2002–03 San Antonio Spurs season

The 2002–03 NBA season was the 36th season of the franchise, 30th in San Antonio, and 27th in the National Basketball Association.[1] This was also the Spurs' first season playing at the SBC Center (now AT&T Center). During the off-season, the team signed free agents Kevin Willis,[2] acquired second-year guard Speedy Claxton from the Philadelphia 76ers,[3] and re-acquired former Spurs guard and three-point specialist Steve Kerr from the Portland Trail Blazers.[4][5] Argentinian future star Manu Ginóbili, who was drafted by the team in 1999, would make his debut for his first NBA season.[6] This would also be the fourteenth and final season for former All-Star center, and long-time Spurs star David Robinson.[7][8][9] The Spurs played strong basketball, posting a nine-game winning streak at midseason, holding a 33–16 record at the All-Star break,[10] then winning eleven straight games near the end of the season. The Spurs would win 60 games for only the second time in franchise history, finishing with a league-best 60–22 record.[11]

2002–03 San Antonio Spurs season
NBA champions
Conference champions
Division champions
Head coachGregg Popovich
General managerR. C. Buford
PresidentGregg Popovich
Owner(s)Peter Holt
ArenaSBC Center
Results
Record60–22 (.732)
PlaceDivision: 1st (Midwest)
Conference: 1st (Western)
Playoff finishNBA Champions
(Defeated Nets 4–2)

Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
TelevisionFox Sports Net Southwest, KENS, KRRT
RadioKLEY
< 2001–02 2003–04 >

The season saw Tim Duncan earn his second consecutive NBA MVP Award, averaging 23.3 points, 12.9 rebounds and 2.9 blocks per game.[12][13][14] He was named to the All-NBA First Team, the NBA All-Defensive First Team, and was selected for the 2003 NBA All-Star Game.[15] In addition, second-year guard Tony Parker showed improvement, averaging 15.5 points and 5.3 assists per game, while Stephen Jackson provided the team with 11.8 points and 1.6 steals per game, and sixth man Malik Rose contributed 10.4 points and 6.4 rebounds per game off the bench. Robinson averaged 8.5 points, 7.9 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game, which were career lows, while Ginóbili contributed 7.6 points per game off the bench, and was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team, and Bruce Bowen provided with 7.1 points per game, and was named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team.[16] Head coach Gregg Popovich was named Coach of the Year.[17][18] Duncan also finished in fourth place in Defensive Player of the Year voting,[19] while Parker finished in fourth place in Most Improved Player voting.[20] This season marked the official beginning of the Big Three era, and the end of the Twin Towers era. The trio of Duncan, Parker, and Ginóbili would lead the Spurs to win 3 more championships (2005, 2007, and 2014).

In the Western Conference First Round of the playoffs, the Spurs defeated the Phoenix Suns in six games after losing Game 1 in overtime,[21][22][23] then defeated the defending three-time NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference Semi-finals in six games.[24][25][26] In the Western Conference Finals, they defeated the Dallas Mavericks in six games to advance to the NBA Finals,[27][28][29] where they beat the New Jersey Nets in six games and won their second championship, their first title since 1999 NBA Finals.[7][30][31] Following the season, Jackson signed as a free agent with the Atlanta Hawks,[32] while Steve Smith signed with the New Orleans Hornets,[33] and Robinson, Kerr and Danny Ferry all retired.

For the season, the Spurs changed their primary logo, adding black and silver colors,[34] and slightly changed their uniforms.[35][36] The primary logo remained in use until 2017, while the uniforms lasted until 2010.

NBA draft

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RoundPickPlayerPositionNationalityCollege
126John SalmonsSG/SF  United StatesMiami
255Luis ScolaF  ArgentinaTAU Cerámica (Spain)
256Randy HolcombF  United StatesSan Diego State

Roster

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2002–03 San Antonio Spurs roster
PlayersCoaches
Pos.No.NameHeightWeightDOBFrom
C34Bateer, Mengke6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)290 lb (132 kg)1975–11–20China
SF12Bowen, Bruce6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)200 lb (91 kg)1971–06–14Cal State Fullerton
PG10Claxton, Speedy5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)166 lb (75 kg)1978–05–08Hofstra
PF21Duncan, Tim6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)255 lb (116 kg)1976–04–25Wake Forest
SF35Ferry, Danny6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)235 lb (107 kg)1966–10–17Duke
SG20Ginóbili, Manu6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)200 lb (91 kg)1977–07–28Argentina
SG3Jackson, Stephen6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)220 lb (100 kg)1978–04–05Butler CC
PG25Kerr, Steve6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)175 lb (79 kg)1965–09–27Arizona
PG9Parker, Tony6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)185 lb (84 kg)1982–05–17France
C50Robinson, David7 ft 1 in (2.16 m)235 lb (107 kg)1965–08–06Navy
PF31Rose, Malik6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)250 lb (113 kg)1974–11–23Drexel
SG8Smith, Steve6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)200 lb (91 kg)1969–03–31Michigan State
C42Willis, Kevin7 ft 0 in (2.13 m)245 lb (111 kg)1962–09–06Michigan State
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)

Legend
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured

Roster
Last transaction: {{{access-date}}}

Regular season

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Standings

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W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-San Antonio Spurs6022.73233–827–1417–7
x-Dallas Mavericks6022.73233–827–1418–6
x-Minnesota Timberwolves5131.622933–818–2315–9
x-Utah Jazz4735.5731329–1218–2315–9
Houston Rockets4339.5241728–1315–2611–13
Memphis Grizzlies2854.3413220–218–335–17
Denver Nuggets1765.2074313–284–373–21
#
Team W L PCT GB
1z-San Antonio Spurs6022.732
2y-Sacramento Kings5923.7201
3x-Dallas Mavericks6022.732
4x-Minnesota Timberwolves5131.6229
5x-Los Angeles Lakers5032.61010
6x-Portland Trail Blazers5032.61010
7x-Utah Jazz4735.57313
8x-Phoenix Suns4438.53716
9Houston Rockets4339.52417
10Seattle SuperSonics4042.48820
11Golden State Warriors3844.46322
12Memphis Grizzlies2854.34132
13Los Angeles Clippers2755.32933
14Denver Nuggets1765.20743

Record vs. opponents

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2002–03 NBA Records
TeamATLBOSCHICLEDALDENDETGSWHOUINDLACLALMEMMIAMILMINNJNNOHNYKORLPHIPHOPORSACSASSEATORUTAWAS
Atlanta0–32–24–00–22–01–30–21–12–22–01–11–11–32–20–21–32–21–32–13–10–20–21–11–11–11–31–12–2
Boston3–02–24–00–21–12–21–10–22–22–01–12–02–21–22–01–33–14–03–22–20–21–10–20–22–01–21–11–3
Chicago2–22–23–10–21–10–41–11–12–20–21–11–11–22–20–22–21–32–11–31–31–11–10–20–20–22–21–11–3
Cleveland0–40–41–30–21–10–41–11–10–42–01–10–21–20–40–22–21–31–20–40–40–20–20–20–21–13–11–10–4
Dallas2–02–02–02–04–02–04–04–01–14–01–34–02–00–22–22–02–02–01–12–02–22–21–32–22–22–02–22–0
Denver0–21–11–11–10–40–20–40–41–11–30–42–22–01–10–40–20–20–20–20–21–32–20–41–31–31–10–41–1
Detroit3–12–24–04–00–22–01–12–02–21–11–12–03–11–31–12–12–22–22–12–21–10–21–10–21–13–12–03–1
Golden State2–01–11–11–10–44–01–11–31–12–22–22–21–10–21–31–11–12–01–12–02–20–40–41–32–22–02–22–0
Houston1–12–01–11–10–44–00–23–11–12–22–23–11–11–12–21–11–10–22–02–03–11–32–21–32–22–01–31–1
Indiana2–22–22–24–01–11–12–21–11–12–00–21–14–03–12–01–23–13–12–12–21–10–20–20–22–03–11–12–2
L.A. Clippers0–20–22–00–20–43–11–12–22–20–20–42–22–01–11–31–11–11–11–10–21–31–31–31–31–31–11–30–2
L.A. Lakers1–11–11–11–13–14–01–12–22–22–04–04–01–12–02–20–21–11–11–11–13–12–22–20–42–22–03–11–1
Memphis1–10–21–12–00–42–20–22–21–31–12–20–42–02–00–41–11–11–12–00–21–31–30–41–31–31–11–31–1
Miami3–12–22–12–10–20–21–31–11–10–40–21–10–21–31–10–40–42–20–40–42–00–21–10–20–24–00–21–3
Milwaukee2–22–12–24–02–01–13–12–01–11–31–10–20–23–10–22–22–23–12–22–20–22–00–20–21–12–20–22–1
Minnesota2–00–22–02–02–24–01–13–12–20–23–12–24–01–12–00–21–12–01–11–13–13–12–22–22–21–11–32–0
New Jersey3–13–12–22–20–22–01–21–11–12–11–12–01–14–02–22–02–23–12–21–31–12–00–21–11–14–00–23–1
New Orleans2–21–33–13–10–22–02–21–11–11–31–11–11–14–02–21–12–23–11–32–12–00–21–10–22–04–02–02–1
New York3–10–41–22–10–22–02–20–22–01–31–11–11–12–21–30–21–31–32–22–22–00–21–12–01–13–11–12–2
Orlando1–22–33–14–01–12–01–21–10–21–21–11–10–24–02–21–12–23–12–22–20–20–21–10–22–02–21–12–2
Philadelphia1–32–23–14–00–22–02–20–20–22–22–01–12–04–02–21–13–11–22–22–20–22–00–21–11–13–01–14–0
Phoenix2–02–01–12–02–23–11–12–21–31–13–11–33–10–22–01–31–10–20–22–02–03–12–23–11–31–11–31–1
Portland2–01–11–12–02–22–22–04–03–12–03–12–23–12–00–21–30–22–02–02–00–21–31–32–24–02–01–31–1
Sacramento1–12–02–02–03–14–01–14–02–22–03–12–24–01–12–02–22–01–11–11–12–02–23–11–33–11–13–12–0
San Antonio1–12–02–02–02–23–12–03–13–12–03–14–03–12–02–02–21–12–00–22–01–11–32–23–13–12–04–01–1
Seattle1–10–22–01–12–23–11–12–22–20–23–12–23–12–01–12–21–10–21–10–21–13–10–41–31–32–02–21–1
Toronto3–12–12–21–30–21–11–30–20–21–31–10–21–10–42–21–10–40–41–32–20–31–10–21–10–20–20–23–1
Utah1–11–11–11–12–24–00–22–23–11–13–11–33–12–02–03–12–00–21–11–11–13–13–11–30–42–22–01–1
Washington2–23–13–14–00–21–11–30–21–12–22–01–11–13–11–20–21–31–22–22–20–41–11–10–21–11–11–31–1

Game log

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October

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Record: 1–1; Home: 0–1; Road: 1–0

November

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Record: 10–6; Home: 6–2; Road: 4–4

December

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Record: 8–6; Home: 5–1; Road: 3–5

January

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Record: 11–3; Home: 5–1; Road: 6–2

February

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Record: 9–1; Home: 3–0; Road: 6–1

March

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Record: 14–3; Home: 9–3; Road: 5–0

April

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Record: 7–2; Home: 3–1; Road: 6–1

Playoffs

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2003 playoff game log
First Round: 4–2 (home: 2–1; road: 2–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Series
1April 19PhoenixL 95–96 (OT)Stephen Jackson (23)Tim Duncan (13)Tony Parker (7)SBC Center
19,217
0–1
2April 21PhoenixW 84–76Stephen Jackson (23)Tim Duncan (12)Speedy Claxton (7)SBC Center
19,217
1–1
3April 25@ PhoenixW 99–86Tony Parker (29)Tim Duncan (23)Tim Duncan (6)America West Arena
19,023
2–1
4April 27@ PhoenixL 84–86Tim Duncan (24)Tim Duncan (11)Manu Ginóbili (5)America West Arena
18,756
2–2
5April 29PhoenixW 94–82Malik Rose (27)Tim Duncan (17)Tim Duncan (6)SBC Center
19,217
3–2
6May 1@ PhoenixW 87–85Stephen Jackson (21)Tim Duncan (20)Tim Duncan (10)America West Arena
18,913
4–2
Conference Semifinals: 4–2 (home: 3–0; road: 1–2)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Series
1May 5L.A. LakersW 87–82Tim Duncan (28)David Robinson (11)Tim Duncan (7)SBC Center
18,797
1–0
2May 7L.A. LakersW 114–95Bruce Bowen (27)Tim Duncan (13)Tim Duncan (7)SBC Center
18,797
2–0
3May 9@ L.A. LakersL 95–110Tim Duncan (28)Tim Duncan (11)Jackson, Parker (4)Staples Center
18,997
2–1
4May 11@ L.A. LakersL 95–99Tim Duncan (36)Stephen Jackson (10)Tim Duncan (5)Staples Center
18,997
2–2
5May 13L.A. LakersW 96–94Tim Duncan (27)Tim Duncan (14)Tim Duncan (5)SBC Center
18,797
3–2
6May 15@ L.A. LakersW 110–82Tim Duncan (37)Tim Duncan (16)Tony Parker (5)Staples Center
18,997
4–2
Conference Finals: 4–2 (home: 1–2; road: 3–0)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Series
1May 19DallasL 110–113Tim Duncan (40)Tim Duncan (15)Tim Duncan (7)SBC Center
18,797
0–1
2May 21DallasW 119–106Tim Duncan (32)Tim Duncan (15)Duncan, Jackson (5)SBC Center
18,797
1–1
3May 23@ DallasW 96–83Tim Duncan (34)Tim Duncan (24)Tim Duncan (6)American Airlines Center
20,695
2–1
4May 25@ DallasW 102–95Tony Parker (25)Tim Duncan (20)Tim Duncan (7)American Airlines Center
20,561
3–1
5May 27DallasL 91–103Tim Duncan (23)Tim Duncan (15)three players tied (6)SBC Center
18,797
3–2
6May 29@ DallasW 90–78Stephen Jackson (24)Duncan, Rose (11)three players tied (4)American Airlines Center
20,812
4–2
NBA Finals: 4–2 (home: 2–1; road: 2–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Series
1June 4New JerseyW 101–89Tim Duncan (32)Tim Duncan (20)Tim Duncan (6)SBC Center
18,797
1–0
2June 6New JerseyL 85–87Tony Parker (21)Tim Duncan (12)Tony Parker (5)SBC Center
18,797
1–1
3June 8@ New JerseyW 84–79Tony Parker (26)Tim Duncan (16)Tim Duncan (7)Continental Airlines Arena
19,280
2–1
4June 11@ New JerseyL 76–77Tim Duncan (23)Tim Duncan (16)Parker, Jackson (3)Continental Airlines Arena
19,280
2–2
5June 13@ New JerseyW 93–83Tim Duncan (29)Tim Duncan (17)Duncan, Parker (4)Continental Airlines Arena
19,280
3–2
6June 15New JerseyW 88–77Tim Duncan (21)Tim Duncan (20)Tim Duncan (10)SBC Center
18,797
4–2
2003 schedule

Player stats

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Legend
  GPGames played  GS Games started MPG Minutes per game
 FG% Field-goal percentage 3P% 3-point field-goal percentage FT% Free-throw percentage
 RPG Rebounds per game APG Assists per game SPG Steals per game
 BPG Blocks per game PPG Points per game

Regular season

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PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
Mengke Bateer1203.8.235.333.000.8.3.0.0.8
Bruce Bowen828231.3.466.441.4042.91.4.8.57.1
Speedy Claxton30015.7.462.000.6841.92.5.7.25.8
Tim Duncan818139.3.513.273.71012.93.9.72.9323.3
Danny Ferry6419.4.355.350.7691.2.3.1.11.9
Manu Ginóbili69520.7.438.345.7372.32.01.3.37.6
Stephen Jackson805828.2.435.320.7603.62.31.6.411.8
Steve Kerr75012.7.430.395.882.8.9.4.044.0
Tony Parker828233.8.464.337.7552.65.3.9.115.5
David Robinson646426.2.469.000.7107.91.0.81.78.5
Malik Rose791324.5.459.400.7916.41.6.7.510.4
Steve Smith531819.5.388.331.8331.91.3.5.26.8
Kevin Willis71611.8.479.000.6143.2.3.3.34.2

Playoffs

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PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
Bruce Bowen242431.3.372.438.5482.91.6.8.76.9
Speedy Claxton24013.6.438.000.7501.91.9.7.25.2
Tim Duncan242442.5.529.000.67715.45.3.63.324.7
Danny Ferry1616.3.286.286.0001.4.4.1.01.3
Manu Ginóbili24027.5.386.384.7573.82.91.7.49.4
Stephen Jackson242433.8.414.336.8034.12.71.4.412.8
Steve Kerr1004.6.636.833.750.3.6.1.02.2
Tony Parker242433.9.403.268.7132.83.5.9.114.7
David Robinson232323.4.542.000.6676.6.9.81.47.8
Malik Rose24023.3.419.000.7665.81.0.7.59.3
Steve Smith907.3.208.1671.000.8.7.1.01.8
Kevin Willis1805.1.5251.0001.0001.7.1.1.12.6

NBA Finals

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The Spurs visit the White House after their championship in 2003.

Summary

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The following scoring summary is written in a line score format, except that the quarter numbers are replaced by game numbers.

TeamGame 1Game 2Game 3Game 4Game 5Game 6Wins
San Antonio (West)10185847693884
New Jersey (East)8987797783772

Schedule

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Award winners

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Transactions

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Overview

edit
Players Added

Via draft

Via trade

Via free agency

Players Lost

Via trade

Via free agency

Player Transactions Citation:[37]

References

edit
  1. ^ "2002–03 San Antonio Spurs".
  2. ^ "Spurs Sign C-F Kevin Willis". United Press International. August 27, 2002. Retrieved June 12, 2022.
  3. ^ "NBA Draft". Los Angeles Times. June 28, 2002. Retrieved October 20, 2022.
  4. ^ "Blazers Acquire Daniels from Spurs". United Press International. August 5, 2002. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
  5. ^ "Spurs Trade Daniels to Portland". CBC. August 6, 2002. Retrieved October 20, 2022.
  6. ^ "WESTERN CONFERENCE: Team-by-Team Preview". The New York Times. October 28, 2002. Retrieved July 16, 2022.
  7. ^ a b "Spurs Defeat Nets to Win N.B.A. Title". The New York Times. Associated Press. June 15, 2003. Retrieved August 24, 2017.
  8. ^ Wilbon, Michael (March 30, 2003). "San Antonio Salutes Its Admiral One Last Time". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 27, 2022.
  9. ^ Wilbon, Michael (June 8, 2003). "Admiral Won't Be Setting Sail Anytime Soon". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 27, 2022.
  10. ^ "NBA Games Played on February 6, 2003". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved September 13, 2022.
  11. ^ "2002–03 San Antonio Spurs Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved July 30, 2021.
  12. ^ "PRO BASKETBALL; Duncan Is M.V.P. Once Again". The New York Times. Associated Press. May 5, 2003. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  13. ^ Teaford, Elliott (May 4, 2003). "Duncan to Win Second MVP in a Row". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 13, 2022.
  14. ^ "NBA MVP & ABA Most Valuable Player Award Winners". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved November 29, 2022.
  15. ^ "2003 NBA All-Star Game: West 155, East 145 (2OT)". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  16. ^ "2002–03 San Antonio Spurs Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved July 30, 2021.
  17. ^ "N.B.A.: ROUNDUP; Popovich Is Coach of the Year". The New York Times. Associated Press. April 29, 2003. Retrieved June 11, 2022.
  18. ^ "NBA & ABA Coach of the Year Award Winners". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved November 29, 2022.
  19. ^ "Wallace Chosen Best Defender". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. April 24, 2003. Retrieved September 13, 2022.
  20. ^ "2002–03 NBA Awards Voting". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  21. ^ "PRO BASKETBALL; Spurs Finish Suns' Season". The New York Times. Associated Press. May 2, 2003. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  22. ^ Teaford, Elliott (May 2, 2003). "Another Shot at Champs". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 11, 2022.
  23. ^ Magruder, Jack (May 2, 2003). "Duncan Dominates, Suns Eliminated". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
  24. ^ Broussard, Chris (May 16, 2003). "PRO BASKETBALL; Spurs End Lakers' Dream Run". The New York Times. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  25. ^ Brown, Tim (May 16, 2003). "Fourclosed!: Three-Year Championship Run Comes to a Stunning End as Duncan Plays Like the MVP, and Spurs Makes It a Blowout". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 11, 2022.
  26. ^ Neiman, David (May 16, 2003). "A Four-Gone Conclusion". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
  27. ^ "Kerr's Shooting Helps Spurs Advance Past Mavericks, 90-78". The New York Times. Associated Press. May 29, 2003. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  28. ^ Heisler, Mark (May 30, 2003). "Mavericks Collapse in Biggest of Ways". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 11, 2022.
  29. ^ Wyche, Steve (May 30, 2003). "Spurs Rally, Finish the Mavericks". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
  30. ^ Heisler, Mark (June 16, 2003). "Spurs Reduce the 'Risk". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 11, 2022.
  31. ^ "San Antonio 88, New Jersey 77". United Press International. June 15, 2003. Retrieved July 13, 2022.
  32. ^ "Hawks Ink Stephen Jackson". United Press International. October 3, 2003. Retrieved June 22, 2022.
  33. ^ "Transactions". The New York Times. October 30, 2003. Retrieved June 22, 2022.
  34. ^ "San Antonio Spurs Logo". Chris Creamer's Sports Logos Page - SportsLogos.Net. Retrieved January 22, 2022.
  35. ^ "San Antonio Spurs Uniform". Chris Creamer's Sports Logos Page - SportsLogos.Net. Retrieved January 22, 2022.
  36. ^ "San Antonio Spurs Uniform". Chris Creamer's Sports Logos Page - SportsLogos.Net. Retrieved January 22, 2022.
  37. ^ "2002–03 San Antonio Spurs Transactions". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 13, 2022.