The Los Angeles Lakers 2001–02 relied on the dominant inside-outside pairing of Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant, combining elite scoring with complementary rebounding and playmaking. O’Neal anchored the paint on both ends, while Bryant provided perimeter creation and led the team’s ball movement. Supported by Derek Fisher’s three-point shooting and Rick Fox’s versatile contributions, the Lakers paired one of the league’s most efficient offenses with a strong defense to complete another championship campaign.
Dominant interior anchor and primary offensive force, powering the Lakers’ inside scoring and rebounding during their championship three-peat era.
MVP-3, AS, NBA1, NBA Champion 2002
Kobe Bryant
Starter/Star [1.1]
38.3
High [1.2]
25.2
5.5
5.5
1.9
100.6
Elite perimeter scorer and playmaker who handled heavy offensive creation alongside O’Neal, providing two-way impact and late-game shot-making for a title contender.
MVP-5, DPOY-3, AS, NBA1, DEF2, NBA Champion 2002
Derek Fisher
Key Contributor [1.05]
28.2
Medium [1.1]
11.2
2.1
2.6
1.0
39.0
Starting guard who spaced the floor with perimeter shooting and provided steady ball-handling and playoff-tested decision-making in the backcourt.
NBA Champion 2002
Rick Fox
Starter/Star [1.1]
27.9
Low [1.0]
7.9
4.7
3.5
1.1
37.8
Versatile starting wing known for defense, passing, and connective play that complemented the Lakers’ star duo.
NBA Champion 2002
Robert Horry
Key Contributor [1.05]
26.4
Low [1.0]
6.8
5.9
2.9
2.1
37.2
Stretch-forward and defensive playmaker valued for clutch shooting, floor spacing, and smart team defense in a championship rotation.
6MOY-8, NBA Champion 2002
Samaki Walker
Key Contributor [1.05]
24.0
Low [1.0]
6.7
7.0
0.9
1.7
34.2
Interior role player who provided rebounding, rim protection, and physical presence in the Lakers’ frontcourt rotation.
NBA Champion 2002
Devean George
Key Contributor [1.05]
21.5
Low [1.0]
7.1
3.7
1.4
1.4
28.6
Athletic wing defender who supplied energy, perimeter defense, and spot scoring off the bench and in spot starts.
NBA Champion 2002
Lindsey Hunter
Key Contributor [1.05]
19.7
Low [1.0]
5.8
1.5
1.6
1.0
20.8
Defensive-minded guard used for backcourt pressure and situational perimeter defense within the rotation.
NBA Champion 2002
Stanislav Medvedenko
Bench [1.0]
10.3
Low [1.0]
4.7
2.2
0.6
0.6
16.2
Reserve big who provided frontcourt depth and energy minutes behind the primary interior rotation.
NBA Champion 2002
Mitch Richmond
Bench [1.0]
11.1
Low [1.0]
4.1
1.5
0.9
0.4
13.8
Veteran Hall-of-Fame guard in a limited bench role, adding experience and occasional scoring punch.
NBA Champion 2002
Brian Shaw
Bench [1.0]
10.9
Low [1.0]
2.9
1.9
1.5
0.5
13.6
Veteran playmaker who stabilized bench units with ball movement, leadership, and situational playmaking.
NBA Champion 2002
Mark Madsen
Bench [1.0]
11.0
Low [1.0]
2.8
2.7
0.7
0.5
13.4
Hustle big known for rebounding, energy, and physical defense in short rotation minutes.
NBA Champion 2002
Mike Penberthy
Bench [1.0]
4.0
Low [1.0]
1.7
0.7
0.7
0.7
7.6
Deep-bench guard used sparingly, offering shooting and ball movement in limited appearances.
NBA Champion 2002
Jelani McCoy
Bench [1.0]
5.0
Low [1.0]
1.2
1.2
0.3
0.2
5.8
Depth center providing spot minutes as a reserve interior defender and rebounder.
NBA Champion 2002
Joe Crispin
Bench [1.0]
4.5
Low [1.0]
1.7
0.2
0.3
0.2
4.8
Limited-use reserve guard appearing in only a handful of games during the season.
NBA Champion 2002
TEAM TOTALS
—
—
—
101.3
44.3
23.0
13.4
—
Championship roster built around dominant inside-outside star duo with strong defensive role players and experienced bench depth.
Overwhelming interior force throughout the playoffs, dominating the paint with scoring efficiency, rebounding control, and rim protection to anchor the championship run.
Finals MVP-1, NBA Champion 2002
Kobe Bryant
Starter/Star [1.1]
43.8
High [1.2]
26.6
5.8
4.6
2.3
103.8
Primary perimeter creator and closer, carrying heavy offensive responsibility, attacking off the dribble, and delivering clutch scoring during the title run.
NBA Champion 2002
Robert Horry
Key Contributor [1.05]
37.0
Medium [1.1]
9.3
8.1
3.2
2.5
53.3
Do-everything playoff forward who stretched defenses with timely shooting, rebounded, and made key defensive plays, embodying his “Big Shot Rob” reputation.
NBA Champion 2002
Rick Fox
Starter/Star [1.1]
34.3
Low [1.0]
9.8
5.4
3.4
1.4
44.0
Two-way wing who defended multiple positions, moved the ball within the triangle offense, and provided stability alongside the Lakers’ stars.
NBA Champion 2002
Derek Fisher
Starter/Star [1.1]
34.2
Medium [1.1]
10.2
3.3
2.7
1.1
41.9
Floor-spreading guard who delivered perimeter shooting and composed decision-making, helping organize the offense and hit timely playoff shots.
NBA Champion 2002
Devean George
Key Contributor [1.05]
17.2
Low [1.0]
5.0
3.6
0.6
1.1
21.6
Athletic reserve wing providing energy defense, rebounding, and hustle minutes off the bench during the postseason rotation.
NBA Champion 2002
Samaki Walker
Key Contributor [1.05]
12.6
Low [1.0]
3.3
4.1
0.2
0.4
16.8
Physical frontcourt role player supplying rebounding, interior defense, and toughness in limited playoff minutes.
NBA Champion 2002
Brian Shaw
Bench [1.0]
12.5
Low [1.0]
2.9
1.8
1.6
0.6
13.8
Veteran guard who steadied bench units with ball movement, experience, and situational playmaking in the postseason.
NBA Champion 2002
Lindsey Hunter
Bench [1.0]
7.3
Low [1.0]
2.0
0.4
0.6
0.1
6.2
Defensive-minded guard used in short bursts for perimeter pressure and backcourt defense during the playoffs.
NBA Champion 2002
Mitch Richmond
Bench [1.0]
2.0
Low [1.0]
1.5
0.5
0.0
0.0
4.0
Veteran Hall-of-Fame scorer in a limited reserve role, contributing leadership and experience during the championship postseason.
NBA Champion 2002
Stanislav Medvedenko
Bench [1.0]
3.0
Low [1.0]
0.9
0.6
0.0
0.0
3.0
Deep reserve big providing emergency frontcourt depth in minimal postseason appearances.
NBA Champion 2002
Mark Madsen
Bench [1.0]
1.4
Low [1.0]
0.0
0.3
0.0
0.0
0.6
Energy big and locker-room presence who supplied hustle and physical play in brief playoff minutes.
NBA Champion 2002
TEAM TOTALS
—
—
—
97.8
45.4
19.6
12.6
—
Dominant postseason run driven by a powerful inside-outside superstar duo, elite defense, and clutch role-player contributions throughout the championship march.
