Remembering Iverson: Rebirth of the Sixers and 2001 Finals

There were many people who could sense that something special was developing with the Sixers in the late 90's. Here is a team that was back in the playoffs for the first time since the Barkley era and who had a superstar scoring machine in Allen Iverson. He won a scoring title in the strike shortened season. The Sixers beat the Magic in the playoffs in 1999 but then were swept by the Pacers in the following round. The next season it was the Pacers who once again ended their year by beating them in six games. Many people remember Iverson sitting on the bench crying at the end of the series. While the true reason was that he and his family received death threats from a deranged fan should the Sixers lose, many people interpreted the emotion as tears of passion. Here was a warrior that was out to achieve something this city hadn't seen in a long time. They only needed to wait until the following season...
The 2000-2001 season will hold a special place in many Sixers fans' hearts. There was so much about that season that made it fun. Before the year there was talk that they were ready to take the next step, that the Sixers were now mature enough and playoff tested to make a serious run for a title. It started with the opening night 101-72 thrashing of the Knicks at MSG and continued for another nine games as the Sixers opened up 10-0. Iverson was leading the way and had the perfect cast around him - unselfish, defensive-minded role players. There was Eric Snow quarterbacking the team and distributing the ball, George Lynch locking down the perimeter, Tyrone Hill not caring if he scored one single basket but genuinely offended if he didn't pull down 10 rebounds, Aaron McKie providing the spark off the bench night in and night out, and Theo Ratliff commanding the paint and blocking shots all game long. People noted that it was reminiscent of the roles that were filled on the 1983 championship team. The Sixers were in control of the Atlantic Division as well as the Eastern Conference for the duration of the season. After Ratliff went down with injury, it was apparent that this team needed a veteran leader who could provide scoring in the paint as well as maintain the defense Ratliff exhibited. A trade for Mutombo was made and the Sixers had the perfect piece. I have said over the years, and I stand by it still, that the Sixers would not have made their run without Mutombo. His defense and leadership were invaluable to that team.

The first round of the playoffs started with Reggie Miller nailing a game winner but it was not a factor as the Sixers exorcised their playoff demons by knocking off the Pacers. Second round against the Raptors many people will remember the epic scoring performances by Iverson and Vince Carter. It was also during this series where Iverson was awarded league MVP and then went out and scored 52 points. I remember sitting in my friend's basement watching the game and being amazed at how shot after shot were falling in. I also remember the drama of Game 7 when Carter just missed winning the series and how Iverson ran the length of the floor and jumped into his friends' arms. Next up were the Bucks who I hated. I could not stand George Karl and Sam Cassell (who seemed to get a technical every game). I actually went to Game 5 and it still remains one of the best Sixers games I've attended. The Bucks were up 15 in the first half with the series tied 2-2. Iverson was ice cold and it wasn't pretty. Then Snow hit the go-ahead jumper and we held off three shots (that seemed like fifty) to win it. Everyone cheering in the hallways, it was great. It was after this game where Mutombo famously uttered the line "I'm going to LA, who's coming with me?" in the postgame press conference. That was the leadership they got him for. Game 6 back in Milwaukee and the Sixers were down. Iverson caught fire and scored over 20 points in the 4th quarter alone but it was too late. No worries in his mind. He walked off the floor clapping, knowing he was going back to Philly for one game to decide the Eastern Conference champion.

What a game it was. Iverson torched the Bucks for 45 points. At the 3rd quarter buzzer, he hit a long 3-pointer and everyone knew it was pretty much over. There was no way the Sixers would lose this one. When it was official, I jumped in a car with two buddies and an airhorn, heading straight to the arena. We drove by and it was awesome. People honking, cheering, chanting, me airhorning, and general celebration. We went to Pat's Steaks and joined in a pickup game down there that was the most un-serious game I've seen in my life. I had a cheesesteak in one hand for crying out loud. People were driving by surfing on tops of cars. It was a blast.

Before the first game of the Finals started, everyone counted the Sixers out. They were hurt, tired, and going against the Lakers who had not lost yet in the postseason. The truth was that this was the game to steal in LA and shock the world. What proceeded remains to this day the greatest sporting event I've watched in my life (faithful readers already know this). I got a call from my buddy before the game, "are you ready for this?" he said. Of course I was ready. I turned down invitations to go to parties so I could sit in my basement with my one friend and concentrate on every aspect of the game. It was a rollercoaster on two levels: of scoring in the game and fan emotion in my basement. When the Sixers came back in overtime and Iverson hit the 3-pointer and then the all-time highlight of stepping over Tyronn Lue after another basket, I was ecstatic. I was watching my Sixers take Game 1 of the NBA Finals. We all knew how the series turned out but no one can ever take those memories away. That's what was special about that year to me, how my love for the Sixers reached a new level and how Iverson was the catalyst of NBA rebirth in Philadelphia. Tomorrow night when he returns for the first time since the trade, I will proudly be on my feet with 20,000 other fans applauding the player who gave his all every single night and captured the hearts of so many fans.