{"id":9138,"date":"2017-08-16T08:00:02","date_gmt":"2017-08-16T12:00:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lwosonnba.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/?p=9138"},"modified":"2017-08-15T22:30:29","modified_gmt":"2017-08-16T02:30:29","slug":"greatest-philadelphia-76ers-moment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2017\/08\/16\/greatest-philadelphia-76ers-moment\/","title":{"rendered":"Greatest Philadelphia 76ers Moment of the 21st Century"},"content":{"rendered":"

Welcome to the Greatest Moment series<\/a> at Last Word On Pro Basketball, where we\u2019ll present to you each NBA team\u2019s greatest moment of the 21st century. From draft lottery luck, to a franchise-changing trade, to the sweet taste of a championship, every NBA team has had its own special moment to look back on.<\/em><\/p>\n

In this edition, we will relive the greatest Philadelphia 76ers<\/a> moment of the 21st century: Allen Iverson<\/a><\/b> stepping over Tyronn Lue<\/a><\/b> in Game 1 of the 2001 NBA Finals.<\/em><\/p>\n

Greatest Philadelphia 76ers Moment of the 21st Century: Allen Iverson Steps Over Tyronn Lue<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The shooting sleeve. The armband. The black 76ers jersey. The baggy shorts. And the cornrows. No one could ever forget the cornrows.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Allen Iverson marched onto the court wearing all his usual basketball attire on June 6, 2001. Just a few hours later, he sauntered back into the locker room and celebrated his Philadelphia 76ers taking a 1-0 lead in the NBA Finals. The victory, however, meant so much <\/span><\/strong>more than just a point in the win column. It featured the Sixers\u2019 greatest moment of the 21st century to date.<\/p>\n

The Lead-Up<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The 2000-01 season was a special one for Iverson. Statistically, it was one of the best years of his career, as he led the league in scoring at more than 31 points per game, attempted more than 10 free throws nightly (making them at an efficient rate), and dominated the ball on a team devoid of scoring and playmaking threats. Iverson won his only MVP award that year, beating out<\/a> the likes of Shaquille O\u2019Neal<\/b><\/a>, Chris Webber<\/a><\/b>, Kevin Garnett<\/a><\/b>, and Tim Duncan<\/a><\/b>, among other current or future Hall of Famers. Somehow, listed at a generous 6\u20190\u201d, Iverson managed to top these all-time great big men in their primes \u2013 even in an era where giants reigned supreme.<\/p>\n

He led the Sixers to a 56-26 regular season record, finishing atop the Eastern Conference. Philadelphia then scraped through three grueling playoff series, including a first-round matchup with the defending East champions \u2013 the Indiana Pacers<\/a> \u2013 and two seven-game bloodbaths. Finally, the Sixers reached the Finals, where they met O\u2019Neal\u2019s Los Angeles Lakers<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The Game<\/strong><\/h3>\n

As Game 1 of the Finals approached, the Lakers were on the verge of making history. They entered the series 11-0 in the postseason, having swept through the entire Western Conference playoff bracket. Behind the prime versions of O\u2019Neal and Kobe Bryant<\/a><\/b> \u2013 two of the 10 best players ever<\/i> \u2013 L.A. seemed unbeatable. The Lakers were aiming for a feat that no team had ever achieved: to finish the playoffs undefeated.<\/p>\n

But Iverson was having none of it.<\/p>\n

From tip-off to the final buzzer, he was locked in. Just like O\u2019Neal and Bryant, Iverson played all but one minute of the game, which included an overtime period. O\u2019Neal chipped in a monstrous effort with 44 points and 20 rebounds<\/a>, but somehow, it was not enough. Iverson simply willed his team to victory. He poured in five boards, six assists, and five steals to go with a jaw-dropping 48 points<\/a>. The Sixers hung with the Lakers and found themselves clinging to a two-point lead with less than one minute left in overtime. Philadelphia had possession and needed a basket to seal the deal; there was no question to whom the Sixers would turn.<\/p>\n

The Moment<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Iverson came down the court. He caught the ball in the right corner, guarded by Tyronn Lue, a friend of his<\/a> who had defended him well all game<\/a>, despite Iverson\u2019s superior offense. Iverson jabbed right, dribbled baseline, and pulled the ball back between his legs. He rose up and elevated, fading away for the shot over Lue.<\/p>\n

Swish.<\/p>\n

But it was the moment after the shot that really mattered. After hitting what turned out to be the dagger, Iverson glanced at the Lakers\u2019 bench, looked at Lue on the ground below, and stepped over him with disdain. It was unquestionably intentional.<\/p>\n