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76ers: Allen Iverson Doesn't Like the Step Over on Ty Lue

Philadelphia 76ers legend Allen Iverson created an iconic moment when he stepped over Lakers' Ty Lue in the NBA Finals. However, the former Sixers guard isn't as big of a fan of it as everybody else.
76ers: Allen Iverson Doesn't Like the Step Over on Ty Lue
76ers: Allen Iverson Doesn't Like the Step Over on Ty Lue

Former Philadelphia 76ers guard Allen Iverson has established himself as a legend during his playing days. Not only did the former MVP earn himself a spot in the Pro Basketball Hall of Fame years back, but the six-foot guard from Georgetown became an icon in the NBA for his on and off-court persona.

Off the court, Iverson was remembered for his outfit selections and his infamous practice rant. On the court, Iverson's most iconic moment was easily the play after he drained a three in the NBA Finals back in 2001 and stepped over former Lakers guard, Ty Lue.

We've all seen the still shot thousands of times. And on any given day, somebody on social media might bring the famous moment back up to remind everybody of Iverson's legendary sequence. As much as NBA fans love the step over play, the Sixers legend isn't necessarily bragging about it out of respect for Lue.

"You know what's so crazy? I don't like it," Iverson admitted on the 'All the Smoke' podcast with Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson. "Because I love [Lue]. He was giving so many problems. He was harassing me, a straight dog, and he was harassing me so much. What's so crazy is that I don't know how it happened, like when I stepped over him, I didn't know I did it. That moment, yeah, it was dope when you look back on it, but I don't like it."

Although Iverson might've played with a cocky mentality back in the day, the NBA Hall of Famer is nothing but humble nowadays. Showing love to his former competitors has never been an issue for Iverson. And in this case, he's pretty self-aware of the situation. While many enjoy the iconic step over moment, Lue and the Lakers got the last laugh that year as they defeated Philly in the Finals. 

While Iverson and that Sixers team had a great run and got a memorable moment out of it, the former guard would look silly bragging about the step over knowing his team was defeated in the end. Lue earned Iverson's respect in that series, and the Philly legend isn't going to let one clip take away what's deserved.

Justin Grasso covers the Philadelphia 76ers for Sports Illustrated. You can follow him on Twitter: @JGrasso_


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Justin Grasso
JUSTIN GRASSO

Justin Grasso was a credentialed writer and publisher covering the Philadelphia 76ers for Sports Illustrated’s Philadelphia 76ers On SI Network. Grasso got his start in sports media in 2016 with FantasyPros, working the news desk, providing game-by-game player analysis and updates on the Portland Trail Blazers and the Golden State Warriors. By 2017, he joined FanSided’s Philadelphia Eagles site as a staff writer. After spending one season covering the Eagles as a staff writer, Grasso was promoted to become the site’s Co-Editor. For the next two NFL seasons, he covered the Eagles closely before broadening his NFL coverage. For a brief stint, Grasso covered the NFL on a national basis after joining Heavy.com as an NFL news desk writer. In 2019, Grasso joined the 76ers' beat on a part-time basis, stepping into a role with South Jersey’s 97.3 ESPN. Ahead of the 2019-2020 NBA season, he concluded a three-year stint covering the Eagles and joined the Sixers beat full-time. Grasso has covered the 76ers exclusively since then for Sports Illustrated. He is a member of the Pro Basketball Writers Association. Twitter: @JGrasso_ Instagram: @JGrassoMedia Threads: @JGrassoMedia

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