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The 2002 NBA Finals was the 56th championship round of the National Basketball Association (NBA)....

The 2002 NBA Finals was the 56th championship round of the National Basketball Association (NBA). The series started on June 5, 2002 and ended on June 12, marking the conclusion of the 2002 NBA Playoffs and 2001–02 NBA season. The first two games of the Finals were played at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California because of their home court advantage and the last two games were played at the Continental Airlines Arena in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Western Conference champion Los Angeles Lakers swept the Eastern Conference champion New Jersey Nets in four games in a best-of-seven series. With their 14th championship, Los Angeles became the third NBA franchise to win three straight championships, joining the 1960s Boston Celtics and 1990s Chicago Bulls, after their 2000 and 2001 victories. Shaquille O'Neal, who averaged 36 points and 12 rebounds in the Finals, was named the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player. Lakers coach Phil Jackson won his ninth ring, tying him with Red Auerbach for most all-time. During the series, he surpassed Pat Riley for most career playoffs wins with 156. East Conference's New Jersey Nets (0) vs. Western Conference's Los Angeles Lakers (4) The