One of the most iconic moments in the NBA happened between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2001 Finals. The duo of Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant dominated the series against the Allen Iverson-led team, beating them in five games.
However, one of the most memorable moments in their series belonged to Iverson. In Game 1, the shifty guard showcased his handles while Ty Lue, who was a player for the Los Angeles team back then. His fancy dribbling caused Lue to fall as the All-Star hit the tough shot.
After making the shot, Iverson stepped over the backup point guard to further embarrass him. In the latest episode of “Podcast P with Paul George,” five-time champion Derek Fisher recalled the moment. He claimed that Lue wouldn’t have suffered if he hadn’t been replaced during the match.
Fisher said he was tired during the game, resulting in then-Lakers head coach Phil Jackson calling Lue’s number to defend Iverson.
“I didn’t have the energy and the force I’d normally play with,” Fisher said at 8:07. “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.”
“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,” Fisher continued. “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.”
Former Lakers guard noticed something “different” with Kobe Bryant early on
Fisher and Bryant were teammates for most of their careers and won five titles together. However, even before they started winning championships, the former point guard had already noticed something different about the Black Mamba.
The former Lakers player claims that the 6-foot-6 shooting guard showed promise even outside of high school. Fisher said Bryant would show him things that only experienced professionals knew how to do.
“He knew that stuff at 18, so I was like, ‘Okay, there’s something different about a high school player that already knows all these little things.’ Like he’s been to the NBA already.”
Derek Fisher shares the MOMENT he noticed Young Kobe Bryant was different.
"Kobe came across as very, ‘Look at me. I’m the best. Watch me.’” pic.twitter.com/aG1SDfBgf9
— Podcast P with Paul George (@PodcastPShow) January 6, 2025
“[Kobe] came across as very, ‘Look at me, I’m the best. Watch me.'”
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Reign also writes NBA and WNBA news updates on Sportskeeda. He started as a feature writer for AirAlamo, an NBA website that covers the San Antonio Spurs. Some of his work can also be seen with Valley of the Suns, a Phoenix Suns-centric website, where he served as a contributing writer.
