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2001 NBA All-Star Game


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Sunday, February 11, 2001
Confident Iverson has no problems on-court



Allen Iverson
Allen Iverson barely stands 6-feet tall, but his play proved huge enough for him to hoist the MVP trophy.
WASHINGTON -- Allen Iverson had an Answer for everything the West threw at the East in the All-Star game.

Slashing through the lane from all angles, keeping defenders honest with an occasional jumper, and providing pinpoint assists, Iverson led the charge as the Eastern Conference made up a 21-point deficit to beat the West 111-110 Sunday.

The Philadelphia 76ers' guard finished with 25 points, 15 in the final nine minutes, and was selected as Most Valuable Player.

"Everybody was saying we couldn't win because of our size," Iverson said. "It's not about size, it's about the size of your heart."

He accepted the MVP trophy from NBA commissioner David Stern -- who chastised Iverson last fall for lyrics on a rap album offensive to homosexuals and women.

All-Star MVPs since 1980

1980 – George Gervin, San Antonio

1981 – Tiny Archibald, Boston

1982 – Larry Bird, Boston

1983 – Julius Erving, Philadelphia

1984 – Isiah Thomas, Detroit

1985 – Ralph Sampson, Houston

1986 – Isiah Thomas, Detroit

1987 – Tom Chambers, Seattle

1988 – Michael Jordan, Chicago

1989 – Karl Malone, Utah

1990 – Magic Johnson, LA Lakers

1991 – Charles Barkley, Philadelphia

1992 – Magic Johnson, LA Lakers

1993 – Karl Malone and John Stockton, Utah

1994 – Scottie Pippen, Chicago

1995 – Mitch Richmond, Sacramento

1996 – Michael Jordan, Chicago

1997 – Glen Rice, Charlotte

1998 – Michael Jordan, Chicago

1999 – No game.

2000 – Tim Duncan, San Antonio; Shaquille O'Neal, LA Lakers

2001 – Allen Iverson, Philadelphia

In an obvious reference to that and Iverson's slight build at 6-feet, 165 pounds, a grinning Stern told Iverson that great basketball "can be wrapped -- if you pardon the expression -- in very small packages."

Iverson also was fined by the league for yelling a slur at hecklers during a game in Indiana last month.

While his character has been questioned, no one has any problems with Iverson's game. He led the NBA in scoring two seasons ago, was second last season, and is averaging 29.7 points this season, only 0.2 behind league leader Kobe Bryant.

He was the last player out during the fireworks-sparked pregame introductions at the MCI Center and he was the one lighting it up at the end to the delight of the crowd.

The East started terribly, down 11-0 by the first TV timeout, and was down by the same margin at halftime. When Dallas Mavericks forward Michael Finley scored inside with 9:05 left to play, the West was up 95-74.

Given that this was an exhibition game, the outcome certainly did not seem to be in doubt.

Iverson, nicknamed "The Answer" because few situations confound him when it comes to scoring, didn't think so.

He exhorted his teammates during timeouts, and confidently told the people working at the scorer's table that he would lead the East to victory.

Indeed he did, with 15 points the rest of the way, plus three of his team-high five assists.

By producing the way he did, with the outcome on the line, Iverson upstaged such other young stars as Toronto's Vince Carter (16 points, including two rousing first-half dunks, one after a 360-degree turn in the air, the other a windmill slam), and the Lakers' Bryant (West-leading 19 points, but passed up a chance to take the winning shot at the buzzer).

"That's why we call him 'The Answer,' " said Hawks center Dikembe Mutombo, who had 22 rebounds for the East. "We had so many questions on the bench and he kept responding."

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ALSO SEE
Iverson answers final bell for East in All-Star Game stunner

Carter-Bryant matchup a slam for All-Star fans


AUDIO VIDEO
video
 ESPN's David Aldridge talks with Allen Iverson after being selected as the Most Valuable Player award.
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1

 Allen Iverson makes an amazing one-handed shot from the baseline.
avi: 626 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1

 Allen Iverson and his eastern conference teammates know it's all about the heart.
avi: 2756 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1

audio
 Allen Iverson likes the future of the NBA.
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RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6



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