The image of Allen Iverson stepping over a young Ty Lue in the 2001 NBA finals is etched into the memory of basketball fans of a certain age group. The Philadelphia 76ers guard's emphatic step was the ultimate exclamation point after a clutch shot that would go on to give Philadelphia a memorable Game 1 win.
What many fans do not know, however, is that Iverson had a plan in place for Lue long before the game had begun.
Aaron McKie was a member of the Sixers team that had the monumental task of overcoming a Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant-led LA Lakers team in the 2001 championship. McKie once talked about Iverson's preparation and approach leading up to finals and provided some fascinating insight into his famous stepover.
According to McKie, his teammate was a student of the game and carefully analyzed his opponents before games. Allen Iverson was also highly competitive. When Iverson learned that the Lakers planned to utilize Tyronn Lue to guard him, he saw that as a challenge. Per an article in "The Players Tribune" from 2016, McKie recalled Iverson saying:
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"You know what? I'm going to destroy this m**********r."
McKie confirmed that Allen Iverson would have notes and videos on players, and was particularly tuned in to what the opposition was saying about him to the press.
"Allen read the comments — all the comments. He knew going into games which people had said they were going to stop him, and he'd have done his research on how to destroy them," added McKie.
Few experts gave the Philadelphia 76ers a chance going into Game 1 of the series.
That season, the Lakers finished with the second-best record in the league and swept every team they faced in the playoffs in the lead-up to the NBA finals. Phil Jackson's team had a perfect 11-0 record in the postseason and it seemed inconceivable that a starting five consisting of Iverson, McKie, Jumaine Jones, Tyrone Hill and Dikembe Mutombo would be capable of stopping them.
In Game 1 of the series, Allen Iverson proceeded to have one of the greatest games ever in an NBA finals game. The gifted shooting guard finished with 48 points, five rebounds, six assists and five steals.
Iverson's jab step, crossover and baseline jumper combination over Lue turned out to be one of the most iconic plays of his career. The shot came at a critical stage, giving the 76ers a four-point lead with less than a minute to play in overtime.
Philadelphia would go on to defeat the Lakers in the opening game of the series, and although they went on to lose the series, the game is still regarded as one of the great upsets in NBA finals history.
The 76ers have not reached the NBA championship since Allen Iverson guided the team to the final in 2001
The Philadelphia 76ers are one of the oldest franchises in the NBA, but it has been a difficult two decades for the Sixers fanbase. The team has not won a championship since 1983, and last made an NBA final appearance 23 years ago.
In 2001, a historic season from Allen Iverson helped guide the 76ers to their first NBA Finals in 18 years. Iverson was sensational over the course of the regular season and went on to be named the league MVP. That season, the Virginia native led the league in points (31.1) and steals (2.5). He also chipped in with 3.8 rpg and 4.6 apg.
The Sixers have invested heavily in their roster over the last few seasons in the hopes of breaking their 41-year championship drought. Their loyal and passionate fanbase will be hoping that 2025 is the year they can finally win the coveted Larry O'Brien championship trophy.
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