AI’s Return – Top 10 Countdown: #5

No. 5 – “PLAYOFFS??”

The number 5 moment in our countdown to honor the return of Allen Iverson back to the (215) Wednesday night comes from the 1999 lockout shortened season. It was the beginning of something special forming under the Allen Iverson-Larry Brown era, as Iverson led the league in scoring and the Sixers to the playoffs for the first time post-Barkley.

The Sixers won game 1 then lost a tough one in game 2 when the offense just didn’t show up as the Sixers scored 68 points while shooting 38% from the field. That set the stage for game 3, the first Sixer home playoff game since the 1991 East semi-finals and the Answer as always, delivered. He came out and dropped 33 points and had a playoff record 10 steals in the victory, setting the stage for game 4 and a possibly clinch the series.  Game 4 proved to be just that as the Sixers came out and wrapped up the series in 4 games and advanced behind Iverson’s 37 point and 9 assists.

Number 5 moment; May 15, 1999. The first of many Sixers post-season series clinchers in the Iverson era. Game 4, 1999 Eastern Conference 1st Round.