The 2002-03 Chicago Bulls season was part of a rebuilding phase for the franchise, following the end of the Michael Jordan era. Under head coach Bill Cartwright, the team aimed to improve upon their previous season’s performance. However, the Bulls struggled throughout the year, finishing with a 30-52 record, placing them 7th in the Central Division and 13th in the Eastern Conference, thus missing the playoffs for the fifth consecutive season.
The Bulls were led by second-year forward Tyson Chandler and rookie guard Jay Williams, the latter being the second overall pick in the 2002 NBA Draft. Williams showed promise by averaging 9.5 points and 4.7 assists per game, although his performance was inconsistent. Jalen Rose emerged as the team’s leading scorer, averaging 22.1 points per game, but the team lacked depth and experience to compete with top-tier opponents.
The season was marked by the midseason trade that sent forward Donyell Marshall and guard Greg Anthony to the Toronto Raptors in exchange for Antonio Davis. The move was intended to add veteran presence and bolster the team’s defense, but it did little to change the Bulls’ fortunes. Despite individual improvements from young players like Eddy Curry and Jamal Crawford, the team was unable to translate potential into winning results.
Off the court, the Bulls remained committed to developing their young core and building for the future. The season’s struggles underscored the challenges of transitioning from a dynasty team to a young, developing squad. Management and fans alike remained hopeful that the pieces would eventually fall into place, allowing the Bulls to return to their former glory. In summary, the 2002-03 season was one of growth and learning, setting the foundation for future improvements.
- Regular Season Record: 30-52
- Playoff Result: Did not make playoffs
Chicago Bulls Roster and Stats for 2002-03 Season
| Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% |
| Jalen Rose | 82 | 22.1 | 4.3 | 4.8 | 0.9 | 0.3 | 37.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Donyell Marshall | 78 | 13.4 | 9.0 | 1.8 | 1.2 | 1.1 | 37.9 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Marcus Fizer | 38 | 11.7 | 5.7 | 1.3 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 16.7 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Jamal Crawford | 80 | 10.7 | 2.3 | 4.2 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 35.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Eddy Curry | 81 | 10.5 | 4.4 | 0.5 | 0.2 | 0.8 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Jay Williams | 75 | 9.5 | 2.6 | 4.7 | 1.1 | 0.2 | 32.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Tyson Chandler | 75 | 9.2 | 6.9 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 1.4 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Eddie Robinson | 64 | 5.7 | 3.1 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.2 | 21.4 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Lonny Baxter | 55 | 4.8 | 3.0 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Trenton Hassell | 82 | 4.2 | 3.1 | 1.8 | 0.5 | 0.7 | 32.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Rick Brunson | 17 | 3.5 | 1.1 | 2.1 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 66.7 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Corie Blount | 50 | 3.0 | 4.1 | 1.0 | 0.7 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Fred Hoiberg | 63 | 2.3 | 2.2 | 1.1 | 0.6 | 0.1 | 23.8 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Dalibor Bagarić | 10 | 1.9 | 2.0 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Roger Mason | 17 | 1.8 | 0.7 | 0.7 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 33.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
Chicago Bulls 2002-03 Regular Season Game Log
Here is the game log for the 2002-03 season for the Chicago Bulls.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 30, 2002 | @ Boston Celtics | W 99-96 | |
| Nov 01, 2002 | vs. New Orleans Hornets | W 84-79 | |
| Nov 02, 2002 | @ Atlanta Hawks | L 98-92 | |
| Nov 04, 2002 | @ Toronto Raptors | L 109-105 | |
| Nov 06, 2002 | vs. Boston Celtics | L 91-69 | |
| Nov 08, 2002 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | L 114-87 | |
| Nov 09, 2002 | vs. New Jersey Nets | W 100-93 | |
| Nov 13, 2002 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 108-101 | |
| Nov 15, 2002 | @ New Orleans Hornets | L 105-87 | |
| Nov 16, 2002 | vs. Memphis Grizzlies | W 111-93 | |
| Nov 19, 2002 | @ Sacramento Kings | L 111-98 | |
| Nov 20, 2002 | @ Golden State Warriors | L 100-94 | |
| Nov 22, 2002 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 86-73 | |
| Nov 23, 2002 | @ Utah Jazz | L 110-90 | |
| Nov 27, 2002 | @ Boston Celtics | L 92-82 | |
| Nov 30, 2002 | @ Dallas Mavericks | L 103-90 | |
| Dec 03, 2002 | vs. New Orleans Hornets | L 115-90 | |
| Dec 04, 2002 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | L 111-101 | |
| Dec 06, 2002 | @ Toronto Raptors | L 103-89 | |
| Dec 07, 2002 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | W 112-104 | |
| Dec 10, 2002 | vs. Orlando Magic | W 107-87 | |
| Dec 12, 2002 | vs. Detroit Pistons | L 86-76 | |
| Dec 14, 2002 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | W 97-95 | |
| Dec 16, 2002 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 94-83 | |
| Dec 18, 2002 | vs. Toronto Raptors | W 96-83 | |
| Dec 20, 2002 | @ Indiana Pacers | L 101-86 | |
| Dec 21, 2002 | vs. Indiana Pacers | W 110-103 | |
| Dec 23, 2002 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 99-83 | |
| Dec 27, 2002 | vs. Minnesota Timberwolves | L 113-100 | |
| Dec 28, 2002 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | L 109-95 | |
| Dec 31, 2002 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | W 102-87 | |
| Jan 02, 2003 | vs. Washington Wizards | L 107-82 | |
| Jan 04, 2003 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | W 85-79 | |
| Jan 06, 2003 | vs. Utah Jazz | W 113-98 | |
| Jan 08, 2003 | @ Washington Wizards | L 101-98 | |
| Jan 10, 2003 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 93-85 | |
| Jan 13, 2003 | vs. New York Knicks | W 101-94 | |
| Jan 14, 2003 | @ New York Knicks | L 98-86 | |
| Jan 17, 2003 | @ New Orleans Hornets | L 90-83 | |
| Jan 18, 2003 | @ Miami Heat | L 102-101 | |
| Jan 20, 2003 | @ Atlanta Hawks | W 115-102 | |
| Jan 22, 2003 | @ Orlando Magic | L 94-91 | |
| Jan 24, 2003 | vs. Washington Wizards | W 104-97 | |
| Jan 26, 2003 | vs. Houston Rockets | W 100-98 | |
| Jan 29, 2003 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | L 77-75 | |
| Jan 31, 2003 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 107-94 | |
| Feb 01, 2003 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 90-77 | |
| Feb 03, 2003 | @ Phoenix Suns | L 115-111 | |
| Feb 04, 2003 | @ Denver Nuggets | L 102-100 | |
| Feb 11, 2003 | vs. Detroit Pistons | L 89-79 | |
| Feb 12, 2003 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | L 119-111 | |
| Feb 14, 2003 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 90-72 | |
| Feb 15, 2003 | vs. Denver Nuggets | W 88-69 | |
| Feb 18, 2003 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | W 107-101 | |
| Feb 19, 2003 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | L 110-82 | |
| Feb 21, 2003 | @ Orlando Magic | L 110-96 | |
| Feb 22, 2003 | @ Miami Heat | L 100-90 | |
| Feb 24, 2003 | vs. Phoenix Suns | W 90-87 | |
| Feb 26, 2003 | vs. Toronto Raptors | W 103-95 | |
| Feb 28, 2003 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | L 110-88 | |
| Mar 01, 2003 | @ Washington Wizards | L 101-93 | |
| Mar 03, 2003 | vs. Orlando Magic | L 104-89 | |
| Mar 06, 2003 | vs. Golden State Warriors | W 119-105 | |
| Mar 08, 2003 | vs. Los Angeles Clippers | L 103-97 | |
| Mar 11, 2003 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | W 116-99 | |
| Mar 12, 2003 | @ Memphis Grizzlies | L 124-95 | |
| Mar 14, 2003 | @ Houston Rockets | L 121-91 | |
| Mar 16, 2003 | @ San Antonio Spurs | L 108-97 | |
| Mar 18, 2003 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 103-78 | |
| Mar 22, 2003 | vs. New York Knicks | W 100-98 | |
| Mar 23, 2003 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 105-82 | |
| Mar 26, 2003 | vs. Miami Heat | W 82-74 | |
| Mar 28, 2003 | @ Indiana Pacers | L 140-89 | |
| Mar 29, 2003 | vs. Sacramento Kings | L 107-92 | |
| Apr 01, 2003 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | L 101-94 | |
| Apr 02, 2003 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | L 108-101 | |
| Apr 05, 2003 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | W 117-115 | |
| Apr 08, 2003 | vs. Indiana Pacers | W 115-103 | |
| Apr 09, 2003 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 111-102 | |
| Apr 11, 2003 | vs. New Jersey Nets | W 95-86 | |
| Apr 13, 2003 | @ Minnesota Timberwolves | L 119-95 | |
| Apr 15, 2003 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 115-106 |