“That was nothing new” – Allen Iverson described his mindset before upsetting the Lakers in the ’01 Finals originally appeared on Basketball Network.
Allen Iverson led the Philadelphia 76ers to a sensational win over the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 1 of the 2001 NBA Finals, an outcome that most fans did not expect. The Sixers upset the defending champions, 107-101 and A.I. finished with a game-high 48 points.
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It was often regarded as one of the most remarkable games in Iverson’s illustrious NBA career. Despite facing a juggernaut of a team, “The Answer” rose to the occasion, showcasing an extraordinary display of skill and determination that left fans and critics alike in awe.
Many have speculated that Iverson came in with heightened motivation and excitement, perhaps fueled by the magnitude of the Finals. However, in a surprising revelation, the legendary guard shared that he didn’t approach that game with a different mindset. Instead, he viewed it as just another opportunity to perform and win.
“The same as I go into any other game,” Iverson told Sixthman Sports of his mindset heading into the ’01 Finals opener. “I played every game the same. I played the same way regardless, like, even if I was playing pickup, I would play the same game, the same game that I would play in the Finals.”
“I play the same way,” he continued. “I always got butterflies, I was always nervous regardless of what kind of game I was playing, so that was nothing, you know, that was nothing new.”
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Iverson believed they could beat the Lakers
The Lakers achieved an incredible feat by remaining unbeaten throughout the postseason. Only Iverson and the Sixers ended their remarkable playoff streak that year.
Iverson remained grounded and focused despite drawing first blood and the monumental victory. He understood that the Game 1 win was just one step, and with the series far from over, much work still needed.
“All I was thinking about is it was just one. I mean, it’s three more to go,” the 2001 NBA MVP further confided. “That’s all I was thinking about. I didn’t feel like I wasn’t so excited about it because it was something that I felt we could do. So, it was, [I’m] not saying it wasn’t a big deal, but it was something that I expected.”
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A.I. sent a message to his doubters after the win
Going into the series opener, Iverson was well aware that the Sixers were the underdogs. Following their stunning win, he addressed the issue and sent a powerful message to those who doubted the Sixers.
“You get down five in the finals against the Lakers, and everybody’s got their brooms out,” Iverson said at the post-game presser. “That drives us. Anybody that bet on it, some broke people out there. Some people got their feelings hurt. I’m glad nobody bet their life on it, because they definitely would be dead right now,” he added.
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Unsurprisingly, the Lakers clapped back right away. They beat the Sixers in the next four games to close the series out and win back-to-back NBA titles.
Nevertheless, fans still admired Iverson’s incredible talent and resilience. They viewed his performance in that series, specifically in Game 1, as a testament to his status as one of the toughest competitors in the NBA’s history.
This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jul 9, 2025, where it first appeared.