Draymond GreenForward, Golden State Warriors

Ty Lue on the Allen Iverson crossover in 76ers-Lakers NBA Finals #nba #basketball #sports

16 Jan 2025 · 1 min

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In this spoken recollection, Ty Lue (Speaker A) describes how he was unexpectedly added to the playoff roster and played limited minutes (10‑12 per game) during the 2001 NBA playoffs. He explains that his role hinged on the Eastern Conference outcome—had Milwaukee defeated Philadelphia, the presence of guards Sam Cassell and Ray Allen would have likely kept him off the court. Lue then recounts the 2001 NBA Finals Game 1, where Allen Iverson scored 36 points and delivered his famous crossover and step‑over on Lue. He reflects on the intensity of that moment, noting he didn’t realize its significance at the time, but now views it as a worthwhile sacrifice for a chance at a championship, even willing to be stepped over again.

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If it wasn't for that series, if it wasn't for AI making it to the finals, I might have been outta the league that next year. Back in those days, if you get on the playoff roster, you had to be chosen. When he called my name in the war room, man, I jumped. Oh man. Crazy. Kobe and them going crazy. I was hyped. Throughout the course of those playoffs, I was playing like, you know, 10, 12 minutes a game. What people don't realize, it would've never been me and AI if Milwaukee would've beat the Sixers in the Eastern Conference because it'd been Sam Cassell, Ray Allen. So big guards, I wouldn't have played. Ah. So now, We get to the finals. I didn't know if I was gonna play or not, but first game, the first time I checked in was 6 minutes to go in the third quarter. He had already had 36. That's brutal. He was cooking that game. When I had a chance to go in the game, like I said, the stepover and all that, like at the time I didn't even know it was a big deal. Like, feel like he crossed me over and I fell down and he made a shot. I contested it and I stepped on his foot. You fell. You know what I'm saying? So the stepover was worth it. It was well worth it. If I could win a championship, I'll let him step over me right now again.