On November 1, 1996, the Sixers squared off against the Milwaukee Bucks and on that night, the Allen Iverson era began. The Sixers top pick debuted on that night and the Sixers began a time in the team’s history when they were anchored by one of the smallest players in the game, who happened to possess one of the biggest hearts.
The Sixers lost to the Bucks 111-103 on that night, but Sixers fans were given a serious glimpse of what was to come from their new superstar.
Iverson finished the game with 30 points, six assists and a steal. He shot 12-19 from the floor and 2-4 from beyond the arc.
On that night, Iverson set the mark for points scored in a career debut by a Sixers player over the last 50 years. His 30 points is followed by his then teammate Jerry Stackhouse (27) and Sixers rookie Jahlil Okafor (26).
After some memorable Georgetown vs UCONN battles, it was only fitting that the two biggest stars of those teams - Allen Iverson & Ray Allen - would make their NBA debuts against each other.
November 1st, 1996 - Iverson showed why he was the #1 overall pick with 30 points (76ers debut record) and 6 assists but Ray Allen (13 points on 3 of 10 shooting) got the W with the help of future all-stars Glenn Robinson and Vin Baker and the great play by point guard Sherman Douglas who put up 22 points and 8 assists against AI.
The two would have many memorable performances against each other and be part of one of the best and most controversial playoff series of all-time - the 2001 Eastern Conference Finals that ended with a 44 point GM7 performance by Iverson and Ray Allen accusing the NBA of rigging the series because they and NBC didn’t want a “small MARKET” team to play against the Shaq/Kobe Lakers in the finals.
13 сен 2024
