2002 NBA Imperialism Map

Territory Changes

Team Territory Control

This table shows all teams sorted by the number of territories they control.

Final standings: the Los Angeles Lakers finished on top with 29 of 29 territories (100.0%).

Team Territories Controlled
Los Angeles Lakers 29 (100.0%)

Play with the NBA Map

Simulate your own territory battles: spin the wheel, input results, and see what happens.

Editable NBA Map Random NBA Team Generator

Imperialism Map is proudly sponsored by another of my projects:

Territory Creator


Sales territory management software

Because not all territorial conquests happen on the field.

Territory Mapping Software

How NBA Territory Conquest Works

  • Every team starts with the land closest to its arena.
  • Win a game and you take all of the loser's territory.
  • Territory carries over all season, with no resets until next year.
  • Click any territory to trace every team that held it.

Full Rules and FAQ

Shared Venues Note

Some teams in this season share a venue location. For visualization purposes, each team's territory boundary is calculated from a slightly offset position (~300 feet apart) to create distinct territories.

  • Staples Center:
    • Los Angeles Clippers (nudged NE)
    • Los Angeles Lakers (nudged SW)

Data sources: Game data from Sports Reference; venue data from VenueStats .

📖 I also built MakeCookbook Turn family recipes into a beautiful printed book
Make your own cookbook

Season Records

The standout territory feats of the season.

Biggest Land Grab
+29
Los Angeles Lakers
in a single day (2002-03-29)
Longest Reign
26
San Antonio Spurs
straight days as leader
Most Conquered
159
New Jersey Nets
territories taken all season
Biggest Collapse
−29
Los Angeles Lakers
lost in one day (2002-04-03)

Team Directory

Each team's season at a glance — days spent leading the map, largest empire, territory conquered, and the rise-and-fall sparkline. Sorted by who dominated.

San Antonio Spurs

Alamodome

28 days led peak 29 +55 taken

New Jersey Nets

Continental Airlines Arena

25 days led peak 29 +159 taken

Detroit Pistons

The Palace of Auburn Hills

22 days led peak 29 +81 taken

Boston Celtics

TD Garden

20 days led peak 29 +122 taken

Washington Wizards

MCI Center

16 days led peak 24 +53 taken

Toronto Raptors

Air Canada Centre

12 days led peak 29 +67 taken

Los Angeles Lakers

Staples Center

11 days led peak 29 +85 taken

Milwaukee Bucks

Bradley Center

10 days led peak 24 +38 taken

Indiana Pacers

Conseco Fieldhouse

9 days led peak 24 +54 taken

Minnesota Timberwolves

Target Center

9 days led peak 24 +37 taken

Chicago Bulls

United Center

8 days led peak 29 +58 taken

New York Knicks

Madison Square Garden

8 days led peak 24 +35 taken

Philadelphia 76ers

First Union Center

7 days led peak 24 +24 taken

Atlanta Hawks

Philips Arena

4 days led peak 24 +24 taken

Portland Trail Blazers

Rose Garden

2 days led peak 29 +50 taken

Phoenix Suns

America West Arena

2 days led peak 24 +28 taken

Sacramento Kings

ARCO Arena

2 days led peak 24 +26 taken

Cleveland Cavaliers

Gund Arena

1 day led peak 9 +15 taken

Dallas Mavericks

American Airlines Center

1 day led peak 9 +20 taken

Charlotte Hornets

Charlotte Coliseum

0 days led peak 5 +12 taken

Denver Nuggets

Pepsi Center

0 days led peak 5 +11 taken

Miami Heat

American Airlines Arena

0 days led peak 5 +11 taken

Seattle SuperSonics

Climate Pledge Arena

0 days led peak 5 +8 taken

Orlando Magic

TD Waterhouse Centre

0 days led peak 5 +22 taken

Houston Rockets

Compaq Center

0 days led peak 2 +1 taken

Utah Jazz

Delta Center

0 days led peak 2 +2 taken

Golden State Warriors

Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena

0 days led peak 1 +0 taken

Los Angeles Clippers

Staples Center

0 days led peak 1 +0 taken

Memphis Grizzlies

Pyramid Arena

0 days led peak 1 +0 taken

Explore NBA Through the Years

All 80 NBA seasons, 1947 to 2026. Replay any of them game by game, or make your own version.

NBA seasons of the 2020s

NBA seasons of the 2010s

NBA seasons of the 2000s

NBA seasons of the 1990s

NBA seasons of the 1980s

NBA seasons of the 1970s

NBA seasons of the 1960s

NBA seasons of the 1950s

NBA seasons of the 1940s

More Sports Imperialism Maps

Questions or Feedback?

Got ideas for making these maps better? Found something weird? Want to suggest a new feature?

Get in Touch View FAQ About This Site