"He made my career": Ty Lue opens on how the Allen Iverson step-over helped him make $21 Million
Allen Iverson’s step over Ty Lue in the 2001 NBA Finals is considered by many to be one of the most disrespectful moves in league history. The then-LA Lakers guard and current LA Clippers head coach, however, didn’t see that iconic play that way.
In an episode of “The Pivot Podcast,” Lue opens up on the play that put him on the map:
(13:25 mark)
“Everybody talking about the step-over and all that stuff but he made my career. If it wasn’t for AI [Iverson], I don’t know where I would be. That challenge helped me get my next contract and allowed me to stay in the league for 11 years. After that step-over, I signed with the Wizards that summer.
“If it wasn’t AI making it to the finals, you probably would not have seen Ty Lue. By him making it to the finals and me getting a chance to guard him in the finals, that helped me in my career.
"I didn’t think it was a big deal until Doug Collins, ‘Oh, he stepped over him!’ Man, get the f**k outta here.”
The play happened in overtime in Game 1 with 1:03 left in the game, with the Philadelphia 76ers clinging to a 101-99 lead. Allen Iverson was on the left side of the floor trying to jab-step his way past Ty Lue.
“The Answer” managed to dribble past Lue before snatching the ball back with a between-the-leg dribble and then hitting a jumper over Lue’s outstretched hands. It was Iverson’s best game of his career, as he scored seven straight points to carry the 76ers past the mighty Shaq and Kobe Lakers.
If it wasn’t for Allen Iverson’s exceptional great Game 1 performance, the Philadelphia 76ers would have been swept.
Ty Lue has been doing a solid, if not great, job as head coach of the LA Clippers
Last season, Ty Lue very nearly led the LA Clippers to the postseason without Kawhi Leonard for the entire season. The champion coach also had to deal with Paul George playing just 31 games. If George hadn't been ill with Covid-19, they might have made it to the play-in tournament.
The Clippers are beset with challenges again this season. They will not have “PG13” for the rest of the regular season due to a sprained right knee.
Despite that, Kawhi Leonard and crew are still within reach of a top-four finish in the tightly-contested Western Conference. They could still enter the playoffs with a first-round home-court advantage.
Many favored the LA Clippers as an elite title-contending team. They haven’t lived up to those expectations for most of the season, but have found their rhythm after a rough start since acquiring Russell Westbrook.
With Ty Lue drawing up the plays, the LA Clippers are starting to hit their stride. They’ll be a tough matchup for anyone, with or without Paul George, in the lineup.
You may also like to read: Allen Iverson reveals he never spoke to Ty Lue about the infamous stepover from 2001 NBA Finals