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How to play basketball like allen iverson
How To Attack The Basket Like Allen Iverson (Even If You’re Bad At Layups) – Old Man Game Tips
If you’re having trouble making layups, you should learn from Allen Iverson. He was one of the best at attacking the basket. Here’s a drill that will help you slash like him.
Allen Iverson is one of the best finishers at the rim, ever.
Despite always being one of the smallest players on the court at all times, he somehow always managed to get into the lane on a regular basis and sink the layups he took.
AdvertisementsIt was amazing watching him. He had handles and quickness that always freed him from defenders (even the pestiest ones).
And he had a knack (that I’m pretty sure it was also a desire) for driving down the lane and embarrassing the big guy that tried to block his shot.
I wanted to embarrass defenders like him sooo very badly as a young lad! But I just got stuffed like a turkey on Thanksgiving.
Iverson Vs. The Magic
There was this one game in 2005. The Philadelphia 76ers (Iverson’s team, for those who aren’t real fans of the sport. JK.) were going against the Orlando Magic.
Now, this Magic team had some titans.
Dwight Howard was young here, but still a formidable defender (he was a rookie and was averaging 1.7 blocks per game).
AdvertisementsThey also had Kelvin Cato and Tony Battie, who were also excellent rim protectors (both were averaging over 1 block a game).
But that didn’t deter and change Iverson’s game plan.
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He was going to continue doing what he did best -break his defender’s ankle, attack the basket against the opponent’s biggest defender, then make the shot.
Iverson did this on so many possessions, but the Magic couldn’t find a way to stop him.
And to make matters worse, he also sprinkled in some elbow jumpers and such to keep the defence guessing.
AdvertisementsBy the end of the fourth quarter, Iverson had 60 points, a career-high. He was also efficient, sinking 47 percent of his shots.
The 76ers, with the help of Corliss Williamson and Kyle Korver, beat the Magic 112-99 that day.
How Iverson Makes Layups
So, how was Iverson able to drive and attack the basket so well?
One of the key things to Iverson’s success on the offensive end is that he understands how to shoot layups.
He knows the angles of the shot.
He also has the footwork, fundamentals, and air time to comfortably shoot many types of layups.
Additionally, he has a special type of toughness that he taps into. He uses it to push himself into continuously attacking and making shots in the paint, regardless of who is defending him.
How You Can Make Layups Like Allen Iverson
As I said earlier, Iverson knows all the different types of layups.
Thus, if you want to attack the basket like A.I., you also need to know all of the fundamental layups.
You also have to be comfortable (and not clumsy) doing them.
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To learn and practice this, you should do this layup drill from Breakthrough Basketball:
Key Notes:
Do drills from both directions
Use the glass (or bank it in) as much as possible
Be efficient with your dribbles (try to dribble as little as possible when driving to the basket)
If you don’t have or can’t find a partner for this drill, you can use a basketball dummy.
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It won’t chase after you -unless you find some sort of robot or android- but it will contest your shot (and do a good job at it, too).
So, if you’re interested, you can buy one from Amazon here (affiliate link).
The Mikan Drill
Additionally, you should also do the Mikan Drill.
This is a shooting drill that helps you get comfortable with shooting close shots.
AdvertisementsIt teaches you where and how to bank it off the glass and the correct footwork to be able to do so.
Click here to learn more about it.
Benefits of the Iverson Lay-Up Drill
One of the benefits of this layup drill is that it helps you learn how to finish from multiple positions and under multiple situations -you’ll become ambidextrous.
The layups you take will not be the same.
Most will be the traditional ones, but many will require you to make adjustments.
You might have to lay it in with the same hand as the leg that you’re jumping off of, which can be awkward.
Or you might have to do a power layup, where you have to stop and pump fake before going up for the shot.
This drill helps you get comfortable with the variety of layups by teaching you the correct footwork, form, and shooting from various angles of the basket.
It’ll also help you learn how to drive the lane against defenders.
Final Thoughts
Iverson was the 2001 NBA MVP and a 4-time scoring champion.
He also led the league in straight-up toughness and heart.
So, if you want to be a prolific scorer like A.I. (or at least attack the basket like him), you have to start practicing all of the fundamental lay-ups.
This drill will help you with that. So, ya know, go do it. Like, now.
This Made Allen Iverson's Crossover KILLER (It's Not What You Think)
By - Joe Haefner
Allen Iverson's Killer Crossover is one of the best dribble moves that the world has seen.
However, what if I told you that what made Allen Iverson's Killer Crossover great had nothing to do with his crossover.
Let me explain...
Look at Iverson's crossover move in slow motion.
Iverson starts by faking to one direction before crossing over.
The initial fake gets the defender leaning to one direction. This enables Iverson to cross up the defender.
However, think about this for a second...
What Really Made Iverson's Killer Crossover Great...
Why is the defender leaning and moving so aggressively on the fake?
Well, it's because Allen Iverson's "fake" to set up the killer crossover isn't really a fake.
It's his primary move.
Iverson simply uses a little hesitation move and explodes by the defender.
Now think about if you're playing defense trying to stop Iverson. ..
He just beat you two or three times with a hesitation dribble. And you know if you're not ready for it... you're done!
If you don't go full speed the next time, he's going to blow by you again.
So you start to see Iverson lean in the same direction. All of his body movements look the same. You start to explode in that direction to stop him.
Then BAM!
He crosses you up.
And he doesn't even have to think about doing it to you.
Iverson has practiced this move and his killer crossover thousands and thousands of times.
As soon as he sees you start to move quickly in that direction, he nails you with the killer crossover.
But it all starts with a simple explosion dribble or hesitation move.
If you're not good at that, you can say goodbye to the Killer Crossover.
2 Critical Lessons For Better Dribble Moves
Two very important lessons here...
1 - Develop moves that complement each other.
Iverson had a great explosion move and added the killer crossover to complement it.
2 - Develop a move that makes it easier to get by your defender.
Like Iverson, you should develop some sort of hesitation move to blow by your defender.
I would pick one of these four moves to perfect...
- Hesitation stop-and-go move
- Hesitation jab step move
- Hesitation stutter step move
- Inside out dribble move
Personally, I had success with the hesitation jab step move, but everybody is different. You need to find what works for you.
When I used the move beyond the FT line and the defender stopped me, I liked to counter it with a wrap around behind-the-back dribble.
When I was closer to the basket and the defender stopped me, I countered it with a spin move.
I really wasn't good at any other dribble moves and could only do it going to my right. And I became an all-conference point guard.
Learn the step-by-step tips and drills to develop great dribble moves...
At the following camps, Breakthrough coaches will give you step-by-step directions to develop these dribble moves.
"Dude, we're talking practice, not play!" How Allen Iverson Changed the NBA and Inspired Alexei Shved
Basketball has almost always been considered a game of the big ones. The advantage in size meant more chances in attack, in the fight for rebounds, and in general in everything. If you don't have enough height, then at least be physically powerful, like former CSKA center Kyle Hines.
To make the game more democratic, new rules were invented all the time. At first, it was forbidden to brush away balls falling into the basket. Then they introduced a three-second rule so that the tallest players of both teams did not occupy the space under the ring. The introduction of the 3-point arc also helped the shorter ones: now they didn’t have to get into the crush to get an opportunity to attack.
But Allen Iverson never conformed to the rules. He lived and played in his own way.
With his build, he could easily stand on a three-point arc and kill an opponent with long-range shots. But a basketball player who only knows how to throw will never become great.
What an event Allen Iverson has been since day one in the NBA is endless. And you can say the main thing in five seconds: he was the first number of the coolest draft 1990s. 1996 Draft where Ray Allen was selected 5th, Kobe Bryant 13th, and Steve Nash 13th.
The real one. In memory of Kobe Bryant
It's true - at the time of joining the NBA, he was even cooler than Kobe. An American dream taken to the absolute: Allen got into the best league in the world not even straight from a poor black quarter, but by transit through a prison. He was given 15 years (of which 10 were suspended) for a fight in a bowling alley, but a few months later he was pardoned. If this happened in 2020, he would not become an NBA superstar, but the new Martin Luther King. A couple of years later, his case fell apart in an appeals court due to lack of evidence, and Iverson finally turned into an icon of all black youth in the United States.
Stand up for George Floyd: "Damn, I thought this was our country too?"
Even his initials are legendary. AI is artificial intelligence, the brain of the future. Allen truly defined the future of basketball. The best player of the 2000/01 season, which connected two centuries, he was the first to show what the game will be like in the 21st century.
The NBA owes the fashion for tattoos and baggy clothes to Iverson. It was because of him that league commissioner David Stern introduced a mandatory dress code. But the basketball player nicknamed The Answer was impossible to box in. He pushed them apart with both play and manners. It is difficult to determine what is more legendary: his signature crossover (this is when a player endlessly transfers the ball across the floor from one hand to another, simultaneously “swinging” the opponent) or the elbow sleeve, which half of the league began to wear after Allen.
Only Google knows the Answer. Type in the search engine in English "king of crossovers" - and get his name in large print, and even in capital letters.
In 2001, he first became the NBA MVP, and then brought his team to the finals. Prior to this, Philadelphia had not risen above the second round for 16 years. The Legend of Answer would have been nice to decorate with a championship ring, but those Lakers with Kobe and Shaquille were too big.
Only three players in the history of the NBA became the best at the end of the season in points and steals at the same time: Michael Jordan, Allen Iverson and Stephen Curry.
A basketball player who could play without a team. The ability to independently create a situation for a shot is something that inspired and inspires children who dream of becoming tough point guards. So was today's best Russian basketball player Alexei Shved.
Bright on the court, sparkling away from it. On May 7, 2002, he said: "Yes, I seriously consider myself the best player in the world." But they hardly remember that quote, because they remember another (better to look at the mark 6:47):
VIDEO
“Perhaps I will become the best player in the club, and we are here discussing training. Not even a game, but a workout. Not a game in which I almost die. We are not talking about the game, but about training. I know I have to lead by example, I know it's important. But what are we talking about? About training? Not about the game. About training, dude!”
In total, he said the word "training" 22 times.
Had this happened in 2010, Iverson would have added 100 thousand subscribers in a day after the press conference. now he would be the king of social networks and have a cloud of advertising contracts. His personal fashion brand would be Practice®.
A talent that was ahead of his career. At its end, Iverson appeared in Turkey - he played for Besiktas together with the Russian center Fedor Likholitov. As the center said, the American gave him a watch in exchange for the 4th game number.
On the day the legendary workout speech turned 18, Iverson reminded everyone to practice social distancing.
He's so cool that LeBron himself quotes him. In 2014, at a press conference before one of the finals matches, Miami defender Dwyane Wade approached the microphone. And he asked: “Are you ready to go to the training so that we become better, bro? You've been talking all day! Let's go practice now."
LeBron was immediately found: “Training? We are not talking about the game, about the training?"
VIDEO
Iverson is 45. If you find it hard to believe, then you have caught him playing. You are slowly getting older.
The NBA is back! July 31, Disneyland - what else you need to know about the restart of the season
The struggle for survival in CSKA, interrogations in the KGB basement and Olympic gold: an interview with Soviet basketball superstar Igors Miglinieks
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Allen Iverson's 12 exploits - Basketball
Allen Iverson's 12 exploits
Bonus
When the trees were taller, the grass greener, and Iverson didn't have braids or tattoos, the NBA was all about one team: Chicago.
Phil Jackson and Michael Jordan shrugged off their opponents like annoying midges, and even the fans did not know when the Bulls were playing at the limit of their capabilities, and when they were at full speed. Chicago were on their way to their second three-pit.
But there is always something elusive in basketball that has nothing to do with titles. You can become a winner by losing a match. Leave a memory of yourself without scoring a single point. Accomplish a feat in a game that everyone will forget. Only a moment will be remembered, and YouTube will help to put all the details together.
Also unconvincing, Jordan only looked with a baseball bat, or many years later in the general manager's chair.
If you had to choose a moment from the 90s that would most symbolize the change of eras, then the Iverson crossover is the main contender. Without any respect for the authorities out of the blue, Allen turned the page in history and opened the streetball era in the NBA.
His audacity would have been enough for several NBA teams, and it became clear in the first season of Iverson in the league. The mockery of Jordan lasted no more than 15 seconds, and in truth, the moment is grossly overrated. But even 3 months before that, Allen managed to wave a red rag in front of the bulls.
In a match that ended against all odds in favor of the Bulls (111:105), Iverson showed off plenty of defense of the reigning champion, sometimes just turning circles around the opponent's three-second zone. All this was accompanied by under-the-fence thrash-talking and constant poking, which would have looked appropriate on a street site, but not in an NBA game. It got to the point that Iverson pissed off veteran Ron Harper, who began to respond to the rookie's provocations. All this continued in the next meeting of the teams, where Allen almost got into a fight with Rodman himself after he literally put the Chicago bench on his ears with constant insults. Already at the age of 21, Iverson lost the fear, which, as it turned out, he could not find until the end of his career.
“Iverson came in and imagined himself as Jumanji, he wanted to control the forest and all the wild animals around. He's crazy,” Dennis Rodman said these words like praise.
12. All-Star Game, February 11, 2001
East-West - 111:110 (17:30, 33:31, 20:28, 41:21)
Statistics : 25 points assists, 4 steals
On all-star weekends, Iverson was in his element. And no matter what anyone says about the playoffs, it was at the All-Star Games that his talent was fully revealed. On this show, where coaches are more concerned about how the suit fits them and players are trying their best not to be boring, no one will blame you for an unprepared throw. Any successful feint is greeted with a standing ovation, and a daring pass into the paint after the "barrier" can be the only meaningful combination for the whole evening.
The 2000/2001 season turned out to be magical for Philadelphia, and Iverson went to the demonstration performances in Washington DC as the main star of the East. At that time, the All-Star Games could be watched in their entirety, and even a few staged actions of the two teams caused a storm of emotions. And when the West pulled ahead by 21 points, and Bryant, Garnett and Duncan received their portion of applause, everyone was waiting for their rivals to answer. Iverson played his part superbly - he took the ball, shot 15 points in 9 minutes of the last quarter and, leaving the right to the winning throw to another hooligan - Stephon Marbury, became the most valuable player in a performance that many consider the best in the history of the weekend.
It was not his first. Iverson began to take such games seriously from the match of beginners and sophomores in 1997. Then even the usual diligence and 31 points did not help the young Kobe Bryant to attract attention. All eyes were on the diminutive defender who stormed across the court, adding 9 assists, 4 rebounds and 3 steals to 19 points. Three months later, Iverson was named the best rookie of the year. And despite all of the quarterback's playoff crusades and accolades, Allen's 11 All-Star Games stood apart for Allen. More precisely, for fans who are ready to vote for their favorite even now.
11. vs. Washington, November 26, 2004
Philadelphia - Washington - 116:114 OT (22:21, 30:23, 26:28, 25:31, 13:00) 11)
Statistics: 28 points, 13 assists, 5 rebounds. Not only can this amount to a crime, but also many players will not be able to play to their strength. Iverson was energized from the stands, and Philadelphia was shaking in the days when the games were hosted by the Vacovia Center.
That's how an ordinary regular season match became legendary, and they said about such games: "You know, buddy, but I saw it live."
Philadelphia was down the whole game, but in the fourth quarter the hall began to buzz so much that the Sixers players literally jumped out of their pants to save themselves. Although it is more correct to say that Iverson's partners began to do everything in their power to make life a little easier for their leader. And now - a few key hits, and the match goes into overtime. The Wizards, led by Gilbert Arenas, who was walking without a holster at that time, had every chance of winning the match with the last throw. For 3.9seconds before the end they threw the ball from behind the side, and then, to the sound of thunder, everyone saw lightning. In the same 3 seconds, Allen managed to intercept the ball, run half the floor and score a lay-up with resistance, without even doubting that he would have enough time.
After the hit, Iverson made a lap of honor around the arena. Pressing his hand to his ear, he absorbed all the sounds of his beloved arena.
“Everything around was electrified. This is one of those moments that you never forget, ”the player later recalled.
Interestingly, by that time in his entire 9-year career, this was only the second game-winning shot by Iverson.
There are several reasons why the return of Iverson is expected every year as the arrival of Santa Claus on the children's tree. One of the main ones is its independence from various schemes and strategies. Give him freedom and he will be useful in any team. Collecting fouls on himself, winding up defenders, scoring points, even taking into account the fact that every year he does not get faster. The only question is at what cost all this will be achieved and the head coach is ready to put up with the fact that for several successful matches Ei Ai will have a couple of failures.
Everyone remembers the cheerful "Phoenix" of the 2006/2007 season. It seems that only five José Juans Barea could run across this team at that time without a ball. No one in the Association would even think of challenging and competing with Steve Nash and company in a speed game. Iverson was probably not warned about this. TV people presented this match with sauce: "The battle of two MVPs - Iverson vs. Nash." In fact, it turned out to be a completely different dish, not edible for the Arizona public. And Phoenix, having lost only 21 times all season, was crushed by Iverson's new team.
In a single match, Answer challenged several stereotypes at once. About the fact that he doesn’t think about his partners, doesn’t defend himself, doesn’t know how to pass (one pass to, sorry, Eduardo Najera is worth what - 0.47 on video)
Iverson scored more than 40 points for the Nuggets not only in this game, but the problem of George Carl's team was visible even on TV. It was the dissatisfied face of Carmelo - he wanted to decide everything himself.
9. v. Cleveland, April 12 1997 years
Cleveland - Philadelphia - 125:118 (34:23, 32:26, 24:31, 36:38)
Statistics : 50 points, 6 assists, 5 rebounds.
In his first season with Philadelphia, Iverson showed everyone what a mess he was in. The newcomer scored more than 40 points over 5 matches, thereby setting a record that still holds, but at the same time, the Sixers managed to lose in these meetings.
The apotheosis of the helplessness of the team was the match with Cleveland, in which Iverson had to answer almost every attack of the Cavaliers with his own. He ended up scoring an unimaginable 50 points, making him the second oldest rookie after Rick Barry to do so. But it wasn't enough, even with Allen shooting 53 percent from the field and 55 from the three-point line.
"Philadelphia" just fell apart and in the end shamefully lost. Iverson was even played against by his own partner, Jerry Stackhouse, who rolled 5 out of 15.
However, at the end of this season, Iverson was waiting for an award. It was he who became the best rookie in the league, leading among all freshmen in points (23.5), assists (7.5) and steals (2.1).
“I love everything Iverson does on the court, and I just don’t know why others can’t see how good he is. ” Red Auerbach, who coached the rookie team on the stellar weekend, may have been the first to point out the controversy in the perception of Iverson’s game, which haunts the defender until now.
8. Game 3 of the First Round Series vs. Orlando, May 13, 1999
Philadelphia - Orlando - 97:85 30)
Statistics : 33 points, 5 assists, 5 rebounds, 10 steals, 2 blocks with Larry Brown to achieve a positive win-loss balance (28-22) and pull the Sixers into the spring stage of the championship. At that time, only two players remained in the team, who spoiled Ansver's life in the debut season. Billy King, constantly shuffling the roster, accidentally found the right combination of players, and now Iverson and 11 lumberjacks set off on their first crusade.
In the first round, a passable opponent was caught - Orlando. Penny Hardaway by that time had already lost Shaquille O'Neal and that stupid energy that once lurked in his knees. As a result, the series with a score of 1-1 moved to Philadelphia. Iverson had a real chance to solve almost all issues in the home arena (the playoff series was held up to three victories).
“I was so excited standing in front of my home audience that I just couldn't stand still. I was filled with energy. Even during the timeouts, I wanted to move,” recalls Iverson.
All this irrepressible passion for the game resulted in 33 points, 5 assists, 5 rebounds, 2 blocks and… a new NBA record. Iverson, who has spent his entire career defending the passing lines rather than playing directly against an opponent, has racked up a fantastic 10 interceptions.
The record stands to this day, but Iverson's energy in that playoff was not enough for a long time. The batteries went down in the second round series against the Indiana, which the 66ers lost by one wicket.
7. Eastern Conference Semifinal Game 7 vs. Toronto, May 20, 2001
Philadelphia - Toronto - 88:87 19)
Stats : 21 points, 16 assists, 4 rebounds
The Philadelphia-Toronto streak in the 2001 playoffs was Vince Carter's nightmare and Iverson's finest hour. But it so happened that in the decisive seventh game, the Sixers leader did not have a shot. Allen tried to go into the pass more, but the Raptors' entire defense was focused on keeping the defender free. Double guardianship, various insurance options - in war, all methods are good. And here Iverson decided for the first time in his life to step over himself - oh gods, he began to play for partners.
As a result, it turned out that Aaron McKee is also good at shooting on the ring (22 points), and Dikembe Mutombo is ready to secure partners at a decisive moment and restart the attack carousel (10 points and 17 rebounds of which 9 are in attack). With a creak and clang, Philadelphia won and advanced to the conference finals.
The most interesting details of that day came to light after the match. It turned out that Vince Carter, for whom this match was supposed to be the most important in his career, skipped the morning workout and went to the ceremony honoring his beloved at the University of North Carolina. This was not forgiven in Canada, especially after Vince missed the decisive shot in the last seconds.
6. Eastern Conference Semifinal Game 2 vs. Toronto May 9, 2001
Philadelphia - Toronto - 97:92 24:21)
Statistics : 54 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists
Let's rewind the tape a bit. It all started in this series for Philadelphia sadly. In the first match, Larry Brown's team lost home court advantage, losing to Toronto in a bitter struggle. The situation was aggravated by the fact that Iverson could not catch his game in any way - he threw too hastily, ignored the help of his partners. He showed his best basketball in defense, even in the first lost match he managed to make 7 interceptions, but Fili needed a completely different Iverson - who could fight the opponent alone.
The second game was the answer to all questions - the scenery was not important. How they defended against Iverson, how many points scored by Vince Carter or the game of teammates, they will write about it at the bottom, in small print. Iverson became a team himself and, with 54 points (21 out of 39), gave the world one of the greatest individual performances in basketball history.
Other than Allen's loyal squire, Eric Snow, who scored 10 points that game, no other Sixers player has recorded double-digit scores in the points column.
“I always knew that the only player who could stop me was myself. Sometimes it's like you're sitting on the ocean and throwing rocks at it. Don't miss," that's what you say when you score 19 of your team's last 20 points.
5. Conference Semifinal Game 5 vs. Toronto, May 16, 2001
Philadelphia - Toronto - 121:88 )
Statistics : 52 points, 7 assists, 4 steals
"I'm grateful to everyone who hated me, thanks to the journalists who put me through hell, they made me better and stronger" - this Iverson speech before the fifth game of the series against Toronto can refer to that season, as well as throughout the player's career. But it was the 2000/2001 championship that was held in the NBA under the sign of Iverson - David Stern first listened to his rap, his "sleeve" became popular not only with fans, but also with players. At the same time, A.I. became the first player in five years to average over 30 points per game (31.1), he led Philadelphia to 56 wins and secured the top spot in the East, won the All-Star MVP title. . Largely thanks to him, the Sixers were lifted to the skies - Larry Brown became the best coach of the year, Mutombo - the best defensive player, McKee - the best sixth. Iverson revived a dilapidated dynasty and became its most valuable asset. Despite all the controversy and threat to the image, the league could not ignore this phenomenon. Iverson became the most valuable player of the 2000/2001 season and thanked the NBA online.
Immediately after the ceremony, the defender showed what it means to be the most useful, directly on the court. The fifth, turning point match of the series, he won with his own hand, while not pulling the blanket over himself. He was the tip of a spear, a super-productive leader who killed Toronto's chances with every hit. Chris Childs and Elvin Williams, who were watching Iverson, were on the verge of a nervous breakdown that day. As a result - 52 points with an excellent percentage (21 hits out of 32, including a career-high 8 three-pointers), as well as 7 assists and 4 interceptions. This guy was worthy of his prize.
4. Game 7 Eastern Conference Finals vs. Milwaukee, June 3, 2001
Philadelphia - Milwaukee - 108:91 (25:26, 31:24, 26:21, 21:00) 20)
Players who can play their best basketball on demand when it matters most are destined to be great.
The last step on the way to the NBA Finals, where Phil had not been seen since the 1982/1983 season, Iverson was supposed to take in a match with Milwaukee. And here all the cameras were already directed at him - skeptics predicted failure, and the rest prayed for the guy who in just a few seasons turned the NBA upside down, dressed it up, instructed tattoos and turned on hip-hop.
There were big trios already then: Ray Allen, Sam Cassell and Glen Robinson, all three were at their peak and just as eager to take on the undefeated Lakers in the Finals. The inevitability of the seventh match hovered over the parquet throughout the series, and now it has come.
None of the Milwaukee trio dropped out during the game - Allen, Robinson and Cassell did their best to score 70 points together. But in order to win the seventh match, you need a little more. Iverson, as usual, acted on instinct, off the charts, often making illogical decisions, but perhaps that was the way he had to play to make it to the playoff final.
Beat LA! The tale for Pennsylvania fans continued.
1st year in the league. Four years after his famous MVP run, three years after his best season in scoring (2001/2002 - 31.4 points per game). By that time, the Sixers had already lost Larry Brown, and probably only AAI himself believed in the championship. New heroes entered the arena. One of them, Dwight Howard, witnessed the performance in which Iverson made 17 shots, shot 24 free throws, and eventually scored 60 points.
Over the past 10 years, only four players have managed to do this - Kobe Bryant (4 times), Tracy McGrady, Shaquille O'Neal and Gilbert Arenas (all once).
Despite the fact that Allen became the best scorer in the NBA four times in his career, many were waiting for this achievement. And so, on account of Iverson 11 games in which he scored 50 or more points, as well as 75 games in which 40 or more.
2. First Round Playoff Game 1 vs. New Orleans, April 20, 2003
Philadelphia - New Orleans - 98:90 (27:20, 22:24, 21:24, 28:22)
Statistics: 55 points, 8 assists, 4 rebounds
His best indicator in the playoffs, Iverson achieved two years earlier. By the time this game was the last in the broadcast grid, but Allen woke up everyone who had not yet turned off the sound on the TVs.
With an astonishing percentage (66), Ansver began to send one ball after another into the ring. He took off into the air, collected several cuffs on himself, but still realized the throw, and then stood on the penalty line. This went on all evening. To 55 points, the defender added 8 assists and 4 rebounds to everything else.
“The walls of the room parted, I checked if it was really a live broadcast, and I started calling all my relatives,” the impressionable Bill Simmons, as usual, seems to remember his feelings best of all.
After the game was over, New Orleans head coach Paul Silas was in the stands talking about Michael Jordan's 65 points, and Sixers forward Keith Van Horn asked one of the reporters for a footage of the match. Ansver itself was in no hurry to get into the ice bath - after an express comment, he took the microphone and thanked the 20,000 fans who came to the match. “I only play to make their ordinary day unforgettable. I hope they will remember today's match for the rest of their lives."
Only five players in NBA history have scored more than Iverson in a single playoff game - Wilt, Barry, Baylor, Barkley and Jordan.
1. Game 1 of the Final Series vs. Lakers, June 6, 2001
Lakers - Philadelphia - 101:107 OT (23:22, 27:34, 27:23, 17:00) 15, 7:13)
Stats: 48 points, 6 assists, 5 rebounds, 5 steals
“Sweep, sweep, sweep” - 30 minutes before the start of the game, the Staples Center went into ecstasy. None of those present believed that Philadelphia would be able to fight on an equal footing with the Lakers, who had never lost this playoff. The first 30 points that Iverson scored already in the first half were dedicated to all the skeptics. And then there was overtime, a fight with a clumsy sticky shadow, which was played by Tyrone Liu, a crazy throw after the crossover and a victory. For one evening the world received a new king weighing 75 kilograms.
“We are the biggest underdogs in the history of the finals. But I'm glad no one bet their lives on this match. Otherwise, these people would be already dead, ”after these words of Iverson, silence hung in the press conference hall.
Never won a final match with such audacity. In the fourth quarter, Iverson stepped over his understudy guardian, and for the last two minutes he shouted across the floor to Kobe and Shaquille: “Come to Philadelphia!”. Never before has Iverson been so close to a championship. Together with Iverson, the whole world did not want to wake up. But, as usual, the alarm rings in the most inopportune place.
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The advantage in size meant more chances in attack, in the fight for rebounds, and in general in everything. If you don't have enough height, then at least be physically powerful, like former CSKA center Kyle Hines. 
com/alleniverson/status/1266548221800845313 
Not even a game, but a workout. Not a game in which I almost die. We are not talking about the game, but about training. I know I have to lead by example, I know it's important. But what are we talking about? About training? Not about the game. About training, dude!” 
In 2014, at a press conference before one of the finals matches, Miami defender Dwyane Wade approached the microphone. And he asked: “Are you ready to go to the training so that we become better, bro? You've been talking all day! Let's go practice now." 
Top 5 United League Playoff Series 
Only a moment will be remembered, and YouTube will help to put all the details together. 
All this was accompanied by under-the-fence thrash-talking and constant poking, which would have looked appropriate on a street site, but not in an NBA game. It got to the point that Iverson pissed off veteran Ron Harper, who began to respond to the rookie's provocations. All this continued in the next meeting of the teams, where Allen almost got into a fight with Rodman himself after he literally put the Chicago bench on his ears with constant insults. Already at the age of 21, Iverson lost the fear, which, as it turned out, he could not find until the end of his career. 
And no matter what anyone says about the playoffs, it was at the All-Star Games that his talent was fully revealed. On this show, where coaches are more concerned about how the suit fits them and players are trying their best not to be boring, no one will blame you for an unprepared throw. Any successful feint is greeted with a standing ovation, and a daring pass into the paint after the "barrier" can be the only meaningful combination for the whole evening. 
Not only can this amount to a crime, but also many players will not be able to play to their strength. Iverson was energized from the stands, and Philadelphia was shaking in the days when the games were hosted by the Vacovia Center. 
In the same 3 seconds, Allen managed to intercept the ball, run half the floor and score a lay-up with resistance, without even doubting that he would have enough time. 
One of the main ones is its independence from various schemes and strategies. Give him freedom and he will be useful in any team. Collecting fouls on himself, winding up defenders, scoring points, even taking into account the fact that every year he does not get faster. The only question is at what cost all this will be achieved and the head coach is ready to put up with the fact that for several successful matches Ei Ai will have a couple of failures. 
” Red Auerbach, who coached the rookie team on the stellar weekend, may have been the first to point out the controversy in the perception of Iverson’s game, which haunts the defender until now. 
As a result, the series with a score of 1-1 moved to Philadelphia. Iverson had a real chance to solve almost all issues in the home arena (the playoff series was held up to three victories). 
He showed his best basketball in defense, even in the first lost match he managed to make 7 interceptions, but Fili needed a completely different Iverson - who could fight the opponent alone. 
Sometimes it's like you're sitting on the ocean and throwing rocks at it. Don't miss," that's what you say when you score 19 of your team's last 20 points. 
. Largely thanks to him, the Sixers were lifted to the skies - Larry Brown became the best coach of the year, Mutombo - the best defensive player, McKee - the best sixth. Iverson revived a dilapidated dynasty and became its most valuable asset. Despite all the controversy and threat to the image, the league could not ignore this phenomenon. Iverson became the most valuable player of the 2000/2001 season and thanked the NBA online. 
This guy was worthy of his prize. 
New heroes entered the arena. One of them, Dwight Howard, witnessed the performance in which Iverson made 17 shots, shot 24 free throws, and eventually scored 60 points. 
By the time this game was the last in the broadcast grid, but Allen woke up everyone who had not yet turned off the sound on the TVs. 
“I only play to make their ordinary day unforgettable. I hope they will remember today's match for the rest of their lives." 
And then there was overtime, a fight with a clumsy sticky shadow, which was played by Tyrone Liu, a crazy throw after the crossover and a victory. For one evening the world received a new king weighing 75 kilograms. 
