year.

He was 4^th in the league with 100 receptions and 8^th in yards with 1300, and 2^nd in yards/game.

T.O had five multi-TD games including a famous Monday Night Football performance vs. Seattle.

Owens was a starting WR for the NFC Pro Bowl.

He carried San Francisco past the Giants in the classic wildcard win.

His 76 yard catch and run put the Niners up seven early.  He added another touchdown and a pair of two point conversions. He had 9 catches for 177 yards on the game.

The 49ers came back from a 24 point deficit in the 3^rd quarter in escape with a 39-38 win to advance to the divisional round.

The 49ers were 10-6 and NFC West champs. They would eventually fall to the champion Bucs in the divisional round.

2002 College Football

1. Carson Palmer: Won the Heisman Trophy. Was named player of the year by the AP, Sporting News ESPN.com and other media services.

He was PAC-10 Offensive Player of the Year.

Palmer was the Orange Bowl MVP after 21-31 305 yard and TD effort vs. #8 Iowa.

USC opened the season vs. #14 Auburn. Palmer has 302 yards and a TD passing. He also has the go ahead TD rushing in the final two minutes.

He led the Pac 10 in TDs with 33 and was 2^nd in yards with 3,942. He also led the conference in completions % (63.2), and passing rating.

He was top 10 in the country in TDs, yards and rating.

The Trojans QB led his team to a 44-13 rout of #17 Notre Dame with 425 yards and 4 TDs.

Palmer had seven 300 yard games, and five with at least 4 TDs.

SC  was 11-2, won the Pac-10, and finished #4 in the polls after their 38-17 beat down of Iowa in the Orange Bowl. They were 9^th in the NCAA scoring with 35.8 points per game.

2. Maurice Clarret: Helped led Ohio St. to their first national championship since 1969.

He scored 2 TDs in the title game vs. #1 Miami, including the game winner in overtime.

He made a key defensive play after an interception that help that propelled the Buckeyes.

Clarett was the Big Ten Freshman of the Year.

He was 2^nd in the Big 10 with 18 TDs, 6^th in yards with 1,237, and 5^th in yards per carry (5.6).

Clarret ran for at least 100 yards in seven of 11 games.

He scored 2 or more TDs in five of his first six games.

The Buckeye freshman pummeled #10 Washington St. for 230 and two scores.

He helped put the Buckeyes into the title game with 154 total yards and a TD in a 14-9 win over arch rival #9 Michigan.

Ohio State ran the table and went 14-0. They won the Big Ten and upset defending champion Miami 31-24 in the overtime in the Fiesta Bowl.

3. Willis McGahee: Led the nation with 27 touchdowns. He finished 4^th in the Heisman voting.

He was also a finalist for the Doak Walker award for RB of the year, and Walter Camp (player of the year).

He was co-Big East Player of the Year and a consensus All-American.

 McGahee had a Big East high 1,753 yards (5^th in NCAA), 2,108 yards from scrimmage (3^rd in NCAA), and 168 points.

The Canes back had a career day vs. #18 Virginia Tech with 205 yards and six scores. The win put Miami back in the national title game.

He had a Miami record ten 100 yards games.

In the Fiesta Bowl, McGahee ran for 67 yards. His 3^rd quarter TD pulled Miami within three. The Hurricanes would eventually force overtime.

His college career ended on a brutal knee injury in the 4^th quarter of the title.

Miami was stunned by Ohio State in the national championship in double overtime. The Hurricanes was #1 in every regular season poll, won their 3^rd straight Big East and were 12-0 in the regular season.

They finished 4^th in the nation scoring 40.5 PPG.

2002 MLB

1. Garrett Anderson: Had the go-ahead three run double in Game Seven of the World Series.

He was an All-Star (RBI)  Silver Slugger and finished 4^th in MVP voting.

Anderson led the American League in doubles (56).

In the regular season he was 4^th in RBI (123), and total bases.  He was also 6^th in hits with 195.

Anderson hit .306 with 29 HR and 93 runs.

He was 3-4 in Game Two of the ALDS including game tying HR in the 8^th as Angels tied series 1-1.

He hit .389 with 4 RBI and 5 runs scored as Anaheim eliminated the 4-time reigning AL Champions New York.

In the ALCS Anderson helped the Angels clinch the pennant going 5-12 (.415), with a RBI and run scored in each of their wins in Games 3, 4 and 5.

The Angels leftfielder added 2 RBIs in Anaheim’s Game Two 11-10 win to tie the World Series at one game each.

The Angels won 99 games and the Wild Card. They advanced to the ALCS for the first time since 1986 after beating the Yankees in four. They moved on to their first World Series winning the ALCS five games in over Minnesota.

They won the Fall Classic in seven over San Francisco.

2. Albert Pujols: Was 2^nd in the MVP voting.

He finished 2nd in RBI (127), and runs (118).

He was also in the top 5 in NL in hits, and total bases.

“The Machine” batted .314 and slugged 34 HR.

In the division series, he hit .300 with 3 RBI and 3 runs as the Cardinals swept defending champion Arizona.

Pujols showed his versatility playing significant time at first base, third and left field.

In eight postseason games Pujols had a hit in seven, drove in five runs and scored five more.

St. Louis won the Central and 97 games. They were 2^nd in the NL in runs scored. 

They eventually fell to the Giants in the NLCS.

3. Vladimir Guerrero: Was an All-Star (1-2 R), Silver Slugger and 4^th in the MVP voting.

He led the NL in hits (204), total bases, and plate appearances.

He was 2^nd in WAR for position players, and 3^rd in batting (.336).

Vlad was 5^th in HR (39), RBI (111), 4^th in steals (40), and OPS.

The Expos rightfielder showed off his arm by leading all NL OFs with 14 assists.

He was named Player of the Month in April (.379 28 RBI).

Montreal finished with 83 wins, their first .500 in six years. They were 2^nd in the NL East.

2002 NBA

1. Shaquille O’Neal: He was the Finals MVP for the 3^rd straight year.

He averaged 36-12-2.8 blk 59% FG and 67% FT as the Lakers swept the Nets.

He was named First team All-NBA, and finished 3^rd in the MVP voting.

O’Neal was 2^nd scoring (27.2) lead the league in FG% (58%), and was 5^th in field goals.

He also averaged 10 boards and 2 blocks per game (67 games).

 Shaq had 40 double doubles in 67 games (51-16 record).

 He had 31-14 in Game Two of 1^st round vs. Portland while shooting 12-20 FGs and 7-9 FTs.

O’Neal averaged 38 PPG 14 RPG 3 BPG 51%FG 75% FT in Game Six and Seven vs. Sacramento to help advance to the Finals.

The Lakers escaped past the Kings in a dramatic seven game series.

LA won 58 games and their 3^rd straight title. They went 15-4 in the playoffs. The Lakers were 3^rd in the NBA with 101 PPG. 

2. Tim Duncan: Was the MVP of the regular season.

He made All-NBA and All-Defense (4^th straight season).

Duncan was Player of the Month in December and April. He was a starting forward for the West All-Stars.

He played in all 82 games, and led the NBA in total rebounds and free throws.

The power forward was 5^th in scoring (25.5), second in rebounding (12.7), and 4^th in blocks (2.5 ).

Duncan played 40 minutes per game, 51% FG 80% FT and almost 4 assists per game.

He had 67 dbl-dbls.

He averaged 24-11-4-6 blks in Games 3 and 4 to close out Seattle.

Duncan had 27 points 17 rebounds 5 assists and 5 blocks in only win in 2^nd round vs. LA.

The MVP averaged 27-14-4-4.3 blocks (playoff leading) in nine playoff games.

San Antonio won 58 games, the Midwest Division and had the #2 seed in the West. They were knocked out by LA in the 2^nd round. The Spurs had the league’s best defense (90 PPG).

3. Jason Kidd: Was 1^st team All-NBA, 1^st All-Defense and 2^nd in the MVP.

He was named Player of Month in November and was the starting PG for the East in the All-Star game.

Kidd played in 82 games, and averaged 14.7 ppg, 10 apg and 7.3 rpg and 2 steals per game.

He was 2^nd in APG and 3^rd in SPG.

Kidd had 44 double-doubles and eight triple doubles in regular season.

He averaged 19-8-9 in 20 playoff games. 

He carried New Jersey with 31-8-7-4 steals in a 2 OT elimination Game 5 vs. Indiana.

The Nets point guard averaged 23.5 PPG 10.5 APG 9 RPG 2.5 SPG in Game 4-5 to knock out Charlotte.

He had 15-13-13 Game 6 clincher vs. Boston.

Kidd followed that with another triple double (23-10-10) in a 5 point loss to LA in Game One.

He averaged 21 points,10 assists, seven rebounds and 2.3 steals in the Finals vs. Lakers.

The Nets doubled their wins after adding J-Kidd in 2002. They won an East best 52 games, and the conference title for the first ever.

2002 College Basketball

1. Juan Dixon: Was the Final Four MVP. He was also a consensus All-American.

He was the ACC Player of the Year and ACC Athlete of the Year.

Dixon was 2^nd in ACC with 20.4 ppg, his 89 ft% led the ACC, and 2.6 steals led the conference for the third straight year.

He also averaged 4.6 rpg, 3 apg, 39% on 3s (4^th in ACC).

He scored 20 or more in 19 games.

The Terps senior averaged 25.8 ppg in the NCAAs. 

Dixon put Maryland back in the Final Four with 27 in the regional final vs. #10 UConn.

He had 33 in the Final Four vs. #2 Kansas.

To cap off the title, 

Dixon put up 18-5 with five steals in the championship game win over Indiana. 

Maryland won it's first title. They advanced to their 2^nd straight Final Four.

The Terripans finished #4 in polls, with a 32-4, and 15-1 in ACC regular season record. They won conference title outright. They averaged 85 PPG.

2. Drew Gooden:  Was the NABC Player of the Year and consensus All-American.

He led the NCAA in rebounds per game, and total field goals.

Gooden was the Big 12 Player of the Year, all-Big 12 tournament team (22-15 in finals loss to Oklahoma.)

He was also named Midwest region MVP.

The Jayhawks forward had 15-13-4 in a Sweet 16 win over #13 Illinois.

He had 18-20 vs. #11 Oregon to put KU in Final Four for first time in nine years.

During the regular year, he led Big 12 in points (19.8), and rpg (11.4),  He was 3^rd in spg (1.7), and 8^th in bpg (1.4). 

He shot 50% fgs and 75% fts.

Gooden had 23-15 vs #7 Arizona in a 105-97 win.

He also had 19-10 vs #3  Oklahoma; one of his 25 double doubles.

Kansas finished the regular season #2 after an undefeated 16-0 Big 12 season. They were 33-4. They led the country with 90.4 ppg. The Jayhawks lost to eventual champ Maryland.

3. Jason Williams: Was the nearly unanimous national Player of the Year.

 

He was a consensus All-American for the second straight year 

He was also all-ACC tournament as Duke won it's fourth straight conference tourney title.

Williams averaged 21.3 ppg (1^st in the acc), 5.3 apg (6^th), 38% on 3s (5^th) 2.2 spg (4^th).

The junior had 34-7-8 in a 19 point regular season beat down of  Maryland.

He had 24-10 ast. in ACC finals win over NC State.

In the NCAA tourney J-Will put up 17 ppg 5 apg and 2.3 spg .

The Blue Devils had a 31-4 record and were #1 in the final polls for the 4^th straight year. They scored 89 ppg, good for 2^nd in the country.

Duke, the #1 seed, was upset by Indiana in the Sweet 16.