You all see how physical the game used to be right? Both teams going at...I see step backs, crossovers, midranges, pick n rolls, three point shots, back downs, facial dunks and just flat out hoopin! No flopping no whining to the refs. everyone playing defense and offense. For those who didn't see this game live, I am sorry that you missed out.

Man, I miss this type of Basketball 🏀 😪.

So much gameplay so little whistles, we took this NBA for granted.

Man you see how much they had to respect iverson first step??? He did a slow, half jab step and sent Kobe stumbling back 6 feet.

I literally think this is an entirely different league than we are seeing today. It was truly special.

A.I is and always will be my fav player! In middle school the first Iverson Reeboks simply iconic..on the court, for his size he was a killer!

Shaq was just too fuckin good. Great basketball played all around. Everyone played like every possession counted. Having Shaq on your team is damn near a cheat code

Man seeing Kobe defend iverson with all his might is so cool

Shaquille O'Neal was an unstoppable beast and Alen Iverson was an agile gazelle.

As a kid watching this, I couldn't appreciate what I can as an adult, which is that it just amazes me to see how QUICK Shaq moved. He just explodes.

I remember watching this game live. It was so epic in real time. You just knew you were watching history.

I don't remember the teams of 2023 finals, but will always recall so many details of this game.

I love the scrappy play of the day. I forgot what an absolute beast Shaquille was. This game haunted Kobe for years and only deepened his composure to be better. Kobe has absolute respect for AI.

this is when baskeball was fun to watch...no foul drawing no acting just ballin out

Basketball was dope back in the day... I'm getting crunk just watching this!!!

Maaaan I remember that game, watching at home and when A.I. stepped over Lue I was like whoa!!!...lol, went to work the next morning at a firm in DC and our receptionist, who was from Philly, was sporting an Allen Iverson jersey under her jacket, at work and that was against our dress code..lol, helluva game

That season was unbelievable for the Sixers: - Coach of the year. - Defensive player of the year. - Sixth Man of the year. - Most Valuable Player.

Late 90's/early 2000's is PEAK NBA basketball There was still the physical game but you could see the high PACE start to creeping in

AI getting ONE game off prime Shaq and Kobe is basically a ring

I’m so happy I was able to see him play the game and Kobe, Jordan, t-Mac, Carter the list go on form that era. That was an amazing time for basketball, it was something special

Shaqs footwork is crazy!

I was living in Philly during this time and after this game outside was crazy like the series was over🤣🤣🤣

Iverson’s movement let alone was crazy fast.. nobody can’t stand front of him, he gave Kobe a triple threat move, with the jump shot.. sheesh

What a great freaking game. I’m so glad I was able to see it live.

better than any game in the last 10 years

Im 24 and I grew up in Jamaica , recently started watching basketball and im obssessedd.... but then I started watching the 90s full games and Ive been watching less live matches , this just hit differenttttt.

It was so much fun to watch basketball back in the days.

This was arguably the best playoff Laker run ever... And the best single game performance by a heavily favored underdog.

Straight Classic!!! Every player driven the lane not like today only shooting 3 pointers 😂 to lazy to play defense and with the heart of a championship character

This is the kind of basketball I miss seeing

3:02 man... Iverson's speed was so killer look how far kobe had to back up off that simple jab step

Back when AI meant the most fun to watch player in NBA history. Now it means machines plotting to wipe out humanity.

That was quite a hell of a game!

That stepback by Iverson at 2:00 showed how lethal he was to do that going full speed was crazy. Im sure a competitor like Kobe could appreciate a move like that.

What I impressed by this video is the rebound of Mutombo, he box out well even against Shaq, and he get the rebound with power, and already protecting the ball in the air. I cannot see this kind of rebounding skill in modern era, they just mostly standing under basketball and waiting for the ball now. This is the first time I feel fighting for the rebound is so cool!

8:40 the most dominant player to ever play the game. Holy shit LMAO

This game was something else, banged up Iverson and Sixers taking game 1. Lakers were just too strong of a team when you got Shaq.

The intensity on both ends of the flor, what a battle between Kob and AI.... how the hell we got from that to.... what we have now 🤦‍♂️

I sooo remember this game 👀👀H man what a season and what a CAREER Iverson’s had wheeew LUV U BRO!!!!!!

If A.I. got a few more inches,NBA history was a lot changed.I think.🎉🎉🎉😊😊😊❤❤❤Thank you.

Shaq was the bowser of the basketball world dude sheesh.

So cool to see quality basketball. So sick. Miss it

So kids today saying James don't have help? What about A.I?

Now a days you just see a bunch of 3-pointers, and slightest physical challenge and whistles go blowing. This clip from 2001 was more fun to watch than what I watch live these days.

We can’t deny the points Shaq dropped also

The guys work soooo hard.

As I die hard Lakers fan in Kobe being my favorite player. I must admit iverson used to destroy I miss this competition

AI drops 48 points 6 Assists 5 Rebounds & 5 Steals on Prime Shaq & Kobe. Legendary.

Now it’s open lane for everyone and no defense

This is when basketball was still hard ball you had to earn a score

Iverson playing ball is an art in itself..

Kinda crazy how the NBA is not like this now.

🤣🤣 A.I was cooking Kobe

Man. Kinda forgot how effing terrifying Shaq was in the game.

Classic game. The step over game. 😂 Subscribed.

I remember that game. Safe to say I became a huge fan after witnessing that clinic he put on Kobe.

Basket ball where actual defense is being played and not just running up the court chucking up 3s all game

i watch this video and i think to my self who da fck would stop Shaq in todays NBA ,them skinny centers would look like school nerd push overs

I was so deep into the next players move I forgot they had refs 😂

During this series between the two clubs the post comment interviews were very interesting to listen to where Shaq gave great respect to Allen Iverson's big heart! ❤

Sad that was the only game they won during that series

I remembered 2005 - 2008 when my classmates in grade school were doing ankle break moves 😂

This was one hell of an game, great players 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

Times done really changed from watching sports... But the memories we have will never fade🤦‍♂️ Every athlete played their hearts out back in the day in every sport : Football 🏈 Basketball 🏀 Baseball ⚾️ Boxing 🥊 Soccer ⚽️ And the list goes on...

damn man i wish i was around during these times, only a few years away 😂 great ball tho 🔥🔥 love seein kobe (rip 🙏🏾) shaq and AI

Shows how gritty the NBA used to be.

This era feels so different and special. The world as a whole and the US were at their peak.

Offense and defense were so intense back in the old days.

Its nice to see players give maximum effort on both ends and not worry about their image. If you're playing tough defense and your man makes a great play you get him back, thats it. Nowadays players are too worried about teammates on the bench laughing at them or getting made fun of on social media. If you're giving your all and playing good D then you don't have anything to be ashamed of. I guarantee every player on this court would be more embarresed by taking a play off and letting the other team have an easy bucket.

Ya these days they’d call flagrant on Shaq cause he dunked the ball too hard. And Allen Iverson what a menace!

I was not prepared to see Derek Fisher with hair....🤣

maaaaan now this was a whole battle, a showdown!!! greatness before our eyes of legends on the court!

Dude I Remember this like it was Yesterday, this game was Dubbed an Instant Classic!!! The Hobbled Sixers went into L.A. to take on the Giant and completely Destroyed and Dismantled them. Eric Snows Defense was Amazing on Kobe all night! Also, the Sixers damn near won Game 2! They should have one that one. Lakers were Lucky that the Sixers were Banged Up! I would have Love to Run it back when the Sixers were Healthy! Anyway Larry Brown got em back when His Detroit Pistons totally Annihilated them!!!

Destroyed? We can respectfully say the day he won against...

His fast break speed was unrivaled!!He's going fullcourt at full speed on layups.😮Just awesome!

AI was magical with those crossover, the only guy who’s actually Playing the same game is K. Irving

Wooaaw that s the NBA I remember 😶These guys were beyond this universe indeed. And for Iverson, the words are not enough...

Shaq is just a cheat code😂

AI and Shaq got mauled in this game. There were at least 10 uncalled fouls on each of them. Shaq was doing this against Mutombo and AI had Kobe on him most of the game. Shaq was at his peak of dominance; basically unstoppable. Wow!

I live in Philly. I was at games in this playoff run - I was in 10th grade. Best moments of my childhood right there. Still got those shoes AI was wearing that game.

I miss this little man playing like a taller man.🎉

Nba will never go back to this kind of basketball...

Rick Fox was doing his thing in this game. 😎👍🏾

Damn,, this was the best game I ever missed,,, thank you so much for the video!!! Mr Iverson was a master at his craft...

I miss these days RIP KOBE

0:55 Iverson was the master at using his body to shield off the defender….. watch this layup and even tho Iverson 6 ft and 185 pounds, the defender can’t block the shot because Iverson shields him away to where he can’t get near the shot to block it

Now this is what you call basketball !!!🤲🏾🙌🏾✊🏾Great game

Prime Shaq’s dunks were on another level. U could hear the rim crying for mercy each time😂

The problem with the series was that (Allen Iverson didn't had enough back up center to contain (Shaq.. for example, if Allen iverson would have had a secondary all star 🌟 player in this roster team, they would had definitely beaten the lakers 🌟 that season. Because iverson was putting so much energy on trying to keep he's team Alive. While Kobe Bryant, had Superman on he's team...

Today's NBA is so sterile and boring compared to this.

I remember this game. Still had me on the edge of my seat

No destruction going on here. Lakers knew that in War you lose some battles, but it all comes down to the penultimate victory. For me in this series it was game 5. In THAT game there was destruction going on. Kobe and Shaq destroyed the sheer SPIRIT of the sixers right there. I cried both because of the loss of my fav team but also because of how well the Lakers executed them. One of the games I will remember forever.

If we're talking 2001, I'm taking AI over Kobe Bryant

The Lakers were expecting 0 loss that play off, so technically AI did destroy their goal and record, 6ers just didn't have the offensive depth when they targeted AI

When basketball used to be fun.

This is definitely one of the greatest games ever played. I remember watching this series as a kid these were better times for the nba. Great fundamental skill being displayed by a generation of greats.

“..not a game, not a game! We talking about Practice…” (Please help me with these quotes)

Shaq was the reason why lakers won this series. Not sure if Iverson destroyed Shaq. but he definitely destroyed Ty Lue. in Overtime too. What a monstrous stamina AI had in his prime.

Watching these guys in their time was awesome, so much excitement and intensity men I miss them.

As a Philly native and diehard sixers fan, this game 1 was one of those games you remember exactly where you were when you watched it!