2001 Finals Game 1: Stepping Over Tyronn Lue, Burying the Mighty Lakers
The 2001 Finals pitted the 76ers against the Lakers. Almost nobody picked Philadelphia — LA had swept the first three rounds, the OK combo peaked, Shaq was unanswerable inside. The media predicted a sweep. Iverson tore that script apart in Game 1.
He scored 48 and hit the overtime dagger to win 107-101 on the road. The enduring image: after a crossover and pull-up, he stepped over the fallen Tyronn Lue — a totem of "king’s contempt" printed on posters and T-shirts ever since.
That night’s Iverson was a true lone hero. He faced an entire Lakers defensive scheme alone; when double-teamed he kicked out, when single-covered he attacked, dragging the game to overtime and taking it. Mutombo held the rim, but the man who kept Philadelphia alive and stole the momentum was the 1.83m No. 1.
Though the series ended 1-4 for the 76ers, that championship belonged to LA — yet Game 1 earned Iverson the world’s respect. He proved a small man can beat giants head-on in the Finals. Years later, the 2001 Finals are remembered not only for the Lakers’ banner but for Iverson stepping over Lue — an Answer to his era.
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