The 2002 Dallas Mavericks starting five was all buckets and flash. This squad had firepower, finesse, and one of the most fun offenses of the early 2000s.
The 2002 Dallas Mavericks are one of the most exciting teams in NBA history, with a roster full of players who could score at will, ignite the crowd with explosive plays, and consistently light up the scoreboard. In an era of basketball that balanced raw athleticism with strategic offenses, the Mavericks represented the perfect marriage of firepower, finesse, and flair. As part of the NBA’s Western Conference, the Mavericks were locked in a fierce battle with the likes of the Los Angeles Lakers, San Antonio Spurs, and Sacramento Kings, but they were more than just a team trying to compete—they were a squad that made the game entertaining, unpredictable, and downright fun to watch.
At the heart of this vibrant offensive attack was the starting five, each player contributing their unique skill set to create an offensive juggernaut that no one could easily match. This squad had everything: versatile scoring, creative passing, elite shooting, and the kind of chemistry that made them a dangerous threat on any given night. Let’s dive into the brilliance of the 2002 Mavericks starting five and how they made their mark on the league.
1. Steve Nash – The Playmaker Extraordinaire
Perhaps no player embodied the magic of the 2002 Mavericks more than Steve Nash. The Canadian point guard was the maestro orchestrating the offense with finesse and vision. In 2002, Nash was already known for his elite passing and high basketball IQ, but his evolution into a two-time MVP would come later, as his leadership on this Mavericks squad would serve as the precursor to his future success.
Nash’s ability to create opportunities for his teammates was unparalleled. He averaged 8.6 assists per game in the 2002 season, but the impact he had was felt beyond just the numbers. His no-look passes, behind-the-back feeds, and court vision made him one of the most entertaining point guards in the league. More than just a facilitator, Nash had a lethal outside shot, hitting 40.1% from deep that season, which kept defenses on edge and opened up even more space for the Mavs’ offensive explosion.
The combination of Nash’s quick release on three-pointers, his handles that allowed him to weave in and out of traffic, and his impeccable timing on pick-and-rolls made him the perfect distributor for a team stacked with scorers. He could ignite fast breaks or slow the game down when necessary, always knowing exactly how to leverage the floor spacing to find the open man. Whether it was setting up Dirk Nowitzki for a high-post jumper or finding Michael Finley streaking to the rim, Nash was the architect of one of the most exciting offenses in the NBA at the time.
2. Michael Finley – The Versatile Scorer
Michael Finley was the embodiment of a two-way wing player—dangerous on offense, capable on defense, and able to do it all on the floor. In 2002, Finley was coming into his prime, averaging 22.6 points per game, showcasing his ability to be the go-to scorer on any given night. What made Finley stand out was his versatility—he could break down defenders off the dribble, pull up for mid-range jumpers, or hit the three. He wasn’t just a shooter; he was a dynamic playmaker who could create opportunities for his teammates, especially when the Mavs were looking to make a run.
Finley’s strength was his balance of skill and athleticism. He had the finesse to finish with soft touch around the rim, yet he could also go up strong against defenders and finish through contact. His smooth footwork allowed him to get to his spots on the court, and his mid-range game was one of the best in the league at the time. With Nash running the offense, Finley was often the recipient of perfectly timed passes that allowed him to get clean looks from all over the floor.
On defense, Finley wasn’t a lockdown defender, but his length and athleticism made him an effective option to guard the opposing team’s best wing player. His ability to disrupt passing lanes and get timely steals gave the Mavericks another weapon to push the pace and turn defense into offense.
3. Dirk Nowitzki – The German Giant with a Soft Touch
Of course, no discussion of the 2002 Mavericks would be complete without mentioning Dirk Nowitzki. By 2002, Nowitzki was already well on his way to becoming one of the greatest power forwards in NBA history, and his style of play had a profound impact on the league. Standing at 7 feet tall, Dirk was a mismatch nightmare. He could shoot over defenders from virtually anywhere on the court, including from three-point range, making him the prototype for modern stretch forwards.
Nowitzki’s game in 2002 was polished, but still evolving. He averaged 23.4 points per game during that season, and while his rebounding and defense weren’t yet at elite levels, his offensive prowess was undeniable. He could catch the ball at the high post, face up his defender, and either pull up for a jumper or drive to the basket. His one-legged fadeaway, a shot that would become his signature move, was already in his arsenal and deadly.
One of the key elements of the Mavericks’ offense was the pick-and-pop between Nash and Nowitzki. As Nash would drive into the lane, he could pass to Dirk, who would either hit a jumper or take a step back to create more space. The versatility that Dirk brought to the table—able to score inside and out—made the Mavericks’ offense unpredictable and nearly impossible to defend.
Moreover, Nowitzki’s improvement as a playmaker over the years started to show here. He was able to make simple passes to cutting teammates, and his ability to space the floor meant that the rest of the team was often open for easy shots. Nowitzki’s gravity as a scorer forced defenses to collapse, opening lanes for others to exploit.
4. Antoine Walker – The Offense’s Swiss Army Knife
Joining the Mavericks in a trade with the Boston Celtics in the 2002 offseason, Antoine Walker was an interesting piece to add to an already high-octane offense. The 6’9” forward was known for his ability to score from all over the floor, particularly from long-range. His career high for three-pointers made in a season came in 2002, where he hit 38.4% of his threes, a major asset to a Mavs team that already had a perimeter-heavy offense.
Walker’s ability to stretch the floor and space the court made him an ideal fit alongside Dirk Nowitzki and Michael Finley. While Walker was a heavy-volume shooter, he could also put the ball on the floor and create opportunities for himself and his teammates. His passing ability, which often went underappreciated, allowed him to contribute in multiple ways, especially when he was matched up with defenders who couldn’t keep up with his skill set.
One of Walker’s best attributes was his rebounding. Standing at nearly 6’9” with a robust frame, he was a solid rebounder for his position, helping the Mavs gain extra possessions on the offensive glass. While his defense was inconsistent, his presence on offense was undeniable. Walker’s unorthodox style of play, with his ability to both pass and shoot, gave the Mavericks a level of unpredictability that kept opposing teams off balance.
Raef LaFrentz might not have had the same offensive flair as some of his teammates, but he played a crucial role in the Mavericks’ starting five. The 6’11” power forward/center was brought in for his shot-blocking and rebounding ability, making him a solid complement to the offensive firepower of Nash, Nowitzki, and Finley. LaFrentz averaged 2.0 blocks per game during the 2002 season, serving as a rim protector that helped shore up the Mavs’ defense.
Though he was not an elite rebounder, LaFrentz’s ability to space the floor was important for the team’s offense. He could hit mid-range jumpers, including the occasional three-pointer, providing an additional weapon to stretch defenses. While his role was more understated compared to others in the starting lineup, his presence as a defensive stopper, paired with his solid shooting, allowed the Mavericks to be a threat on both sides of the ball.
Together, the 2002 Dallas Mavericks had an exciting starting five that was both offensive-minded and highly entertaining. The way they combined skill, athleticism, and creativity on the floor was unmatched. With Steve Nash orchestrating the offense, Michael Finley and Antoine Walker providing scoring from the wings, Dirk Nowitzki being the versatile offensive weapon, and Raef LaFrentz anchoring the defense, this team was built to put up points and keep fans on the edge of their seats.
In a league where the focus was still largely on defense, the Mavericks pushed the envelope and showcased an offensive style that was far ahead of its time. They may not have won an NBA title in 2002, but their style of play and ability to entertain the masses left an indelible mark on the NBA landscape. With firepower, finesse, and one of the most fun offenses of the early 2000s, the 2002 Dallas Mavericks were a team that lived for the moment and made fans fall in love with the game all over again.
