Five-time NBA champion Derek Fisher has recently taken the blame for one of the most iconic moments in basketball history. In a recent interview, the former NBA star shared details of Allen Iverson’s legendary stepover of Tyronn Lue during the 2001 NBA Finals. The moment has since become a symbol of Iverson’s fearless style after it occurred when he crossed over Lue and nailed a jumper. While it remains one of the most memorable plays in NBA lore, the champion’s comments offer new insight into the drama surrounding the unforgettable sequence.
Derek Fisher reflected on the iconic Allen Iverson’s stepover on Tyronn Lue
In the 2001 NBA Finals, Allen Iverson and the Philadelphia 76ers faced off against the dominant LA Lakers. While the Sixers lost the series, the first game became a standout moment in NBA history. Iverson hit a deep shot over Tyronn Lue and famously stepped over him afterward. The move claimed widespread attention from fans and it was engraved in the NBA lore. Despite the Lakers’ loss, former LA star Derek Fisher recently shared that he felt responsible for Lue’s tough matchup against Iverson.
During a recent appearance on Podcast P with Paul George, Fisher explained that he wasn’t fully prepared for the game. “I didn’t have the energy and the force I’d normally play with,” Fisher said in the podcast adding that the lack of preparation led Lakers coach Phil Jackson to make a key decision. “So, Phil Jackson had to make the choice for the team and like ‘Okay, let’s get [Tryonn Lue] out here and see if we could use his speed to try and impact what [Allen Iverson] was bringing to us that night,” he continued.
The former NBA star went on to add, “That moment for me was that I put T-Lue in that position where he had to deal with that because I wasn’t at my best. I really feel like it was just all about me not being ready. Unfortunately, T-Lue had to live through that. I personally feel responsible for it.”
The Lakers were aiming to add another championship in the 2001 NBA Finals after winning it in the previous year. However, the Philadelphia 76ers, led by MVP Iverson, made a surprising run.
Also Read: Anthony Davis reaches historic milestone making NBA record in Lakers vs Rockets game
In the first game, Iverson, also known as The Answer, delivered an unforgettable performance that stunned Lakers fans. He scored 48 points, along with six assists, five rebounds, and five steals. Despite Shaquille O’Neal‘s massive effort, recording 44 points and 20 rebounds, Iverson was unstoppable. Not only did Iverson hit his iconic shot over Tyronn Lue, but he also led the Sixers to a 107-101 win, stepping over both Lue and the Lakers in the process.
