The Unforgettable Stepping Over: Iverson's Iconic Moment in the NBA Finals

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. The Lakers' Dominance
3. The Sixers' Journey to the Finals
4. The Importance of Allen Iverson
5. The Midseason Trade for Dikembe Mutombo
6. The Sixers' Injuries
7. The Role Players Stepping Up
8. The Bucks Series
9. Tyronn Lue's Defense on Iverson
10. The Final Moments of Game 1

The Unlikely Journey of the 2001 Philadelphia 76ers

The 2001 NBA Finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Philadelphia 76ers was a matchup that many believed was already decided before it even began. The Lakers were the reigning champions and had a dominant regular season, while the Sixers were a team that had faced numerous obstacles just to make it to the Finals. However, what transpired in Game 1 of the series was a moment that would go down in NBA history and a testament to the resilience and determination of the underdog Sixers.

The Lakers' Dominance

The Lakers entered the playoffs as heavy favorites to repeat as champions. Led by the dominant duo of Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant, the Lakers had won 56 games in the regular season and had swept through their playoff opponents with ease. They were a team that many believed was unbeatable and were heavily favored to win the series against the Sixers.

The Sixers' Journey to the Finals

The Sixers, on the other HAND, had faced numerous obstacles just to make it to the Finals. They had lost their starting center Theo Ratliff to injury during the regular season and had to make a midseason trade for Dikembe Mutombo to fill the void. They had also suffered numerous injuries during their playoff run, including broken feet for key players like Eric Snow and Aaron McKie.

Despite these setbacks, the Sixers had managed to make it to the Finals thanks to the incredible play of their star player, Allen Iverson. Iverson had led the league in scoring during the regular season and had carried the Sixers on his back throughout the playoffs.

The Importance of Allen Iverson

Iverson was the heart and soul of the Sixers and had played an instrumental role in getting them to the Finals. He had scored 110 points over the course of three games in the first round of the playoffs to help the Sixers advance. He had also put up 52 points in a crucial Game 5 against the Raptors in the Second round.

In Game 1 of the Finals, Iverson was once again the driving force behind the Sixers' success. He had a slow start to the game but had come alive in the second quarter, scoring 30 points to keep the Sixers in the game.

The Midseason Trade for Dikembe Mutombo

The midseason trade for Dikembe Mutombo had been a crucial move for the Sixers. With Ratliff out with injury, the Sixers needed a dominant center to anchor their defense. Mutombo had stepped up to the challenge and had won the Defensive Player of the Year award for his efforts.

The Sixers' Injuries

The Sixers had suffered numerous injuries during their playoff run, including broken feet for key players like Eric Snow and Aaron McKie. Despite these setbacks, the Sixers had managed to persevere and make it to the Finals.

The Role Players Stepping Up

With so many key players out with injuries, the Sixers had to rely on their role players to step up and contribute. Players like Raja Bell, who had been signed just before the playoffs as injury insurance, had played crucial roles in the Sixers' success.

The Bucks Series

The Eastern Conference Finals against the Milwaukee Bucks had been a grueling series for the Sixers. Iverson had been battling injuries throughout the series, and the Sixers had fallen behind without their star player. However, Mutombo had stepped up to help the Sixers swing the series back in their favor.

Tyronn Lue's Defense on Iverson

In Game 1 of the Finals, Lakers coach Phil Jackson had made the surprising decision to put backup guard Tyronn Lue on Iverson to try and slow him down. Lue had played a crucial role in the Lakers' defense, putting pressure on Iverson and forcing him into turnovers and tough shots.

The Final Moments of Game 1

Despite Lue's defense, Iverson had managed to keep the Sixers in the game. In the final moments of the game, with the Sixers up by two points, Iverson had the ball in his hands and the opportunity to seal the victory for the underdog Sixers. With a quick crossover move, Iverson had shaken Lue and hit a jump shot to put the Sixers up by four points. The shot would go down in NBA history as one of the most iconic moments in Finals history.

Highlights

• The Lakers entered the 2001 NBA Finals as heavy favorites to repeat as champions.
• The Sixers had faced numerous obstacles just to make it to the Finals, including injuries to key players like Eric Snow and Aaron McKie.
• Allen Iverson was the driving force behind the Sixers' success, leading the league in scoring during the regular season and carrying the Sixers on his back throughout the playoffs.
• The midseason trade for Dikembe Mutombo had been a crucial move for the Sixers, as he had won the Defensive Player of the Year award for his efforts.
• The Sixers had to rely on their role players to step up and contribute, with players like Raja Bell playing crucial roles in the team's success.
• Lakers coach Phil Jackson had made the surprising decision to put backup guard Tyronn Lue on Iverson to try and slow him down.
• In the final moments of Game 1, Iverson had hit a jump shot to put the Sixers up by four points, sealing the victory for the underdog Sixers.

FAQ

Q: Who won the 2001 NBA Finals? A: The Los Angeles Lakers won the 2001 NBA Finals.

Q: Who was the star player for the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2001 NBA Finals? A: Allen Iverson was the star player for the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2001 NBA Finals.

Q: What was the most iconic moment of the 2001 NBA Finals? A: The most iconic moment of the 2001 NBA Finals was Allen Iverson's jump shot in Game 1 to put the Sixers up by four points and seal the victory.

Q: Who did the Sixers face in the Eastern Conference Finals? A: The Sixers faced the Milwaukee Bucks in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Q: Who did the Lakers have on their team in the 2001 NBA Finals? A: The Lakers had a dominant team in the 2001 NBA Finals, led by Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant.