Hoops Habit
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Philadelphia 76ers: Allen Iverson’s Top 5 Playoff Performances

By James D. Tillman III

May 23, 2012; Philadelphia, PA USA; Philadelphia 76ers former guard Allen Iverson before the start of game six against the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference semifinals of the 2012 NBA Playoffs at the Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
May 23, 2012; Philadelphia, PA USA; Philadelphia 76ers former guard Allen Iverson before the start of game six against the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference semifinals of the 2012 NBA Playoffs at the Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /
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Philadelphia 76ers
6 Jun 2001: Tyronn Lue #10 of the Los Angeles Lakers guards Allen Iverson #3 of the Philadelphia 76ers during Game 1 of the NBA Finals at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. DIGITAL IMAGE Mandatory Credit: Jed Jacobsohn/ALLSPORT /

1. June 6, 2001: Sixers at Los Angeles Lakers (NBA Finals Game 1)

This was an iconic moment for the Sixers franchise. Iverson was named both the All-Star game and regular season MVP. Furthermore, the Sixers were making their first Finals appearance in nearly two decades.

Waiting for them were the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers. Behind the likes of fellow Hall of Famer inductee, Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles had reeled off 19 straight wins, including victories in each of their 11 playoff games.

Needless to say, the deck was definitely stacked against Iverson and the Sixers. However, Iverson made a habit of performing at a high level when the odds were against him and this classic game against the Lakers was no exception.

Fast forward to overtime. It appeared that the Lakers were about to roll to their 20th straight win after scoring the first five points in the extra session.

Then it happened.

The Sixers scored 13 of the game’s final 15 points, including seven straight by A.I. None of those points were more crucial than this beautiful crossover step-back jumper against Tyronn Lue.

Not only was that an amazing shot, but check out the glare Iverson gives the fallen Lue as he steps over him after the fact.

Iverson finished the game with 48 points, six assists, five rebounds and five steals, practically willing his team to an improbable 107-101 win.

Sure, the Lakers won the series in five games, but Iverson — as he had done so many times throughout his career — played with tremendous heart and refused to roll over for anyone regardless of the opposition.

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This is one of the many reasons why he was included in this year’s Hall of Fame class.