NBA professional basketball team season
NBA professional basketball team season
The 2000–01 NBA season was the Timberwolves' 12th season in the National Basketball Association .[ 1] After the tragic death of Malik Sealy , the Timberwolves scrambled to find a replacement for him, signing free agent Chauncey Billups ,[ 2] [ 3] a close friend of Kevin Garnett , and signing LaPhonso Ellis during the off-season.[ 4] [ 5] Meanwhile, the Timberwolves secret free-agent deal signed by Joe Smith was voided by the NBA, who ruled their proper procedure in signing the contract, while stripping their first-round draft picks for the next five seasons and fined the team $3.5 million; Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor , and General Manager Kevin McHale were both suspended for one year.[ 6] [ 7] [ 8] [ 9] Smith would later on sign a free-agent deal with the Detroit Pistons .[ 10] [ 11] [ 12] [ 13]
Despite the troubles, and losing four of their first six games, the Timberwolves won 13 of their next 18 games, posted an 11-game winning streak between January and February, and held a 32–18 record at the All-Star break.[ 14] At mid-season, the team signed free agent Felipe López , who was previously released by the Washington Wizards .[ 15] The Timberwolves finished fourth in the Midwest Division with a 47–35 record.[ 16]
Garnett averaged 22.0 points, 11.4 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.8 blocks per game, and was named to the All-NBA Second Team, NBA All-Defensive First Team, and selected for the 2001 NBA All-Star Game in Washington, D.C. .[ 17] [ 18] [ 19] [ 20] [ 21] In addition, second-year star Wally Szczerbiak averaged 14.0 points and 5.5 rebounds per game, and won the MVP award in the Rookie-Sophomore Game during the All-Star Weekend,[ 22] [ 23] while Terrell Brandon provided the team with 16.0 points, 7.5 assists and 2.1 steals per game, Anthony Peeler contributed 10.5 points per game, Billups contributed 9.3 points and 3.4 assists per game, and Ellis provided with 9.4 points and 6.0 rebounds per game off the bench.[ 24]
Garnett finished in fifth place in Most Valuable Player voting with one first-place vote,[ 25] [ 26] [ 27] [ 28] and also finished in second place in Defensive Player of the Year voting,[ 29] [ 30] [ 27] [ 28] while Ellis finished in third place in Sixth Man of the Year voting.[ 31] [ 32] [ 27] [ 28]
However, in the Western Conference First Round of the playoffs , the T-Wolves would lose in four games to the top-seeded San Antonio Spurs .[ 33] [ 34] [ 35] [ 36] Following the season, Ellis signed as a free agent with the Miami Heat ,[ 37] [ 38] [ 39] and Tom Hammonds retired.
Draft picks
Roster
2000–01 Minnesota Timberwolves roster
Players
Coaches
Pos.
No.
Name
Height
Weight
DOB
From
PG
5
Avery, William
6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
197 lb (89 kg)
1979–08–08
Duke
SG
4
Billups, Chauncey
6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
202 lb (92 kg)
1976–09–25
Colorado
PG
7
Brandon, Terrell
5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
180 lb (82 kg)
1970–05–20
Oregon
SG
11
Day, Todd
6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
188 lb (85 kg)
1970–01–07
Arkansas
PF
3
Ellis, LaPhonso
6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
240 lb (109 kg)
1970–05–05
Notre Dame
PF
21
Garnett, Kevin
6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)
220 lb (100 kg)
1976–05–19
Farragut Academy (IL)
C
22
Garrett, Dean
6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)
225 lb (102 kg)
1966–11–27
Indiana
PF
20
Hammonds, Tom
6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
215 lb (98 kg)
1967–03–27
Georgia Tech
PG
13
López, Felipe
6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
180 lb (82 kg)
1974–12–19
St. John's
SF
42
Mitchell, Sam
6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
210 lb (95 kg)
1963–09–02
Mercer
C
8
Nesterović, Rasho
7 ft 0 in (2.13 m)
255 lb (116 kg)
1976–05–30
Slovenia
SG
44
Peeler, Anthony
6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
208 lb (94 kg)
1969–11–25
Missouri
PF
35
Slater, Reggie
6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
215 lb (98 kg)
1970–08–27
Wyoming
SF
10
Szczerbiak, Wally
6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
244 lb (111 kg)
1977–03–05
Miami (OH)
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
(DP) Unsigned draft pick(FA) Free agent(S) Suspended Injured
Roster Last transaction: February 28, 2001
Regular season
Season standings
z - clinched division title
y - clinched division title
x - clinched playoff spot
Record vs. opponents
2000-01 NBA Records
Team
ATL
BOS
CHA
CHI
CLE
DAL
DEN
DET
GSW
HOU
IND
LAC
LAL
MIA
MIL
MIN
NJN
NYK
ORL
PHI
PHO
POR
SAC
SAS
SEA
TOR
UTA
VAN
WAS
Atlanta
—
1–3
0–4
2–2
2–2
0–2
1–1
0–4
2–0
0–2
2–2
1–1
1–1
0–3
1–3
0–2
1–3
2–2
1–3
0–3
0–2
1–1
1–1
0–2
1–1
2–2
0–2
1–1
2–2
Boston
3–1
—
0–4
2–1
2–1
0–2
2–0
3–1
0–2
1–1
1–3
2–0
0–2
2–2
1–3
1–1
4–0
1–3
1–3
0–4
2–0
1–1
0–2
0–2
2–0
1–3
1–1
0–2
3–1
Charlotte
4–0
4–0
—
3–1
2–2
0–2
0–2
2–2
2–0
0–2
3–1
2–0
0–2
2–2
3–1
1–1
4–0
1–2
2–1
2–2
0–2
0–2
1–1
1–1
0–2
3–1
1–1
1–1
2–2
Chicago
2–2
1–2
1–3
—
1–3
0–2
0–2
0–4
0–2
0–2
0–4
0–2
0–2
1–3
0–4
0–2
2–2
1–3
1–3
1–3
0–2
0–2
0–2
1–1
0–2
0–4
0–2
1–1
2–1
Cleveland
2–2
1–2
2–2
3–1
—
1–1
1–1
2–2
2–0
0–2
1–3
0–2
0–2
2–2
1–3
0–2
3–0
2–2
1–3
0–4
0–2
1–1
1–1
0–2
0–2
0–4
1–1
1–1
2–2
Dallas
2–0
2–0
2–0
2–0
1–1
—
3–1
1–1
4–0
2–2
1–1
4–0
0–4
2–0
1–1
3–1
2–0
1–1
1–1
1–1
1–3
2–2
2–2
1–3
3–1
2–0
2–2
3–1
2–0
Denver
1–1
0–2
2–0
2–0
1–1
1–3
—
1–1
4–0
3–1
1–1
2–2
2–2
0–2
1–1
2–2
1–1
1–1
0–2
1–1
0–4
2–2
2–2
2–2
2–2
0–2
1–3
4–0
1–1
Detroit
4–0
1–3
2–2
4–0
2–2
1–1
1–1
—
1–1
0–2
1–3
0–2
0–2
0–4
1–3
0–2
4–0
1–2
2–2
0–4
1–1
0–2
0–2
0–2
2–0
2–2
0–2
1–1
1–2
Golden State
0–2
2–0
0–2
2–0
0–2
0–4
0–4
1–1
—
1–3
2–0
1–3
1–3
0–2
0–2
2–2
1–1
0–2
0–2
0–2
2–2
0–4
0–4
0–4
0–4
0–2
1–3
1–3
0–2
Houston
2–0
1–1
2–0
2–0
2–0
2–2
1–3
2–0
3–1
—
2–0
1–3
1–3
1–1
2–0
2–2
1–1
2–0
1–1
1–1
1–3
1–3
0–4
1–3
2–2
2–0
1–3
4–0
2–0
Indiana
2–2
3–1
1–3
4–0
3–1
1–1
1–1
3–1
0–2
0–2
—
2–0
1–1
1–2
2–2
1–1
2–2
2–2
2–2
0–3
1–1
0–2
2–0
0–2
1–1
0–4
0–2
2–0
4–0
L.A. Clippers
1–1
0–2
0–2
2–0
2–0
0–4
2–2
2–0
3–1
3–1
0–2
—
1–3
0–2
1–1
2–2
0–2
1–1
1–1
1–1
2–2
2–2
1–3
0–4
0–4
1–1
0–4
2–2
1–1
L.A. Lakers
1–1
2–0
2–0
2–0
2–0
4–0
2–2
2–0
3–1
3–1
1–1
3–1
—
1–1
0–2
3–1
2–0
0–2
2–0
1–1
3–1
2–2
3–1
2–2
0–4
2–0
2–2
4–0
2–0
Miami
3–0
2–2
2–2
3–1
2–2
0–2
2–0
4–0
2–0
1–1
2–1
2–0
1–1
—
1–2
1–1
3–1
2–3
3–1
1–3
0–2
1–1
1–1
1–1
1–1
2–2
1–1
2–0
4–0
Milwaukee
3–1
3–1
1–3
4–0
3–1
1–1
1–1
3–1
2–0
0–2
2–2
1–1
2–0
2–1
—
0–2
4–0
1–2
4–0
2–2
0–2
0–2
2–0
2–0
0–2
3–1
2–0
1–1
3–1
Minnesota
2–0
1–1
1–1
2–0
2–0
1–3
2–2
2–0
2–2
2–2
1–1
2–2
1–3
1–1
2–0
—
1–1
0–2
1–1
1–1
3–1
3–1
2–2
1–3
3–1
2–0
2–2
3–1
1–1
New Jersey
3–1
0–4
0–4
2–2
0–3
0–2
1–1
0–4
1–1
1–1
2–2
2–0
0–2
1–3
0–4
1–1
—
2–2
1–3
1–3
1–1
0–2
0–2
1–1
1–1
1–2
0–2
1–1
3–1
New York
2–2
3–1
2–1
3–1
2–2
1–1
1–1
2–1
2–0
0–2
2–2
1–1
2–0
3–2
2–1
2–0
2–2
—
3–1
1–3
1–1
1–1
1–1
2–0
1–1
1–3
0–2
1–1
4–0
Orlando
3–1
3–1
1–2
3–1
3–1
1–1
2–0
2–2
2–0
1–1
2–2
1–1
0–2
1–3
0–4
1–1
3–1
1–3
—
3–1
1–1
0–2
0–2
1–1
1–1
2–1
0–2
2–0
3–1
Philadelphia
3–0
4–0
2–2
3–1
4–0
1–1
1–1
4–0
2–0
1–1
3–0
1–1
1–1
3–1
2–2
1–1
3–1
3–1
1–3
—
1–1
1–1
1–1
1–1
1–1
1–3
1–1
2–0
4–0
Phoenix
2–0
0–2
2–0
2–0
2–0
3–1
4–0
1–1
2–2
3–1
1–1
2–2
1–3
2–0
2–0
1–3
1–1
1–1
1–1
1–1
—
3–1
1–3
2–2
3–1
2–0
2–2
3–1
1–1
Portland
1–1
1–1
2–0
2–0
1–1
2–2
2–2
2–0
4–0
3–1
2–0
2–2
2–2
1–1
2–0
1–3
2–0
1–1
2–0
1–1
1–3
—
1–3
1–3
2–2
2–0
3–1
2–2
2–0
Sacramento
1–1
2–0
1–1
2–0
1–1
2–2
2–2
2–0
4–0
4–0
0–2
3–1
1–3
1–1
0–2
2–2
2–0
1–1
2–0
1–1
3–1
3–1
—
2–2
2–2
2–0
3–1
4–0
2–0
San Antonio
2–0
2–0
1–1
1–1
2–0
3–1
2–2
2–0
4–0
3–1
2–0
4–0
2–2
1–1
0–2
3–1
1–1
0–2
1–1
1–1
2–2
3–1
2–2
—
3–1
1–1
4–0
4–0
2–0
Seattle
1–1
0–2
2–0
2–0
2–0
1–3
2–2
0–2
4–0
2–2
1–1
4–0
4–0
1–1
2–0
1–3
1–1
1–1
1–1
1–1
1–3
2–2
2–2
1–3
—
0–2
0–4
3–1
2–0
Toronto
2–2
3–1
1–3
4–0
4–0
0–2
2–0
2–2
2–0
0–2
4–0
1–1
0–2
2–2
1–3
0–2
2–1
3–1
1–2
3–1
0–2
0–2
0–2
1–1
2–0
—
1–1
2–0
4–0
Utah
2–0
1–1
1–1
2–0
1–1
2–2
3–1
2–0
3–1
3–1
2–0
4–0
2–2
1–1
0–2
2–2
2–0
2–0
2–0
1–1
2–2
1–3
1–3
4–0
1–3
0–2
—
4–0
2–0
Vancouver
1–1
2–0
1–1
1–1
1–1
1–3
0–4
1–1
3–1
0–4
0–2
2–2
0–4
0–2
1–1
1–3
1–1
1–1
0–2
0–2
1–3
2–2
0–4
0–4
1–3
0–2
0–4
—
2–0
Washington
2–2
1–3
2–2
1–2
2–2
0–2
1–1
2–1
2–0
0–2
0–4
1–1
0–2
0–4
1–3
1–1
1–3
0–4
1–3
0–4
1–1
0–2
0–2
0–2
0–2
0–4
0–2
0–2
—
Game log
Playoffs
2001 playoff game log
First Round: 1–3 (home: 1–1; road: 0–2)
2001 schedule
Player statistics
Ragular season
Player
POS
GP
GS
MP
REB
AST
STL
BLK
PTS
MPG
RPG
APG
SPG
BPG
PPG
Wally Szczerbiak
SF
82
82
2,856
447
260
59
33
1,145
34.8
5.5
3.2
.7
.4
14.0
LaPhonso Ellis
PF
82
5
1,948
494
93
67
74
772
23.8
6.0
1.1
.8
.9
9.4
Sam Mitchell
SF
82
4
983
123
57
26
10
285
12.0
1.5
.7
.3
.1
3.5
Kevin Garnett
PF
81
81
3,202
921
401
111
145
1,784
39.5
11.4
5.0
1.4
1.8
22.0
Terrell Brandon
PG
78
78
2,821
298
583
161
21
1,250
36.2
3.8
7.5
2.1
.3
16.0
Chauncey Billups
SG
77
33
1,790
158
260
51
11
713
23.2
2.1
3.4
.7
.1
9.3
Anthony Peeler
SG
75
41
2,126
192
192
91
18
791
28.3
2.6
2.6
1.2
.2
10.5
Rasho Nesterović
C
73
39
1,233
286
45
25
63
328
16.9
3.9
.6
.3
.9
4.5
Dean Garrett
C
70
21
831
217
24
26
49
177
11.9
3.1
.3
.4
.7
2.5
Reggie Slater
PF
55
16
686
186
26
18
9
254
12.5
3.4
.5
.3
.2
4.6
William Avery
PG
55
0
463
29
75
13
4
154
8.4
.5
1.4
.2
.1
2.8
Todd Day
SG
31
0
345
37
28
10
7
132
11.1
1.2
.9
.3
.2
4.3
Felipe López †
PG
23
10
457
74
34
21
12
170
19.9
3.2
1.5
.9
.5
7.4
Sam Jacobson
PG
14
0
59
6
4
3
0
20
4.2
.4
.3
.2
.0
1.4
Tom Hammonds
PF
7
0
30
4
1
0
0
7
4.3
.6
.1
.0
.0
1.0
† Denotes player spent time with another team in the season. Stats reflect time with the Timberwolves only.
Playoffs
Awards and records
Transactions
References
^ 2000-01 Minnesota Timberwolves
^ "Timberwolves Sign Billups, Smith" . Associated Press . August 28, 2000. Retrieved July 27, 2021 .
^ "NBA Capsule -- Minnesota Timberwolves" . United Press International . October 29, 2000. Retrieved October 19, 2022 .
^ "Transactions" . The New York Times . October 5, 2000. Retrieved October 16, 2021 .
^ Wise, Mike (October 30, 2000). "PRO BASKETBALL; West Side Story, the Sequel" . The New York Times . Retrieved July 16, 2022 .
^ McKinley Jr., James C. (October 26, 2000). "PRO BASKETBALL; Timberwolves Pay Dearly for Secret Contract" . The New York Times . Retrieved November 26, 2022 .
^ Sheridan, Chris (October 26, 2000). "NBA Fines Minnesota for Secret Deal" . Associated Press . Retrieved June 9, 2022 .
^ Wise, Mike (October 27, 2000). "PRO BASKETBALL; Timberwolves Might Face Additional Punishment" . The New York Times . Retrieved March 15, 2017 .
^ Adande, J.A. (October 28, 2000). "Minnesota Feels Stern's Wrath" . Los Angeles Times . Retrieved July 2, 2022 .
^ "Smith Saga Ends With Pistons Winning" . ESPN . Associated Press. November 20, 2000. Retrieved November 7, 2024 .
^ "Pistons Sign Joe Smith" . CBS News . Associated Press. November 20, 2000. Retrieved November 7, 2024 .
^ "PRO BASKETBALL; Smith Is Signed and Sealed, and Pistons Look to Deliver" . The New York Times . Associated Press. November 21, 2000. Retrieved January 11, 2022 .
^ "Joe Smith Ends Up Signing with Pistons" . Los Angeles Times . Associated Press. November 21, 2000. Retrieved October 19, 2022 .
^ "NBA Games Played on February 8, 2001" . Basketball-Reference . Retrieved September 12, 2022 .
^ "Lopez Latches on with Minnesota" . United Press International . February 28, 2001. Retrieved November 27, 2022 .
^ "2000–01 Minnesota Timberwolves Schedule and Results" . Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 26, 2021 .
^ Lewis, Brian (February 1, 2001). "Spree-Deemed; Latrell Granted All-Star Reprisal by NBA Commish" . New York Post . Retrieved November 7, 2024 .
^ "West Expected to Flex Muscle in NBA All-Star Game Sunday" . ESPN . Ticker. February 10, 2001. Retrieved November 7, 2024 .
^ "2001 NBA All-Star Recap" . NBA.com . NBA.com Staff. September 13, 2021. Retrieved May 14, 2023 .
^ "2001 All-Star Weekend - at Washington: February 9-11" . Eskimo North . Retrieved May 14, 2023 .
^ "2001 NBA All-Star Game: East 111, West 110" . Basketball-Reference . Retrieved November 28, 2021 .
^ Robbins, Liz (February 11, 2001). "BASKETBALL: ALL-STAR NOTEBOOK; Szczerbiak Schools Rookies" . The New York Times . Retrieved October 19, 2022 .
^ "2001 NBA Rising Stars: Sophomores 121, Rookies 113" . Basketball-Reference . Retrieved January 15, 2022 .
^ "2000–01 Minnesota Timberwolves Roster and Stats" . Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 26, 2021 .
^ Brown, Clifton (May 16, 2001). "PRO BASKETBALL; 76ers' Fans Called It: Iverson Is Most Valuable Player" . The New York Times . Retrieved May 27, 2022 .
^ "MVP Voting" . Deseret News . May 16, 2001. Retrieved December 4, 2024 .
^ a b c Bender, Patricia. "2000-01 Regular Season Award Winners" . Eskimo North . Retrieved December 4, 2024 .
^ a b c "2000-01 NBA Awards Voting" . Basketball-Reference . Retrieved November 25, 2021 .
^ "Mutombo Voted Best Defensive Player for 4th Time" . The Washington Post . April 24, 2001. Retrieved October 19, 2022 .
^ "Mutombo Named League's Top Defender" . ESPN . Associated Press. May 30, 2001. Retrieved December 4, 2024 .
^ "McKie Named NBA's Top Sixth Man" . United Press International . May 8, 2001. Retrieved December 4, 2024 .
^ "McKie Helped Sixers Win First Division Title Since 1990" . ESPN . Associated Press. May 9, 2001. Retrieved December 4, 2024 .
^ "N.B.A.: PLAYOFF ROUNDUP AND SCHEDULE; San Antonio Clinches" . The New York Times . Associated Press. May 1, 2001. Retrieved May 27, 2022 .
^ "Spurs Handily Pass Their First Test" . Los Angeles Times . Associated Press. May 1, 2001. Retrieved June 3, 2022 .
^ "San Antonio 97, Minnesota 84" . United Press International . April 30, 2001. Retrieved November 26, 2022 .
^ "2001 NBA Western Conference First Round: Timberwolves vs. Spurs" . Basketball-Reference . Retrieved May 14, 2023 .
^ "Report: LaPhonso Ellis Headed for Miami" . United Press International . July 27, 2001. Retrieved November 7, 2024 .
^ "PLUS: PRO BASKETBALL; Ellis Moves Again, Signing with Heat" . The New York Times . Associated Press. July 29, 2001. Retrieved January 12, 2022 .
^ "LaPhonso Ellis Inks 3-Year Deal with Heat" . Deseret News . Associated Press. July 29, 2001. Retrieved November 7, 2024 .
See also
Franchise Arenas Personnel G League affiliate Retired numbers Rivalries Culture and lore
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